HAPPY 4E FROM JULY to the craziest and most amazing community ever.
This 4th of July I’m going to be relaxing by the pool with my family, eating, drinking skinny margs, Aperol Spritz or maybe even mocktails. We’ll have the best street tacos from ALCE 101’s taco bar (if you’re interested, check it out here).
I wanted to give you a quick little 4th of July resource for how to make fun, last-minute plans for the day. Each of these ideas is quick, easy, effective and will be a real hit. We’ll go over some recipes and drinks if you’re gathering with friends or heading to a big party, and I’ll share some of my latest reads if you’re just chilling by the pool (sounds like a dream) .
Before we get to the nitty-gritty, remember to stay safe, especially when it comes to your sun exposure. We created the CANDLE driving gloves for those days when you need some protection, but want to keep things cute. Also, throw your HOT MESS ice roller in the SLEEPING BAG for a quick lunchtime dusting after too many fries. LOL.
OK, let’s go.
How to Have an Epic 4th of July With Skinny Margins, Guacamole, Cake, and More
✩ THE CONFIDENTIAL SKINNY MARGARITA
Here’s the thing: I know what I want. I am precise. Just because I know what I want doesn’t mean I’m a bitch. So, if you’re away for the 4th of July, remember to be nice, tip well, and politely ask for what you want (if you’re specific). That’s how you get it – you ask. GOOD.
Anyway, back to the margarita.
Ingredients:
+ 1.5 ounces of white tequila
+ 1 ounce Cointreau (use Triple Sec if not available)
+ files (tons)
+ a little lemon
+ a grain of agave (like a fucking SPECK!)
+ option: 2 squeezes of a grapefruit or even pomegranates
+ half salt border, always
directions:
Use a lime to rim the glass, then add salt only halfway up the rim. In a martini shaker, add 3/4 fresh lime juice, a squeeze of lemon, then add Cointreau (or Triple Sec) and tequila.
HOT TIP: try a half rim of tajine to keep things interesting.
Golden Rule : When making a cocktail, start with the cheapest ingredients first and finish with the most expensive last. Add ice to Blender (you don’t want the ice cream melting into your ingredients, so do this last). Add ice to a rimmed glass, shake and strain your cocktail over ice. Garnish with a slice of grapefruit or a wedge of lime.
✩ SUPER QUICK SPICY GUACAMOLE
This is an explosive recipe that takes like 5 seconds. You have to organize a dinner party but you don’t have time? I got you. Someone’s birthday? Bring that guac, you’ll be a real hit. Football Sunday? This guac needs to be involved. No football Sunday should be without guacamole.
Ingredients:
+ 5 organic avocados
+ Spicy Guac starter
+ 1/2 organic lemon
+ Chilli flakes (optional for an extra zing!)
Directions:
Mash the avocados, add the entree, squeeze the lemon and sprinkle with chili flakes to taste…yes guys, it’s SO easy. Grab a bowl of fries or chunks of endive lettuce, crack a cold beer and enjoy!
I have to mention that it’s always fun to sex your guac: you can always add mango for the mango guac! Corn or tomatoes are also a fun addition. Sometimes I add cilantro – BECAUSE YUM.
✩ STRAWBERRY CAKE SHEET
Ta-da. A cute and fun pink strawberry cake. The best part of this cake @acozykitchen is that you can decorate it as you wish. You could even make little ghosts or pumpkins for Halloween – sheet cakes are so fun.
Roasted Strawberry Puree
♡ ¾ cup sliced strawberries (about 4 strawberries)
♡ 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
♡ pinch of salt
♡ 2 drops red food coloring gel ( optional )
DIRECTIONS:
+ Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small baking dish, combine strawberries, sugar and salt. Place in the oven to roast for 10 minutes.
+ Remove it from the oven and transfer it to a food processor. Blend until completely smooth. Measure 1/4 cup and set aside. (Adrianna suggests saving any extra puree for making cocktails – yum).
Strawberry cake:
♡ 1 ¼ cup and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
♡ 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
♡ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
♡ ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
♡ 1 ¼ granulated sugar
♡ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
♡ ⅓ cup of milk
♡ 3 large egg whites
♡ ¼ roasted strawberry purée
DIRECTIONS:
+ Keep the oven at 350 degrees F and grease and line a 8×8 inch baking pan (you can also use a 9 inch round panA 9×5 loaf pan– check these two options at 25 minutes, or do cupcakes– check after 15 min).
+ In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Put aside.
+ In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with an electric mixer), add the butter, sugar and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
+ In a measuring cup, pour the milk, egg whites and reserved 1/4 cup strawberry puree and whisk until combined.
+ Turn the mixer to low speed &, alternating the dry ingredients & the liquid ingredients (the strawberry/egg white mixture), add the butter/sugar mixture until the dough is relatively smooth.
+ Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth until it reaches the sides. Transfer to the oven to bake for 25 to 32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
+ Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then invert it onto a cooling rack and let it cool to room temperature. It takes about an hour.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting:
♡ 5 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
♡ 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
♡ 2 cups Granulated sugar
♡ ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
♡ pinch of salt
♡ 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional)
♡ ¼ cup freeze-dried strawberries
DIRECTIONS:
+ Using a food processor or spice grinder, add 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries. Pulse for about 1 minute until it looks like a powder. Measure 1 tbsp.
+ In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a medium bowl using an electric hand mixer), add the cream cheese and beat until smooth. I like to do this, otherwise the cream cheese frosting will have little clumps of cream cheese. Then add the butter and beat until smooth, about 15 seconds.
+ Add powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat for a full 2 minutes to ensure a fluffy, delicious frosting.
✩ WATERMELON JERKY
Credit goes entirely to Sakara’s life. These girls sent me this snack and I was immediately hooked. Like hanging where I needed to snack every night. They don’t produce any more but you can make your own like me. Sure, it’s not as good as the jerky Sakara used to make, but it’s still perfectly chewy and satisfying.
Ingredients:
+ an organic fat ass watermelon
+ organic cayenne powder
+ as much lime as you want
directions:
Add to a dehydrator. cut the watermelon into 1-inch slices. Discard the ends and remove the rinds. After removing the crust, cut slices about 1/4 inch thick. Lightly add cayenne powder (I like it A LOT but it’s spicy so you only need a little) then place the watermelon slices on the dehydrator. Once in the dehydrator, squeeze some lime on top. Dry at 135 degrees F for 18 (YES, 18) hours.
{ recipe via }
✩ KOMBUCHA VODKA
Cocktails with probiotics.
If that’s not cool, I don’t know what is?
Ingredients:
+1-2 ounces of vodka (I like the gluten-free Titos)
+ A few drops of sparkling water
+ A few splashes of Kombucha
+ Fresh mint (I like a LOT)
+ Shaved ginger
+ Grapefruit bitters (if you don’t have one, use a squeeze of lemon)
+ Handful of Ice
Directions:
Add ice to a chilled glass. Add the vodka and top up with a little sparkling water. Then add 1/2 cup of your favorite Kombucha on top. Take some mint and clap it between your hands (“it brings out the flavor”). Use the mint as a garnish and mix it into the cocktail. Garnish with a few dashes of grapefruit (or lemon) bitters and shave some ginger on top (use a cheese grater to shave off the ginger!). Option: add raspberries for a festive touch. CHEERS!
✩ JENNIFER ANISTON CAULIFLOWER PIZZA
According to her stylist, this is Jennifer Aniston’s favorite pizza order (we just make it on a cauli crust):
Ingredients:
+ 1 pizza crust
+ 3/4 c Rao sauce
+ 1 bell pepper, diced
+ 1/4 cup black olives
+ 1/4 cup minced onion
+ mozzarella cheese
+ 1 handful of arugula
+ chili flakesto taste
+ garlic mitts, to taste
+ squeeze of lemon
+ optional: add artichokes for extra fiber.
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400F, place the crust on a non-stick baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before adding toppings. Pour the sauce over the pizza crust. Garnish with peppers, onions, olives and mozzarella cheese. Enjoy as is or cook for a few more minutes. Remove from oven and top with fresh arugula, LOTS of lemon and chili flakes. Enjoy!
+TSC TIP: Rao’s Arrabbiata Sauce is my FAVE. The ingredients are on point and it goes perfectly with the jalapeño crust. If you can’t find Rao’s sauce, Luciano’s is perfect too.
✩ LISTEN
TSC playlists are perfect (especially the VIBEZZZ a) Whether you’re at a pool party or keeping cool in your backyard. Also be sure to check out the latest podcast episodes, we have Chervin of Cymbiotika, Dan Bilzerian& the founder of Craigs, LA.
✩ JUICY READS
& if you’re keeping it extra cool this weekend & looking for must-reads, I highly recommend:
+ The Secret Conversations by Peter Evans
+ PARIS: The Memoir by Paris Hilton
+ The passage by Tinx
+ Can’t hurt me by David Goggins
+ The set up by Dan Bilzerian
+ Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson
+ Discipline is fate by Ryan Holiday
x, lauryne
+ to organize a vegan bbq this post.
++ for outfit inspiration, track down my latest France seems.
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