Last Updated on July 3, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans

Pair Summer Favorites with a Simple
Potato Salad

(Family Features) Ideal for
neighborhood cookouts, quick family dinners and anything in between, potato
salad is a tried-and-true summer favorite. This version from Cookin’ Savvy
comes together in a snap so you can spend more time enjoying the sun and less
time in the kitchen. Pair this easy potato salad with more warm-weather recipe
inspiration found at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhUIPGWfbrw?si=UJ2zY8g_aHMcWTsV&controls=0]

Potato Salad
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

• 3 pounds
  potatoes
• 4 boiled
  eggs, coarsely chopped
• 2 dill
  pickles
• 1 tablespoon
  garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon
  onion powder
• 1 package
  (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
• 2 cups
  mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons
  mustard
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• smoked paprika, for garnish

1. Coarsely chop potatoes. In Dutch
   oven, boil until fork tender. Drain then add coarsely chopped eggs and pickles.
2. Add garlic powder, onion powder,
   bacon pieces, mayonnaise and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
   Mix well.
3. Transfer to large bowl and
   refrigerate 1-2 hours. Garnish with smoked paprika.

SOURCE:

Culinary.net

Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans

Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans

Expert Entertaining Advice for Hosting Summer Soirees

(Feature Impact) For summer hosts across the country, few pairings are as timeless and crowd-pleasing as wine and cheese. Approachable, easy to find and naturally complementary, these warm-weather favorites are a perfect fit for a variety of occasions.

At the end of the day, summer entertaining is about good food, good wine and creating a space where people feel welcome, according to sommelier Sam Capaldi, whose mission is to make wine fun and approachable.

“My ideal celebration is pretty simple: a few loved ones gathered on the patio, cheese boards in the center of the table, bottles of wine chilling on ice, music playing in the background and a card game that somehow gets way more competitive than anyone expected,” Capaldi said.

Whether it’s a backyard gathering with friends, a solo night watching reality TV or a spontaneous evening, Capaldi wants hosts to remember that the best pairings aren’t just what’s in the glass and on the board – it’s the people, moments and memories that come with them.

In partnership with Cracker Barrel Cheese, Capaldi is sharing simple tips for hosts looking to elevate their summer soirees without the hassle.

Make Entertaining Simple and Fun

The pressure to create the perfect tablescape, prepare an impressive meal and uncork an expensive bottle of wine can feel overwhelming. Instead, a simple text that says “Come over, I have wine and snacks,” can mean the world to a close friend or loved one.

One of Capaldi’s favorite reminders for hosts is they don’t need five different wines to serve alongside a cheese board. Instead, one or two are often more than enough. The key is choosing versatile wines that pair well with a variety of flavors and textures.

Create Memorable, Crowd-Pleasing Pairings

Elevate any gathering with some of Capaldi’s favorite approachable wine and Cracker Barrel Cheese pairings such as:

• A refreshing white wine, Sharp White Cheddar drizzled with spicy honey and potato chips. The bright acidity of the wine cuts through the salty chips and rich, savory cheese, creating a fresh and balanced bite.
• A fruity rosé, Extra Sharp Yellow and Sharp White Cheddar, garlic naan crackers, slices of prosciutto and a spoonful of strawberry jam. Rosé is incredibly versatile and plays well with the different flavors on the board, making it a perfect match for several different cheeses.
• Pinot grigio, pretzels and Vermont Sharp White Cheddar. The citrus notes and the bright acidity of pinot grigio cut through the richness of sharp cheddar, while its crisp finish keeps your palate refreshed between bites. Salty pretzels also help highlight the wine’s fruit notes, making every sip taste a little brighter.

Use Seasonal Additions for a Special Touch

Summer offers an abundance of fresh produce and seasonal flavors that can elevate any gathering without overcomplicating the occasion. Capaldi recommends adding frozen fruit to wine, such as strawberries, peaches or mangos to whites and rosés. The fruit helps keep the wine cold without watering it down and adds a subtle burst of fruit flavor.

When it comes to cheese spreads, a jar of spicy honey can quickly become a go-to ingredient. For a sweet-and-salty combination, try drizzling spicy honey over cheese then pair with potato chips or pretzels so your snack board offers a little bit of everything.

For more summer entertaining inspiration, visit CrackerBarrelCheese.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (wine and cheese plates)

Advertisement

SOURCE:
Cracker Barrel Cheese

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Last Updated on July 1, 2026 by Daily News Staff

Cool Down This Summer with a Sweet Slushie

(Family Features) Each season throughout the year seems to
have its own “flavor,” and summer is no exception. Hamburgers and hot dogs off
the grill, refreshing watermelon at snack time and cool, delicious ice cream on
warm evenings.

While many people think of sweetpotatoes during the
holidays, you can make this sweet vegetable a key ingredient all year-round –
including summertime. As one of the most versatile veggies you can find,
they’re easy to add to a variety of recipes while enhancing flavor and boosting
nutrition content.

Sweetpotatoes can be your summer staple in both simple and
elevated recipes alike, as well as in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be
cooked or prepared in several ways: on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled or
slow cooked.

Or, for an easy way to cool down in the heat, try them in a
creamy drink like this Sweetpotato Summer Slushie. It may surprise you, but
sweetpotatoes are ideal for sipping – smoothies and cocktails are both
crowd-pleasers, especially during sweltering summer days. This refreshing treat
can be made with or without the boozy kick; just break out the blender and kick
back in the sunshine.

To discover more ways to cook and enjoy sweetpotatoes all
summer long, visit ncsweetpotatoes.com.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5xyuKDlklQ?si=JiKNgtk78Vc8NiMU&controls=0]

Sweetpotato Summer Slushie

Recipe courtesy of the North
Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

• 1          cup cooked,
  mashed North
  Carolina Sweetpotatoes
• ⁠1          cup
  pineapple juice
• ⁠1/2       cup orange
  juice
• ⁠1/4       cup lemon
  juice
• ⁠1/4       cup coconut
  milk
• 2-3       tablespoons
  simple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
• 1          teaspoon
  vanilla extract
• 2          cups crushed
  ice
• 2          ounces
  spiced rum, coconut rum or bourbon (optional)
•             pineapple
  slices or orange wedges, for garnish (optional)

1. ⁠In blender, blend sweetpotatoes, pineapple juice, orange
   juice, lemon juice, coconut milk, simple syrup or honey, vanilla extract and
   ice until smooth and slushy.
2. Pour into glasses and serve.
3. ⁠For alcoholic version: Add spiced rum, coconut rum or
   bourbon after blending. Pulse in blender or stir after blending for layered
   effect.
4. Garnish with pineapple slices or orange wedges, if desired.

SOURCE:

North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission