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16 All-American Recipes For Your Next Outdoor Gathering

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Gourmandize
Homemade Root Beer 12/16

©iStock / Getty Images Plus / Klimenko Oksana

Homemade Root Beer

There's an old-fashioned charm that comes with making a fresh batch of root beer! We've been enjoying the beverage over here in the US for centuries, and it's still popular today. With every sip, its distinctive taste takes you back, so why not take a trip down memory lane with our recipe?

Ingredients (for 6 people):

  • 1 gal. chilled seltzer water
  • 1 star anise
  • 4 tbsp sarsaparilla root 
  • 1/4 cup sassafras root bark 
  • 1 tbsp licorice root
  • 2 tbsp ginger root
  • 1 tbsp licorice root
  • 3 cups brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Combine all  the ingredients in a saucepan, except for the brown sugar and vanilla.
  2. Allow to simmer for 30 min.
  3. After that time, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla. 
  4. Strain the mixture into a large jar or container and let cool. Pour 1/2 cup of chilled seltzer water into a jar, then mix in 1/2 a cup of the chilled syrup. It's best to mix the two when they're cold, as this creates the most fizz. 
  5. Put into a large vacuum container and share with family and friends. 

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Chef Tips and Tricks

VIDEO: Tropical Salmon Sushi Cups

These fun Tropical Salmon Sushi Cups make the perfect warm-weather appetizer!

 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 cups cooked sushi rice
  • 1 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 tbsp seasame oil
  • 1 tsp chili paste
  • Salt
  • 1 mango, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 lb salmon, diced

Method

  1. Combine the rice vinegar and sugar.
  2. Stir though the cooked sushi rice, and with wet hands, shape into balls.
  3. Press the balls into ramekins lined with parchment paper, and press the rice up the sides of the ramekins into cup shapes.
  4. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  5. In the meantime, combine the soy sauce, cilantro, sesame oil, chili paste and salt in a bowl.
  6. Combine the mango, avocado and salmon.
  7. Pour the soy mixture over the salmon mixture, and stir through until evenly coated.
  8. Remove the rice cups from the refrigerator, and peel off the parchment paper.
  9. Distribute the salmon mixture between the rice cups.
  10. Garnish, serve and enjoy!