Song of the Week

Calvin Harris - This Is What You Came For feat. Rihanna

Our 4th of July Menu

When you live in California, Mexican inspired food is as American as apple pie, and its ingredients feature in our diets on a daily basis.  This menu mixes these influences with more widely accepted American staples for a decadent, seasonal summer feast.

To Start

Loaded Nachos

Skip the meat or add a side of guacamole, salsa, and chips or crudités if you have vegetarian guests

Chiles Toreados

Main Course

The BA Burger Deluxe for meat eaters 

Substitute a turkey or veggie patty for those who don't eat red meat

Tomato Sandwich with Basil Mayonnaise for non-meat eaters

Substitute Vegenaise and add avocado for a vegan option, or add mozzarella for vegetarian guests

Mexican Street Corn

Vegenaise could also work in this dish, or you could lighten it up with just cayenne and lime

Spicy Slaw 

Stick with the original recipe, or try the Mexican variation

For Dessert

Blueberry Tart

To Drink

Fresh Strawberry Shakes for the teetotalers (or kids)

Watermelon Margaritas for the drinkers

We Recommend: Desert Island Discs

The long running BBC Radio 4 program, Desert Island Discs, is quintessentially British and very enjoyable.  Running off and on (mostly on) since 1942, and currently hosted by Kirsty Young, each show features a notable guest, or 'castaway', who's asked which eight recordings, one book, and one luxury item they would take to a deserted island.  Everyone from Gloria Steinem, to Elton John, to Richard Attenborough, to Margaret Thatcher has appeared on the show over the years.  It's a unique format, one that reveals layers of the guest's personality, personal history, and sense of humor quite differently than any other interview style does.  We love finding some favorite celebrities' programs, all available in Apple's podcast app, iTunes, or the BBC archives, for a road trip or long commute.  Each episode is a fascinating glimpse into the subject's psyche, and provides new favorite songs to download.

Keith Richards with host Kirsty Young

Song of the Week

Kim Wilde - Kids in America

Crazy About: Scarf Prints

clockwise from top left: t-shirt, blouse, culotte shorts, halter, fringed shorts,

collared dress, capris, sleeveless dress, caftan, sneakers, romper