Pairing 101: Why care about the pair?

Navigating an extensive wine list or cocktail menu should be a journey in experimentation to find your favorite flavors - and never a daunting feat at the table. With a few basics and simple tips, you can ensure that you enjoy your meal to the fullest.

"Whether you're dining out or cooking at home, the trick to a satisfying pairing comes from understanding the fundamentals and understanding your personal palate," says Leigh Merritt, director of bar innovation for Bonefish Grill restaurants. "Keep in mind that pairing isn't an exact science, and personal preference is always most important. When you drink what you enjoy, the entire meal comes together."

Here are Merritt's top tips to consider when creating a great pairing:

Understand wine flavors

Three factors influence the taste of wines: the type of grape, where that grape is grown, and how the wine is processed and handled will affect the flavor notes. The same species of grape grown in California will have different characteristics than one grown in Chile. Grapes fermented in oak will differ from wine in stainless steel. Don't be afraid to ask questions when purchasing spirits or ordering drinks at a restaurant, and enjoy learning about the flavors you like.

Assess the whole dish

In general, light-styled wines do pair better with lighter styles of food such as shrimp or scallops, as their delicate flavors harmonize better. However, it's important to pay attention to all the ingredients on the plate. For instance, grilled shrimp may have a subtle flavor by itself, but when served with the bold flavors of a Chimichurri sauce, the dish takes on a different profile that can taste great with a richer, deeper wine.

Why care about the pair?

A good wine and food pairing will work together to bring out the best flavors in each. The wine shouldn't overpower the food, nor should the food overpower the wine. This delicate balance can be achieved by using either complementary or contrasting flavors.

Complementary flavors

Some pairs come naturally, like fresh seafood and lemon, or fresh sashimi and wasabi. The similar flavors work together to create a classic duo. When dealing with libations, complementary flavors similarly yield a symbiotic, balanced result. This strategy brings wines together with dishes that share similar notes, such as an earthy pinot noir and robust Chicken Marsala or Fontina Chop. The combination of tastes has a lot of synergy and smooth transition from food to drink.

Contrasting flavors

Wine can also have a cleansing effect on your palate, and using contrasting flavors can make a meal very exciting. To create a good contrast, remember that opposites attract, and pair foods and wines that have divergent traits, such as a crisp sauvignon blanc and a fresh Grilled Grouper with a Lemon Butter sauce. The crisp acidity of the wine cuts through the creaminess of the sauce and gives a different, refreshing sensation for the palate. Another example of this contrast effect would be a sweet wine, like gewürztraminer with fiery Bang Bang Shrimp or Diablo Shrimp Fettuccine.

Several restaurants will even let you sample wines or explore half-pours to expand your oenophile experiences. Remember to have fun and experiment with your food and drink pairings to find your own personal preference. You may be surprised by the different flavors of food and wines that work well for your palate, creating a great experience every time.

Seize the summer with fun and good times wherever you go

The official start of summer is upon us and with it comes school breaks, longer days, vacations and social soirees galore. Summertime only comes around once a year, so make a pledge to make this summer the best you've ever had by planning ahead and staying in the loop about the season's hottest activities.

Perez Hilton, celebrity blogger and music aficionado, dishes the inside scoop for how everyone can make the most out of this summer. Below are some trendy ideas from Hollywood's unofficial ambassador to fun.

* "Take advantage of festivals and outdoor concerts. Check out local event websites to look for free concerts in your area. These free events are often the best place to see great, up-and-coming artists and bands."

* "Make a summer playlist with songs that make you want to get up and dance. 'Call Me Maybe' by Carly Rae Jepsen and 'Payphone' by Maroon 5 are tunes that will definitely be on my playlist a lot these coming months."

* "Amplify fun by bringing music to the beach, pool, or wherever the sun may take you. It's easy to listen to your summer play list with the Pringles Speaker Can. Simply attach the specialty-designed speaker to the top of any empty can of Pringles crisps and hook it up to a personal MP3 player or similar music device. It makes listening to music fun and yummy."

* "Don't wait for a special occasion or holiday to host a shindig. Get the grill started and invite everyone you know over for a grand fiesta. Tell guests to bring their favorite dish and something unique to showcase their personality."

* "Recruit three or four friends and take an epic road trip to a neighboring state or across America. The destination possibilities are endless. Seek out hidden gems and make sure to pack a camera for once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities."

* "Take advantage of the warm weather and get active outdoors. I love to hike and ride my bike to get the endorphins going. See what summer leagues are available in your community and join with friends."

Now that you have an arsenal of summer fun ideas, get up, get out there and seize the summer. There are only a few more months of this special season, so make the most of every day. Officially start your best summer ever by visiting www.Pringles.com/current-promotions for information on how to get your free speaker.

Do-it-yourself weekend warrior survival guide

(BPT) - It's the do-it-yourself dream: deciding on the perfect DIY project just as the weekend finally arrives. All the supplies have been purchased and you're ready to dive right in. However, the enthusiastic start of the project doesn't always end in completion.



"Knocking out a big home improvement or do-it-yourself project in one weekend can be a rewarding task, but it is also challenging and can be taxing on your knees, feet and back when standing in the same position for several hours," says Mark Clement, home improvement expert and co-host of the national radio show MyFixitUpLife.



Whether you are woodworking at your workbench or staining a piece of furniture in the garage, Clement offers these tips to make the most of your DIY weekend projects while also feeling comfortable enough to successfully finish them:



Focus on form and technique. When learning a new technique, go slowly, step by step, until you've mastered it. Allow your body to become accustomed to the various motions required. Moving efficiently is one of the best ways to avoid injury.



Stay hydrated. Make it a priority to drink at least 125 ounces of cold water each day. Staying hydrated is important when exerting DIY energy, especially in the summer heat. So whether you're digging up the garden, roofing the shed, or wrenching in a no-AC garage, keep a water bottle or sports drink close by.



Create a comfortable workspace. Be conscious of how long you are standing in the same spot working on your project and how your back feels. To relieve pressure and soreness on feet, knees and back, use a durable mat like the Stanley Utility Mat that is engineered with an optimal balance of cushion and support.



Dress appropriately. Flip-flops and sandals do not offer the balance, protection and support that a sturdy closed-toe shoe or work boot does while tackling home improvement projects. Even if you have the grace of a ballerina in the workshop or yard, it is remarkably easy to drop things on your feet and it only takes a small distraction to create a big problem.



Know your limits. When you only have a weekend to finish a big project, you might be feeling the pressure. Before the project even starts, accept that it may not all go according to plan. Plan for a few different scenarios and remember that you can always ask for help.



Have a first aid kit. Even if you are being extremely cautious, accidents can happen and it's best to be prepared. Keep a first aid kit with all the essentials (antibiotic ointment, bandages, burn cream, etc.) near you at all times and seek professional medical help if necessary.



For more information about the Stanley Utility Mat, visit homedepot.com and to tune into MyFixitUpLife visit http://myfixituplife.com/DIY/.

Six tips to liven up your laundry room

Check out these tips from Jenny, The Home Depot, Tide and Maytag for the Brilliant HE Clean campaign on how to create more efficient and enjoyable laundry rooms:



*Dealing with a dark, cave-like laundry room is a chore in and of itself. By taking off the doors on a few of your upper cabinets, you'll open up the space and create a place to store baskets. Assign baskets for every member of the house, which makes sorting a breeze.



*Why not decoupage or paint the insides of your cabinets for a fun pop of color? It's a guaranteed smile each and every time you reach for your detergent. Also don't ignore the door. Adhere some cork panels on the inside of the cabinet doors and create a space to pin all those stain removal tips.



*Don't like the cabinets, floors and countertops in your laundry room? Every surface can be painted or resurfaced. Update your laundry room with paint and a concrete overlay for less than $30 in materials. Say goodbye to the outdated linoleum, brick pavers and old, dark cabinets.



*A rolling laundry butler can be your best friend, doing triple duty with a hanging bar, a rolling basket and a drying rack. It's the perfect choice for smaller laundry rooms that haven't been updated in a few decades.



*Don't neglect your laundry room walls. Hanging interesting art and mirrors will elevate your room and make it feel less utilitarian and a little homier. Suddenly those 400 loads of laundry most of us will do this year might actually be enjoyable.



*A folding station makes all the difference. Use a slab of stone or a simple piece of painted medium-density fiberboard (MDF) on top of washer/dryer units to create a folding station that also prevent socks from slipping in between the appliances.



Learn more about the campaign and enter to win a $5,000 laundry room redesign from Jenny and a Maytag Washer and Dryer by visiting www.tideandmaytag.com.

Woman with rare disease overcomes adversity one mountain at a time

Tanya's mysterious nightmare lasted for two decades and entailed visits to specialist after specialist in pursuit of an explanation for her swelling attacks along with frequent visits to the emergency room. Over the years, she was misdiagnosed with a litany of conditions including 'muscular uterus,' gall stones, ulcers and allergies. Despite her determination to find answers, healthcare providers had failed to pinpoint the cause for her seemingly helpless condition. This caused Tanya extreme frustration, and she even suffered from bouts of depression.



Two years ago, Tanya finally found an answer to her unexplained swelling attacks. She visited an allergist and immunologist who recognized her symptoms and accurately diagnosed her with hereditary angioedema (HAE), an extremely debilitating and potentially life-threatening disease that can rob people of educational and career opportunities and cause decreased overall mental and physical health. HAE is a rare genetic disease that affects about 6,000 people in the United States. The disease causes repeated swelling attacks that can occur anywhere in the body, including arms, legs, hands, feet, stomach, genitals, face or throat.



The average HAE patient endures about 10 years of repeated misdiagnosis before the disease is accurately identified. In fact, approximately 68 percent of people with HAE in the United States are initially misdiagnosed because the symptoms of HAE mimic other disorders, such as an allergic reaction, appendicitis, and ulcers, among many others. There is a need for increased awareness of HAE given that patients have therapy options to help them.



After receiving an accurate diagnosis of HAE, Tanya was put on a preventive prescription therapy. With the frequency and severity of her HAE attacks helped by therapy and by seeing her physician regularly, Tanya has even been able to ski the Rocky Mountains and hike the Ice Lakes located in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. She has also reached the summit of Mt. Humphreys in Arizona, followed by Mt. Whitney in California. She hopes to someday reach the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, which is the highest peak in both the Western-and-Southern Hemispheres, and would be her biggest adventure yet.



"Whether it was meeting friends for a hike, a bike ride or even competitive events, having an HAE attack made it impossible. I was simply unable to show up because of the unbearable pain and swelling," says Tanya. "I am grateful there are treatment options for people like me living with HAE because today, I feel I can do just about anything I put my mind to."



Tanya also just recently competed in her first mountain bike race in Flagstaff, AZ and hit another major milestone - celebrating her one year anniversary with her husband. Tanya is so thankful that she and her husband can have a future together that is not purely dictated by her disease.



Now that Tanya has finally reached a place in her life where she is knowledgeable about HAE and feels in control of her condition and her future, her advice to other people who are living with a rare or chronic disease is to not be discouraged when seeking an accurate diagnosis, search for resources, know your limitations and shoot for the moon!



"I suggest that you leave no stone unturned in your quest to live a happy and active life," says Tanya. "Do not be afraid; you are not alone. Being diagnosed with a rare disease is just one part of your journey."



To learn more about HAE and hear other stories from HAE patients like Tanya, visit www.HAEandMe.com, an online resource for people with HAE and their loved ones. To find a health care professional, visit www.HAEA.org, the official Web site of the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association.

Stake your claim as grilling guru with America's classic: the cheeseburger

As Americans fire up their grills and the smell of charcoal pervades the blistering summer air, cheeseburgers claim the spot as the paramount menu item from coast to coast.

Since the cheeseburger's epic debut in the 1930s, the summertime staple has earned its rightful spot as the unequivocally American classic. Deemed the quintessential comfort food, 55 percent of Americans would even forgo French fries to top their burger with cheese. Despite the laundry list of toppings, one ingredient reigns supreme: can you "say cheese?"

"Americans have a love affair with the cheeseburger, and Sargento Natural Sliced Cheeses transform ordinary burgers into a savory sizzling experience," notes Stephanie Meyer, core marketing manager at Sargento. "The authentic flavor and texture of natural, never processed cheese easily amps up any juicy cookout creation."

As the most preferred topping for a burger, cheese is simply irreplaceable. A burger without cheese is like a sundae without the hot fudge or peanut butter without the jelly. In fact, more than three in four Americans can't imagine eating a burger without it. Rising to the top of cheeseburger aficionados' lists are Cheddar, Swiss and Pepper Jack, all offered by Sargento.

Looking to raise the bar on your juicy cheeseburger creations? Try the mouthwatering "Drill Sargento Burger" recipe below from Chicago's iconic burger joint, Butcher & the Burger.

Drill Sargento Burger

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

8 ounces ground Black Angus Chuck

1 tablespoon finely minced Vidalia onion

1 teaspoon chopped Italian parsley

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon fresh minced garlic

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 slice Sargento Deli Style Sliced Sharp Cheddar Cheese

1 slice Sargento Deli Style Sliced Baby Swiss Cheese

1 slice (1/4-inch thick) ripe beefsteak or heirloom tomato

1 split top bun

2 thick slices bacon, cut in half

1 heaping tablespoon sauteed onions

Dijon mustard

Directions:

Mix beef with onion, parsley, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Shape into patties. Brush lightly with olive oil and grill until desired doneness.

Meanwhile, toast bun and spread mustard on bottom half. Warm onion and cook bacon.

Put burger on bottom half of bun, top with onions and Swiss. Melt cheese under a broiler.

Top with tomato slice, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. Top with bacon and Sharp Cheddar. Melt cheese under a broiler, top with bun.