Mario Batali’s 5 Picks for Best Recipes Around America

Kimberly Wang
Nov 09, 2016

Mario Batali might have first made his name as a chef and Food Network personality, but the celeb chef has gone on to build a veritable food empire — his hospitality group operates 25 restaurants in 12 cities across the US (BABBO Ristorante e Enoteca and Eataly in NYC are both must-stops for many a travel itinerary).

As a result, Mario knows a thing or two about American cuisine, and recently, with his wealth of knowledge, he published a cookbook titled Big American Cookbook: 250 Favorite Recipes from Across the USA — and yes, the cover DOES feature his famous orange Crocs. While every recipe in the trove is delish, he has some favorites. Mario shared with us his picks for his fave five and even told us why these made the top of his list — check ’em out below!

SWEET POTATO PIE

“If you see a Sweet Potato Pie sporting a marshmallow top, you’re probably looking at one made by a Northerner,” writes Mario in his the Big American Cookbook (Grand Central Life & Style 2016). “Some people put marshmallows on their sweet potato side dish at Thanksgiving, but true Southerners don’t put them on Sweet Potato Pie.” Mario even made a special sweet potato pie for us on our very own Brit + Co for Cheeky plates!

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds sweet potatoes (3-4 large)
  • 1/2 recipe Basic Pie Crust in 9-inch pan (see below)
  • 3 large eggs
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup half-and-half
  • 2 Tablespoons bourbon, optional
  • 2 Tablespoons molasses, plus more for serving, optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • whipped cream for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Line a baking sheet with foil or a silicon mat. Prick each potato several times with the tip of a small, sharp knife. Place on the baking sheet and roast for 60 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until soft. When cool enough to handle, remove the skins, put the flesh in a large bowl and mash with a fork.

3. Pre-bake the prepared pie crust for 12 minutes, until just tan. (You can put it in the oven during the last 12 minutes of the potatoes roasting.) Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, combine the eggs, butter, sugar, half-and-half, bourbon (if you like), molasses, vanilla and nutmeg until smooth. Add the roasted sweet potato and mix to form a smooth filling.

5. Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for 45 minutes, until the filling begins to set. Allow to cool to room temperature. Serve with softly whipped cream and a drizzle of molasses, if you like.

Basic Pie Crust

Makes two nine-inch deep-dish pie crusts, or one double crust

Ingredients:

  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) very cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 cup ice water, or more as needed

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. Add the butter and toss to coat in the flour, then mix with a pastry blender — or the back of a fork, though that will take longer — until the butter is cut into tiny bits and incorporated through the dough. Add six tablespoons of the ice water and mix in until the dough just comes together, adding more water a tablespoonful at a time, if necessary. (The ingredients can be mixed in a food processor, but should be done in two batches.)

2. Dust a work surface with flour and turn the dough out of the bowl. Cut it in half and form two discs. Dust them with more flour, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or up to two days.

3. When ready to roll out the crust, dust your work surface and use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to at least 12 inches across. Carefully line a pie pan with the dough and cut away any excess hanging over the sides. Refrigerate the crust until ready to fill. The second disc can be used for another pie, or as a top crust in double-crusted pies.

MAINE BBQ OYSTERS

This recipe comes straight out of his America Farm to Table (Grand Central Life & Style 2014) cookbook. “When you’re entertaining a group or just in the mood for a lot of oysters, barbecuing is, in my opinion, the simplest and best way to prepare them,” says Mario. “My suggestion: Always add plenty of hot sauce, no matter the preparation!”

Ingredients:
Serves 4-6

  • rock salt, for serving
  • 8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 4 cloves garlic, mashed
  • 1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
  • 2 Tablespoons cocktail sauce, at room temperature
  • 2 Tablespoons crystal hot sauce
  • 24 oysters, scrubbed

Instructions:

1. Preheat the grill or barbecue. Spread rock salt evenly on a serving tray.

2. Place the butter and garlic in a small saucepan and melt the butter over low heat. Add the parsley, cocktail sauce and hot sauce, transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

3. Shuck the oysters and carefully loosen them from the bottom shell, leaving the oyster on the half-shell. Place a scant teaspoon of the butter mixture on top of each oyster and then place them on the grill, shell-side down, and cook until the oyster bubbles and curls up at the edges.

4. Place the cooked oysters, still in their shell, on the rock salt-lined tray, and serve.

TEXAS RED FLANNEL HASH AND POACHED EGGS

This spicy, savory breakfast dish, excerpted from America Farm to Table (Grand Central Life & Style 2014), comes to us from the Lone Star State… kind of. “What most likely originated as a dish to use up leftovers is not authentically Texan but it sure does make sense there, especially if you add some hot chiles,” Mario tells us. “I love to play around with different proteins like turkey or chicken to personalize this dish.”

Ingredients:

  • 2 large bunches beets
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds waxy golden potatoes, such as Yukon Gold (4 medium or 2 large), cut in half
  • kosher salt
  • 7 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 ancho chiles, soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
  • 1 pound cooked corned beef, cut into 1/4-inch dice (you may substitute any leftover protein)
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
  • 6 extra-large eggs
  • Texas Pete hot sauce, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cut off the beet greens and reserve them for ravioli filling or soup. Scrub the beets, toss them with one tablespoon of the olive oil and spread them in a baking pan. Roast until very tender, 50-60 minutes. Let cool slightly, then rub off the skins under running water. Cut into 1/4-inch dice and set aside.

3. Place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with cold water and add two tablespoons salt. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Peel, cut into 1/4-inch dice and set aside.

4. In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, melt six tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Split the ancho chiles and remove the seeds, then cut them into thin strips and toss them into the pan with the beets, potatoes and corned beef and season with salt and pepper. Toss and cook until heated through, about 10 minutes. Add the Worcestershire and cilantro and reduce the heat to low. Once the hash is crispy, turn off the heat and let it set for five to 10 minutes. This will help to keep it together when slicing.

5. Meanwhile, in a 12-inch nonstick pan, heat the remaining one tablespoon butter and one tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Once it has foamed and subsided, crack the eggs into the pan, season with salt and pepper, and fry to the desired doneness.

6. Serve the hash, topping each portion with a fried egg, with Texas Pete hot sauce on the side.

PHILLY CHEESESTEAK

This tasty recipe comes out of The Big American Cookbook (Grand Central Life & Style 2016). As to why he chose this sandwich, Mario says, “The cheesesteak is one of those terrific iconic American foods integral to Philadelphia’s identity.” And it can certainly be a polarizing sandwich. “Ask someone from Philly about the type of bread or cheese they prefer and you might incite some strong opinions,” Mario tells us, “So just go with mine… a sub roll and provolone cheese!” Sounds good to us.

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 ounces mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 pounds rib eye or round steak, thinly sliced (1/8 inch or less)
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
  • 16 slices provolone
  • 4 sub rolls, split and toasted
  • Preheat the broiler in the oven.

Instructions:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until it begins to soften, about five minutes. Add the bell pepper, mushrooms and salt to taste and sauté until they’re softened and the mushrooms begin to brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.

2. Turn the heat under the skillet up to high.

3. Season the meat aggressively with salt and pepper. Working in batches if necessary, add meat to the hot pan and cook, without turning, until dark brown on the first side, one to two minutes. Turn the steaks, cook briefly and push to the side of the pan to give you room to cook more of the meat. Repeat until all the meat is cooked, then splash the vinegar in the pan, and cook until the vinegar is gone, probably another 30 seconds.

4. Divide the cheese among the sub rolls, then top with the meat and the onion mixture. Place the sandwiches under the broiler to melt the cheese. Serve hot.

5. Special Mario Batali Add-On: In Philly, they always offer chopped hot cherry peppers in the little condiment trolley outside. I slather them on with the same abandon as Roman Gabriel’s long bombs.

LOUISIANA BEIGNETS

“If you’ve never been to Café du Monde in New Orleans, stop reading right now and book a flight!” Mario writes in The Big American Cookbook (Grand Central Life & Style 2016). “If you can’t make it, replicating these fried dough squares at home is easy to do, but for the full effect, add in a strong cup of café au lait and maybe some Dixieland jazz playing in the background.” Thanks for the suggestion, Mario!

Ingredients:

  • 1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm water, about 110 degrees Fahrenheit
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • canola or corn oil for frying
  • copious amounts of confectioners’ sugar

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. When it begins to foam, add the egg, milk, melted butter, granulated sugar, nutmeg and salt, and stir to combine. Mix in the flour until a dough forms. Cover with a towel and let rise for an hour or two, or refrigerate overnight.

2. In a large, heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat about two inches of oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Dust a work surface with flour and roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into about two dozen two-inch squares. Working in batches, fry the beignets for one to two minutes per side, until just golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

4. While they’re still warm, put two or three on a plate, shake confectioners’ sugar on them and watch them disappear.

Do you have a fave regional recipe? Share it with us @BritandCo!

(Photos via Quentin Bacon, Hachette Group)

Mandy Teefey’s Go-To Hack Will Make Social Media Suck Less

We all have big feelings. And thanks to social media and rising levels of anxiety, those feelings, well, feel bigger than ever. That’s exactly where resources like Wondermind come in. The self-proclaimed “mental health ecosystem” is all about exploring, discussing, and navigating our emotions together. This Mental Health Awareness Month, Wondermind wants you to live your mental health journey in community because Mandy Teefey, who co-founded the company with daughter Selena Gomez, knows what it’s like to walk that journey alone.

Image via Wondermind

“As I went through a very long journey of finding I did have a mental health diagnosis — and then I was misdiagnosed and then I had to go through that — I was blessed to have the resources to do that,” Teefey, who received an ADHD and trauma diagnosis after a 20-year bipolar misdiagnosis, says. “Whenever I started my journey of discovering what mental condition I had…I didn't have anybody to lean into or explain the way I was feeling.”

While these personal experiences helped Teefey better understand mental health, it wasn’t until she produced Netflix’s 2017 series 13 Reasons Whythat she saw just how far the mental health conversation goes. The hit show went viral almost as soon as it aired because of its realistic depiction of mental health and all the aftershocks of trauma.

“After we did 13 Reasons Why and saw the reaction and the need for that support, me and Selena were trying to really figure out what could be next,” Teefey says. “Everybody was releasing things [at] different times. It's like you have to have 12 apps to have a program, and then remember to use them all. So that's when we decided to create a mental fitness ecosystem. So it's all-encompassing, but there's something for everyone.”

“We're not a medicinal company [but] we do have an advisory committee that oversees everything that we do,” Teefey continues. “We're technically not doctors, but we are for everyone when it comes to feelings. Everybody has feelings and they can go to our content hub and just kind of explore that for a while.”

Image via Brit + Co

Admittedly, that exploration bit is pretty fun. The articles are inspiring, and the worksheets (which are each created by an expert) are incredibly helpful. Seeing every program, article, and podcast episode feels like an opportunity to start fresh, but once you have all the ideas in front of you, what do you actually do? Teefey recommends journaling, even if it’s just a sentence every day. (She also loves watching journaling videos from Planning Annie: “Anytime I'm feeling sad or like a little unmotivated, I put her on.”)

Journaling every day, even if your entries are short, allows you to track your mood over an extended period of time. If you notice a consistent sadness, for example, it could be a sign it’s time to check in with your doctor. Plus, journaling can help prepare you for the conversations mental health appointments bring up.

“Sometimes if you go into a therapy session and you're not really settled or concrete in who you are and what may be going on, you might go through what I went through, which is being misdiagnosed,” Teefey says. “It's more important for you to know who you are and what you need prior to going in. So you can give that to them instead of them guessing and working around that process with you.”

Image via Brit + Co

Establishing a consistent routine can help decrease your stress, whether you’re eating the same breakfast every day, or you stick to a tried and true skincare regimen like Sydney Sweeney’s Cassie does on Euphoria. I immediately thought of this teen drama when Mandy Teefey mentioned how important her 4 a.m. routine is. But while Cassie spends time doing her skincare and makeup, Teefey spends time nurturing her soul.

“If I don't have [that routine], I'm usually really off kilter,” she says. “So I get up at 4 when everyone's still asleep, and I found that time could be about me, and I'm not taking it away from anybody. And so that's really what helped me be more grounded throughout the day.”

I can attest that my own quiet time in the morning is vital for a successful day — as is knowing what my boundaries need to be. Because honestly, boundaries can change daily! Teefey and I both acknowledge we have to stay away from sad music to protect our mental health, and she also recommends staying off social media when you feel your mental health struggling.

“I can go three days without looking at social media and then when I go on there, I start having anxiety because I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh, I haven't liked this person. I haven't even liked our own pictures [for] Wondermind.’ And then I start feeling guilty,” she says. “There's just some kind of [expectation] to do social media and you really don't. Not everybody needs to know everything, you know? There's beauty in privacy.”

Even Selena Gomez admitted at the 2024 Time100 Summit that taking time off Instagram "was the most rewarding gift I gave myself."

Image via Brit + Co

The idea of staying off social media is way easier said than done (speaking from first hand experience here). If you feel like you’re drowning in engagement announcements, anxiety-inducing news, and FOMO, Teefey recommends keeping tabs on your reactions to gauge when it’s time to take a serious break.

“If it invokes any emotion that is a negative emotion, I [know] it's not worth being angry about, it's not worth losing sleep about,” she says. “It just feels like there's an unintentional taunting on social media and, ‘Wait a minute, is that about me?’ You don't know this person and then you start running with all this stuff in your mind.”

Like every area of life, social media is all about balance, and if you’re looking to unplug while still staying informed, Mandy Teefey recommends bringing a journal with you when doing your morning news scroll — that way, you can process emotions while keeping tabs on what’s happening. “If anything evokes emotion, I'm meditating during the quiet time,” she says.

Studies have found journaling can help decrease your anxiety, and that it can help you break obsessive thought cycles. And while you’re the only one who can process your thoughts and emotions, it’s important not to isolate yourself from your community — especially when you’re struggling. “You gotta build trust and you gotta build the boundary of who you volunteer [your] help to,” she says.

When it comes to her own daughters, Mandy Teefey knows it’s a process. “You have to work with them and meet them where they're at, and then see the help they need and don't assume [they’re going through] what you went through,” she says. “You've got to really understand them to be able to give that advice.”

Image via Natalie Rhea

In her own life, Mandy Teefey got to experience building that trust first-hand with Selena Gomez! “One time it was very, very cold in California and me and Selena were on the opposite sides of the pool,” she says. “We were in sweats and she says, ‘Do you trust me?’ And I went, ‘Yeah.’ And she goes ‘Okay, if you trust me, on three, we're gonna jump in this ice cold pool.’”

While Teefey wasn’t convinced, she trusted Gomez, and they both ended up in the freezing cold water! Which is both a funny story and a fond memory: “We couldn't get out of the pool because [our clothes were] so heavy. It was madness!”

“There's a lot of things I know my daughters don't tell me and that's their right,” she continues. “It's so sensitive between teenagers — especially teenagers — and their parents. They're going through that phase and they don't want to be around them and they don't wanna tell them things. It's definitely not easy but maybe put some feelers out there and just make sure that they know you're there and make it okay to have these conversations.”

Thanks to all this actionable advice, we know that Mental Health Awareness month isn’t limited to TikTok videos or Instagram posts we can reshare. There are real tips we can use to take care of ourselves — and a place to go when we need a boost.

Watch Our Full Interview With Mandy Teefey Here!

youtu.be

Wondermind Co-Founder Mandy Teefey Helps Us Navigate Big Feelings For Mental Health Awareness Month

If you're struggling with your mental health, check in with your doctor or check out the mental health resources Wondermind offers. You can also use Psychology Today to find a therapist near you.

Lead image via Getty

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6 Crazy "Outer Banks" Opinions That Would Totally Change The Show

I'll admit out of the many teen dramas I've consumed, Outer Banks is one of the most ridiculous. But the insanity surrounding the plot is half the reason it's enjoyable! John B. wrestling an alligator with his bare hands? Kiara getting kidnapped then making a daring escape in her PJ's? John B. and Sarah getting married (kind of) by the power of "the sky, the stars, and the sea" after escaping the SBI?

Considering my favorite fan theory for the future is that Madelyn Cline's Sarah and Rudy Pankow's JJ learn they're secret siblings, I know the crazy train isn't slowing down anytime soon. I took to Reddit to find the wildest Outer Bankshot takes and I was not disappointed. Keep reading to see if you agree with any!

JJ and Kiara Never Should Have Happened

Image via Netflix

While JJ and Kiara is one of the most popular ships on the show, a lot of Outer Banks fans think the "no Pogue-on-Pogue macking" rule from the pilot should have stayed in effect. The individual romances between Kiara and JJ, John B., and Pope make the story really messy, and the fact the show writes Kiara to be with all three of them in the span of three years gives a lot of viewers the ick.

I'll be team #Jiara forever (and literally screamed when The Backseat Lovers' "Kilby Girl" started playing during the motorcycle ride in season 3), but I'll say it would incredibly compelling to see a friend group take care of each other as much as the Pogues do without ever crossing over into romantic territory. That's found family, after all!

Pope Should Have Ditched The Treasure Hunt

Image via Netflix

One Reddit user is convinced that "Pope should’ve focused on his future in school instead of giving everything up to search for treasure." And TBH, I totally agree.

In season 1, Pope has a breakthrough about the hidden treasure in the middle of his scholarship interview. He ditches the scholarship committee to tell the rest of the Pogues, throwing away a crazy educational opportunity. Pope beats himself up for it, and his parents definitely aren't pleased, but at least it meant he got to stay in the show instead of leaving for college, which leads me to...

Outer Banks Should Have Started With The Pogues In Their 20s

Image via Netflix

As one of the only people alive who loves the post-time jump One Tree Hill, I would have loved to see OBX start off with the characters in their 20s (although it looks like that's where Outer Banks season 4 will pick up!). This would eliminate SO MANY problems from the jump because the Pogues wouldn't have to worry about missing school, they'd be more self-sufficient, and instead of being the same old high school drama, it could have provided a commentary on figuring out life in your 20s the same way Friends did.

Rafe Shouldn't Have Any Kind Of Redemption Arc In Outer Banks Season 4

Image via Netflix

Drew Starkey the man that you are. According to one Reddit user, "Rafe should not have a love interest or a redemption arc" like we see in season 3. We spent all of season 1 and season 2 establishing that Rafe (played by Drew) would do anything it took to get what he wanted (including one successful murder and two other attempts?!). He shows next to no remorse for his actions, and exploring his literal psychopathic tendencies would take the show to a whole new level.

Big John Should Never Have Returned

Image via Netflix

John B.'s dad's disappearance is the catalyst for the Pogues' journey at the beginning of Outer Banks, and Big John's return means the story feels somewhat repetitive in the third season, and it undoes a lot of the growth we've seen from John B. Plus, Big John is just SO chaotic, selfish, and dramatic. If he had truly died in season 1, we could have seen John B. wrestle with that finality, and how to cope with loss in the face of finding the treasure and falling in love with Sarah.

And Finally, Outer Banks Should Have Ended After Season 1

Image via Netflix

Outer Banks season 1 was exactly what we needed at the height of the pandemic. It was escapist — both in terms of the beach vacation vibes, but also because the '00s aesthetic took us right back to simpler times — and it had such a wonderfully resolved finale that some fans think nothing has matched it.

Do you agree with any of these Outer Banks opinions? I'm such a romance fan, I don't know what I'd do if the show didn't have JJ and Kiara get together! Check out all the best New TV Shows coming this year for more.

Lead image via Netflix

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17 Cinco De Mayo Drinks To Pair With Your Tacos

Cinco de Mayo is fast approaching, and that means we need to start thinking about our Cinco drinks! We've given you countless ways to enjoy a margarita, but if you're looking for something different, these cocktail recipes highlight the best flavors and traditions of Mexican culture, without even a mention of a classic 'rita (okay, maybe there's a few). And as delicious as these drinks are on their own, they're even better when enjoyed outdoors with a taco in hand!

Blood Orange Citrus Mezcal

This combination of bold mezcal and blood orange soda is nothing short of magical. A traditional Mexican drink, this cocktail is even more appropriate for Cinco de Mayo as it takes on a celebratory pink hue and usually is served in a salt-rimmed glass. Think of it as margarita’s prettier cousin! (via Brit + Co.)

Grapefruit Thyme Fizz

Get a good buzz goin' without feeling like you're sipping straight alcohol with this grapefruit and thyme-infused drink. Citrus keeps this easy cocktail recipe bright! (via Brit + Co.)

Lava Flow Cocktail

This frozen Cinco de Mayo drink may seem like a fruity margarita at first glance, but it takes on bold flavors of coconut and strawberry and mixes them with white rum. The result is a refreshing sipper that'll take your brain on a vacation just before it freezes it! (via Ms. Rachel Hollis)

Lemonade Sangria

Nothing says summer like fresh lemonade. Mix some with rosé to form an ice-cold drink for your Cinco celebrations! (via Amanda Wilens)

My Own Mezcalita

To craft this lovely, colorful Cinco cocktail, shake 1.5 oz mezcal, 5 oz triple sec, 2 oz orange juice, 0.5 oz lemon juice, and 0.5 oz ginger syrup over ice. Float 0.5 oz of hibiscus concentrate over the top for flavor and visual effect, then garnish with fruits and flowers! (via Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe All-Inclusive Resort)

Grapefruit Paloma

There’s something undeniably refreshing about a paloma. Freshly-squeezed grapefruit takes this cocktail to the next level. (via Barley & Sage)

Spicy Michelada

Beer cocktails are serious crowd-pleasers, and this version is as simple to make, as it is smooth to drink. The stellar combination of Mexican beer, tangy lime and silky tomato juice is incredibly satisfying, and surprisingly refreshing! (via A Spicy Perspective)

Boozy Cherry Limeade

Picture Sonic's cherry limeade, but in cocktail form. That's what this tart Cinco drink is! The fresh fruits make this recipe an easy addition to Cinco parties, and the summer season beyond. (via Barley & Sage)

Spicy Cucumber Margarita

The spiciness of this sip is sure to start the party. To make it, add 1.5 oz Flecha Azul Reposado and 5 serrano pepper slices to a shaker, then muddle. Then, add 2 oz cucumber juice, 0.5 oz lime juice, and 0.75 oz orange juice with ice and shake. Strain well into an ice-filled, Tajin-rimmed glass, and sip away! (via Flecha Azul Tequila)

Date-Sweetened Horchata

This traditional Mexican drink can be served with or without rum – but make ours a rum one, please! (via Minimalist Baker)

Frozen Negroni Slushy

Any frozen drink is the perfect partner for Cindo de Mayo. This recipe is especially helpful for planning your May 5 party, because it makes a big batch to share with your pals! (via The Endless Meal)

Raspberry Mojito

Step this cocktail recipe up by making your own raspberry syrup! No matter what, your guests will adore this fruity, fresh drink! (via Amanda Wilens)

Basil Smash Piña Colada

It's decided: piña coladas are the vibe for this year's Cinco. We love that this recipe elevates your run-of-the-mill colada with fresh basil – and of course, flaky sea salt. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Blackberry Friesling

Frozen wine? Consider us sold. All you need to do to make this Cinco de Mayo drink is freeze some Riesling wine, then add fruity liqueur and lemon juice once it's out of the freezer. (via Salt & Lavender)

Tequila Mule

It's not Cinco if there's zero tequila. That's why you need to prep this mule drink! (via Cozy Cravings)

Refreshing Watermelon Smoothie

Watermelon and cucumber balance harmoniously in this keep-you-cool sip. It's amazing on its own to share with the kiddos, but if you're in a boozy mood, pour some tequila in this bad boy! (via Live Eat Learn)

Matcha Pineapple Drink

A single sip of this matcha-infused pineapple drink will transport you to paradise. At least, that's what you can think about during your Cinco de Mayo bash. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Will these drinks do the trick come May 5? Let us know on Twitter and follow us on Pinterest for more cocktail recipes!

This post has been updated.

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Mariska Hargitay’s Powerful “Me Too” Message Proves She’s Olivia Benson IRL

Mariska Hargitay is the woman of the hour anywhere she goes, with her iconic Law & Order: SVUrole as Olivia Benson under her belt for the last 25 years. The character is an absolute advocate to women — and assault victims of any gender — through her words, actions, and powerful convictions of each perpetrator on the show. She takes great care with her victims and pursues perpetrators with fervor, and slowly as you watch the show..the line blurs between Olivia and Mariska.

This isn't anything new — just recently Mariska literally stopped production on the show to help a child (who mistook her for an actual police officer) find her mom. It's just who Mariska is. She walks the walk and talks the talk — including during her speech at Variety's Power of Women's Power of Women event.

Image via NBC Universal

As a Power of Women honoree, Mariska was recognized in regards to her work as an advocate for sexual assault survivors. She took the stage and used her platform to discuss rape and assault conviction reversals, shining a light on the recent overturned ruling in Harvey Weinstein's landmark NYC case. Here's what she said:

Today I want to talk about reversing convictions, and more specifically I want to talk to you about how impossible it is to reverse mine. It’s impossible to reverse my conviction that survivors matter. It is impossible to reverse my conviction that what happens to us matters, and that our society must respond to survivors with a more a compassionate, holistically, deeper, and more nuanced understanding of what healing means.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that after a trauma, survivors can reclaim lives of hope, of possibility, of audacious risk, beautiful intimacy, and glorious, glorious abundant joy. And I stand before you as evidence of that statement.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that we must listen to survivors as experts on what justice means. It is extraordinary how little their voices are consulted, let alone incorporated, in the process of deciding how to repair harm. Justice is not a one-size-fits-all journey.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that patriarchal impunity has to end. Patriarchal impunity is when a male-dominated system exempts perpetrators from punishment. Studies show that only 20% of all rape cases in the U.S. are reported to the police, and that between 5 and 0% of all rapes result in a guilty plea or a conviction. So why do 80% of victims not report? Because they're met with a system that grants impunity to perpetrators; a system that blames victims; a system that accepts only those victims who are experienced as "real" rape; a system that completely misunderstands the neurobiology of trauma, which causes behavior in women that doesn't fit the picture of how a "real victim" would act.

Is that change needed that victims should just pull themselves together? Just buck up and report anyway? No. No, it's the system that receives them that needs to change

It is impossible to reverse my conviction — and the conviction of my extraordinary team, The Joyful Heart — that the backlog of untested rape kits can be brought to zero; that the testing of all new kits must be mandated; that we need a statewide kit tracking system; and that survivors have the right to access the status of their kits.

It is impossible to reverse my conviction that grammar — yes, grammar — that we use when we speak about rape must change. In the sentence, "A woman is raped," there's a crime and there's a victim, but there's no perpetrator. Where's the perpetrator? Where is he? Statistically, as we know, most likely he's walking free. He's so free that he doesn't even appear in the language about the crime that he committed. Is that not extraordinary? It's extraordinary that in the very grammar, the perpetrator goes free. Reintroducing perpetrators in the language of rape will make some very unwieldy grammar, but that's the nature of change. It's unwieldy, it's messy, it's uncomfortable, but it's necessary.

Image via NBC Universal

Hargitay continued on in her prolific speech to describe that rape shouldn't be considered a "crime of passion" because it's "not simply the next step in the trajectory of his passion" when a man takes a consensual hookup too far and assaults a woman against her will. She stated that it's "an exercise of power," doubling down that the language we use is important.

The speech went on to address that rape is both about power and control, as a "construct" that was "built, and assembled, and reinforced over time." She noted that there are people with these positions of power — and she specifically called out those in the entertainment industry — that could make a difference and aligned themselves to victims and survivors.

After this and some other remarks, Hargitay specifically called out the Weinstein conviction reversal. She said:

I do want to say something about the Harvey Weinstein conviction, specifically about the reason that it was overturned: too many women's voices. Too many women's voices were allowed to speak. Hallelujah! Amen! I can't imagine anything more beautiful than that. The Daily podcast episode talked about how it was so risky for the prosecution to have that many women testify. Risky to let women speak? You're damn right it is!

Too many women speaking brings change. Too many women speaking shakes the establishment. Too many women means we get listened to more, and people might actually hear what we have to say. Look what happened when women started saying just two words, right? Me too — just as an example — a tidal wave of change. Me too.

And then of course, there was the response: the Me Too Movement. The backlash. The examination of whether the changes that have come are lasting, or are even positive. Of course there's a backlash! What did they expect? For women to speak repeatedly, loudly, together, with a purpose — for there to be no backlash? The backlash is evidence of how powerful those voices were, how powerful those voices ARE.

Watch Mariska Hargitay's Full Speech Here

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Mariska Hargitay's Gets Emotional as She Thanks Her Support System and the Women Around Her

Turns out that your TV heroes really can be your IRL heroes after all. Long live Olivia Benson! Long live Mariska Hargitay!

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Here’s When You Can Watch “Emily in Paris” Season 4

After Emily in Paris season 3 dropped on Netflix in December of 2022, we were hoping to get the fourth installment of the hit show in 2023. But production halted when the WGA writers' strike, then the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike went to affect, and our beloved cast and crew campaigned for better wages and industry protection. But with the end of the writers' strike, and new SAG negotiations, Emily in Paris season 4 finally began production in February 2024 — and I can already tell you there's sure to be plenty of drama and French fashion this time around.

Not only will we see Emily in Paris (see what I did there?!) but she's also pulling an Audrey Hepburn and taking a little Roman Holiday. That's right — our favorite Parisians are heading to Italy! If that doesn't sound like a dreamy comfort show then I don't know what does. Here's everything we know about the upcoming season of your favorite TV brain candy!!

Is Emily in Paris season 4 coming soon?

Image via Lily Collins/Instagram

Via Variety, Emily in Paris season 4 began production in Paris the week of January 15! "Did someone say Saison Quatre?!" Lily Collins says in her Instagram post announcing production. "Finally reunited with my @emilyinparis fam back in Paris and it feels so good. Although, I may need to brush up on my selfie skills for Emily’s sake…"

Now the wait is over! According to the official announcementfor Emily in Paris, we know part one drops on Netflix August 15, followed by part 2 on September 12. I've been impatiently waiting for this considering we didn't know how filming would be impacted by things like the WGA writers strike!

Is Emily in Paris filmed in Paris?

Image via Lily Collins/Instagram

Yes, Emily in Paris is filmed on location in Paris! We got our first look at Emily in Paris season 4 when Lily Collins and Ashley Park were seen filming in the City of Love (via Daily Mail). The costumes for the series are still as bold and bright as ever, with Ashley's Mindy wearing cobalt and metallic boots, and Lily's Emily dressed head-to-toe in lemon yellow. I can't wait to see what these best friends get up to this season! Check out our Paris travel recommendations to live out your own Emily in Paris dreams ;).

On April 27, Lily Collins confirmed Emily in Paris season 4 had wrapped its France shoot and that the cast & crew have swapped the City of Love for the Eternal City! "When you’re the first ones on the dance floor at the Paris wrap party. Next stop: Rome!" she says on Instagram. Late spring is literally the perfect time to film in Italy and I just know this season is going to give me more wanderlust than ever before. I need gelato!

What's Emily In Paris season 4 about?

Image via Netflix

Season 3 left us with a huge cliffhanger: Alfie breaks up with Emily, Camille learns she's pregnant with Gabriel's baby, Benoit's "Mon Soleil" has been chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest, and Emily and Gabriel realize they've been in love with each other the whole time. Whew.

Emily in Paris season 4 will have a ton of cliffhangers to bring full circle, and a bunch of damage that all the characters need to heal. We know from the Netflix TUDUM fan event that we might also see Emily have to deal with an ultimatum head-on, as well as an unexpected twist. Plus, it looks like she's heading on a "Roman holiday," according to lead actress Lily Collins. We'll take any nod to an Audrey Hepburn movie, please and thank you!

Is Alfie coming back in season 4 of Emily in Paris?

Image via Netflix

We don't have OFFICIAL word on whether Alfie (played by Lucien Laviscount) will return for Emily in Paris season 4, but we're hoping for his sake that he gets some closure. Lucien wants to come back as well! "[The dream is] to keep this gravy train going and just to kind of really live in this world a little bit longer," he says in an interview with Elle. " The writers on the show and the creators behind it and everyone that comes into contact with it is so amazing and fantastic. Their minds [have] way, way, way, way surpassed mine. So, yeah. I’ll let them do their thing.”

Who else is in the Emily in Paris season 4 cast?

Image via Netflix

We can expect the rest of the cast — Lily Collins as Emily, Lucas Bravo as Gabriel, Ashley Park as Mindy, Camille Razat as Camille, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu as Sylvie, Samuel Arnold as Julian, and Bruno Gouery as Luc — to return.

Will there be a season 5 of Emily in Paris?

Image via Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix

It looks like Emily in Paris season 4 will not be the final season, according to creator Darren Star. “There’s a lot more story to tell here and we’re not wrapping things up anytime soon,” Star tells Elle. “And also hopefully season four isn’t the end either. I feel like we’re all creatively feeling like we’re in the middle of something not heading towards the end.”

Darren also told Deadline season 4 is "not necessarily conceived as a final chapter. I think like every other show, it’s a rich ensemble. There’s no end in sight until everybody feels like it’s time to end. And I don’t think this show is limited by a number of seasons, I think it’s limited by everybody’s enthusiasm and excitement about doing it and telling stories about these characters."

We'll take as many seasons of Emily in Paris as they'll give us!!

What has the cast said about Emily in Paris season 4?

Image via Marie Etchegoyen/Netflix

Lucas Bravo told People he's excited for a coming-of-age for Gabriel. "When you start a character, then there's a year where you experience the world and you mature, you become another person and you come back and it's exactly the day you left off," he says. "I'm happy that in season four I'll be able to bring more of what I became and what I've experienced in the past four years."

Even though Lily Collins is now an executive producer, she doesn't want to know TOO much about the future of the show. “Darren and I speak, on occasion, about where he’s thinking of going, but he also doesn’t wanna spoil too much for me because there is a fine line,” she tells Collider. “I don’t wanna know everything because I want to be led with the writing, but I am also curious because, as a producer wanting to celebrate the other characters, I’m very curious to see what their trajectories are."

What happened at the end of Emily in Paris season 3?

Image via Netflix

To be fully prepared for Emily in Paris season 4, it's important to remember just what happened during season 3! The junior season was a bumpy ride for Emily, and it ends with the craziest finale yet. After Camille and Gabriel decide to get married, Camille stops the wedding, saying she knows Gabriel is in love with Emily instead of her. This declaration leads Alfie to break up with our leading lady because he refuses to be her second choice (and honestly, I respect it). That's not the only shocker because Camille also reveals that she's pregnant with Gabriel's child, which comes as a surprise to everyone. Meanwhile, Mindy learns Benoit has submitted a song (specifically "Mon Soleil") to the Eurovision Song Contest and Laurent has his heart set on opening a club in Paris.

Are you excited for Emily in Paris Season 4? Give us your craziest theory in the comments, and check out our Facebook for more pop culture news. Read up on how This Emily In Paris Theory Could Be Why Emily And Gabriel Aren’t Together (Yet).

Lead image via Netflix.

This post has been updated.

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