Do you need something new and exciting this Memorial Day weekend? Give a fresh and natural Dairy State yogurt a whirl, wow your barbecue guests with the perfect pasta salad or pick up an insightful presidential read to pass some time. Get the details on this and more great stuff we like in this week's edition of OnMilwaukee.com Recommends.
Sugar River Dairy yogurt – Based in Albany, Wis., Sugar River Dairy creates great, all-natural yogurt. It's wholesome, non-homogenized and full of a creamy texture that makes it taste almost like ice cream. Sure, there's sugar in it but it's made with one percent milk and full of live, active cultures. Try the blueberry. You'll love it. – Jeff Sherman
Pasta Salad with mozzarella, tomatoes and olives – This is, hands down, the best pasta salad you will ever taste. It's a perfect addition to Memorial Day barbecues (and keeps much better than standard picnic potato salads). You can find a standard recipe for it here, but it's best when you tailor it to you and your crowd. I swap the sun-dried tomatoes out for fresh cherry tomatoes to keep the salad from getting too dry. Two tips if you plan on making this for your weekend get-togethers: use fresh mozzarella, and make it in advance to give the ingredients time to sit and marinate together. It makes a world of difference. – Renee Lorenz
Cupcake Cuties – I used to think cupcakes were fine as they were. But then the kids started getting interested in baking and we discovered Cupcake Cuties. These handy little kits let you add a new dimension to your cupcakes, via sprinkles and color and little "costumes." Make your cupcake look like a movie popcorn container or a basketball or a bunny or a burger. Most kits are priced at $16.99. See the full range of options at Cupcakecuties.com. – Bobby Tanzilo
Galena Street Rub from The Spice House – My love for cooking is well-documented but as much as I enjoy standing over my stove, it doesn't even come close the the joy I take from working my grill. Pork chops are my entree of choice and for the perfect taste, I add a dash or two of this great mix from the Spice House, 1030 N. Old World 3rd St. Whether it's ribs, chops, roasts – or even poultry, this blend of salt, sugar, black pepper, paprika, nutmeg, sage and crushed peppers will give your meal some added zing. A 1/2-ounce bottle goes for just $4.99. – Andrew Wagner
Decision Points by George W. Bush – Six years ago this month, President George W. Bush visited OnMilwaukee.com. Here's my 2008 blog on the visit. It's a very memorable day, to say the least. I held off reading his book, "Decision Points," for a while mainly because he did so much press around it that I figured I'd heard it all. Not the case, though. Now about 100-plus pages into it, I can say I really enjoy it and am learning several things about him that I didn't know. No matter what your political views, gaining insight into how a president thinks, acts and decides is interesting. Bush's book is candid, funny and entertaining. Find it used on Amazon
