link-o-rama

Hello? Anyone still out there? I'm sorry for the lack of posts this week. Having people over for dinner requires you to, you know, be at home. This week has been a whirlwind of celebrity soccer matches, dinners out, and other things keeping me away from the kitchen. However, I'll be back in full force this weekend with a menu I'm excited to share with you soon.

Until then, here's links to a few dinner party-related things I've found interesting lately:

I've never given much thought to ice cubes, but apparently there's a whole method to making superior cubes: How to Make the Best Ice Cubes for Summer Cocktails [via The Kitchn]

Want to make your standard cheese plate more interesting? Here's tips on getting out of a cheese rut: Upgrade Your Cheese [via Serious Eats]

One of my favorite food blogs, Smitten Kitchen, has a nice round-up of summer side dishes that would be great for a BBQ: Dead Simple Slaw and 6 Heat-Wave Reprieves [via Smitten Kitchen]

Blender drinks are back, people! The New York Times says so! So dust off that Cuisinart and whip up some daiquiris: The Pulse of Summer: Blender Drinks Are Back [via the NYT]

Michael Rhulman says he isn't fascinated by dinner parties, and would rather read about the "default meals" that people make at home on weeknights. Harumph. [via Ruhlman.com]