With less than one week left before the election, there's no shortage of politically-themed cocktails in the minds of the nation's bartenders and liquor producers. Here are some clever conoctions to consider, whether you plan to host a returns-watching party or spend the night solo.

The McCainarita
1 ounce Siembra Azul Reposado or other tequila
1/2 ounce Grand Marnier
1 ounce fresh lime juice or sour mix
1 ounce pomegranate juice

Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Serve in a margarita glass over ice. (Adapted from a recipe from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ.)

The Sarah Palin
1 1/2 ounces Svedka Clementine Vodka or other vodka
Inniskillin or other ice wine
Fever Tree ginger ale
Grenadine
Swedish fish candy

Shake the vodka and a splash of the ice wine in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Pour into a martini glass and top off with a splash each of the ginger ale and grenadine. Garnish with Swedish fish on a skewer. (Adapted from a recipe from TenPenh restaurant in Washington, D.C.)

Ciroc Obama
1 ounce Ciroc vodka or other vodka
1/2 ounce Blue Curacao or other orange liqueur
1 ounce fresh lime juice (or sour mix)
1 ounce Sprite
1 lime, cut into wedges

Shake the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Serve in a rocks glass over ice and garnish with a lime wedge. (Adapted from a recipe from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, NJ.)

Cocktail for a Change
1 ounce gin
1/4 ounce Faretti Biscotti Liqueur or other nut-flavored liqueur
1/4 ounce dry vermouth
2 dashes orange bitters

Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass filled with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an orange peel. (Adapted from a recipe by Jonathan Pogash.)

Patriotic Margarita (pictured at top)               
1 ounce super premium dark rum                   
1 ounce coconut milk                           
1 ounce fresh lime juice
1 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 cup crushed ice
1 ounce Hpnotiq (a blue vodka-cognac liqueur)
1 ounce sweetened strawberry puree

Combine the rum, coconut milk, lime juice, pineapple juice, and ice in blender.  Pour the Hpnotiq into a margarita glass. Layer 2/3 of the blended mix over the Hpnotiq.  Blend the remaining mix with strawberry puree and layer on top. Garnish with coconut or use salt-rimmed glass as a variation. (Adapted from a recipe from Hpnotiq.)

As for snacks, I've heard suggestions of Black and White Cookies, Baked Alaska, Elephant Ears, and more. Even chefs are getting into the act with election-inspired menus. One of my favorites comes from New York restaurant Savoy. On November 3rd, the downtown pioneer is holding a ticketed dinner featuring a Swing State Platter with Florida Conch Salad, Ohio Corn Fritters, Missouri St. Louis BBQ, Pennsylvania Scrapple and Virginia's Grayson Cheese. It's one sure-to-be tasty meal that gets my vote.

What are you serving on election night? Will you be going out or staying home?

What are you making for dinner tonight? In my house, it's taco night. I'm going to try to give traditional beef tacos a healthy makeover with this recipe courtesy The Great American Eat-Right Cookbook from The American Cancer Society. I'll let you know how it goes. And I'd love to know your taco night secret.

Tasty Turkey Tacos

Prep time: 15 minutes or less
Total time: 45 minutes or less
Serves 6

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 pounds ground turkey breast
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Hot sauce, such as Tabasco
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 (6-inch) flour tortillas

Optional Toppings
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup chopped tomato
3/4 cup "Mexican-style" shredded cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat or regular sour cream
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped jalapeños
Taco sauce or salsa

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add oil. Sauté the onion for 5 to 8 minutes, or until softened. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add turkey and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently to break it up. Add tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, and paprika and stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with hot sauce, salt, and pepper.

2. Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and warm in the microwave on HIGH for 15 to 30 seconds.

3. When ready to serve, place toppings in small bowls on the table. Layer about 1/3 cup of turkey in a tortilla and add desired toppings.

Yesterday the Real Simple food department took a field trip to New Jersey to visit three warehouse clubs. New York City (where the RS offices are located) has many wonderful things going for it, but great supermarket shopping is not among them. Our first stop was BJ's, right outside the Holland Tunnel (and about 15 minutes from my Manhattan apartment—who knew Nirvana was so close at hand?).

The minute we walked in the door, I fell in love. No matter how many times I visit one of these clubs, I'm simultaneously overwhelmed and amazed at the variety, prices, and sheer quantity of stuff. Unfortunately, I also invariably fall prey to what I call "the Ikea complex." I go in for a specific item and emerge with a cart full of inexpensive things I don't really need that add up to a small fortune. But last Friday I got home in time to see the last 10 minutes of the Real Simple Real Life makeover show. (I know, I should have been in front of the set at 8 PM sharp but dinner ran late.) On it, financial whiz Farnoosh Torabi went through a box of impulse buy odds and ends that Emily Mencken (the week's subject) had accumulated over the year and showed her that the stuff totaled something like $1,000 dollars. I felt duly warned.

And so all of us in the department made it through our first 2 stops with much restraint—this was a research trip for work after all. We were there to check out the offerings—revisiting old favorites and discovering what was new. (See photos below of the department at work.)

I think you can guess what happened when we reached Costco, our third and final stop. Yes, the floodgates broke and somehow I found myself back home at the end of the day with a box of grapes the size of my daughter's head, 4 quarts of Pacific chicken broth (Allie and I split a case), a giant bunch of bananas, multiple cartridges of computer ink, a case of Diet Coke and more. I should have read the story RS ran a few years ago about good buys at big stores. The challenge now is figuring out where to put it all. Next time, I vow to stick to my list.

Do you shop at a warehouse club? What's worth buying? What don't you like?

(top photo: Mark Weiss)

I'm throwing an impromptu, casual brunch tomorrow for about 10-15 people. I want the menu to be simple and budget-friendly so here's what I've come up with. It's a bit random:

• Quiche: I'm going to try this Real Simple Basic Quiche recipe and upgrade it with cooked ham.



• Garden of Eden Salad: This is my sister's salad recipe that I love: toss together lettuce, strawberries, kiwi, dried cranberries, scallions, and gorgonzola cheese. It's the perfect fruit and savory combo for a brunch.



• Overnight French Toast: Anything I can make tonight will definitely help me tomorrow.



• Baked Artichoke Dip: Always a crowd-pleaser, my favorite recipe comes from The Joy of Cooking (here it is reprinted).



• Latkes: Another Real Simple recipe, but it's just so easy.



• Bagels & Cream Cheese: and maybe I'll make some extra egg salad for spreading.

Am I missing anything? What's on your easy entertaining brunch menu?

Photo: Petrina Tinslay

So this isn't technically for dinner, but in an effort to save a little money (and eat healthier) I want to try to bring my lunch to work a couple days a week. And if I can make it the night before, I know i'll be more successful. The perfect thing to start with is one of my favorite things ever: egg salad. I especially love it with celery and spices like curry or cumin. Yum!

But I'm on the lookout for new egg salad recipes to try. 101Cookbooks.com features an Egg Salad Sandwich recipe with celery and chives (pictured here), which sounds intriguing. But I want to know: What's your favorite egg salad recipe? Share it here!

Tonight, I won't be home early enough to cook so I think I'm going to hit up the buffet bar at Whole Foods for my husband and I. My perfect buffet (from Whole Foods) is:

• Chicken Tikka Masala (and other Indian specialities like chickpeas)
• Rice Salads
• Dumplings
• Beet Salad
• Baked Tofu

Random, I know, but I love to be able to get all the foods I like in one box. Even if they don't techinically go together. What's your perfect buffet? And, are you cooking tonight? I would love to make my own chicken tikka masala (like this recipe from Jamie Oliver); maybe tomorrow night...

There's a commercial promoting Play-Doh Halloween packs as a healthier alternative to passing out candy. Smart idea, but I will say when I was a kid, if you got a box of raisins on Halloween, you warned all the other kids on the street about the "raisin house.

Granted, Play-Doh is more fun than raisins, but what is Halloween without the candy, right? Well, with concerns about childhood obesity higher than ever, would you feel guilty having a huge basket of candy instead of say, boxes of raisins? Are there other candy ideas that are more of a compromise, like mini dark chocolate kisses (for the antioxidants, of course)?

Here are three ideas for younger kids:

1. Small toys: Hit the dollar store for items like wooden trucks, hair clips, pencils, and more. Just make sure that they are safe for children of all ages.

2. Arts & crafts: Stock up on coloring books, crayons, and stickers.

3. Healthy snacks: If you still want to pass out something edible go for smarter choices like string cheese, organic fruit leathers, or mini snack bars like Clif Kid Spooky S’mores Organic ZBar.

What are you passing out for Halloween? Share your ideas here!

I have some leftover potatoes from the weekend so I'm thinking about making a potato soup. I found this recipe for Golden Potato-Leek Soup from Cooking Light that sounds intriguing (and the 40 reviews have some good notes about adding extra seasoning). It's served with Cheddar Toasts but to save time I think I might just serve it with crackers I have on hand. I also have some bacon so I may throw that into the mix and will probably swap chicken broth for the vegetable broth. I guess I'm making a "Light" recipe not-so-light, but it's the perfect meal for a chilly fall night.

What are you making tonight? Do you have a favorite potato soup recipe?

I'm going to be home late tonight, so it looks like it's a convenience meal for us. I picked up Moroccan soup at Citarella, a NY grocer, the other night, and I also have some mini pitas on hand to toast and some homemade hummus from the weekend. If I had more time, I would make my own Moroccan Chickpea Stew from Cooking Light. I'm a little obsessed with chickpeas, can you tell?

What are you cooking tonight? And what's your favorite hummus or soup recipe?

Tonight, I'm not cooking. We're going over a friend's house to see her new baby, so takeout it is. It's great how many delivery options there are in New York City, but it's way too easy to gain 10 lbs. by going overboard. The trick is finding the healthiest options on the menu.

For Chinese food, I always order brown rice, stick with steamed dumplings, and avoid the battered chickens like General Tsao's. For Mexican, I try to get a salad on the side instead of rice and beans and and swap guacamole for sour cream. Pizza? I go for plain or vegetable toppings. Obviously, these aren't the "healthiest" foods ever, but I at least I'm not in a complete high-calorie food coma.

Part of the solution is figuring out where to order from, too. Health.com did an extensive survey of the nation's healthiest restaurants, fast food chains included. I was happy to see Chipotle on the list (my favorite, pictured above), even though I probably order more Burittos than the healthier tortilla-free Burrito Bowl. Oh well. Sometimes you just have to splurge.

What are you healthy fast food and takeout tips? Or, are you cooking tonight?   

This weekend I was at my parents' house and went to Stop & Shop for a couple items, one of which was the store brand granola. I was really impressed with how delicious it was -- I thought it was so much better than other granola brands I've tried and, naturally, it was cheaper. So I thought to myself, could store brand products be better than the name brands?

In this Supermarket Strategies article from Real Simple, two experts praised the quality of store brand products. Wendy Liebmann, founder and president of WSL Strategic Retail, said: “Store brands are usually close to the market leader in quality yet less costly.” Consumer expert Paco Underhill also noted: “The same manufacturer that makes the branded product often manufactures the house brand. It may be for all practical purposes the same product in a different package.” Interesting...

So what do you think? Do you tend to buy grocery store brands or name brands? Have your shopping habits change in light of higher food costs and a weakened economy?

photo: Roadsidepictures/flickr.com

Last night's Cheesy Broccoli Bake was delicious, and there was enough left for tonight's dinner (bonus!). However, I think we will need a side dish or salad though to round out the meal.

I have to admit, I'm completely salad-challenged. Whether it's washing the lettuce or making dressing, I really don't find the pleasure in it. So I'm constantly on the lookout for easy salad recipes. I have three oranges on hand and nuts in the pantry so I think I'll try this Simple Spring Salad from 101Cookbooks.com. Sounds fresh and simple.

What are you making for dinner tonight? Have any easy salad recipes you'd like to share?

Here's what I have on hand that I want to use tonight: a head of broccoli, cheddar cheese, and penne pasta. Hello, baked pasta! I know it's Monday and I'm supposed to eat healthy to make up for a weekend of indulgence, but I'm also trying to save money and cook with what I have on hand.

This recipe for Cheesy Baked Shells and Broccoli from Real Simple (pictured here) looks easy and delicious so I think I'll try that. I also have a jar of couscous so I could try this Curried Couscous with Broccoli and Feta from Cooking Light and pick up some feta (or even skip the cheese).

What are you making tonight? And share your recipe suggestions: What would you make with broccoli, cheddar cheese, and pasta?

Photo: Anna Williams

Last night I tried Leigh's Mexican Chicken Lasagna (it's in the comments area). It was delicious! I slightly altered it by stirring in a can of black beans with the chicken mixture instead of using refried beans so I only had 2 layers of tortillas. It's perfect for leftovers and definitely hit the spot. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Tonight I am going out to dinner, but will be cooking anyway. I'm making Overnight French Toast (courtesy my mom) for a brunch I'm attending tomorrow. My mom's recipe calls for cubes of challah bread, cubes of cream cheese, eggs, syrup, and butter, but I also found this version from Southern Living that has strawberries in it, which might make a nice twist.

Do you have a favorite baked french toast recipe? And what are you making for dinner tonight?

photo: smittenkitchen.com

I've been in a bit of a dinner rut lately (case in point: my recent post on the raid-the-kitchen dinner). I knew I needed inspiration when dinner for the two of us consisted of a frozen bag of Alexia Sweet Potato Fries and a frozen bag of Pork Potstickers. So I've decided to start a poll: what are you making for dinner tonight?

I have it in my head that I want to try a Mexican Chicken Casserole, but can't find the perfect recipe. This one from Cooking Light sounds delicious, but I have to see if I can find evaporated skim milk. This super simple Mexican Chicken recipe from Paula Deen might be the winner, but since I'm not a big mushroom fan I think I would swap in a can of black beans. I'll let you know how it goes.

Do you have a good Mexican Chicken Casserole recipe? And please share: What's on your dinner table tonight?

photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner/Cooking Light

Eating at the airport is always a challenge for me. I'm such a worry-wart about security delays that I usually insist on checking in hours early. This means I inevitably pass at least one mealtime at the airport. If I'm traveling solo, I can get away with snacking on a bag of nuts by the departure gate. (The corrolary to my early check-in obsession is my illogical need to be within shouting distance of the gate at all times.) But if I'm with my family, they'll accept nothing less than a full sit-down breakfast, lunch or dinner at an airport restaurant, which always ends up tasting terrible and costing more than any sane person would want to pay.

Help is on its way. I just read an article in USA Today about a potentially life-altering (or at least travel-altering) new food option soon be available at the JetBlue Terminal 5 at JFK airport in New York. Travelers will be able to use touch-screen monitors set up in front of half the 26 gates to order and pay for food, which is then delivered to them on the spot. No leaving the gate area will be necessary! And the price sounds right, too (average check will be $7 to $8). It's reason enough to schedule my next trip via JFK.
Do you eat airport food or pack your own? What's your trick for surviving long-distance travel?

The economy is down, food prices are up: What's a cook to do? I say, make recipes that taste even better as leftovers, so you'll be thrilled with your lunch (and dinner?) for the next day. The bulk of these suggestions are casseroles, which almost always improve with time, either cold or heated. Some of my favorite recipes (and a few I want to try):

Baked Pasta Casseroles

Cheesy Baked Shells with Broccoli from Real Simple

Baked Multigrain Elbows with Gorgonzola and Spinach from Southern Living

Baked Gemelli with Spinach, Ricotta, and Prosciutto from Martha Stewart

Grain-Based Dishes

Tuna Risotto from The New York Times

Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa from Serious Eats

Lazy Day Peanut Noodle Salad from 101 Cookbooks (pictured above)

Butternut Squash with Cumin Couscous from Real Simple

Israeli Couscous with Chard from TheKitchn.com

And for the truly adventurous, YumSugar.com has reviewed a cookbook that claims you can make gourmet-tasting meals from the 99-cent store!

What's your favorite budget cooking recipe or secret? Share them here.