POPSUGAR Food Page 3

baking Jun 05, 2013

11 Exciting Ice Cream Sandwich Flavor Ideas

Cookies and ice cream may be righteous treats in their own rights, but sandwich them together and they become a supersweet indulgence far greater than the sum of their parts.

by Nicole Perry

Cookies and ice cream may be righteous treats in their own rights, but sandwich them together and they become a supersweet indulgence far greater than the sum of their parts. Once you've mastered the basics of assembly, it's time to start thinking flavor combinations. It's hard to beat the classic chocolate cookie with vanilla ice cream, but if you're feeling more adventurous, then check out our suggestions. Just keep in mind that many of these flavors can be mixed and matched. As long as you stick to a relatively thin, soft, chewy cookie and use your best judgment, the results are bound to be delicious.

COOKIE	ICE CREAM
Chocolate chip	Chocolate
Gingerbread	Pumpkin
Snickerdoodles	Vanilla
Chewy sugar cookies	Raspberry vanilla frozen yogurt
Chocolate chip	Butterscotch
Chocolate-covered pretzel snaps	Guinness
Oatmeal	Maple walnut
Chocolate-marshmallow crinkle	Salted caramel
Gingersnaps	Lemon buttermilk sorbet
Chocolate-walnut	Vanilla with caramel swirl
Graham crackers	Key lime ice cream
Peanut butter	Chocolate

Source: Flickr user Collin Parker

grilling Jun 03, 2013

Quick Tip: Form the Perfect Bun-to-Burger Ratio

Have you ever made your own burger patties and thrown them on the grill, only to discover later that there's a major discrepancy with the bun-to-burger ratio?

by Anna Monette Roberts

Have you ever made your own burger patties and thrown them on the grill, only to discover later that there's a major discrepancy with the bun-to-burger ratio? If your burger engulfs your bun — or, more likely, your bun engulfs the burger, then we've got a handy tip for you. For a burger that perfectly fills the bottom bun, here's the simplest way to avoid that pitfall.

recipes May 31, 2013

Get to Know the Southside, a Prohibition-Era Cocktail

Many people have an aversion to gin; it's a travesty, because gin is an incredibly nuanced and versatile spirit.

by Katie Sweeney

Many people have an aversion to gin; it's a travesty, because gin is an incredibly nuanced and versatile spirit. Erick Castro, owner of San Diego's Polite Provisions and former West Coast ambassador for Beefeater and Plymouth gins, agrees: "The reason people don't like gin is because the most common gin drinks — the martini and the gin and tonic — don't appeal to everyone."

Castro wants to start a gin revolution with this amazing-tasting cocktail, the Southside. This classic concoction is a straightforward mixture of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and mint, and he believes it has the power to change the way gin is seen — much in the way the mojito changed people's perspective of rum. After sipping this refreshing, light beverage, I'm getting behind Castro's cause. To do so too, give the drink a try.

party planning May 31, 2013

The Ultimate Wedding Cake Roundup: 100 Showstopping Sweets

With so many wedding cake options available, where do you even start?

by Lisette Mejia

With so many wedding cake options available, where do you even start? It's totally normal to feel overwhelmed, which is why we've done the work and rounded up the most beautiful, stunning cakes in existence. You'll find something for every taste, from supertraditional to ultramodern and everything in between. It's so hard to pick a favorite, but hopefully you'll find the look for you among the sweet inspiration. Get clicking, and start swooning!

View 100 Photos

Cocktails May 30, 2013

Personalize Your Wedding With a Creative Cocktail

I've always loved the idea of a matrimonial signature drink, but frankly, I'm just not imaginative enough to come up with my own.

by Sara Yoo

I've always loved the idea of a matrimonial signature drink, but frankly, I'm just not imaginative enough to come up with my own. For those of us who are mixologically challenged, fear not: there's a plethora of creative and classic concoctions that will add a personal stamp to your wedding celebration. If crafting a bartending masterpiece isn't your forte, use these cocktail ideas as inspiration for a unique reception experience and tell us: what did you (or do you plan to) serve to toast your nuptials?

— Additional reporting by Lisette Mejia

View 15 Photos

party planning May 29, 2013

Get Ready For Summer With a Strawberry Basil Gin Cocktail

Summer's just around the corner and we're celebrating the best way we know how: by making a seasonally inspired cocktail.

by Brandi Milloy

Summer's just around the corner and we're celebrating the best way we know how: by making a seasonally inspired cocktail. A combination of fragrant strawberries, herbaceous gin, spicy ginger, and earthy basil makes for a nuanced cocktail we'll be sipping all season long, and after you try your first taste we strongly suspect you'll follow suit. Watch the video to learn how to construct this winning drink, then print out the recipe.

Cooking Basics May 29, 2013

Coffee Break: A Look Into the World of Coffeemakers

A good cup of joe signifies the start of a new day, a well-deserved break, the end of a great meal, and so much more.

by Camilla Salem

A good cup of joe signifies the start of a new day, a well-deserved break, the end of a great meal, and so much more. Coffee is most definitely an important component in many cultures. With that comes an abundance of different types of coffeemakers. If you've ever been curious about the functionality of these different brewers, you've come to the right place. Click through to learn about coffeemakers in every shape and size.

View 9 Photos

baking May 28, 2013

5 Cupcake Decorating Tips From the Pros

Want to know how the pros always manage to make cupcakes look just perfect?

by Brandi Milloy

Want to know how the pros always manage to make cupcakes look just perfect? Georgetown Cupcake cofounder Sophie LaMontagne offers us some of the tricks of the trade when it comes to customizing your own homemade cupcakes. Keep watching, and learn everything from the classic swirl to a rose-shaped frosting pattern, as well as an easy recipe for all-purpose ganache topping and the secret to making your cupcakes feel extra personal.

Cooking Basics May 28, 2013

Beyond American: Other Cheeses to Melt on a Burger

When the term "cheeseburger" is uttered, orange cheese, American or cheddar, probably comes to mind; that's what, after all, is found in every fast-food joint across the nation.

by Katie Sweeney

When the term "cheeseburger" is uttered, orange cheese, American or cheddar, probably comes to mind; that's what, after all, is found in every fast-food joint across the nation. But if you're making a cheeseburger at home, why not think outside the box and melt on a different kind of cheese? Here are some unexpected suggestions:

Pimento cheese: Spread a liberal tablespoon or two of the Southern condiment, which is made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and pimentos, on top of pork or beef burgers. It will melt onto the patty and provide the burger with a nice creaminess.
Parmesan cheese: Why not shave some of this cow's milk cheese on a burger? Parmesan would pair with a burger that's seasoned, like meatballs, and topped with tomato sauce instead of ketchup. Or, for a special crunch, bake disks of grated parmesan until brown and put the cheese crisps on the burger just before serving.
Nacho cheese: Bobby Flay's creamy nacho cheeseburger has been the talk of burger connoisseurs in years past, and even won him the people's choice award Burger Bash one year. Likewise, it'll win you raves with your family.

Keep reading for more cheesy ideas!

Cooking Basics May 28, 2013

Start Cold-Brewing Iced Coffee This Summer

Forget French pressing or the pour-over method: there's a different type of coffee brewing that's sparking the attention of java lovers.

by Anna Monette Roberts

Forget French pressing or the pour-over method: there's a different type of coffee brewing that's sparking the attention of java lovers. It's called cold-brewing, and it's a lengthy (but easy) process.

Cold-brewing involves saturating ground coffee beans in cold, filtered water, covering the container and letting it sit out at room temperature for 12 hours, then straining out the coffee grounds. The efforts are by no means immediate, but the end result might win you over: cold brews are lighter and thinner, and their flavors won't be weakened by ice. In contrast to brewing a hot cup of coffee, which draws out the acidity and bitterness of beans, a cold brew slowly extracts the bean's flavorful oils.

Food Network chef Jeff Mauro has a penchant for blended iced coffee drinks, and a cold brew is his preferred method. He adds, "I just think, as far as for the iced coffee application, there is no better way, because you are not brewing it over ice and diluting it. It takes time to do it, but the payoff is great."

Twelve hours may seem like a lifetime, but this method really just involves remembering to combine the two ingredients while prepping dinner so you can wake up to refreshing, invigorating cold-brewed coffee in the morning. The brew is concentrated, so dilute it with filtered water to your liking, and then serve over ice. Stay tuned for Jeff's recipe for cold-brewed coffee, which he uses for his signature Peanut Butter and Jelly Blended Coffee.