I love making a cake as much as I do eating one, and have decided that there is no better way to celebrate myself than to make myself a fancy and scrumptious cake. The cake will be the final extravagant touch to an intimate dinner party I am hosting. I'm celebrating how wonderful I am by making a meal that I will enjoy all by myself. Why? Because I deserve it! I am challenging you to host this party of one with me reader! I've already decided I will start the night with candied walnuts followed by crab cake salad and a goat cheese souffle. No party is complete without a super self-indulgent dessert and I'm going to make a cake I've never made before: Red Velvet Cake! If cream cheese frosting is a favorite of yours check out this recipe, read more

• It's finally official, Ben & Jerry's Stephen Colbert inspired Americone Dream launched last night. Check out the video clip and promotional pictures. - BuzzSugar



• I can't seem to get enough of the South Beach Wine & Food Festival coverage. Especially when it has a fun recap like this one (behind the bash photos and more), makes me really wish I'd been there.- Food Network Addict
• Fer Food breaks down the difference between a yam and a sweet potato. - via Tastespotting
• New York Magazine asked four members of the fashion community (two models, an editor, and a show producer) to keep food diaries during fashion week. Interesting how the model eats more than the editor. - via Serious Eats



• Does the flame in a Flaming Dr. Pepper, really bring anything to the party? - Liquor Snob
• Leave it to the BBC to bring us Kill It, Cook It, Eat It, a program designed to "bring together the two key moments... the death of the animal and the eating of its meat."- Megnut
• Who knows what sort of stuff you'll find when you look for food related things on youtube. Would you have stumbled upon Elton John composing Oven-Instruction Music? - The Amateur Gourmet

Today is one of those wonderful pre-spring days that make me rejoice in the fact that I am lucky enough to live in beautiful, sunny California. With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, I'm already craving drinks that are my summer standbys. One of my favorite cocktails, a much easier take on sangria, is a concoction they serve up in my home away from home, Andalucia (translation: Southern Spain). There you can order a tinto de verano, which literally means red wine of summer, in beach-side bars, plaza filled cafes, and hidden restaurants throughout the year, although it is most popular in summer. A refreshing mix of red wine and either limon (lemon flavored soda like fanta) or casera (seltzer water) tinto de verano is a great light substitute for coke or beer on a hot day. With its vibrant ruby color and fizzing effervesence, I prefer my tinto with limon and every sip is like a tiny trip back to Spain. Since you are mixing the wine with soda, opt for a cheaper bottle. For the recipe, read more

A few months ago, I told you about the motorized Twirling Spaghetti Fork, and well what do you know? Today we've got the low-tech version. It's still a twirling spaghetti fork, but this time you've got to actually put your fingers at the top and push down. The corkscrew design makes the pasta twirl around the tines.

Okay, now is it just me, or is anyone else having a hard time seeing how this would really work or why it's better than just twirling a regular fork? If you're not having a hard time and need to get one for yourself, It'll cost you about $20 for a set of 2.

Source: Coolest Gadgets
I love how they call it the "Automanual" Pasta Twirling Fork.

According to Imbibe Magazine (which is one of my new favorites), tequila is gaining popularity and prestige. In fact, for the last two years, high-end tequila has even outsold single-malt scotch in US. Since tequila seems to be on the rise, I figure we might as well learn about the different kinds (all of which must be at least 51% blue agave juice and produced in the Tequila Region of Mexico).

• Gold: Value tequilas that get their color from added caramel colorings.
• Blanco (aka Silver): Unaged, clear tequila.
• 100 Percent Blue Agave: Premium tequila made with 100% certified blue agave. It has no added colors, flavors or sugars. May be Blanco, Añejo or Reposado.
• Reposado (aka Rested): Aged 60-364 days in wooden barrels (like wine) - the barrel provides the golden color.
• Añejo (aka Aged): Aged 1-3 years, also in wooden barrels. The longer aging provides a richer copper color.
• Extra-Añejo (aka Reserva/Reserved): Aged 3 years+ in wooden barrels (which are often secondhand bourbon barrels) - copper or amber in color.

Source: Imbibe Magazine

This week I am hosting a special little event for myself. Yes you read it correctly, I'm throwing myself a party that has nothing to do with my birthday and everything to do with pampering myself! I've canceled my Friday night plans, told my parents to go out to dinner (my treat) and will turn off my cell phone for a little solo time celebrating the most important person in my world: me. I plan on enjoying a luxurious dinner, followed by a little home spa action, a movie and a magazine. Today I am assembling a dinner menu that will start with a crunchy sweet treat and will be followed by a main course of one of my all time favorite dishes (Crab Cakes With Herb Salad) paired with an experimental recipe I've been wanting to make for weeks now (Twice-Baked Goat Cheese Souffle). The whole idea of this party is to choose a menu that suits you. So make your favorite dishes or those recipes you've been dying to try. For the recipes to my meal, read more

Eggs are making a serious comeback as more and more chefs are using them in dishes outside of breakfast. I never understood why eggs were considered an ingredient basically for breakfast. They are as versatile as potatoes and can be prepared in many different ways, so why only eat them in the morning? Frittatas make a healthy and delightful egg-based dinner packed with protein and vegetables. Throw in some whole grain wheat toast or a crisp green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette, and a glass of wine and dinner is served! This recipe is super healthy made with egg whites, fat free milk, and turkey bacon. However if you aren't watching your weight by all means use the whole egg (to me the yolks are the best part!), regular milk, and smoky pork bacon. To celebrate eggs in all their delicious glory, read more

Although I enjoy a great dinner party, what I really love is a gathering full of delicious bite-size appetizers. I love being able to talk and mingle and tiny pieces scattered throughout the room is definitely more my style. That's why I'm always excited to see what other appetizers everyone else comes up with. Today I saw this one from TeamSugar user emisaurusrex. It's a yummy looking recipe for Stuffed Mushrooms with Marsala Wine. To check it out, read more

Party, after party, after party, man sometimes, even I, PartySugar, get tired of all these parties. So every now and then I like to throw a party that is the equivalent to getting your beauty sleep. This party celebrates the most important person in your life: you! So cancel your plans and roll up those sleeves, it's time to plan an evening in which you pamper yourself! Yesterday I advised you to write yourself a note to remind you that this Friday you're taking care of yourself by throwing a personal party for one.

I know this concept may be a little crazy for some of you, but seriously a night that lets you relax at home alone does wonders for your well being. And with my half birthday, St. Patrick's Day, and my sister's birthday all in the next couple of weeks, I'm going to need my party energy! This party is all about you and your preferences, so if you hate to cook, order in from your favorite restaurant. But if you're like me, take some time to plan out a decadent special menu that you wouldn't normally have. The party starts the second I arrive home on Friday and I want a sweet snack ready and waiting. To see what I'm making myself, read more