During the holidays, I keep homemade brittle in pretty packages to ensure that unexpected guests don't leave empty handed. This year, I made two different types of brittle: a classic peanut brittle and a more exotic, spicy brittle with pine nuts. However, it's easy to make brittle with any nut, seed, spice, or dried fruit.
Making brittle can be a daunting task, but with a couple of helpful tips, the procedure is uncomplicated. A candy thermometer is essential. There's a limited amount of time between brittle and burned sugar disaster, so have all the nuts and other ingredients ready and waiting. When the amount of steam produced by the boiling water and sugar mixture lessens, you have reached the hard-crack stage. Most importantly, remember to be patient! Get started on this crunchy, sweet, and spicy gift when you read more

Hoping to put an end to hemorrhaging sales, Starbucks is moving full speed ahead with a new strategy. In addition to cutting workers' hours and streamlining recipes, the nation's largest coffee chain will be entering a partnership with the country's biggest sandwich franchise, Subway. Next month, select Subways will start selling Starbucks-owned Seattle's Best Coffee. In the six-month test launch, approximately 1,900 Subway sandwich shops will carry coffee blends, including the Seattle's Best Blend, Henry's Blend, and the 6th Avenue Bistro Blend. Subway has long wanted to tap into the morning market: earlier this year, Subway announced it would be rolling out a new line of cafés.

Still, I was taken aback to learn that it wouldn't be creating its own label. I'm also surprised to hear that, after closing 600 stores in 2008, Starbucks is expanding its coffee business yet again. Do you think it's a wise move? Would you hit up a Subway to get coffee?

Source and Source

If you're anything like me, you've got lots of shopping left to do, but little time and a limited budget to work with. That's why, to make both of our lives easier, I've compiled my favorite bargains for under $25.

My friend Jaime who loves the grill will be delighted by this classy oil brush and jar set; Katie, always more of a baker than a cook, can use this cookie press; and Steph, who lived in Europe and loves breakfast, will flip for this steel crepe pan.
For more gift ideas, browse the selection below and check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Whether you love her or hate her, Rachael Ray, the Food Network's biggest star, is here to stay. Although 2008 was filled with many ups and downs, it was a huge year for Ray. Things got off to a rocky start in January, when a secondhand story claimed that Ray, a Dunkin' Donuts spokeswoman, refused to drink Dunkin's coffee, instead opting for Starbucks. A week later, Ray denied the claim as "absolutely ridiculous." In February, Ray happily hosted the wildly popular Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, but March brought worries that her daytime television talk show would not be renewed. However, these rumors were quickly squashed when reports showed that her viewership was growing. The weirdest bombshell came in May when Michelle Malkin, a conservative commentator, accused Ray of supporting terrorists in a Dunkin' Donuts ad. The donut chain pulled the ad and released a statement clarifying that Rachael was simply wearing a stylish scarf and not a traditional headdress sometimes associated with terrorists.

Ray rose above the controversy to win a daytime Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show. In July she rolled out a line of pet food called Nutrish, and in early August Forbes named her the world's richest chef. The week before bringing the Burger Bash to New York City's first-ever Wine and Food festival, Ray revealed her plans to open a hamburger restaurant. Since then, Ray has laid low. She recently had throat surgery to get rid of her raspy voice and is currently taking some time off to recover.

What did you think about Ray's turbulent year? Will she continue to make headlines in 2009?

Source and Source

Pizza Hut has caused an uproar with the launch of a new viral advertising campaign. "Kicked Out of a Pizza Place," a video produced by Mediocre Films, has gotten 198,135 views on YouTube since it was posted less than five days ago. The fast food corporation is piggybacking on the success of other chains' attempt at viral videos, such as competitor Wendy's MySpace video, "Crazy Lettuce". The pizza parlor video, one of three in the viral campaign, is already attracting lots of attention — both for its humor and its tackiness. "If Pizza Hut were a person, I'd say it was a jerk," wrote Ian Schafer, CEO of Deep Focus, an Internet marketing agency.

While the video had me busting a gut, I also thought it was a slap in the face of family-owned businesses. More importantly, I question whether the campaign conveyed any meaningful (or positive) brand message to consumers about Pizza Hut. Watch the video below — I'd love to hear what you think.

Source

Here's a quick and easy tip that reduces waste. When making and transporting crostini — for dips or other appetizers to a potluck — save the bread bag. Make the crostini following your favorite recipe. Once the bread is cool enough to handle, place the toasts in the original bread bag. Fold to close. Voila: the crostini is travel ready.

Do you have any tips for bringing food to and from holiday potlucks? Please share your ideas with us below!

This holiday season we're giving you free, downloadable invites. Last week I showed you two festive invites and today I've got two more! The Hanukkah invite is elegant and simple, while the Christmas one is fun and fabulous. All you have to do is download, print, fill in, and send. Happy hosting!

One of my favorite soups of all time is avgolemono, a traditional Greek soup made of lemon, chicken, and eggs. I love it so much that even when I'm not in the mood for steaming-hot soup, I'll still search for something else (like a pasta) that incorporates the same creamy, tangy flavors.

This chicken, plated with orzo, carrots, and avgolemono sauce, is exactly the type of recipe I'd turn to. Serve it if you've got a leftover bird and are seeking a contemporary take on an everyday protein. To make this fuss-free meal, read more

During the holidays, I spend a lot of time in my kitchen. That's why this year, I've decided to transform the look of my kitchen by picking up a few seasonal pieces. I asked you to help me by heading off to market in search of items that will make my kitchen more festive. These can be everything from dishtowels to placemats, or serving platters and bowls. You saved your holiday kitchen finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Holiday Kitchen.

How cute are these red and green dish towels that Bekbork discovered? Paired with homemade hot chocolate mix, these fun towels would make a delightful gift! Find more seasonal items for the kitchen below.

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation and learn how to participate.