Posts for March 5th 2008

apron

Want a YumSugar Apron? Then Start Leaving Comments!

Last month's top commenter is long-time TeamSugar member celebrity_soup.

Last month's top commenter is long-time TeamSugar member celebrity_soup. She loves sharing her recipes and always has something to say. When asked about chicken for dinner, she said:

I always make this chicken on weekends, it's very versatile. Leftovers can later be used to make just about anything with chicken.

And when asked about lychees, she said:

I LOVE lychees, i eat them all the time here in Africa. They are available mostly at summertime, i pop around 20 something in minutes. They are so sweet and juicy! yummmmm!

For being our top talker, celebrity_soup is going to receive a YumSugar apron! Congrats celebrity_soup!

Want your own YumSugar swag? Then come out of hiding and start leaving comments! The person who leaves the most comments during March will also be rewarded a YumSugar apron, so start talking! You must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account.

If you're feeling a bit shy you can always order your own. I've put some of my favorites — like the apron and bib — below, but there's lots more to choose from.

Tips

Party Foul: Not Enough Utensils

I recently attended a small potluck dinner at a girlfriend's house.

I recently attended a small potluck dinner at a girlfriend's house. Seven of us were in attendance, yet only four forks could be found in the kitchen!

I didn't say anything when I helped serve the Champagne in a martini glass, a beer mug, and a mix of random wine glasses. I didn't say anything when we sat down to eat and had to share chairs. However, it was really hard NOT to say anything when there wasn't enough silverware, especially when five people live there! How could they only have four forks?

If you are going to invite people into your house for a meal, be prepared to serve them properly. Being in college or having just graduated is no excuse. If you lack enough silverware purchase plastic utensils, ask to borrow from a friend, or serve a finger food menu!

Have you ever been in a similar situation? What would you do if there wasn't enough silverware?

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Wine

Happy Hour: Le Cask

While I was at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition Tasting, I was lucky enough to try Le Cask wine.

While I was at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition Tasting, I was lucky enough to try Le Cask wine. I was drawn to it because it was one of the few boxes of wine at the tasting. I tasted their Old Vine Zinfandel and was pleasantly surprised by how it tasted. It was well balanced and a bit peppery, a little sweet with notes of cherry and plum, but very drinkable.

The best part about Le Cask is that for about $25, you get the equivalent amount of wine as four bottles. Definitely worth the price, considering the quality of the wine is much higher than that. Also, unlike bottles, their patent-pending box stays fresh for 4-6 weeks after opening. And bonus, Le Cask is eco friendly. The box is recyclable, takes up 98 percent landfill space and by eliminating glass, they've reduced their carbon footprint up to 50 percent.

The winery is based out of Lodi, CA, and while it's available throughout the Bay Area, they're still looking for a larger distribution. If you do happen to see it, definitely pick yourself up a cask or two.

Fast Food

White Castle Springs Forward With Free Slyders

I can't believe it's just about time to set the clocks forward.

I can't believe it's just about time to set the clocks forward. I know it means more light during the day, which means going home when it's still light outside, but still, I'm going to miss that extra hour of sleep.

To help cope with daylight savings time, White Castle has announced "Daylights Cravings Time." Between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m on Sunday Mar. 9, just prior to the time change, White Castle will be giving two free slyders to anyone who visits. Jamie Richards, White Castle's director of marketing, said:

On March 9, we refuse to lose an hour so we're offering two free burgers to cravers who come in for this late-night celebration. When it comes to being proactive, Cravers are ahead of the pack — so what better way to acknowledge this than with some free tasty burgage on us.

Tasty burgage indeed.

Now tell me, will you stay up late just to enjoy a free snack?

sandwiches

'Wich of the Week: Avocado and Mango With Cilantro-Lime Mayonnaise

When a recipe calls for cilantro, I'm always forced to buy way more than I'll ever need, which leads me on a search for even more cilantro-centric recipes.

When a recipe calls for cilantro, I'm always forced to buy way more than I'll ever need, which leads me on a search for even more cilantro-centric recipes. That was the catalyst for today's 'Wich of the Week, which features an unorthodox combination of mango and avocado on healthy multigrain bread.

This vegetarian sandwich has a refreshing tropical flavor that's alternately tangy and mild. The creamy avocado balances out the zip of the lime and the sweetness of the mango. I decided to make two versions: one vegetarian and one with ham for the hardcore meat eaters. But we all agreed that the sandwich was better without the ham, since the cold cuts overpowered the more delicate fruits. I do recommend you add some clover sprouts for added texture; just steer clear of the recalled ones!


To get the recipe and step-by-step photos, read more

News

All The News That's Fit To Eat — Mar. 5, 2008

Potatoes cooked in oil have gone from snack to menu staple.
muffins

Off to Market Recap: Muffin Liners

I was relieved to see that many of you are also sick of paper muffin liners.

I was relieved to see that many of you are also sick of paper muffin liners. We've been using the boring pale pink, light yellow, and baby blue paper muffin liners our entire lives. It's only natural to want something new and exciting for the outside of muffins and cupcakes. To solve this conundrum, you headed off to market in search of marvelous muffin liners. You looked for paper, foil, or silicone muffin liners in interesting and vibrant colors. You saved the liners in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Muffin Liners.

My absolute favorite were bookmarked by two of you — Bettyesque and Ninotchka. These striped liners are my favorite color and are called party baking cups, so they are perfect for me, PartySugar! Thanks for your help ladies. To check out all of the liners scroll to the right below.

Get more info on bookmarking when you read geeksugar's informative article.

Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: My Half Birthday — Dessert

At all of my parties I like to provide guests with a sweet treat even if it is only a small bite.

At all of my parties I like to provide guests with a sweet treat even if it is only a small bite. At my half birthday — besides filling bowls with M&Ms which is signature to all my events — I will make one refreshing dessert: white chocolate and lime cheesecake bars.

Instead of cutting the bars into squares, I'll use a cookie cutter to cut out circles making mini cheesecakes. To emphasis the half theme, I will cut the circles in half and serve mini half cheesecakes! For the recipe, read more

Vintage

Vintage Cereal Chic

I was at my local Target — I know, it seems like I go there an awful lot — when I noticed this display of vintage cereal boxes.

I was at my local Target — I know, it seems like I go there an awful lot — when I noticed this display of vintage cereal boxes. For a limited time, General Mills has released vintage-styled boxes of five of their top selling cereals. The promotion is part of their Vintage T-Shirt Offer. These vintage boxes of Golden Grahams, Kix, Lucky Charms, Honey Nut Cheerios, and Wheaties each contain a box code that will give you access to their specially priced vintage tees. The tees cost $5 each and you can order up to 5 of them each day.

And if you can't find the vintage boxes, don't worry you can still get your hands on vintage shirts. Just use the boxcode "retrotee" and you'll be able to get in.

sandwiches

Do You Like Sandwiches?

In case you haven't noticed, we really like sandwiches around here.

In case you haven't noticed, we really like sandwiches around here. In fact, I just went through a phase where I wanted sandwiches for dinner instead of "real" dinner.

However, while most people like them, I know that there are a few who don't appreciate them. When YumJimmy and I first met he actually never ate sandwiches. It was the most baffling thing to me!

So tell me, are you a sandwich lover, or a sandwich hater?

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