I'd almost (key word: almost) forgotten about Party's unbelievable pumpkin cake with pecan brittle and whipped cream cheese frosting when I received a private message from TeamSugar member BisouBisou with jaw-dropping photos of her own rendition, which she made for Thanksgiving as a dessert. 
Seeing the exquisite cake and the lush photography made me fall in love with the cake all over again. Isn't it amazing how images can do such a thing? Don't forget to share your images and upload your recipes onto TeamSugar so the rest of us can get inspired by your masterpieces!
Calling all loyal readers: it's time for the annual YumSugar survey. In order to make the Sugar Network a fabulous destination, we'd love to figure out your likes and dislikes. We want to continue to make YumSugar an even more enjoyable website with the help of your feedback. The survey will only take a couple of minutes, so if you have a quick moment, help us out, and fill it in.
Click here to take the YumSugar survey. Thank you!
Tonight is the series premiere of Chopped, Food Network's new culinary competition series hosted by Ted Allen. The show, which airs on 10 p.m./9 p.m. (CST), bears a striking resemblance to Bravo's hit series, Top Chef. Will you tune in?
We've got our hands on the menu for Obama's last supper before the big day, and it ain't Southern-style johnnycakes or Hawaiian pizza.
The Hilton Washington Hotel in Washington, DC, one of three venues hosting an official candlelight dinner on the eve of the presidential inauguration, has revealed an elaborate menu. This is the last meal the Obamas will have before they spend the next four years under the discerning palate of Cristeta Comerford, the current White House executive chef. To see the menu, read more
These days bacon is such a hot ingredient, it's everywhere! Within the past couple of months, the fatty, salty pork has become a staple in my pantry. If you use bacon as much as I do, consider placing the bacon in the freezer 15 to 20 minutes before slicing any time a recipe calls for uncooked, chopped bacon. The colder the bacon, the easier it is to slice and dice. For the most efficient cutting, use a properly-sharpened knife. Be sure not to forget about the bacon — you don't want it to freeze completely.
This technique also works well for pancetta and proscuitto. Is bacon a recurring ingredient in your meals? Share your secrets for handling bacon below!
Next week Barack Obama will make history when he is sworn in as president. Naturally, this momentous occasion deserves a party! The ceremony takes place on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 11:30 a.m. EST. Since most people will be working, I've decided to host my party the Sunday before. HBO is airing a special live program, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, to kick off the festivities, and I've invited my friends over to watch it with me. While my election night menu featured patriotic dishes, this party will highlight dishes from Barack Obama's old hometown, Chicago.
For appetizers offer guests Garrett Gourmet Popcorn, flown in fresh from the Windy City. Make mini Italian beef sandwiches topped with giardiniera peppers. For the main course, serve two nontraditional (they're square shaped — no special circular pans necessary) deep dish pizzas. A pepperoni, onion, and mushroom pie is perfectly hearty while a spinach-artichoke pizza will satiate the vegetarians in attendance. To check out these tantalizing recipes, read more
FabSugar just got back from an amazing trip to Thailand, but now she's feeling a little blue about returning to her daily routine. To ease the culture shock, I suggested she make this simple, Thai-inspired dish for dinner. Seared chicken is tossed with pasta, broccolini, red peppers, and a store-bought peanut sauce. To make it more fit-friendly, use whole-wheat pasta. If you dislike broccolini or red pepper, feel free to swap in carrots, mini corn, bok choy, or peas. To make this scrumptious pasta, read more
Coffee and tea are so passé. At the St. Mark's Place location of Surf City Squeeze in Manhattan, it's all about the hot smoothie. New York Press writer Justin Richards decides to try it out, and concludes it's not really his cup of tea hot smoothie: "If you don't drink it soon enough, it's like you're cleaning your apartment the morning after a smoothie party," he explains. Would you give it a whirl?
