If you think all dessert wines are too sweet, think again. Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto 2004 ($21.99) is a red sparkler that's appealing without being cloying. It has a fabulous ripe raspberry flavor and rosy scent. The bubbles are light and the fruitiness rich yet refreshing. The festive hue makes this wine ideal for special occasions. I poured it alongside a white cake, but it would complement chocolate excellently. Although we sipped this sparkler with dessert, it's unique berry-forward flavor means it could be enjoyed anytime — before, during, or after a meal.
Has anyone sipped this festive bubbly? What did you think of it?
Ganache
A chocolate sauce made from a mixture of chocolate and cream, ganache may be used to fill a pastry, add a glossy glaze to a cake, or form the center of a traditional chocolate truffle.
Ganache
A chocolate sauce made from a mixture of chocolate and cream, ganache may be used to fill a pastry, add a glossy glaze to a cake, or form the center of a traditional chocolate truffle. Ganache is typically created by pouring heated cream over chopped dark chocolate, then blending until smooth, although it may also be enhanced with liqueurs or extracts. Cream-to-chocolate ratios vary depending on the application; less cream results in a firmer ganache.
When it comes to expensive sandwiches, I'm rarely disappointed with 'Wichcraft. Though the creations are somewhat pricey, they're also well-made, and when the ingredients are surprising, I'll totally shell out the cash. Though now that 'Wichcraft's Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortuzar have released a cookbook, I can save my money and make the recipes at home. Lucky for you, I just got my hands on the cookbook, and I have the recipe for the latest 'wich I grabbed at 'Wichcraft: the reasonably priced ($6.95) chopped chickpeas with roasted red peppers, black olives, lemon confit, and parsley on country bread. Though I love the anchovy and egg sandwich with a consuming passion, I decided to try something new on my last trip, and I wasn't disappointed. To find out how to make it, read more
Win $2,500 Toward a Nursery From Pottery Barn Kids! Win $2,500 Toward a Nursery From Pottery Barn Kids! To celebrate April Showers and impending bundles of joy, we've partnered up with our friends at Pottery Barn Kids to offer one lucky lilsugar reader the chance to win a $2,500 gift card to put toward your babe's nursery and or necessities.
Since the cake is a huge part of your wedding day, when planning the engagement party, select a dessert that is not cake based and totally different from what you want to serve on the big day.
Since the cake is a huge part of your wedding day, when planning the engagement party, select a dessert that is not cake based and totally different from what you want to serve on the big day.
For Ronda and James's Latin-inspired affair, I'm making caramel-coconut shortbread. Cut into rectangles or squares, it's ideal because no utensils are necessary. Although this dessert has several components, it's far from intimidating and comes together quickly. Get the easy recipe when you, read more
This afternoon I'm off to meet Tom Colicchio! He's making a public appearance at William-Sonoma in downtown San Francisco. Besides chatting with me, Tom will be signing copies of his new book 'wichcraft. Have you ever been to an event of this sort?
Burger King announced yesterday that it was revising controversial ads for its Texican Whopper in England and Spain after Mexico's ambassador spoke out against the campaign, calling it offensive.
Burger King announced yesterday that it was revising controversial ads for its Texican Whopper in England and Spain after Mexico's ambassador spoke out against the campaign, calling it offensive. The commercials promoted the Europe-only Texican Whopper, a burger with chili con carne, jalapeños, onion, lettuce, a wheat bun, and Cajun mayonnaise. They featured an American cowboy and a pocket-sized wrestler wearing a cape that resembles the Mexican flag. Jorge Zermeno, the Mexican ambassador to Spain, called the chain's ads damaging to the country's image and its flag.
In a letter to Burger King's Spanish division, Zermeno asked that the commercials be removed from the air because they "improperly used the stereotyped image of a Mexican.” In response, the burger chain released a statement saying it was revamping its campaign: "The revised campaign will focuses solely on the Texican Whopper sandwich and will not feature any characters or the use of the Mexican flag. The revised campaign will be on air and in restaurants as soon as commercially possible.”
I don't find this commercial shocking or surprising, given Burger King's track record of eyebrow raising advertisements, from the recent Sir Mix-a-Lot spot to last year's Whopper Virgins. After watching the video below, tell me: Do you think Burger King made the right move?
If you were recently engaged: congratulations! While the weeks after he proposed can be overwhelming, they are also very exciting. First things first: you'll want to properly announce the engagement. One way to do so is by hosting an engagement party. To find out my tips for planning the perfect engagement party, read more
If you think all dessert wines are too sweet, think again. Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto 2004 ($21.99) is a red sparkler that's appealing without being cloying. It has a fabulous ripe raspberry flavor and rosy scent. The bubbles are light and the fruitiness rich yet refreshing. The festive hue makes this wine ideal for special occasions. I poured it alongside a white cake, but it would complement chocolate excellently. Although we sipped this sparkler with dessert, it's unique berry-forward flavor means it could be enjoyed anytime — before, during, or after a meal. 
