Posts for December 2nd 2010

Food News

Would You Eat a Genetically Modified Apple?

This week, the USDA and the FDA were asked to approve a genetically modified apple from Canada that keeps its color when sliced or bitten into.

This week, the USDA and the FDA were asked to approve a genetically modified apple from Canada that keeps its color when sliced or bitten into. The event prompted me to wonder how many of you would eat a genetically modified piece of fruit. I generally steer clear of anything GMO — but I'd try this just for kicks to see if it really does prevent my apples from browning. What about you? Would you eat a genetically modified apple?

Best of 2010

Introducing the PopSugar Network's Best of 2010 Coverage!

It's December, which means the year is drawing to a close so it's time to kick off our Best of 2010 coverage on the PopSugar Network!

It's December, which means the year is drawing to a close so it's time to kick off our Best of 2010 coverage on the PopSugar Network! We're looking back at the year's biggest headlines, most fantastic pictures, milestone events, and so much more. Plus, we want your input on everything from food trends to celebrity fashion, to fitness crazes. Over the next month, we'll be sharing our comprehensive guide to the best of the best from the past 12 months. Weigh in on all our polls and stay tuned over the next few weeks as we round up your picks and make our favorite editors' choices. Enjoy!

recipes

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Spice Rub

Our 12 Days of Edible Gifts series is here!

Our 12 Days of Edible Gifts series is here! Over the next dozen days, we'll be sharing our favorite new homemade gifts for the holidays. Make them for loved ones as a budget-friendly heartfelt gift — but be sure to make extra to enjoy for yourself.

First up: the easiest edible gift of all, an all-purpose spice rub that comes together in one single, five-second step. Think of this rub as a magic elixir for everything from roasted vegetables to grilled chicken and pan-fried fish.

You could even sprinkle some on top of ramen, or add a spoonful to oil and vinegar for an intriguing salad dressing. If you've got lots of friends and family, multiply the batch and hand out tins as a thoughtful stocking stuffer. You can't go wrong! Now, for the recipe.

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The Perfect Gift + Sale = the Happiest Macy’s Shopper (EVER).

Shopping for a long list of loved ones each holiday season can be a bit overwhelming (and expensive); luckily, Macy’s has you covered in both departments.

Shopping for a long list of loved ones each holiday season can be a bit overwhelming (and expensive); luckily, Macy’s has you covered in both departments.

With Macy’s Holiday Gift Guide, you can peruse gifts for him, gifts for her, gifts under $50, gifts from Martha Stewart, or gifts for kids — all from the comfort of your home (cup of cocoa optional).

The best part? After you find the perfect gift, Macy’s gives you free shipping or an extra 20 percent off sale and clearance items (score)!

Click here to check out gifts for everyone on your list from Macy’s, and then get ready to start checking things off your holiday to-do list!

Holiday

Enter to Win the Ultimate Foodie Giveaway!

It's our favorite time of year: the holiday season!
YumSugar and Barneys Ultimate Foodie Giveaway

It's our favorite time of year: the holiday season! The festive six weeks are packed with food celebrations, crazy parties, and the annual unveiling of Simon Doonan's iconic and amazingly creative windows for Barneys! This November, Simon was inspired by the food industry to craft "A Foodie Holiday," a display that showcases how fashion and food collide. It features some of our favorite Food Network celebrity chefs — from Rachael Ray to Anthony Bourdain, no culinary personality was overlooked! Plus, we chatted with Jamie Oliver, Paula Deen, Emeril Lagasse and more at the unveiling.

To celebrate, we've teamed up with Barneys and our sister site, ShopStyle, to bring you an awesome giveaway worth $5,000 in prizes! We are giving away the following must haves: a Fornasetti Box of Chocolates Plates, an Editions de Parfums Coffee Society candle, a Jonathan Adler Fondue Set, an Armand Diradourian Out to Lunch Pillow, and an Illy Francis Francis X1 Iper Espresso Machine! That's not all — we're also giving away a grand prize to one very lucky winner: a gorgeous and extravagant Valextra travel bag, handpicked by Simon Doonan himself!

Entering is easy — all you have to do is click through the slideshow, add your email at the end, and you'll be entered to win. Check out the official rules here. Good luck!

recipes

Learn Our Favorite Fudge Recipe

Easy-to-bake homemade fudge is the perfect gift for the holiday season.

Easy-to-bake homemade fudge is the perfect gift for the holiday season. In our latest how-to, that we shot at Hip Cooks in LA, we walk you through our favorite fudge recipe and share tips for wrapping it up in a festive package. To stir up this rich dessert, you'll need sugar, butter, evaporated milk, semisweet baking chocolate, marshmallow crème, vanilla, and the nut of your choice. Watch the video to learn how it's made!

Holiday

Come Party With Me: Hanukkah Cocktail — Drinks

Guests attending a holiday cocktail party will expect cocktails, but to ensure that the hostess isn't tending bar all night, serve a pitcher drink or punch or set up a small bar and invite friends to pour their own beverage.

Guests attending a holiday cocktail party will expect cocktails, but to ensure that the hostess isn't tending bar all night, serve a pitcher drink or punch or set up a small bar and invite friends to pour their own beverage. Here's how you do it: Select an easy drink recipe, like this one for a bourbon and blood orange blast that's featured here. Write out the directions for the cocktail and set out an ice bucket, cocktail shaker, jigger, and the ingredients. Alternatively, place the blood orange juice alongside vodka, gin, and bourbon. Fill a small pitcher with simple syrup and one can make a blood orange martini or the blast. Remember to place plenty of napkins and fresh towels on the bar.

To get the proportions of the suggested libation, keep reading.

Bourbon and Blood Orange Blast

From Real Simple Bourbon and Blood Orange Blast Information Category Drinks, Cocktails Cuisine North American Ingredients1 1/2 ounces bourbon 1/2 cup blood orange juice 8 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig of mint for garnish DirectionsIn a shaker, mix together the bourbon, blood orange juice, and mint leaves.
Bourbon and Blood Orange Blast

Bourbon and Blood Orange Blast

Bourbon and Blood Orange Blast

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces bourbon
1/2 cup blood orange juice
8 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig of mint for garnish

Directions

In a shaker, mix together the bourbon, blood orange juice, and mint leaves. Serve over ice in a low glass and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Makes 1 drink.

community

Ryan Scott on Top Chef All-Stars Episode 1

Did you watch the first episode of Top Chef All-Stars last night?!

Did you watch the first episode of Top Chef All-Stars last night?! We did, and so did one of our favorite Top Chef contestants, Ryan Scott. Here, Ryan shares his thoughts on the show. Take it away, Chef Scott!

Wow! Memories. It's been three years since they shot my season of Top Chef and it's nice to see a lot of my good friends back on All-Stars. Dale Levitski was just in our living room a few months back. Here I am, laying in bed with my girlfriend, who has a backache, and me stuffed up cold, blogging just for you guys. After all, "people from all over the world have come to visit me." No, wait! That's Jamie.

Of course, my dear friend Richard would bring out the big guns on the first challenge; his liquid nitrogen. How the hell does he get that on the plane? Also, it's refreshing that Spike actually shaved for this season. Unfortunately it doesn't appear that Fabio's hairdresser could fit him in before they shot the show. Fabio knows I love him, and there's not a more traveled, harder-working top chef than him. So grow that hair out, brotha man.

To find out what Ryan thinks of the quickfire, Stephen's clothing choices, and Anthony Bourdain, keep reading.