Posts for December 20th 2011

Sugar Shout Out December 20, 2011
Sugar Shout Out

Sugar Shout Out: See Boo's Cutest Looks of 2011!

The year of the Pomeranian: Boo's cutest looks of 2011 Learn how to avoid Internet fraud and phishing scams Video: Tom Cruise talks holidays with Katie and Suri at the MI4 premiere Get the year's best celebrity chef cooking tips See YouTube's most popular beauty videos of 2011 Banksy sends a holiday message to his UK fans Lil gift guide: 10 heartfelt gifts for treasured grandparents Superchic ways to wear holiday red and green Room & Board's annual clearance event is almost here!
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Interview With Next Iron Chef's Geoffrey Zakarian
Food Network

Geoffrey Zakarian on Winning The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs

Those of you who've tuned into the Food Network at all in recent days might have heard that the last season of The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs has just wrapped, and a new champion has emerged victorious out of the star-studded (and highly competitive) lineup.
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Those of you who've tuned into the Food Network at all in recent days might have heard that the last season of The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs has just wrapped, and a new champion has emerged victorious out of the star-studded (and highly competitive) lineup.

That would be Geoffrey Zakarian, guest judge of Food Network's Chopped and chef and owner of The National and The Lambs Club in New York City and Tudor House in Miami.

I had a chance to catch up with the chef over the phone, where he revealed his thoughts on why he won, how he hopes to set himself apart from the others on Iron Chef America, and what he always makes for the holidays.

YumSugar: You had a very serious expression on your face when the final outcome was revealed. What was your first thought when they announced you as the winner?
Geoffrey Zakarian: Well, they actually didn't call my name, which was sort of confusing, because whenever anyone got kicked off, they would actually say, "You will not be the next Iron Chef." But I was stunned, shocked, and relieved; there was a real sense of accomplishment.

Zakarian on his toughest Next Iron Chef moments, and his upcoming Kitchen Stadium challenges, after the jump.

Belgian Endive
In Season

In Season: Belgian Endive

It's known as "white gold" in some parts of the world, and while there may be some debate on how it should be pronounced (en-DIVE or ON-deev), there is no debating the fact that Belgian endive is simply delicious.
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It's known as "white gold" in some parts of the world, and while there may be some debate on how it should be pronounced (en-DIVE or ON-deev), there is no debating the fact that Belgian endive is simply delicious.

Endive is an incredibly interesting leafy vegetable, starting with the fact that it is grown in the dark. The story of its discovery goes like this: a farmer in Belgium was storing chicory roots in his cellar. He forgot about them and came back to find that they had sprouted leaves even in the dark, damp cellar. He took a bite and found that he loved the tangy, slightly bitter flavor of the bundle of leaves, and thus, Belgian endive was born.

Find out how to grow your own Belgian endive and how to best enjoy it when you read on.

Preorder Magnolia Bakery Cupcakes Online
Food News

Link Time: Now You Can Buy Magnolia Bakery Online

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Christmas and Holiday Flavored Food Gifts
gift guide

10 Fun and Festive Holiday Treats

It's December 19, and there's officially less than a week until Christmas — so if you aren't on top of your yuletide merrymaking, it's high time you got into the spirit!
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Christmas and Holiday Flavored Food Gifts

It's December 19, and there's officially less than a week until Christmas — so if you aren't on top of your yuletide merrymaking, it's high time you got into the spirit! As much as we love from-scratch baking and candy-making, we can't help but look forward to some of the season's best food and drink offerings, too. Here are 10 treats that make us want to kick off the holiday caroling.

Graeter's Peppermint Stick Talenti Eggnog Gelato Dunkin' Donuts Sprinkle the Cheer and Holiday Star Donuts François Payard's Panettone Sucré Holiday Macarons Ruby Chestnut-Roasted Coffee See's Candies Christmas Mint Lollypops
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Cream of Mushroom Soup
Mushroom Soup

Cream of Mushroom Soup

This recipe was originally just a mushroom soup, but for a little more texture and richness, I added cream and extra garnish.
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This recipe was originally just a mushroom soup, but for a little more texture and richness, I added cream and extra garnish.

Adapted from Anthony Bourdain's Les Halles Cookbook: Strategies, Recipes, and Techniques of Classic Bistro Cooking by Anthony Bourdain

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

6 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, thinly sliced
8 ounces button mushrooms
5 ounces chanterelle mushrooms
1 quart vegetable or chicken stock
1 bunch parsley, finely chopped
Salt and pepper
2 ounces high-quality sherry (don't use the cheap grocery-store variety; it's salty and unappetizing and will ruin your soup) or quality Cognac
1/4 cup cream
1 bunch of chives, finely chopped
2 tablespoons black truffle oil

Directions

  1. In the medium saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat and add the onion. Cook until the onion is soft and translucent, then add all of the mushrooms and the remaining butter.
  2. Let the mixture sweat for about 8 minutes, taking care that the onion doesn't take on any brown color. If desired, set aside about 2 tablespoons of the mushrooms for garnish. Stir in the chicken stock and the about 3/4 of the parsley and bring to a boil. Since the parsley will be removed, use either cheese cloth or stuff the leaves into a tea steeper before placing in the pan. Immediately reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour.
  3. After an hour, remove the parsley and discard. Let the soup cool for a few minutes, then transfer to the blender and carefully blend at high speed until smooth. Do I have to remind you to do this in stages, with the blender's lid firmly held down, and with the weight of your body keeping that thing from flying off and allowing boiling hot mushroom purée to erupt all over your kitchen.
  4. When blended, return the mix to the pot, add cream and season with salt and pepper, and bring up to a low simmer again. Add the sherry or cognac, mix well, and serve immediately.
  5. Serve the soup topped with the mushroom you have set aside, chives and remaining parsley. If desired, drizzle a couple drops of truffle oil just before serving.

Serves 4-6 people.

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Homemade Hot Sauce Recipe
recipes

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Homemade Hot Sauce

Sugar cookies and peppermint bark are a dime a dozen during the holiday season, but this year, we've been bringing you some deliciously out-of-the-box edible gift ideas with our fourth annual 12 Days of Edible Gifts series.
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Sugar cookies and peppermint bark are a dime a dozen during the holiday season, but this year, we've been bringing you some deliciously out-of-the-box edible gift ideas with our fourth annual 12 Days of Edible Gifts series. Haven't had time to whip up one of our easy, tasty ideas yet? If you've got 15 minutes and a handful of fiery peppers, we've got your answer: homemade hot sauce.

This recipe is so easy it almost can't be called a recipe, but your lucky recipients don't have to know that. It's also completely customizable: use whichever peppers you prefer (or whichever are easiest to get your hands on). Last year, I used a combination of green jalapeños and habaneros; the result was tangy, herbaceous, and blazing hot. This year's batch was made with ripe red jalapeños and red serranos, and while it still packs some heat, it's much milder and sweeter.

If you can't bear to give away all the fruits of your labor, you're in luck: the vinegar that rises to the top of the hot sauce as it cures can be skimmed off, bottled separately, and kept for yourself as a homemade Tabasco substitute.

Get ready to spice up your life — and get the recipe — after the break.

Best Celebrity Chef Cooking Tips
POPSUGAR Food

The Year's Best Celebrity Chef Cooking Tips

As we think back on the year 2011, it's hard not to reflect on who we've met and what they've imparted on us.
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As we think back on the year 2011, it's hard not to reflect on who we've met and what they've imparted on us. In the past 12 months, we've picked the brains of Giada De Laurentiis, Wolfgang Puck, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, and more culinary personalities for their best pointers when cooking and entertaining at home. From prep tips to cooking philosophies, we've compiled them all; watch the video for their best suggestions on how to step it up in the kitchen.

Hanukkah (Chanukah) Foods
Holiday

What Do You Know About Hanukkah Food Traditions?

December isn't all about cookie swaps, tree trimmings, and Christmas dinners; at sundown tonight, Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, begins.
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December isn't all about cookie swaps, tree trimmings, and Christmas dinners; at sundown tonight, Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, begins. You may be familiar with menorahs and dreidels, but what do you know about the celebration's food traditions? Find out when you take our quiz.

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Maple Pecan-Candied Bacon
community

Savory Sight: Maple Pecan Candied Bacon

We thought we knew every bacon preparation in the book, but AllieNic's found yet another.
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We thought we knew every bacon preparation in the book, but AllieNic's found yet another.


Here is yet another sweet treat. This would be the perfect thing to bring to a holiday party. It’s part picky (appetizer), part dessert.

See her recipe to make this treat yourself. Want to scope out more delicious holiday recipes? Check out our Kitchen Goddess group for a plethora of ideas.