Posts for December 2012

christmas

Impress Guests With This No-Bake Winter Ice Cream Cake

If you're hosting a party this holiday, bring the Winter wonderland to your home with a snowy layer cake that's sure to dazzle any sweet tooth.

If you're hosting a party this holiday, bring the Winter wonderland to your home with a snowy layer cake that's sure to dazzle any sweet tooth. Just don't let your guests in on how simple this dessert is to make. Without any oven time, and only five ingredients, the candy-cane-tinged layers come together in less than 30 minutes of active prep. The hardest part? Waiting for the cake to set!

See the recipe for this delicious and festive dessert.

Food News

Link Time: Beat Cold Season With Immune-Boosting Recipes

Beat cold season with these immune-boosting recipes — HuffPost Taste Mission Chinese Food's Szechuan-inspired hot dog — Zagat Taste tested: Wendy's new breakfast items — So Good Marco Pierre White defends protégé Curtis Stone — Eater Is Patrick Dempsey buying Tully's?

party planning

A Primer on How Champagne Is Made

Recently, while savoring glass of excellent Champagne, I had a horrible realization that I know nothing about the way Champagne is produced.

Recently, while savoring glass of excellent Champagne, I had a horrible realization that I know nothing about the way Champagne is produced. Sure, I could read the label, pair it with food, and select a decent bottle, but when it came to the hard-core technique that is the methode Champenoise (or methode traditionelle), I knew very little. Naturally, I decided to learn all about it and share the process with you.

  1. It begins like any other winemaking procedure: the grapes (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay) are harvested, pressed, and the juice is placed in vats.
  2. Next yeast is added. The yeast reacts with the sugar in the grapes, and this produces alcohol. This takes about six months. At this point, the wine is flat. Thus begins the second fermentation process that turns it into bubbly.

Keep reading for the rest of the Champagne-making method.

cooking tips

The Year in Celebrity Chef Cooking Advice

In the past year, we've hit up a number of events where, aside from tasting a number of memorable dishes, we also got to learn the tips and tricks of our favorite star chefs.

In the past year, we've hit up a number of events where, aside from tasting a number of memorable dishes, we also got to learn the tips and tricks of our favorite star chefs. Bobby Flay revealed some of his no-fail tricks when it comes to frying chicken, and skinny girl Bethenny Frankel shared her secret behind a fruity sangria. Here, we've rounded up our favorite celebrity-endorsed cooking advice.

Cooking Basics

Cooking For Shorter Days and Longer Nights

Winter's officially begin, and it's clear as you-know-what that nights have become much longer, and days, shorter.

Winter's officially begin, and it's clear as you-know-what that nights have become much longer, and days, shorter. The earlier sunset can often translate into not wanting to cook at night: coming home to a pitch-black house and cooking dinner from scratch can be daunting during these cold weather months. On the flip side, however, eating out every night can be harmful on wallets (and waistlines!). With a little bit of planning and prep work, we can all look forward to delicious home-cooked meals. Here are five tips for Winter weeknight cooking.

  • Prep on the weekends. After your weekend trip to the grocery store, wash and prepare your produce for the week ahead. Greens should be rinsed, wrapped in paper towels, and stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. If possible, avoid pre-cutting produce, as fruits and vegetables rapidly begin to lose nutrients once they are cut.
  • Live by the one-pot meal. Cooking meals in only one pot will help control the mess, which means less clean-up for you! Examples of one-pot meals include paella, casseroles, and chili, among many others.

Keep reading for more tips.

Vegetarian

Killer App: Cheddar Phyllo Crackers

Looking to prepare a large batch of snacks for New Year's Eve?

Looking to prepare a large batch of snacks for New Year's Eve? These phyllo crackers, with their smoky paprika and sharp cheddar topping, aren't just light and crispy — they're flavorful!

Not only are these the easiest crackers you'll ever make, but also, you'll have hundreds in no time, helping to keep your party budget in check. Make any holiday party more enjoyable with a big bowl of these crisp and cheesy crackers next to your favorite dip.

Keep reading for the recipe.

Cooking Basics

Chicken Pot Pie: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Dread cooking when it's cold outside?

Dread cooking when it's cold outside? We've got a recipe for chicken pot pie that's sure to warm your house (not to mention your soul). This version — which comes courtesy of YumSugar host Brandi Milloy's grandma herself! — is ready to eat in under an hour. Watch the video to learn how to make everything, from the creamy chicken filling down to that perfectly golden, flaky pie crust. On Brandi: Active Basic top, Jessie Steele Apron and jewelry by Edward Avedis.

Vegetarian

30 Killer Vegetarian Appetizers

With the holiday season in full swing, there are a multitude of reasons why it's time to dig deep and find some killer appetizers to pull out of your pocket.

With the holiday season in full swing, there are a multitude of reasons why it's time to dig deep and find some killer appetizers to pull out of your pocket. But this year, for various reasons (among them, health, budget, and more sustainable eating), there are sure to be at least a few partygoers who are passing on the poultry, meat, and seafood this year. Thankfully, we've got an array of vegetarian options so superb that no one will be missing out on the meat at all! For a sampling of stellar veggie-forward starter ideas, keep reading.