Posts for February 22nd 2012

Sugar Shout Out February 22, 2012
Sugar Shout Out

Sugar Shout Out: Love in the Oscars Press Room Throughout the Years

Love in the Oscars press room throughout the years iPhone chargers that will look great on your desk Gail Simmons on her new book, and the question she never needs to hear again The most hilarious interview mistakes Best-picture nominated animal films Celebrities charm in full-skirted dresses Video: Foolproof ways to wear colored denim Award season's hottest Hollywood couples Maternity wear that is cute and comfortable Tour a tranquil oasis in the Hollywood Hills Vegan pasta recipes to warm you up Jennifer Aniston receives a star on the Walk of Fame Ways to get in on the gold nail polish trend Tips for organizing bills
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Salty Dog Cocktail Recipe
Cocktails

Happy Hour: Salty Dog

Grapefruit lovers: if you haven't discovered it yet, get to know a cocktail called the Salty Dog.
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Grapefruit lovers: if you haven't discovered it yet, get to know a cocktail called the Salty Dog.

No, it's not a strange concoction with hot dogs, but the cousin to the classic Greyhound. Both the Greyhound and Salty Dog combine fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice with vodka. The Salty Dog, however, is served in a salt-rimmed glass similar to a margarita.

For more on this drink – which is perfect for National Grapefruit Month! — read ahead.

Roasted Cauliflower With Smoked Paprika
recipes

Simple Side: Smoky Roasted Cauliflower

If you're anything like me, then a dinner isn't complete without a salad and a side dish.
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If you're anything like me, then a dinner isn't complete without a salad and a side dish. While salads are easy enough, sometimes I get stuck when it comes to coming up with a fast and easy side. That's when I turn on the oven, reach for a seasonal vegetable, toss it in some oil and spices, then roast it to perfection.

In this case the seasonal vegetable happend to be cauliflower and the spice, pimentón, or Spanish smoked paprika.

From start to finish, this side dish takes about 35 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time to throw together a fast and easy meal and a side salad. It's simple, and while it lets the flavor of cauliflower shine through, the smoky flavor from the paprika is really satisfying.

For this incredibly easy recipe, read on.

Fresh Grapefruit Mimosa Recipe
grapefruit mimosa

Grapefruit Mimosas

I used prosecco here, but feel free to use your favorite sparkling wine or champagne.
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I used prosecco here, but feel free to use your favorite sparkling wine or champagne.

Grapefruit Mimosas

Fresh Grapefruit Mimosa Recipe

Ingredients

8 large ruby red grapefruits
1 bottle of prosecco, chilled

Directions

  1. Juice the grapefruits and pour into a large pitcher.
  2. Top with one-third to half the bottle of prosecco and save the rest for later.
  3. Drink up.

Serves four to six.

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Are You Health Savvy?
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Are You Health Savvy?

More than ever, women are keeping up-to-date on the latest fitness classes and the newest health habits.
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More than ever, women are keeping up-to-date on the latest fitness classes and the newest health habits. But while women are staying on top of the trends, from Zumba to açaí berries, they may be putting some important health information on the back burner — their sexual health.

Staying informed about birth control can help you take control of your body and be an advocate for your health at your next doctor visit. Before you go, test your knowledge on Merck's Let's Go There Facebook page to try to separate birth control facts from fiction. Here's a sneak peek:

Fact or fiction? All birth control methods are the same.

Fiction! Birth control is available in a variety of forms, including daily and nondaily options. Not sure which is best for you? You're not alone. In the Merck-sponsored Let's Go There survey, of 2,000 women ages 20-39, about half (52 percent) of women using hormonal birth control admitted they rarely evaluate how well their current method fits their lifestyle needs. So think about your lifestyle and then talk to your doctor about what they recommend.

Fact or fiction? Your doctor will tell you everything you need to know about your sexual health, including birth control, during your exam.

Fiction! Your doctor will ask certain health questions during your visit, but the only way to ensure that you are getting all of your questions answered is to ask them. Your doctor is there to help and is your most important source for information about health, so don't be afraid to speak up and express any concerns you have.

Merck's Let's Go There Facebook page provides additional fact or fiction questions and offers tips on how to best discuss your birth-control options with your doctor. Visit the Contraception Conversation tab on Facebook.com/letsgothere and get the facts. Share comments on the Facebook wall and tell us how you stay savvy with your health!

Gail Simmons Interview: Her Memoir and Future Plans
Food News

Gail Simmons on Her New Book, Her Future, and the Question She Never Needs to Hear Again

Gail Simmons has a pretty full plate right now: in addition to being in charge of special projects at Food & Wine magazine, she's also got some pretty steady gigs as a judge on Top Chef and the host of Top Chef: Just Desserts.
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Gail Simmons has a pretty full plate right now: in addition to being in charge of special projects at Food & Wine magazine, she's also got some pretty steady gigs as a judge on Top Chef and the host of Top Chef: Just Desserts. But on top of that, her first book, Talking With My Mouth Full, was just released yesterday.

Over the phone, we caught up with Gail, who despite being at the top of her game, offered plenty of her time to share candid thoughts on everything from the health hazards of celebrity chefdom to her plans 15 years from now.

Find out her thoughts on current food issues, her plans for now (and later), and the one question she'd be happy to never hear again, when you keep reading.

Simple Tomato Sauce Recipe
tomato sauce

Simple Tomato Sauce

From Camilla Salem, YumSugar Simple Tomato SauceIngredients1 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes (preferably San Marzanos) 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 large clove of garlic, peeled Directions Empty tomatoes into a large sauce pan, and over medium-high heat, add salt and olive oil.
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Simple Tomato Sauce

Simple Tomato Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

1 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes (preferably San Marzanos)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large clove of garlic, peeled

Directions

  1. Empty tomatoes into a large sauce pan, and over medium-high heat, add salt and olive oil.
  2. Fill one-third of the tomato can with water, and add to the pot.
  3. Grate garlic into the pot and stir.
  4. Let tomatoes cook down for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally and pressing tomatoes into the side of the pot with your spoon to break them apart.
  5. Remove from the heat when the sauce is no longer watery and the tomatoes have broken down.

Makes 2-3 cups.

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Types of Sushi: Glossary of Sushi Terms
Yum How To

How to Read a Sushi Menu

There's no food more beloved by seafood lovers than sushi.
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Sushi GlossaryThere's no food more beloved by seafood lovers than sushi. The Japanese treat is low-fat, filling, and adorably bite-size. But unless you were raised with chopsticks in one hand and a bento box in the other, the world of rice rolls can be a bit trying to navigate.

If you aren't fluent in sushi-speak, there's no need to worry. We've compiled a go-to glossary that'll help you keep everything straight. In Japan, many traditional sushi bars don't even have menus, but here are some terms you might come across when dining at one in the States.

  • Nigiri: Hand-squeezed rectangles of fish-topped sushi rice (rice that's been seasoned with vinegar, sugar, and salt). These can be eaten with your fingers.
  • Temaki: Cones of nori (dried seaweed) filled with sushi rice, as well as fish and/or vegetables. Similar to maki, these are also known as hand rolls.
  • Inari: Pouches of seasoned fried tofu that are stuffed with sushi rice.
  • Maki or makimono: Sushi rice and seaweed rolls filled with fish or vegetables. There are varying types of maki.

To learn more about the different types of maki, read more.

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
pizza dough

Simple Homemade Pizza Dough

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen Simple Homemade Pizza DoughIngredients1 1/2 cups flour (can replace up to half of this with whole-wheat flour) 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast 1/2 cup lukewarm water (may need up to 1 or 2 tablespoons more) 1 tablespoon olive oil Directions Preheat your oven to 450°F.
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Simple Homemade Pizza Dough

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour (can replace up to half of this with whole-wheat flour)
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/2 cup lukewarm water (may need up to 1 or 2 tablespoons more)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 450°F.
  2. Stir dry ingredients, including yeast, in a large bowl.
  3. Add water and olive oil, stirring mixture into as close to a ball as you can.
  4. Dump all clumps and floury bits onto a lightly floured surface and knead everything into a homogeneous ball.
  5. Knead it for just a minute or two. Lightly oil the bowl where you had mixed it. Dump the dough in and turn it over so all sides are coated. Cover it in plastic wrap and leave it undisturbed for an hour or two, until it has doubled in size.
  6. Dump it back on the floured counter and gently press the air out of the dough with the palm of your hands. Fold the piece into an approximate ball shape and let it sit under that plastic wrap for 20 more minutes.
  7. Lightly oil a baking sheet.
  8. Roll out the pizza, toss on whatever toppings and seasonings you like.
  9. Bake it for about 15 minutes until the crust begins to blister and the cheese is bubbly.

Makes 1 thin-crust pizza.

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