Posts for May 16th 2012

Sugar Shout Out May 16, 2012

Sugar Shout Out: Find Out the Fate of Your Favorite TV Shows

TV scorecard: see what's renewed and what's canceled Diane Kruger kicks off Cannes with a sexy lace-up dress Learn how to create Charlize Theron's braided updo London has fallen in love with the royal pup, Lupo Add personal touches on your wedding day Thoughtful and fashionable gifts for grads 10 cookbooks to make your Memorial Day BBQ a success Sleepaway camp must-haves for your little ones Add a bohemian flair to bland curtains with an easy DIY Download the ultimate wedding planning checklist Turn your freezer into your best weight-loss tool Feeling retro?

by Katie Henry

Vegan May 16, 2012

Vegan Almond Thumbprints With Chocolate "Buttercream"

These cookies are quick and easy to make, even for the beginner baker.

by Anna Monette Roberts

These cookies are quick and easy to make, even for the beginner baker. If the dough or the buttercream is too dry, then simply add more almond milk until the right consistency is achieved. If the almonds do not stick to the dough easily, then press them into the dough using the palms of your hands.

By Anna Monette Roberts, YumSugar

Vegan Almond Thumbprints With Chocolate "Buttercream"

Ingredients

For cookies:
1/3 cup vegan shortening, such as Spectrum Naturals
3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup almond milk, or more if needed
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups blanched almonds, toasted and slivered

For "buttercream":
1/4 cup vegan shortening
1/4 cup vegan margarine, such as Earth Balance
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon almond milk, or more if needed
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
To make cookies: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine shortening, sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until a thick, stiff dough forms. If dough is dry and crumbles easily, then add more milk, one tablespoon at a time.
Place toasted and chopped almonds in a bowl. Scoop a tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball, and then roll in almonds until covered throughout. Place almond-rolled dough balls on the baking sheet, one inch apart. Use your thumb to create a "thumbprint" indention in the middle of each cookie.
Bake 16-18 minutes or until cookies are firm and golden brown. Cool cookies for five minutes, and then move them to wire racks to cool to room temperature before icing.
To make icing: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine shortening and margarine. Mix in vanilla and almond milk. Sift powdered sugar and cocoa powder into bowl, and mix until combined and fluffy. If buttercream is too dry, then add more milk, one tablespoon at a time. Conversely, if buttercream is too wet, then sift in more powdered sugar and mix until the right texture is achieved.
To assemble: Scoop a tablespoon of buttercream with the tip of a butter knife or mini icing spatula. In one swoop, place dollop of icing inside the cookie's indention. (To avoid glopping, spread buttercream onto thumbprint without lifting the knife off the cookie.)

Makes 24 cookies.

tuna May 16, 2012

How I Learned to Love Tuna

Growing up, I never went through a picky stage, and today there is nothing that I wouldn't taste — except for one fishy thing.

by Lizzie Fuhr

Growing up, I never went through a picky stage, and today there is nothing that I wouldn't taste — except for one fishy thing. As a small child, my mother claims I gorged on tuna fish with no hesitation, but for some inexplicable reason, things took a very different turn. It's been a family mystery ever since.

I recently moved in with a new roommate and felt confident that, when it came to all things kitchen, I had covered all the bases with her: sharing food is a necessity for me (labeling containers just seems so sad and weird), if there are dishes in the sink, just do them (it all evens out eventually), and depending on the week, I call for Indian takeout an embarrassing amount of times.

Then it happened. I walked into the apartment postwork one rainy night and saw my roommate cooking up tuna and tomato soup in the kitchen. That was when I realized I'd left an important detail out of the equation.

Keep reading to see how I faced up to my fear of tuna.

recipes May 16, 2012

Perfectly Seasonal: Asparagus, Scallion, and Cucumber Salad

With all the green around you right now, give this very Springy salad a chance: a bed of asparagus, topped with cucumbers, scallions, and a zippy Dijon dressing is bound to make you fall in love with the season if you haven't already.

by Lauren Hendrickson

With all the green around you right now, give this very Springy salad a chance: a bed of asparagus, topped with cucumbers, scallions, and a zippy Dijon dressing is bound to make you fall in love with the season if you haven't already.

This is a perfect picnic or party salad, since the the dressing, asparagus, and green onions can be prepared a day in advance, provided they're stored separately before being quickly assembled. The finished salad is a hearty side dish that could easily double as a meal for two. Get the recipe for this crunchy green salad when you keep reading.

onsugar May 16, 2012

Potato Galette

Like the perfect handbag, a well-constructed potato galette is perfect for any time of day or occasion.

by OnSugar Blog

Like the perfect handbag, a well-constructed potato galette is perfect for any time of day or occasion. Just ask Fresh Tart!

potato galette

A potato galette is simply thin slices of potatoes, fat, and seasoning layered into a shallow pan and roasted until crusty and browned. It's traditional to serve alongside a roast of some sort, and definitely do that, because you can imagine crusty, buttery potatoes do a fine job of soaking up meaty juices of almost any type.

But a potato galette also makes a killer meal all on its own, particularly alongside (or underneath!) a tart arugula salad. In fact, invite people over if you make one, otherwise . . . you will eat the whole thing by yourself. As healthful as a tart arugula salad is, it will not offset the regret of eating an entire galette on your own; I know this from experience.

Learn more about the art of the potato galette.

advertisement May 16, 2012

Find Out Just How Affordable a Good Night's Sleep Can Be

We've all been told about the importance of a good night's sleep.

by Sponsor

We've all been told about the importance of a good night's sleep. But just how important are those ZZZs? Well, think of it this way: the average person spends one-third of their lifetime sleeping. That's a lot of time on your mattress! So, isn't it about time you start investing in some good sleep?

In the past, buying a brand-new mattress might have seemed too expensive, but with the new TEMPUR-Simplicity™ mattress, you can enjoy Tempur-Pedic comfort and contouring support at a surprisingly affordable price. Yes, that means you never have to troll the "Free Stuff" section of Craigslist in search of a mattress again. Also, the 10-year warranty takes the worry out of your purchase.

Find out more about the TEMPUR-Simplicity™ mattress here.

Food News May 16, 2012

Link Time: Grilled Pepper Cheese Sandwiches

Must make: grilled pepper cheese sandwiches and potato soup — Food52
The best under-the-radar food magazines — HuffPost Food
Harvard is awarding Jamie Oliver with its Healthy Cup Award — Eater
Guy Fieri's opening an eatery in Times Square — Grub Street NY
30 must-try Spring dishes across America — Zagat
How do you feel about face-tracking in bars? — Delish
A love letter to rhubarb — Gilt Taste

by Susannah Chen

Must make: grilled pepper cheese sandwiches and potato soup — Food52
The best under-the-radar food magazines — HuffPost Food
Harvard is awarding Jamie Oliver with its Healthy Cup Award — Eater
Guy Fieri's opening an eatery in Times Square — Grub Street NY
30 must-try Spring dishes across America — Zagat
How do you feel about face-tracking in bars? — Delish
A love letter to rhubarb — Gilt Taste

What's the Difference Between Pluots, Plumcots, Apriums, and Apriplums?

fruit May 16, 2012

Pluots, Apriums, Plumcots, Apriplums: What's the Difference?

At farmers markets, vendors are just beginning to display normal-looking fruits with unusual names — pluots, plumcots, apriums, apriplums — that sound more like orbs of the astral variety than edible delights.

by Sara Yoo

At farmers markets, vendors are just beginning to display normal-looking fruits with unusual names — pluots, plumcots, apriums, apriplums — that sound more like orbs of the astral variety than edible delights. So what are they anyway? Keep reading to find out.

cookbooks May 16, 2012

10 Cookbooks to Make Your Memorial Day Bash a Success

Memorial Day — one of my favorite holidays of the year — is just weeks away.

by Lizzie Fuhr

Memorial Day — one of my favorite holidays of the year — is just weeks away. The reason why I love it? It means Summer is so close! Typically, my Memorial Day celebrations are made up of big BBQ bashes that make me feel both elated and nostalgic. If you too share this love of Memorial Day celebrations and want to make a meal to remember this year, I've got you covered with 10 classic cookbooks that will get you inspired to make something new and exciting. Click through and get excited to chow down.

View 10 Photos