Posts for May 23rd 2012

Sugar Shout Out May 23, 2012

Sugar Shout Out: Who Will Land the Role of Christian Grey?

22 actors who could play Christian in Fifty Shades of Grey Try Michelle Obama's cauliflower mac and cheese recipe Learn how to paint sun-kissed balayage highlights at home Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer share their dating advice Space-saving decor tips for kids' rooms from a design expert Ultimate Summer denim guide — see the best fits, silhouettes, and prints The boho dance: beautifully Bohemian wedding decor Bang for your buck: 7 creative $3 Starbucks concoctions Bob Harper on how to get The Biggest Loser results at home: pick a workout you enjoy!

by Katie Henry

fast and easy May 23, 2012

Minted Spring Pea Salad

This salad can be prepared ahead of time and brought to room temperature before serving.

by Lauren Hendrickson

This salad can be prepared ahead of time and brought to room temperature before serving.

Adapted from American Grown by Michelle Obama

Minted Spring Pea Salad

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups shelled fresh green peas
1 small shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
1 small leek, cleaned, white part only, thinly sliced
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup shredded fresh mint leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Pour the peas into the water and cook for no more than 2 minutes.
Drain and immediately plunge the peas into a bowl of ice water. Drain and pat dry with a towel.
Purée 1/2 cup of the peas with the juice of a lemon, zest and olive oil in a blender until smooth.
Place the peas, shallot, leek and mint in a medium, nonreactive bowl and toss gently to combine.
Pour the pea purée over the salad and gently toss. Season to taste with salt and pepper and toss gently until the vegetables are coated.

Serves 6-8.

Food News May 23, 2012

How to Curb Salt — but Not Flavor — in Your Cooking

By now you're probably familiar with MyPlate, the government's new food pyramid replacement; in case you hadn't heard, based on the updated guidelines, Americans are consuming far more sodium than they should.

by Susannah Chen

By now you're probably familiar with MyPlate, the government's new food pyramid replacement; in case you hadn't heard, based on the updated guidelines, Americans are consuming far more sodium than they should. And new research suggests that overconsumption of salt affects cognitive function. High blood pressure, water retention, and stupidity? That's too much to bear. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to cut down on salt in the kitchen without impacting the deliciousness of your dinner. See a few easy steps, when you keep reading.

Sugar Inc May 23, 2012

Sugar Inc. Is Looking For 34 Awesome People!

Sugar Inc. is thriving and growing every day, and we're seeking brilliant minds like yours to join us!

by POPSUGAR Celebrity

Sugar Inc. is thriving and growing every day, and we're seeking brilliant minds like yours to join us! We are looking for 34 talented and passionate people to join our 215-person commerce, original content, and global media company in our brand-new NYC office on Park Avenue, our giant new Los Angeles PopSugar Studios in Culver City, and our bustling headquarters in San Francisco.

Are you an Art Director ready to help make our brand even more stunning?
A beauty-obsessed editor ready to join our team as the BellaSugar Editor?
Or maybe you're an energetic Operations Engineer jazzed to help us scale our production platform?

Check out all our open positions on our Careers page, and drop us a line describing why you think you'd be the perfect fit for Sugar Inc.!

Michelle Obama Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe

fast and easy May 23, 2012

Dig Into Sasha and Malia Obama's Favorite Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

In honor of next week's release of Michelle Obama's cookbook, American Grown, we baked up something sweet, and now we're onto another one of America's favorite comfort foods, mac and cheese.

by Sara Yoo

In honor of next week's release of Michelle Obama's cookbook, American Grown, we baked up something sweet, and now we're onto another one of America's favorite comfort foods, mac and cheese.

I was initially a little wary of this version because it didn't call for making a roux, which gives most mac and cheese recipes that creamy, hearty texture. In the first lady's recipe, you simply stir together cauliflower puree, milk, cheese, and pasta, and you're ready to go. While I love the fast and easy nature of her rendition, it missed a few of my favorite characteristics of homemade, from-scratch macaroni and cheese.

To ensure a crunchy crust, I sprinkled some buttered bread crumbs across the top and popped the dish in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. What resulted was a bubbling, crusty casserole that — despite the unmistakably delicious flavor of cauliflower — could pass for homestyle mac and cheese any day. Mrs. Obama says that this is Sasha and Malia's favorite, and I can certainly understand why! Ready for the recipe? Just read on.

recipes May 23, 2012

9 Oreo Treats You Can Make at Home

According to the U.S.

by Anna Monette Roberts

According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark office, the first Oreo was sold on March 6, 1912. This makes the Oreo 100 years old. To celebrate its centennial, whip up one of these tasty Oreo-inspired treats. From bread pudding to spiked shakes, there's something for everyone. Go ahead and buy a package of America's beloved cookie, and create one of these delectable delights.

Sources: Jennifer L for Kirbie's Cravings, Naomi Robinson for Bakers Royale, and Nicole Massaro for Bake Me Blush

Oreo Cookies and Cream No-Bake Cheesecake

View 9 Photos

pasta May 23, 2012

Sasha and Malia Obama's Favorite Mac and Cheese

Despite multiple steps (and my addition of a trip into the oven), this mac and cheese recipe is incredibly fast and easy to put together.

by Sara Yoo

Despite multiple steps (and my addition of a trip into the oven), this mac and cheese recipe is incredibly fast and easy to put together. Though the first lady's recipe doesn't specify a means to cook the cauliflower, I chose to steam the florets and use the steaming liquid in the puree to infuse more of that great flavor into the dish. A crunchy breadcrumb crust is another addition to the original.

Adapted from Healthy Recipes From the White House to You by Michelle Obama

Sasha and Malia Obama's Favorite Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

1 pound penne pasta
1 cup 2 percent or skim milk
1 pound shredded cheddar cheese (or a mixture of your favorite melting cheeses)
1/2 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350º. Bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
Steam the cauliflower until soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a blender along with a few tablespoons of the steaming liquid. Puree the cauliflower, adding more steaming liquid to thin the puree if necessary.
In a medium size casserole dish, combine the pasta and hot cauliflower puree. Add the milk, both cheeses, parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a small bowl, mix the butter and breadcrumbs with your fingers until it resembles damp sand. Sprinkle across the top of the pasta mixture, then place the dish in the oven for about 20 minutes until the top is crispy and the sauce is bubbling.

Serves 4 to 6.

Food News May 23, 2012

Link Time: Chefs Share Their Most Bizarre Meals Ever

Chefs share their most bizarre meals ever — Zagat
Funny or Die spoofs Gwyneth Paltrow in the kitchen — HuffPost Food
What the royal family really eats — Delish
Guy Fieri was best man at Robert Irvine's wedding — The Braiser
A strawberry rhubarb tart is simple yet impressive — BGSK
11 foods you should (and really shouldn't) fry — Kitchen Daily
Spanish language pizza deal: discrimination or not? — Grub Street NY

by Susannah Chen

Chefs share their most bizarre meals ever — Zagat
Funny or Die spoofs Gwyneth Paltrow in the kitchen — HuffPost Food
What the royal family really eats — Delish
Guy Fieri was best man at Robert Irvine's wedding — The Braiser
A strawberry rhubarb tart is simple yet impressive — BGSK
11 foods you should (and really shouldn't) fry — Kitchen Daily
Spanish language pizza deal: discrimination or not? — Grub Street NY

Cooking Basics May 23, 2012

6 Things to Do With Chives

Ever buy a bunch of herbs for a recipe, only to use a scant stem and find the rest wilted with dehydration a week later?

by Susannah Chen

Ever buy a bunch of herbs for a recipe, only to use a scant stem and find the rest wilted with dehydration a week later? This has admittedly been a long-standing problem in my kitchen, and I'm determined to cultivate a solution for it. This week I've addressing a fresh herb I have an ongoing problem forgetting to use: chives.

Although chives may be a perennial hardy in the garden, once they're in your crisper, don't expect their delicate, slender scapes to last over a week.

Before they devolve into a sorry state bound for the compost bin, be sure take advantage of chives and their light onion flavor. A few examples:

Start the day off right with a classic pairing of smoked salmon, cream cheese, and snipped chives.
Use them to add pungency to any mashed potatoes or any other potato dish.

Keep reading for more chive serving suggestions.

recipes May 23, 2012

7 5-Star San Francisco Dishes to Ring in the Golden Gate's 75th Anniversary

Along with the picnicking and the grilling that goes along with most Memorial Day weekends, this coming weekend, residents of San Francisco will be celebrating something else: the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge.

by Susannah Chen

Along with the picnicking and the grilling that goes along with most Memorial Day weekends, this coming weekend, residents of San Francisco will be celebrating something else: the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Whether or not you're near the City by the Bay this long weekend, pay homage to the world's most photographed bridge in the world. Celebrate the iconic dishes of the food lover's paradise known as San Francisco, when you keep clicking.

Source: Getty

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