Posts for July 18th 2012

Sugar Shout Out

Sugar Shout Out: Fashion Trends From the '80s and '90s

Fashion flashback: 50 trends from the '80s and '90s How to work on your core and become a better runner Learn to master the 10-minute manicure The hottest Olympians competing for the gold Eat your way through the UK J Lo gets into a bikini while relaxing with Casper Guide to a great family camping trip 11 stylish bedding options for stripe lovers See the first pictures of Oz: The Great and Powerful Video: Has Sam Claflin been cast as Finnick in Catching Fire?


recipes

Chilled Avocado and Corn Soup

When devising a plan for this chilled soup, I thought of ways to extract the corn juice without having to deal with the fibrous kernels.

When devising a plan for this chilled soup, I thought of ways to extract the corn juice without having to deal with the fibrous kernels. My vegetable/fruit juicer worked like a charm and produced a sweet, starchy juice.

If you don't own a juicer, you have a few options. Blend the kernels in a high-powered blender, and add a little lime juice or water to help the machine run. Then use a cheese cloth to squeeze out the juice. Otherwise, simply keep the kernel pieces in the blended mixture for a textured, rustic-style soup.

From Anna Monette Roberts, YumSugar

Chilled Avocado and Corn Soup

Chilled Avocado and Corn Soup Recipe

Ingredients

3 large sweet ears of corn, shucked
2 large avocados, pitted and diced
1 garlic clove
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, ribbed, and finely chopped
Juice of 1 lime
Salt, to taste
1/2 cup cherry or regular tomatoes, chopped
4 ounces lump crab meat, optional
1/2 cup green onion, chopped

Directions

  1. Prep and juice corn kernels: Holding corn perpendicular to the cutting board, carefully cut down and through the kernels. Cut around entire cob, then use the knife's spine (the dull backside) to scrap off any leftover corn pieces and liquid. Reserve 1/2 cup corn kernels in a small bowl; set aside.
  2. With remaining corn kernels, use a juicer to extract juice from corn kernels. Discard leftover kernel fibers.
  3. Blend soup: In a blender, combine 1/2 cup of corn juice, garlic clove, half of diced jalapeño, and half of lime juice. Blend until smooth. Add 2 avocados with remaining corn juice and blend until smooth. If too thin, add more avocado. If too thick, add water. Salt to taste, and refrigerate until serving.
  4. Make salsa: Combine reserved corn kernels, remaining jalapeño pepper, and tomatoes. Season with remaining lime juice and salt to taste.
  5. Assemble: Divide chilled soup among 12 small verrine glasses (each glass should contain about 1/4 cup). Top with a heaping tablespoon of salsa. Optionally, top with 1 teaspoon crab meat. Garnish with a pinch of green onions.

Makes 3 cups soup (enough to fill 12 verrines or 4 large bowls).

Wine

Wine of the Day: Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato

We're loving Australian wines lately, especially light, sweet whites, so it only makes sense that the Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato ($13) would be an instant Summer favorite.

We're loving Australian wines lately, especially light, sweet whites, so it only makes sense that the Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato ($13) would be an instant Summer favorite. The delicate, light flavor reflects the nonvintage bubbly's relatively low alcohol content, but we think this is a good thing, especially for daytime picnics, boat rides, or trips to the beach.

While some sparkling enthusiasts might prefer something stronger with a fermented bite, those just looking to casually pop the cork on a checkered picnic blanket will appreciate the honeysuckle sweetness of this sparkling Moscato. Its zesty, lemon-lime flavors dance with a bubbly effervescence, making it a crisp adult version of Sprite. Smoked salmon, fresh burrata, and crusty baguettes are just a few things we would pair effortlessly with this sublime sparkling Australian wine.

2012 Olympics

What Do You Think of the McDonald's Olympics Menu?

At this month's Olympic games, McDonald's — the official restaurant sponsor of London 2012 — is welcoming the world's biggest set of Golden Arches at its 1,500-seat pop-up restaurant in Olympic Park, and the chain has just revealed its world-class menu for the venue.

At this month's Olympic games, McDonald's — the official restaurant sponsor of London 2012 — is welcoming the world's biggest set of Golden Arches at its 1,500-seat pop-up restaurant in Olympic Park, and the chain has just revealed its world-class menu for the venue.

Read ahead to see the McDonald's Olympics menu.

recipes

Perfectly Seasonal: Blueberry-Nectarine Dutch Babies

Monday through Friday, without fail, you'll find me digging into a bowl of piping-hot oatmeal.

Monday through Friday, without fail, you'll find me digging into a bowl of piping-hot oatmeal. Hearty, comforting, and ready in a pinch, it's my go-to weekday breakfast. That said, come Saturday, I like to break away from the basics and whip up something a bit more indulgent and whimsical. Golden and puffy — almost as though defying gravity — dutch babies fit the bill, and then some.

Almost a cross between a popover and a traditional pancake, dutch babies might seem more impressive than their flapjack cousins, but they are actually lower-fuss, with the oven doing most of the heavy lifting. And while I relish more intensive weekend cooking projects, the first thing in the morning, low exertion with a big payoff is far more enticing.

Read on to get the recipe.

2012 Olympics

Eat Your Way Through the UK

The original motherland, the United Kingdom has a lot to offer culinarily, despite its somewhat trod-upon reputation.

The original motherland, the United Kingdom has a lot to offer culinarily, despite its somewhat trod-upon reputation. Serving up many comfort (or, in British speak, "nursery") food favorites, we've broken down a whole host of dishes as a guide for the uninitiated, or those looking to reminisce.

Source: Flickr user betsyweber, Flickr user jules:stonesoup, Susannah Chen, Thinkstock

Wine

3 Products to Keep Wine Glasses Looking Squeaky Clean

It can be a struggle to keep wine glasses looking as sparkly and clear as the day you bought them.

It can be a struggle to keep wine glasses looking as sparkly and clear as the day you bought them. The dishwasher is an absolute no-no, as it runs a greater risk of clouding, scratching, or (worst of all) breaking the glass. For the most effective way to wash the glasses, sterilize them in hot water with a splash of white vinegar, then set them out upside down to air dry. Want to streamline the process? Here are three kitchen tools designed specifically to help with the cleaning, drying, and polishing of wine glasses.

Stemware Cleaning Brush ($8) — This foamy brush will help lift lipstick and sticky red wine residue without scratching or damaging the glass. The elongated shape makes it easy to clean deep inside wine glasses and Champagne flutes. This sponge is also great for tall glasses and flower vases.

Take a look at two more wine cleaning products.

recipes

PB&J Frozen Coffee Channels a Childhood Favorite

Jeff Mauro is known for his sandwiches, but recently, he's teamed up with Seattle's Best Coffee to create sandwich-inspired coffee drinks.

Jeff Mauro is known for his sandwiches, but recently, he's teamed up with Seattle's Best Coffee to create sandwich-inspired coffee drinks. "I put sandwiches into things, put sandwiches onto things, and this was another challenge for me," Jeff told us of the recipe.

You've heard of chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut blended coffees, but peanut butter and jelly? I was obviously intrigued and determined to try it for myself. Jeff even claims this recipe is the most interesting coffee recipe that he's developed, further remarking, "I have never seen on a menu or anywhere else — both peanut butter and coffee and a fruit as well."

Read on to see the PB&J coffee recipe.