Here at YumSugar HQ, we like to eat seasonally, but with the vast abundance of fruits and vegetables available, it can be a little tricky to keep track of what's available when. While one could always just take a stroll through the market to find out what's in season, we'll be turning to this comprehensive glossary in order to plan our menus ahead of time.
We can't help but get excited for festive seasonal beverages; really, what better way to warm up than with a comforting spiced coffee drink? You'd be surprised to find out just how simple the hot beverage is to prepare at home. Watch the video to find out how to make it!
Mix up your usual hot chocolate routine this season with spiced (and spiked) hot apple cider. Warm and cozy, cider is a cold-weather treat that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Simple twists like a hint of orange, a kick of maple, or a sprinkle of sugar will update this Winter drink and keep you warm well into the night. Make a batch for your next dinner party, or simply enjoy a mug during a casual movie night; these five recipes won't disappoint!
One of my favorite Fall ingredients is butternut squash. It's incredibly versatile and lends an autumnal, pumpkin-ish flavor to everything from salad to soup to macaroni and cheese. Unlike the seasonal produce of Summer, many cold-weather vegetables can not be enjoyed raw. However, once you know the simple steps to roasting butternut squash you can put it to use in just about anything.
The roasted chunks can be tossed with arugula and white beans. Or, blitz the squash in a food processor and use the puree to make lasagna. Not only are there unlimited ways to cook with roasted squash, there are also plenty of ways to season it. Fresh sage, thyme, or rosemary add an earthiness to the squash, while honey or maple syrup caramelizes the flesh. Doesn't experimenting with different flavorings and preparations sound like fun? To get started, check out my basic recipe for roasted squash.
We love apples; the sweet and crunchy snack is full of all sorts of nutritional goodness, and they taste good on their own and in salads, desserts, and savory dishes, too. These healthy recipes celebrate this favorite fruit of Fall, keeping you full and satisfied all season long!
We were busy bees this past November simmering up soup, shaking cocktails, and tackling comfort-food favorites like chicken pot pie. Take a look (and glean some kitchen inspiration) at everything we cooked last month (aside from Thanksgiving fare).
While the chefs are slow cooking à la sous-vide, we'll stick to a good old-fashioned Crock-Pot. Toss in all the ingredients in the morning, plug it in, and let the cooker do all the work for you during the day. Don't you love coming home to a warm, aromatic house with dinner already ready?
Just because Fall is here doesn't mean that you have to say goodbye to salad greens. Bump up the flavor of your salad with toasted nuts, cool-weather fruits, and seasonal vegetables. Here are six recipes to help you get your seasonal salad fix.
 Mayo-Free Waldorf Salad |
 Brussels Sprouts Salad |
 Celery and Parmesan Salad |
 Butternut Squash and Walnut Salad |
 Persimmon, Pomegranate, and Red Onion Salad |
 Apple, Pear, Radish, and Sesame Steak Salad |
Recently, my boyfriend and I sat down for a hearty meal at Suppenküche — our neighborhood German joint — and did the usual dance around what to order. Bratwurst, thick-cut pork chops, and sautéed trout tempted, but ultimately I settled on a dish of braised beef — though it was the braised red cabbage accompaniment that sold me on my selection.
Thankfully it lived up to my expectations and then some, and despite its enticing plate companions (the aforementioned braised beef, and a heaping pile of tender spaetzle) it was the tart and heavily spiced cabbage that I devoured with relish.
Keep reading to learn out to re-create tangy braised cabbage at home.
There are countless things to be grateful for in 2012, but let's face it: the best way to be thankful on turkey day is to kick back, bond, and have a drink (or three) with loved ones. To take Thanksgiving entertaining to the next level, match your courses with deserving wines and start off with cocktail hour. Don't forget to refill your ice trays, because we've got 10 tipples that are guaranteed to be magnificent with your meal.
