sake

This week, spice up your free time with the chili cook-offs that are setting the country aflame. Whether you're looking for an epicurean adventure at the Bellagio, or something more along the lines of a back-country roadkill cook-off, you're in luck. Check out what's going on in your neck of the woods this week, and let us know if we've left anything off the list!

• Sante Fe, NM: Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta — Sept. 24-28
• Las Vegas, NV: Gourmet's Taste of Bellagio — Sept. 25
• New York, NY: Joy of Sake New York — Sept. 25
• Providence, RI: Food for Thought — Sept. 25
• London, KY: World Chicken Festival — Sept. 25-28

To see the rest, read more

Labor Day weekend means food-happenings galore. At front and center is Slow Food Nation '08, the country's first ever slow food event, to be held in San Francisco. I'll be in attendance, so I can learn more about eating sustainably. Locals, perhaps I'll see you there! Here's the lineup; enjoy your long (and tasty) weekend.

• Sparks, NV: Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off — Aug. 27
• Millersport, OH: Millersport Sweet Corn Festival — Aug. 27
• Honolulu, HI: Joy of Sake — Aug. 28
• Morgan City, LA: Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival — Aug. 28-Sept. 1
• San Francisco, CA: Slow Food Nation — Aug. 29-Sept. 1

To see the rest, read more

Whenever I seek a break from sipping everyday wines, I turn to sake. The Japanese beverage has a completely different flavor, but is equally refined and extensive in selection.

My favorite way to serve sake is with a coordinating set. The flasks and matching cups make it virtually impossible for guests to refuse a taste. I love this wooden set because of its elegant silhouette and subtle texture. To see more options check out the collection below!

To me, Summer months are meant for bubbly. After a warm day, it's relaxing to have a glass of something cool, chilled, and sparkling. Usually I reach for an inexpensive Prosecco or sparkling rosé, but recently I tried something a little more unusual.

At a little sushi restaurant in Japantown, I saw a sign advertising "Sparkling Flower." The sparkling flower was actually called Hana Awaka, and it was a delicious sparkling sake. The flyer declared that it would "bring your taste buds alive with bursting bubbles," and it actually did. The flavor was light and sweeter than most sakes. The bubbles lent a refreshing bite. The best part was that it was only $8 a bottle, and that meant more for everyone!

Have you ever had sparkling sake? Do you think it would be something you'd try?

Every time a friend of mine hosts a sushi party, I somehow end up behind the sushi-rolling station, churning out roll after roll. I don't mind because I get the chance to talk with everyone at the party. Recently a friend suggested hosting one soon. I think it'll be fun, as sushi is a great treat for a warm, Spring evening.

All this sushi talk got me thinking about how nice sushi boards are, so I scoped out Shopstyle Living to see what I could find. From nigiri molds to soy sauce dispensers, I found everything one needs to host a fabulous sushi party! To see the collection, scroll through below.

As BuzzSugar pointed out, NBC reran The Office's holiday special last night. To relive the big laughs and good times, the hubby and I decided we would suck it up and do what YumSugar reader Kjell suggested. Yes that's right, we decided to brave it and actually try a Nogasake.

So we picked up some of Bud's eggnog (one of my favorite brands - super rich and creamy) and a small bottle of Gekkeikan sake. Then we went home, waited for The Office to begin, and made ourselves a drink. To learn how my experience was, read more

Did anyone catch The Office on Thursday night (if you missed it, BuzzSugar has a great recap for you)?

In the episode Andy, Jim, Dwight and Michael head over to Benihana for a cheering-up lunch. While there Andy ordered (brace yourself for this one) a Nogasake! When I heard this, I nearly spit out my drink because (A) it's pretty offensive (B) it's hysterical and (C) my goodness that sounds disgusting!

But, if you want to try it at home (and if you do let me know about it), it's one part eggnog, three parts sake. Drink up!

Also, since I'm on the topic of disgusting drinks, what's the worst holiday drink you've ever had? Let us all know in the comments below!