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Come Party With Me: Boy's Birthday - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:00:45 -0700

For a boy's birthday party on Alcatraz, pack a portable feast of special dishes that wouldn't normally be found in the common ten year olds lunch box. Keep things simple with easy to eat chicken salad pitas. On the side offer a pasta salad packed with salami and cheese and small bags of chips (let each boy select their favorite bag of chips). Don't forget to pack snacks in case they get hungry while on the tour. Cheese and crackers, crunchy trail mix, and homemade fruit roll ups are filling without being too sweet.
For these kid-friendly recipes, read more.

Chicken Salad Pitas
From Martha Stewart Kids

Ingredients

3 stalks celery, 1 coarsely chopped and 2 thinly sliced
1 medium sweet yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1 carrot, coarsely chopped
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning
2 (12 ounces total) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 cup (from one 11-ounce can) canned mandarin orange segments
8 (6 or 8 inch) pita breads
8 lettuce leaves

Directions

Bring 2 cups water, chopped celery, onion, carrot, thyme, and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add chicken; cover and simmer until cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a bowl; let cool, then shred with two forks. Discard contents of pan.
Stir together mayonnaise, lemon juice, and mustard in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in chicken, sliced celery, and almonds. Gently fold in orange segments.
Cut 1 inch from top of each pita to open pocket. Fill each pita with 1 lettuce leaf and 1/2 cup chicken salad.

Makes 8; Serves 4 to 6.

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Pasta Salad
From Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients

Red Wine Vinaigrette:
1 bunch fresh basil, stemmed and leaves chopped (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Pasto Salad:
1 pound fusilli pasta
1/2 cup hard salami, cut into strips (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup smoked turkey, cut into strips (about 3 ounces)
1/4 cup provolone cheese, cut into strips
1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
2 tablespoons green olives, halved and pitted
2 tablespoons roasted red peppers, cut into strips
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Make vinaigrette: in a blender, add the basil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Blend until the herbs are finely chopped.
With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing is smooth.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.
In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Serve.

Serves 4-6.

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Trail Mix
From Taste of Home magazine

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) banana-nut granola
1 package (15 ounces) raisins
1 package (14 ounces) milk chocolate M&M's
1 can (12 ounces) honey roasted peanuts

Directions
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Store in an airtight container.

Makes about 8-10 cups.

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Fruit Roll Up
From Better Homes and Garden magazine

Ingredients

1 6-ounce package dried apples
1-1/4 cups water
1/4 cup sugar

Directions

Turn on oven to 300 degree F.
In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
Cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until fruit is very tender. Drain off any liquid.
Blend in a food processor. Line a 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan with foil. Spray with nonstick coating.
Spread fruit in thin, even layer over foil and bake for 35 minutes.
Without opening the door, turn off oven and let dry overnight.
Lift foil and fruit leather off pan. Remove leather from foil; roll it up and wrap in waxed paper.
The fruit leather will keep in refrigerator up to 3 months or in the freezer up to 6 months.

Makes 1 large 15x10 inch fruit roll up.

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Make Your Own Fruit Roll Ups

partysugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:13:33 -0700

What child doesn't love fruit roll ups? There is something so satisfying about peeling the strip of chewy, sweetened fruit off a piece of sheer plastic. When I was younger, I never would have guessed that fruit roll ups could be homemade! But sure enough, like most store-bought processed snack foods, fruit roll ups can be made in your very own kitchen. I double dare you to make some for your kids (or yourself) today! It takes a little bit of time, but the result is a rewarding and tasty snack. For a peek at the recipe, read more

Homemade Fruit Roll Ups
From Martha Stewart Kids
Source

2 cups dried apricots
3 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 160 degrees with rack in center.
Place apricots in a large bowl, and cover with the water; let soak until they are completely soft, 30 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve; drain, and reserve liquid.
Place apricots in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade; add honey and sugar. Process until mixture is very smooth and easily spreadable. If it is too thick, add up to 1 tablespoon soaking liquid.
Cover two 10-by-15-inch baking sheets with plastic wrap. Divide puree between the sheets; spread in a thin, even layer with an offset spatula.
Let dry in oven until mixture is firm but slightly tacky, about 8 hours or overnight. Remove from oven; let cool.
Peel fruit leather from plastic wrap, and cut into 1-inch-wide strips using a pizza cutter. Roll tightly into cylinders, and serve.

Makes 30 roll ups.

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Stone Fruit Variety or Snack Food Flavor?

YumSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 05:50:44 -0700

Today Party and I were talking about Summer stone fruits, and she remarked that she thought many of the season's fruit varieties had funny-sounding names that reminded her Gatorade flavors! I have to agree - some of the fruit names bear a striking resemblance to names that you might come across in the snack-food aisle. Are you able to identify whether the name is a stone fruit variety or a snack food flavor?

Take the quiz

'Wich of the Week: Fruit and Nut Butter Panini

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

I'm finally getting around to paying my respects to National Panini Month, while also fulfilling a sandwich promise I made to myself not long ago. After being disappointed by The Sentinel's pork and fig sandwich that didn't actually contain figs, I pressed together this panino before fig season bids its sad farewell.

When I came up with the "fruit and nut" idea, I thought: this could be terrible. But thanks to this morning's discovery of the perfect bread - a seeded raisin roll from a nearby bakery - the panino turned out to be one of my favorite creations! I love warm nut butters, and even with the fruit, this sammie isn't to sweet. Serve it for lunch or breakfast, and get the recipe now.

Rock Star Sting Produces Fields of Gold

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:00:58 -0700

Meet Sting, Grammy-winning singer, songwriter - and organic farmer.

Last night at a town theater in Figline Valdarno, Italy, the rock star opened up about his 300-hectare Tuscan estate, which includes a 100 percent organic farm. There, he produces extra virgin olive oil, chestnut and acacia honey, fruits, vegetables, jam, salami, and other food products that are popular among fellow Tuscans.

"I came here and I decided to stay and be a farmer, because I wanted to nourish my family with genuine quality products in a healthy environment," the singer explained. "With this business in Tuscany I am trying to help myself and those who are close to me to live better in a natural context."

The celebrity also spoke about another highly anticipated product of his estate: his own label of wines, scheduled to roll out in September. The line will include a Chianti and a Toscana made primarily from Sangiovese grapes grown on his estate. The first release will be 30,000 bottles of 2007 vintage that have been cellared for two years.

Although I knew Sting was a notable environmental activist, I must admit that I had no idea he had a 100 percent organic farm that produced goods such as olive oil and salami. Would you buy Sting's wine to support his efforts?

Source

Off to Market Recap: Fruit Bowl

partysugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:30:41 -0700

Citrus fruit used to mean cocktails should be kept at room temperature. However, fruit left to roll around on the counter will only end up bruised or on the floor. A fruit bowl is necessary to properly hold (and display) the citrus. Thus, you headed off to market in search of pretty, stylish bowls that are large enough to fit several limes, lemons, or oranges, but small enough to sit on the kitchen counter without taking up too much space. You bookmarked the bowls in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Fruit Bowl.

Check out this incredibly cool bubblicious fruit bowl that jspeed found! Sure to be a conversation starter, it holds all types of spherical fruits and can be changed to rest on any equilibrium. For more bowls, scroll the collection below.

To learn more about the bookmarking feature please read geeksugar's explanation.
Don't know where to start searching? Check out a list of my favorite online stores when you, read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Off to Market: Fruit Bowl

partysugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

According to Tony Abou-Ganim, citrus fruit used to make cocktails should be kept at room temperature. However, a bunch of citrus fruit rolling around on the counter while I cook is not pretty. Thus, I've decided to invest in a fruit bowl to properly hold (and display) the citrus. Can you help me find the perfect bowl? Look for pretty, stylish bowls that are large enough to fit several limes, lemons, or oranges, but small enough to sit on the kitchen counter without taking up too much space. Bookmark the bowls in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Fruit Bowl. Happy Hunting!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature please read geeksugar's explanation.
Don't know where to start searching? Check out a list of my favorite online stores when you, read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

We Tried Chocolate Skittles So You Can Buy Something Else Instead

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:13:51 -0800

Yesterday, my gal BuzzSugar surprised me with a packet of Chocolate Skittles. It was pretty exciting, because not only is it something new, it is also in time for chocolate month.

I heard about this new line of Skittles, but I hadn't actually seen them before. She found them at a local Walgreen's and picked up a pack for us to try.

I'll admit, I was really skeptical before eating these. I imagined them to be a bit odd and sort of so-so. Sadly, I was spot on. There are five flavors inside each pack, and none of them blew me away. They ranged from jelly bean like to Tootsie roll-like. To find out what we thought of each flavor, read more.

Vanilla: These tasted just like vanilla jelly beans (think Easter candy). Also, no one could understand how vanilla made its way into a chocolate mix.

S'mores: There's definitely a toasty marshmallow flavor in here, but I didn't taste the chocolate. It was decent tasting, but someone at the HQ thought it was "like a bad Jelly Belly flavor."

Chocolate Caramel: Once again, no real chocolate flavor. However it was the favorite of more than one person. There's a slight caramely flavor, that was just a tad artificial - although really, are any of these flavors going to be "natural" tasting?

Chocolate Pudding: A lot of people liked this one and thought it tasted just like a cup of pudding. Notice we said cup, like a store-bought pudding cup. Not like real chocolate pudding.

Brownie Bite: This was like the center of a Tootsie-roll pop, only without all the chewyness that makes a Tootsie-roll worth eating. Sort of fudgy, but not great.

Would I buy these again? No, but then they really didn't have much of a chance with me; I'd rather buy a bag of M&Ms or a bag of fruit Skittles, and couldn't see how these were an improvement over either. Yet I can see how, if you were a chocolate fiend, these might just hit the spot. Either way they're worth tasting for yourself, although if you hate them, don't say I didn't warn ya.

Make Gourmet-Tasting Meals From the 99 Cent Store

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:13:31 -0700

With the economy in a bit of a downturn, eating like a gourmet foodie can seem a bit extravagant. Cooking a three-course meal for your entire family while on a budget can seem downright difficult. Yet Christiane Jory, author of The 99 Cent Only Stores Cookbook, believes you can do it easily by shopping at dollar stores. And before you start rolling your eyes - I know you're doing it because I did - I should mention that the book actually contains recipes for things that sound delicious. I mean, what about gruyere beignets, salmon souffle and Pinot Noir poached pear tarts doesn't sound good?

I first heard about this book on NPR - you can listen to the whole story online - and thought it was absolutely fascinating. While I don't think I could eat this way completely - sorry folks, I've become a fresh fruit and veggie snob - I do think it's fantastic to show people how to create good tasting food on the cheap. And besides, with the economy the way it is, this book might end up as a must-have for all of us!

So what about you? Do you think you could make gourmet-tasting meals from the 99 cent store?

What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 09:11:47 -0700

Cheers to fall! Raise a champagne filled cupcake in celebration! When you're done chomping down on that, go ahead and plan a festive fall dinner party.
This week marked the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Did you eat your mooncakes?
New Game: We give you a few ingredients and you tell us what you would make!

We said farewell to ice cream and hello to soup! Each week PartySugar will bring you a new soup recipe. She's kicked things off with a creamy artichoke soup.
Looking for a homemade lunchbox snack alternative? Try these homemade fruit roll ups.
Science alert! How well does water clean your fruits and vegetables?
Top Chef is just about over. This week we went from four contestants down to three.
It's Oktoberfest time! How much do you know about it?
Miss Martha is expanding her empire. First there was Macy's, and now there is her own wine. Speaking of Martha, did you see her and Amy Sedaris making cheeesballs?

Is taking children on a field trip to a winery a good idea or bad one?
Ugly is in! Don't miss out on this gallery of ugly tomatoes.
And finally, would you eat fish balls?