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Sweet 'n' Creamy Caramelized Figs With Ricotta Mousse

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:15:07 -0700

I am falling for figs and can't resist trying just about every recipe! After enjoying the figs in a blanket, it was time for something sweet rather than savory. Something like caramelized figs with ricotta mousse.

The simple, light, orange-infused ricotta mousse can be made ahead of time, and caramelizing the figs only takes about 15 minutes. When adding the balsamic vinegar to the syrup - be careful! - I suggest having the pan's lid handy to avoid any splatter.

Once the mousse is topped with warm balsamic caramel and sweet figs, it's the perfect dessert to finish a Fall dinner. If you are short on time and can't make the smooth creamy ricotta mousse, the caramelized figs would be equally tasty served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. To get started caramelizing your own figs, keep reading.

Stuffed Chard Lamb is Delicious for Dinner

YumSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:15:18 -0700

Whenever I take a trip to the store, a couple of items that aren't on my grocery list make their way into my cart. When I spotted a California-raised lamb shoulder at the meat counter, I couldn't stop myself from sliding it into the shopping cart.

I was eager to experiment with lamb because of a recent disappointing experience with imported Australian lamb. Ironically, I found an Australian recipe that I decided to try. If I made it with a local piece of meat, the dish might taste better.

And taste better it did! The lamb is filled with a rich stuffing of eggplant, onions, bell pepper, wine-soaked dried currants, and toasted pine nuts. The bold flavor of the lamb balances out the sweetness of the stuffing and the bitterness of the chard resulting in a dish that is succulent and scrumptious. To try this rewarding lamb dish, read more.

Roasted Stuffed Lamb With Swiss Chard
Gourmet Traveller

Ingredients

Currant and pine nut stuffing
1/3 cup dried currants
1/3 cup Merlot
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
4 anchovies, finely chopped
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
1 small eggplant, peeled and chopped
1 red bell pepper
2 tsp brown sugar, or to taste
1 tsp fresh or 2 tsp dried Greek oregano
1 lemon, finely grated rind only
For the lamb:
1 1/2 pounds boneless lamb shoulder, butterflied
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 bunch Swiss Chard
1/2 tsp nutmeg, or to taste
1 tsp fresh Greek Oregano
1/2 cup Merlot wine

Directions

For stuffing, combine currants and wine in a bowl.
Chop eggplant, garlic, onions and red bell pepper.
Heat oil in a large frying pan, add onion, garlic, anchovy, and nuts and sauté for 5 minutes over medium heat or until soft and nuts start to brown. Add eggplant and bell pepper, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until soft.
Season to taste with sugar, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Add, wine-soaked currants, oregano and lemon rind and cook for another 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Cool.
Preheat oven to 390°F. Place lamb skin-side down on a bench, spread over stuffing, roll up tightly, rather than use twine to secure the lamb, I used these stretch hot cooking bands! Combine 2 teaspoons of olive oil, salt, nutmeg, Greek oregano season to taste and rub over lamb. Place lamb in the baking dish and pour 1/2 cup merlot in the bottom of the pan.
Roast for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 375°F and roast for 1 hour for medium. Cover with foil and rest for 10 minutes.
Heat remaining oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until golden. Add chard and cook for 5 minutes or until tender, then add leaves and cook for another 5 minutes or until wilted. Slice lamb thinly and serve on a bed of chard topped with any extra stuffing.

Serves 6.

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Ruth Reichl to Star in New Gourmet Travel Show

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:30:53 -0700

Looking forward to Bravo's Top Chef 6, Food Network's The Next Iron Chef, and the rest of Fall's food-focused lineup? Then there's one more show to TiVo. On Oct. 17, Gourmet magazine will debut a series on public television entitled Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth. On the half-hour show, editor Ruth Reichl travels the world visiting cooking schools with the likes of Frances McDormand and Lorraine Bracco. Gourmet's Adventures With Ruth will also air on Gourmet's TiVo channel, as well as the American Airlines in-flight television channel. At least 10 episodes will be backed by the airlines, whose sponsorship includes branding spots, ad pages in the magazine, and a presence on the website.

As Ruth Reichl's number-one fan, I can't wait to see this show - although I'm curious to know how different the point of view will be from its predecessor, Diary of a Foodie. Will you watch Ruth Reichl eat her way around the globe?

More Details on Gourmet's Collapse

YumSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:30:32 -0700

Yesterday morning began with breaking news that, after 68 years of publication, Gourmet was going out of print, and now we have more details on the magazine's collapse. Although the glossy will cease to exist, the Gourmet brand will live on through book publishing and TV programs. Staffers at the magazine were first unaware, then teary-eyed and harried, as they were allegedly given 48 hours to leave.

According to publisher Condé Nast, which staunchly defended its position, star editor Ruth Reichl will likely part ways with the publishing house, although this has not been confirmed. She, too, admitted her surprise, tweeting, "Thank you all so much for this outpouring of support. We're all stunned, sad . . . Hard to believe it's over."

Hard to believe indeed. From food personalities to subscribers, everyone has shown an overwhelming amount of regret. I'll miss the pages of exquisite photography and timeless travel pieces, and Party doesn't know how she'll live without the recipes. What will you miss about Gourmet?

Surprise Mom With Strawberry Mascarpone Tart

partysugar — Sat, 09 May 2009 08:00:27 -0700

Last Summer I was seduced by Gourmet's strawberry pie, and this year the magazine enticed me with a strawberry mascarpone tart with port glaze. This scrumptious dessert is surprisingly easy to put together - especially if you make the dough (like I did) in a food processor. Although I ended up purchasing a new pan, the delightful combination of crisp buttery crust, smooth creamy filling, plump juicy berries, and thick rich sauce was worth it. The completed tart is light and only slightly sweet, making it the perfect finish to a Mother's Day celebration. If you're traveling, make each element of the tart at home and assemble upon arrival at your destination. To look at the divine recipe, read more.

Strawberry Mascarpone Tart With Port Glaze
From Gourmet

Ingredients

For tart shell:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons cold water
For filling:
1 1/2 pounds strawberries (about 1 1/2 quarts), trimmed and halved lengthwise
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup ruby Port
1 pound mascarpone (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
A 10-inch fluted tart pan with removable bottom; pie weights or dried beans

Directions

Make tart shell: blend together flour, sugar, salt, and butter in a bowl with your fingertips or a pastry blender (or pulse in a food processor) just until mixture resembles coarse meal with some roughly pea-size butter lumps.
Beat together yolk, vanilla, lemon juice, and water with a fork, then drizzle over flour mixture and stir with fork (or pulse) until mixture comes together.
Gently knead with floured hands on a lightly floured surface until a dough forms, then gently knead 4 or 5 times. Press into a 5-inch disk.
Place in center of tart pan and cover with plastic wrap. Using your fingers and bottom of a flat-bottomed measuring cup, spread and push dough to evenly cover bottom and side of pan. Prick bottom of tart shell all over with a fork and freeze until firm, about 10 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Line tart shell with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake until side is set and edge is pale golden, about 20 minutes.
Carefully remove foil and weights and continue to bake until shell is deep golden all over, about 20 minutes more. Cool in pan, about 45 minutes.
Make filling while tart shell cools: stir together strawberries and granulated sugar in a bowl and let stand, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes.
Strain in a sieve set over a small saucepan, reserving berries. Add Port to liquid in saucepan and boil until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, whisk together mascarpone, confectioners sugar, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until stiff.
Assemble tart: spread mascarpone mixture evenly in cooled tart shell, then top with strawberries. Drizzle Port glaze all over tart.

Serves 8-10.

Make ahead: Tart shell can be baked 1 day ahead and kept at room temperature.

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Yummy Links: From Carnations to Thomas Keller

partysugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:50:36 -0700

Once shunned, the affordable carnation is making a centerpiece comeback. - Hostess With the Mostess
Love cilantro? Check out this new website devoted to the fragrant herb. - Serious Eats
Tips for building the ultimate green kitchen. - Chow
One writer argues that food cannot travel and cuisine is limited to the place where it's made. - Gourmet
Trader Joe's is now selling hard boiled peeled eggs. - The Kitchn
Get excited for Thomas Keller's next big deal, Ad Hoc at Home, a family-friendly cookbook. - Eat Me Daily

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Yummy Links: From Kelly Choi to Chinese New Year

partysugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:45:21 -0800

Meet Kelly Choi, the host of Bravo's upcoming series Top Chef Masters. - Serious Eats
Read Alice Waters's personal letter to Barack Obama. - Gourmet
Learn the difference between cinnamon and nutmeg.- Cookthink
Find out how far your food travels. - The Kitchn
Here's how restaurants are coping with recession. - The Epi-Log
Fight the Winter flu by eating more kale. - Mouthing Off
Ten good-luck foods to enjoy during Chinese New Year. - Chow

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'Wich of the Week: Fried Grouper Sandwich

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:00:30 -0800

You know I love to seek out local delicacies when traveling, so when I recently visited Florida, I was determined to eat grouper, a flaky white fish native to the Gulf of Mexico. So determined, in fact, that I ended up devouring two different versions of grouper sandwich: one fried and one grilled. I found the fried variety at a classic seafood shack that serves sides of creamy coleslaw and hush puppies. (Stay tuned next week for the more gourmet grilled version.) Delightfully simple, this sandwich showcased the cornmeal-crusted fish, and the grilled bun was a nice touch. I also heaped some slaw onto mine for a little something extra. To get the recipe, read more.

Obviously, grouper was the local catch here, but if you can't find it, substitute halibut or tilapia fillets.

Fried Grouper Sandwich
Fish Recipe Adapted From Epicurious

Ingredients

1/2 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon hot-pepper flakes
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
2 teaspoon corn oil
4 grouper fillets (about 5 oz. each)
4 hamburger buns, toasted or grilled
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
tartar sauce and coleslaw, to taste

Directions

Combine first 4 ingredients in a shallow bowl. Put egg whites in another shallow bowl. Dip each fish fillet in cornmeal mixture, then in egg whites, then again in cornmeal mixture.
Place fillets on a plate; cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 10 minutes.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add fillets and cook over medium-high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
On the bottom half of each toasted or grilled bun, spread tartar sauce to taste and top with one fillet. Divide the iceberg lettuce evenly between the four sandwiches, and top with coleslaw if desired. Place top of bun onto lettuce and slaw and serve.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

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Five Honeymoon Ideas For Foodies

YumSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:00:20 -0700

Yesterday I gave you some tips about scoring restaurant reservations on your honeymoon, but how about planning an entirely food-centric getaway? Many galloping gourmets choose a destination city known for its dining - think Las Vegas, New York, and London - but you can also take it a step further and give your whole honeymoon a culinary flavor. Here are five honeymoon ideas for food-loving couples.

Plan a getaway at a cooking school. Many of the world's top culinary academies offer vacations that combine cooking instruction with relaxation.
Choose a resort with cooking classes. Just interested in a slight food focus? Some upscale resorts, such as the Four Seasons, offer one-off cooking courses that you can take during a stay.

For more tips on planning your wedding go to IDoSugar. To see three more ideas, read more.

Traverse a food and wine region. Rather than just picking a city with great restaurants, tour a region known for its gastronomical delights, such as California's Napa Valley, New York's Hudson Valley, Tuscany, or the Australian wine country.
Buy a culinary travel package. If you don't want to plan your own tour, there are a number of companies, such as Culinaria and Artisans of Leisure that offer package tours designed with foodies in mind and focused specifically on the wine and food of different regions.
Get away with a private chef. If a relaxing beach or wilderness vacation is more your thing, rent a private villa or house and hire a private chef to cook for you for a week.

For all of our wedding coverage, visit IDoSugar!

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Off To Market: Airplane Snacks

partysugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 09:58:57 -0800

I am an avid traveler and fly often, sometimes shorter flights from Oakland to San Diego and sometimes longer flights from San Francisco to exotic international destinations involving Spanish speaking countries.

If you fly like I do, you'll have noticed a dramatic difference in air travel recently. Gone are the free food and meals! Sure if the flight is a quick one and under two hours, no free food is necessary. However if the flight crosses the nation, that's six hours with nothing but a tiny bag of peanuts. In a few weeks I'll be visiting my friend Andrew in NYC and I need your help readers! I want you to send me your best ideas for airplane snacks. The food can be premade at a gourmet supermarket or recipes of your own for travel friendly snacks. Save your finds to the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Airplane Snacks. Likewise, add your recipes to the recipe database, once again tagged with Airplane Snacks.

To learn more about the Yum Market and posting recipes to the database, please read geeksugar's detailed description.