YumSugar

Black and Orange Halloween Pasta's Both Trick and Treat

Susannah Chen — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:30:00 PDT

If you're looking for a more low-key way to ring in Halloween, then enjoy a festive, color-coordinated pasta dish at home. If you loved electric-pink rigatoni this time last year, then you'll find black-and-orange pasta just as fun. Squid ink provides the midnight color while roasted butternut squash lights the dish up with an incandescent glow. Make it even creamier by adding a generous pat of butter and a shower of freshly-shaved pecorino romano. For the spirited and spooky recipe, read on.

Key Lime Is Perfect Pie For Beginners

Katie Sweeney — Tue, 10 May 2011 13:36:44 PDT

If you've never made a pie before, I highly recommend you start with key lime pie. It's virtually effortless to make and the resulting pie is always a delicious crowd-pleaser. The crust is a mixture of crushed graham crackers, sugar, and butter - all you do is press it into the pie pan. The filling is simply sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks, and fresh-squeezed lime juice. Since key limes are hard to come by in California, I make this pie with regular limes. It turns out refreshing, tart, and absolutely divine every time. Learn how it's done after the jump.

Yummy Links: From Tomatoes to Salt

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:42:41 PST

A major freeze in Mexico will significantly increase tomato prices. - Wall Street Journal
Also expect to see a rise in the price of cheap beef. - The Consumerist
Learn how to keep salad greens fresh. - The Kitchn
Saveur magazine is now reviewing restaurants. - Eater
Gourmet's Italian Kitchen has hit newsstands. - Gourmet Live
Must make: spinach, provolone, and pepperoni calzone. - Serious Eats
What model Selita Ebanks eats in preparation for Fashion Week. - Grub Street NY
Vote now for the People's Best New Chef. - Eatocracy
An easy way to take your food to the next level? Use good salt. - The Atlantic

12 Days of Edible Gifts: Gin

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:15:29 PST

Since a bottle of alcohol is a pretty standard holiday gift, every year I like to make some sort of spirit. Normally I stick to liqueurs like kahlua, Irish cream, or limoncello, but this December, I'm giving homemade gin!

Basically, gin is vodka that's been infused with juniper berries, so it's made like you would any other flavored vodka: let the aromatic seasonings infuse the vodka for a certain amount of time, strain, and then enjoy! The finished product has a cloudy color and classic herbal flavor. Give in a festive bottle or package with tonic, limes, and a couple of glasses.

To check out the easy recipe and watch a video of me making it, keep reading.

No Time to Bake Pie? Make Pumpkin Bread Pudding

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:50:38 PST

What's thick, creamy, custardy, and has a strong pumpkin flavor? If you answered pumpkin pie, think again! I'm talking about this fast and easy but oh-so-delicious pumpkin bread pudding recipe.

All you have to do is whisk together the liquid ingredients with traditional pumpkin-pie spices and toss with day-old bread. Then you bake, and in 25 minutes you'll have a warm dessert that's scrumptious enough to be the Thanksgiving finale.

Serve with a heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream and your guests will be happy and satisfied. It's also transportable and can be made ahead, making it a great dessert for entertaining. Get the effortless method now.

Here's an Easy, Last-Minute Thanksgiving Menu

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:30:16 PST

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and if you've all of a sudden realized that you're in charge of planning, cooking, and hosting a dinner, don't freak out. I've got your back - and an incredibly easy menu that can be put together in just about two hours. For the appetizers, take some help from the store. Pick up your favorite cheese, crackers, dried fruit, and nuts. Use these items to throw together an uncomplicated yet stunning cheese display. When it comes to the main course, the simpler the better. Serve turkey breast roasted with lemon and thyme, mashed sweet potato paprika puree, and a hearty, healthy portion of braised kale.

Thanksgiving isn't about the quantity of food, it's about the quality of conversation you have while enjoying the meal. Want more fast Thanksgiving recipes? Here's 10 awesome and uncomplicated dishes.To savor the menu described here with loved ones, get the recipes after the break

Sunday Dinner: Cheddar Chicken Tenders With Wilted Spinach

Susannah Chen — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 06:30:34 PST

Don't forget that kid-friendly food can still be delectable for adults. Sometimes, all a meal needs is a little touch of creativity to go from mundane to mouthwatering.

For tonight's supper, try this finger food, which is fun not only for the whole family to make but to devour as well. Forgo a predictable crust of Italian breadcrumbs or panko in favor of one made from an American pantry pastime, Cheez-Its.
Serve alongside buttered, wilted spinach, and spuds, and you've got a new household favorite! Want the recipe? Keep clicking.

Sunday Dinner: Easy Seafood Paella

Susannah Chen — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 06:30:30 PST

One might not equate the word "paella" with "easy mealtime fix," but this recipe from former Gourmet editor Ruth Reichl will dispel your notions of this Valencian dish being too complicated to make at home.

Eschew unconventional ingredients like rabbits and snails or labor-heavy shellfish like lobster and crab for already-shelled shrimp and quick-cooking clams. Take advantage of frozen peas and rudimentary equipment like a Dutch oven - both things home cooks often already have on hand.
To make the meal simple enough for a weeknight or relaxed Sunday night, keep reading.

Come Party With Me: Southern Thanksgiving - Menu

Katie Sweeney — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 07:50:21 PDT

Right now it seems as if every chef is looking to the South for inspiration. So why not take a tip from the likes of Alton Brown and John Besh and serve a Thanksgiving meal that oozes with Southern charm? Plan a dinner that highlights simple and delicious cooking. Start with an unfussy roast turkey recipe that's seasoned with lots of salt and pepper and served with a rich turkey gravy.

Keep things uncomplicated and bake an oyster dressing with bacon and hot sauce outside of the bird. It's spicy, bready, and deliciously briny. Whip up a batch of mashed potatoes loaded with sour cream and white cheddar cheese. Finally, round out the menu with a bourbon-cranberry compote. It's the perfect sweet-tart accompaniment to succulent turkey. To be inspired by this collection of curated recipes, keep reading.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Bacon Pasta Is Easy and Comforting

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:30:50 PDT

Although I'm not of Italian descent, I think pasta is one of the most comforting dishes out there. After a long weekday, there's nothing like coming home to a steaming bowl of luscious noodles in a rich and flavorful sauce.

My favorite pasta of all time could very well be this creamy sun-dried tomato and bacon spaghetti. I've made it a million times and never tire of the combination of salty pork with sweet tomatoes.

It's decadent but not over the top, and it's quick but sophisticated enough to serve guests. It's also versatile: kids love it, men love it, probably the only people who won't be impressed with this pasta are vegetarians. I highly recommend this recipe: learn the easy technique here.