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Off to Market Recap: Harvest Table

partysugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:30:13 -0700

You looked for placemats, napkins, and everything in between that transforms the table into a glorious celebration of Fall. Your discoveries were saved in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Harvest Table.

How gorgeous is this baroque salad plate? Incorporate the set with your everyday dinnerware or place one in the middle of the table with a giant candle on top. Voila, instant Fall kitchen! Fab choice kitegirl19, thanks for your help. For more inspiring Fall finds, browse the entire selection below.

To learn more about the bookmarking feature, please read geeksugar's explanation.

Off to Market: Harvest Table

partysugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:45:23 -0700

Changing the look of your kitchen table is a great way to affordably update a kitchen. A set of new placemats combined with a few strategically placed candles and a seasonal centerpiece can make a kitchen feel like an entirely different room. To encourage a change of scenery, let's head off to market in search of a harvest themed table. Look for placemats, napkins, and everything in between that transforms the table into a glorious celebration of Fall. Save your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Harvest Table. Happy hunting!

To learn more about the bookmarking 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

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:00:48 -0700

During the main meal at my harvest-themed dinner party, I'll pair the chicken and risotto with wine. However, before we sit down to the table, I want to treat guests to a luxurious champagne cocktail.

Since a punch easily quenches the thirst of a crowd, I'll be mixing a large bowl of classic champagne punch. The cocktail gets its rosy hue from chambord, a raspberry-flavored liquor.

With the poached pear dessert, I'll let guests sip a sweet late harvest wine. To check out the recipe I'll be using for the punch, keep reading.

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:00:24 -0700

The menu for my harvest-themed dinner party is inspired by wine, so the tablescape will reflect this general feeling, too. To keep things casual and slightly rustic, don't cover the table with a tablecloth. Instead, place a linen runner down the middle and arrange bunches of ripe grapes as centerpieces.

White plates allow the food to be the focal point. Serve the meal family style and bring the braised chicken and saffron risotto directly to the table. Since the dinner is a celebration of wine, offer guests the choice of red or white wine and have the proper glasses for each.

During the cocktail hour, serve the Champagne punch in an elegant bowl and arrange the goat cheese mousse and strawberry compote on a wooden cheese board.

Lots of candles create an intimate glowing atmosphere while a single lavish arrangement of flowers is a welcoming hello if placed near the front door - it's the first thing guests will see and they'll immediately get in the mood!

Northeastern Tomato Blight Caused by Home Gardening

YumSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:50:39 -0700

A fast-spreading fungus has ravaged tomato crops across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, wiping out this year's crop and causing the price of heirloom tomatoes to skyrocket by 20 percent. But the cause of the pandemic is something that's much more innocent than you might think.

In a recent New York Times column, renowned farm-to-table chef Dan Barber discusses the aggressive disease, known as late blight, that has wiped out 70 percent of this year's heirloom tomato crop. He argues that there are three contributing factors that caused the intense blight. First, a rainy Summer, moderate temperatures, and lots of humidity; second, infected tomato starter plants sold to home growers; and third, the explosion of home gardeners.Ironically, the very community that's engaged in eating locally has set the stage for one of the worst heirloom tomato harvests in history. Barber argues that, despite what Slow Food believers might advocate, future farming must involve nonheirloom plant varieties bred to resist diseases.

The blight isn't limited to new home gardeners; even seasoned pro Martha Stewart has lamented that she lost 70 percent of the 50 different tomato varieties in her garden this year. Have you fallen victim to this year's tomato travesty? What do you think of Barber's argument?

Obamas to Plant White House Garden Today

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 03:30:53 -0700

Today is the day that Alice Waters and other Slow Food supporters have been waiting for: the Obamas will begin planting a garden on the White House lawn, the first such victory garden to be created since the one Eleanor Roosevelt planted during World War II.

The garden, which will be overseen by Sam Kass, the Obamas' former private chef from Chicago, will provide food for the first family's meals and formal dinners. White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford will write menus based on what's available in the garden.According to First Lady Michelle Obama, the biggest reason for growing a garden is to educate children about the benefits of growing fresh produce locally. She said:

There’s nothing really cooler than coming to the White House and harvesting some of the vegetables and being in the kitchen with Cris and Sam and Bill, and cutting and cooking and actually experiencing the joys of your work.

The first lady, who will dig up soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot of land with fifth graders from a local elementary school, has stressed the significance of healthful eating ever since entering the White House. Last month, she opened up the White House kitchen for a press tour, and recently spoke about the importance of fresh, local eating.

Advocates of farm-to-table eating have been campaigning for a White House edible garden for months now, and there is little doubt that many eat-local proponents consider this to be a huge step in the right direction. To see what fruits and vegetables will be in the White House garden, read more.

Arugula
Spinach
Chard
Black kale
Red romaine
Green oak leaf
Butterhead lettuce
Red leaf lettuce
Spinach
Cilantro
Tomatillos
Hot peppers
Berries
Thai basil
Bees, for honey

What do you think of the project? What would you plant if you were Michelle Obama?

Noteworthy Nibbles - Oct. 14-20, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:00:42 -0700

It's only Tuesday, but I'm already looking forward to the multitude of festivals this weekend.

There are so many in the Bay Area alone that I can't decide whether to hit up the Santana Row Pear Festival, the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, or the Monterey Wine Festival. I suppose I might just rock them all!

Have we left something out? If so, please drop us a line in the comments below!

San Francisco, CA: Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting - Oct. 14
New York, NY: At the Table: New York - Oct. 14
Torrance, CA: Oktoberfest at Alpine Village - Oct. 14-20
Circleville, OH: Circleville Pumpkin Show - Oct. 15-18
Monterey, CA: Monterey Wine Festival - Oct. 16-18
Tulsa, OK: Tulsa Oktoberfest - Oct. 16-19
Crowley, LA: International Rice Festival - Oct. 16-19
New York, NY: 6th Annual Gourmet Institute - Oct. 17-19
Paso Robles, CA: Harvest Wine Weekend - Oct. 17-19

To see the rest, read more.

Niceville, FL: Boggy Bayou Mullet Festival - Oct. 17-19
Hood River, OR: Hood River Valley Harvest Festival - Oct. 17-19
Atlantic City, NJ: Atlantic City Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 17-19
Poquoson, VA: Poquoson Seafood Festival - Oct. 17-19
Shenandoah, VA: Hot Air Balloon & Wine Festival - Oct. 17-19
Richmond Hill, GA: Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival - Oct. 17-19
Chackbay, LA: Louisiana Gumbo Fest of Chackbay - Oct. 17-19
Llano, TX: Llano Chuck Wagon Cook-Off - Oct. 18
Pittsburgh, PA: Good Taste! Pittsburgh - Oct. 18
Chincoteague, VA: Chili & Chowder Cookoff - Oct. 18
Half Moon Bay, CA: Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival - Oct. 18-19
Chicago, IL: Tour de Champagne - Oct. 18
Wellfleet, MA: Wellfleet OysterFest - Oct. 18-19
Millville, NJ: South Jersey Pumpkin Show - Oct. 18-19
Cullman, AL: Alabama Gourd Festival - Oct. 18-19
Cedar Key, FL: Cedar Key Seafood Festival - Oct. 18-19
Leonardtown, MD: St. Mary's County Oyster Festival - Oct. 18-19
Salisbury, MD: Wicomico County Autumn Wine Festival - Oct. 18-19
Gautier, MS: Gautier Mullet & Music Fest - Oct. 18-19
Chatsworth, NJ: The Cranberry Festival of Chatsworth - Oct. 18-19
Newport, RI: Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival - Oct. 18-19
Richmond, VA: Shockoe on the Halfshell - Oct. 18-19
Berkeley, CA: Spice of Life Festival - Oct. 19
New York, NY: Apple Day - Oct. 19
San Jose, CA: Santana Row Pear Festival - Oct. 19
Welches, OR: Wild About Game Festival - Oct. 19
San Francisco, CA: Fiesta on the Hill - Oct. 19
Philadelphia, PA: Foodie Venture Fair - Oct. 19-27
San Francisco, CA: Nirvino Female Bartender Cocktail Competition - Oct. 20

Source

Happy Hour: 2006 Iron Horse Estate Pinot Noir

partysugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:15:04 -0700

Last night I attended Jack Falstaff's first Farm to Table Grower's Dinner. The special menu features seasonal ingredients from local producers. The most exciting part of the meal (besides the delicious food) is that the farmers and wine makers dine with you.

I was lucky enough to speak with Audrey Sterling, the grande dame of Iron Horse vineyards. After fabulously describing the wines, she told me about how Iron Horse is served at the White House! Their varietals have been selected by the past five presidencies, dating back to Ronald Regan. It's a fun fact to tell guests when serving Iron Horse.

While I enjoyed all the wines they poured, my favorite was the 2006 Estate Pinot Noir ($40). It was subtly complex and incredibly smooth. Like the perfect little black dress, it's elegant, but stylish. It rolls through the mouth with fruity, earthy flavors and a rich aroma. The wine's made with a special precision-harvesting technique that closely examines each vines needs, resulting in a silky, wonderful wine. The wine was served with an intensely crispy, suckling pig porchetta, but I think it would be lovely with everything from comforting macaroni and cheese to braised beef.

What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:30:55 -0700

We taste-tested the new Starbucks menu; check out our results!
Get to know all the contestants of Top Chef 5.
Join PartySugar as she sets off to market for a harvest-themed table.
A fish and farm baguette turns out to be one of my favorite creations ever.
For a new twist on the traditional, try green spaghetti and meatballs.
Grab your partner: we planned a hoedown that's worthy of two-stepping to!
Cook with Japanese eggplant while it's in season.
PartySugar continues her adventures in rice with stuffed poblano peppers.

Celebrate Rosh Hashanah With Honey-Glazed Cornish Hens

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:00:33 -0700

L'Shanah Tovah (Happy New Year)! Last night was the beginning of the Rosh Hashanah. During this time of reflection and rejoicing, much of the celebration happens at the dinner table. The evening meal often includes the bounty of the autumn harvest, such as pomegranates, persimmons, and avocados. Honey is also significant during Rosh Hashanah, as it symbolizes the hope for sweet and joyful days in the year ahead. To ring in the Jewish new year, which is observed through Wednesday night, I made honey-glazed Cornish hens. Since Cornish hens are smaller, they can be roasted whole in less time than it takes to make a roasted chicken. To get this holiday recipe, read more.

Honey and Cumin-Glazed Cornish Hens
From Jewish Holiday Feasts by Louise Fiszer and Jeannette Ferrary

Ingredients

Glaze
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons cumin seed, toasted and crushed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 Cornish hens, split in half
Salt and pepper

Directions

Combine glaze ingredients.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Rinse hens and blot dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Using about a third of the glaze, brush both sides of hen halves.
Place, skin side down, on a baking sheet with low sides. Place in oven and roast 10 minutes.
Turn heat down to 375°F, brush hens again with half the remaining glaze and roast 5 minutes.
Turn hens over and roast 10 minutes.
Brush with remaining glaze and roast until deep golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Serves 8.

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