YumSugar

A Healthier Party Menu

partysugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 06:55:51 -0700

Last week I planned KatieSugar's 1st birthday party with a menu that was packed with traditional all American party food, but in miniature sizes. I know that some of you are on diets and in many cases my food is not the most figure friendly. Since I put together a great menu that can be adapted to any sort of party, I thought it would be nice to offer the same menu but with healthier versions. Luckily our friend Hungry Girl does this daily and I took some help from her for this one. Start with a twist on my Mini Crab Cakes by serving her healthier crab stuffed mushrooms. Instead of making my indulging (and perhaps thigh-bulging) Spinach Dip, prepare HG's equally delicious version. Choose her de-pudged pigs in a blanket over my Mini Hot Dogs and pair them with her hamburgers. She's even come up with an almost calorie-free pink drink to wash everything down! To get these amazing recipes read more

Crazy-Creamy Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
From Hungry Girl

12 small-to-medium-sized (1 - 2" wide) brown mushroom caps (stems removed)
2 oz. drained white crabmeat
2 tbsp. celery; minced
2 tbsp. red pepper; minced
1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Cheese (any Light flavor)
1 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
1 tbsp. fat-free cream cheese
2 tsp. fat-free cheese flavor sprinkles (like the ones by Molly McButter)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Wipe mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel and then dry them. Place with the rounded sides down on a baking dish sprayed lightly with nonstick spray.
Combine all other ingredients and stir until well mixed. Evenly distribute crab mixture among the mushroom caps.
Place in the oven for 10 - 12 minutes, until hot.
Enjoy the creamy, crab-tastic goodness!

Makes 12.

Entire recipe: 135 calories, 3g fat, 975mg sodium, 12g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugars, 16g protein = 3 Points

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HG's Rockin' Restaurant Spinach Dip
From Hungry Girl

4 oz. Lifetime Fat Free Monterey Jack Cheese (or another fat-free white hard cheese, like Muenster or Mozzarella)
4 tbsp. fat-free sour cream
10 tsp. Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tbsp. shallots, chopped finely
6 tbsp. fat-free mayo
1 oz. light soy milk
1 – 10 oz. pkg. chopped spinach, thawed and drained
4 oz. water chestnuts, chopped

In a medium-sized saucepan, melt your Monterey Jack over a low flame.
In a separate pan, saute garlic and shallots with some nonstick cooking spray.
Add soy milk to melted cheese, stirring continuously. Next, add mayo, sour cream and parmesan into your cheese mixture, still stirring over low heat. Add your sauteed garlic and shallots, as well as water chestnuts. Add your well-drained, chopped spinach and mix thoroughly.
Spoon your dip into a medium-sized casserole dish and bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for 20-25 minutes.
Voila! Your spinach-y masterpiece is complete. You may add salt and/or pepper if desired.

Serves 6-8.

1/8 recipe, approx. 3-4 Tbsp. - 70 calories, 0.5g fat, 305mg sodium, 7.5g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 2g sugars, 6.5g protein = 1 Point

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HG's De-Pudged Pigs in a Blanket
From Hungry Girl

1 fat-free (or nearly fat-free) hot dog (like the ones by Oscar Mayer, Hebrew National and Ball Park)
1 portion Pillsbury Reduced Fat Crescent roll dough

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cut hot dog into 4 even pieces.
Stretch or roll out the triangle-shaped dough slightly, to make it a larger triangle. Cut dough into 4 long, narrow triangles.
Beginning at the base of each triangle, roll a piece of the hot dog up in the dough until the point of each triangle wraps around the center.
Place dogs on an ungreased baking pan and cook for about 12 minutes (until dough appears slightly browned and crispy). Enjoy!

Serving Size: 4 pieces (entire recipe) Calories: 135 Fat: 5g Sodium: 645mg Carbs: 15g Fiber: 0g Sugars: 3g Protein: 7.5g 3 Points

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HG's Awesome Whopper Stopper
From Hungry Girl

Wonder Light (or other light) Hamburger Bun
Boca Burger Patty, Original Vegan
1 slice Kraft Singles Fat Free Cheese
1 Tbsp. Miracle Whip Light
3 pickle slices
tomato slice
lettuce
onion slice
1 Tbsp. ketchup

Cook Boca Burger as per instructions on box.
Toast bun (optional). Lay burger on the bun’s bottom half, followed by the cheese, tomato, onion, and lettuce.
On the top half, slap on the mayo, ketchup, and pickles. Put two halves together and enjoy!

Serving Size: 1 burger Calories: 240 Fat: 3g Sodium: 1360mg Carbs: 34g Fiber: 8g Sugars: 9g Protein: 21g 4 Points

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Rockin' Raspberry-Peach Lemonade
From Hungry Girl

1/2 Lemon Three Packets of Splenda
5 oz. Cold Water
3/4 oz. Sugar Free Raspberry Torani Syrup
3/4 oz. Sugar Free Peach Torani Syrup
Lots of Ice!

Squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon into a glass. Stir in water and Splenda.
Add a scoop of ice (or about 6 or 7 cubes). Top off with flavored syrups. Enjoy...it's practically calorie-free!

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Come Party With Me: KatieSugar's First Birthday Party - Music

partysugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 05:57:31 -0700

Doesn't it seem like the days are just flying by?? I mean it seems like just yesterday KatieSugar could barely crawl and now she's turning 1 and is on the verge of walking. A baby's first birthday is an excellent way to invite your friends and family over to see how much your child has grown within the last few months. Steer clear of inviting lots of other babies (save that for the 3rd birthday) and let the birthday girl bask in all of the attention. Plus, instead of worrying about how your baby is going to interact with a bunch of other children, you'll be able to enjoy your guests and catch up with old friends. Send out stylish striped invitations a month to three weeks in advance and have guests come for a mid day feast of miniature hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, and more. Both the drinks and the decor will be done in shades of pink creating a party that is youthful, uniformed, and fabulous. The final stages of the pre-planning are upon us and the last thing I have to do is figure out what music will act as the party's soundtrack so read more

At birthday parties the only music that is played should be the birthday girl's (or boy's) favorite songs, and not surprisingly, the whole Sugar family are fans of pop. Katie enjoys classical, and of course Madonna and Jay-Z, and she has been known to dance around the office to a little old school MC Hammer Can't Touch This. Other than those, the playlist will consist of pop hits from a wide range of performing artists: Britney, U2, Elton John, Eminem, Lenny Kravitz, Coldplay, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder. Also classic rock hits from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, The Roots, and The Beatles will be in the mix to please the guys in attendance.

Got any last tips that will help make KatieSugar's first birthday the best around? Please do tell us below!

Come Party With Me: KatieSugar's First Birthday Party - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 05:57:31 -0700

KatieSugar sure is growing up fast. Just this morning she was using her walker to toddle around the room and nobody could work because she was being way too adorable to ignore. A girl as special as lil'sugar deserves the most fabulous 1st birthday celebration. Naturally her parents turned to me to deal with all of the party planning details. So I got busy earlier this week (her birthday is June 1 and we want the invites to be sent at least three weeks in advance) making the invitation, creating a delicious menu of miniature party food, and coming up with a couple of all-pink drinks. Today I'm designing the look, inspired by the pink stripes that grace the walls of Katie's bedroom, so for the details read more

Since this is for a child's birthday keep the decorations fun, young, and fabulous.

Cover the ceiling of the party with pink balloons and long pink ribbons. These balloons will filter and reflect the natural daylight (the party is at 1pm) creating a beautiful rosy glow.
Fill vases with fresh pink tulips with long stems. Steer clear from using pink roses this isn't a wedding and you want the feel to remain casual.
Dress the tables in pink and white striped tablecloths.

Arrange the food on large pink platters garnished with pink berries and have pink striped cocktail napkins and white plates for the finger foods.
Fill bowls with tiny pink candies and more berries.
Arrange clear glass pitchers of the Pink Lemonade and Watermelon Martini on the bar. Fill a large silver tin with ice for beer and pink champagne.

To take the party outdoors line the pillars of your deck (or fence if you don't have a deck) with alternating pink and white streamers.
With thick pink ribbon tie bows to the back of chairs, around vases and on doorknobs.

For a fun game ask guests to send you a picture of themselves on their first birthday. Pin to a large cork bulletin board or arrange on your bulletin board and have everyone try and guess whose 1st birthday baby picture is who.
Give guests an old fashioned pink and white lollipop as a party favor.

Got a perfectly pink party decoration idea for KatieSugar's 1st birthday bash?? Share your ideas with us below!

Come Party With Me: KatieSugar's First Birthday Party - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 05:59:19 -0700

KatieSugar is narrowing in on a very exciting "first" moment. Sure she has plenty of first moments to come - her first words, the first time she walks, and much further down the line, her first kiss - but to me her first birthday party is by far the most important. Although she most likely won't remember this party too well (and not from over drinking!) it will be a milestone for Katie's parents, grandparents, and all those who love this little girl. I'm taking on all of the party plans and started with the invites before moving onto the menu. Everyone knows that Katie Sugar will be drinking milk and formula but what about the of age guests? To see the answer to that question read more

The theme of the food is mini and the look takes its cue from Katie's striped pink bedroom. To incorporate these ideas (miniature and pink) into the drinks, fill tiny shot glasses with a decadent
Strawberry Kiss cocktail (make sure not to mix them with the non-alcoholic mini milkshakes!) and offer up a Watermelon Martini. To really emphasize the fact that it's a baby's birthday party, instead of serving the watermelon martini in your typical martini glass, pour it into baby bottles. Don't forget pink champagne for those who prefer not to partake in hard liquor (I like Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut Rose), beer for Brian and the boys, and Pink Lemonade for a non-alcoholic refreshing option.

Strawberry Kiss
From Inside SCV

1 oz white rum
1 oz Amaretto
4 strawberries
1 oz double cream

Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth.
Pour into a hurricane or wine glass garnished with fresh strawberry on the rim.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Watermelon Martini
From Be My Guest: Theme Party Savoir-Faire by Rena Kirdar Sindi

3 oz vodka
2 oz fresh muddled watermelon (seedless and strained)
dash of sugar

Combine ingredients, shake over ice and serve up in a chilled martini glass (or bottle!).
Garnish with a fresh slice of watermelon.

Serves 1.

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Pink Lemonade
From Simply Recipes

1 1/4 cup sugar (if using unsweetened cranberry juice, 1 cup if using sweetened)
4 cups water (divided)
1 cup cranberry juice
1 cup lemon juice

Make a simple syrup by heating sugar and 1 cup of the water in a small saucepan until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat.
Stir together the remaining water, cranberry juice, lemon juice and simple syrup. Make adjustments to taste.
Chill for an hour, or add ice to cool.

Serves 6.

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Come Party With Me: KatieSugar's First Birthday Party - Menu (Dessert)

partysugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:21:37 -0700

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear KatieSugar, happy birthday to you! Katie is almost one year old and I am busy planning her first birthday party. The invite is pale pink and striped and the menu is classic barbecue style down sized. All of the food from the appetizers to the main course are pop-in-your-mouth good, miniature, bite sized pieces. This is after all a party for a baby so all things little will be celebrated. No baby birthday is complete without cupcakes and Katie loves classic vanilla. Wash the cupcake down with a mini milkshake (strawberry!) served in tiny shot glasses. Want the recipes, well please read more

Vanilla Cupcakes

For the cupcakes:
1 3/4 cups cake flour, not self-rising
1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the frosting:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
6 to 8 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine flours, sugar, baking powder, and salt; mix on low speed until combined. Add butter, mixing until just coated with flour.
In a large glass measuring cup, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla.
With mixer on medium speed, add wet ingredients in 3 parts, scraping down sides of bowl before each addition; beat until ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat.
Divide batter evenly among liners, filling about two-thirds full. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 17 to 20 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat process with remaining batter.
Once cupcakes have cooled, make the frosting: in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
With mixer on low speed, add 6 cups sugar, milk, and vanilla; mix until light and fluffy.
If necessary, gradually add remaining 2 cups sugar to reach desired consistency.
Use a small offset spatula to frost tops of each cupcake. Decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Serve at room temperature.

Makes 30 cupcakes.

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Mini Milkshakes
From Martha Stewart

1/2 cup heavy cream
3 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup whole milk
1 pint strawberry ice cream, softened
Pink sprinkles, for decorating

Whisk cream in a mixer bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar; whisk until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch plain round tip (such as Ateco #10); refrigerate up to 30 minutes.
Process milk and ice cream in a blender until smooth. Divide among twelve 2-ounce glasses.
Pipe spirals of whipped cream on top of milk shakes. Decorate with sprinkles. Serve immediately.

Serves 12.

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Come Party With Me: KatieSugar's First Birthday Party - Menu (Main)

partysugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 09:59:59 -0700

Guess who's about to celebrate her birthday and start her golden year all on the same day?! KatieSugar! My mom always said that the year your age and birth-date coincided is considered your golden year. Since Katie (no that's not her pictured) is turning 1 on the first of June, this will be her golden year so she deserves a super special celebration worthy of any celebrity baby. Hand crafted pink invitations have set the girlie tone of the event, and to emphasize the focus on Katie, all of the food will be miniature. The appetizers include mini crab cakes and three-bite buffalo chicken wings, but for the mini, all-American main course recipes, read more

I know Brian Sugar loves tacos so I had to include Mini Tacos. The menu is rounded out with Mini Hot Dogs and Mini Cheeseburgers.

Mini Tacos
From Emeril Lagasse

Vegetable oil, for deep frying
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
2 cups warm shredded, cooked pork
3/4 cup grated Pepper Jack cheese
1/4 cup diced red tomatoes
2 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro leaves

In a deep skillet heat at least 3 inches oil to 360 degrees. With a 3 1/2-inch biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out 8 small circles from corn tortillas. Roughly chop scraps and set aside.
Using tongs, hold a tortilla circle in shape of a taco shell and fry, one at a time, until crisp, golden and holds its shape.
Drain on paper towels and repeat with remaining tortillas. Fry tortilla scraps.
Fill each shell with a little pork, cheese, tomatoes, and cilantro. Serve with tortilla chips, sprinkled with extra cilantro.

Makes 8 mini tacos.

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Mini Hot Dogs
From Rachael Ray

Two 12-ounce packages refrigerated biscuit dough
1 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, 2 teaspoons sauce reserved
1 cup ketchup
One 12-ounce package mini cocktail franks

Preheat the oven to 375°.
Separate the biscuits and cut each in half. Pull each half into an oblong shape to resemble a hot dog bun. Place the dough on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Cool, then split in half lengthwise, being careful not to slice all the way through.
While the rolls bake, in a small bowl, combine the mustard and maple syrup.
In a food processor, puree the chipotle chile with the reserved adobo sauce and ketchup; spoon into another small bowl.
In a microwave, heat the cocktail franks; place one in each bun. Serve with the two dipping sauces.

Makes 12 mini dogs.

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Mini Cheeseburgers
From Rachael Ray

12 mini dinner rolls, split
1 garlic clove, halved
Extra-virgin olive oil for liberal drizzling
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
1 large shallot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups baby spinach, thinly sliced
3/4 pound Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Preheat broiler to high. Place the rolls on a broiler pan and toast until golden. Rub with the garlic and drizzle with olive oil.
In a medium bowl, combine the beef with the Worcestershire sauce, sage, shallot and parsley; season with salt and pepper.
Divide into 4 equal pieces and form 3 mini patties from each piece, 12 mini burger patties total.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the patties for 3 minutes on the first side and 1 to 2 minutes on the other side for medium.
Top each bun bottom with some spinach, a burger patty and a few cheese crumbles.
Place under the broiler to melt the cheese a bit, about 30 seconds, then set the bun tops in place.

Makes 12 mini burgers.

Substitute: Feel free to use your favorite type of cheese and herbs in this dish. Monterey jack and cilantro, Cheddar and parsley, or parmesan and rosemary are all great pairings.

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What's your favorite mini main course? Tell me about it below! Wondering what tiny dessert I'll be whipping up? Surf on back this afternoon for the final part of this menu series.

Come Party With Me: KatieSugar's First Birthday Party - Menu (Appetizers)

partysugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 05:59:32 -0700

Little KatieSugar is almost 1 year old! It's amazing watching her grow each day and I'm super excited to announce that I've been asked to plan her first birthday! A blowout bash like no other, the event will be casual and familiar with most of the guests being Katie's parent's friends and families. The party will be chicly decorated in every girl's favorite color (myself included): pink and all of the food will be finger friendly and bite-sized. The invitations are in the process of being mass produced and sent, so now it's time to move on to creating a miniature menu. To see what finger foods, I'll be making for the Sugars, read more

The menu will be inspired by traditional all-American barbecue food. Mini Crab Cakes will be plated and waiting for the guests to arrive. Large krinkle cut potato chips or toasted baguette slices can house dollops of Spinach Dip and finger licking good Buffalo Chicken Wings will add a touch of heat.

Mini Crab Cakes
From Gourmet magazine

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 large egg
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon Tabasco
1 lb jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over
4 cups cornflakes
tomato ginger jam, recipe below
thinly sliced fresh cilantro, optional garnish

Whisk together mayonnaise, egg, mustard, Old Bay, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and Tabasco, then gently stir in crabmeat. Chill, covered, 2 hours.
Pulse cornflakes in a food processor until coarsely ground and put in a shallow dish. Form 1 heaping teaspoon crab mixture into a 1 1/2-inch-diameter cake (mixture will be very moist), then gently dredge in cornflakes.
Make more crab cakes in same manner, transferring to buttered baking sheets.
Chill, covered, at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Bake crab cakes in batches in middle of oven until crisp and golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
Transfer with a spatula to a platter and top each with about 1/2 tablespoon tomato ginger jam.

Make ahead: unbaked crab cakes can chill up to 4 hours.

Makes 36 hors d'oeuvres.

Tomato Ginger Jam
From Gourmet magazine

1/4 cup minced shallot
1 tablespoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
1 large garlic clove, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 lb plum tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

Cook shallot, ginger, garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes in butter in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat, stirring, until shallot is softened, about 5 minutes.
Add sugar and cook, stirring, until dissolved.
Add tomatoes and simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.

Cool jam to room temperature, then stir in lime juice and cilantro.

Make ahead: jam can be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Stir in lime juice and cilantro just before serving.

Makes about 1 1/4 cups.

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Spinach Dip
From Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh

1-tablespoon vegetable oil
1 shallot, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 (6-ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, roughly chopped
10 bacon strips, fried until crisp and crumbled
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 cups sour cream
1-teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat the vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium low heat. Add the garlic and shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot softens and the garlic begins to brown, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Put the spinach in a colander and squeeze out all of the excess water.
Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add the artichoke hearts, crumbled bacon, cooked garlic and shallot, lemon zest, sour cream, salt and pepper.
Mix well with a rubber spatula, and transfer to a decorative bowl.
Allow to sit for 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can blend.
Serve with crispy croutons.

Croutons

1 French-bread baguette, sliced into rounds
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tbls olive oil

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Arrange bread slices on 2 baking sheets. Bake bread until crisp and golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Rub remaining 2 garlic cloves over 1 side of each crouton.
Lightly brush croutons with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Serve croutons warm or at room temperature with dips. (Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cool croutons completely; store in airtight container at room temperature.)

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Buffalo Chicken Wings
From Food & Wine magazine

4 pounds chicken wings
3 tablespoons cooking oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cayenne
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 pound blue cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
2 scallions including green tops, chopped
5 teaspoons vinegar
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
8 ribs celery, cut into sticks

Heat the oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine the wings, oil, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt, and the cayenne.
Arrange the wings in a single layer on two large baking sheets. Bake until just done, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese, scallions, 1 teaspoon of the vinegar, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the black pepper.
In a large bowl, combine the ketchup, the remaining 4 teaspoons vinegar, and the Tabasco sauce. Add the wings and toss to coat.
Serve the wings with the celery sticks and blue-cheese dressing alongside.

Serves 4.

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Got a great appetizer recipe for KatieSugar's 1st birthday party? Share your ideas below. Come back later this afternoon for more of the mini menu.

Come Party With Me: KatieSugar's First Birthday Party - Invite

partysugar — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:08:13 -0700

Well folks, KatieSugar is nearing in on a very important date...her first birthday! To commemorate this momentous occasion, I'm planning a fabulous birthday extravaganza for her! KatieSugar is our very own little celebrity baby, so the party should rival the little birthday bashes of other fabulous famous baby girls: Suri, Violet, Ramona and Shiloh. The party is not until June, but it's time to get the planning under way. A baby's first birthday is a celebration more for the parents, family, and friends of the baby rather than for the baby herself. For a parent it's one of the most memorable birthdays in a child's life, so I am going to do everything I can to make it as wonderful as possible for Lisa and Brian. The party will take its theme from the blue and pink stripes that grace the walls of Katie's bedroom and the food will be inspired by all things little. So stay tuned all week for more on KatieSugar's birthday. To see the invitation I'll be sending to her grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and special friends, read more

To make KatieSugar's 1st birthday invitation you will need:

pink cardstock (or if you have a baby boy who is turning 1, substitute blue)
decorative paper
pinking shears or other decorative edge scissors
satin ribbon
glue
scissors
computer and printer

To assemble the invite:

Start by creating a new word document on your computer. In the font of your choice (I used Helvetica Neue in size 14 bold) write out the information concerning your party:

Katie Sugar Is Turning 1!

Lisa & Brian invite you to join
them for a little celebration
in honor of Katie’s birthday

Saturday June 2
1:00 pm
The Sugar House
San Francisco, CA

Please rsvp to PartySugar 415.555.5555

Print a test copy of the detail sheet to check for correct size, layout, and grammar. Make the necessary changes and when you are happy with the final product, print out on the pink cardstock. Set aside.

Cut the decorative paper down to size with the pinking shears. This is going to be the backing of the front of the invite to which you will mount the pink text page.

If desired, glue a decorative backing to the invite - so if flipped over it won't be a plain white sheet. (I did this.)

Cut the pink text sheet down to size making it about 1 inch smaller than the decorative backing.

Glue the text info to the backing.

Carefully cut 2 small slits or holes at the top. Slide a small piece of ribbon through and tie a pretty bow. Voila! Your invite is complete!

Send in lovely little envelopes with the names of your guests written in your best handwriting.

What sort of invite did you send when planning your child's first birthday celebration? There is lots more to come on this party, so check back throughout the week for more KatieSugar!

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