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YumSugar Gift Guide: The Bachelor Gastrosexual

YumSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:30:03 -0800

Is your brother or your best friend a perpetual heartbreaker? If his gastrosexual self already knows that the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach, browse the options below, which fit in perfectly with his impossibly smooth pad.

His George Foreman deserves a long-overdue upgrade; try this indoor grill. If he's a serious gourmet, he'll love an at-home meat grinder. For those last-minute dates, Zagat to Go is a perfect reference.

Want more gift ideas? Browse the selection below or check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Ming Tsai Makes Tempura - and Many a Joke

YumSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:00:55 -0700

When public television chef Ming Tsai spoke at last year's Classic, I learned that he was wildly hilarious. Thus, at this year's festival, I couldn't wait to catch some more laughs. Ming shared tips for East-West cuisine while making blue cheese burgers and bacon potstickers, a ginger margarita, and a tempura shrimp cocktail. In addition to offering up lots of advice to home cooks, the Blue Ginger chef and owner also shared his thoughts on everything from eating at Alinea ("I thought it'd be gimmicky, but it was unbelievably sexy, delicious food") to his approach to dining out ("When I walk into a restaurant, I only want to see locals"). Get more of his cooking tips after the break

Definition: Mince

partysugar — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:43:21 -0800

Mince:

1. To cut food into very small pieces. Usually 1/8-inch or less. Much finer than chopping, minced food is in the form of tiny cubes or bits, it is a step above being crushed.

2. When referring to meat, mince is a product made of beef finely chopped by a meat grinder (more commonly known as hamburger meat or ground beef).

The Ultimate Kitchen: Mixer

YumSugar — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 11:50:39 -0800

This week's ultimate kitchen item is a great mixer. I know, it's a bit of a splurge, and not everyone is going to use it. However, if you bake a lot (or plan on becoming a better baker), then you might really want to consider one. And, if you're building a registry, it's a great item for people to chip-in and get for you, so go for it!

My personal favorite (the one I have and love love love) is a KitchenAid Pro 600. It's a little pricey (list price: $500, but most places sell it for less than $400), but it will do everything you want it to and more. It comes with a flat beater, a wire whip, dough hook and a clear plastic pouring shield. You also have the option of purchasing other attachments such as a meat grinder, pasta maker or ice-cream machine. If the Pro is too pricey, KitchenAid also has an Artisan model that has a bit less power and capacity.

Three more mixers, including one you can use even if you don't have the counter space, so read more

Growing up, my mom had a trusty goldenrod colored Sunbeam mixer. In fact, she still has it now. Assuming that Sunbeam's quality standards haven't declined in the last 25 years, then I'd have to say that for $99.99, this shiny red Sunbeam Stand Mixer is quite the bargain. It's available in other colors as well.

Another great mixer splurge is the DeLonghi Stand Mixer. Made from brushed aluminum, it can hold up to 7 quarts, has 6 power speeds and comes with a 10 year warranty. It's similar to the KitchenAid in that you can purchase many attachments and accessories and it comes with a high-ticket price. $440, is not an easy price to swallow, however these things are built to last.

Finally, if you don't have room for a full stand mixer, or can't see yourself using it often enough to justify the purchase, then be sure to get a small hand mixer. This small appliance can be stored in the cupboard and will really help out for things like beating eggs or whipping cream. Hamilton Beach has a 6 Speed Mixer that retails for about $30, but is on sale for $16.97. It also comes with a handy storage case.