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Do You Know the World's Best Hangover Cures?

YumSugar — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:00:03 -0800

If you woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather, know that you're not alone: All around the world, revelers are rising with a pounding headache, waves of nausea, and, after a night of wearing some serious beer goggles, 20/20 vision that's clear as day. Hangovers may be a universal experience, but each culture boasts its own cures, from simple solutions to seemingly bizarre behaviors. Can you match the cure to the country? Take this quiz to find out!

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Chill Your Champagne, Stat!

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:15:00 -0800

When you're celebrating the onset of 2009 tonight, don't fall short on chilled bubbly. If you've got a warm bottle of Champagne and very little time to make it cold, we've got a fast solution for you.

Place your sparkler into an ice bucket (or another tall plastic container). Add ice to the bottom and sprinkle the layer with a few tablespoons of salt. Continue to repeat layering ice and salt until the combination reaches the neck of your bottle; add water (the colder the better) until it reaches ice level.

In a mere ten minutes, your bottle will be chilled. This method of chilling works much faster than simply sitting the bubbly in ice. Adding water increases the chilly surface area, and salt speeds the drop in water temperature (along with ice), making your sparkling wine frigid much faster.

Have your own secret tip for chilling Champagne? If so, I'd love to hear it below.

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Say Cheers to Chic Champagne Flutes

partysugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:30:16 -0800

Champagne is chic, so why shouldn't your glassware be? Ring in the New Year with a champagne flute that puts a contemporary twist on the traditional look. These modern, sleek designs can capably contain your bubbly while looking surprising and sophisticated.

From the minimalist MOYA Champagne Flute ($27.50) to stylishly simple offerings from fashion designers Monique Lhuillier and Calvin Klein, these glasses add punch to any New Year's party - as if you needed help. Check out my favorite finds below.

Come Party With Me: New Year's Day Lunch - Dessert

partysugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:15:37 -0800

After a rich menu of caviar toasts and creamy potato-leek soup, serve guests a classic dessert like shortcakes. In this recipe the beloved cake stack gets a Winter makeover. Fresh strawberries are replaced with roasted pears.

An easy, homemade toffee sauce adds a buttery warmth to the dish. Pillows of lightly whipped cream finish off the decadent, not-too-sweet dessert. To look at the simple recipe - it would be a divine finish to any Winter dinner party - read more.

Roasted Pear Shortcakes with Warm Toffee Sauce
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup plus 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 sticks plus 3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg
2 cups heavy cream, 1 cup whipped
6 pears (about 2 1/2 pounds)-peeled, halved, cored and sliced about 1/4 inch thick

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using an electric mixer, beat the flour with 1/4 cup brown sugar, the baking powder and salt. Add 1 1/2 sticks butter and mix on low until crumbly.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1/2 cup unwhipped heavy cream. Add the liquid to the mixer and mix until just combined.
Pat the dough out until about 1 inch thick on the prepared baking sheet and cut into 6 equal pieces. Place the pieces 1 inch apart and bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool on a rack.
Meanwhile, place the pears with the 3 tablespoons brown sugar and the 3 tablespoons butter on a rimmed baking sheet and toss to coat. Cover the pears loosely with foil and roast until tender and caramelized, about 15 minutes.
In a small saucepan, combine the remaining 1 stick butter with the remaining 1/2 cup unwhipped heavy cream and the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer the toffee sauce until thickened, about 5 minutes.
To serve, slice each shortcake in half and layer the bottom halves with the toffee sauce, roasted pears and whipped cream. Drizzle more toffee sauce over the whipped cream and cover with the shortcake tops.

Makes 6 shortcakes.

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7 Festive Sparkling Wines

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 03:00:42 -0800

Are you faced with the same dilemma every New Year's Eve of what wine to select from the Champagne aisle? We hear you. There are a growing number of bubblies that fall in the range between Cook's and Cristal, and choosing the right one can be tricky. Here's a tip: The bargains lie in sparkling wines outside of the Champagne region of France. We've compiled some of our favorite Champagne alternatives, so you can choose the perfect sparkler for your celebration.

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Come Party With Me: New Year's Day Lunch - Menu

partysugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 11:45:32 -0800

Instead of hosting a crazy party on New Year's Eve, invite friends and family over for a decadent lunch on Jan. 1. Begin the soirée in the early afternoon (around 2:30) to allow late-night partygoers plenty of time to recover. Serve a menu that is rich, satisfying, and luxurious.

Start with caviar on brioche toasts with creme fraiche. Slice smoked salmon and cream cheese frittata into bite-size pieces and serve as appetizers. Have guests sit down to a creamy leek and potato soup paired with a simple salad of mixed greens dressed with champagne vinaigrette.

This menu would also make a delightful first day of the year dinner. To check out the recipes, read more.

Toasted Brioche Rounds With Creme Fraiche and Caviar
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1 one-pound loaf brioche, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 eight-ounce container creme fraiche or sour cream
2 ounces black caviar, or more

Directions

Using a 1 1/2-inch round cookie cutter, cut 36 rounds of brioche from slices.
Place 1 tablespoon butter in a 12-inch skillet. Melt over medium heat. Add half the rounds; cook until golden, turning once, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining butter and rounds. Let cool on a wire rack or paper towel. Store rounds in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Place a dollop of creme fraiche on each round, and top with caviar.

Makes 36 appetizers.

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Smoked-Salmon and Cream Cheese Frittata
From Gourmet

Ingredients

8 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons olive oil or vegetable oil
2 oz cold cream cheese, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 oz thinly sliced smoked salmon, chopped
thinly sliced red or sweet onion, optional for serving

Directions

Whisk together eggs, milk, chives, basil, pepper, and salt in a bowl.
Preheat broiler.
Heat oil in a 12-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet (if handle is plastic, wrap it in a double layer of foil) over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Pour egg mixture into skillet and scatter cream cheese pieces on top, then cook, lifting up cooked egg around edges using a spatula to let raw egg flow underneath, until frittata is set on bottom and egg is almost set but still moist on top, 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove from heat. Sprinkle salmon all over frittata, then press on salmon lightly and shake skillet to allow salmon to settle into top.
Broil frittata about 6 inches from heat until set, slightly puffed, and golden in patches, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
Cool 5 minutes, then loosen edge with spatula and slide onto a large plate. Cut into wedges and serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 4.

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Creamy Leek and Potato Soup
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large leeks, white and tender green parts only, thinly sliced
1 baking potato (1/2 pound), peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
5 cups chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Chervil or parsley sprigs, for garnish

Directions

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the leeks and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes.
Add the potato and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cover partially and simmer over low heat until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
Add the cream and simmer for 10 minutes longer.
Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender, then return it to the pan. Season the soup with salt and pepper, garnish with chervil and serve.

Serves 6.

Make ahead: The soup can be refrigerated overnight.

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Hangover Remedy: Mimosa or Bloody Mary?

partysugar — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:30:53 -0800

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Yummy Links: From Jamie Lauren to Menu For Hope

partysugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 07:45:22 -0800

A day in the life of Top Chef wannabe, Jamie Lauren. - 7x7
Food Network Studios to host a series of public tours. - Serious Eats
The best cuts of meat for braising. - The Kitchn
Sara Dickerman, Dorie Greenspan, and David Lebovitz discuss what exactly makes a cookie a cookie. - Slate
Learn how to eat healthy at holiday parties. - The Epi-Log
Ring in the New Year with 24 drinks from all over the world. - Chow
Food bloggers unite for the fifth annual Menu of Hope fundraiser. - Chez Pim

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Off to Market: Champagne Flutes

partysugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:01:18 -0800

On New Year's Eve, several of my Champagne flutes were accidentally broken. Since there are many winter sales going on, it's a good time to invest in a new set of glasses. Can you help me out by searching the web for beautiful Champagne flutes? Look for affordable, but elegant glasses that can be used all year round. If you see a saucer-style glass you think I'll love, bookmark those as well. Save all your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Champagne Flutes. Happy Hunting!

To learn how the bookmarking feature functions, please refer to geeksugar's explanation.

To get you started, check out a list of my favorite online stores and 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

How Did You Celebrate New Year's Eve?

partysugar — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:01:31 -0800

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Olya Champagne Flute - $22.50	Calvin Klein Home "Boulle" Champagne Flute Pair - $60.00
ELINA Champagne Flute - $31.50	Champagne Flutes - $24.95
Monique Lhuillier for Royal Doulton "Joie" Champagne Flute - $35.00	Dansk "Karin" Organix Flutes, Set of 4 - $43.00
Monique Lhuillier for Royal Doulton "‰toile" Champagne Flute - $35.00	Nambe Champagne Flutes, Pair 11" - $79.00
Robert Mondavi by Waterford Champagne Flute, Pair 6 oz. - $50.00	Calvin Klein Home "Halcyon" Flutes, Set of 2 - $50.00
Orrefors "Amor Vincit Omnia" Champagne Flute, set of 2 - $150.00	Morph Champagne Flutes by Nambé - $79.00
Calvin Klein Home "Angled Cut" Flute, 6 Oz. - $35.00	MOYA Champagne Flute - $27.50