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Noteworthy Nibbles - Sept. 16-22, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:25 -0700

In the height of good weather, food and festivity abound, and right about now, I'm wishing I could teleport myself around the United States. First I'd hit up Manhattan for Wine 2.0's wine sampling this week, followed by the Shrimp & Grits Festival in Georgia, and then some classic Eli's cheesecake in the Windy City. Don't miss out on these events - if you do, you'll have to wait another year!

New York, NY: The StarChefs Rising Stars Revue New York - Sept. 16
New York, NY: Epicurious Wine.Dine.Donate New York - Sept. 17
New York, NY: Wine 2.0 New York - Sept. 18
Atlantic City, NJ: Celebrity Chef Tour Atlantic City - Sept. 18
Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA: Delaware River Food & Wine Festival - Sept. 18-21
Nappanee, IN: Nappanee Apple Festival - Sept. 18-21
La Crescent, MN: Applefest 08 - Sept. 18-21
Leavenworth, WA: Wenatchee River Salmon Festival - Sept. 18-21

To see the rest, read more.

Salinas, CA: Salute to Agriculture Taste of the Valley Food & Wine Show - Sept. 19
St. Peters, MO: Smoke-A-Palooza - Sept. 19-20
Hot Springs, AR: Smoke On the Water Arkansas BBQ Challenge - Sept. 19-20
Madison, WI: Food For Thought Festival - Sept. 19-20
Palisade, CO: Colorado Mountain Wine Fest - Sept. 19-21
San Pedro, CA: Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival - Sept. 19-21
Jekyll Island, GA: Wild Georgia Shrimp & Grits Festival - Sept. 19-21
Berea, KY: Berea Spoonbread Festival - Sept. 19-21
Sioux Falls, SD: Spirit of the West Festival - Sept. 19-21
Monroe, WI: Green County Cheese Days - Sept. 19-21
Los Angeles, CA: Picklefest 2008 - Sept. 20
Lowville, NY: Cream Cheese Festival - Sept. 20
Litchfield, CT: Litchfield Hills Harvest Festival - Sept. 20-21
Chicago, IL: Eli's Cheesecake Festival - Sept. 20-21
Westminster, MD: Maryland Wine Festival - Sept. 20-21
Nebraska City, NE: AppleJack Festival - Sept. 20-21
San Francisco, CA: A Food Affaire - Sept. 22

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Sept. 9-15, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:00:41 -0700

Events are all over the map this week, especially in New York and California. As usual, there's no shortage of festivals for the oenophile. The other activities, however, really demonstrate our country's appreciation for regional American foods, from shellfish on the Eastern seaboard to kolaches in Texas.

New York, NY: A Taste of the Village - Sept. 10
Murphysboro, IL: Murphysboro Apple Festival - Sept. 10-14
San Diego, CA: Spirits of Mexico - Sept. 11-13
Traverse City, MI: Traverse Epicurean Classic - Sept. 11-13
Charlotte, NC: Charlotte Shout Blues, Brews, & BBQ - Sept. 12-13
Grapevine, TX: Grapevine's GrapeFest - Sept. 11-14
Greenville, SC: Euphoria - Sept. 11-14

To see the rest, read more.

Naperville, IL: Naperville Wine Festival - Sept. 12-13
Santa Rosa Beach, FL: Southern Breeze Wine & Culinary Festival - Sept. 12-14
Geneva, IL: Festival of the Vine - Sept. 12-14
Worthington, MN: King Turkey Day - Sept. 13
Caldwell, TX: Kolache Festival - Sept. 13
Aurora, OH: Aurora WineFest - Sept. 13
Wells, ME: Wells Chili-Fest - Sept. 13-14
Pasco, WA: Pasco Fiery Foods Festival - Sept. 13-14
Biloxi, MS: Biloxi Seafood Festival - Sept. 13-14
Carmel, CA: Nature Sweet Carmel TomatoFest - Sept. 14
Jamaica Plain, MA: Shellfish Shindig - Sept. 14
Arroyo Grande, CA: Taste of the Central Coast - Sept. 14
New York, NY: NYC International Pickle Day - Sept. 14

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Sept. 3-8, 2008

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:20:43 -0700

This week's so packed to the brim with festivals nationwide, you couldn't avoid one if you tried. There are food and wine classics all across the East Coast, and here in the West, we're planning on dropping by the chocolate festival in our neck of the woods. If we've left anything out, please chime in below.

Brigham City, UT: Peach Days - Sept. 3-6
Saratoga Springs, NY: Saratoga Wine & Food Festival - Sept. 4-6
Marion, OH: Marion Popcorn Festival - Sept. 4-6
Columbus, OH: Columbus Food & Wine Affair - Sept. 5
Chicago, IL: Windy City Wine Festival - Sept. 5-6
St. Louis, MO: Norton Wine Festival - Sept. 5-6

To see the rest, read more.

Groves, TX: Grillin' In Groves - Sept. 5-6
Bowers, PA: Chile Pepper Food Festival - Sept. 5-6
Forth Worth, TX: ZestFest 2008 - Sept. 5-7
McHenry, MD: Deep Creek Lake Art & Wine Festival - Sept. 5-7
Paw Paw, MI: Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival - Sept. 5-7
Lithopolis, OH: Lithopolis Honeyfest - Sept. 6
Valparaiso, IN: Valparaiso Popcorn Festival - Sept. 6
Fulton, CA: Kendall-Jackson Heirloom Tomato Festival - Sept. 6
Kennett Square, PA: Mushroom Festival - Sept. 6-7
Temecula, CA: Temecula Food & Wine Classic - Sept. 6
San Francisco, CA: Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festival - Sept. 6-7
Rhinebeck, NY: Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest - Sept. 6-7
Gettysburg, PA: Gettysburg Wine & Music Festival - Sept. 6-7
Humble, TX: Chocolate Festival of Texas - Sept. 8-9

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Yum's September Must Haves

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:01:31 -0700

For me, September means hoarding as much Summer produce as possible before it's gone and savoring each day of beautiful weather - while we still have it- with pool parties, picnics, and fireside campouts. On the social front, this month also brings more political banter as we approach the presidential election. Here are five of my essentials for September.

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Yum's September Must Haves

partysugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:15:07 -0700

As much as I hate to see the Summer go, I always enjoy September. San Francisco's weather finally warms up and it's my birthday! The month also marks the start of Fall, which means heading back to school and a new season of fruits and vegetables. Here are seven items that you must have to make the most of the next 30 days.

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Yum's October Must Haves

partysugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:02 -0700

Happy October! Although I can hardly believe both Summer and September are over, I'm fully embracing Fall and all of its deliciousness. From pumpkin carving parties to Halloween bashes, there's a lot to do! To get you in the mood for tricks, treats, and cool-weather foods, I've rounded up some items I can't live without. Here's what you must have to survive the next 31 days.

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Is It a Tomato or Squash?

partysugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:50:28 -0700

In terms of produce, the end of September is a time that straddles Summer and Fall. Late-season heirloom tomatoes are juicy and plump, while early-season butternut squash are way too tempting. To celebrate the plethora of produce that can be found in markets, I've put together this fun quiz. I'll list a variety of tomato or squash and you tell me which it is. Ready, set, go!

Source: Flickr User nim

Take the quiz

Skewered Fish With Couscous Is an Easy, Any Season Meal

partysugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:15:59 -0700

In terms of cooking seasonal cuisine, late September and early October can be a confusing time. The farmers markets are still overflowing with heirloom tomatoes, while butternut squash and apples begin to appear, too. I can't help but wonder, am I supposed to make Caprese salad or butternut squash soup?

Instead of obsessing over what to make, I like to select dishes that are virtually season-less, like this skewered fish with couscous. The fish chunks are coated with a store-bought tapenade before being cooked under the broiler. Served with a quick-cooking couscous, it makes for a healthy, balanced meal that comes together in minutes. To offer it to your family, check out the recipe and read more.

Mahi-Mahi Skewers With Tapenade and Couscous
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

1 cup plain couscous (about 6 ounces)
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, divided
1/3 cup purchased tapenade
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound mahi-mahi fillets, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup purchased pico de gallo, drained
Special equipment: Metal skewers

Directions

Preheat broiler.
Bring 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Stir in couscous and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand until water is absorbed and couscous is tender, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, stir tapenade, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt in small bowl to blend.
Transfer 31/2 tablespoons tapenade mixture to another small bowl and reserve for couscous.
Thread fish pieces onto 4 metal skewers; arrange on broiler tray. Brush fish on both sides with remaining tapenade mixture. Broil fish until just opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side.
Fluff couscous with fork. Gently stir in reserved tapenade mixture. Stir in pico de gallo or serve it alongside. Mound couscous on plates. Top with fish skewers.

Serves 4.

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Guess the Chef About Town!

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:50:26 -0700

With Fashion Week, awards shows, and charity dinners, September's turned out to be a month full of star-studded events. Some of our favorite celebrity chefs and food personalities have been out and about, painting the town red for an assortment of these shindigs. Who's been busy doing what? Play our guess who quiz to find out!

Question 1 of 10

Guess which TV chef showed up to check out Ralph Rucci's latest collection?

September's Must Haves

YumSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 07:13:31 -0700

For many of us, September means back to school and new seasons of our favorite television shows. For others it means long hot days, and the opportunity to take advantage of the last few weeks of summer. No matter what it means to you, here are a few things that you must have and can't miss out on.

If you plan on curling up on the sofa for the season premiere of your favorite shows, then you'll definitely need a tv tray. There are many different kinds available, so find one that suits your needs (height etc.), but I really like the VPb_Veyko Ponyboy that I found via Design Sponge.
The final days of summer means that there's still time to get out and have a picnic. Before leaving, transfer your wine to a Klean Kanteen Wine Carafe before you head out.
If you've got little ones in school, then bake sales might be a part of your future. With the Best Bake Sale Ever Cookbook, your treats will surely sell out in no time.
Whether you're headed to school, work or a fun outing, Cowgirl Creamery's signature MT Tam cheese will definitely hit the right spot.
And finally, If you're learning to cook for one - like many students are - be sure to check out this useful recipe divider magnet.