YumSugar

Show True Love: Make Chocolate-Covered Chicharrones

Susannah Chen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:42:37 PST

Of all the crazy chocolates I've seen - among them, wasabi pea chocolate and soy-sauce-flavored Kit Kat - the most intriguing I tried was Xocolatl de David's Chicharrón Chocolate Bar. I loved the concept of crunchy mixed into smooth, savory blended with sweet, and yet I found myself wishing for more pork rind.

That's when I dreamt up my perfect chocolate snack: Chicharrónes, or deep-fried pig skins, halfway hand-dipped into semisweet chocolate. The result is simple perfection. Smoky, porky, cheese puff-like awesomeness commingled with just the right amount of smooth chocolate. Any omnivorous man (or woman) would be crazy not to love this. Get the recipe now.

Top-Selling Candy From Around the World

Susannah Chen — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:50:15 PDT

You wouldn't wear the same food costume every Halloween - so why trick-or-treat with the same candy? This year, try something new. If you're already well-versed in the categories of movie treats and nostalgic candies, then consider serving various candies from around the world. Need a bit of an education in global candy culture? Then test your knowledge of the world's candies and check out some of our favorites here.

Savory Halloween-Colored Appetizers

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:35:20 PDT

Sure, there are lots of cute Halloween candies and cupcakes you can make to impress your guests, but it's important to serve some savory offerings too. Check out these 10 recipes that are orange and black colored, so you can stay in line with your Halloween decor without making every food item pumpkin- or bat-shaped.

Roasted Chickpeas Two Ways

Yum Community — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:04:33 PDT

We're always looking for new healthy snack ideas and we just found a good one from CheesePlease: roasted chickpeas.

Try this simply and addictive healthy snack! Chickpeas are a great source of protein, folic acid and iron. Roast your chickpeas with this garlic-cumin-sea salt recipe, or a delicious honey-cinnamon version. It's hard to say which one is better. My advice: Make both and you will have options depending on your mood!

Want the recipes? Head over to her blog. Don't forget to share your delicious creations with us in the YumSugar Community. You could be featured here!

Which Popular US Chain Restaurant Dish Has More Calories?

Heather Dale — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:14:24 PDT

They tempt our tastebuds and add inches to our waistlines. As Sheryl Crow would say, "If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad." Unfortunately this isn't the case with these popular dishes from various chain restaurants across the US. Take this quiz to see what the results are - I promise some shockers!

Source: Flickr User tedeytan

Take the Quiz

A Reader Recipe: Whole Wheat Rosemary Sea Salt Crackers

Fit Community — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 00:38:53 PDT

Homemade crackers are easy to make, and since they don't contain all those extra ingredients, they can be healthier than the ones you pick up at the store. Ready to ditch the Ritz? Reader CheesePlease shares her recipe for rosemary sea salt crackers in our Healthy Recipe group.

What goes best with cheese? Crackers of course! Try these homemade crackers that are decidedly light and crispy. You probably have most of the ingredients already on hand.

Grab your biscuit cutters and check out CheesePlease's blog for the full recipe. And don't forget to share your own recipes in our Healthy Recipe group.

Beach Bound? Low-Cal Chips and Crackers to Take With You

Heather Dale — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 03:04:50 PDT

Sunscreen, a hat, and towel always make it in my beach bag, and when it comes to snacks, I always need to pack something salty and crunchy. Chips and crackers are so ridiculously good, and it doesn't help that they can conveniently be enjoyed from a bag or box while you munch away and soak up some rays. Problem is, it's tempting to eat more than your fair share. We already calorie-compared all of our favorite chips, so I've taken the lowest calorie chips and paired them with the lowest calorie crackers, so you can stock up the next time you visit the grocery store (and not worry about calorie counting while enjoying your day at the beach!).

Clockwise from top left: Baked! Potato Crisps, Original (15 Crisps = 120 Calories), Stacy's Pita Chips, Simply Naked (14 Crisps = 130 Calories), Baked Ruffles Potato Crisps (9 Crisps = 120 Calories), Popchips Potato Chips Original (22 Crisps = 120 Calories), Special K Cracker Crisps (23 Crackers = 90 Calories), Back to Nature Crackers, Poppy Thyme (17 Crackers = 130 Calories), Nabisco Ritz Crackers (5 Crackers = 70 Calories), Kashi Heart to Heart: Whole Grain Crackers (7 Crackers = 120 Calories)

Handy Toddler-Friendly Gizmos For Snack Time

Heather Dale — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 04:46:49 PDT

Snack time is often a blessing for moms because it keeps tots quiet, content, and occupied for at least a few minutes of the day - just enough time to make yourself a snack or put your feet up! But similar to breakfast, lunch, or dinner, snack time often means sticky hands, crushed crackers in the carpet, and spills you wish would just magically disappear. No more! Your cleanup count will drastically drop with the following inventions that keep food where it belongs - in the bowl, plate, or cup it was served in, and in your toddler's mouth. Ta-da!

No Bread Needed: 10 Low-Carb Snack Ideas

Michele Foley — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:20:44 PDT

I love carbs - love them! And while I'll never ban bread and pasta from my diet, thanks to my trainer, I am trying to be more aware of my carb intake. Easy, right? Not so much for me. As I found out pretty quickly, a good part of my meals consist of brown rice and bread, lots of bread. And while it's been easy to get more protein and fat into my meals, cutting down on carbs has proved to be difficult. To balance my meals out and shed a few pounds in the process, I've been striving for low-carb snacks through the day. Check out what I've been eating!

Harley Pasternak's Diet Tips For Brides-to-Be

Susi May — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:17:51 PDT

Harley Pasternak trains some of the hottest ladies in Hollywood, from Lady Gaga to Megan Fox. He's also helped a few starlets, including Hilary Duff and Katy Perry, get ready to walk down the aisle. Since Harley has a masters degree in nutrition, which complements his advanced degree in exercise physiology, he knows getting wedding ready is as much about diet as it is exercise. Here are some of his tips to help you get ready for your big day.

Don't waste calories on bevvies: Harley found that although many of his clients, brides-to-be included, would eat healthy meals, they chased the food down with a Jamba Juice or other high-caloric drinks. Instead of soda and coffee concoctions, those tasty but notorious calorie bombs, he recommends sparkling water, vitaminwater zero, FUZE Slenderize, or tea - unsweetened, of course. "These beverages are still delicious, still hydrating, and will keep you feeling full but are not too high in calories," explains Pasternak.
Snack wisely: Snacks are an important element of Harley's 5-Factor Diet. The eating plan consists of eating three meals and two snacks daily. The diet includes many snack options, but he suggests you "opt for something simple like nonfat Greek yogurt with berries or mix nonfat Greek yogurt with a little bit of peanut butter for dipping apple slices." Another option is a miniature open-faced sandwich with high-fiber crackers instead of bread. Wasa or Ryvita are two brands Harley recommends. Just remember to skip the mayo and use naturally low-calorie mustard as your condiment of choice.
Avoid the bloat: To keep your belly from pooching on your big day, Harley suggests "eating foods that are really easy to digest, like smoothies." Foods to avoid? "Beans and anything with a lot of roughage." It's also a good idea to minimize heavily acidic foods too.