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Valentine's Day Happy Hour: Strawberry Kiss

partysugar — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:59:59 -0800

About two weeks ago I got a very nice email from my older brother Michael. He lives in Los Angeles and is always helping out and that's why he sent me an email full of romantic recipes! Now Mikey doesn't really cook because he stays in a lot of hotel rooms - where he's discovered these amazing cocktail recipes in the hotel magazines, but he took the time to type out the recipes and send them to me (thanks Mikey!!). And now I'm sharing them with you! Today's recipe is for a Strawberry Kiss, a blended creamy dessert drink that is sure to get your sweetie swooning. Stay tuned for the rest of the seductive love potion cocktail recipes.

To learn how to make the strawberry kiss, read more

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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Yummy Links: From American Idol to Prawn Crackers

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:52:01 -0700

If an American Idol cooking challenge isn't enough Idol for you, check out the new McDonald's American Idol Happy Meal toys. - BuzzSugar
Although the sous vide technique of cooking is catching on, you should not be using Ziploc bags. - Megnut
New research is showing that alcohol may enhance strawberry's ability to mop up harmful molecules in cancer. What? Sign me up for a strawberry daiquiri! - Liquor Snob

A recent study shows that chocolate is better than kissing. Hrmm... I don't know about that one. What do you think? Take MissPolli's poll on TeamSugar. - BBC News
In case you've always wondered, check out the breakdown on whether or not a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. - FitSugar
Who would have thought that the words Pancake and Soup would go great together? - Delicious Days
In anticipation of Singapore Day in New York's Central Park, here's a bunch of posts on food from Singapore. - Serious Eats
Do you remember that energy drink (stupidly) called Cocaine? Looks like the FDA is making them change their name. - Martini Lounge
And last, but not least, I am in serious need of this dish. Gingered Salmon Tartar with Radish and Green Apple on Prawn Crackers. - La Tartine Gourmande

I <3 Chuao ChocoPods

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 16:10:09 -0700

While at the fancy foods show back in January, I had the opportunity to meet some of the lovely folks at the San Diego based Chuao Chocolatier. They were launching a new product called ChocoPod and they wanted to know if I would be interested in trying some. Would I be interested? What kind of question is that!? Of course I would be interested! So fast forward a few months and a lovely little package arrived containing six Chocopods, one in each flavor: Passion, Modena, Picante, Candela, Banana, and Dulce de Leche.

The ChocoPod is an individually wrapped "bar" (I put bar in quotes because it's really more like a flattened chocolate bon-bon) that is shaped like a cacao pod. The chocolate is either 41% or 60% cacao and encompasses a small caramelized center.

Immediately we decided to ruin our lunch appetites and try a few of the flavors. First up was PartySugar's vice: Dulce de Leche. The Dulce de Leche was nice, but plain, sort of like a fancy thinner version of a Carmelo square. Next up was Banana which was also tasty, but not exactly memorable. It was a caramel center with a kiss of banana flavor. Next was the ridiculously delectable Picante (spicy cabernet caramel). OH MY (and yes, that did need all caps) this was tasty stuff. It was a nice cabernet flavored caramel with a lovely spicy bite that lingered in the back of your throat. It was definitely a winner. After those three, we took a little break, rested our palates (and let the spicy cabernet linger) and started back up after lunch. To read about the rest of them, read more

The first one we tried after lunch was the Candela (spicy macadamia praline), which had a nice and light crunch, however neither of us really tasted the spicy. The praline however, was finely crushed, and I really enjoyed the unexpected crunch. After the candela, we moved on to the Passion (passion fruit caramel). These were dark chocolate pods filled with a smooth passion fruit flavored caramel. The fruit paired nicely with the caramel, but was not overwhelming. Finally we tasted the Modena (strawberry & balsamic caramel), and once again: OH MY. The initial bite hits you with a sweet strawberry flavor, but the lingering hint of balsamic vinegar blends so well that you'll wonder why you haven't had this flavor combination before. Seriously worth tracking down and trying.

Overall, we really enjoyed the Chuao ChocoPods. Right now they're only available in 4 flavors (the semi-forgettable Banana & Dulce de Leche are not yet available) and unfortunately, you can only buy them in single-flavor packs of six (no sampler pack available for purchase). If you had to choose one to try I personally say hunt down the Picante, however PartySugar thinks you should hunt down the Modena - either way you can't go wrong. Oh and if you're wondering, each piece weighs 11g and is about 60 calories, not exactly good for you, but a nice bite that isn't too sinful.

And, just for the record, we're not one to fall victims to a bribe quite so easily. Sure we love free chocolate (who doesn't), but really these guys are worth tracking down. In fact, I went out the next night and bought a box to share with some pals. You should be able to find them at places like Whole Foods for $4.95 a box (6 pieces) or purchase them online.

Come Party With Me: Engagement Party - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 05:59:13 -0700

One reason to choose a long engagement after your man pops the big question is so you can have an engagement party. This week I'm planning one for julieulie and her fiancé Scott who recently got engaged, but aren't getting married until Memorial Day 2008. I thought it would be fabulously fun and original to throw a dessert party instead of a typical dinner or cocktail party. Desserts as meals are an up and coming trend, and more and more restaurants that are devoted to only desserts are showing up all over the place.

Julie & Scott's close friends and family have received their invitations to the fiesta that will start on a Saturday night at 8:30. The menu will consist of a dazzling array of divine desserts including brownie cupcakes, strawberry shortcakes, and a cheese and fruit plate. The champagne will flow like water as the invitees toast Julie and Scott's eternal love. I've painted a pretty picture of this party, but what about the decor? To see my romantic, chic, and elegant ideas, read more

A bride that knows what she wants, Julie has already selected the colors of her wedding (light blue, white, and black), so I will use these to guide me in my decorating scheme. No worries if you have yet to decide the colors of your wedding, a simple color scheme of white, black and a bold or metallic accent color will work wonderfully. Likewise, there should be no pressure to stay with these colors if you suddenly change your mind and opt for different colors.

First find the location of the party. Will it be held in the intimate living room at the bride's parents' house or the large, modern kitchen at the groom's aunt's ranch? Walk around the space and envision a party there. Where can guests sit and chat? Where should the buffet be set up? Are there tables/counters for the champagne buckets and flutes? These are the types of questions you should be thinking when you envision your fete.
To adorn the dessert buffet, begin with a long flat table that will be your canvas to create a beautiful presentation of candies, cakes, fruits, and cheeses. Place upside down cardboard boxes and large pots on the table. With an over-sized satin tablecloth, or piece of light blue fabric, cover both the table and boxes/pots pressing the fabric down the sides of the boxes/pots. The look you will achieve is one with various heights and dimensions. Now the platters of brownies can be placed on a square box and the strawberry shortcakes in martini glasses can rest at a different height on a circular pedestal.

Fill small clear bowls with the couples favorite grocery store candies: white m&m's, silver chocolate kisses, blue jelly beans.
Large clear vases in diverse shapes, a few oval, a few square, maybe one triangular, will create a stunning background when filled with water and one simple long stemmed flower such as a white orchid or gardenias. Place the flowers on each end of the buffet tables and on windowsills, banquets, or small coffee tables.

Don't forget small white plates, white napkins, and silver spoons for the dessert table.
Black accents in the form of satin ribbons, velvet pillows, and mesh runners will add a touch of mysterious sophistication.
A glowing and warm atmosphere is necessary and to achieve, so light as many candles, votives, tapers, pillars, and the like as possible. Keep the look uniform with all white candles and black votives and candelabra.

White or light blue tiny Christmas lights can be wrapped around the windows, the rim of the room, or any pillars and columns that enhance the architecture.

Got a decoration idea perfect for Julie's party? Please share it with us below. Tomorrow I'll talk about the appropriate music for an engagement party. Equally important to the look of the engagement party is the correct behavior. If you are attending, hosting, or planning an engagement in the near future, I highly recommend reading DearSugar's tips for proper engagement party etiquette.

Top Chef: Uncommon Sense and Sensuality (Episode 11 Recap)

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 14:39:11 -0800

If you haven't watched last night's episode, titled "Sense and Sensuality" then beware, there are big time spoilers ahead! Now, for those of you that did watch it, can I just say, "DRAMA!" - this is the kind of stuff that makes for good TV. I mean (spoilers begin now, so if you haven't watched and are still reading, well, I tried to warn you), how often do you get to see gorgeous food, shaved heads, and wrestling matches all in the same hour!?

Since this was the last elimination round before the chefs meet back up in Hawaii, the stakes were HIGH. I mean, who wants to make it this far, only to pack their knives at the last minute. Even better question: Who wants to get that far and then have to pack their knives because of their actions and not their food???

To check out my full recap, including winners, losers, drastic measures and more, read more

The episode starts off with guest judge Chef Eric Ripert (of NYC's Le Bernardin) and yet another sponsored commercial, er I mean, quickfire challenge. This time it was by Nestlé Chocolatier (which I'm mentioning only because I find it interesting that Nestlé has come up with a new premium brand... I guess that means I fell for the marketing).

For the quickfire challenge, our beloved chefs were asked to make either a sweet or a savory dish featuring chocolate. Ilan lost with a horrific looking chocolate ganache with chicken livers (I thought it sounded interesting, but in the end, even I was repulsed, and I'll eat just about everything) and Sam won with a shrimp, banana concoction.

Bravo TV has stopped posting the recipes for the quickfires, but here's what everyone made:

Elia: Poached chicken topped with chili chocolate sauce and caramelized pecans AND "Kiss" - Creamed mousse of ginger and chocolate with strawberry and mint crumble
Sam: Shrimp with bananas, chocolate chipotle, black bean and cilantro pesto sauce
Cliff: Braised chicken piquillo peppers, rosemary and chocolate sauce potatoes
Ilan: Chicken liver chocolate ganache with fried ginger and sherry sauce
Marcel: Potato cannelonis filled with coffee whip cream and chocolate mousse with vanilla powder

After the quickfire, the contestants were told they needed to make a five course romantic dinner. Since Sam won the quickfire, he got to choose which course he was making and which protein he was using. He chose scallops and lobster, which meant that no one else could use either scallops or lobster.

When the contestants arrive in Santa Barbara (where the romantic meal took place), they were greeted with a tiny kitchen. Surprisingly, the meal goes off pretty effortlessly. Sam is up first and asks Marcel if he can help plate, but Marcel says he can't because he's busy prepping. So, when it came Marcel's turn to plate, Sam said he couldn't help since Marcel didn't help him. However Sam says he couldn't be "that guy" and ended up helping anyways. The only other kitchen drama occurred when Elia's chocolate hearts couldn't be whipped up fast enough and she claimed that she "quit." Also calling it the first time she's put out something she's not happy with.

The judges eat it up. For the most part they like everything (I think this may be a Top Chef first). The only exception being Cliff's beef dish which they claimed to be like hotel food (Chef Tom also stated that Cliff's greens were worthless). They also noticed that Elia's "chocolate hearts" were missing, but Padma liked it, she thought the dessert was romantic.

Here's what everyone made and in the order it was served:

Sam: Seared Scallops with Lobster Plum Sauce and Beets
Ilan: Fideos with Clams and Saffron
Marcel: Salmon with Celeriac & Beets
Cliff: Sirloin with Lentil Puree
Elia: "The Kiss" Chocolate Mousse with a Chocolate Heart served on a Pastry Heart

So, the chefs cooked a great meal, the judges loved it, it's going to be a tough panel, but WAIT. What's this? We have what, 15 minutes left in the episode? Turns out our fledgling chefs, high off of adrenaline head back to the lofts, where they get tanked and decide to shave their heads.

Yes. That's right. SHAVE THEIR HEADS.
Ilan and Elia shave their heads, Sam chickens out, Cliff is already shaved down, so that leaves Marcel. Poor sleeping Marcel. Now, I'm all over the map with what I think about him, he's endearing one minute, annoying as hell the next, and as much as I can't stand the Teen Wolf hairdo, this is "joke" that's just not funny. I mean the guy is asleep, minding his own business and then Cliff grabs him. He literally yanks him off the couch and holds him in some weird wrestling pin. It was frustrating and uncomfortable to watch. No one wanted it to happen, but no one stopped it either. Sam just sits there, Ilan continues to film and then finally Cliff lets go. Marcel eventually ends up sleeping in the bathroom, I assume with the door locked for safety. And now Cliff seems like an okay fellow, but all season long we've seen some nasty mean streaks and violent tendencies come out. I would have probably also spent the evening locked away.

The next morning the chefs are met by Chef Tom, who arrives and looks quite frightening. He asks everyone but Cliff to leave the room and then WHAT WHAT? Cliff it's time to pack your knives and go. Turns out there's a small clause in their Bravo TV contracts that state, if you touch another contestant, you're out. Cliff is obviously shocked by this, but accepts his departure gracefully.

Back at the judge's table, the rest of the judges learn of Cliff's departure. They are truly shocked (although Padma definitely looked more shocked once she saw Elia's shaved head) and appalled that this could happen. However, they all agree that Cliff's was the weakest dish and that he probably would have gone home anyway. They then analyze all the other dishes and talk about letting one, if not two, of the remaining four go (hrmmm... I thought they liked the meal?). When the contestants return, Padma tells Sam and Ilan they they are still in the running, but that Elia and Marcel need to "pack their knives and go... TO HAWAII!"

I'll admit now, although my brain knew there was no way they could only bring two chefs to the finals, I totally fell for it.

Now, a few things to discuss:

Elia: I LOVE her with a shaved head!
What would you have done if you were Marcel
Would you eat chocolate and chicken livers together?
What do you think of Chef Tom? How about his dismissal style?
Padma's outfits - come on tell me what you really think!
Anything else that comes to mind? Discuss in the comments below!

Source: Bravo TV

Valentine's Day Happy Hour: Chocolate & Pink Passion Martinis

partysugar — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 13:57:19 -0800

What better way to get your Valentine's Day kicked off than with a cocktail concocted especially for the evening? My brother sent me a list of three special Valentine's Day cocktails (Mikey if you're reading: thanks!) that I have to share with you. These drinks look so tasty it's difficult to decide which to make myself tonight. So I stocked up my bar with the ingredients to make all three! Last week I gave you the recipe for a scrumptious Strawberry Kiss and if you want to see how to make a Valentine's Day Chocolate or Pink Passion Martini, please read more

Valentines Day Chocolate Martini
From Inside SCV

2 oz. base spirit (vodka, light rum or brandy)
1/2 oz chocolate liqueur
1/2 oz white creme de cacao
chocolate syrup to coat rim of martini glass

Coat rim of martini glass with syrup.
Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into martini glass.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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Pink Passion Martini
From Inside SCV

3 oz Asti Spumante
3 oz sparkling pink lemonade
1 dash of sweet and sour

Shake in a martini shaker and serve in a martini glass.
Garnish with a raspberry or pink edible rose pedal.

Makes 1 cocktail.

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