yumsugar -- To die for.

The Amazing Rice: Parmesan Crab Risotto

partysugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:15:35 -0700

With the holidays around the corner, its a good time to start bookmarking elegant and delicious recipes. A simple but stunning parmesan crab risotto is the perfect starter for an intimate dinner party. Or, pair it with a crisp green salad for a great luncheon menu. Risotto requires that you stand over the stove for 20 minutes so invite everyone into the kitchen. Use fresh-cracked crab meat for a rich, luxurious-tasting risotto. The recipe is quite basic, so feel free to get creative. Onions instead of shallots, parsley in place of sage, or sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian version. To look at how I made it,

Before and After: A Victorian Transformation

casasugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:45:47 -0700

Sunset magazine recently featured the 154-year-old Victorian home of a Napa Valley couple that had great bones, but was bogged down with layers of wallpaper and colored with garish blue paint. The home had been neglected for 30 years, but a lot of hard work combined with the couple's pared-down aesthetic transformed it into a welcoming, light, and airy space that any of you would swoon over. To see the transformation,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Grilled-Salmon Salad

partysugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:30:07 -0700

During the Summer, I try to consume as many dinner salads as possible. This grilled salmon salad, from the wonderful minds of MyRecipes.com, is healthy yet filling. The salmon is marinated in a fragrant spice rub before being quickly cooked on the grill. A tomato vinaigrette adds freshness while goat cheese provides a creamy texture. Pine nuts and green onions are a necessary crunch that balance out the buttery texture of the salmon. For the simple yet scrumptious recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Thai Chicken with Basil

partysugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:45:22 -0700

Take advantage of Summer's bounty of fresh basil with this fragrant recipe. If you have access to different types of basil, use both classic basil and lemony Thai basil. To make this quick meal chicken chunks are cooked with garlic, ginger, chili flakes, and Asian fish sauce. The basil is added at the last minute. This delicious dinner from our friends at MyRecipes.com is perfect for a weeknight. Learn how it's made and

Fast & Easy Dinner: Garden Caesar Salad

partysugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:45:38 -0700

With its crunchy croutons, crisp leafy greens, and tangy dressing, the Caesar can be considered the king of dinner salads. In this grown up variation, subtle changes enhance the flavor and appearance of the dish. Radishes act as a pop of pretty color, shaved instead of grated Parmesan adds depth to each biteful, and fresh anchovies are deliciously salty. The anchovies are not necessary, so if the little fish is too overpowering simply omit from the salad.

To take a look at the recipe, which was developed by MyRecipes.com,

Sunny Side: Braised Carrots with Orange and Capers

YumSugar — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:17:19 -0800

The other day, I decided to shred up a carrot for my fried rice. Ever since then, I have been craving carrots like crazy. I recently came across this recipe for braised carrots with orange and capers. The flavor sounds fantastic and the color will really brighten the gloomy winter weather. To get the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: 15-Minute Pumpkin Risotto

partysugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:01:33 -0800

Quick and simple, this delicious rice dish comes together in a matter of minutes. Pre-cooked, dried white rice is effortlessly flavored with white wine, pureed pumpkin, and sautéed onion. While the rice stands, throw together a simple green salad to pair on the side. This is a filling, vegetarian meal that warms any cold winter night. To give the recipe a try please,

New Year's Eve Sunset, Redux

casasugar — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 15:00:10 -0800

Apparently I wasn't the only Bay Area resident enchanted with the skyline on New Year's Eve. Candy23 sent in some photos of her view as well. She says, "This was taken during our drive down on highway 80 back to the Bay Area. It was amazing! As if the sky was on fire!"

Midday Muse: Supersaturated Sunset

casasugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:00:09 -0800

One of the biggest advantages of getting to work at home over the holidays was the opportunity to watch the sun set from our deck. Through the wonders of temperate Bay Area temperatures and wireless Internet, I was able to work outside and watch the sky change color for several afternoons in a row. The evening of New Year's Eve was by far one of the most dramatic shows of color I've yet seen.

Was the sky this dramatic on your New Year's Eve? If so, send me pictures!

Good-Bye Cupcakes, Hello French Macaroons!

partysugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:01:39 -0800

Ever since Fab's party on Saturday night, I can't stop thinking about French macaroons! They are the perfect dessert because —like cupcakes — they come in a ton of different flavors. They are also small, incredibly cute, and colorful. I've added French macaroons to my list of cookies to bake for the holidays, but instead of doing the classic almond variety, I'm planning on making these peanut-chocolate macaroons. To get the recipe for this scrumptiously, pretty cookie,