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Crowd Pleasing Recipe: Grilled Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus!

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:56:35 PDT

Need a fast and delicious appetizer to serve at a barbecue? How about pancetta-wrapped asparagus? It's a finger-licking crowd-pleaser that's virtually effortless to make. All you have to do is wrap the asparagus with pancetta and throw it on the grill! Watch the video to learn how it's done, then print out the recipe, and try it at home.

Orange Skin and Other Food's Weird Effects on the Body

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:26:59 PDT

Fruits and veggies are full of vitamins and nutrients, but eating them can do some funky things to your body. We all know that beans can make you gassy and onions can cause bad breath, but here are some of produce's effects on the body that might not be as familiar.

Asparagus: After eating some grilled spears with dinner, you may notice an odoriferous effect when you use the restroom. Does everyone experience smelly urine after eating asparagus? No, but if it happens to you, it's completely harmless. Mercaptan is the culprit. This compound found in the green stalks causes the ammonia- or sulfur-like smell to be released when you relieve yourself.
Beets: You enjoyed some delicious beet salad at your friend's barbecue and hours later a visit to the powder room has you reaching for your phone to dial 911. Don't be alarmed! Many people experience reddish-colored urine after they eat beets. It's either caused by a genetic condition known as Beeturia (that's the real name!) or an iron deficiency. A trip to your doctor for a quick blood test will let you know if you need to include more iron-rich foods in your diet.
Carrots: A person needs 2,310 international units (IU) of vitamin A a day. One carrot contains 10,255 IU, half a cup of red pepper has 2,333 IU, and half a cup of sweet potato contains 15,740 IU. If you're a fan of these foods, it's easy to overdo it on vitamin A. Your skin can become saturated, which results in an orange glow. This symptom alone isn't harmful, but if it's coupled with blurred vision, nausea, irregular periods, and hair loss, you've probably overdosed on vitamin A and it's time to cut back. Sadly, getting too much vitamin A while pregnant can also cause birth defects, so don't ignore that orange tint!

Find out what food causes a color change in your number two.

6 Amazing Asparagus Recipes

YumSugar — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:10:46 PDT

While we are ready to welcome Summer, it's time to say goodbye to asparagus. The peak of the season begins in April and commences with the end of June. Make sure to get in your favorite recipes before it's too late!

Asparagus Lasagna	Raw Asparagus Salad	Asparagus Pizza
Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus	Asparagus Soup	Asparagus Crostini

Spring Panzanella Is Perfect For Your Next Picnic

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 25 May 2011 12:50:03 PDT

Panzanella is an Italian bread salad that's traditionally made in the Summer with day old bread, tomatoes, and basil. However, I love this salad and I make it year-round. So does Michael Chiarello, apparently, because he's got recipes for Spring and Winter panzanellas that incorporate seasonal ingredients.

Over the weekend I was invited to a picnic and decided it was the ideal time to experiment with his Spring version. It combines fresh peas, asparagus, basil, and green beans with croutons, radicchio, spinach, and ricotta cheese. This salad is spectacular!

It's full of interesting textures, from the crunch of the croutons to the crumble of the cheese. It's packed with tons of different flavors: earthy asparagus, aromatic basil, salty cheese. Spring panzanella is not only awesome at a picnic, but it's a welcome addition to a Memorial Day barbecue menu. Check out the method now.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Asparagus Lasagna

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:23:42 PDT

Although I wouldn't consider a classic lasagna to be a fast and easy weeknight meal option, this variation, with a simple asparagus-ricotta filling and no sauce, is ideal for a middle of the week pick-me-up. The ingredient list calls for pancetta, but I had bacon in my fridge, so that's what I used. If you're a vegetarian, leave it out. The best part of this lasagna is the sun-dried tomato paste that's layered between the noodles; it packs a flavorful punch and melts into the scrumptiously cheesy filling. Want to save even more time? Use no-boil lasagna noodles. To take a look at the preparation method, keep reading.

Meatless Monday: Asparagus Pizza With Lemon Vinaigrette

Lauren Hendrickson — Tue, 03 May 2011 01:41:22 PDT

Making a pizza is a great way to incorporate seasonal veggies (like asparagus) into an easy meatless dinner. This uncomplicated pizza is topped with creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, fresh asparagus, green garlic, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette.

I've found that the best way to get a crispy crust is to prebake the crust to a light golden color. Before I top the pizza with the fresh ingredients, I flip the par-cooked crust over. For perfectly uniform asparagus slices, I used the slicer blade on my cheese grater and it worked like a charm.

Unfortunately, my local grocer was out of full-fat ricotta, so I opted to use the low-fat version, but it definitely doesn't melt as well. If you want to add more veggies to your dinner, top the cooked pizza with wild arugula or Spring mix before drizzling the lemon vinaigrette. Give this seasonal meatless pie a try by reading more.

For Better Asparagus, Ditch the Water

Mandy Harris — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 11:35:13 PDT

Ever noticed how asparagus has a more robust, nutty flavor when you roast it in the oven with olive oil than when you blanch or steam it? I'd always assumed that was just because, well, roasting makes everything taste better, but it turns out there's actually a scientific explanation behind the difference.

According to Fat Duck chef Heston Blumenthal, the flavor molecules in asparagus are water soluble. When you blanch the spears in boiling water, the flavor "leaks" out of the asparagus and into the water. When you cook it in fat, the molecules remain intact and stay where you want them - in your asparagus. So, instead of blanching your next batch of asparagus, cook it in a little olive oil or butter for a more flavorful result.

Since learning this fun fact from Blumenthal's The Fat Duck Cookbook, I haven't cooked asparagus any other way, and he's right! The flavor and texture are miles better. But don't get too carried away with this technique: although veggies like asparagus and carrots have water-soluble flavor molecules, the molecules in others, like broccoli and green beans, are oil-soluble and should be cooked in water for optimal flavor.

Have you ever tried this method of cooking asparagus?

Source: Flickr User bongo vongo

6 Uses For Easter Leftovers

YumSugar — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 01:12:46 PDT

Happy Easter! By the time the day is over, your Easter meals - breakfast, brunch, dinner, or all three! - will be nothing but a pleasant memory. But chances are, you'll be stuck with some leftovers to remember them by. Wondering what to do with all that smoky ham, roasted asparagus, and (of course!) hard-boiled eggs? Here are some of our favorite uses for Easter leftovers to get you through the week.

Perfect Deviled Eggs	Ham Salad Sammies	Spring Pizza With Asparagus
Ham Sandwich With Brie	Bobby Flay's Egg Salad	Silky Asparagus Soup

Roast Salmon Is Easy, Yet Elegant

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:16:49 PDT

Roast chicken and potatoes is one of my go-to meals for quick entertaining. All you have to do is season with herbs and olive oil and toss the two ingredients in the oven. However, when I'm in the mood for something a little more special than chicken, I change it up and use delicate, flaky salmon fillets.

The key is to cook each of the elements (potatoes, asparagus, salmon) for different amounts of time. Start with the potatoes, then add the asparagus, and finally the salmon. It's not as simple as a chicken, but it's a delicious and sophisticated meal that's perfect for a celebratory occasion like Easter. Keep reading for the uncomplicated and rewarding recipe.

Asparagus Crostini Is Easy and Delicious Easter App

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:25:35 PDT

Still wondering what to serve on Easter? I've got the perfect seasonal appetizer for you: asparagus crostini with smoked salmon and cheese. It's crispy, creamy, salty, and delicious. It's also an incredibly versatile hors d'oeuvre that can be offered morning, noon, or night and paired with lemonade, sparkling wine, or cocktails. The different components (crostini, cheese mixture, and sautéed asparagus) can be prepared in advance; assemble the layers just before serving. Keep reading for the recipe.