YumSugar

My Plan for a Simple, Last Minute Brunch

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:30:34 -0700

A couple of weeks ago, I hosted a last minute brunch. All of the food was made either the evening before or the morning of the brunch. The easy menu featured something for everyone, with dishes that were both vegetarian and meat friendly. To find out what I made and check out my tips for recreating this exact brunch in your backyard, click the "Start" button.

View Slideshow ›

Do You Like Capers?

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:13:31 -0700

Recently, PartySugar surprised me with a delicious mini-bagel with cream cheese, lox, and capers. It was a nice treat and really hit the spot. The capers were a particularly nice touch and it got me wondering, do you like capers?

You Interested in a Bag Full of Bagel-Fuls?

YumSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:08:31 -0800

If you're looking for ways to cut time from your morning routine, but instant oatmeal isn't your thing, then you may be interested to hear what Kraft has up their sleeves. Their new creation is called Bagel-Fuls and they're frozen bagels, which are pre-stuffed with cream cheese. The product - which is being referred to as a "hand-held breakfast sandwich" - will hit shelves in April, and will be introduced through a national ad campaign. I'm not sure how the bagels are heated, but I'm really curious to see what they're all about. On one hand it sort of terrifies me, but on the other hand it fascinates me. What do you think? Would you be interested in a Bagel-Ful?

Source

Would You Order Food From Across the Country?

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:13:33 -0800

Recently, philleif surprised the office with a box from Zabar's. He's recently moved from New York and had a hankering for their fresh lox and bagels. I was lucky enough to grab a taste (thanks again philleif!), but it got me wondering, would you order food from across the country?

Fill Your Bagel Craving With a Panera Pink Ribbon Bagel

YumSugar — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:10:07 -0700

If you're looking for another way to justify your breakfast bagel, Panera Bread - sort of like Starbucks, but with baked goods - has just released a bagel in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The bagel, which is shaped like a ribbon and called the Pink Ribbon, is made with cherry chips, dried cherries and cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar. A proceed of each Pink Ribbon bagel sale will benefit various breast cancer charities, including the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. This is the seventh year Panera has done this promotion, last year they raised almost $200,000 from sales and donations.

Yummy Link: Garlic Shrimp and Eggs on Toasted Bagels

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:28:39 -0700

Sometimes you just need a quick and easy idea for dinner. This time why not make garlic shrimp and eggs on toasted bagels? - What's For Lunch Honey

Noteworthy Nibbles - July 14-21, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:02:12 -0700

Although this month's biggest holiday has passed, America's celebrating its favorite seasonal staples in full force. Case in point? The can't-miss National Hamburger Festival that takes place in Akron, OH, each year; New Jersey's statewide ice cream celebration; and watermelon festivals taking place everywhere from Mississippi to South Carolina. Grab a napkin and head to your nearest gathering for some serious Summer eating!

Know of a food festival that we don't? Please add it to our list below!

New York, NY: Bastille Day: La Fête Nationale - July 14
Santa Barbara, CA: California Wine Festival - July 16-18
Mattoon, IL: BagelFest - July 16-18
Des Moines, IA: Rib America Festival - July 16-19
Mize, MS: Mississippi Watermelon Festival - July 17-18
Seattle, WA: Bite of Seattle - July 17-19
Pageland, SC: Pageland Watermelon Festival - July 17-18
Santa Paula, CA: Santa Paula Citrus Festival - July 17-19
Yarmouth, ME: Yarmouth Clam Festival - July 17-19

To see the rest, read more.

Watkins Glen, NY: Finger Lakes Wine Festival - July 17-19
Toms River, NJ: New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival - July 18
Hudson, OH: Hudson Wine Festival - July 18-19
Akron, OH: National Hamburger Festival - July 18-19
Surry, VA: Pork, Peanut & Pine Festival - July 18-19
Bethlehem, PA: Blueberry Festival - July 18-19
Denver, CO: Taste of the Nation Denver - July 19

Source

Come Party With Me: Bridal Brunch - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:50:05 -0700

Since her engagement party was such a hit, Ronda's maid of honor asked me to help plan the bridal shower. The event will be an elegant classic brunch.

Guests are invited to help themselves to slices of baked asparagus and yellow pepper frittata. A smoked salmon platter with cream cheese and toasted bagels is a welcome companion. Those looking for a lighter breakfast can opt for a lemon-cherry yogurt parfait.

These homemade dishes will be supplemented with an assortment of toasts from a local bakery and store bought jams and granola. An easy buffet of make-ahead dishes served at room temperature, this versatile and vegetarian menu also works well for Mother's Day. Get the recipes: read more.

Baked Asparagus and Yellow Pepper Frittata
From Gourmet

Ingredients

2 pounds thin asparagus
2 large yellow bell peppers
3 shallots
1 medium zucchini
3 scallions
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
10 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. and butter a 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish (3-quart).
Trim asparagus and diagonally cut into 1/4-inch-wide slices. Cut bell peppers into 1/4-inch-wide strips and mince shallots. Halve zucchini lengthwise and diagonally cut both zucchini and scallions into thin slices.
Have ready a bowl of ice and cold water. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water blanch asparagus 1 minute and drain in a colander. Immediately transfer asparagus to ice water to stop cooking. Drain asparagus well in colander and pat dry.
In a large skillet cook bell peppers and shallots in butter over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until peppers are softened, about 10 minutes.
In a large bowl whisk together eggs, cream, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir in asparagus, bell pepper mixture, zucchini, and scallions.
Pour custard into baking dish and bake in middle of oven until golden and set, about 35 minutes. Cool frittata on a rack. Frittata may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring frittata to room temperature before serving. If desired, loosen frittata from edges of pan and slide onto a platter.

Serves 12.

Print recipe with images | without images

Smoked Salmon and Whitefish Salad Platter
From Ina Garten

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds smoked whitefish, skinned and boned
1/2 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup minced celery
1 cup good mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For serving:
6 bagels, sliced in thirds horizontally
1 pound thinly sliced smoked salmon
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
Sliced tomatoes and thinly sliced red onions

Directions

With your hands, flake the whitefish, being careful to discard all the skin and bones.
In a medium bowl, gently combine the whitefish with the red onion, celery, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste for seasoning.
Toast the bagel slices in a toaster.
Arrange a platter with the smoked salmon, cream cheese, tomatoes, and red onions. Serve with the whitefish salad at room temperature.

Serves 6.

Print recipe with images | without images

Lemon-Cherry Yogurt Parfait
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream, chilled
1 cup 2 percent Greek-style plain yogurt
1/4 cup cherry preserves
1/4 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1 teaspoon water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Directions

In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream at high speed until firm. Add the yogurt and beat just until combined.
Transfer half of the mixture to another bowl and fold in the cherry preserves.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the water and let stand until softened, about 1 minute. Microwave the gelatin at high power for 5 seconds, just until melted.
Add the gelatin to the plain whipped cream mixture along with the lemon juice, lemon zest and confectioners’ sugar and beat at medium speed just until combined.
Spoon half of the lemon cream into 4 wineglasses and top with half of the cherry cream. Top with the remaining lemon and cherry creams and refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.

Serves 4.

Make ahead: The parfaits can be refrigerated overnight.

Print recipe with images | without images

6 Unusual Uses For Matzo Crackers

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:50:02 -0700

Now that Passover's in full force, many of you have put aside bread, bagels, and burgers in favor of the unofficial carb of Passover seder, matzo. And although there are few things better than matzo brei and sweet butter spread thin on matzo sheets, perhaps you're in need of more creative uses for the unleavened bread. Check out some of our favorite unusual uses when you read on.

View Slideshow ›

Let's Dish: What Do You Eat When Hung Over?

partysugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:50:58 -0700

Note to self: Mondays are not the new Saturdays. After judging a bartender karaoke competition hosted by Chartreuse on Monday night, I was hurting big time yesterday. An excruciating hangover usually comes with an intense craving for nourishment. While sometimes I opt for a bagel and cream cheese or an egg sandwich, this time I was hungry for the salty crunch of potato chips. Luckily I had a bag of Cape Cod's jalapeno and aged cheddar chips at my desk.

Whether it's greasy, spicy, or porky, there's always that one thing you must have to help overcome a hangover. So tell me, what's yours? What foods do you eat when hung over?

Source