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John Mayer Wants You to Get Your Holiday Bake On

partysugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:30:38 -0800

Pop singer John Mayer, a guy whose not afraid to say what he needs to say, wants everyone to get in the holiday spirit. How should they show their seasonal cheer? By baking a cake. On his personal blog, Mayer has announced his holiday cake contest:

I will debut my first of several festive holiday cakes this Saturday night. I invite everyone reading this to join me in the simple joy of expression through baking, and to send me photos of your delicious creations. You think I'm crazy now, but once you apply the last dollop of frosting, or that finishing touch of icing, you'll understand that there's just no hiding from the feeling.

Mayer will choose the most beautiful cake and reward the baker with an autographed guitar. It's always fun to see a high profile celebrity show an interest in the culinary world and he's right: baking is a great way to get in the holiday spirit!

What do you think of Mayer's promotion of baking? Will you enter the cake contest?

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YumSugar Gift Guide: The Kid Sister Baker

partysugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:15:19 -0800

My cousin Caroline is 12 years old. I'll encourage her to continue experimenting in the kitchen with one of these delightful gifts.

You too, can motivate the kid-sister in your life to get interested in all things baking. Give a cookie cutter set or a collection of colorful sprinkles and sanding sugars. Show her how much fun baking can be with a Kids in the Holiday Kitchen cookbook. If she's got a little sister, like Caroline does, give them both adorable matching aprons.

You can find more baking ideas below and more gift guides on HolidaySugar.

All the News That's Fit to Eat — Nov. 12, 2008

YumSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:30:02 -0800

Deciphering squash: Which ones make a fluffy pie, and which ones do you put on the mantel? — San Francisco Chronicle
Things you need to know before you get started making bagels at home. — Los Angeles Times
Which cuts of meat are the most giving during tough economic times? — Boston Globe
The perfect wine pairings for Turkey Day can be scored for under $25. — New York Times
Make popovers foolproof with a few simple tips. — Chicago Tribune
Food personality Mark Bittman discusses how the food world has changed over the past decade. — Wall Street Journal
Oolong is the choice variety among tea aficionados, but has been slow to gain a mass-market following. — Washington Post

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Whole Grain Flour Breakdown

FitSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Baking is always happening at my house, whether it be cookies, muffins, or bread. Not only do I love concocting delicious treats with my girls because it's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but I love that I can make scrumptious foods and know they're made with actual ingredients.

I also think it's fun to try out recipes using different flour. Whole wheat or all purpose is the usual standard, but there are so many other flours out there made from whole grains. They add different flavors, textures, and colors to your recipes, and they can also offer added nutrition. To see how whole-grain flours compare

Yummy Links: From Vegan Lunches to Strawmatoes

partysugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:00:40 -0700

Here are 10 hearty and filling vegan lunches. — Chow
Check out the shiny, new, made-over look of my favorite party planning blog. — Hostess With the Mostess
Make cake baking easy with aluminum foil pan liners.— The Kitchn
A New York winery has been named winery of the year. — Slashfood
Speaking of wine, these just-released reads will make you thirsty for all things vino. — The Epi-Log
Learn the difference between large and extra large eggs. — Baking Bites
Having your produce delivered is a great way to eat healthier.— FitSugar
A woman has discovered a strawberry growing inside a tomato. — Serious Eats

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Yummy Links: From Pickling Pointers to Beer Mixing

partysugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:00:47 -0700

Into pickling? Here's how to choose the right vinegar. — The Kitchn
What does "heirloom" mean really? — Chow
The incomplete but oh-so-true guide to beachside eats.— The Epi-Log
Don't these brownie chunk peanut butter cookies sound divine? — Baking Bites
Bacon-cheese hot dogs: a brunch dish for the adventurous. — Serious Eats
Use your old wine corks to make these cute trivets. — Sweet & Sticky
Are you a health foodie? — FitSugar
Bored with beer? Try getting creative with fizzy flavor blends. — Slashfood

Definition: Clafouti

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:00:05 -0700

Clafouti
A rustic dessert from the French region of Limousin that is a cross between a pancake and a custard. While traditionally made with cherries that have not been pitted (the pits release more flavor), clafouti is also made with plums, blackberries, apples, and other fruits. Also spelled clafoutis.

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Do You Have an Eye For Pie?

YumSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:30:38 -0700

This week would be the 280th birthday of Johann Heinrich Lambert, who proved that ~~pie was an irrational craving~~ pi was an irrational number. So far, nobody in history has been able to explain irrational cravings for pie! In the meantime, I thought I'd whet your craving (and test your identification skills) for different varieties of this heavenly pastry. Do you have an eye for pie? See if you can match the pie to its name to find out.

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Yummy Links: From Tyler Florence to Frozen Yogurt

partysugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:00:15 -0700

Over the weekend Tyler Florence and his wife Tolan welcomed their baby daughter into the world. — Slashfood
Five baked goods that will make going back to school a little more delicious. — Chow
Need a good laugh? Watch this video of babies eating lemons. — Serious Eats
Printed pop art plates add pizzaz to any dinner table. — GlamDish
What songs do you cook to? — The Epi-Log
Cool off with fresh strawberry frozen yogurt. — Baking Bites

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French Jews and Muslims Vow to Stop Conflict by Baking

partysugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:25:44 -0700

French Jews and Muslims Vow to Stop Conflict by Baking
In Paris a group of Jewish and Muslim French women get together to bake pastries and not talk about politics in the Middle East. They call themselves Les Bâtisseuses de Paix, or Peace Builders, and they hope to prevent the spread of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to France, where 5 million Muslims and 600,000 Jews live.