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Sunday Slow Cooker: Pork and Slaw Barbecue Rolls

YumSugar — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:00:25 -0800

Tonight I'm forgoing my usual soups, stews, and chowders for a relaxed Southern favorite: barbecue. This morning I'll literally be dropping my pork into the slow cooker, pouring in a few basic ingredients, and in six hours, the sweet aroma of North Carolina-style pulled pork will be wafting out of my kitchen. The fall-apart tender finished product, with its intensely tangy sauce, will no doubt become a family favorite. To get the recipe,

Noteworthy Nibbles — Oct. 21-27, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:00:02 -0700

This week's events have left me curious: Exactly what activities does one partake in at a Pig Stein? Or a Yambilee? If you have attended these in the past, I'd love to know. Will anyone be at the James Beard Foundation's Taste America in Las Vegas?

If you know something we've left out, please leave a message in the comments below!

Las Vegas, NV: Rising Stars Las Vegas — Oct. 21
Torrance, CA: Oktoberfest at Alpine Village — Oct. 21-26
San Francisco, CA: Joy of Sake San Francisco — Oct. 23
Atlanta, GA: Celebrity Chef Tour Atlanta — Oct. 23
Portland, ME: Harvest on the Harbor — Oct. 23-25
Mountain View, AR: Arkansas Bean Fest — Oct. 23-25
Kohler, WI: Kohler Food & Wine Experience — Oct. 23-26
Opelousas, LA: Louisiana Yambilee — Oct. 23-26
Las Vegas, NV: The James Beard Foundation's Taste America Las Vegas — Oct. 24-26

To see the rest,

Noteworthy Nibbles —Oct. 7-13, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:00:12 -0700

It's the middle of Fall, and the festivities are bigger than ever. From Spencer, WV, to San Francisco, there's something for everyone, whether you've got a craving for candy or a hankering for ham. Know of something we've left out? Please feel free to add your comments below!

New York, NY: Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival — Oct. 9-12
Denver, CO: The Celebrity Chef Tour Denver — Oct. 9
Denver, CO: Great American Beer Festival — Oct. 9-11
Spencer, WV: West Virginia Black Walnut Festival — Oct. 9-12
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Magazine's Fallfest 2008 — Oct. 9-12

To see the rest,

Noteworthy Nibbles — Sept. 30-Oct.6

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:00:04 -0700

Across the country this month Oktoberfest celebrations are in full force. There's something for you, whether you want to savor the last of the Summer with a seafood festival or switch your mindset to Fall by enjoying one of the many harvest celebrations. Have a tip for another event? Leave it in the comments below!

Santa Clarita, CA: Loose Goose Wine Festival — Oct. 1-5
Corinth, MS: Kansas City Hog Wild BBQ Festival — Oct. 2-4
San Francisco, CA: Oktoberfest by the Bay — Oct. 2-5
Kansas City, MO: American Royal Barbecue — Oct. 2-5
Napa, CA: Domaine Chandon Pink Party — Oc. 2
New York, NY: Plate by Plate New York — Oct. 3
Carpinteria, CA: California Avocado Festival — Oct. 3-5

To see the rest,

McCain Shows Rachael Ray His Ribs

YumSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 03:00:44 -0700

On Monday, John McCain took a detour from the typical campaign trail to make his special baby back ribs recipe on Rachael Ray's daytime show. Here are some interesting things I learned from watching him demonstrate his signature dish on TV:

Apparently, the potential president gets his ribs from Costco. Rachael Ray seemed surprised: "I've been to Costco, [but] I just didn't picture you two with a cart!"
To my surprise, McCain seemed very confident in his cooking skills. "Is he always this take-charge?" the host and chef asked Cindy McCain. Her answer was a definitive "yes."
The senator even had some good tips, such as always grilling bone side down, which helps to cook the meat from the inside out.

The segment was a fun way to get to know the candidate outside of his usual element. To check out the clip of McCain cooking with Ray,

Sunday BBQ: Grilled Pork and Pistachio Couscous

YumSugar — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 06:00:12 -0700

Pork tenderloin may not be the first thing that comes to mind when barbecuing, but it's just as easy to grill as other meats like chicken breast. In this rendition, grilled lemon and pork tenderloin are served with broccoli rabe and pistachio couscous. As this cut of meat is fairly lean, it makes for a healthy, well-rounded meal. To get the recipe, which is perfect for both Summer and Fall,

'Wich of the Week: Grilled Chicken, Onion, and Apples

YumSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:00:04 -0700

I have a serious weakness for savory-sweet combos, including sandwiches featuring apples. Since I've been craving baguette sandwiches lately, I decided to indulge my two sandwich fixations at a friend's recent barbecue (hence the paper plates).

These sandwiches are as easy as making kabobs, throwing them on the grill, and simply showcasing the ingredients on a fresh baguette. I coated the chicken with some poultry rub I found in my friend's pantry, but you could just as easily use salt and pepper, and if you don't own a grill, you can bake the skewers in the oven.

The important thing is charring the chicken just right and cooking the apples until they are warm but still juicy. Though some of the guests were puzzled at first by the combination of onions and apples, everyone loved the tender and tart results. To get the easy recipe,

Throw Some Fruit on the Barbie

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:15:41 -0700

I've always loved barbecued fruit, such as grilled pineapples and peaches. So for a recent dinner party, I fused shish-kebab style skewers with fruit to create a warm, juicy dessert! I used figs, nectarines, and pineapple, but other fruit such as apricots, mangoes, and cantaloupe would be equally delicious. As the fruit grills, the natural sugar caramelizes, enhancing the sweetness and creating perfect grill marks.

My guests gobbled up all of the kebabs. They were such a hit that my next gathering is going to be a three-course skewered meal!

I'll start with Party's Caprese skewers, follow with a simple meat and veggie kebab, and finish with these scrumptious fruit kebabs! To throw a little fruit of your own on the barbie,

Sunday BBQ: Chicken Sausages With Grilled Onion Chowchow

YumSugar — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 06:00:12 -0700

For a laid-back meal, try this rustic recipe for chicken sausages with grilled onion chowchow. Chowchow doesn't refer to the fluffy cute dog in this case, but rather a sweet-and-sour relish that's popular in Pennsylvania and many parts of the South.

The caraway seeds, turmeric, and mustard in the condiment are the perfect complement to the seasonings in the sausage. Should you have any relish left over, it will keep in your refrigerator for up to a week. To grill this casual dish,

Noteworthy Nibbles — Sept. 9-15, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:00:41 -0700

Events are all over the map this week, especially in New York and California. As usual, there's no shortage of festivals for the oenophile. The other activities, however, really demonstrate our country's appreciation for regional American foods, from shellfish on the Eastern seaboard to kolaches in Texas.

New York, NY: A Taste of the Village — Sept. 10
Murphysboro, IL: Murphysboro Apple Festival — Sept. 10-14
San Diego, CA: Spirits of Mexico — Sept. 11-13
Traverse City, MI: Traverse Epicurean Classic — Sept. 11-13
Charlotte, NC: Charlotte Shout Blues, Brews, & BBQ — Sept. 12-13
Grapevine, TX: Grapevine's GrapeFest — Sept. 11-14
Greenville, SC: Euphoria — Sept. 11-14

To see the rest,