YumSugar

Strike Gold With Corned Beef-and-Cabbage Pizza

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:00:09 -0700

I said it before, and I'll say it again. One can never have too much corned beef - especially if that corned beef is almost laughably easy to make in the slow cooker, and you can use the leftovers for craveworthy corned beef and fontina grilled cheeses. Yet as good as the corned beef is alone and in a toasted sandwich, I think I've found its best application yet: as the costar of corned-beef-and-cabbage pizza.

I began by making a basic pizza dough from scratch, then I loaded it with crisp slivers of potato, savory corned beef, sweet cabbage, and three types of cheese, for a sensory trip that was exotic, yet familiar at the same time. Trust me, this pizza wound up being my bona fide pot o' gold at the end of the corned beef rainbow! For the easy recipe, read more.

Sunday Slow Cooker: Cuban Beef and Peppers

YumSugar — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:30:48 -0700

After falling in love with a Cuban-inspired crockpot chicken, tonight I'm cooking along the same vein with a beef and pepper braise that conjures up images of dinner in Havana.

I'll serve the fork-tender flank steak and bell pepper medley over steamed white rice, avocado, and my favorite herb, cilantro. Ready to make your own one-pot Latin meal? Then keep reading.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Spiced Mini Burgers With Couscous Salad

partysugar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:50:31 -0800

Mediterranean-inspired feast. When you read those words, what do you picture? An afternoon (or two!) slaving away in the kitchen? Think again! With this recipe you can offer friends and family a hearty Mediterranean meal in a matter of minutes. Sure, you'll have to take some help from the grocery store, but really, sometimes we all make a few cheats in the kitchen here and there. Quick-cooking couscous is tossed with veggies and served alongside spicy beef patties. Purchase hummus, tapenade, and pita bread, and you'll you be feasting in no time. Get the recipe now.

Feast on Slow-Cooker Corned Beef This St. Patrick's Day

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:00:20 -0800

Party and I have been really obsessed with crockpots lately. I thought we'd prepared just about every kind of meat dish there is (beef chili, Cuban chicken, short ribs, you name it) - until I came across a corned beef and cabbage recipe. It was so hands-off, I was convinced it would be too good to be true.

The result wasn't too good to be true, but it was admittedly way too easy. If you can chop vegetables and place them with meat in a bowl, then you can make a St. Patrick's Day spread of meltingly tender corned beef, braised cabbage, and root vegetables. Consider it your veritable pot o' gold - just remember not to peek! For the recipe, read more.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Hoisin Beef and Edamame Noodles

partysugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:15:48 -0800

When I hear the words "stir-fry," I normally think of a protein/vegetable dish that's served over rice. However, this recipe demonstrates that a stir-fry can also incorporate noodles. Chopped red pepper, snappy edamame, and strips of flank steak are flash-cooked in a large pan. A hoisin, chili, and garlic sauce seasons the dish, while the last-minute addition of minced ginger and chopped cilantro provides an aromatic freshness. Check out this uncomplicated but exciting recipe after the break.

Monday's Leftovers: Picadillo-Stuffed Peppers

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:00:50 -0800

If there's one all-purpose dinner that's widely overlooked, it's stuffed peppers. Not only can they be very speedy and simple in preparation, but when stuffed with meat, they also make for a well-balanced meal.

The multicolored selection of bell peppers (red, green, yellow, even purple) makes for a colorful and attractive serving vehicle.

The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability; use leftover ground beef from crockpot lasagna - or, if you avoid red meat, ground turkey or chicken. For a quick weeknight dinner that also works well for entertaining, read more.

Sunday Slow Cooker: Easy Meat Lasagna

YumSugar — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:30:55 -0800

New to the world of crockpots like PartySugar? Then you might not realize the capabilities that slow cookers have beyond soups, braises, and stews. It might seem counterintuitive to make lasagna in an oval crockpot, but the result will leave you (and your stomach) pleasantly surprised. Arrange browned beef, uncooked noodles, tomato sauce, and cheese in layers, proceed to tend to the rest of your life without ever having to check on the oven, and come back to a glorious Italian family meal.

Make this for dinner tonight when you read more.

Slow-Cooked Short Ribs Are Perfect Valentine's Day Dinner

partysugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:50:16 -0800

Imagine a Valentine's Day where you roll out of bed, enjoy a leisurely brunch at your favorite breakfast spot, and spend the day out (hiking, or seeing a movie, or playing in the snow) with loved ones. Then you come home to a house wafting with an enticing aroma, and a dinner that's ready in seconds. It's totally possible with this amazing slow cooker short rib recipe.

It's the best kind of crockpot meal: All you have to do is dump everything into a slow cooker and turn it on. Hours later your kitchen will smell wonderful. The tender meat falls right off the bone, the beef melts in your mouth, and the veggies are rich and flavorful.

Although it's a hearty and rustic dish, there's something so casual and comforting that it's easy to feel romantic - especially when dining by candlelight! Serve over egg noodles, mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta. Are you intrigued? Get the recipe now.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Korean Beef Bok Choy

partysugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:00:12 -0800

Korean food is going to be really big this year, so why not experiment with some in your own kitchen? Keep things simple by investing in a Korean style stir-fry sauce. Use it to season an uncomplicated, quick-cooking mixture of beef and bok choy.

Don't hesitate to get creative with the recipe. Throw in other veggies - mushrooms, broccoli, or onions would be delicious - and use a different protein like chicken or tofu. Intrigued? Wait until you check out the recipe.

Sliders Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:50:12 -0800

A nationwide celebration as big as the Super Bowl is the perfect occasion for serving all-American hamburgers. Translate them into game day eats by passing around plates of bite-sized sliders. Keep them simple (and not too sloppy!) by topping them sparingly with caramelized onions. Or, if you're feeling up to the challenge, take inspiration from another football favorite - seven-layer bean dip - for a winning combination of fixings. Get both finger foods when you read more.