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Yummy Link: Eating at the Best Restaurant in the World

partysugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:03:18 -0700

if you're wondering what eating at El Bulli - the best restaurant in the world - is like, be sure to check out this account. It describes the four hour, once in a lifetime, too many courses to count dining experience. - Boarding Area via Bitten

Saving the Top Tier of Your Wedding Cake

YumSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:00:15 -0700

It's de rigueur for newlyweds to save the top tier of their wedding cake to enjoy on the first anniversary. The idea behind this tradition, which dates back as far as the late 19th century, is for couples to savor the cake once again - as well as the memories of the big day and the first year of marriage.

Enjoying a well-preserved piece of wedding cake should be a pleasant reminder of your big day, so make sure it isn't ruined by a dry, smelly cake wrought with freezer burn. Learn how to properly store the top layer of cake when you read more.

To store the cake:

Designate a person to save the top tier once the cake cutting begins.
Set aside any fragile and large ornaments or decorations, such as the cake topper.
To avoid a stale cardboard taste, ensure the cake sits on wrapped cake board. A cardboard cake board should be wrapped with foil.
Place the cake in a freezer until the icing becomes firm, 20 minutes to three hours, depending on the icing.
Cover all of the cake's surface area with a generous amount of plastic wrap, avoiding air pockets.
Follow plastic wrap with two layers of aluminum foil.
Place wrapped cake in an airtight storage container and freeze for a year.

To enjoy the cake:

One day before your first anniversary, begin defrosting the cake: transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator.
After two hours, remove the cake from its wrapping. Continue to defrost in the refrigerator.
Bring the cake to room temperature before consuming.
Serve and enjoy.

If you know you'll be moving within your first year, lack the freezer space, or simply don't want to bother with the process of freezing your wedding cake, order a small, six-inch anniversary cake from the same bakery. Ask for similar cake flavors and fillings and have it adorned like your wedding cake (you can even save your cake topper to be placed on it). Use the cake knife and serving set from your wedding, and enjoy the memories of the special day with fresh cake.

Did you celebrate your first anniversary with the top tier of your wedding cake? What are your cake-preserving tips?

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Simple Tip: Stop Cutting Board Slippage

partysugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:08:13 -0700

Isn't it the worst when you chop veggies or grate cheese, and your cutting board slides all over the counter? This happens to me all the time, especially when I'm using a plastic cutting board that was warped in the dishwasher. Luckily my handsome buddy Javi showed me what he does to stop slippage and promote perfectly uniform dices.

Wet a paper towel in the sink.
Place on the counter in the area where you will be doing the food preparation.
Put the cutting board on top of the paper towel to secure in place.

Voila, happy chopping!!

Note: This works best with plastic cutting boards. While it works well for wooden cutting boards, if the towel is constantly too wet, you run the risk of warping the wood after many uses.

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