YumSugar

Yummy Links: From Keanu Reeves to Jamie Oliver

partysugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:50:43 -0700

Inspired by famous French chef Herve This, Keanu Reeves wants to become a chef. - Eater SF
Tips for cooking pizza on the grill. - Serious Eats
Joey Chestnut wasn't the only one to compete in an eating contest over the weekend; so did a group of elephants. - The Feedbag
Calling all maids of honor: be inspired by this Parisian bridal shower. - Hostess With the Mostess
A day in the life of Spanish chef José Andrés. - Gourmet
Must make: tequila shrimp and asadero quesadillas. - Chow
To promote his upcoming book and television show, Jamie Oliver dressed up like the Village People. - Eat Me Daily

Party Foul: Not Greeting Your Guests

partysugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:30:42 -0700

At female-centric events like baby showers or bachelorette parties, it's easy for cliques to form and cattiness to flourish. Recently, my sister attended a bridal shower where the majority of guests went to the same high school. However some girls, despite knowing my sister, were cold and unfriendly. To make matters worse, the hostess did not say one word to her! While I understand that everyone present may not get along, it's totally unacceptable for the hostess to ignore her guests. It's up to the hostess to ensure that gossip and grudges don't ruin the party. This means that she must put aside any hard feelings and greet everyone equally.

Have you ever been to a party where the hostess made you feel unwelcome? Please share your stories below!

Source

DIY: Vibrant Pom-Pom Napkin Rings

partysugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:50:44 -0700

After helping one of my friends with the flowers for her big day, I was asked by another friend to put together the festive napkin rings for her wedding. Rather than waste money on buying 60 rings, we made these flower-inspired pom-poms to adorn each napkin. These pom-poms can easily be customized to suit any color scheme. While mine were for a wedding, the fun napkin rings are great for any special occasion, be it a baby shower, engagement party, or dinner party! To learn how to make them and check out my step-by-step photos, read more.

This idea was adapted from something I saw in Martha Stewart Weddings. To make the pom-poms, you will need colored tissue paper, floral wire, and satin ribbon.

Cut four sheets of tissue paper into five- by 10-inch rectangles. Make 3/8-inch accordion folds.
Fold a 18-inch floral wire in half and wrap around the middle of the folded tissue paper and twist.
Trim ends into a rounded or pointed shape.
Carefully separate the layers of the tissue papers, pulling each layer toward the center.
Use the extra wire to make a loop on the back of the pom-pom. Insert a 12-inch piece of ribbon through the loop.
Tie ribbon around the napkin. Voila: a fabulous flower-like napkin ring to dress up any table!

View 11 Photos ›

Come Party With Me: Bridal Brunch - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 08:00:14 -0700

Pretty pastels make for a welcoming and elegant look at a bridal shower brunch. Since people will bring gifts, designate an area away from the buffet for them to place the presents. Cover the tables with a floral printed cloth.

Serve the frittata on a round white serving platter and the smoked salmon on floral printed ones. Layer the parfait in a large trifle dish. Fill glass pitchers with citrus juice and arrange pink tumblers nearby.

Don't forget napkins and at least one bouquet of beautiful roses.

Source

Come Party With Me: Bridal Brunch - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:51:02 -0700

For a casual, sunny brunch consider setting up a drink buffet along side the food. This gives guests the freedom to make their own drinks and provides the hostess more time to mingle. At Ronda's bridal shower, our female friends can choose from three types of fresh squeezed citrus.

Place vodka, Champagne, and sparkling water beside the juice. If the girls want to sip a spiked beverage they can stir in the spirit that floats their fancy. Brewed coffee and hot tea are welcome additions. Don't have time to juice a million oranges? Use your favorite store bought juice to create the refreshment bar. For the easy recipe, read more.

Fresh Citrus Juice Bar
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

10 juice oranges
10 blood oranges
6 ruby red grapefruits
Lime and orange slices, for garnish

Directions

Juice citrus separately; pour into pitchers. Serve with ice; garnish with citrus slices. Leftover juice can be refrigerated in airtight containers up to 2 days.

Makes about 3 1/2 cups of each juice.

Print recipe with images | without images

Yummy Links: From Epi's iPhone App to Swine Flu Cocktails

partysugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 06:50:54 -0700

Epicurious' just-launched free iPhone application makes me want to trade in my BlackBerry. - Epicurious
Roasted beef tenderloin and cheesy baked rice is the perfect Kentucky Derby meal. - Chow
Lavish restaurant openings have been replaced with low-key charity events. - Eater
Top Chef judge Toby Young was recently in a face-smashing bike accident. - Eat me daily
What is the ideal menu for serving at a bridal shower? - Simply Stated
Gourmet's editor in chief, Ruth Reichl, goes undercover. - Serious Eats
Troubled times call for drinks: consider mixing up a swine flu cocktail. - The Examiner

Happy Hour: X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

partysugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:00:54 -0700

While I normally prefer a classic cocktail or a glass of good whiskey, I've been known to enjoy a girly drink (or two) in my lifetime. Recently I've become obsessed with this brilliantly pink liqueur, X-Rated ($27).

At first, the cheesy name and vibrant color made me nervous. I was afraid it was going to be overly sweet - more like cough syrup than a luscious liqueur. However, the rosy liquid is absolutely delicious! A fusion of French vodka and organic blood orange, mango, and passion fruit juices, the liqueur tastes fresh not artificial. It's sweet, but not overly so. I served a chilled shot to girlfriends before a night on the town, but it would also be a flavorful addition to specialty cocktails.

If you're hosting a bachelorette party or bridal shower, consider serving X-Rated. Your girlfriends will love the taste and the experience of sampling a new liqueur. A bottle also makes a lovely birthday gift for a fashionable 21-year-old.

Have you tried X-Rated? What did you think?

Yummy Links: From Salmonella to Homemade Ricotta

partysugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:00:33 -0700

The raw tomato Salmonella outbreak has spread to 16 states. - FitSugar
A lovely alternative to classic pasta salad: Thai shiitake mushroom salad. - 28 Cooks
Isn't this gorgeous dress cake perfect for a bridal shower? - Frosted Garden
When baking, don't add too much flour while kneading. - The Kitchn
The best of ballpark food. - The New York Times
Due to the recession, Safeway's baker's dozen will only include 12 items. - Slashfood
Boxed wine isn't that bad. Here are six to try.-Mainstreet
Learn how to make homemade ricotta.-The Wednesday Chef

Source

Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:15:16 -0700

Keep the look to your bridal shower chic and elegant with springtime colors and white accents. Instead of covering the table with a cloth, place a pretty runner down the middle. Set clear vases filled with bunches of tulips on top of the runner.

Arrange large platters with assorted crostini around the runner. Stack different colored appetizer plates in unique shapes at one end of the table. Neatly place folded cotton napkins near the appetizer plates. Serve the mini lemon meringue pies on a tiered cake stand. Alternate layers of the pie with chocolate truffles.

Set the fruit spritzer buffet on a banquet in another area of the room. Line glasses in a row next to an ice bowl, the fruit purees, and mixers. Near the door organize a bunch of pretty nail polish in varying colors. Invite guests to take one as a favor when they leave.

For more wedding planning mania, check out IDoSugar.

Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:30:36 -0700

Since most bridal showers are afternoon affairs, a heavy cocktail menu is not necessary. At Elena's bridal shower we'll set up a fruit spritzer buffet. Guests can have their choice of fruit purees and either mix them with sparkling water, club soda, or sparkling wine. A do-it-yourself bar is essential to this type of party where some will want to drink and others will not. Arrange ice, glasses, fruit purees, and mixers neatly on a side table.

For more wedding coverage go to IDoSugar. To take a look at the fruit spritzer recipe, read more.

Fruit Spritzers
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
Fresh seasonal fruit, such as 8 cups cubed seedless watermelon, 6 cups cubed honeydew melon, 6 cups cubed cantaloupe, 6 cups cubed mango, or 4 1/4 cups raspberries
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch of coarse salt
Sparkling water, or club soda, or sparking wine

Directions

Put sugar and 1 cup water into a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat; let cool slightly.
Puree fruit, syrup, lemon juice, and salt in a blender. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes (up to 2 days).
To serve, fill 8 medium glasses with ice; pour 1/2 cup puree into each glass, and top off with sparkling water or wine, or club soda. Stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Serves 8.

Print recipe with images | without images