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Savory Sight: A Mexican Feast

Yum Community — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:50:53 -0800

Did you know about our food porn group, Savory Sights, in the YumSugar Community? It's your place to share (and drool over) beautiful food photography! Check out these photos of lauren's Christmas feast. She says, "This Christmas we decided to throw tradition to the wind and dinner was Mexican themed. Everyone brought a dish, so it was much easier on the host. Everything was amazing delicious! I can't wait for next Christmas and perhaps a new theme." Browse all of her fab photos below and let me know which looks the most mouthwatering - I'm dying to try the chile rellenos. And don't forget to participate by uploading your best food images. You may just be featured here!

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Let’s Dish: What’s on the Menu For Your Yuletide Feast?

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 03:00:28 -0800

Merry Christmas! I hope that you're cuddling up somewhere safe and cozy on this festive holiday. Since food plays such an essential role in celebrating Christmas, I want to know what you're feasting on today. I'll be starting out with a spicy pine nut and spinach dip, moving on to an apricot-ginger glazed ham, and finishing with a German chocolate cake roll. What's your holiday menu going to be? Share it with us below!

Source: Flickr User Charlie Brewer

What Are You Drinking With Your Holiday Meal?

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:30:50 -0800

Do You Know Where These Christmas Foods Came From?

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:00:38 -0800

The stockings have been hung, the gifts have been wrapped, and the fir tree's aglow. What else is there to do now, besides hang out with loved ones? Why, take our Christmas foods quiz, of course!

Get into the holiday spirit by trying to match the yuletide dish to its area of origin. How well do you know your holiday pastries? There's only one way to find out.

Source: Flickr User Matthew Bietz

Take the quiz

Happy Hour: Kentucky Christmas

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:00:11 -0800

With the baking and gift-giving hysteria that surrounds a holiday like Christmas each year, one would think there'd be more drinks dedicated to Dec. 25. I've always been surprised that only few classic yuletide tipples, beyond the requisite eggnog, mulled cider, and spiked hot chocolate, exist.

Hopefully, the Kentucky Christmas is a forerunner of a holiday trend to come in the following years. Made with fresh cranberries, organic cranberry juice, and bourbon, this festive, jewel-toned cocktail tastes crisp, oh-so-slightly tart, and not overly sweet. Celebrate Christmas cocktail hour in style when you read on.

Come Party With Me: Christmas Brunch - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:00:28 -0800

A special Christmas brunch should end with a stunning dessert. Instead of serving something that requires last-minute attention, plate slices of a cranberry vanilla coffeecake that can be made on Christmas Eve.

It will fill the house with an enticing aroma and get your family excited for the breakfast. Although vanilla beans are expensive, it's a necessary splurge for this flavorful and moist cake.

A layer of zesty cranberry filling is the pleasant surprise that makes this cake festive and celebratory. To get the recipe, read more.

Cranberry Vanilla Coffeecake
From Gourmet

Ingredients

1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 cups fresh or thawed frozen cranberries (6 ounces)
2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
confectioners sugar, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in middle. Generously butter a 9- by 2-inch round cake pan. Line bottom with a round of parchment paper and butter parchment.
Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into a food processor with tip of a paring knife (reserve pod for another use if desired). Add sugar and pulse to combine. Transfer to a bowl.
Pulse cranberries with 1/2 cup vanilla sugar in processor until finely chopped (do not purée).
Whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
Beat together 1 stick butter and 1 cup vanilla sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy.
Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down side and bottom of bowl. Reduce speed to low and mix in flour mixture and milk alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour, until just combined.
Spread half of batter in pan, then spoon cranberries over it, leaving a 1/2-inch border around edge. Top with remaining batter and smooth top.
Blend remaining 1/4 cup vanilla sugar with remaining tablespoon each of butter and flour using your fingertips. Crumble over top of cake.
Bake until a wooden pick inserted into cake (not into cranberry filling) comes out clean and side begins to pull away from pan, 45 to 50 minutes. Cool in pan 30 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely, crumb side up.

Serves 8.

Print recipe with images | without images

What's the Star of Your Christmas Dinner?

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 11:45:15 -0800

Chestnut Brussels Sprouts Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:00:35 -0800

Foie gras, crown roast, and fruitcake might dominate the holiday table, but that doesn't mean there isn't a place for dishes that are both festive and healthy. For a wholesome side dish, serve chestnuts, a classic Winter crop and Christmas favorite, tossed alongside brussel sprouts.

Chestnuts contain twice as much starch as potatoes, but they're low in fat, high in fiber, and possess a sweet, nutty flavor that pairs well with the slight bitterness of caramelized brussels sprouts. Sing along to Nat King Cole's "Christmas Song" as you toss already-roasted whole chestnuts into the simmer. Or, go the completely authentic route, buying fresh kernels and roasting them yourself. See both versions of a staple holiday side dish when you read more.

Yummy Links: From Beyonce's Plate to Underground Markets

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:59 -0800

Who knew: Beyoncé and Jay-Z like to play with their food, too. - Eater NY
Beyond brilliant: A miniature gingerbread house to perch atop your holiday hot chocolate. - Not Martha
This Christmas, consider helping one of these nonprofit food organizations. - Salon
Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home is completely sold out online. - Eat Me Daily
Why dungeness crab season is getting shorter and shorter. - The Atlantic
Wasabi pea crust makes seared tuna feel new again. - Serious Eats
Would you eat Alinea's all-in-one Christmas tree and Christmas goose dinner? - Grub Street LA
What the first-ever underground farmers market looks like. - Chow

Flavored Candy Canes: Love Them or Hate Them?

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:25 -0800

While mints aren't my all-time favorite sweet, I can't imagine the Christmas season without rows of gleaming candy canes at the supermarket. I'm referring to the shiny, red- and white-striped rods - not the fruity, flavored canes that taste like blueberry, cherry, and grape. I've never been a fan of those varieties, which taste sugary and artificial. How do you feel about different-flavored candy canes?