YumSugar

Would You Rather Drink Mulled Wine or Spiked Cider?

partysugar — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:30:05 -0700

Would You Rather Drink Hot Chocolate or Apple Cider?

partysugar — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 04:27:31 -0800

Happy Hour: Witches' Brew

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:27:19 -0700

No Halloween is complete without a good old fashioned punch. Often times, folks will use dry ice as a way to create a spooky effect. However, dry ice can be quite dangerous, so I found a recipe that will evoke the same feeling without any of the risk. This recipe for a Witches' Brew starts off with a chilled apple cider and ends with a dollop of sweet vanilla ice cream. To get the recipe, read more

Witches' Brew
From How Stuff Works

Makes 4 (6-ounce) servings

2 cups apple cider
1-1/2 to 2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Process cider, ice cream, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg in food processor or blender until smooth. Pour into glasses and sprinkle with additional nutmeg. Serve immediately.

Print recipe with images | without images

Happy Hour: Cranberry Apple Cider Shandy

partysugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:00:58 -0700

While Yum was into Tyler Florence's kitchen essentials, I was more interested in the cocktail - or should I say mocktail, it was nonalcoholic he was pouring. The refreshing beverage was a mixture of cranberry juice, ice, and sparkling apple cider. This cool and delicious concoction is perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Although you do need a blender, it's so easy to make that you could even get the kids involved. To get the technique for Tyler's festive slushie-like mocktail, read more.

Cranberry Apple Cider Shandy
From Tyler Florence

Ingredients

1 cup cranberry juice
2 cups ice
4 pints sparkling apple cider (for an alcoholic version, use hard apple cider)
mint, for garnish

Directions

In a food processor or blender, combine ice and cranberry juice and process for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture tightens up and takes on the texture of a slushy.
Use an ice cream scoop to portion out among glasses, then top off with chilled hard cider.
Garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve in mason jars for a fun presentation.

Serves 4-6.

Print recipe with images | without images

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:21 -0700

Not only is my annual pumpkin carving party about creating cool pumpkins, it's also about celebrating the flavors of Fall.

To get people in the mood to party, I'll be pouring a potent punch made from pear nectar and sparkling apple cider. It's fruity, bubbly, and refreshing - what more could you ask for in a punch?

In case people want to imbibe something other than hard alcohol, I've asked my guests to bring an assortment of seasonal ales and sparkling sodas. To check out the easy punch recipe, which would be welcome at any large event, read more.

Pear and Sparkling Cider Cocktails
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 cups pear nectar, chilled
2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
2 cups seltzer, chilled
4 ounces (1/2 cup) bourbon whiskey, such as Knob Creek
1 Bosc pear, unpeeled, cored, and cut lengthwise into 8 wedges

Directions

Stir together pear nectar, cider, seltzer, and whiskey in a pitcher.
Divide pear wedges among glasses, and pour in cocktail. Serve immediately.

Serves 8-10.

Print recipe with images | without images

Happy Hour: Apple Cidercar

YumSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:42 -0800

After declaring I'd discovered the perfect Fall cocktail last week, I was worried I'd have nothing to look forward to. But surprisingly, my success had the opposite effect: I was inspired to go in search of other tipples that glorify the season's bounty.

Right now, it's impossible to wander the farmers market without being smitten by frosty jugs of freshly pressed apple cider. The apple cidercar - a riff on the time-honored sidecar cocktail - is a fun way to incorporate Autumn's quintessential beverage into a spirited libation. Check out the recipe when you read more.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Poached Egg Salad

partysugar — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:00:28 -0800

After the overindulgence of Christmas, give your body a break and eat a salad for dinner. This hearty vegetarian recipe features greens topped with crusty bread and an oozing poached egg.

Sautéed leeks and red grapes are tossed with cider vinegar to make a tangy dressing. To check out the recipe, read more.

Poached Egg Salad
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

8 eggs
2 medium leeks, thinly sliced
2 cups seedless red grapes
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
Salt and ground black pepper
4 slices crusty bread, toasted
1 10-oz. pkg. Italian mixed salad greens (romaine and radicchio)
2 oz. blue cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup)

Directions

In large skillet pour water to halfway up sides. Bring water to simmering (bubbles break surface). One at a time break an egg into measuring cup. Hold lip of cup close to water; carefully slide in egg, allowing each equal space in pan. Simmer, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes, until whites are set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard.
Meanwhile, in second skillet cook leeks and grapes over medium heat in 2 tablespoons of hot olive oil for 4 minutes, just until leeks are tender and grape skins burst. Remove from heat. Add vinegar. Sprinkle salt and pepper. With slotted spoon transfer eggs to toast. Serve with greens, leeks, grapes, and cheese.

Serves 4.

Print recipe with images | without images

Happy Hour: The Big Apple

YumSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:27:18 -0800

Last year, while flipping through Blueprint magazine, I came across a beautifully styled drink called The Big Apple. The recipe sounded fantastic - whiskey, apple cider, vermouth - but the reason to drink it was even better. According to Blueprint, it makes the perfect "transitional" sipper and I couldn't agree more. It's definitely too cold for margaritas, and I personally can't do eggnog until Thanksgiving. Over the next two weeks I plan on enjoying a few of these Big Apples. Want to join me? Get the recipe, just read more

The Big Apple
From Blueprint

1 lady apple (or other small apple), cut in half lengthwise, or 2 slices of a larger apple
3 ounces whiskey
1 ounce dry vermouth
2 dashes bitters
1 cup sparkling apple cider

Fill a large cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
Add apple cider, whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Shake.
Strain into two glasses.
Garnish each with an apple half or slice.

Print recipe with images | without images

Turkey Roulade Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:50:33 -0800

This Thanksgiving, surprise guests by offering a main dish that's a slight departure from the typical turkey roast: a turkey roulade. In case you aren't familiar with the term, it merely refers to any kind of meat that's been rolled around a filling and then cooked. The result? A platter that looks more elaborate and grand than any run-of-the-mill roasted turkey.

Ironically, despite the dish's opulent appearance, a roulade is rather simple, and can make for an ideal entree at a beginner's Thanksgiving. Lean on gourmet canned vegetables, like marinated artichokes and mushrooms, to create the filling for your rolled turkey. Or, if you're up to the challenge, make a traditional roulade that's served with from-scratch stuffing and a cider gravy. Does either interest you? Then read more.

Thanksgiving Tip: Use Food as Serveware

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:50:49 -0800

When planning a dinner as momentous as Thanksgiving, there are lots of elements to consider on top of cooking, like selecting the right menu (and bird!), detailing an oven plan, and considering your budget. But one thing I firmly believe you shouldn't have to stress about is doing the dishes.

Spare yourself - and the environment! - by using food as a serving vehicle whenever possible. Start off cocktail hour with cider poured in apple cups and homemade dip in a bread bowl. Or, if soup is part of your meal, offer it in festive roasted acorn squash. Not only is this serving method a fun surprise for guests, but it's also delicious, filling, compostable, and easy on the cleanup.

What serving tips do you have to cut down on the dishes at Thanksgiving?

Source