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Are You a Neat or Messy Cook?

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:15:05 -0700

I have a friend who doesn't like to watch Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten on TV because she's such a sloppy chef, but I don't mind her lack of precision.

It's good to know that even great cooks sometimes chop haphazardly and spill flour out of measuring cups. Are you messy in the kitchen?

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Rachael Ray's Garbage Bowl: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 04:03:35 -0700

By now I'm sure you're all aware of Rachael Ray's garbage bowl technique. She keeps a bowl on the countertop during cooking, and stashes all the trash and bits in the bowl. It's actually a pretty great tip and helps make cleanup a breeze. I sometimes follow it myself, and just use one of my smaller mixing bowls. Recently Ms. Ray has actually started selling her own garbage bowls ($17.95). What do you guys think of them? I'd rather use a bowl I already have. After all, do I really need a special bowl for "garbage"?

Reduce The Amount Of Cupcake Clean Up

partysugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:56:31 -0700

What I hate about making cupcakes is having to scrape and scrub the muffin tin afterwards. Removing the caked on batter hurts my arm and ruins my nails. So I developed a system: I cover the muffin tin tightly with aluminum foil. Next, I slice a hole where the cupcake batter is supposed to go and press the foil into each indentation. I place the cupcake paper liners in the hole and fill with batter. If any of the batter spills it gets on the foil and not on the pan! After the cupcakes or muffins are finished baking & cooling, simply peel off the dirty foil and dispose.

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After-Party Mess Be Gone!

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:09:56 -0800

Empty bottles, half eaten appetizers, bottle caps, used napkins, and cookie crumbs. There is natural disarray that occurs after any sort of party. While some mishaps (shattered wine glasses, candle wax on the tablecloth, spills on the carpet) are unpreventable, there are some messes that can be avoided with the proper planning. To minimize the clean up after the party, read more

Try to keep your kitchen organized from week to week. Take the extra ten minutes each day to put plates, glasses, and cookware in their specified places.
If hosting a large party fill several large plastic tubs with hot, soapy water. During the party place dirty dishes in here (instead of stacking them up in the sink) where they can soak for several hours. After the party, dishes can be rinsed and placed in the dishwasher.
Designate a place for dirty glasses so they won't be knocked over. If you have the room, lay stemware on its side in a large roasting pan lined with dish towels.
If hosting a dinner party, quickly scrape the first course plates clean and place in the sink before serving the main course. Do not turn the dishwasher on in the middle of your meal, it will be loud and may cause discomfort among your guests.
Start the party out with an empty bag in your garbage and recycling bins. If it becomes too full ask your husband, boyfriend, or trusted friend to quietly take the trash out.
It's 2006, recycle all bottles, cans, and glass.
If a guest offers to help clean up, let them help you!
Once the party is over it's tempting to want to crawl into bed, but if you have the energy turn on the TV or your favorite dance mix and get the cleanup done now. The mess will only be harder to clear once it has sat all night and all morning. You'll be glad you cleaned up the night before when you wake up rested the following morning to a spotless house.

Easy Peeling Clean Up

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:30:56 -0800

The worst part of peeling vegetables is the clean up. I used to peel them over the sink and then scoop everything up afterwards. It was a slimy sensation that I decided I could live without. Now I place a few layers of newspaper on the bottom of the sink before peeling. When I'm done I just wrap it all up and toss the whole thing out.

Come Party With Me: St. Patrick's Day - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 06:50:28 -0800

Even though I'm hosting my St. Patrick's Day get-together at a local Irish pub, I still plan on decorating. Green and white are the colors that will bring the leprechauns to life.

The food will be served on white and green recyclable paper platters. Instead of using regular toothpicks, slices of frittata will be stabbed with shamrock flag picks. Balloons allow guests to know where I've set up the party. Paper napkins and paper plates ensure a quick and easy clean up.

Beaded necklaces with clover pendants make a fun party gift. I won't forget to fill a flask with Irish whiskey - we'll enjoy this later at the parade! How are you celebrating St. Patrick's Day?

Yeast-Raised Donuts Are Doubly Satisfying

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:00:41 -0800

Here, OnSugar blog baking and love makes yeast-raised donuts on a whim - and doesn't regret it one bit.

Last night I had this sudden urge to make donuts! So I did this afternoon using the recipe taken from 17andBaking. I had bookmarked it for a looong looong time but was simply unwilling to mess with yeast. It seemed easier than I thought though and I was certainly glad I tried . . . Anyway, the writer of 17andBaking, Elissa, is a very, very talented senior whom I look up to very much. Not only does she bake well, her photography skills are also excellent!

Her recipe - and what she learns from her first attempt at making donuts - after the break.

Do You Know What's Cooking This Week?

YumSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:30:15 -0800

January was for detoxing and clean eating, but the beginning of February's been all about getting our game face on. Right now, we're united in one goal: to score big at this weekend's Super Bowl bash. We pulled out all the stops, from buffalo wings and pizza dip to cheddar stout fondue and spicy sausage nachos. Did you stick around to see what we were up to? Take our quiz to find out.

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Anne Burrell Talks Terrible Cooks and the Year Ahead

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:45:00 -0800

If you've ever wondered what the world's most unappetizing dishes look like, here's your chance to find out. On Jan. 3, Food Network is exploring the opposite end of the culinary spectrum with Worst Cooks in America, a new reality TV series showcasing some of the nation's biggest kitchen failures.

I spoke with Food Network chef Anne Burrell - who, along with Beau MacMillan, is one of the show's hosts - about the new series, the biggest fail of a dish she's ever had, and her year ahead. More, after the jump.

After a Dinner Party, Do You Offer to Help Clean Up?

partysugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:50:32 -0700

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