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Is Cooking a Way to Heat up a Date?

partysugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:33:34 -0700

Being single, I've had my fair share of online dating experiences. However no online dating service seems as exciting as this cooking show that FitSugar told me about. The interesting website - Feed Me, the Brooklyn Cooking Dating Show - invites two singles into the kitchen. They cook together, and the date is filmed and then posted for all to see on the site.

I love the concept behind this idea: that food and cooking can bring two people together. However, you won't see me on an episode anytime soon - the service is for New York residents only.

It did get me thinking about cooking and the effect it can have on romantic relationships. What do you think about the service? Is cooking a way to heat up a date?

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Killer App: Bacon Wrapped Dates

YumSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:15:29 -0700

Everything tastes better with bacon, and dates are no exception! I recently went to an end-of-Summer barbecue and couldn't stop eating these crispy bacon-wrapped dates. Of course, I had to ask the hostess for the simple recipe to share with you. This appetizer is super easy to make and can be prepared before the party, so your guests will be munching on the salty, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying bite-sized, bacon-wrapped dates the second they arrive at your home. Straight from the oven these apps are molten hot - be sure to allow time for them to cool. If you want to serve this addicting appetizer at your next party, keep reading.

What Do You Know About Beaujolais Nouveau?

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:50:36 -0800

As the French like to proclaim: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! Raise your glass, because Beaujolais Nouveau - the first wine of the harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere - has finally arrived. Yesterday was the annual release date for the wine, which is welcomed on what's called "Beaujolais Nouveau Day" with a colossal celebration across France each year.

Since the wine - which certainly isn't for snobs - makes such a splash each year, I thought I would throw out some questions and see if you can, ahem, arrive at the answers. What do you know about Beaujolais Nouveau? Let's find out.

Take the quiz

Fabulous Ways To Save The Date

partysugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:25:15 -0700

These days people rarely get married without sending save the date cards. They are wonderful because they let your guests know well in advance about your wedding. Although it's not absolutely necessary, if you're having a destination wedding, be sure to send save the date cards so your friends and family can think about travel arrangements. Once you have decided on the date and location of your wedding, mail the save the date cards out to your guests, at least 6-12 months in advance. There are many different ways to save the date - you don't just have to send cards! For some creative save the date card ideas click the "Start Slideshow" button. Source

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What Do You Eat On A Date?

partysugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 05:45:13 -0700

The other day my gal pal DearSugar was talking about sharing food on the first date. The whole conversation got me thinking about what is the perfect date food. What do you guys think? What do you eat on a date?

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Kitchen Experiments: Apple-Date Muffincakes

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:01:31 -0800

This weekend I was expecting houseguests and wanted to offer them a homemade treat. I figured a nice breakfast muffincake would be a good option, as it would work for breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. However, I didn't know what kind I wanted to make, so I headed to my kitchen without a recipe and scoped out the ingredients. I was treading dangerously - no recipe - but I ended up with deliciously, moist apple-date muffincakes. If you'd like to see what I did, as well as what went wrong - so wrong that the cakes themselves were laughing at me and I've got the photo to prove it! - read more.

Apple-Date Muffincakes
A Kitchen Experiment by YumSugar

1 cup chopped and pitted dates [I had 14 Medjool dates]
1 apple, peeled, cored, and grated
1/2 cup apple cider
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup organic white sugar
4 oz. cinnamon applesauce
2 eggs

frosting:
1 stick of butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp. milk

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 18 muffin tins with cupcake liners.
In a medium bowl place dates and apple. Pour apple juice on top. Let soak for 15-30 minutes [I soaked it until I was ready to use them.]
In another medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together. Set aside.
In a mixer, cream butter and sugars together.
Add applesauce, mix thoroughly.
Add eggs, one at a time. Making sure each one is fully incorporated.
Gently add in 1/3 of flour mixture. When incorporated add in 1/3 of date mixture (including liquid). Mix completely. Continue until all flour and date mixture is incorporated.
Completely fill each cupcake liner with batter. You should be able to fill 18 liners.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. You want the tops to be slightly golden brown.
While baking, make frosting (aka glaze). For the glaze, mix all ingredients in a large bowl until creamy. Adjust sugar amount as necessary. Do not try to frost your cakes before they are cooled. This will result in a glaze. Mine were glazed, but I was actually hoping for a dollop of frosting. As you can see, one is laughing at me for not waiting.

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Yummy Links: From Hot Cocoa to Date Foods

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:58:12 -0800

Looking for the best hot cocoa? Check out the results to this hot chocolate taste test. - Serious Eats
It's good to read that women wield the power in today's wine world. - Napa Valley Register
Going on a road trip? Here are a few tips on how to eat healthy while traveling. - FitSugar
Shipping goodies to someone for the holidays? Read these tips for shipping baked goods before you do. - Baking Bites

Folks tend to pack on the pounds during the holidays, this 580 calorie slice of pizza probably doesn't help. - Slashfood
Is your tree lacking something? Try this easy plan for an edible garland. - lilsugar
As the weather gets colder, try one of these ten comforting cool-weather drinks. - iVillage
Got some great lighting ideas? Be sure to get your casa cravings in! - CasaSugar
Going out on a date? Here is some advice on which foods to avoid. - Chow

Must Read: Field Guide to Candy

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:30:04 -0700

With tomorrow being Halloween, we've unofficially opened the Pandora's Box that is Fall sweets season. That's why the Field Guide to Candy ($16) couldn't have come at a better time. Pastry chef Anita Chu, who authored the Field Guide to Cookies, has come out with a second book, which promises to teach you "how to identify and make virtually every candy imaginable." Does it live up to its promise? To find out, keep reading.

Monday's Leftovers: Frisée Salad With Bacon and Dates

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 07:45:24 -0800

The (Super Bowl) party's over, and your stomach's really taken one for the team - it's still reeling from the buffalo wings and peanut butter brownies that you scarfed down.

If you've got leftover bacon, use it to accent the flavor on a leafy Winter salad. With its ruffled frisée leaves, peppery red onion, crunchy walnuts, and tart sherry vinegar, this refreshing salad might be the antidote you were looking for after a weekend of big league eating.

To make the recipe, read more.

Frisée Salad With Bacon And Dates
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

3 bacon slices, chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 teaspoons honey, divided
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar
1 large head of frisée, torn (about 4 cups)
2 1/2 ounces soft fresh goat cheese (about 1/2 of 5-ounce log), crumbled
1/3 cup walnut halves

Directions

Cook bacon in heavy small skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in skillet.
Add olive oil, 3 teaspoons honey, dates, and onion to skillet. Stir in vinegar. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
Place frisée in medium bowl; add dressing and toss. Divide salad between 2 plates. Sprinkle with cheese and nuts.

Serves 2.

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Do You Eat Food After the Expiration Date?

YumSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:10:09 -0700

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