YumSugar

Dinner With The Band and Sam Mason

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:46:22 -0700

Okay - every now and then the universe goes wild and produces amazing stuff that makes me shake my head and say what?? This time it's a webshow called "Dinner With The Band" which will pair Sam Mason (the former pastry chef of New York's famous WD-50 who's currently opening a new space called Tailor) and indie rock bands. Mason will invite his favorite touring bands into his apartment for a little cooking 101 and in turn, the band will do a live set. The end result is edited together with some flashy bits, recipes and great music clips. The pilot, which features New York's own The Cloud Room, was picked up by OnNetworks - an Austin, Texas based new media company - for 8 online episodes. The pilot is available in 5 parts on the Dinner With the Band website, but if you want to check out the trailer, read more

Oh and I actually heard about this show a month or so ago, but somehow it never registered in my brain. It wasn't until someone told me that The Cloud Room was on the pilot that I remembered it. In an "it's a small world" sort of way, I went to college with one of their members. (That weird noise you just heard? That was the sound of my universe popping). Also, I know that I'm not a music expert like BuzzSugar, but the pilot also features a track by Tacks, The Boy Disaster and they happen to be one of my favorite bands right now, so bonus points for the show in my book. Good music, good food, fun bands? You bet I'll keep my eye on this one.

Summer Reading: Something Delicious This Way Comes

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:05:37 -0700

A few years ago my friends Niki and Leon hosted a delicious dinner at their home. Instead of slaving over the kitchen themselves, they decided to hire a "touring chef."

As a former punk/hardcore rocker, chef Joshua Ploeg was familiar with the ways of the road. However instead of touring with his band he's now touring with his knives and has been taking his tasty treats on the road since 1998 - winning over audiences one dish at a time. His specialty is dinner parties, but he also does demos and classes. If you've ever wanted to host a memorable dinner party - and it really doesn't get much more memorable than a touring former hardcore punk rocker turned vegetarian chef catering a full dinner in your home - then look him up and see if he's headed to a town near you.

He does primarily tasty vegan treats, however he has been known to dabble in butter and can prepare full vegetarian meals as well. If you think a vegetarian dinner can't be fantastic, I'll put an end to your cynicism by saying that it was absolutely wonderful - in fact two non-vegetable eating pals also loved the meal.

If he's not headed to a town near you, you can bring his ideas home instead. Over the last few years, Ploeg has self-published several vegan cookbooks including Something Delicious This Way Comes and Twelve Knights In My Kingdom, which contain things like anise tea cookies, breaded eggplant in spicy garlic sauce, ginger stick salad, and a delectable fried orange bread with coconut relish and orange sugar.

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It's a Gangsta's Paradise - Learn How to Cook With Coolio

YumSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:03:56 -0800

There's been a lot of interesting cooking segments on the internet. First there was Sam Mason's Dinner With the Band, and then there was the super surreal Christopher Walken cooking show. Now, straight from a gangsta's paradise, we have the self-proclaimed "Ghetto Gourmet" Coolio. That's right Coolio. He's here to tell you that if it looks good, tastes good, and smells good, then it is good!

In the first episode of Coolio's Cafe - language not suitable for work or any little ones - Coolio and his crew teach you how to, "make a salad that will get their panties right off." I think it might have something to do with the "special seasonings," although I've never met anyone who doesn't love a Caprese salad. So what are you waiting for? As Coolio says, it's time to cook bee-otch!

To check out the first episode, read more.

It's a Fact - Indie Rock Hearts Food Too

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 06:58:31 -0700

I guess it's official, indie rock and food do go hand in hand.

Last month I told you about Dinner With the Band (a webshow featuring Sam Mason and touring indie bands) and now I'm telling you about a new book called I Like Food, Food Tastes Good by food writer Kara Zuaro. The book, which comes out today (and has got me and my gal BuzzSugar all excited), is a compilation of recipes from over 100 indie raaawwwk bands, including: Belle & Sebastian, Devendra Banhart, Interpol, The Mountain Goats, The Decemberists, They Might Be Giants and (my current favorite experimental folk quartet) Grizzly Bear (with a killer sounding pecan pie - recipe after the jump).

The best part is that Zuaro has left the recipes as the artists submitted them (I hear that Banhart's is exactly what you expect). Plus, the NYC release parties sound like they'd be a blast to check out too.

For those of us that can't make the release party, we'll have to make do with making the recipes on our own. To get started, have a look at Grizzly Bear's Pecan Pie, read more

Grizzly Bear Pecan Pie by Ed’s Droste’s Mom
From I Like Food, Food Tastes Good

Like heavily sedated woodland sprites, the three members of Grizzly Bear play forest folk that is as magical as it is mellow. In their spare compositions, breathy vocals and subtle electronic squeaks melt between clarinet tones and wind chimes. It’s fitting that lead singer Ed Droste submitted this simple and homey dessert, which turns out to be far greater than the sum of its parts.

1 cup dark brown sugar
1 stick of butter
1 cup corn syrup (look for the Karo brand-it has a blue label)
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 bag of pecans
1 prepared pie shell (or graham-cracker crust)
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

1) Take dark brown sugar and stick of butter and melt in saucepan.
2) Take off heat and add syrup.
3) In a bowl, mix eggs with mixer or whisk, if need be.
4) Add eggs and vanilla to cooled butter mixture.
5) Pour into prepared pie shell and put pecans on top.
6) Bake in preheated 350° oven until center is not all gooey-about 45 minutes.

Vague instructions I know, but that is what my mom said, and every time I make it, it is so good. I get my mom to make it every time I come home. Haha. So yum. Needs vanilla ice cream on top.

Makes one pie.

Print recipe with images | without images

Source: Time Out New York

Hell's Kitchen - 3.3 Recap

partysugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:15:20 -0700

The third episode of Hell's Kitchen aired last night and, unlike many of the contestants, I was prepared - Grey Goose martini in hand, computer by my side - and ready for whatever challenges Gordon Ramsay proposed. Not only did the chefs-in-training have to cook their usual dinner service, but they also had to wake up at 5am to prepare breakfast for members of the United States military. To see what went down - or as the booming, Robin Leach-ish commentator would say - what went up in flames this week, (including the dismissal of 2 rightfully deserving contestants and my list of top 5 Ramsayisms) simply read more

Things start off with the teams in their respective bunk rooms after last week's elimination. A clear war has broken out between Rock and Josh because Rock put Josh up on the chopping block, really pissing Josh off. Over on the girl's side, Julia, my favorite of all the contestants - what can I say I love cheering on the underdog - decides she better kick it up a notch and studies her cooking books. In the wee hours of the morning, they are woken up by a Military band informing them to get down to the kitchen.

The teams are met by Ramsay who announces that they are making Hell's Kitchen history (doesn't it seem like they make HK history in some random way each episode??) by cooking the first ever breakfast service for the US military. The girls cook for the army and the boys for the navy. Whoever feeds all of their sections wins the challenge and an amazing prize. The girls get organized quickly and put Julia in charge, because as a short order cook for the pancake house, breakfast is her specialty. The girls send out 20 plates before the boys have even sent out one. The girls momentarily run into a snafu when Joanna accidentally sends out raw potatoes disguised as hash browns, but ultimately they come out victorious. For their punishment the boys have to peel 1000 pounds of raw potatoes and onions for the military while the girls are glamorously helicoptered to a Naval ship, given a delicious lunch, and alone time with Ramsay.

Back at the kitchen, Aaron faints and an ambulance is called in to take him away. Ramsay calls Aaron in the hospital to inform him that his sickness prohibits him - by doctor's orders - to enter the kitchen. I took a sigh of relief as they finally got the bumbling baboon Aaron off the show (seriously what were the casting directors thinking??).

The boys then lock themselves in their dorm to nominate a leader of the group. Naturally all of the cocky boys want to be leader. In an attempt to ensure that Rock doesn't get the position, Josh seconds Brad's nomination. Vinnie thirds it and Rock gives in allowing Brad to play team leader.

The following day the Hell's Kitchenettes are appalled to learn that Julia doesn't know what creme brulee is (come on Julia, lie! Say you know and then immediately look it up the second you get home!). Dinner service gets off to a rocky start for both teams as nobody nails the appetizers. The boys find their stride under Rock's guidance (yes I know Brad was voted "leader" but he didn't have what it takes to control a kitchen) and the girls fumble dish after dish. None of Joanna's appetizers are acceptable to Ramsay who realizes the root of her problems is not her skill but her nose: she doesn't notice that the crab is bad. Ramsay sends her out of the kitchen and Jen pulls pasta out of the trash (I know I don't need to say it, but what on earth was she thinking???). Julia catches her in the act and overrules serving pasta picked from the trash to guests at the restaurant. Wellingtons are burnt, guests walk out, Ramsay loses his trust for the chef wannabes, and declares the girls as the losers. He sends the girls off to figure out which two shall be up for dismissal.

Joanna and Jen give themselves up, but Melissa plays queen of the castle and calls out Julia's lack of culinary knowledge. At the dismissal, Joanna tells Ramsay she and Julia are up for elimination. But wait, what's that? Jen nominates herself and tells Ramsay - to his utter disgust, did you catch the look on his face?? - the pasta/trash mishap. Ramsay sends Julia back to line and it's down to Joanna and Jen with Joanna being sent home.

Almost as bad as not being able to fry an egg, Joanna was unable to smell that the crab was rancid. Have you ever smelled bad crab?? I have and it's one pungent, gross, stomach churning smell that is undeniable. How anyone with even the most basic of culinary experience could not know this is beyond me. Good riddance Joanna.

Now the part you've all been waiting for the top five things Ramsay yelled:

Brad are you consistantly fucked? You are about to sink the fucking navy!
Oh come on now, you just asked me if they're raw... Why don't you tell me if they are raw? Oh fuck off!
We sent two orders, don't start wetting your pants.
Are you just trying to sabotage them to make yourself look good? You deserve a kick in the fucking ass, start the fucking table again!
Come here donkey.

Finally, wasn't the most exciting part of the episode during the 45 second commercial break when the new trailer for Harry Potter aired???

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Come Party With Me: Cinco De Mayo - Invites

partysugar — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 10:58:19 -0700

I love Mexican food so much that sometimes I like to pretend I'm Latina - which is why I naturally love Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Ok, ok I really love practically every holiday/reason for a celebration, but Cinco de Mayo is one that I go out of my way to do something super extra special. Last year I went to dinner at a packed restaurant with a mariachi band and the year before I hosted a fabulous Mexican themed dinner party. I was pleasantly surprised when my sister called me about two months ago and asked me what I was doing for Cinco de Mayo. Turns out she signed up to be the Senior in charge of her sorority's BBQ and she wanted me to fly down to San Diego and help host the party with her. So this Friday afternoon I'm hopping on a plane and jetting down south. I've got a full week of planning ahead of me, this is one serious event with 300 people possibly in attendance!! This is going to be my biggest party yet - the last large event I hosted was a retirement party for my dad with a guest list of 150. In order for me not to get nervous, I've got to throw myself into making the invites (which is really more like a flyer than an invite), so come party with me and read more

To assemble this invite you will need an image (I started out with this one) for inspiration, a computer, and a printer.

To make this flyer:

Drag the image into photoshop. With the eye dropper select the background color. Next I used the insert oval tool to cover up all of the text with yellow ovals. I then added text boxes and filled in the information of the event:

Kappa Kup
Fiesta
The Sisters Of Kappa Kappa Gamma
invite you to their annual soccer tournament and barbeque
10am-6pm
Cinco de Mayo
2007
Muir Field
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the San Diego Center for Children and The Rose McGill Fund.
Entrance fee for all teams are $45 and will be donated to the charity. Raffle tickets will be sold at $1 each for an opportunity to win gift cards, and other donated prizes!

Instead of using one singular font I mixed things up and used three different ones: BlairMdITC TT, Copperplate Gothic, and Hoefler Text in various sizes.

Print out the flyer in the size of your choice. I printed out two per page. Double check for grammar errors and read through the text to ensure there are no mistakes. Unfortunately, I took the pictures for making this invitation, before I did this step (I was just so excited at how great it came out!), so if you look closely at the flyer in the images you may notice a few errors. Luckily I caught and corrected the blunders before I printed out a mass quantity of the invitation.

Cut down to size.

What do you think of the flyer? The best thing about this invitation is that it can be printed out in many sizes from a small hand out flyer to a large poster advertising the event. Come along with me as I take on the biggest party of my life all this week.

View 15 Photos ›

Cork In Your Wine? Don't Fret!

YumSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:57:31 -0700

Imagine this, you're hosting a fancy dinner party and you've brought out a nice bottle of wine to go along with it - only when you go to uncork it, the cork breaks and you're left with bits of cork in your wine. So what do you do? Do you pour the wine, apologize to everyone and have them fish out the bits? You could, but that seems a bit embarrassing. So here's a simple tip to help you avoid all of that: Just take a few layers of cheesecloth or a coffee filter and secure it around the top of the bottle with a rubber band. Now you can pour the wine and any bits of cork will get left behind. Cheers!