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Happy Hour: Whiskey Lemonade

YumSugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:00:43 -0700

Uncouth as it may sound, whiskey and lemon was the combination that first opened my eyes to the world of alcoholic beverages.

It was freshman year of high school, and the only drink in the world that I hated more than coffee was anything with alcohol in it. Then I developed a nighttime cough that no medicine would cure, and my mother started making me a drink of hot lemon juice, honey, and a splash of whiskey. The whiskey was warming on the way down and had a musky, smoky scent; the lemon left a tart, tongue-puckering finish.

That experience turned out to be just the beginning. Flash forward a decade and a half, and while I now appreciate everything from Campari to absinthe, the combination of whiskey and lemon still holds a special place in my heart. I especially love it in an icy, lemonade-like version for picnics or other Summer outings. See a recipe for warm weather refreshment when you read more.

Reader Recipe: Chicken Salad in Celery Ribs

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:00:08 -0800

Whenever I find myself in need of creative inspiration, I simply look to the Kitchen Goddess group. This week, I came across a killer app - mini celery boats stuffed with chicken salad and peas. I'm thinking these would make a great appetizer to bring to my next book club, since they're bite sized and not too messy. Apparently, I'm spot on: Jenious says they're such a big hit at gatherings that she always doubles the recipe. To make these for your next get-together, read more.

Submitted by TeamSugar member Jenious

Chicken Salad with Peas in Celery Ribs
Adapted from a recipe by Mary Barber and Sara Corpening for Food & Wine.

Easy to make, can be made ahead and assembled upon arrival or the day of the event. Adjust to your preferences by swapping herbs like dried Italian herbs or dill. Depending on desired consistency you can also adjust the amounts of chicken, mayo, and cream cheese. A toothpick in each helps guests serve themselves. Pulse in a food processor prior to adding peas and, talk about easy! I double the recipe since it's always a hit at gatherings.

Ingredients

8 wide celery ribs, trimmed
1/3 cup cream cheese (2 ounces), softened
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped basil
2 teaspoons finely chopped tarragon
2 teaspoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/2 pound cooked chicken breast, finely chopped or shredded
1/2 cup frozen baby peas, thawed
3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions
Using a vegetable peeler, peel the celery ribs so they sit flat, then cut them on the diagonal into 1-inch lengths. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise, lemon juice, basil, tarragon, parsley and lemon zest. Add the chicken, peas, and onion and stir gently until just combined. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon 1 teaspoon of the chicken salad onto each piece of celery.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Bistro Dinner Salad

partysugar — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 09:53:19 -0700

Today is the first official day of summer and the perfect time to enjoy a big, green salad for dinner. Hearty and filling, salads are an excellent way to eat your daily vegetables and stay cool on a hot day as no oven/stove is necessary. Crisp greens, tangy homemade vinaigrette, and a poached egg (zapped in the microwave to make things easy on you) combine for a delicious and healthy meal. Pair with a chilled glass of white wine to ring in the sunny season: cheers to summer! This recipe is too good to pass up so bookmark it now and read more

Bistro Dinner Salad
From Cooking Light magazine

3 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
4 large eggs
Cooking spray
8 cups gourmet salad greens
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled blue cheese
1 Bartlett pear, cored and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
4 (1-inch-thick) slices French bread baguette, toasted

Place nuts in a small skillet; cook over medium-high heat 3 minutes or until lightly browned, shaking pan frequently. Remove from heat; set aside.
Break 1 egg into each of 4 (6-ounce) custard cups coated with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap, and microwave at high for 40 seconds or until set; let stand 1 minute. Remove eggs from cups; drain on paper towels.
Combine walnuts, greens, blue cheese, and pear in a large bowl.
Combine vinegar, oil, tarragon, and mustard in small bowl; stir with a whisk. Drizzle over greens mixture; toss gently.
Arrange 2 cups salad mixture on each of 4 serving plates; top each serving with 1 egg and 1 toast slice.

Serves 4.

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Come Party With Me: Last-Minute Thanksgiving - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 07:50:22 -0800

Thanksgiving is two days away, and if you've all of a sudden realized that you're in charge of planning, cooking, and hosting a dinner, don't freak out. I've got your back - and an incredibly easy menu that can be put together in just about two hours. For the appetizers, take some help from the store. Pick up your favorite cheese, crackers, dried fruit, and nuts. Use these items to throw together an uncomplicated yet stunning cheese display. When it comes to the main course, the simpler the better. Serve turkey breast roasted with lemon and thyme, mashed sweet potato paprika puree, and a hearty, healthy portion of braised kale.

Thanksgiving isn't about the quantity of food, it's about the quality of conversation you have while enjoying the meal. To savor these dishes with loved ones, get the recipes and read more.

Early Bird Turkey
From Every Day With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

Two 2 3/4-pound boneless turkey breast halves with skin on
One 2 1/4-pound bone-in turkey thigh
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 lemon, halved crosswise
1/2 cup chicken broth
Store-bought cranberry sauce, for serving

Directions

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 400°. Arrange the turkey parts on a rimmed baking sheet, tucking the smaller end of each breast under to make an even thickness. Drizzle with the olive oil and season with the thyme, salt and pepper. Place the lemon halves, cut side down, in the pan. Roast until a meat thermometer inserted in each piece registers 155°, about 55 minutes.
Transfer the turkey parts to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil; let stand for 20 minutes before slicing.
Meanwhile, pour the chicken broth into the baking sheet, scraping up any browned bits. Pour into a microwaveable cup; skim the fat that rises to the surface. Microwave on high power for 1 minute. Serve the turkey pan sauce with the sliced turkey and cranberry sauce.

Serves 8.

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Sweet-Potato Purée With Smoked Paprika
From Gourmet

Ingredients

3 pounds sweet potatoes
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and softened
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon sweet or hot smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/8 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste

Directions

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
Prick each potato once with a fork, then bake potatoes in a foil-lined shallow baking pan until tender, about 1 hour.
When cool enough to handle, peel, then cut away any eyes or dark spots.
Purée potatoes with butter, cream, paprika, salt, and cayenne in a food processor until smooth.

Serves 8.

Make Ahead: Purée can be made 1 day ahead and chilled in an airtight container. Reheat in a double boiler or a metal bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally.

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Braised Kale
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
1 1/2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
3 pounds kale, stems and inner ribs discarded, leaves coarsely chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

In a very large soup pot, heat the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the chicken stock, then add the kale in large handfuls, letting it wilt slightly before adding more. Season with salt and pepper, cover and cook over moderate heat until the kale is tender, about 5 minutes.
Remove the lid and cook until the liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to a bowl and serve.

Serves 12.

Make Ahead: The braised kale can be covered and refrigerated overnight. Reheat before serving.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Sole With Lemon-Shallot Brussels Sprouts

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:50:50 -0800

With an epic feast only a few days away, shun poultry (you'll be having it for days!) in favor of something on the opposite end of the flavor spectrum, such as a flaky white fish. Not only does sole make for a lighter dinner alternative and a great source of protein, but it's also extremely affordable. Keep the preparation super simple by dredging the fillets briefly in a mixture of flour, lemon, and white pepper, then pan-sauté in olive oil.

Serve with market-fresh Brussels sprouts that have been tossed with parsley and shallots. The resulting dish is straightforward, yet elegant. For the recipe, read more.

Need Dinner in 15 Minutes? Make This Salad!

partysugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:50:03 -0700

It's not a new technique for celebrity chefs, magazines, and television networks to capitalize on Americans' lack of time - Rachael Ray's entire existence depends on creating 30-minute meals. What is less common, however, is a recipe that can actually be made in the allotted (short) amount of time.

When I saw this recipe for chicken salad in a Bon Appétit article entitled 15 Dishes in 15 Minutes, I was beyond skeptical. I decided to put it to the test, and surprisingly, it was ready in exactly 15 minutes!

Combine shortcuts like using rotisserie chicken and feta crumbles with minimal chopping, and the result is a dish that is wildly fast, wonderfully easy, and ridiculously delicious. If you're in need of a quick, simple, and balanced meal, consider this salad. To check out the recipe, read more.

Chicken and Watercress Salad With Almonds and Feta
From Bon Appétit

With its white balsamic vinegar and almond and grapeseed oils, the ingredient list is a bit pretentious; I subbed in sherry vinegar and olive oil.

Ingredients

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1 large shallot, chopped
3 tablespoons almond oil, walnut oil, or grapeseed oil
3 tablespoons grapeseed oil
3 large bunches watercress, thick stems trimmed
2 fully cooked chicken breast halves, meat torn into bite-size pieces
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 apricots, pitted, each half cut into wedges
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Directions

Combine vinegar and shallot in medium bowl. Whisk in both oils. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
Place watercress, chicken, cheese, and apricots in large bowl. Add dressing; toss.
Divide salad among 4 plates. Sprinkle each with almonds.

Serves 4.

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Monday's Leftovers: Pork Cutlets With Cranberry Port Sauce

YumSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:07 -0800

I just found the perfect use for my leftover cranberry sauce and boneless pork chops: this balanced dinner of sautéed pork cutlets.

I'll pan-fry some pork chops, then deglaze the pan with a combination of cranberries and port wine, for a sauce that's both sweet and tart.

The result? A mouthwatering meal that's full of flavor, not fat. Want to see the recipe? Then read more.

Sunday Dinner: Black-Eyed Peas With Pork and Greens

YumSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:30:06 -0800

Pork chops may be filling and healthful, but because they're a leaner cut, they aren't always full of flavor.

To keep your taste buds dancing, incorporate the other white meat into a classic Southern staple that's got major sass: the Hoppin' John.

A medley of black-eyed peas, brown rice, kale, and pork come together with the help of tomato, broth, vinegar, and paprika. Enjoy a dish that's got a little bit of everything when you keep reading.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Beef Fajita Bowls

partysugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:58:31 -0700

Sometimes I think it's fun to take an ordinary dish and deconstruct it. Don't get overwhelmed, it's actually super easy. For example, instead of serving fajitas in a soft tortilla, serve them in a bowl over rice with crispy fried tortilla strips. Dinner comes together quickly in under a half an hour. By incorporating canned, frozen, and fresh ingredients, you create a meal that is layered with flavors and textures. Mash up a simple guacamole, chill the Pacifico and sit back - TGIF! Get this fast and easy recipe - read more

Beef Fajita Bowls
From Betty Crocker

1 cup uncooked regular long-grain rice
1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 flour tortilla for burritos (8 inch) (from 11.5-ounce package), cut into 4x1/2-inch strips
1 bag (1 pound) frozen stir-fry bell peppers and onions
1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn
1 cup thick & chunky salsa
2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Cook rice as directed on package.
Meanwhile, cut beef with grain into 2-inch strips; cut strips across grain into 1/8-inch slices.
Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; rotate skillet to coat bottom. Cook tortilla strips in oil 1 to 2 minutes on each side, adding additional oil if necessary, until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towel.
Add beef to skillet; cook and stir over medium-high heat 4 to 5 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Remove from skillet.
Add bell pepper mixture and corn to skillet; cook and stir 1 minute. Cover and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring twice, until crisp-tender.
Stir in beef, salsa, lime juice, chili sauce and cumin. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until hot. Stir in cilantro.
Divide rice among bowls. Top with beef mixture and tortilla strips.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

partysugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 06:30:55 -0700

One of our favorite places to search for wonderful recipes is MyRecipes.com - the site that houses all of the recipes from several great food magazines like Cooking Light, Sunset, and Southern Living. We love the website so much that we've become fabulous friends and they're graciously providing this month’s Fast & Easy dinner recipes!

To get things started, I've found this delicious and filling salad recipe. Here, the classic Cobb is jazzed up with a green goddess dressing packed with fresh herbs. It's a wonderfully scrumptious dinner -especially after yesterday's Mexican food overload - so get the recipe now and read more.

Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
From Cooking Light

Ingredients

Dressing:
1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons anchovy paste
1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced
Salad:
8 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 cup trimmed watercress
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
2 tomatoes, each cut into 8 wedges (about 1 pound)
2 hard-cooked large eggs, each cut into 4 wedges
1/2 cup diced peeled avocado
1/4 cup (1 1/2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese

Get more recipes at MyRecipes.com

Directions

To prepare dressing, place first 11 ingredients in a blender or food processor; process until smooth. Chill.
To prepare salad, combine lettuce and watercress in a large bowl.
Place 2 cups lettuce mixture on each of 4 plates.
Arrange 6 tablespoons chicken, 4 tomato wedges, 2 egg wedges, 2 tablespoons avocado, and 1 tablespoon cheese over each serving. Serve each salad with 1/4 cup dressing.

Serves 4.

Nutritional Information: CALORIES 273(39% from fat); FAT 11.8g (sat 3.6g,mono 4.3g,poly 2.5g); PROTEIN 25.7g; CHOLESTEROL 158mg; CALCIUM 196mg; SODIUM 637mg; FIBER 3.8g; IRON 3.2mg; CARBOHYDRATE 16.3g

Like the recipe above? Try out some of these other ones:

- 7 Cool Salads Under 300 Calories
- Dinner Tonight Recipes in 45-Minutes or Less
- Eat Smart at CookingLight.com
- Get More Salad Recipes

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