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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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Follow YumSugar on Twitter!

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:47 -0700

Hungry for some more of YumSugar? Well, follow me - and PartySugar - on Twitter! I'll be reporting relevant news as it happens, as well as sharing my miscellaneous musings on the culinary world.

Simply sign up or log in to your Twitter account and follow HeyYumSugar by clicking here. Our Twitter feed is a great way to get the delectable dish throughout the day. Not familiar with Twitter? Read geeksugar's explanation and get on board!

Must Read: The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever

partysugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 07:45:08 -0800

Due to the difficult economic climate, in the past couple of months, the casserole - a one-pot dish that feeds a crowd and often consists of budget-friendly ingredients - has made a strong comeback. To fully embrace the trend, I recently obtained a copy of The Best Casserole Cookbook Ever ($24.95) by Beatrice Ojakangas. It's filled with over 500 casserole recipes, and to find out what I thought of this cookbook, read more.

Pros:

The book takes a healthy approach to casseroles by encouraging home cooks to make their own sauces to replace the "cream of" soups.
There's a loose interpretation of the word "casserole." According to the author, casserole can "refer either to the dish that the food is cooked in or to the food itself." So, while there are plenty of classic casserole recipes, there are also tons of recipes for one-pot, baked dishes.
The book covers every type of cuisine and cooking procedure, from classic breakfast dishes to Moroccan-influenced dinners to casseroles for two.

Cons:

Some of the recipes lack important details. For example, step two in the chili con queso recipe says to "melt butter in a small skillet and add the green onions and poblano peppers. Saute for 5 minutes." The recipe fails to mention the temperature of the stove.
The ingredient lists have too many options, leaving it up to the home cook to decide what to include in the casserole. A recipe will say "heavy cream or sour cream" "4 slices of bacon or 1/2 cup cooked ham." Surely the casserole tastes different depending on which ingredient is used. I prefer for the cookbook author to tell me which one tastes better.
There are virtually no color photographs. In fact, there are almost no photos at all.

Recipes: The focus of this book is clearly the recipes and there is definitely something for everyone. Here are the casserole recipes I would like to make:

All of the hot cheese slather spreads in the appetizer section
Cheese and sausage breakfast pie
Chicken Marengo
Chicken, polenta, and morel casserole
Beer-baked Irish beef
Fiesta casserole
Casserole-braised lamb shanks
Crab melt casserole
Corn and chive pudding
Peaches and cream dessert casserole

Imagery: There are about 16 color photographs in the entire book. Although these images are mouthwatering and professional, some seem a little too stylized.

Overall Rating: If you love casseroles or use the oven to do most of your cooking, you will love this book. The insane quantity of recipes guarantees that you'll be using it in the years to come.

Saturday Night Live Parodies Burger King's "Whopper Virgins"

partysugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:30:15 -0800

This weekend's Saturday Night Live featured a spoof of the controversy Whopper Virgin ads by Burger King. In the mock version of the commercial host Neil Patrick Harris acts as a spokesperson for Burger King. It's hilarious, crazy, and kind of sad watching the rural European farmers take apart the burgers, act out an American-style game show, and beg to take the burgers home because it's enough "food to feed his village for the whole month." Check out the skit's video below and tell me what you think. Now that it's being made fun of by SNL, should Burger King pull the ad?

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Ryan Scott Is Much More Than Botched Chicken Piccata

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:15:19 -0700

At this point, all you Top Chef fans probably know him as the guy who can't make Chicken Piccata. However you'd be wrong to dismiss him so quickly; Chef Ryan Scott is much more than that. We recently had a chance to talk to Ryan about his time on Top Chef, his departure from the popular Myth Cafe, and what life after Top Chef is like. To view our interview with Ryan, just read more.

YumSugar: You were almost a contestant last season, what made you come back for season four?
Ryan Scott: A telephone call. They actually asked me to try out for season four. You put a lot into trying out, it's a lot of work and takes a lot of time.

YS: So what did you do differently this year?
RS: Nothing, I think they just really wanted me. I pursued them as much as I did before, and I told them, "Hey, I want this really badly."

YS: Why did you want it so badly?
RS: It's an opportunity of a lifetime. Once you get into the game and you get close to getting on, you're so close, why wouldn't you do it? There are tens of thousands of people trying out, why wouldn't you go?

YS: So was it what you expected?
RS: The pressure is absolutely intense. Right off the bat you're going up against 15 other people. You're just blown away. The 100-k [prize money] is nothing after the first 10 minutes. You're there to compete because it's just an all-out war. It's an insane and intense atmosphere.

YS: OK, I have to ask, have you since perfected chicken piccata?
RS: [Laughs] You know, I can't stand the dish. Honestly though, it's the basics. I had the choice, but I went with piccata, and like Rocco [Dispirito] says, it's flour and egg. Top Chef is about applying your own version of things and it wasn't to their liking. You're feeding four palates who've eaten the best food all over the world, it's going to be difficult to please them.

YS: Are you worried about how you're going to be perceived?
RS: Wow. Good question. How'd Andrew answer that? [Laughs] I guess I don't care. I was myself. I'm trying not to read all the freaking blogs. People critiquing you who don't know you, or they know you and worked with you in the past. . . . I went in there and knew I was truly myself all the way through. Editing is a beautiful thing. One of the blogs said I was the bad guy. How in the hell did I come off as the bad guy?

YS: So what's next, we heard you're leaving Myth Cafe [Myth Cafe actually closed on Mar. 14] and will be opening up RyanScott 2Go.
RS: Right now I'm doing some consulting and speaking engagements. I'm visiting different high schools all next week.

I really love simple food and I have business partners here in [San Francisco]. We would love to do a little chain of Ryan Scott 2Go. Just quick easy meals, lunch type places.

YS: Would they be a bit like Myth Cafe?
RS: No. No seats, just a to-go window, out the door. Small places. We know what we want to do, it's just finding the right spot. Rent in the city is out of the world. It's all about numbers. The financial district is ideal, but we'll see what happens. We don't want to tie ourselves to a brand or location that we can't afford. We're still searching.

Top photo by Chris Andre
Bottom photo courtesy of Bravo

Do You Feed Your Dog People Food?

partysugar — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 09:06:05 -0800

I have the most adorable little cocker spaniel, and even though I love her very much, I will not feed her people food - not even when Lacey rests her little face on my lap during dinner in an attempt to cute me into it. I just don't believe in giving dogs people food in any way shape or form. Be it scraps, leftovers, or old bones, I just don't do it. The first dog I ever loved, Adam, died when I was eight years old due to complications related to the digestion of people food. His stomach could not handle it and we had to put him to sleep. Everyone has a personal opinion on what their dog can and cannot digest correctly.

I know a girl who gives her dog, Darko, a doggie biscuit covered in whipped cream as a daily treat. Rachael Ray, a known dog lover, features a canine/people friendly meal each month in her magazine, Everyday With Rachael Ray. My aunt gives her dog, Mocha, tiny pieces of leftover meat about once a week for an extra source of protein. A friend's boyfriend liberally feeds his dog, Simba, people food but regularly brushes Simba's teeth. What about you reader? Do you share human food with man's best friend?

Do you feed your dog people food?

Hell's Kitchen - 3.8 Recap

partysugar — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 11:03:37 -0700

This week we found our favorite chefs of Hell's Kitchen narrowed down to the last five: Bonnie, Jen, Julia, Rock, and Josh. Before things get boiling, Ramsay tells the cheftestants they will no longer be working in separate teams, boys vs. girls. Instead, the five will cook, clean, and cooperate as one big happy family. Bickering and bitching abounds, Ramsay loses it (surprise, surprise), and Bonnie has her best night ever. For all this and more - including what happens when the chefs feed some of L.A's most prominent trendsetters - read more

In the day's first challenge, the final five must feed trendsetters. Blindfolded, they are driven to an off-site location where they will find the, "people with their fingers on the pulse." Although they are expecting celebrities, the chefs find themselves in the middle of a high school cafeteria. Given an hour to prepare a school lunch for 100 high school kids, the chefs - who are working individually against one another - get down to business. Rock makes Kobe beef meatloaf sandwiches, Josh does a baked salmon, Julia whips up grilled cheeses and onion rings, Bonnie tosses a salad with fried goat cheese, and Jen boils up a chicken and pasta dish. The chefs personally serve their lunches and chummily chat up the students. With over 51% of the student votes, the wining prize of a ~~romantic~~ glamourous getaway to Las Vegas with Ramsay, goes to Julia who picks Jen as her escort to Vegas. The gals are whisked off, champagne in hands, to board Ramsay's private jet. The losing three are left to vacuum, clean, and iron the linens of the Hell's Kitchen dining room.

In Vegas, Julia and Jen are given the royal treatment: lux suite, Cristal champagne, spa treatments, and lunch with last season's HK winner Heather West. Back at the chopping block, for the first time in Hell's Kitchen history, the men and the women have to work together. Rock overcooks the scallops and Josh jumps the gun by preparing both risotto and spaghetti before anyone has even ordered it. Julia screws up her garnishes and is overall not on. Several of Josh's risottos get sent back for being undercooked and Ramsay violently kicks Josh out of the kitchen and off the show.

The four are left to finish the service. Julia fumbles, Bonnie takes the lead, Jen perfectly seasons Josh's risottos, and Rock throws an immature temper tantrum when the girls push him into cooperating. After much arguing between Rock (could Rock be any more of a complete jerk???) and Jen, the dinner service is finally over. Bonnie is chosen to select two of her teammates for elimination. She picks Rock (for being such an asshole) and Julia (for falling off her game). Ramsay says it's the hardest decision he has made so far and with a huge hug, asks Julia to hang up her chef's coat. For all of her potential, improvement, and hard work, he awards her a full ride to culinary school along with job placement aid when she graduates - who would have thought Ramsay was such a nice guy???
Oh that Ramsay, isn't he just full of surprises? And insults? Here are my top five Ramsayisms from last night:

Open wide Josh, you do have a talent, you can catch champagne!
Ladies, you didn't think we were going to be traveling commercial, did you?
We've opened, we haven't served anything yet but we've lost money! What a f**king doughnut.
Even my mom cooks spaghetti seven minutes before she wants it... We cook spaghetti to order, even the f**king dirtiest, scummiest Italian restaurant in Venice Beach cooks spaghetti to order!
Oh my god almighty! Come here you, what the fuck are you doing? You stand there and you screw me. You are f**king useless, get out! Get out! *throws spoon at Josh's head*

Finally a few things to think about until we meet Ramsay & Co again: Wasn't it cute how they got so excited about getting new chefs jackets? Wasn't it obvious that Julia was going to win the high school food challenge? I mean kids don't want food their parents will make them! Baked salmon? Chicken & pasta? Hello! Obviously the high schoolers are going to like the onion rings the best, come on!

Image Source

The Ultimate Kitchen: Food Processor

YumSugar — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 00:01:17 -0800

We've covered a few super basic kitchen necessities lately, so I thought today's Ultimate Kitchen would be a food processor. Now, food processors aren't absolutely necessary, but they really do come in handy. I use mine all the time for pesto, salsa, pizza dough, and a number of other culinary creations. When choosing a food processor the biggest concern should be size. Now you might think to yourself, it's just me, I only need a three cup food processor. However I'd think again, most recipes are going to be much larger and you won't be able to do things like pizza dough or bread. Also be sure the base is strong and sturdy, the heavier the base, the less likely it is to move around.

The one that I'm considering (ours recently broke) is the Cuisinart Classic. It has a 7 cup capacity and includes several extra blades and discs (steel blade, dough blade, slicing disc and shredding disc). Like most food processors it also has an extra-large feed tube for large food slices. However one of the great features is that the pusher has a pinhole for dripping oil. I also enjoy the fact that it has a safety lock/load feature (three parts must be aligned), however some people find it to be cumbersome, and those little pieces may break. Cost: $100.

If you're looking for something with more bells and whistles, Real Simple magazine recommends the Magimix 4200 XL. This $350 machine is made by the French company Robot Coupe (who developed the Cuisinart in the 1970s). Although it is quite large and takes up a lot of precious counter space, it comes with a wide feed tube, five disks, two blades, a whisk, and three bowls. There's also a box for storing the smaller parts and a twelve year warranty.

Two more, both under $60, so read more

This one is the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth and it holds 14 cups and comes with 4 speeds plus a pulse control. I've read that there is some complaint about the spacing between the blade and the bottom of the bowl, however for the price everyone seems to really enjoy it.

If you're the kinda person who plans on only using the food processor for things like hummus or salsa and care more about how it looks on your counter than what it does, then you might want to consider the KitchenAid Chef's Chopper. It only has a three cup capacity, but is dishwasher safe and stain resistant. Cost: $39.99, but a proceed of the price will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Foundation.

Off to Market Recap: One Pot Meal

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 16:46:02 -0800

So my sister is off to the family cabin today and I asked you to help me out by finding her a one pot meal. It's a three hour drive and it may be snowing, so she needs an easy soothing one pot meal that she can just reheat upon arrival. She's invited many of her best friends so the meal has to be transportable, able to feed a crowd, and hearty enough to feed the guys. You guys added your recipes to the database and the accessories to the Yum Market with the tag One Pot Meal, so let's see what you've come up with!

After looking at all the yummy recipes, I've decided to make Suez's Chinese Noodle Soup. I love the idea of building a themed Chinese meal around this dish. I told my sister to order some spring rolls from the local Chinese restaurant to serve as a starter while the soup heats up.

For the special extras that I've chosen to pair with this One Pot Meal, read more

My sister will serve the Chinese Noodle Soup in the bowls that Crispet1 found. I love the warm earthiness; they're perfect for a cabin in the mountains.

She'll serve the one pot Chinese themed meal with a winter lager (the guys will certainly enjoy this) by Sam Adams that Yum Market maestro Crispet1 submitted.

Thanks for all those who participated in this Yum Market, my sister thanks you too! If you are dying to add your tasty treats check out my latest hunt in Off To Market: Hostess Gift.

If you're interested in learning more about the Yum Market, read geeksugar's guide to bookmarking foodie finds on TeamSugar.

Would You Pay $2100 For A Ham?

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:57:32 -0700

Yep, you read that title correctly. I didn't forget a decimal point, that does indeed read twenty-one hundred dollars. Or, if you prefer, $160 per pound.

The salt-cured Spanish 2006 Alba Quercus Reserve ham won't be available until 2008, but you can put your $250 deposit on it now. Producer Manuel Maldonado - whose family has been in the business for four generations - has taken the art of ham to the next level by pampering his pigs with a free-range life and high-quality acorn feed. He then cures the meat for two years, instead of the standard one.

Originally Maldonado had hoped to have a batch available for this year's holiday season, however the 2005 ham didn't live up to his standards. Next year he hopes to have 80 to 100 legs available for purchase. If you think the price is too extraordinary, Maldonado would like to remind you that:

"A ham like this can be shared among 20 people, he notes, whereas a bottle of the finest wine going for the same amount goes down quickly among just a few."

It's a really great point, but I still don't know if I could ever justify spending $2100 on a ham leg. However, you know I won't turn down the opportunity to taste such a fine product! Just looking at this picture is making me drool!

How about you? Would you spend this much on a ham?

Source: Yahoo News