YumSugar

YumSugar Gift Guide: The Bro Who Loves Cheese

partysugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:03:18 -0800

I hold a dear place in my heart for the foodie who loves cheese. My older brother is one of those fromage fools who instantly knows his Parmesan from his pecorino. To help him become the master of mold, I plan on getting one of the following gifts. These chalk boards are perfect for displaying different kinds of cheeses! They add height to a tablescape and the dark slate accents the creamy colors of cheese. For more - from a cheese saw to a six-month cheese club subscription - browse below.

Cheese Saw ($3.95)	Cheese Deck, by Max McCalman ($13.45 )
Walnut Cheese Board ($29.95)	Blue Fondue Set (1.5-qt.) by Rachael Ray ($49.95)
Clean Slate Risers - NapaStyle ($28.00 - $88.00)	6 Month Cheese Club Subscription, Williams-Sonoma ( $395.00 )

Making the Most Fabulous Fondue

partysugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:03:51 -0800

While it may seem incredibly easy to throw a bunch of cheese into a pot and melt it, crafting a super-creamy fondue takes a little skill. In the February issue of Vogue, Jeffrey Steingarten acknowledges that the perfect fondue is hard to find. He said:

Fondues as smooth and suave as this are rare; more often the cheese separates and settles on the bottom of the pan in stringy clumps and lonely curds whose flavor is as fine as the cheese they're made from, but that congeal in the mouth into tough and chewy balls not unlike chaws of bubble gum.

No one would want to serve a chunky fondue like the one Steingarten describes. To ensure that you never make a bad fondue again, check out my tips for creating silky fondue, just read more.

Use the best-quality cheese you can afford. When making the classic Swiss version, use gruyere instead of emmentalar. Avoid using low-fat cheeses as they don't melt well.
Similar to a vinaigrette, fondue is an emulsion of melted cheese and wine, so keep that in mind when you are whisking the two ingredients together.
Use a dry white wine and add a little fresh lemon juice to provide acidity.
Cook over a low temperature and never let the fondue boil.
Before using a new fondue pot, break it in by boiling a mixture of half water, half milk for 15 minutes.
Never add all of the cheese at once to the pot. Add the cheese by the handful, stirring between additions to ensure a smooth, melted texture.
When setting up fondue, place in a part of the table that is accessible as you don't want guests reaching to get to the fondue. Place pots on different tables to ensure that everyone isn't crowded around one table.

Got a great tip for making fondue? Please share with us below!

Source and Source

Sunday Dinner: Classic Cheese Fondue

YumSugar — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 00:01:31 -0700

One of my favorite things in the whole world is cheese. I love it in just about all formats, but especially have a thing for it when it's heated and gooey and waiting for me to dip things into it. Yes ladies and gents, I'm talking about fondue. For tonight's Sunday dinner I suggest you gather up your favorite accoutrements (bread, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, apples, broccoli, carrots, etc.) and prepare yourself a delicious cheese fondue. It'll work better if you have a fondue pot with long dipping forks, however if you don't, you can gather around the stove while you eat, but that's just not as fun. To check out a simple basic recipe (from which you can use as your launch pad to go crazy with cheese experimentation), read more

This recipe is assuming you have a fondue pot that is okay for the stove - or an adjustable temp fondue pot. If yours is more of a warmer only/can't go on the stove, start it in a different pot on the stove and then move it over to the fondue pot.

And don't throw out the leftover fondue. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, you can heat it back up for tomorrow's leftovers.

Classic Cheese Fondue
From Go Fondue

1/2 lb Emmenthaler (Swiss) Cheese (shredded)
1/2 lb Gruyeye (shredded)
1 clove Garlic
2 cups Dry White Wine
1 tbs Lemon Juice
2 tbs Flour
3 tbs Kirsch
1/4 tsp White Pepper
Nutmeg and/or Paprika to taste

Rub the inside of the fondue pot with the garlic clove - add clove to pot or discard
Heat up the White Wine & Lemon Juice - should be hot but do not boil
Reduce heat to low and slowly add cheese while stirring
Slowly add remainder of ingredients while stirring
If fondue is too loose add more cheese
If fondue is too stiff add more wine

Use dipping forks to dip your favorite items (crusty bread, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, etc).

Print recipe with images | without images

What do you like to dip into your cheese fondue?

Shown: Bodum Fondue Set

Come Party With Me: Valentine's Day Single Gal Soirée - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:01:51 -0800

As cheesy as it sounds red and pink decorations - with lots of hearts - are fun for any Valentine's Day party. Start by covering the table with a vibrant red tablecloth. Scatter heart confetti across the cloth. Set up the fondue pots and arrange large platters with the dippers around the pots. Stack appetizer plates and cocktail napkins on the ends of the table. Instead of using regular fondue picks use metallic heart picks. Fill vases with lush red tulip arrangements. For a super-festive atmosphere hang a Valentine's Day garland or banner, light-pink Christmas lights, and pink candles. Oh and the best part is, if you're hosting your party this weekend like I am, you may be able to pick up a lot of these decorations at half price!

Source

Yum Market Finds: Love Is In The Air (In The Kitchen)

partysugar — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 00:17:18 -0800

I've been infatuated with Valentine's Day all week and today is no different. You aided me in my romantic fascination by saving your sweetly sappy foodie finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar. How could I not share a few of the best ones with you all???

TNgirl found the cutest heart fondue set at the reasonable price of $15. I like how it's portable and only needs a candle, excellent for the on-go-gal. Oh and the two metal fondue forks with hearts on the end are absolutely adorable.

Two more, so read more

No Valentine's Day would be complete without a box of chocolates, right? Brown_Sugar's suggestion of temptation truffles by Godiva is making my mouth water. Who needs a man when you can eat these while sipping a glass of pink champagne??

Kitchen Goddess Twinkle found these fabulous and timely XOXO molds. They always say the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach and what better way to do so than with XOXO molds!

Thanks for Yum Marking girls! I appreciate your participation. If you are feeling confused on how to save cool stuff to TeamSugar, read geeksugar's helpful how to .

Wedding Registry 101: Cookware

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 05:57:31 -0700

To round out our wedding registry tips, I thought I'd cover my favorite category, cookware & bakeware. To begin, look at both of your current pots/pans and see if there are any worth keeping, or any sets you have already started. Also look to see what kind of pans you have, are there any you love and want more of? Or maybe you splurged on a fancy brand only to learn you hated the way they heated. Also think about your cooking style. If you're more health conscious, you may want to consider non-stick so that you can use less oil. If you're an aspiring chef, go for hard anodized stainless or copper for superior heat conductivity. To learn what you should look for when selecting pots, pans and bakeware, as well as a pretty full list of things you might want to register for, read more

Be sure to select materials and styles that reflect your cooking style.
Consider registering for a few different types of pans. Stainless steel requires the least maintenance and can go in the dishwasher, and sometimes you really don't feel like washing the pans by hand.
Copper pans are the best heat conductors, yet cool quickly allowing for maximum heat control. They are also oven safe, however you will have to hand wash them and occasionally polish them too.
Stainless Steel pans have a clean look, and are easy to take care of. They're also oven and dishwasher safe (bonus!).
Enameled Cast Iron pans heat slowly, but distribute heat effectively. The ones with porcelain-enamel insides are stick-resistant and the ones with the porcelain-enamel outsides are quite durable and cute. Plus, the enameled ones are dishwasher and oven safe.
If you don't like baking, then there's probably no need for specialty pans such as springform or popover. You may decide to register for more dinnerware or appliances instead.
Consider registering for pan sets as well as individual pieces. This way you'll break apart the range of prices your guests can choose from.
Cookware should feel good and sturdy in your hands. Also note the weight. If you find the pot too heavy to carry while empty, imagine it full of food.
Be sure to include at least 2 round cake pans and a square or rectangular cake pan. Also most muffin/cupcake recipes yield 24, so you may consider adding two to your registry.
For a fully stocked kitchen, you'll want to consider some of the following:
Cookware:
- Sauce Pans
- Sauté Pans
- Stock Pots
- Frying Pans
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Double Burner Griddle
- Casserole Dishes
- Wok
- Grill Pan
- Braiser
- Roasting Pan
- Paella Pan
- Fish Poacher
- Asparagus Pot
- Double Boiler
- Fondue Pot
- Steamer
- Pressure Cooker
- Tea Kettle
- Dutch Oven

Bakeware:
- Pizza Pans
- Muffin Pans
- Cookie Sheets
- Cake Pans (Round, Square, Rectangular)
- Pie Pans
- Tart Pans
- Loaf Pans
- Bundt Pans
- Popover Pans
- Ramekins
- Rolling Pins
- Springform Pans
- SilPat
- Pizza Stone
- Flour Sifter

- Mixing Bowls
- Cookbook Holder
- Measuring Cups

Shown: Sur La Table Professional HD Hard-Anodized Nonstick 8-Piece Cookware Set

Yummy Links: Peeps Style

YumSugar — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 00:14:21 -0700

Originally we had only intended to write one Peep-related post this Easter. Just one. A little guy that you could read and hang on to and chuckle about. However one turned to two, and two turned to three, and three could actually turn to four, five, six and seven. But instead of inundating you with Peeps posts, I've decided to round a bunch of my favorites into one list. Here we go!

A brilliant yellow dress made from Peeps.
You have to love the Peep-igiri Bento box. You can use the Peeps marshmallow maker molds to make your own! Thanks to Candyblog for this one.
Speaking of Candyblog, check out these Peeps Mash Ups like Peep Rocks (Peeps and Pop Rocks).
Even ABC News is into Peeps. Take a Peep at this video they've put together (sorry, that was their pun, not mine). Thanks to natalie for this link!
Chef Jason Wilson of Crush in Seattle has created a menu with Peeps. Menu items include Peep fondue, green "eggs" and ham, Peep-crusted foie gras, Peep macaroni and cheese, and Peep-otatoes.
Peeps could be considered a miracle of science, check out this Peep research facility to learn more.
Fun moments of Rock N Roll History reenacted by Peeps.
And finally this one is for all of my Peeps in Sacramento, enjoy your tenth annual Peep Off - how have I still never been? For those of you who don't know, the folks have an as many as you can eat without puking contest - I believe the current record was set by Dennis Gross in 1999 with 81 Peeps.