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7 Cocktail Trends to Embrace and 4 to Avoid

Katie Sweeney — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 03:15:34 PDT

Goat, pork desserts, and grilled cheese weren't the only trends we spotted at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. I also attended a seminar devoted to what's hot (and what's not!) in the world of mixology. At The Cocktail Guide, New York's most famous bartender Jim Meehan, of PDT, and Food & Wine's Kate Krader discussed top trends when it comes to drinks. Wondering what you should seek out and stay away from the next time you hit up your local watering hole? Read on.

Happy Hour: In-Sandíary

partysugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:00:24 PDT

Remember a month ago when I mentioned my latest obsession was with watermelon juice and tequila? Well the compulsion continues with this cocktail! What makes this drink is the spicy salted rim. It adds a fiery punch that enhances the natural bite of tequila. Be sure to strain the watermelon juice before putting it into the cocktail shaker. This ensures that the final drink is smooth and refreshing. If you're looking for a delicious alternative to the classic lime margarita, definitely give this drink a shake before watermelon season ends. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how well the vibrant pink fruit pairs with tequila. Get the recipe when you

Soup's On: Lentil Soup

partysugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:48:31 PST

The other day, when I asked my sister what kind of soup she wanted for dinner, she quickly replied lentil. I researched some recipes and started chopping vegetables. Later when we sat down to dinner I realized she was only kidding! Luckily the soup was hearty and delicious and my entire family enjoyed it. The original recipe has you puree the soup, but I left it chunky for texture. The croutons add a nice crunch, but don't directly affect the flavor of the soup. Paired with a green salad and a glass of red wine, this is one excellent Winter meal. To see how I made it,

Yummy Link: Granola So Good a Top Chef Judge Eats It

partysugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 05:28:33 PDT

Sometimes I wonder what the Top Chef judges eat in real life. Are they always 100 percent gourmet? Well it turns out our friend Gail Simmons likes to munch on granola. - Mouthing Off

Jazz up Shortbread Cookies With Chocolate

partysugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 01:00:51 PDT

In my opinion, one can never have too many cookie cutters. They come in such a wide variety of fun shapes and sizes that I find myself investing in a new one each time I make a batch of cookies.

For this chocolate shortbread cookie recipe, I'll be getting a bat-shaped cookie cutter. A witch hat, tombstone, or black cat would be fabulous as well. Whatever shape you choose, indulge in this tasty recipe that takes the classic butter shortbread recipe and jazzes it up with cocoa powder. Get it now when you

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
From Food & Wine magazine

2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 cup Dutch-process cocoa
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 teaspoon kosher salt

In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until fluffy. Add the vanilla, then beat in the cocoa on low speed. Beat in the flour and salt; the dough will be very soft.
Divide the dough in half and place each half between 2 large sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap. Roll out the dough 1/4 inch thick and transfer to 2 baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°.
Working with one piece of dough at a time, remove the top sheet of parchment and invert the dough onto a lightly floured work surface; remove the second sheet of parchment.
Using a floured 3-inch cookie cutter, stamp out cookies as close together as possible.
Transfer the cookies to parchment paper–lined baking sheets and bake for about 14 minutes, or until firm. Let cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then, using a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.
Reroll the scraps, and stamp out more cookies, chilling the scraps between batches.

Makes 2.5 dozen cookies.

Make ahead: the dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

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Give Black and White Cookies a Halloween Makeover

partysugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:13:59 PDT

One of the girls here at the Sugar HQ recently received several boxes of black and white cookies. She grew up on Long Island and desperately missed the quintessentially New York treat. Luckily she shared the cookies with me, and I instantly fell in love! I immediately knew I wanted to find a recipe and give this classic east coast treat a try in my San Francisco kitchen. I got even more excited when I found this recipe with a Halloween twist! A few drops of orange food coloring is the secret ingredient that takes these cookies from everyday to holiday. Get the recipe when you

Black & Orange Cookies
From Food & Wine magazine

Cookies
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons milk
Icing
2 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Orange food coloring, or red and yellow combined
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Make the cookies: preheat the oven to 350°; position 2 racks in the upper and middle thirds of the oven. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Sift the cake flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt onto a large sheet of wax paper. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and yolks one at a time, beating well between additions. Beat in the vanilla and milk. At low speed, beat in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Spoon rounded tablespoons of the batter onto the baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies for about 12 minutes, until the centers spring back when lightly pressed. Be careful not to let the cookies brown or overbake, or they will be dry. Transfer the cookies, flat-side up, to a wire rack and let cool completely.
Meanwhile, make the icing: in a medium bowl, whisk the confectioners' sugar with the boiling water until smooth. Add the vanilla extract and a few drops of food coloring and whisk until the icing is evenly colored. Using a small offset spatula, spread the orange-colored icing over half of the flat side of each cookie.
In a microwave oven, melt the chocolate in a small bowl. Stir the chocolate into the remaining orange icing. Spread the chocolate icing on the other half of each cookie and let stand until set, about 15 minutes. (If the icing becomes too thick, add hot water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until smooth and shiny.)

The black-and-orange cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

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Pizza Margherita Two Ways - Beginner & Expert

partysugar — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:32:33 PDT

Eating a perfectly cooked pizza margherita at an outdoor cafe on the streets of Naples is a luxury that I am lucky enough to have experienced. However, just because you won't be heading to Southern Italy anytime soon doesn't mean you can't enjoy a deliciously simple pizza. I've found two stimulating recipes: one for the novice cook, and another for the foodie elitist. However, both recipes require the best quality ingredients you can find. Once you have mastered the pizza margherita, use these recipes as a base for more creative pizzas. Sound divine? Wait till you read the recipes.

Beginner Pizza Margherita
From Cooking Light magazine
Image Source

1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust dough
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 garlic clove, halved
5 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced (about 3/4 pound)
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 400°.
Unroll crust dough onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; pat into a 13 x 11-inch rectangle. Bake at 400° for 8 minutes. Remove crust from oven, and brush with 1/2 teaspoon oil. Rub crust with cut sides of garlic.
Arrange tomato slices on crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border; sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake at 400° for 12 minutes or until cheese melts and crust is golden.
Combine 1/2 teaspoon oil and vinegar, stirring with a whisk.
Sprinkle pizza evenly with sliced basil, salt, and pepper. Drizzle the vinegar mixture evenly over the pizza. Cut pizza into 8 pieces.

Serves 4.

Nutritional Information: CALORIES 298(30% from fat); FAT 10g (sat 4.6g,mono 3.5g,poly 1.4g); PROTEIN 12.2g; CHOLESTEROL 22mg; CALCIUM 175mg; SODIUM 595mg; FIBER 2.1g; IRON 2.6mg; CARBOHYDRATE 38.6g

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Expert Pizza Margherita
From Food & Wine magazine

Dough
1 envelope active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (90° to 105°)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
Toppings
One 14-ounce can peeled whole San Marzano tomatoes, drained
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 pounds buffalo mozzarella, thinly sliced
32 large basil leaves, torn into pieces

Make the dough: in a large bowl, mix the yeast with 1/2 cup of the warm water and the sugar and let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes.
Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups of warm water, the 4 cups of flour and the kosher salt and stir until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a well-floured work surface and knead, adding flour as necessary until a silky, but soft dough forms. Use a pastry scraper to help knead the dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl and brush all over with olive oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or for up to 3 days.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface; punch down and divide into 4 pieces. Form each piece into a ball. Rub each ball with oil and transfer to a baking sheet. Cover the balls loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a draft-free place for 1 hour.
Prepare the toppings: meanwhile, set a pizza stone in the oven and preheat the oven to 500°, allowing at least 45 minutes for the stone to heat.
Pass the tomatoes through a food mill set over a medium bowl or pulse them in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Stir in the oregano and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper.
On a lightly floured surface, stretch one ball of dough into a 13-inch round; transfer to a floured pizza peel, adding flour where the dough sticks. Spread 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce over the dough to within 1 inch of the edge. Spread one-fourth of the cheese over the pizza and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with sea salt and pepper and slide the pizza onto the stone.
Bake until the bottom is charred and the cheese is melted, about 8 minutes. Scatter one-fourth of the basil on top and let stand for 3 minutes before serving. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings.

Makes 4 13 inch pizzas.

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Come Party With Me: Fall Dinner - Menu (Dessert)

partysugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:13:56 PDT

Nothing says early fall more than apple pie. However, I want to surprise my fall dinner party guests, so instead of making classic apple pie or apple crisp, I'll make an apple buckle.

A buckle is a simple streusel topped cake similar to a dessert coffee cake. It is typically made with summer fruits, but this nontraditional version wonderfully showcases fall apples. It will pair perfectly with a dessert wine or a cup of just brewed coffee, so get the recipe now

Autumn Apple Buckle
From Food & Wine magazine
Image Source

Crumb Topping
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Pinch of salt
1 stick (4 ounces) plus 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Batter
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup half-and-half
2 pounds Granny Smith apples--peeled, cored and cut into 1/2-inch dice
Sweetened sour cream, for serving

Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter and flour a 10-inch springform pan.
Make the Crumb Topping: in a food processor, pulse the flour with the brown sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest and salt. Add the butter and process until the mixture resembles moist sand. Add the walnuts and pulse 3 times. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and press into large crumbs.
Make the Batter:in a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, ginger and salt. In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the honey. Add the lemon zest, vanilla and eggs and beat until smooth.
Add the dry ingredients in 2 batches, alternating with the half-and-half and beat at low speed until smooth. Fold in the apples.
Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with the crumb topping. Bake the buckle in the center of the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the topping is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool for at least 1 hour before unhinging the springform and removing the ring.
Cut the buckle into wedges and serve with sweetened sour cream.

Serves 10-12.

Make ahead: The buckle can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Basil Chicken Curry With Coconut Rice

partysugar — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 06:01:33 PDT

You don't have to save fun, festive, and ethnic meals for the weekend. Instead, spice up a weeknight with quick fix versions like this Asian inspired basil chicken curry. Packed with full flavors, tonight's dish is a balanced meal that's both exotic and delicious. Chicken cutlets are cooked in a tasty coconut curry sauce and then piled on a pillow of coconut basmati rice. Peanuts add a much needed salty crunch, while sliced avocado and mango make a fragrant, fresh, and fruity finish. Want the recipe? All you have to do is

Basil Chicken Curry with Coconut Rice
From Food & Wine magazine
Image Source

1 1/2 cups basmati rice
2 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon canola oil
Salt
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 3-by-1/2-inch strips
Freshly ground pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
One 14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth
1 1/2 tablespoons Thai green curry paste
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped basil leaves
3 tablespoons minced cilantro
3 scallions, white and light green parts only, cut into 2-inch lengths
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts
Sliced avocado and mango, for serving

In a saucepan, bring the rice, water, canola oil and a pinch of salt to a boil; cover. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, toast the coconut over moderately low heat, stirring, until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add 1 tablespoon of the ginger and cook over moderately high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the onion and the remaining 1 tablespoon of ginger; cook over moderate heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the coconut milk, stock and curry paste and bring to a boil, stirring. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, until thickened.
Add the chicken, 1/3 cup of the basil, 2 tablespoons of the cilantro and the scallions; simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer the rice to a bowl; sprinkle with the coconut. Transfer the chicken to another bowl. Garnish with the remaining 2 tablespoons of basil, 1 tablespoon of cilantro and the peanuts. Serve the avocado and mango on the side.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Mushroom & Zucchini Pizza

partysugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:03:31 PDT

Pizza how do I love thee! While many people turn to sandwiches or pasta for their favorite quick fix meal, I turn to my beloved pizza. Trader Joe's makes an excellent pizza dough that keeps for a few weeks in the freezer or fridge. Tonight's version is a classic veggie with sautéed mushrooms and zucchini. If you want pizza, but still feel like grilling, before topping the pie, grill the veggies instead of sauteeing them in a frying pan. Serve with a nice green salad or sliced, salted tomatoes. Pair it with a Rosé and you've got yourself a delicious almost weekend meal. Sound great? Get the recipe now, just

Mushroom, Zucchini, and Swiss-Cheese Pizza
From Food & Wine magazine
Image Source

2 pounds store-bought or homemade pizza dough
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut crosswise into thin slices
1 pound mushrooms, sliced thin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 pound Swiss cheese, grated (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Heat the oven to 425°.
Oil two 12-inch pizza pans or large baking sheets. Press the dough into a 12-inch round, or 9-by-13-inch rectangle, on each prepared pan. Bake until the dough begins to brown, 10 to 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large nonstick frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat. Add the zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the same pan. Add the mushrooms, salt, pepper, and thyme and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are golden, about 5 minutes.
Return the zucchini to the pan, add the wine, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and all the wine has evaporated, about 5 minutes more.
Spread the vegetable mixture on the partially baked pizza crusts. Sprinkle each with Swiss cheese and Parmesan and bake until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.

Serves 4.

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