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Would You Bring a French Press to Your Office?

YumSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:13:31 -0800

Recently, we've been assaulted by the aroma of tasty coffee brewing in the Sugar HQ kitchen. Seems that some one has gotten sick of the day-to-day, and has brought in their own delicious beans and a French press. The whole thing got me wondering about the extremes we go to in order to get a good cup of joe. So tell me, would you bring a French press to your workplace?

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YumSugar Gift Guide: Crazy for Coffee

YumSugar — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 08:19:18 -0800

Whether it's an aunt or an uncle, seems like everyone has a coffee addict on their holiday shopping list. My coffee addict doesn't actually need any other gadgets - although the Bravi Home Coffee Bean Roaster would probably be well received - so I'm opting for a monthly coffee subscription from Blue Bottle Coffee Co. If your coffee addict has enough java to last a lifetime, treat him or her to a book like I Love Coffee! that will help hone their barista skills. Scroll through for more coffee gift ideas.

I Love Coffee! ($16.95)	Blue Bottle Coffee ($17.75)
Dunk Mug ($24.95)	Coffee for One French Press ($26)
Bodum Santos Vacuum Pot ($129.95)	Bravi Home Coffee Bean Roaster ($369)

10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Thomas Keller

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:50:09 -0700

On this Wednesday, we don't just celebrate Hump Day for the week; we also honor French Laundry chef and restaurant legend Thomas Keller, who turns 54 today. The culinary pioneer - who's been called everything from the food industry's Yoda to Father Jesus Keller - shows no signs of slowing down. He's about to open a Bouchon restaurant in LA and a new inn in Napa Valley. Although chef Keller gets plenty of press, he still manages to keep a lot of his personal life under wraps. Here, 10 things you probably would never have guessed about him.
Source: WireImage

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Taste Test: Nduja, Boccalone's Spreadable Salame

YumSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 06:50:36 -0700

I've long been a fan of local talent Chris Cosentino and his offal-inspired Italian restaurant, Incanto. So when news, well, spread last month that Cosentino's salumeria Boccalone Artisan Meats was debuting the first spreadable salame - Nduja, as it's called - to be produced in the States, I knew I had to get my hands on some right away. Did the salumi live up to all its wonderment? Find out when you read more.

Nduja is nothing new - in fact, it's one of the better-known specialties that comes from the southernmost Italian region of Calabria. Pronounced "en-doo-ya," this delicacy takes its name from the French word andouille, which means "sausage." Made of pork meat, pork fat, salt, and copious amounts of red pepper, nduja is extremely spicy - and, for that reason, considered by many to be an aphrodisiac.

I picked up some spreadable salame at the Boccalone boutique in the Ferry Building Marketplace, but the Oakland-based company also carries most of its products online, including the nduja ($24 for two sausages). Despite my penchant for all things spicy, the nduja, which had a texture slightly firmer than that of liverwurst, was shockingly fiery on the tongue. In addition to possessing the vibrant flavor of Calabrian chili peppers, the burnt-orange-hued meat spread also had a robust porkiness and a hint of aromatic bitterness from the addition of orange rind. The high fat content made for a creamy, smooth texture that was a great foil to crispy water crackers or toasted, grilled bread.

Given all its press, I wondered if nduja would be merely a novelty, but a taste test proved me wrong. With its piquant, highly seasoned flavor, this spreadable delight isn't for everybody, but for those who appreciate spice, it's a worthwhile endeavor. Does spreadable salame sound like something you would try?

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What's Cooking at Slashfood

YumSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 04:30:37 -0700

We love Slashfood so much that every Thursday we round up their most delicious stories. Here are this week's finds:

Chantelle Pabros, sommelier of Chicago's L20, suggests the best wine pairings for burgers.
Have you ever experienced pine nut mouth?
A few pointers on improving your basic knife skills.
The CoffeeMeister's advice for brewing exceptional French press coffee.
The world's first bite-sized melon, the pepquiño, is coming stateside.
Ritz crackers make a surprisingly suitable fruit substitute in a mock apple pie.

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6 Tempting Gratin Dishes

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:50:25 -0800

In the dead of Winter, during a period of economic stress, there's nothing more appetizing than down-home comfort foods. While mac and cheese, burgers, and pot pies get a lot of press, I have to argue that the title of The Ultimate Comfort Food should go to the gratin. Coined after an obsolete French term for "grater," a gratin is a very loosely defined dish: it's simply any course that's topped with browned crumbs, butter, and cheese. Read on to see six different renditions of this homestyle dish.

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The Judgment Of Paris

partysugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 01:01:01 -0700

Today's date, May 24th, is a memorable day in California wine history. Before 1976, France was regarded as the only region to produce great wines. 31 years ago, a blind taste test was conducted by a group of eleven of France's most prestigious figures in the wine industry. The white wines were tasted first and the judges unanimously awarded the top honor to both (Chalone Winery and Chateau Montelena) - two California whites. Likewise, the top red wine went to a Cabernet from Napa's Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. The judges were appalled by the outcome and the results of the tasting were not publicized in the French press. Although it is difficult to evaluate the scientific results of such an objective tasting, the judgment did wonders in elevating the status of California wines.

Let Them Eat... Broccoli?!?

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 16:26:03 -0700

Let them eat cake... er broccolli... er broccoli that looks like cake?

Hidden Valley is launching a new ad campaign aimed at getting your kids to eat vegetables. The main ad features, "Three perfect broccoli cupcakes sitting atop a cake stand with Hidden Valley(R) Original Ranch(R) dressing replacing typical buttercream
frosting," and apparently there's another one of carrot "french fries" topped with ranch dressing. The slogan on the bottom says "Makes Vegetables Delectable," but - I kid you not - the press release says the ads showcase vegetables going from "plain to insane!" Plain to insane indeed...

"Our aim was to capture life in Hidden Valley -- a place where
vegetables are as delectable as treats," said Chad Ackley, creative
director at DDB. "We know moms struggle to get their kids to eat well, and
we believe our message provides a reminder that the taste of Hidden Valley
Ranch has the power to encourage kids to eat their vegetables."

I don't know if this is going to fool any kids - after all broccoli is still broccoli - but I will admit, it does make it look tastier. And totally off topic, I really want that cake stand.

Source: PR Newswire
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