YumSugar

Disposal Do's and Don'ts

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 09:47:13 -0800

We've all been there (unless you don't have a garbage disposal, and in that case I feel your pain, my current place doesn't have one either), you clean up the dishes, you scrape off the food, you run the disposal and ACK! you're hit in the face with a horrible smell. The onions from tonight's dinner are wafting back through the sink and your otherwise beautifully spotless kitchen is beginning to stink. Well, I'm happy to say, this problem can be easily eliminated. To read my simple disposal tip and other garbage disposal hints, read more

To prevent the nasty garbage disposal smell, I simply take a quarter of a lemon and toss it into the disposal. When I run it, the oils from the lemon permeate through and you're left with a lemony-fresh scent. If you think it's a waste of a lemon, then be sure to squeeze out the juice first (you can save it for salads, etc.) I'll actually keep the leftover lemon parts in a bag in the fridge and use them as needed.

To help keep the disposal in good condition, try the following:

Occasionally toss a few pieces of ice into the disposal. The grinding of the ice will help to keep the blades sharp.
You can also freeze vinegar in ice cube trays and run those down the disposal. You'll keep your blades sharp and get rid of any lingering odors.
For stubborn odors pour baking soda into the drain and let it set for several hours before running the water/disposal.
Don't put too many peels (especially potatoes) down the disposal. The starches in the potatoes will turn into a thick paste and may cause the blades to stick.
It's fairly obvious, but don't run glass, plastic, metal and other non-food items down the disposal.
The remains from crab, oysters, etc. should also not be put down the disposal.
Avoid grinding fibrous food like onion skins, celery and corn husks.
Small amounts of eggshells or small bones are actually good for the disposal and can help scour the sides of the grinder.
Be sure to run cold water before, during and after using the disposal. This will help run debris through the pipes. The cold water will help solidify any grease in the pipes.
Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach or drain cleaners. If there is a clog, check and clean out the disposal unit first.

Sunday Dinner: Chicken Cacciatore

YumSugar — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:30:23 -0700

Chicken breasts and thighs have always been a staple in my household, but lately I've been doing some serious wallet-watching, and I've discovered that the best bang for your buck lies with the purchase of whole chickens.

So today, I'll pick up a couple chickens to make a classic poultry dish, chicken cacciatore, which uses every piece of the bird. Cacciatore means "hunter" in Italian, and protein prepared in this style is simmered in a sauce of mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, and herbs until succulent. Dying to try out the flavors for yourself? Then read more.

A Sweet (and Sour) Taste of Tayberries

YumSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:30:36 -0700

I grew up in a fruit-forward household, so I'm intrigued whenever I come across a variety I don't recognize. So when I found an article about mythical-sounding fruits called tayberries, I knew I needed to try them for myself. A cross between the Aurora blackberry and a European raspberry variety, this relatively young berry breed was developed at the Scottish Horticultural Research Institute, and named after the country's River Tay. It's been said to resemble the tart loganberry - a fruit I've never had the pleasure of trying - but with a sweeter finish. Follow me on my search to locate tayberries and see my comparison photos after the jump.

What's Cooking at Slashfood

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:00:51 -0700

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

A number of household objects come in handy when shaping uniform burger patties.
Is it ever OK for servers to sit down with diners?
Russ & Daughters has preserved the tradition of serving New Catch Holland herring.
Foodie festivalgoers are hardly roughing it at this year's Bonnaroo festival.
Meet greasys, a variety of beans prized in Southern Appalachia.

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You Are What You Eat: A Study in Consumption

YumSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:00:34 -0700

This month, Good magazine features a collection of narrative images that explores the different ways people address food. "You Are What You Eat," a collection of narrative images by artist Mark Menjivar, divulges the contents of various eaters' refrigerators.

One fridge, stacked haphazardly with various styrofoam takeout containers, reflects the night owl habits of a bartender. Another icebox, stocked mostly with beer, coffee drinks, and a lone plate of leftovers, reflects the eating habits of three college students. Even sadder, another contains nothing but mayonnaise and a black plastic bag - it's the fridge of a street advertiser who makes $432 a month in wages.Menjivar's work reminds us that the food we stock in our refrigerators is as much a footprint of our lives as what we do or how we dress. If I were to publish my own, I would submit the above photo, with the header, "Food Writer | San Francisco, CA | 2-Person Household | Living on soup to get over bronchitis | 2009."

What would yours say? Check out Menjivar's work (below are a few examples) and tell me what you think: are you what you eat?

View 4 Photos ›

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Survey, Study Cast Red Wine in a Positive Light

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:30:00 -0700

It may be a stressful time for makers of rosé, but for red wine producers, things are looking up: at the same time that a new scientific study suggests red wine may help you think, the results of a large survey indicate women prefer red over white and rosé wines.

According to a Northumbria University study, men and women performed better in math exams after being given resveratrol, a plant chemical naturally found in red wine; researchers involved say the chemical boosts the brain's blood supply. Incidentally, a Vinexpo survey of more than 4,000 women in the US, UK, France, Japan, and Germany has concluded that women actually prefer reds over whites and rosés, considering red wine compatible with a healthy, balanced diet. The survey results run contrary to the long-held stereotype that women prefer lighter-bodied white wines.

Perhaps the wine industry will take note of this - since apparently 80 percent of women are also in charge of choosing the wine for their household. I love every red from Malbec to Merlot, but now have an excuse to drink that extra glass of wine! Are you surprised to hear the survey results? Are the health benefits among the reasons you drink wine?

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Christian Salt Developed in Response to Kosher Salt

YumSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:00:57 -0800

Tired of TV chefs recommending kosher salt in recipes, retired barber Joe Godlewski decided to develop a Christian variety of salt. Next week, the Cesaptown, MD, businessman will roll out Blessed Christians Salts, sea salt that's been blessed by an Episcopal priests and packaged in containers bearing bright red crosses.

For Godlewski, the trademarked salts, which are made by Ingredients Corporation of America, are meant to help the Christian faith: "I said, 'What the heck's the matter with Christian salt?' This is about keeping Christianity in front of the public so that it doesn't die. I want to keep Christianity on the table, in the household, however I can do it."

Godlewski plans to sell the salt in religious bookstores and as a fund-raising tool for religious groups, pointing out that a share of the proceeds will be donated to Christian charities. If the salt proves to be successful, the entrepreneur is planning an entire line of Christian-branded foods, including rye bread, bagels, and pickles.

When I first learned of this, I practically did a double take to make sure I wasn't reading the Onion. It's somewhat entertaining to follow, since I admittedly take the whole issue with a grain of salt. In fact, I'm rather surprised nobody has come up with this already. What do you think about the whole concept of Christian salt?

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Next Up For Top Chef's Fabio: TV Show, Frozen Pizza Line

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:30:09 -0800

Well, Fabio wasn't lying when he told us, "unfortunately, you're going to see my face a lot." When we last spoke to the charismatic Top Chef contestant, he mentioned that he had an offer for a TV show and a line of food coming out. Now the star himself has confirmed to at least one source that he will be starring in his own TV show. Although he stayed mum on the concept, Fabio promised that more details would be public by April.

Additionally, Dr. Oetker, one of Europe's top frozen pizza brands, is launching its Ristorante line in America, and has called on the reality TV personality to be the spokesperson for the thin-crust pizza. "We feel Fabio is the perfect voice for the brand," Dr. Oetker USA said in a statement. "He has an incredible personality and a real passion for cooking."

The Florence-born chef, who will tour with the pizza line this Summer, also recalls the frozen pizza from his childhood. "Growing up in Italy, my mom often had Dr. Oetker's products in the home," Fabio said in the same statement. "I'm excited to help introduce Ristorante frozen pizzas to American households."

I'm curious to know if you think Fabio could be a lasting food figure. Do you plan to try the frozen pizzas he's hawking, and will you watch his new TV show?

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Test Your Canned Foods IQ!

YumSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:00:07 -0800

Canned goods may get a bad rap once in a while, but they deserve an upstanding reputation. Not only is canned food ultra-safe and convenient, but it's also consistently affordable.

If you haven't restocked your pantry with cans yet this year, now's the time to do it - February is National Canned Food Month! How much do you know about this method of preservation, which has saved household dinners for over a century? Find out when you take our quiz.

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Happy Hour: Shiner Bock

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 14:00:11 -0700

Last night I had a horrible, incurable hot flash. I opened the fridge to cool down and - to my glee - found Shiner Bock staring back at me.

If you aren't from Texas, you may not know Shiner, but if you are, then it's a household name. Shiner Bock is produced by the state's oldest independent brewing company, Spoetzl Brewery, which turns 100 next year. Shiner isn't the most complex beer to ever exist, but it's cheap, refreshing, and easy to drink.

Since the highly-carbonated, caramel-brown lager has a head that doesn't last long, it's delicious to guzzle right out of the bottle. It has little aroma and an earthy, malty, toasted flavor. Of course, it's perfect for a hot day, whether you're in Texas or not.

Have you ever had the chance to try Shiner? If so, what did you think of it?