YumSugar

YumSugar Gift Guide: The Bachelor Gastrosexual

YumSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:30:03 -0800

Is your brother or your best friend a perpetual heartbreaker? If his gastrosexual self already knows that the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach, browse the options below, which fit in perfectly with his impossibly smooth pad.

His George Foreman deserves a long-overdue upgrade; try this indoor grill. If he's a serious gourmet, he'll love an at-home meat grinder. For those last-minute dates, Zagat to Go is a perfect reference.

Want more gift ideas? Browse the selection below or check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Off to Market: Indoor Grills

YumSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 05:30:30 -0700

Summer is all about grilling. But if you live in an apartment with limited space like I do, there isn't always room to grill outside. To bring the grilling inside, I'm looking for an indoor grill. Wanna help? Look for electric, indoor grills (like this powerful All-Clad Indoor Electric Grill by Williams-Sonoma) in any color, shape, or size. Bookmark everything you find in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Indoor Grills. Thanks for your help and happy hunting!

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate.

Find out where I like to shop online for food and entertaining accessories when you read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Off to Market Recap: Indoor Grills

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

While I love to barbecue with friends, I don't have a grill to call my own - yet. There isn't room outside my apartment for a grill, so I asked you to point me towards indoor options. You looked for indoor electric grills in any color, shape, or size and you bookmarked everything you found in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Indoor Grills.

I love this Griddler by Cuisinart, because it has four separate grilling options: a contact grilll, a flat grill, a griddle, and a panini press. The plates are also removable, so they can be easily cleaned! For more grilling ideas, check out the appliances below.

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate.

Yummy Links: From Indoor Grilling to Lentil Salad

partysugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:15:40 -0800

Winter is an opportune time to bring the grilling indoors. - Serious Eats
A pro-life group is upset over Krispy Kreme's free inauguration doughnuts. - Eat Me Daily
Six ways to use citrus as cocktail garnishes. - The Kitchn
Speaking of citrus, broiled grapefruit is a simple, healthy dessert. - The Epi-Log
Looking back at George W. Bush's top 10 food moments. - Endless Simmer
Lentil salad with goat cheese crostini is a gourmet, on-the-go lunch. - Chow

Source

Shrimp Cocktail With a Taco Kick

YumSugar — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:30:13 -0700

Until I discovered this recipe, I'd never considered eating raw corn off the cob. But since devouring these chile-rubbed shrimp with avocado-corn salsa, I've been adding raw corn to all of my salads. Now that you're a pro at cutting corn off the cob, try enjoying Summer's sweet bounty in a spicy shrimp taco.

Though the recipe is designed as a shrimp cocktail, I rolled up the salsa and shrimp in warm corn tortillas and served it with a side of black beans. The chile rub is richly decadent but not fiery, and it's easy to make on any type of indoor grill though I used a stove-top grill pan. Don't let the ingredient list intimidate you, either. Because the shrimp and salsa can be prepared in advance, this can be a fast and easy dinner, perfect for Summer nights. So try it for yourself.

How to Care For Your Cast Iron Cookware

YumSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:00:54 -0700

Cooking with cast iron can be intimidating - not to mention heavy - but once you try it, it's easy to become a convert. I love my pan; it's great for making skillet breads or indoor grilling, and distributes heat incredibly evenly. Cast-iron pans can even help boost your iron intake.

But be warned: you can't treat cast iron like any old pot. To make sure it lasts as long as possible - basically, forever - you have to do some things differently. Before using your cast iron for the first time, you need to "season" it. This process will protect your pan's surface from moisture and rust. Find out how to care for cast iron.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Pineapple and Scallop Skewers

partysugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:50:59 -0700

Take an exotic escape to a tropical locale with this marvelous meal. Scallops - which are quick-cooking shellfish that are effortless to season - are tossed with a zesty lime cilantro marinade.

Spicy jalapenos add heat, juicy pineapple provides a sweetness, and chunks of avocado yield a creamy coolness. If you don't have an indoor grill pan, roast the skewers in the oven until scallops turn opaque.

This is a great dish to break out of a weeknight recipe rut, so get it now when you read more.

Pineapple and Scallop Skewers
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

2 tsp. finely shredded lime peel
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro
2 small green and/or red jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/3 cup canola oil
16 sea scallops (about 1-1/2 lb.)
12 large fresh pineapple chunks
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into 8 chunks

Directions

In a small bowl combine lime peel, lime juice, cilantro, jalapeno, sugar, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in oil until combined; set aside.
In a large bowl combine scallops, pineapple, and avocado. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the lime juice mixture. Let stand for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not marinate longer, or scallops will get tough.
Alternately thread 4 scallops, 3 pineapple chunks and 2 avocado chunks on each of 4 12- to 16-inch skewers.
Grill kabobs on a well-greased grill rack directly over medium-high heat for about 8 minutes or until scallops turn opaque, turning once halfway through grilling. Transfer kabobs to a serving platter and serve with remaining lime juice mixture.

Serves 4.

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Bobby Flay's Burger Tips

partysugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 10:15:22 -0700

One of the seminars I attended while at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen was Bobby Flay's "Grill It!" The Food Network star was incredibly entertaining, rowdy, and funny. His demo consisted of a surf-and-turf theme: first he made lobster and clams then he made three types of burgers. The master of the grill, Bobby is particular about creating the perfect burger.

To check out his seven tips to burger heaven, read more.

The type of meat in the patty is important. Do not use extra-lean meat. Instead look for meat that is 80 percent meat and 20 percent fat. The ideal size for a burger patty is 6 ounces.
When forming the patty, make an indent with your thumb in the middle. This will ensure that the meat plumps nicely. Flatten the patty before placing on the grill. Never press down on the patty or flatten it while cooking. This will release the precious juices that are essential to a burger's flavor.

The best burgers are all beef. He prefers the purity of ground beef and dislikes "meatloaf burgers" in which vegetables and other ingredients are mixed with the ground meat. Use the toppings and condiments to make the burger more exciting.
Only flip the burgers one time. To form a good crust, set the patty on the grill and leave it alone for several minutes. Over high heat, a burger usually cooks in about four minutes per side.
Properly melt the cheese. There is nothing worse than a burger with half melted cheese. Trap the heat by closing the grill over the patties. If cooking indoors, place a metal bowl over the burgers to melt the cheese.
Don't overlook the rolls. Ideally, the rolls should be soft and chewy with a light toast.
Be aware of the four main factors - thickness of the patty, the fat content of the meat, the heat of the grill, and the condiments - that affect the burger. Take care when controlling these factors and you'll end up with sheer burger bliss.

What are your tips for making the best burger? Share your secrets with us below!

YumSugar Gift Guide: The Grill Master

partysugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:13:19 -0800

This Christmas season, give the grill master in your life a barbecue-related gift. He probably already has a grill, but what about a bbq pit? Or a portable grill? Or a grill pan for grilling indoors?

If he has every type of grill imaginable, give him the accessories that go with it. I'm planning on getting this lighted barbecue-thermometer fork for my bbq king. It's a digital thermometer that shows the temperature of probed meat or fish in just three seconds. A built-in flashlight makes it easy to read in the dark.

For more great grilling gifts, scroll through below.

3-in-1 Grill Brush ($7.95)	Stainless Steel Flexi Grill Basket ($24.95)
Lighted Barbeque Thermometer Fork ($29.95)	Weber Charcoal Go-Anywhere Grill : Target ($44.99)
Grill Pan ($99.95)	Family Reunion BBQ Pit - NapaStyle ($295.00 - $450.00)

Today's Special: Grilled Chicken and Eggplant Stacks

partysugar — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 08:59:01 -0800

Indoor grilling pans that allow you to grill inside on the stove top are all the rage. Watch any cooking show and all the cheffies have one in their home kitchen or on their sets. I recently got one for my kitchen, and I don't know what I did without it. These days if you are lucky enough to be moving into a new house, with new appliances, your stove top will most likely have a grill pan. However, if you don't have one, you can easily find such pans anywhere from Target to Williams Sonoma. Tonight's special is a meal that can be ready in under a half an hour and requires the use of some sort of grill. If you don't have one and feel no need to purchase one, make the grilled chicken on the original grill, the barbecue. For the recipe, read more

Grilled Chicken and Eggplant Stacks with Fire-Roasted Tomato Sauce
From Rachael Ray

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 chicken breast cutlets
Leaves from 2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 eggplant, peeled and cut into 8 slices
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 red onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
One 28-ounce can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
1 pound smoked mozzarella, sliced into 8 pieces
8 basil leaves, torn

Preheat a grill pan or countertop grill to high. Place a baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 250°.
Combine the vinegar and 2 tablespoons EVOO on a plate and coat the chicken with it. Sprinkle with the rosemary, season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Pour 1/4 cup EVOO into a small dish. Using a pastry brush, paint the eggplant slices on both sides with the oil; season with salt and pepper.
Grill the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, then place in the oven to keep warm.
Grill the eggplant until tender, about 10 minutes.
Add to the chicken.
While the chicken and eggplant cook, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, over medium heat.
Add the garlic, onion and crushed red pepper; cook until the onion is tender, 6 to 7 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and heat through; season with salt and pepper.
Preheat the broiler to high.
Remove the chicken and eggplant from the oven.
Assemble the 4 stacks on the baking sheet by layering a chicken cutlet, a slice of eggplant, a little sauce and a slice of smoked mozzarella, a second chicken cutlet, another eggplant slice, more sauce and another slice of mozzarella.
Broil the stacks until the top layer of mozzarella melts.
Sprinkle the basil on top and serve the remaining sauce on the side.

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