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Off to Market Recap: Kitchen Knife

partysugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:50:13 -0700

I asked you to help me by heading off to market in search of practical everyday knives that can be used for dicing onions and slicing raw chicken. You saved your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Kitchen Knife.

Kimpossible recommends this classic chef's knife that's crafted by a premier blade producer from Japan. She's had it for almost three years and describes it as an "an awesome knife" that feels wonderful in her hand. And, it's on sale at Williams-Sonoma! Thanks Kimpossible. For more knives, browse the selection below.

Geeksugar has put together an article that explains how to bookmark. Check it out for more details!

Does Your Knife Need Sharpening?

YumSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 07:57:39 -0700

If you think your knives are sharp, but aren't completely sure, here's a simple test you can do to find out. Just hold a sheet of paper away from you and try slicing simple vertical strips. If the knife doesn't cut the paper, or snags as it slices through, then it's time to take them to the knife sharpener! Tip: Some grocery stores (including several large chains, depending on the location) and kitchenware stores offer free knife sharpening.

Off to Market: Kitchen Knife

partysugar — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:50:23 -0700

I need a new knife: All of mine are old and so dull they can no longer be sharpened. While I would love to purchase a shiny new set of kitchen knives, right now I can't afford it. That's why I've decided I will invest in one shiny, sharp, and versatile knife. Can you help me find it? Let's head off to market in search of practical everyday knives that can be used for dicing onions and slicing raw chicken. Save your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Kitchen Knife. Happy hunting!

Geeksugar has put together an article that explains how to bookmark. Check it out for more details!

Not sure where to start looking? Be inspired by some of my favorite online stores 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

The Ultimate Kitchen: Chef's Knife

YumSugar — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 00:15:22 -0800

When I'm at parties I'm always asked one of three things.

1- What's your favorite thing to make?
2- What's your favorite restaurant?
3- What's your favorite kitchen tool?

The first two are hard, but the last one is the most difficult. There's so many to choose from: mixer, grater, food processor, pepper grinder, etc. Since there are so many so called "essentials" I've decided to highlight one each week. Most of these will be kitchen must-haves, but I'll also highlight the occasional splurge. You can think of this list as The Ultimate Kitchen.

To start things off, every kitchen needs at least one good 8" chef's knife. A full set of knives is nice to have, but it's actually better (and cheaper) to build your own set. This way you'll get the knives that suit your needs best. So to start off your set, invest in a good chef's knife. I personally really like the knives from Global, they have a lightweight feel and a unique grip handle. Plus, if I'm going to be 100% honest, I also just like the way they look.

A Global 8" Chef's Knife will set you back about $86. If you're adding it to a registry, you may consider requesting the 3-Piece Global Knife Set which includes a 3 1/2" paring knife, a 5 1/4" utility knife and 7" santoku (which can replace the need for an 8" chef's knife).

If you don't like the way Global's feel (go in and test them out first), Wüsthof and Henckels are both really nice knives as well.

Off to Market Recap: Knife Set

partysugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:27:19 -0800

I'm treating myself to a new set of knives this holiday season. My collection of knives is minimal; it's a makeshift grouping of lost and leftover knives. I don't have a sharpener, and so they rest jaggedly, unsharpened in the knife block. I asked you to help me search for a superb, sharply stylish knife set. You looked for reasonably priced knives with a variety of knife types or individual knives that I can use to create my own set. You bookmarked your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Knife Set. I really want a set that includes kitchen scissors, and this one by Wüsthof has both scissors and a sharpener. Thanks for helping me out gruaig_rua! For more knives, scroll through the selections below.

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

Off To Market: Knife Set

partysugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:13:33 -0800

I've decided to treat myself to a new set of knives this holiday season. My collection of knives is minimal; it's a makeshift grouping of lost and leftover knives. I don't have a sharpener so they rest jaggedly, unsharpened in the knife block. Can you help me by searching for a superb, sharply stylish knife set? Look for reasonably priced knives with a variety of knife types. Or, look for individual knives that I can use to create my own set. Bookmark your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Knife Set. Good luck!

Interested in bookmarking? Read GeekSugar's explanation of this fun sugar feature and 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

Introducing Top Chef After the Knife

partysugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:15:05 -0800

Ever wonder what happens to the Top Chef contestants after Padma gives them the boot? Well starting this Wednesday, you can find out!

Magical Elves, the production company behind Top Chef, has announced its new web series, After the Knife. The show will air every Wednesday at 11 p.m. EST on Bravotv.com.

Each week viewers can follow the defeated chef into a house where the previously eliminated chefs are residing. I think it will be fun to see what life is like for the cheftestants after they get cut; I definitely plan on tuning in! The majority of you can't get enough of Top Chef, so tell me: Will you watch the web series After the Knife?

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How to Make Chicken Cutlets

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:50:30 -0700

When I was developing my recipe for buffalo chicken mac and cheese, I headed to the local butcher to buy chicken cutlets. The butcher said he didn't have any on hand, but could make some for me on the spot. But when I stood there watching him, I couldn't believe how easy it was! I vowed to share the painless process with you. For step-by-step instructions, keep reading.

View Slideshow ›

Michael Symon's Pointers For Preparing Meat

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:30:54 -0700

At his seminar in Aspen, Iron Chef Michael Symon had a lot to share beyond flavor and spice. The pork-loving chef demonstrated how to make a double-bacon "BBLT" sandwich, with bacon, pork belly, lettuce, and pickled tomato, and kept the crowd entertained with his wisecracking (in addition to wanting to kill the inventor of the garlic press, Michael also wants to go after the guy who invented turkey bacon). As he paid homage to the pig with his 'wich, he also had plenty of pointers to offer when it comes to preparing meat. See them after the jump.

Richard: "Everytime I Get Close to a S'more, I Tear Up"

partysugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:00:11 -0800

When one thinks of Thanksgiving desserts, s'mores don't necessarily come to mind. Unless you're Richard Sweeney, of course. Last week's axed Top Chef contestant will forever be haunted by Thanksgiving s'mores. I spoke to Richard, who was surprisingly cheerful, today about his time on the show, life after the knife, and the Foo Fighters. To find out what he had to say about his experience, read more.

On his decision to make s'mores: I'm trying to think exactly how it came up. They requested chocolate and bananas and first we thought about doing a frozen banana with a warm chocolate sauce. I can't remember if they were my idea or not. I noticed lots of little things since I've watched the episode, and ultimately, I shouldn't have done that dessert. I did dessert for the Craft challenge and desserts are usually the kiss of death on Top Chef. Why I chose another one is beyond me. I should have stayed away from desserts and avoided them for awhile, but I thought I could do the s'more. Now everytime I get close to a s'more, I tear up.

On serving the Foo Fighters: I think they know actually a lot more than you would probably guess about food. Especially for what we got to see on air, they edited out a lot. They picked up on a bunch of little things we did. My team lost, so I don't think they appreciated my food very much. I think the initial comment that Dave made - when he said it, it sounded really bad, but it was done in a joking way. I didn't take it offensively. At judge's table, I realized the vanilla cream sauce I made had fallen and it did look kind of like spit. It was disappointing that I didn't get to find out what they thought about the other dishes I made. I did a spin on a Caprese salad. They wanted a mayonnaise-based salad, so I made a pesto mayo for Caprese. I made a spicy sweet potato dish that the judges really liked. When I went into the stew room, I didn't think I was totally safe, but knowing I had one good dish and two bad, and Jeff had three bad, and Danny had two bad, I thought I was somewhat safe because Jeff and Danny had no positive critiques. I went back thinking I wouldn't be on the chopping block.

On Tom and Padma: This is such a popular question. It's really hard to get to know them super well. You don't have a lot of contact with them. We don't finish a quickfire challenge and have a beer together, so it's really hard to know their personalities. But from the promotional shoots and the time spent with them, I noticed that Tom's a quiet guy. He kicked it to himself. His professionalism really shows. He wants it to be about the food and not about personality.

Padma's just as beautiful in person. All the gay guys at the bar ask me that. After she spit out Ariane's dessert, the next time she saw Ariane, she went up and asked her if she was OK. It was nice to see that human side of the judges. It's their job to judge us and not be our friend, but it's nice to see that human side. We see that little by little at events, too.

On living with the eliminated contestants in the sequester house: We drink a lot. I made lots of sangria. I came up with about 30 sangria recipes because we got sick of wine by itself. We had cable, but no Internet or phone connection. We watched the Olympics and we went out together sometimes. We were actually in Jersey City. No one expected us to be there and when we went out we would get a questioning look. It was relaxing and stressful at the same time. You want to know what's going on in the kitchen, but if your not in the competition you want to go home. It was almost too relaxing. We got stir-crazy. It's still very confined. The cast and production people are taking you where you need to go. When someone was eliminated, we were stuck in the house all day waiting for them. It was a stressful, relaxing, weird drunken time for all.

On the remaining chefs: Stefan is someone to watch out for. He's the most traveled and has been doing this for a long time. He knows his stuff. Fabio has consistently been doing well. There's a couple other people who haven't gotten a lot of face time yet. Ariane bouncing back this week, was a testament to her. To be in the bottom two weeks in a row and come back in a challenge where everyone is asking her about the turkey, we didn't trust her, and to come out on top is hard. She stepped up and showed she can do it.

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