YumSugar

Name That Dish!

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:00:26 -0700

If you found the recipes for chicken posole appetizing, then you'd likely also find yourself enraptured by this Latin soup as well. What is it?

What Would You Serve?

YumSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:50:38 -0700

Entertaining at home is one of my favorite activities of all time, but as with all hobbies, it requires lots of thinking ahead and decision-making, from planning a prep schedule to coordinating the menu. In this series, I'll present a dish and ask you to share what you'd serve alongside it.

Here's the scenario: You're having some old friends over this weekend to soak up the Summer sun over a laid-back lunch in your backyard. You know the star course for your meal will be a Cuban sandwich, made with roast pork, ham, provolone cheese, and pickles, and spread with a layer of mustard. What would you feed your guests to accompany it? See what I'd make when you read more.

I'd take my guests on a tropical-Latin staycation by placing a lemonade mojito in each of their hands. To start off the lunch, we'd enjoy a cilantro-dressed hearts of palm salad. I'd serve the sandwich next, alongside crispy plantain chips. The meal would end on a high note with coconut flan for dessert.

What would your menu include?

Coconut Flan Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:50:28 -0700

This Summer, I won't be doing the tango off the coast of a tropical island, or setting sail in the Caribbean Sea. Instead, I'm enjoying the relaxing and budget-friendly staycation. But while kicking back at home, I'll be sure to incorporate tropical, Latin-tinged flavors, for a taste of the getaway I'll have someday. Case in point: a smooth, light coconut flan. In a pinch, I'll use condensed milk, or for a special weekend treat, I'll reduce the milk myself and add the solid white cream that tops coconut milk for an extra-sumptuous texture. Make either version of this exotic yet comforting dessert when you read more.

Beginner Coconut Flan
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/3 cups whole milk
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange six 3/4-cup custard cups in 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
Whisk first 5 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Mix in coconut. Divide mixture among cups.
Pour enough hot water into pan to come halfway up sides of cups.
Bake flans until just set in center, about 30 minutes. Remove flans from pan and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared up to 1 day ahead.)

Serves 6.

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Expert Coconut Flan
From Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut cream (from one 13-ounce can coconut milk)
2 1/4 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons coconut flakes, toasted (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°F. Set out eight 6-ounce ramekins, and prepare an ice-water bath.
Bring 1 cup sugar and the water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Continue to cook, without stirring, brushing down sides with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming, until syrup is medium amber, about 8 minutes.
Immediately submerge bottom of pan in ice-water bath to stop cooking.
Working quickly, pour a thin layer into each ramekin, swirling to coat bottom. (You won't use all the caramel; discard the remaining.) Place ramekins in a roasting pan.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Remove from heat, and cover.
Bring coconut cream and milk to a boil in a saucepan, whisking to combine; remove from heat.
Whisk together remaining cup sugar, the salt, and eggs in a bowl. Whisking, gradually add coconut mixture. Whisk in vanilla.
Pour through a fine sieve into a large liquid measuring cup, and divide among prepared ramekins.
Add enough reserved hot water to roasting pan to come halfway up sides of ramekins. Carefully transfer to oven, and bake until just set, 55 to 60 minutes. Transfer ramekins to a wire rack to cool.
Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 6 hours (or overnight).
Let stand at room temperature about 10 minutes before unmolding. Run a thin knife around edge of each flan, and invert onto a plate. Garnish with coconut flakes if desired.

Serves 8.

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Come Party With Me: Engagement Party - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:50:25 -0700

Two weeks ago, I was starting to panic. Wedding season was nearly upon us and I had no bride and groom. Luckily I got a call from one of my oldest friends announcing her engagement! Giddy and excited, Ronda agreed to be my featured bride. Never one to procrastinate, Ronda and her fiance, James, are ready to celebrate with an informal engagement party. They're enthusiastic dancers, so the party will revolve around a salsa dance class. Everyone will be invited to join; after the class we'll toast the couple and enjoy a buffet of spicy Latin food. The menu will be a mix of homemade and store-bought items.

Bowls of purchased guacamole and a variety of salsas are perfect for dipping when paired with crunchy tortilla chips. Beef empanadas are filling and can be mass produced in advance. Plantain chips with chicken and mojito mango salsa are festive and delicious. A Mexican seafood cocktail packed with crab and shrimp finishes up the menu. For these recipes, read more.

Empanadas
From Everyday Food

Ingredients

For the filling:
2 pounds ground pork or beef
2 medium onions, finely diced
2 jalapeno chiles, minced (ribs and seeds removed for less heat, if desired)
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) tomatoes, diced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
For the dough
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 cup cold water
1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water (do not beat until ready to bake)

Directions

Make the filling: In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, cook meat until no longer pink, breaking it up into small pieces, 5 to 7 minutes.
Add onion and jalapenos; cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder and tomatoes. Cook over medium until mixture has thickened, 12 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in cilantro. Let cool.
Make the dough: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Using your fingers, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add just enough cold water so dough comes together.
Form empanadas: Turn out dough onto a lightly floured work surface, and divide in half. Knead each half 2 or 3 times to form smooth balls. Cut each ball into four equal pieces. Cover with plastic; let stand until slightly risen, 20 minutes. Shape into balls.
On floured surface, roll out each piece of dough into an 8-inch round. Divide filling evenly among rounds, spreading it over half of each and leaving a 1/2-inch border.
Brush border of bottom halves with water; fold top halves over filling to enclose completely. Press edges to seal with your fingertips, then crimp firmly with a fork. If desired, freeze on a baking sheet until firm, 2 hours. Wrap tightly in plastic; freeze in plastic bags.
To bake fresh or frozen empanadas, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush tops with egg wash, avoiding crimped edges. Bake until golden brown, rotating sheets halfway through, 30 to 40 minutes.

Serves 8.

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Plantain Chips With Chicken and Mojito Mango Salsa
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 6 ounces each)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large ripe mango, finely diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
2 tablespoons Telluride Mojito, without club soda (recipe below)
2 teaspoons minced jalapeño
1 teaspoon chopped fresh mint
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
4 dozen large plantain chips

Directions

In a medium skillet, heat the oil until shimmering.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat until browned on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook over moderate heat until browned on the second side and cooked through, about 6 minutes longer. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the mango with the onion, Telluride Mojito, jalapeño, mint and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Arrange the plantain chips on a large tray. Halve the chicken breasts lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Put a piece of chicken on each plantain chip, spoon the salsa on top and serve.

Makes 4 dozen appetizers.

Telluride Mojito

16 small fresh mint sprigs, plus 4 more for garnish
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
3/4 cup white or gold rum
8 dashes bitters
2 cups club soda

In a bowl, using a wooden spoon, crush the mint with the sugar until the mint is coarsely chopped and the sugar is pale green. Add the lime juice, rum and bitters and stir to dissolve the sugar.
Strain the mixture through a coarse strainer into a small pitcher. Pour into tall glasses over ice and top each drink with 1/2 cup of the club soda. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.

Makes 4 drinks.

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Mexican Seafood Cocktail
From Gourmet

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chilled Clamato juice, or 1 cup tomato juice and 1/2 cup bottled clam juice
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Tabasco
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped white onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 firm-ripe California avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into small chunks
1/2 lb fresh lump crabmeat (1 cup), picked over
1/4 lb cooked baby shrimp
oyster crackers or saltines, optional for serving

Directions
Stir together Clamato juice, ketchup, lime juice, hot sauce, salt, onion, and cilantro in a large bowl, then gently stir in avocado, crabmeat, and shrimp. Spoon into 6- or 8-ounce glasses or cups.

Makes 4 to 6 first-course or light main-course servings.

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Name That Dish!

partysugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 13:18:19 -0700

Ingrid Hoffmann loves making the traditional Latin seafood dish pictured below. Do you know what it's called?

Charlando Con Ingrid Hoffmann

partysugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 09:01:31 -0700

A few weeks ago YumSugar and I were lucky enough to speak with Food Network's newest star, the Latino sensation Ingrid Hoffmann. Born in Colombia and based out of Miami, Hoffmann is the Shakira of the culinary world - she's the first Spanish speaking celebrity chef to make the cross over and currently she has shows on both Food Network and Univision - making her the first person to have shows aired in both English and Spanish.

Like a breath of breezy ocean air, Ingrid is personable, likable, and ready to party. She has a certain flavor and spice that is apparent in both her cooking and her personality. To learn a little bit more about Ingrid and find out what her hectic schedule is like, read more

Party/YumSugar: How did you get into cooking?
Ingrid Hoffmann: I got into cooking when I was little. I would always cook with my mother.

P/YSugar: What is your biggest inspiration?
IH: The love of life. I get inspiration in the oddest places, like looking out the window or seeing a pretty plate. I approach food backwards. I'm very visual, I see the plate first then visualize the theme and the food and textures on top of it.

P/YSugar: What is your favorite theme?
IH: I rummage around the house and convert stuff I find into something else to be a part of the table. Anything to do with the beach. I've done a lot of catering and events and many of my ideas come from these weddings and parties I've done. I'm always thinking.

P/YSugar: What trends are emerging in the culinary world?
IH: It's a very interesting concept for someone to have two shows in two different markets like I do. Nuevo Latino, modern Latin food is a huge emerging trend. I love playing with dishes my grandmother would make and use real authentic ingredients to make something new and modern. Rum and fruit are very important to the Nuevo Andina, a huge movement that is taking place in Peru now. All these classically trained Peruvian chefs have returned home to combine the indigenous ingredients with the modern techniques to create a new type of cuisine.

P/YSugar: What are you hoping to teach to American people?
IH: People in America think that Latin food is Mexican food and I want to teach them that it goes above and beyond this. Each region of Latin and Southern America has its own type of cuisine. Mainstream America is not used to my type of food. It's a whole new thing - I add a lot of coconut, raisins, lime, and cilantro to dishes. I love fusing Asian flavors with Latin flavors. I love making ceviches. I use quinoa. Latin America is influenced by China and Europe, and that is reflected in our cuisine.

P/YSugar: What's your filming schedule like?
IH: I film in two-three month blocks on sets. The Food Network built me one here. Right now I'm in pre-production for my Latin show on Univision and I just finished shooting for the Food Network. When I'm shooting, I'm up every morning at 4:30 or 5 for make up because it takes 2 hours to get ready. I just got back from an amazing wine festival in Puerto Rico where I did some appearances for my Latin show. I'm very busy because I have to do this, the press on both sides.

P/YSugar: Do you cook at home?
IH: Yeah, absolutely! I always try to eat healthy.

P/YSugar: What's in your fridge?
IH: Always yogurt, milk, butter, herbs - I have a cilantro pot on my terrace - parsley, rosemary. I use a lot of woshy [worcestershire] sauce, avocado, tortillas, and arepas which are a type of Colombian tortilla.
P/YSugar: What's your advice to the everyday hostess?
IH: Pick smart menus. People like to do fancy stuff when they invite guests over, often choosing dishes they don't know how to make. Choose yummy things that you are not going to stress over. Make things three days ahead, two days ahead. Plan really well. Buy the ice and stock the bar five days before. Set the table three days before. Get as much as you can done before the day of the party.

P/YSugar: A successful party is...
IH: Picking a light and make ahead menu.

P/YSugar: What did you eat for lunch today?
IH: A churasco steak with jicama and watercress, radishes and arugula with olive oil and lime.

P/YSugar: How is it on Food Network vs Univision?
IH: It was a dream come true to be on Food Network. It's a challenge to do food that the general American public can relate to that wont upset the Latin population with my portrayal of their cultural cuisine. How do I keep everyone happy? Each has been amazing to me.

P/YSugar: What is your guilty pleasure food?
IH: Anything with starch in it. Rice.

P/YSugar: How has life changed since your show aired on Food Network?
IH: I'm doing lots more press. Life has gotten busier. I'm learning what is relevant to one market that is not relevant to another. Americans want things to be easy and Hispanics are much more price conscious of the menu. It's very interesting noting the difference between the two markets.

P/YSugar: What's next for you?
IH: Multiple shows. Obviously a dream would be to have a travel show But right now I just want this one to be a success.

Have you seen Ingrid's show, Simply Delicioso on Food Network? Now that you know a little bit more about her, what do you think??

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Top Chef 3.5 - Latin Flavor Recap

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:38:36 -0700

Okay, Top Chef is finally getting into the manageable numbers. Almost everyone received a little screen time, and instead of flashing each dish for a few milliseconds, the camera hovered over each plate long enough to suck them fully in. And what tasty looking plates they were...

Last night's episode started off with the cheftestants bonding in their fancy digs (honestly, season 1 and 2, you got the short end of the stick). Hung goes on about how it's all about "finesse, style, grace and elegance." Which of course, if you haven't figured out the Bravo school of editing by now, means that Hung's actions are going to somehow contradict his statement. To find out if they do, read more

When they arrive to the kitchen, Padma and guest judge Maria Frumkin present them with frozen pie crusts. They are then told that they have 90 minutes to come up with some creative and tasty dish using the crust in any way that they want. Of course Dale finds it hysterical - as do I - that the week before he almost went home because they said he wasn't a pastry chef, and now they're asking him to be one. The contestants whip out some mighty fine looking treats, some savory and some sweet. Lia and Dale are in the bottom three, however Hung's entry looks the most questionable. Instead of deconstructing the crust, Hung decides to leave it intact and makes a banana-chocolate-nut mousse. His end result never sets up and it comes out looking like something you would find on Semi-Home Made (although I did like how he used the fresh strawberries to try and hide the rough goopy edges). With the worst dishes identified, Maria announces that the best dishes come from Tre, Sara M. and Joey. In the end it's Joey who wins immunity with an elegant trio of tarts.

After the quickfire, they are told that they will be cooking for the cast of Telemundo's Dame Chocolate and they have 30 minutes to shop, $125 to spend and 3
hours to cook. Oh and the twist? They have to cook Latin inspired food. I could be wrong, but I think this may be the first time a specific type of food was given as a challenge. The contestants plan their menus, go shopping and bond. It's funny to me to see how Joey & Howie are bff now, as are Casey and Lia.

The next morning they begin prepping their dishes only to have Chef Tom come in and throw them a real curveball: lunch has been moved up! Instead of 3 hours, they now only have 1 1/2 hours to cook and the pressure is on! Hung flies around wielding a knife like a mad man (how's that for "finesse"?) and Howie sweats into his dish like crazy. Once the time is up the cheftestants pack up their food (in gladware of course) and head off to the Telemundo set where they serve their dishes buffet style.

After all is said and done - or should that be served and eaten? - the judges decide that Howie and Joey have the top dishes and ultimately Howie's Braised Pork with Yuca is the winner. At this point I am starting to think there is something magical about Howie's sweat. Perhaps it seasons the dishes in the most amazing way?

If there are winners, then of course there are losers. The bottom four are Lia, Casey, Sara N. and - the ever so shocked - Hung. Hung cannot believe he is there, which makes the judges hate him even more, Sara N.'s dish is compared to just plain guacamole, Casey's was overcooked and dry and Lia's was bland and had no texture. Padma calls it "inedible," but Chef Tom cannot believe she said that and feels that Pamda is being "a little harsh." However, it must not have been that harsh, as sadly - I was starting to root for her - Lia was asked to pack her knives up and go.

What did you guys think of this episode? Were you surprised that Lia went home? What about Howie giving Joey his prize? How touching was that?! And Padma's braids - love them or hate them? I loved them!

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Noteworthy Nibbles - Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:30:00 -0700

Wine lovers, unite! From St. Louis, MO, to Orlando, FL, and everywhere up and down the California coast, this week is full of celebrations that pay homage to the year's bounty of grapes.

As a West Coaster, I have my pick of places to swirl my glass, but, since sandwiches are my true love, I'm green with envy for those who can attend Philly's Sandwich Smash. Where will you be tasting tipples this week? Drop us a line in the comments below!

Monterey, CA: Monterey Wine Festival - Oct. 1-2
Orlando, FL: Latin Food & Wine Festival - Oct. 1-3
Los Angeles, CA: American Wine & Food Festival - Oct. 2-4
Carpinteria, CA: California Avocado Festival - Oct. 2-4
Denver, CO: Denver Chili Fest - Oct. 3
Chicago, IL: Eli's Cheesecake Festival - Oct. 3-4
New York, NY: New York Culinary Experience - Oct. 3-4
St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Wine Festival - Oct. 3-4
Shelton, WA: OysterFest - Oct. 3-4
Philadelphia, PA: Sandwich Smash - Oct. 4

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Seafood Cocktail Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:30:26 -0700

Now that it's Summer, all the attention has been turned to typical warm-weather fare, like barbecue and burgers. But don't discount fresh seafood dishes as wonderful additions to any backyard feast. Items like ceviche and shrimp rémoulade will help break up monotony at the appetizer table - as will an exotic, indulgent seafood cocktail.

Have limited time? Start with shellfish that's conveniently already cooked, and you'll have a stunning single-serving appetizer in a matter of minutes. If you've got more time and skill, purchase raw seafood and prepare a classic Latin seafood dish from scratch for much less. To make either seafood cocktail, read more.

Beginner Seafood Cocktail
From Parade

Ingredients

3/4 pound cooked large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails removed), halved crosswise
1/2 pound fresh lump crabmeat, cartilage removed
1/2 pound fresh lobster meat, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup finely diced carrot
1/4 cup finely diced celery
1 tablespoon drained tiny capers
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon finely minced red or green jalapeño pepper, ribs and seeds removed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/3 cup highest quality extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)

Directions

Place the shrimp, crab, lobster, carrot, celery and capers in a large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold together the ingredients, being careful not to break up the crab too much. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the jalapeño pepper and parsley, then carefully fold in the olive oil and lemon juice, tasting as you go along. Adjust the seasonings and serve immediately, or chill for up to 6 hours. Divide seafood between 8 wine glasses for serving.

Serves 8.

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Expert Seafood Cocktail
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup tomato juice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Hot sauce
2 pounds shelled and deveined large shrimp
1/2 pound cleaned squid, cut into 1/2-inch rings, tentacles halved
2 pounds tomatoes-halved, seeded and finely diced
2 Hass avocados, cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 scallions, white and tender green parts only, thinly sliced
1 small red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
Plantain chips, for serving

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. In another large bowl, whisk the lime, orange and tomato juices with the tomato paste. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce.
Cook the shrimp in the boiling water just until curled and pink, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to the ice water. Return the pot of water to a boil and add the squid. Cook for 30 seconds, until firm but tender. Drain immediately and add to the ice water.
When cool, drain the shrimp and squid and pat dry. Add to the bowl with the juices and toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to a large resealable plastic bag. Close the bag, pressing out the air. Refrigerate overnight, turning the bag occasionally.
Transfer the seafood salad to a bowl and stir in the tomatoes, avocados, scallions, onion, cilantro and parsley; season with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Using a slotted spoon, scoop into martini glasses and serve with the plantain chips.

Serves 12.

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Homemade Ceviche Is Fresh, Flavorful, and Fabulous

partysugar — Sat, 30 May 2009 08:00:04 -0700

Ceviche is a cool and delicious dish in which raw fish is marinated in fresh citrus juice. The acid of the juice "cooks" the fish until it is firm and plump. It's a wonderful Summer course that can be served as an appetizer with tortilla chips or placed atop a bed of greens as an entree. Although it may not be the most authentic Peruvian recipe, this is my favorite rendition of ceviche. It's packed with vibrant colors and crunchy flavors. When making any variation of ceviche, it's important to purchase the most fresh fish available. Using fish that has been previously frozen won't yield the same results. If experimenting with this scrumptious dish popular in Latin America is of interest to you, check out this rewarding recipe and read more.

Ceviche
From Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients

12 ounces very fresh (sushi-grade) white-fleshed ocean fish, such as grouper, wahoo, sea bass, or red snapper*
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
3 tablespoons pineapple juice
1 1/2 tablespoons finely diced serrano pepper
2 tablespoons finely diced yellow bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely diced red bell pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons minced red onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 tablespoon good quality extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
8 (3-inch) plantain chips*
Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

Cut the fish into 1/4-inch dice. Place in a glass dish with the lime juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, peppers, onions, and garlic, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add the cilantro, olive oil, and salt. Fold gently to mix. Serve ceviche in martini glasses and garnish with fried plantain chips and lime wedges.

Serves 4.

*I used halibut and chose to serve the ceviche with tortilla chips.

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