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Milk, It Does an Appetite Good

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:01:31 -0800

In Los Angeles' sea of frozen yogurt, one place dares to offer real ice cream. Milk on Beverly Blvd, is an ice cream parlor/sandwich shop/bakeshop that holds nothing back when it comes to flavor and taste.

Recently, on a trip to LA, my brother and I hit up Milk to try out some of their tasty treats. It was lunch time, but their ice cream parlor menu - check out a pic of it below - was much more captivating, so we skipped straight to dessert. To read about what we ate, read more.

We were hoping to pig out on everything, but we ended up deciding on one treat each. I went for the Milkie Way Malt and my brother ordered the Blondie Sundae. The blondie was absolutely moist and delicious - which surprised me because I am actually not a very big blondie fan - and it went well with the vanilla ice cream, butterscotch and bits of pecan praline. Each bite was rich and decadent, and I liked how the pecans gave it a unique texture.

While it was difficult to pull myself away from the sundae, I knew that the malt wouldn't let me down. The main base was vanilla ice cream blended with malted milk chocolate chips, which was then topped by swirls of caramel and chocolate and then topped with whip cream and malt balls. The flavors paired well together, but it was actually almost too rich and sweet. I definitely wished I had something savory to offset the sweetness. Yet, that didn't stop me from drinking the whole thing, after all, Milk's homemade ice cream was too good to leave any behind.

Have you guys ever been to Milk? If not, I recommend looking it up if you're ever in the Los Angeles area. But if you fall into a sugar-coma afterwards, don't say I didn't warn you.

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Thankfully We Can Have Milk Chocolate-Malt Brownies

YumSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 01:18:31 -0700

On June 5, 1883 the Horlick's company developed the process to dehydrate milk - they mixed it with some malted barley and voila! malted milk was born. Although it was originally intended for babies (as an early version of formula), malt powder became a cornerstone in American culture. In honor of the Horlicks' creation, I thought I'd dig up a great recipe for a simple malted milk. However, my search resulted in something better: A recipe for milk chocolate-malt brownies! I don't know about you guys, but I'm mixing these up tonight! To check out the recipe, read more

Note: It says it makes 48 brownies... 48? They've obviously never seen my kind of brownies!

Milk Chocolate-Malt Brownies
From Betty Crocker

1 package (11.5 ounces) milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup butter or margarine
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1 3/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1/2 cup instant malted milk powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup malted milk balls, coarsely chopped

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease bottom and sides of rectangular pan 13x9x2 inches.

2. Melt milk chocolate and butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently; remove from heat. Cool slightly. Mix in sugar, vanilla and eggs. Stir in remaining ingredients except malted milk balls.

3. Spread batter in pan. Sprinkle with malted milk balls.

4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool. For 48 brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.

Nutrition Information:
1 Serving: Calories 100 (Calories from Fat 45 ); Total Fat 5 g (Saturated Fat 2 g); Cholesterol 15 mg; Sodium 55 mg; Total Carbohydrate 13 g (Dietary Fiber 0g); Protein 1 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 4 %; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 2 %; Iron 2 % Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1/2 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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Pure Spring Water + Alcohol = Awesome?

YumSugar — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 01:18:31 -0700

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we are once again entering the land of the weird. Actually, scratch that, make it we are entering the world of ridiculous marketing efforts. This time, in an effort to appeal to your health-conscious selves, the folks at Smirnoff have created a beverage that plays on your desires to drink something healthy.

The beverage, which is low in alcohol content, is the first malt beverage to contain pure spring water and malt-based alcohol. I guess this means your water will now dehydrate you?

Has anyone tried it, what do you think? Is it a nice alternative or is it just a gimmick?

To check out the commercial, read more

Source: Diageo

Goodbye, Zima

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:15:53 -0700

MillerCoors announced yesterday that production of the malt-liquor beverage Zima has been discontinued.

The product was part of the 1990s clear-drink craze that included Crystal Pepsi and Tab Clear. Zima proclaimed to be "Zomething different" from beer, wine, or hard liquor, but in recent years, the drink - which had been repackaged and reformulated into citrus, tangerine, and pineapple citrus flavors - was outsold by competitor Smirnoff Ice. The decision, MillerCoors says, was due to declining consumer interest and weakness in the "malternative" segment.

If you're having a hard time parting ways, don't worry: There's still time to stock up, as distributors can most likely get remaining inventories of Zima through December.

Are you sad to see this drink become a thing of the past?

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Happy Hour: Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Ale

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:15:11 -0700

These days, my street isn't the only thing covered with pumpkins; so is my kitchen. I've been using the gourds in everything from moist pumpkin bread to chicken pumpkin stew, and so I decided it was high time I enjoyed it in ale form, too. Although it's believed early American icons like George Washington and Ben Franklin enjoyed pumpkin ales, one Bay Area craft brewhouse, Buffalo Bill's, brought the beer back into vogue when it became known for its special blend in the 1980s.The whisky-colored amber ale ($7.99 for six), which is brewed with fresh roasted pumpkins and malted barley, possesses only a delicate squash flavor, but has lingering pumpkin pie spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg that become more prominent as the beer warms. Because it doesn't have a malty flavor or the bitter taste of hops, Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin a great find for people who aren't that into traditional beer. What's your favorite Fall ale?

Know Your Ingredients: Worcestershire Sauce

YumSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:00:53 -0700

From crab cakes to Caesar salad to Bloody Marys, many of Summer's staples share one ingredient in common: Worcestershire sauce. But what exactly is it?

Originally bottled in Worcester, England, Worcestershire sauce - commonly referred to as "Worcester sauce" - is a fermented flavoring that contains many ingredients. Lea & Perrins, the original purveyor, keeps its recipe a well-kept secret, but it contains a plethora of items that are left to mature in oak barrels for several months, including malt vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, anchovies, onions, salt, garlic, tamarind, cloves, and chili pepper extract. Worcestershire sauce is frequently added to cocktails, salad dressings, and gravies.

It is used around the globe in dishes ranging from Cantonese dim sum to Welsh rarebit. For those of you who are well-versed in cooking with Worcestershire sauce, what do you use it for? Are you surprised to learn of its manifold ingredients?

Happy Hour: Samuel Smith Strawberry Ale

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:00:32 -0700

While selecting in-season strawberries at Whole Foods the other day, an unfamiliar brewski, Samuel Smith Strawberry Ale, caught my eye. Since I was surrounded by the delicate aroma of ripe berries, I couldn't resist picking up a bottle.

I was curious about the unfamiliar label, and couldn't wait to give Samuel Smith's signature strawberry beer a taste. Brewed in Stamford, England, this certified organic ale, which is made with fresh strawberry juice, only became available stateside this year. The ale has a floral, jammy bouquet that brought me right back to sniffing strawberries at the market and notes of caramel and malt to finish. It was so refreshing that I drained the hefty-sized bottle, then proceeded to trek out and pick up a fresh one.

At $5.99 for 550 ml, this seasonal sip has become my favorite nightcap so far this Summer. Have you ever tried strawberry beer?

Guinness Unveils New 250th Anniversary Stout Beer

YumSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:00:11 -0700

Stout lovers get excited: for the first time since it began exporting to the US, Guinness is introducing a new stout beer to select markets.

On April 24, to celebrate its quarter-of-a-century draught legacy, Guinness is launching a limited-edition beer, 250th Anniversary Stout, which will be available in bars and stores in the US, Australia, and Singapore. The anniversary brew honors Arthur Guinness's signing of a 9,000-year lease in 1759 at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, where the company's flagship brewery is located.

Less creamy than its original counterpart, the special-release brew will have a heavy malt flavor and more effervescence, along with a slightly higher alcohol content. Instead of nitrogen and carbon dioxide (used in original Guinness draught), the new stout will use carbonation, as well as two types of malt, and triple hops. The resulting beer is intended to have a more refreshing taste and a simpler pouring process.

Unlike Guinness's famous two-part pouring process (which involves filling the glass 75 percent of the way at an angle, letting the surge of foam settle, and then topping it off with the rest), the anniversary stout can be poured at once.

Since I love a bold, zippy beer, this stout sounds like something I can get behind - possibly even more so than traditional Guinness. When April 24 arrives, stock up while you can, since the commemorative brew is only slated to be around for six months. Do you have plans to seek out the special-release stout?

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Savory Sight: Finnish Delights

YumSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:00:32 -0700

Be it Eritrean cooking or Colombian cuisine, I'm obsessed with trying new foods from around the world. I'm sad to say I haven't made it to any Scandinavian countries yet - but thanks to FinnLover, I'm dying to go now. During a recent trip to visit her husband's family in Finland, she ate her way through a number of Finnish specialties, like Ruisleipä, or black rye bread, shown above. To get a glimpse of her palatable pictures, read more.

Karjalanpiirakka, also known as Karelian pies, are filled with a rice mixture and are commonly served with egg butter. Her favorite is topped with egg salad.

Finland's version of fast food: a deep-fried pie filled with meat and rice is served with sausages, onions, relish, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.

Finn's favorite: potato and salmon casserole with onions, dill, and cream.

In Finland, Mämmi - made of water, rye flour, and powdered rye malt - is a traditional Easter dessert. Apparently, it's a bit of an acquired taste.

Mämmi is traditionally served with vanilla cream and sugar.

Ruisleipä, or black rye bread, is topped here with a spread and rhubarb compote.

Have you tried any of these droolworthy Finnish specialties?

Ten "Must-Drink" Irish Whiskeys

YumSugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 13:57:21 -0700

Times are changing and Irish whiskey is demanding that you pay attention to it. It's been "well known" that serious whiskey drinkers drink scotch for drinking and use blended Irish whiskey for drowning their sorrows. However Irish whiskey companies, such as Jameson and Bushmills, are expanding their ranges to include deluxe creations ranging from pot stills, aged blends and their own brand of single malts.

"The top Irish whiskeys are just as good as many single-malt scotches. It's too bad more people aren't aware of how complex some of these whiskeys have become."

John Hansell [editor and publisher of Malt Advocate magazine] says Irish distillers are simply--and astutely--responding to consumer demand.

"People are drinking less, but smarter," he says. "They don't just want whiskey, they want the best whiskey. And they'll pay for it."

And so, just in time for St. Patrick's day, Forbes has compiled a list of the ten "must-drink" Irish whiskeys. To discover what's on the list, read more

Bushmills 21 year old (single malt) - $115
Midleton Very Rare (blend) - $150
Redbreast 12-year-old (pure pot still) - $50
Green Spot (pure pot still) - $60
Jameson 18-year-old (blend) - $65
Knappogue Castle 1951 (pure pot still) - $1000 (pictured)
Connemara Cask Strength (single malt) - $60
Jameson 12-year-old (blend) - $33
Black Bush (blend) - $29
Powers Irish Whiskey - $17

and no, that $1000 was not a typo...

Source: Forbes