YumSugar

6 Things to Do With Chives

Susannah Chen — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:39:40 PDT

Ever buy a bunch of herbs for a recipe, only to use a scant stem and find the rest wilted with dehydration a week later? This has admittedly been a long-standing problem in my kitchen, and I'm determined to cultivate a solution for it. This week I've addressing a fresh herb I have an ongoing problem forgetting to use: chives.

Although chives may be a perennial hardy in the garden, once they're in your crisper, don't expect their delicate, slender scapes to last over a week.

Before they devolve into a sorry state bound for the compost bin, be sure take advantage of chives and their light onion flavor. A few examples:

Start the day off right with a classic pairing of smoked salmon, cream cheese, and snipped chives.
Use them to add pungency to any mashed potatoes or any other potato dish.

Keep reading for more chive serving suggestions.

Pita Bread With Mint and Feta Is Unusually Satisfying

Camilla Salem — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:32:18 PDT

Before you shake your head at this flavor combination, hear me out. Fresh mint and feta cheese are made for each other. Many of my friends have scoffed at the thought but were easily converted once they had the chance to try them out. Enveloped by a warm piece of pita, the salty cheese is woken up by the bright, aromatic flavor of the mint leaves. Finish it off with a drizzle of fruity extra-virgin olive oil and enjoy it for lunch or as a snack.

Find out how to make this satisfying pita treat when you keep reading.

Foods That Keep You Feeling Full

Leta Shy — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:35:31 PST

If December indulgences have led to weight-loss New Year's resolutions, finding the right foods to help you combat cravings is probably high on your to-do list. Eating well-balanced meals and healthy snacks are both important for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But whether it's because you find yourself mindlessly snacking or because your meals aren't keeping you as full as you'd like, sometimes you need something to keep you from rummaging through the pantry. Here are five appetite-suppressing foods that keep you feeling full!

8 Delicious Things to Do With Mint

Katie Sweeney — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:10:09 PDT

With its strong familiar fragrance and structured bright leaves, mint is an easy herb to identify. It also thrives when growing and can take over the pot it's planted in, so it's best to grow mint in its own area. If you have mint in your garden, you might end up with a surplus of the flavorful leaves, but there's plenty of ways to make use of this hearty herb. Here are some suggestions:

Use as a flavoring agent in a salad. Think outside the box and toss chopped mint with fresh peas for a fast side dish or peaches for a slightly sweet fruit salad.
Make mint pesto. Instead of serving the pesto with pasta, offer with a protein like shrimp or lamb chops.
Make homemade mint chip ice cream. Before making the custard, the milk is steeped with tons of fresh mint.

Read on for more minty ideas!

Yummy Links: From Mint to Thawing Meat

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:14:23 PDT

When it comes to mint, think beyond the mojito and julep. - The FN Dish
What designer Jonathan Adler eats in New York City. - Grub Street NY
10 fantastic beachside bars to hit up this Summer. - The Daily Meal
Would you go vegetarian for the month of June? - Chow
Everything you need to know about the world of hibiscus tea. - The Kitchn
How to make freezer jam.- Serious Eats
A traditional recipe for classic Barbadian rum punch. - Food Republic
Bryan and Michael Voltaggio's first cookbook will come out this Fall. - Eater
A quicker method for thawing frozen meat. - Kitchen Daily

My 5 Essential Tech Tools For Relocating

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:08:36 PDT

Moving can be such a hassle, but it doesn't have to be painful. Over the course of the last month, as my apartment hunt has gone into full swing, I've discovered that these five tech tools can be a lifesaver when it comes to saving up, budgeting, selling off my unused items, and even taking a virtual tour of apartments from miles away. Check out my most-used digital tools, then share with us the apps and sites you have used to help you move!

PadMapper - Recently recommended to me by a co-worker, PadMapper has helped me save lots of time by aggregating more available units (via Craigslist, Apartments.com, and other rental agencies), and placing them on a Google Map for easy location browsing.
Ustream - My husband and I couldn't make an open house at the same time, so he streamed the apartment tour on Ustream so I could see it in real time. The best part is, I could comment via the chat feature to ask questions and hear the conversations as if I were really there.
Ebay For iPhone - Since we're moving to a smaller place, some of our precious gadgets and gizmos have to go. Instead of dealing with the hassle of negotiation and no-shows on Craigslist, we started selling some of our goods on Ebay. The app has streamlined our process, since you can upload pics from your iPhone and list your item right on your mobile device. Plus, you can check on the status of your items and get alerts when someone has bid or bought instantly.

See the rest of the list after the jump.

Happy Hour: Strawberry Tequila Coolers

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:06:21 PDT

If you think tequila is only good in margaritas, think again! The Mexican spirit is a wonderful base for all sorts of cocktails. In this recipe, tequila is paired with sweet strawberries, tart lemons, and fragrant mint. The method is adaptable: if you prefer a strong drink, use more tequila, and if you're partial to weak beverages, add more club soda. This refreshing cooler is the perfect way to kick-start your weekend. Ready to toast with tequila? Get the recipe now.

Happy Hour: Limoncello Champagne Cocktails

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:00:36 PDT

When it comes to brunch drinks, there's nothing like a mimosa, but if you have them on a regular basis (like I do!) for a special occasion such as Easter, it's nice to change things up. My favorite new libation is this amazing cocktail that combines limoncello with mint, lemon juice, and sparkling wine. There's a little bit of work involved because you puree the mint, lemon peel, and limoncello in a food processor - however this can be made the day before the party. Although the recipe serves two, it's pretty easy to increase the proportions of the ingredients. I was worried the sugar rim was going to make the beverage too sweet, but it was just right! It's tart, refreshing, Springy, and just plain wonderful. To get the recipe, read more.

Happy Hour: Orange Mojito

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:37:55 PDT

It's Friday and that means it's the perfect time to channel your inner bartender by making a delicious drink. How about one that's refreshing and fruity, too? This mojito has the classic ingredients - mint, lime, rum - but orange is thrown into the mix. Fresh muddled oranges and Grand Marnier give it a vibrant orange flavor that's not overpowering, but rather, delightful. I enjoyed this drink so much, I'm definitely going to make it again. In fact, I might be all about the mojito this Spring, so watch out! The recipe, right this way.

Give Peas a Chance! Try 'Em in a Fresh Mint Salad

Susannah Chen — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:41:29 PDT

Before you shun certain fruits and vegetables for life, sample them at their peak and see if you feel the same way. Although I grew up swearing off tomatoes, all it took was a locally grown heirloom variety, plucked from the vine that very Summer morning, that convinced me that I did enjoy fresh tomatoes.

Sworn foes of the pea, I challenge you to do the same. Don't like the overly sweet, baby food-like consistency of frozen peas? You're allowed to write them off altogether - but only after you've tried a bowl of in-season, freshly shelled peas and are certain you can't appreciate the toothsome snap that comes with every bite.

Shell sweet, delicate English peas and toss them lightly with a bit of olive oil, vinegar, onion, and torn mint for a classic preparation. See if you'll become an unexpected convert when you read more.