YumSugar

Do You Own a Pepper Grinder?

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:15:38 -0700

Using a pepper grinder greatly improves one's seasoning skills. Plus it's fun to play server and ask guests if they'd like freshly ground pepper on their salads or pasta. Do you own this old-school gadget?

Burning Question: Why Does Pepper Make You Sneeze?

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:30:23 -0700

I've got an undeniable affinity for all things spicy, and I put freshly ground black pepper on just about everything. But without fail, when I season a dish with salt and pepper, I resist the great urge to sneeze. Pepper makes me sneeze so much that merely looking at the picture has me thinking a sneeze is coming on! So why does pepper prompt such a strong physical reaction? As it turns out, the piquant flavor that we love so much in pepper is also the reason why the spice makes us sneeze. Pepper contains piperine, a fiery irritant that inflames the nerve endings that reside inside our noses. Sneezing is an innate reflex reaction to this chemical in pepper, as a way to rid your nasal passages of this compound. Got a burning question? Contact us. Source

Piglets Salt and Pepper Holders: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 04:00:15 -0700

Like Rachael Ray's garbage bowl, the shape and form of these salt and pepper shakers ($19.95) are instantly recognizable thanks to celebrity chef Nigella Lawson. On her shows, Lawson uses a variety of whimsical and unique cooking tools, such as her mezzaluna or handle-less salad tongs. Naturally all of these products are available to the public at the Food Network store.

I like how they're holders rather than shakers, but can't help but wonder if it's all a marketing scheme. Does Nigella really use a similar product in her home? Thoughts?

Wind-Up Bird Salt and Pepper Shakers: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:31:31 -0700

The other day I was browsing Shopstyle Living when I came across these disturbingly ugly wind-up bird salt and pepper shakers. Seeing these circusy, clown-like shakers on a dinner table might scare me. And "Please pass me the pepper" becomes, "Please wind up the pepper birdie and send it rolling over," which is fun, but could be dangerous. What if the bird is too wound up, flies right off the table, and spills salt all over the floor? Am I the only one who finds these shakers revoltingly tacky? What do you think?

Off to Market Recap: Pepper Grinder

partysugar — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:13:33 -0700

Last night, the soup I made was a little off in the seasonings. I'm pretty sure it's because my new kitchen doesn't have a pepper grinder! My kitchen is far from being complete, but I can't function one more day without freshly ground black pepper. Luckily I asked you to help me find one. You scoured the internet for a pepper grinder that is easy to turn when hands are wet, and grinds a good amount of pepper with each turn. You saved the mills in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Pepper Grinder.

I really love the lime green pepper mill that gruaig_rua discovered, but I haven't decided the color scheme for my new kitchen yet. That's why I think this classic stainless steel pepper grinder - also found by gruiag_rua - is perfect instead. It's functional, but fashionable and will fit into any kitchen's decor.

Take a look at all the fabulous finds by scrolling to the right below.

For more on the bookmarking function please refer to geeksugar's helpful how to.

Do You Salt Or Pepper Your Food Before Eating It?

partysugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 09:01:31 -0700

Image Source

Harmony Salt & Pepper Shaker Set: Love It Or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:18:39 -0700

I saw this lover-ly salt and pepper shaker set from industrial designer Corina Garona and just had to find out what you guys think. The inner blob is the salt shaker and the outer is pepper. They'd look great in a minimalist environment, but I think they're organic enough to blend in to other settings. What do you guys think? Love it or hate it?

Yum Market Finds: Sweet Salt & Pretty Pepper Shakers

partysugar — Fri, 11 May 2007 13:24:30 -0700

Salt and pepper shakers are great everyday tools that can be used to add style and personality to your kitchen. Sure you can get them in plain old clear glass but why would you want to when they come in so many fun and fabulous colors, shapes, and styles? For example, both casie82 and I ask, how cute are these salt and pepper shakers? I love how they are little honey bears and think I may have to get them for my parent's mountain vacation house.

Two more after the break so read more

I picture these spunky lego salt and pepper shakers that swwonder bookmarked in a geeky bachelor's loft apartment. Can't you just picture geeksugar saying to her boyfriend, pass the stubby lego head please?

A dog lover will get a kick out of these hot dog salt and pepper shakers. Koreniebear found these shakers that are so cute and totally make me hungry for a hot dog.

Thanks for bookmarking your awesome internet finds! To learn more about the saving tool on TeamSugar check out geeksugar's guide.

Sunday Dinner: Beef Stir Fry

YumSugar — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 00:28:32 -0800

Yesterday I invited my sister over for dinner because I decided that we were going to try and master one of my mom's classic dishes. It's best described as stir fried beef with gravy and vegetables, but we lovingly call it "na ge niu rou" (which literally translates to "that cow meat").

Now, my mom has made this dish (or a variation of this dish) a thousand times and you'd think that I'd have tried cooking it by now. However, I never knew where to begin. See, my mom's a fantastic cook (in fact, she actually used to teach classes), but she never measures anything and getting a recipe from her is nearly impossible. So when I went home for Christmas, I followed her around with a pen in one hand and a camera in the other and forced her to come up with a recipe.

My end result ended up being pretty tasty (although I didn't cut my meat as thin as I could have) and I'm surprised by how easy it was. It wasn't as tasty as my mom's dish (but come on, is ANYTHING ever as good as mom's?), but I think with practice I'll be able to make it my own. To learn what goodies my mom cooks up in the kitchen, read more

Stir Fried Beef with Gravy
Adapted from a recipe by YumSugar's Mom!

Vegetables:
2 small-medium sized carrots
1 good sized green bell pepper
1/2 cup water

Beef Mixture:
1 lb of beef (I used round tip)
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp soysauce
oil (I used olive, but you could use vegetable, canola, etc.)

Garlic Mixture:
1 dried chili pepper
2 cloves of garlic
1 slice of fresh ginger root
1 shallot

Sauce:
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp water

- Peel carrots and then thinly slice on the diagonal. Stack slices and cut into sticks. Cut and slice bell pepper into thin sticks. Set carrots and bell pepper aside.
- Slice beef into short thin strips.
- In a large bowl combine cornstarch and garlic powder. Place meat into bowl and coat with cornstarch mixture. Add 2 tsp soysauce and mix well. (By the way, you're going to do this whole step with your hands, it's much easier than trying to use an utensil.) Set aside.
- Mince chili peppers, garlic, ginger and shallot together. Set aside.
- Combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, sugar and water in a small bowl. Mix until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- Place vegetables into large, deep frying pan. Add 1/2 cup water. Place frying pan over high heat and cover. If the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat. You are just looking to steam the vegetables until they are soft. Do not overcook, as you want them to stay slightly crispy and colorful. If there appears to be too much water, remove lid and let water steam off.
- When vegetables are finished, remove them from pan and place on serving platter. For a decorative look, create a circle with the vegetables.
- Add enough oil to coat pan (approx 1 1/2 tbsp). When oil has started to shimmer, add beef. Be sure to spread the beef out (it will be clumpy from the mixture) so that it will evenly heat.
- Stir-fry for several minutes, until the meat is just about finished. The sauce on the beef should have thickened and appear a little "gooey." Remove from pan and set aside (I rinsed the bowl I used to coat the beef and re-used it).
- Place pan back over heat and add garlic mixture into pan (the pan will also contain a lot of the meat drippings). Sauté for several minutes or until the garlic is fragrant.
- Add soy sauce mixture to pan and let simmer for a minute or two. The sauce should begin to reduce (thicken). Stir often to ensure that the garlic mixture does not burn.
- When sauce has reached a syrupy consistency, add beef back into pan. Mix until everything is coated.
- Remove from pan and put onto serving platter (into the center of the vegetable circle). Serve with rice!My Mom's VersionMy Version (I forgot to cut the carrots!)

Note: There are several variations to this dish. The first one is a simple visual change. Instead of serving it inside of a ring of vegetables, you could mix everything together.

The second variation has to do with the sauce. When you remove the meat the first time, make sure it is completely done and then add it to the platter. Create the sauce as mentioned above, but instead of adding the meat back in to the pan, simply pour the sauce over the meat. This will result in a thinner sauce.

Also, this recipe can be doubled if necessary.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches

partysugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:50:55 -0800

Tonight, surprise your loved ones with a homemade version of a ballpark classic, sausage and pepper sandwiches. No grill is necessary, all you need is an oven.

The veggies and sausages are roasted while the bread gets toasty and the cheese melts. The ingredient list calls for bottled balsamic dressing, but if you have the time and skills, why not whisk your own quick vinaigrette?

Serve with mixed greens and a cold beer. To make this mid-week pick-me-up, get the recipe after the break.