YumSugar

Pizza Hut's "Double Roll" Is Blowing My Mind

YumSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:52:56 -0700

Wow. Really that's all you need to say about Pizza Hut's "Double Roll" pizza - hot dog stuffed crust pizza with corn, mini- hamburger patties and a whole lot more. I really don't have much else to say except for that a medium costs ¥2500 ($20.50) and a large will set you back ¥3550 ($29). Oh and like most amazing things, it's only available in Japan. If anyone can translate the ad, please let us know what it says in the comments.

Update: The fine folks at Slice NY have pointed out that the ad has the date Sept 9, 2007 in it. Does this mean it's a limited edition pizza? Oh and what's stuffed into the right-hand side and why does it have a maple leaf instead of a tomato? Is it a sweet maple syrup sauce?!

Source: Plastic Bamboo

Off to Market Recap: Wood Cutting Board

partysugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:00:25 -0700

While I was writing about my common kitchen mistake - I'm prone to burning plastic cutting boards! - I realized the best way to avoid burning any more would be to invest in wooden cutting boards and I asked you to help me find them. You looked for different sized, wooden cutting boards that are thick and durable. You bookmarked the boards in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Wood Cutting Board. I like the pale color of these bamboo cutting boards that jopperma discovered. They are lightweight and environmentally friendly. Check out the wood cutting boards below and let me know which one is your favorite!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature please read geeksugar's explanation.

Come Party With Me: Pool Party - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 06:01:39 -0700

Create a glamorous outdoor look for your pool party by incorporating organic, earthy blues and greens jazzed up with splashes of bright summer colors. Arrange patio furniture so that one area is about tanning/reading and another about lounging/chatting. Cover the chaises with striped beach towels and place brightly colored green cushions on top. Use large umbrellas to add shade for those who wish to stay out of the sun and be sure to fill small bowls next to the appetizer spread with tubes of sunscreen. For extra excitement, leave water balloons at the bar near a sink to encourage a water fight among guests! A plastic blue serving bowl and plastic cups ensure that there is no broken glass. Instead of serving the food on regular old paper plates, purchase disposable bamboo plates. Cover the tables with a fun floral fabric and stack napkins of the same style fabric near the plates.

For music, select a playlist of fun, upbeat songs. Attending a pool party this summer and don't know what to wear? My gal DearSugar tells you gal how to dress for one so check out her tips.

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The Ultimate Kitchen: Cutting Boards

YumSugar — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 14:01:32 -0800

This one seems obvious, but the ultimate kitchen should have a cutting board or three. Traditionally cutting boards were big blocks of wood, however these days there are many different kinds of materials, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. For example, glass is very durable and easy to clean, however they are terrible for your sharp knife edges. Wooden boards, on the other hand, are terrific for knife edges, but not so easy to clean.

At my house, we have several plastic boards, and a large wooden one. The plastic boards are used for meats and fish and the wooden one for vegetables and pastry (it's pretty large and fits over one half of the sink, creating more work space - which is great in my tiny house).

The right kind of cutting board will depend on your needs and personal taste. Pay attention to the size of it vs. your countertops, and the weight. A good board should be heavy, so it does not slip, but if it's too heavy to move and won't fit in your sink, it won't do you much good.

No matter what you end up deciding on, here are a few rules that you need to follow:

All boards need to be washed in hot soapy water immediately after use.
If your board has many small cracks and cuts, it's time to say farewell. Those grooves are a terrific hiding place for bacteria and raw food. Wooden boards can be resurfaced, but you will need to coat them with a "food safe" finish.
Don't put a wooden board into the dishwasher. It will dry it out and ruin the lifespan.
Always cut raw meats (including poultry and fish) on a board that is easy to properly sanitize.
Be sure your boards are completely dry before putting them away for the night.
Wooden boards should be seasoned and oiled with food grade oil. This should be done before using and then again on a monthly basis, or as needed.

The large wooden board by John Boos & Co. (shown above) gets rave reviews and is available for $57.95.

And, I'm not sure about the durability of these particular bamboo boards($24.95 - $25.95), but, to be honest, I really like the way they look.

Happy Hour: Ultraman Wine

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:13:32 -0700

For those of you who are in to Japanese pop-culture, you better rush out and order your very own Ultraman wine. The commemorative 40th anniversary bottle comes complete with matching glass. Limited to only 777 sets, each bottle will cost ¥9800 (that's about $83.25). Oh and they're only taking orders until September 28, so if you're interested in this futuristic merlot, you better act now!

Source: Plastic Bamboo and Alt Japan

Come Party With Me: Travel Party - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 06:31:38 -0700

In my opinion, the best part of a travel party is transforming each room to resemble a different country. With a little imagination, it's easy to come up with festive and fun decor.

Mexico: Dress the table with Mexican blankets and hang a Mexican banner in a crisscross pattern along the ceiling. Plate chips and dips in plastic sombrero shaped serving platters. Use bright candles, flowers, and clear glasses for the tequila sunrises. Create a playlist with your favorite Latin stars: Luis Miguel, Mana, and my personal favorite Paulina Rubio.
Japan: Set the scene with red, white, and black decorations. Instead of floral arrangements, place bamboo in small vases filled with black stones. Rest a cherry blossom Japanese shade along one of your walls. Floating candles add a zen and relaxing touch. Search iTunes for some fun Japanese tunes. I recommend Pizzicato 5 and Cornelius.

Russia: Ornate metallic gold decorations with red accents are perfect to create a lux Russian room. Cover furniture with fur throws and arrange flowers in open Russian dolls. For music play Tatu and your other favorite Russian groups.
England: Plaster the ways with images of the Royal family, soccer teams like Manchester United, and a Union Jack banner. Instead of a tablecloth, cover the table with old covers of Hello magazine. If using red, white, and blue decor, be sure to make it British rather than American. Robbie Williams, Anastacia, Joss Stone, The Spice Girls, New Order, Oasis, Elton John and the Beatles should be playing softly in the background.
Cuba: Make posters that say, Abajo Fidel (Down With Fidel) in large block letters and pin to the walls. Wrap Cuba Libre glasses in Cuban flag beads. Allow more musically inclined friends to play the Cuban bongos or turn on a regatton radio station.

Do you have a great decorating or music idea for my travel-themed party? Tell us in the comments below!

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Come Party With Me: Welcome Back - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 31 May 2007 07:03:18 -0700

When hosting a welcome back party use the location where the guest of honor is returning as your inspiration. For example, I'm planning a welcome back party for my gal pal and the event will ooze all things San Francisco. To get the theme started I sent out watercolor map invitations, created a menu consisting of recipes by famed local chefs and will serve up sangria and clerico inspired by the wine country. San Francisco was the first city in the US to ban the use of plastic grocery bags, making it one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the nation. I'll take this as my cue and create a super easy eco chic incorporating shades of forest, olive, and key lime. To see how I'm making over my living room and patio, read more

I'll start by getting shades of green fabric to make simple tablecloths.

Raffia or bamboo table runners will adorn the tables and chic red vases will be filled with green flowers.
Fresh herbs, potted plants, and budding flowers in soil will add aroma to the party space.
White Christmas lights will be draped over the shrubs in my courtyard for when night falls.
Simple soy votive candles will run along the length of the courtyard wall for a soft succulent glow.
Menus will be printed in block letters on newspaper.

A big Welcome Back sign will hang on the front door. I'll make it by cutting out the letters in red shiny cardboard and gluing them to cut-open brown paper bags.
I'll run lights along my front porch so people will know where the party is.
The appetizers will be arranged strategically around the rooms to ensure the flow of guests throughout the party. The sangria will be set on one table inside, the keg outside on the patio.
The fountain will be turned on to provide a soothing sound.

Red ribbons will tie together paper napkins and be tied to backs of chairs.
I'll be heading to the farmer's market for more inspiration and will probably get some tomatoes to use as centerpieces.

Got an eco-stylish decor idea for my green welcome back party? Please share with me below!