YumSugar

Keep Your Lettuce Longer

YumSugar — Mon, 21 May 2007 09:01:01 -0700

Last week I mentioned how to save wilted lettuce, but how do you keep it from getting that way to begin with?

For starters you should discard any leaves that have brown or black spots.
Then soak them in an ice water bath for 15-30 minutes.
Spin them dry (or gently pat them dry with a kitchen towel) and wrap loosely in dry paper towels.
Finally put them in a ziploc bag, squeeze as much air as possible (don't crush the leaves), seal the bag 3/4 of the way and store in your fridge's produce drawer.

This entire process will help slow the deterioration process down and will hopefully, depending on the state it was in when you purchased it, allow your lettuce to last for up to two weeks.

Yum's October Must Haves

YumSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 07:30:33 -0700

October is that magical time of the year where the weather starts to change, fall hits us hard and the holidays are just around the corner. It also happens to be National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and - on the lighter side of things - National Cookie Month. To get you prepared for a fabulous October, I've rounded up some great products that you simply must have.

First on the list are these Limited Edition Riedel Pink Vinum Rosé Wineglasses. The pink stems represent Riedel's support of Living Beyond Breast Cancer and a portion of the proceeds is contributed to support breast cancer diagnosis and management. A set of two glasses can be yours for $40.
Next up is this American Honey Flight. Produced by artisanal beekeepers, there are nine different glass vials of raw honey, such as Maine Blueberry and Washington Buckwheat. Each vial is hand-corked and sealed with beeswax. Cost: $72.
An important part of October is the Halloween decor and pumpkin carving. To make your pumpkin carving an easy experience, get your hands on one of these Van Vacter Pumpkin Knives. It has a rounded safety tip and fine serrations for easy cutting. The dishwasher safe knife also features a non-slip handle and a stainless steel blade. $19.95 for one.
During the fall, a slow cooker is definitely a must have. This 6 Quart Premium VersaWare Slow Cooker from Rival features an inner pot that can be used directly on the stove. Now you can brown your meat directly in your slow cooker pot, and toss it in the oven to reheat. You can also store the pot in the freezer, or pop it in the microwave. Available for $54.99.
This month's final must have is a Baker's Half Sheet Pan with Storage Cover. The rust proof aluminum pan is perfect for even-heating and offers great cookies each time. The cover is an extra bonus, you can easily transport bar cookies, regular cookies and even cupcakes.

Know Your Teas (aka Tea 101)

YumSugar — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 15:58:39 -0700

This week PartySugar is planning a lovely tea party so I thought I'd take a minute to talk about the different kind of teas. If you don't count herbal teas, all tea surprisingly comes from the same plant (Camellia sinensi); the different types of tea are a result of how the leaves are processed once picked. Herbal teas come from an infusion of fruit and herbs (like chamomile, rose-hips, mint) and not the tea tree. So what are the different kinds of teas? Well, there are four basic types: black, green, oolong and white. However there are a few others as well. To learn how to tell them apart, read more

Black Tea - The tea leaves are allowed to fully oxidize, so the leaves of the tea are darker than others. It has been the most popular type of tea in western countries due to the fact that it has a longer storage life and was more suitable for transport in the early days of tea trade. Often referred to as "red tea" in many parts of Asia.
Green Tea - The leaves of green tea are un-oxidized or minimally oxidized by steam or dry cooking in hot pans. The steaming process allows the leaves to retain their green color. Due to the shorter shelf-life, green teas should be consumed as soon after production as possible.
Oolong Tea - The oxidation process is stopped somewhere between green and black tea, usually within 2-3 days. It generally has more flavor than green tea, but brews lighter than black.
White Tea - Made from the buds and young leaves of the tea plant. In order to stop the oxidation process, the leaves are fried or steamed immediately after picking. It is very delicate in taste and has a unique sweetness. In general, the price of white tea is usually more than the others.
Post-fermented Tea - These leaves undergo a second oxidation and are meant to be aged. It's also produced from the mature, larger leaves of older tea trees. It can take several years to age. Pu-erh is the most common type of post-fermented tea.
Yellow Tea - A special tea processed similarly to green tea, however the drying phase is much slower.
Herbal Tea - Made by infusing or boiling leaves, seeds, flowers, stems, roots, and bark of various plants. It is not a "true tea" since the leaves do not all come from the tea tree.