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Savory Sight: Beautiful Kentucky Derby Cake

YumSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:06:28 -0700

Somehow, a themed cake makes the party. People will lick their lips at any delicious dessert, but the wonderfully thematic cake will be talked about afterwards.

This past weekend TeamSugar member eclaireassuch held a Kentucky Derby Party and created a fantastic cake to go along with it. She decorated a chocolate-nutella cake with intricate red roses - like the ones the winner wears - and topped that with a ring of horses.

After the tragic end where Eight Belles died, she knocked one of the horses over. She admits now, it was probably in poor taste. Yet, I still have to admire her creation. What do you guys think? Despite the dark humor, don't you want to just dive head first into that ring of roses?!

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Mark's Garden Adds Floral Drama to the Governors Ball

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:15:51 -0800

When I walked into the preview for the Governors Ball, the suspended globes immediately caught my eye. However, once I was able to pull my gaze down, my eyes became lost in the drama that is the floral arrangement.

There are over 15,000 roses, in 15 different shades of red, and they're accompanied by golden orchids imported from Thailand several days before the event. The cocktail tables are dotted with bouquets of roses, the dinner tables are huge, tall red and gold bouquets, and the food stations are littered with petals. The staff at Mark's Garden have created a beautiful arrangement that is dramatic, and somehow over the top and subdued at the same time.

I had a chance to talk to Mark Held - he and his staff have been doing the flowers for the Governors Ball for the past 13 years - about their floral decisions. To see that, and even more pics, read more.

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Yummy Link: Rose and Chocolate Marshmallows

YumSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:29:31 -0800

It's been demanded that I make these Rose and Chocolate Marshmallows. And although I'm not the hugest marshmallow fan, I think these lovelies might just change my mind. - Chocolate and Zucchini

An Edible Floral Arrangement - Rose and Poppy Seed Cupcakes

YumSugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:01:51 -0800

Although rose and poppy seed was not my favorite of the 2008 flavor pairings, I couldn't help but think it would make for a great cupcake. So I set out to find a delicious poppy seed cake, and a nice rose-infused frosting. The result was a subtle floral flavor, that really took me by surprise. I figured that the rose and poppy seed would complement one another, but I didn't expect them to be quite so delicious. If you're interested in trying it yourself, get the recipe, just read more.

Note: Rose flower water can be found at specialty grocery stores, places like BevMo, natural food stores, and possibly the "ethnic" aisle at your local grocery store.

I frosted these cupcakes with rose-flavored cream cheese frosting. I think they would also work well with whipped cream infused rose frosting. For garnish, I rolled raspberries in rose petal sugar - a gift from a friend, she found it at a specialty market - however you could garnish with plain raspberries, or a few poppy seeds.

Also, be careful when baking, mine were a little dry on the inside. The batter was really thick, I would probably use more yogurt next time, and bake for a shorter time period.

Poppy Seed Yogurt Cupcakes
From Stella Zedman

Makes 12 cupcakes

1/2 cup (125 mL) plain yogurt
1/4cup (50 mL) poppy seeds
1/2 cup (125 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
2 eggs
1-1/4 cups (300 mL) all purpose flour
1 tsp (5 mL) baking powder
1/2 tsp. (2 mL) baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt and the poppy seeds. Let this mixture soak while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, beat together the sugar, butter and eggs until thick and creamy - about 5 or 6 minutes.This wasn't exactly "thick and creamy" but it worked anyways.
In another bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture, in 2 or 3 additions, alternately with the poppy seed mixture. Beat just until smooth.
Spoon into the cupcake liners, filling them no more than 2/3 full -- there should be just enough for 12 cupcakes. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes -- until the cupcakes are just beginning to brown and a toothpick poked into the middle comes out clean.
Remove from oven and let cupcakes cool on a rack.
When completely cool, frost with your favourite frosting [I used the rose water frosting recipe below.] - it goes well with either chocolate or white frosting.

Rose Water Frosting
From Martha Stewart

Makes 1/2 cup - enough to fully coat 6-8 cupcakes.

4 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons rose water
1 1/2 teaspoons milk, plus more if needed
Gel-paste food coloring [I used 3 drops of liquid red food coloring to achieve the color shown.]

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and the sugar with a wooden spoon until the mixture is smooth. Add the rose water and the milk, and continue to beat the mixture until it is smooth. Tint the frosting, and use it immediately.

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Dr Pepper Celebrates Guns N' Roses Release With Free Sodas

YumSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:00:18 -0800

Update: Dr Pepper is extending its promotional offer through 6 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 24.

Earlier this year, Dr Pepper announced that it would be giving a free soda to "everyone in America" Guns N' Roses album Chinese Democracy, 17 years in the works, arrived anytime in 2008. This Sunday, Nov. 23, the agonizing wait will finally be over, and the people will have their Chinese Democracy - as well as a free Dr Pepper.

Dr Pepper has been behind the efforts of lead singer Axl Rose from the beginning. “We never thought this day would come," said Tony Jacobs, Dr Pepper's vice president of marketing, "but now that it's here, all we can say is: The Dr Pepper's on us."

To find out how you can get free Dr Pepper, read more.

On Nov. 23, visit Dr Pepper and register online to receive a coupon for one free 20-ounce Dr Pepper. You will receive the voucher, redeemable wherever Dr Pepper is sold, within 4 to 6 weeks.

Will you be redeeming your free soda? Do you commend Dr Pepper for its cool promotion, or think that it's another silly marketing ploy?

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Happy Hour: Michlits Frizzante 2006 Rose Burgenland

partysugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:28:19 -0700

If you are looking for an interesting new wine to try, I highly recommend this sparkling Austrian Pinot Noir. I tasted it at a recent party for CandyBar - San Francisco's new dessert-only restaurant - and instantly fell in love with the pink champagne. Fizzy, light, and refreshing, this wine paired perfectly with savory appetizers and small sweets. Flavors of citrus mingle with a mineral undertone making it a complex, yet easily drinkable bubbly.

Michlits Frizzante 2006 Rose Burgenland is a popular wine-list wine, so look for it at your favorite wine bar. An exotic import that retails for only $19 - reasonable for the taste and quality -it's also a great wine to seek out for a celebration.

TV Dinners: La Vie En Rose - Tournedos Rossini

partysugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:18:31 -0800

While on the first date with the love of her life, Édith Piaf - one of France's most beloved popstars - demands that her date, Marcel Cerdan, take her to a fancy restaurant. The boxer hopes to dine on pastrami sandwiches while Piaf- a diva in her own time - is hungry for tournedos rossini. A decadent dish that includes a thick slab of steak, foie gras, truffles, and a red-wine sauce, tournedos rossini are not for every day. They do however, make a wonderfully romantic and elegant meal. To see the recipe and check out a clip from La Vie En Rose - the movie that got Marion Cotillard a best actress nomination - read more.

Tournedos Rossini
From Just France

50g/2oz Butter
1 tbsp Olive Oil
4 slices of White Bread, crusts removed
4 tournedos of Beef Filet Mignon (tournedos)
Salt and Black Pepper
4 50g/2oz slices of Raw Foie Gras
2 tbsp Port
1 tbsp Brandy
1 tbsp Madeira
2 fresh Black Truffles, thinly sliced
190ml/6fl.oz. Beef or Veal Stock

Preheat the oven to warm, 250°F.
Cut the slices of bread into circles a little larger than the circumference of the beef tournedos then heat half the butter and a little of the oil in a frying pan on medium low heat, add the bread and fry until golden brown on both sides. Drain on kitchen paper and place on a heatproof serving platter.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining butter and oil in another large frying pan. Season the beef with salt and pepper then add to the pan and sauté for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan with tongs, place each on top of the fried bread and place in the oven to keep warm.
Add the foie gras to the pan and sauté for 1 minute on each side, depending on the thickness. Remove from the pan with tongs, place once slice on each tournedos and return to the oven to keep warm.
Add the port, brandy and Madeira to the pan and bring to the boil, scraping up any bits in the bottom of the pan then boil until reduced by half.
Add the stock and sliced truffles, bring back to the boil and continue to boil rapidly for about 5 minutes to reduce.
To serve – pour the sauce over the top of the tournedos.

Serves 4.

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Happy Hour: Rose Mary

partysugar — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:13:58 -0700

On what may have been the most gorgeous Tuesday night ever, I headed down to the Ferry Building for Chow's Cocktail Square Off. In an attempt to promote and encourage the growing art of mixology, Chow partnered with organic vodka producers Square One to host a cocktail contest.

With contestants from all over the states, the top two - professional mixologist Ronaldo Colli and amateur mixer and shaker Abigail Gullo - met in a Iron Chef style battle. Both had to create signature cocktails that were judged by a panel of local figures, including Chow's editor in chief, Jane Goldman.

In the end Ronaldo's drinks won the contest and the people's choice award. His winning drink, the Rose Mary, was a refreshing mix of vodka, watermelon, and lime juice that was perfectly sweetened and super easy to drink. To take a look at the recipe and a gallery of images from the event, read more

Rose Mary
From Ronaldo Colli

1/2 branch of rosemary (organic)
4 chunks of watermelon (organic)
1/2 ounce lime juice, fresh squeezed (organic)
3/4 ounce 43 liqueur
1 1/2 ounces Square One Organic Vodka
Splash of agave nectar, if necessary (organic)
3 lime wheels (garnish)
1 long branch of rosemary, leaves peeled off beginning approximately two fingers from the top (garnish)

In a pint glass, muddle rosemary and watermelon, add lime juice, 43 liqueur, Square One Organic Vodka, and ice.
Shake and add agave nectar, if necessary.
Then double strain (fine strain) into a chilled collins glass filled with ice and lime wheels, and finish garnishing with rosemary branch inside of the cocktail.

Serves 1.

Please Note: While Ronaldo made his drink with all organic products feel free to use whatever you have on hand.

Substitution: Feel free to use a splash of simple syrup instead of agave nectar.

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Yummy Link: Lemon-Rose Flavored Tomatoes

partysugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:38:19 -0700

I don't know about you guys, but I have mixed feelings about these recently developed genetically engineered lemon-rose flavored tomatoes. On one hand I love the idea of using these to enhance dishes, but on the other hand I worry where this may lead us: what's wrong with a tomato that tastes like a tomato? - Discovery News

Happy Hour: Sage Sangria

partysugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:00:50 -0700

Just because Summer is long gone but that doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying sangria. Depending on the ingredients you employ, the wine-based punch can be sipped all year round. Instead of using a warm-weather fruit like peaches, this sangria is infused with Fall's most woody herb, sage. The recipe is simple, but the resulting drink is complex and earthy, perfect for sipping in front of a roaring fire. Honey adds a subtle sweetness and the sage makes this concoction an ideal pairing for any Autumnal dinner. Want the easy recipe? Keep reading.