YumSugar

Come Party With Me: Campfire Fiesta - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:15:51 -0700

After a long day of pitching tents, cooking food, and preparing dessert, the gang at your campfire fiesta definitely deserves a drink. No camping trip is complete without beer, so fill a cooler with plenty of ice and ask guests to bring their own brews. I'll also pick up a few bottles of red and white wine.

As the host of this fireside fete, you can also offer a fun addition to the bar menu. Since you probably won't have the time or energy to whip up something like a guavarita, opt for spiking a watermelon with rum. It's summery and refreshing, it will go great with the Mexican-inspired main courses, and it's easy to eat around the campfire. Just consume with caution, since it will undoubtedly be strong! To find out how to make it, read more.

Rum-Spiked Watermelon
Original Recipe

Ingredients

1 large watermelon
1 750-ml bottle of white rum, chilled
2-3 large Ziploc bags

Directions

At least 4 hours before serving, cut up the watermelon. Discarding the rind, cut the flesh into single-serving triangular slices.
Divide the slices between 2-3 Ziploc bags (however many you need) and pour an equal amount of rum into each bag.
Place bags in a cooler and let sit for at least 4 hours.
Remove watermelon from bag and discard excess liquid. Serve slices in a bowl or on a plate.

Print recipe with images | without images

Trend Alert: Pickling

YumSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:15:52 -0700

Pickling has been a craft for the past 5,000 years, but its biggest moment may be right now.

With supermarket prices on the rise, the home consumer products industry has seen a spike in canning and pickling at home. The Martha Stewart Show recently featured Momofuku minimogul David Chang giving a pickling demonstration. Prominent restaurants chefs from Los Angeles to New Orleans have been showcasing house-made pickles in menu items.

Even I jumped on the bandwagon, extolling the virtues of rapid preserving in a three-hour pickling recipe. Quick pickles are especially appealing, as they don't require any special canning equipment and the techniques can be used on everything from grapes to watermelon rinds. Because pickles are one of my favorite foods, I'm excited to try all the new ideas I've been reading about. What about you? Have you caught on to the pickling bug?

Source

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:28:39 -0700

Much like the christening of a boat, to start the celebration off at your housewarming party, pop open a bottle of champagne and invite everyone to join you in a toast to your future in the new house. Guests can enjoy the glass as you show them around the space. Once the game night portion of the party gets started, offer an assortment of beers, wines, and a big bowl of "player's punch." Serve the watermelon punch in a pitcher because it will be easier to pour while playing games. Also be sure to pour the drinks in to real glasses (you registered for them so might as well use them!). A nice, light red - such as Beaujolais - or a crisp white unoaked Chardonnay will pair nicely with the pizzas. For those who do not drink alcohol, sparkling water on the rocks spiked with fresh watermelon puree and slices of cucumber or mint makes a festive and refreshing mocktail. You'll find the player's punch recipe after the break, so read more

Watermelon Punch
From Instyle magazine

6 cups watermelon juice (to make, purée fresh seedless watermelon)
One 3 oz. can frozen limeade
6 cups vodka
1 liter chilled club soda
Watermelon wedges

In a serving bowl, combine watermelon juice, limeade and vodka.
Refrigerate until cold.
Then add ice and chilled club soda; garnish with small watermelon wedges.

Serves 12-15.

Print recipe with images | without images