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Could America Be Facing a Sugar Shortage?

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:30:30 -0700

If you've got a sweet tooth, you may be forced to reckon with a bitter truth. In a letter sent to US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, several of the country's largest food companies, including General Mills, Kraft, Hershey, and Mars, said the United States could "virtually run out of sugar" if the government doesn't let up on sugar import limits.

To keep prices within reason for domestic sugar farmers, the government only allows unlimited sugar imports from the Mexican market without paying tariffs. Global shortages of the commodity have led to a skyrocket in price, culminating in a 28-year high this week. Sugar purchased from other countries, such as Brazil, is limited by a quota. If those restrictions aren't eased, food manufacturers say they'd be forced to hike prices, slash jobs - and run out of sugar to make items such as cereal, cookies, and chocolate. However, the USDA appears to be taking this plea with a grain of sugar, claiming early this week that domestic supplies were increasing.

With opposing interests, it's hard to know what to think. Who do you believe - and would America be better off with less sugar?

Simple Tip: Rim Champagne Flutes With Sugar

partysugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:15:43 -0700

A couple of weeks ago FabSugar hosted a shopping event at Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco. The caterer of the party found a fun way to incorporate Sugar into the menu - they rimmed each of the champagne flutes with pretty pastel-colored sugar. The sugar wasn't flavored so it didn't affect the taste of the dry bubbly. This is a sweet way to incorporate color into a girlie party.

Wouldn't sugar-rimmed champagne glasses be fun at a baby or bridal shower? To rim the glasses, simply dip a flute into cold water and then the colored sugar. Carefully fill with sparkling wine.

Did anyone come to the party at Saks? What did you think of the sugary champagne?

YumSugar Gift Guide: The Global Gourmand Grandpa

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:00:12 -0800

Shopping for an epicurean grandpa who's more well-traveled than you? Fret not. If he's been tasting his way around the globe, chances are, he's open to eating anything.

If he's enjoyed traveling to Japan, present him with this matcha green tea set. Remind him of his trip to Scotland last year with Spey smoked salmon. Or send him an assortment of exotic imports: It's the closest you can get to giving him the world.

For more gift ideas, browse the selection below. Check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

The Sugar Sex and the City After Party

partysugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:00:08 -0700

Wednesday night was huge for us here at Sugar headquarters: we hosted a private screening of the Sex and the City movie! The extravaganza involved glamorous outfits, gorgeous looks, a plush red carpet, and a fantastic after party.

The event was held at a gutted-out, old Limited Store in the Embarcadero Center. Naturally, I helped transform the space to make it suitable for the Sugar party. To see the setting up process of the fiesta, watch the video below.

Wondering what the actual party was like? Well there's another video of the fabulous fete, to check it out all you have to do is read more.

Don't worry more on all the teeny details - like how I made the decorations and what was on the menu - to come!

Yummy Links: From Whoopie Pies to Thomas Keller

YumSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:26:51 -0700

Forget cupcakes, whoopie pies are going to be big. - Serious Eats

Will there be a shortage of matzo snacks this Passover? - Grub Street
Don't spend money on fancy colored sugars, make your own instead. - The Kitchn
Get some tips on how to entertain on a budget. - Simply Stated
What are the top 10 cookies of all time? - iVillage
Is your kitchen making you fat? - FitSugar
Thomas Keller discusses failure, future and film. - Eater SF

Eat Your Heart Out!

YumSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 13:23:31 -0800

This Valentine's Day, surprise your loved ones and friends with edible treats that aren't made of chocolate. From candy to cheese, here are a few gift ideas that will have them eating their hearts out! And don't worry, the chocolate gift guide will be coming soon!

View Slideshow ›

Simple Makeshift Sugar Shaker

partysugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 09:01:33 -0800

The recipe for my orange ricotta pound cake called for a pretty dusting of powdered sugar. When I reached for the sifter, I realized it was in the dishwasher in the middle-of-a-wash cycle! Thinking quickly, my dad and I devised a makeshift sifter. Here's what we did:

Fill a small, old fashioned glass with the desired amount of powdered sugar.
Cover the top with parchment paper and tape down the sides, if desired.
Using a toothpick, poke holes in the top of the parchment paper.
Turn over and shake on top of cake.

Feel free to apply this technique to any other spices!

View 7 Photos ›

What Would You Make?

partysugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:18:31 -0800

You know the drill, but just in case you are new around here: You are at home and hungry for food. You have to cook up something scrumptious for you and your boyfriend/ girlfriend/ spouse/ child/ friend, but the ingredients you have on hand are limited.

You have walnuts, fresh oranges, and sugar. Using these ingredients, along with whatever staples you currently have in your cupboard and refrigerator, what would you make?

To see what I would make, read more

I have a bunch of arugula that needs to be used up, so I would make a salad. First I would segment the oranges and catch the juice in a large bowl.
To the bowl I would add salt, pepper, a little grated onion, balsamic vinegar, dry mustard, and the sugar. I would whisk all of this together and slowly stream in olive oil to make a vinaigrette.
Next I would add the arugula to the bowl and toss with the dressing.
Finally, I would add the orange segments, the walnuts, and a little bit of blue cheese for a delicious and simple salad.

Source and Source

No Snickering at the Snickerdoodles

YumSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:14:00 -0700

Earlier this week, I gave you guys a recipe for a cookie full of Snickers candies, which is what I dreamt of every time folks would mention snickerdoodles. Well, a few of you wrote in to ask exactly what a snickerdoodle was. Simply put, a snickerdoodle is a type of soft sugar cookie, dusted with cinnamon and sugar. They're usually a little crunchy on top, and soft and chewy in the middle.

Some folks think the name comes from the corruption of the German word schneckennudeln - a type of cinnamon-dusted sweet roll - but no one is really sure. No matter where its name comes from, it's definitely a cookie worth trying, and one to keep in your cookie repertoire. For a classic recipe, read more

Snickerdoodles
From Betty Crocker
Image Source

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 400ºF.
Mix 1 1/2 cups sugar, the butter, shortening and eggs in large bowl. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.
Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls in cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
(Total time will vary; cook or bake time is per batch.)

Print recipe with images | without images

How Do You Sweeten Your Coffee?

partysugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 06:03:31 -0700

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