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Do You Taste Your Food While Cooking?

partysugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:00:19 -0700

Study Finds Girls Have Superior Taste to Boys

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:00:46 -0800

For those of you who never understood how your college boyfriend could eat delivery pizza every night, we may have found your answer.

A study of 8,900 Danish schoolchildren at the University of Copenhagen has found that girls are better at recognizing tastes than boys, particularly when it comes to sweet and sour. Since males and females have the same number of tastebuds, the difference lies in how they process taste impressions.

According to the study, boys need, on average, 10 percent more sourness and 20 percent more sweetness than girls to recognize the taste. In addition, because boys seemed less sensitive to recognizing tastes, it only makes sense that boys tended to prefer more extreme flavors than girls.

The study attempted to quantify the tasting ability of children, and its results had a clear message: Children are better tasters than the industry presumes them to be. "One could easily develop more varied food products and snacks for children and young people," said Bodil Allesen-Holm, the scientific head of the study. Could fish sticks and chicken nuggets make way for something more gourmet in the future?

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Let's Dish: Do Things Taste Different on Vacation?

partysugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:17:23 -0700

My parents recently got back from a trip to Ireland where they fell in love with Smithwick's Irish Ale. My dad was excited when he found the beer at a local market, but he noticed a distinct difference in the taste, claiming that the American-bought Smithwick's was watery and not as creamy or flavorful as its Irish counterpart.

His remarks got me thinking about foods we enjoy on vacation. Was the American Smithwick's made with a different formula, or did it taste better in Ireland because of the experience? What do you think? Have you ever tasted something on vacation and found that it tasted different at home? If so, what was it and why do you think this is?

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Calcium = The Sixth Taste?

partysugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:00:46 -0700

Scientists in Philadelphia have discovered that mice can taste calcium. Since humans and rodents share many of the same genes, the human tongue should taste calcium as well. For centuries the four basic tastes were sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. However when umami, the fifth "savory" taste, was recognized 100 years ago, the door opened to research other tastes. According to Michael Tordoff, a geneticist who participated in the mice study, a human's palate can detect the mineral. It tastes:

Calcium tastes calcium-y, there isn't a better word for it. It is bitter, perhaps even a little sour. But it's much more because there are actual receptors for calcium, not just bitter or sour compounds.

Tordoff claims that the bitterness of certain vegetables, like bok choy or dark greens, is due to high levels of calcium. Although milk is full of calcium, the fats prevent us from tasting it.

Since I've always thought it was crazy that only four basic tastes exist, the discovery is incredibly interesting, and I think that maybe I've tasted calcium. What do you make of the findings? Have you ever tasted calcium?

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Definition: Umami

partysugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:00:16 -0700

Umami
Discovered 100 years ago by a Japanese scientist, umami is believed to be a fifth taste sensation. The four basic tastes are sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. Umami is considered to be savory. This taste is found in such foods as oysters, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Difficult to recognize, umami is a subtle taste that blends well with other foods to enhance flavor.

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Irish Stew Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

partysugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 11:01:31 -0700

Irish stew is a great dish to serve at a St. Patrick's Day dinner party. In general, stews make wonderful dinner party fare because they're a one-pot meal that must be made in advance. Originally a peasant's meal, Irish stew normally consists of lamb, potatoes, and onions. To encourage that you experiment with this traditional recipe, I've found two versions. Both are straight forward, but one cooks the stew on the stove and the other bakes it in the oven. Choose which one suits your culinary needs or combine the two to make a delicious masterpiece. For both recipes please read more.

Beginner Irish Stew
From Everyday Food magazine

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 pounds boneless lamb stew meat (preferably shoulder), trimmed of excess fat and cut into 2-inch cubes
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 cups dark beer
1 1/2 pounds medium new potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut 1/2 inch thick diagonally
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

In a large bowl, season flour with salt and pepper. Dredge lamb in flour mixture, shaking off excess.
In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Working in batches, brown lamb on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to a plate.
Pour 1/4 cup water into pot, scraping up browned bits from bottom with a wooden spoon. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until water has evaporated and onion is beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
Return lamb to pot; stir in thyme, beer, and 1 1/2 cups water. Cover; simmer until lamb is tender, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Add potatoes, carrots, and 1/2 cup water. Cook, covered, until vegetables are tender and stew has thickened, about 20 minutes.
Season with salt and pepper. Stir in parsley just before serving.

Serves 8.

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Expert Irish Stew
From Taste

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs lamb neck chops, trimmed
1/2 cup plain flour
3 brown onions, chopped
2 lbs baking potatoes, peeled, sliced
2 carrots, peeled, thinly sliced into rounds
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cups boiling water
3 beef stock cubes, crumbled
1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1/4 cup mint leaves, chopped, to serve

Directions

Cut chops in half. Place flour in a plastic bag and season with salt and pepper. Place chops in bag and shake well to coat. Transfer chops to a plate. Reserve flour.
Preheat oven to 275°F.
Place onions, potatoes and carrots in an ovenproof dish. Top with half the chops. Repeat layers with remaining onions, potatoes, carrots and chops.
Whisk reserved flour, tomato paste and 2 tablespoons cold water in a large jug until well combined.
Slowly add boiling water, whisking constantly.
Add stock cubes and parsley. Stir to dissolve stock cubes.
Pour flour mixture over chops.
Cover and cook for 4 hours or until meat tender and sauce thickened. Sprinkle with mint and serve. You can also cook this stew in a slow cooker. Combine the ingredients as above and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.

Serves 6.

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Come Party With Me: Christmas Dinner - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:05:31 -0800

My elegant Christmas dinner calls for equally-sophisticated cocktails. I'll have distinct wine pairings for each course and one festive signature cocktail to get the night started right.

With the oysters and crab crostini, pour a sparkling Prosecco; it's a lovely and affordable varietal. With the main course offer a spicy red Pinot Noir or Zinfandel. Have a white varietal that complements the gorgonzola gnocchi. An American Chardonnay or Italian Fiano are excellent choices.

Make the signature cocktail a red-hued concoction by using frozen berries. Get the recipe for this festive drink, just read more.

Merry Berry Cocktail
From Taste

1/4 cup superfine sugar
1/4 cup boiling water
1 bag frozen mixed berries, thawed
1/2 cup vanilla vodka
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
4 cups crushed ice
1 750ml bottle chilled rose sparkling wine

Combine sugar and water in a small bowl and stir until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool.
Place sugar syrup, berries, vodka, and lime juice in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve into a jug and discard seeds and pulp.
Place half the ice and half the berry mixture in the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Spoon evenly among half the serving glasses and top with sparkling wine. Repeat with remaining ice, berry mixture, and sparkling wine.

Serves 8.

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Come Party With Me: Oktoberfest - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:30:25 -0700

No specialty cocktail is needed at an Okotberfest celebration, the German festival is all about one thing - beer. Instead invite friends to partake in a beer tasting! There are several different ways to host a beer tasting. You can get the same kinds of beers, say German pilsners, all made by different breweries. You could select one brewery, purchase all the varieties of beer they make, and serve those. Or you can just buy a bunch of beers from various styles and regions. Head to Bevmo, Trader Joe's, or other local shop that sells a wide assortment of beers and purchase six packs or larger bottles for the tasting. To get more beer-tasting tips read more.

When selecting beers, think about the likes and dislikes of your guests. If the majority of people enjoy lighter style beers, get those. On the other hand, if your guests are adventurous drinkers, consider picking up hoppier/darker ales.
Handle the beer carefully and be sure to properly chill it.
Like wine, beer requires appropriate glasses for each type. However, for the sake of the tasting, simply serve the beer in standard glasses. Avoid using plastic or paper cups.
Drink slowly and take note of the beer's color, aroma, and head. Discuss how it tastes.
Each pour should be about 3-4 ounces.
Host the tasting before dinner and have extra bottles on hand to enjoy while consuming the meal.

Have you thrown a beer tasting? Please tell us about your experience below!

Halloween Sake Tasting

Yum Community — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:02:46 -0800

This story was written by member lauren and comes from the Savory Sights group in the YumSugar Community.For Halloween, my husband and I opted for a quiet and delicious sake dinner at Hanazen rather than a crazy party! We tasted 5 different sakes, all of which were completely different. Some with the traditional earthy flavor and others with a light, fruit and flower flavor. All very different and uniquely delicious. Each sake was accompanied by a traditional Japanese dish. In my opinion, the perfect dinner! The pictures were taken with my iPhone!

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Have you eaten an awesome meal? Join the Savory Sights group, upload your photos and a description of the experience and it could be featured on YumSugar! If you are new to the YumSugar Community, here's a detailed guide to posting to groups .

Taste Test: Brown Sugar Cinnamon Ritz Crackers

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:15:15 -0800

With holiday parties looming on the horizon, I've had killer apps and hors d'oeuvres in the back of my mind. Since no party is complete without a meat, cheese, and crackers platter, it's only appropriate that Nabisco has come out with a new variety of Ritz cracker, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, that's sure to be popular come Christmastime. Ritz crackers were an after-school pastime for me growing up, so I couldn't wait to try the new flavor. Did it live up to its highly-regarded name? Find out when you read more.