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Yummy Links: From Under Pressure to Gwyneth Paltrow

partysugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 06:45:09 -0800

Cooking with Thomas Keller's new book Under Pressure. - Serious Eats
Ten tea towels perfect for gifting. - The Kitchn
Make the holidays over with a bright pink and green theme. - Simply Stated
Get your serving of greens with this Winter green lasagna. - Chow
Find out why Gwyneth Paltrow is serious about food. - The Epi-Log

Last Night I Dreamt About Daniel Craig...

YumSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:19:33 -0800

I found this fantastic Daniel Craig–inspired tea towel in the Yum Market and just had to share it with you guys. TeamSugar member swwonder bookmarked this creation by Emma Bridgewater. The tea towel ($12) says, "I had a really nice dream last night about Daniel Craig," and is one of several fun designs. None are quite as hysterical as this one, but they're definitely worth checking out.

Emma Bridgewater - Daniel Craig Tea Towel	Black Toast Tea Towel
Christmas Stocking Tea Towel	Union Jack Tea Towel
Polka Dot Tea Towel	Hearts Tea Towel

Get Smart Tea Towels

YumSugar — Mon, 14 May 2007 09:01:17 -0700

Have you ever wished you had a kitchen conversion chart at your fingertips? How about a wine pairing guide, or a herb cheat sheet? Well stop your wishing and start ordering. The folks over at Simple Memory Art (aka Smart) have come up with a smart set of kitchen towels. There are three sets to choose from (two different towels in each set): herbs & spices, wine and cooking tips. I love the way that they look (clean and simple) and I love the fact that they're informative and practical (they're meant to get dirty, they're towels!). Available in sets of 2 for $18, or as a full set of 6 for $50. Thanks Stacey for the tip!

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YumSugar Gift Guide: Cuckoo for Cupcakes

YumSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:57:13 -0800

Even though we believe that macaroons are the new cupcakes, we're realistic enough to know that the cupcake isn't going anywhere. Simply put there are just too many cupcake fiends out there to make the trend go away. Besides, cupcakes are still adorable and the trend is still going strong. Translation: even if you don't realize it, you've probably got a cupcake fiend on your holiday list. So surprise them with a set of laser cut cupcake wrappers (more than 20 designs to choose from) or an Onieda 24 Cupcake Carrier. Looking for something unique? Try these adorable cupcake dessert plates from Rosanna. Want more ideas? Scroll through below.

Laser Cut Cupcake Wrappers ($3.50)	Cupcake Towel ($15)
Cupcake Lipgloss Set ($18)	Onieda 24 Cupcake Carrier ($19.99)
Kids Cupcake Making Kit ($23.95)	Rosanna Cupcake Dessert Plates ($35)

Come Party With Me: Tea Party - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:58:32 -0700

It's tea time! This week I'm planning an afternoon tea party. On Monday I sent out beautiful floral invitations to my girlfriends and yesterday I put together a menu full of scones, tea sandwiches, and shortbread cookies. Now it's on to the drinks, the tea of the tea party. Start by picking out which teas you will offer your guests. You could make several pots of the same kind, or a few different kinds. I am a fan of options and will brew a couple different kinds of tea. At all of my parties I like to offer an alcoholic beverage, so for those who are in the mood for an afternoon aperitif, I'll shake up a green tea martini. For my tips on brewing the perfect cup of tea and the recipe for the mar-tea-ni, read more

In honor of the tea party that I am planning this week, I thought it was necessary to go over a few basic suggestions for brewing a warm, wet, wonderful cup of tea.

To ensure freshness, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark space.

A good cup of tea is only as good as the water used, so choose fresh, flowing, cool, bottled/filtered water.
Take care when measuring out the tea because the tea's strength and flavor depends on the quantity of tea in the pot and the amount of steeping time.
Generally one bag or 1 teaspoon of leaves is considered a 1 person serving.
Do not overboil the water because once it begins to lose oxygen, the flavor of the tea will weaken.
The most important step of tea making is the correct brewing time. Brew for too long and the tea will taste bitter, brew for too little and the tea won't have maximum flavor.

Tea Brewing Time Chart
Tea Type Steep Time (in minutes)

black tea 3-5

herbal tea 5-10

green tea 1-3
Wrap the teapot with a towel or cozy to retain heat while steeping.
Strain tea leaves or remove tea bags before pouring into a cup and enjoying.
Milk dissolves the best into hot tea so plan accordingly.
Do not leave tea uncovered for a long period of time after brewing - drink or refrigerate to retain antioxidants and prevent bacteria from growing.
For the best tea, fill a teapot with hot tap water to warm it up; likewise warm up your teacups in a cup warmer or with hot tap water.

**Tea Brewing Time Chart**
Tea Type	Steep Time (in minutes)
black tea	3-5
herbal tea	5-10
green tea	1-3

Green Tea Martini
From That's The Spirit

Ice
1 ounce green tea, chilled
2 ounces citron vodka
1 teaspoon Cointreau
1 teaspoon simple syrup
Orange twist

Fill a shaker with ice. Add green tea, vodka, Cointreau and simple syrup.
Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with an orange twist.

Makes 1 cocktail.

Print recipe with images | without images

What are your secret tips for brewing the best cup of tea around? Please share them with us below. Next up on the party plan to-do-list: the look.

Simple Tip: How to Pop the Cork!

YumSugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:57:32 -0800

Whenever there's champagne at a party, I always end up being the cork-popper. It's a relatively new responsibility of mine; just a few years ago I couldn't handle it. I always assumed I'd break a window, or shoot someone's eye out. However, now that I have the hang of it, I actually enjoy it. There's something exciting about the pop! If you wish to learn how to do it, hopefully these tips will help out.

First of all, make sure the champagne is chilled. A chilled bottle is less likely to pop on its own, besides champagne tastes better cold.
Once you take the bottle out of the fridge, remove the foil wrapping to expose a wire cage-like covering. There should be a twisted bit of wire holding it in place. Find the wire and turn it - there's a little loop for you to hang on to - about six half-turns. When loose, remove the cage.

To find out what to do next, read more.

At this point, I always place a tea towel over the cork, but not everyone does it this way. I just find it is easier to grip the cork, and if it does fly out, you've got it - more or less - covered. So, with or without tea towel. grab the cork firmly with one hand. Hold the bottle at a 45 degree angle and hold the base of it with your other hand. Be sure to point it away from all your guests, windows and expensive breakables. I also like to hold it over the sink just in case.
Next, while holding on to the cork, twist the bottle slowly. If you do it correctly, you won't really have a huge pop, but more of a little whisper. It's better to twist the bottle, but if you can't go ahead and twist the cork; I do it in half turns alternating each direction. Just make sure to keep your grip firm, and nothing will break, nothing will fly and champagne will be had by all!

Oh and never use a corkscrew on a champagne cork. There is so much pressure inside that you run the risk of having the bottle explode.

Do you have a special cork-popping technique? Share it with us below!

Yum Gift Guide: Fab Foodie

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 11:14:54 -0800

This gift guide is for the foodie who knows that a perfect meal is also about the perfect presentation.

Fashion Plate Set - These cute plates will be perfect for the foodie fashionista. Made from heavy-duty melamine and highly saturated color, they're sure to brighten up any meal. Set of four for $40.00.

Jessie Steele Apron - Who says cooking can't be glamorous? This year get your favorite foodie a cute apron from Jessie Steele. Choose from vintage inspired prints in full and hostess sizes. You can find them here for around $35-$40.

Three more, so read more

Fairy Forest Cake Stand - This porcelain cake stand with tiny woodland embellishments brings just the right amount of whimsy to any party. It will also make any cake look like a professional creation. Find it here for $68.

Alberto Mantilla Salt and Pepper Shakers Stylish down to even the smallest details, your fab foodie will swoon when she sees these cute little hugging salt and pepper shakers. Functional can be fashionable. These shakers are politically correct and are certain to be a conversation starter. Buy the shakers for $25.

Marimekko Appelsiini Tea Towels - Finnish company Marimekko brings their bright prints to the kitchen with these adorable tea towels. The sliced orange motif ("appelsiini" is Finnish for orange) is great for everyday kitchen use, and would look fantastic framed on the wall too.
Buy one for $10.50 here.

The Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Giveaway Has Ended

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:36:18 -0800

Thanks to everyone who entered our Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Giveaway! The contest is now closed, but feel free to take the quiz and test your entertaining knowledge. Winners will be announced shortly. Be sure to check back for our future giveaways!

The holidays are right around the corner, and if you wish you had what it takes to be the ultimate entertainer, then you're in luck! We've teamed up with our pals at Hostess with the Mostess to come up with the Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Giveaway! Everything you need - more than $8000 in prizes - is up for grabs!

We're giving away three prize packages - including a grand prize with more than $5000 in goodies- featuring barstools from 2Modern, gold-banded dinnerware from west elm, Loop candelabras, Jonathan Adler teapots, notNeutral dinnerware, carafes, cheese boards, aprons, tea towels, table runners, and much, much more! To learn more about the packages, be sure to read the entire list of prizes.

To enter, YOU MUST LOG IN and take the entertaining quiz. (By the way, your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by taking the quiz once you are logged in.) The contest will end on Monday, Dec. 10, at 5:00 p.m. PST, and winners will be selected from among the quiz-takers. So, log in and take the quiz, and don't forget to e-mail this to all your friends and family so they can have a chance at it too!

Take the quiz.

The Ultimate Holiday Entertaining Giveaway!

partysugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 07:00:00 -0800

Just in time for the holidays, we've partnered with our friends at Hostess with the Mostess to come up with the ultimate holiday entertaining giveaway! Everything you need to become the ultimate hostess - more than $7000 in prizes - is up for grabs!

We're giving away three prize packages - including a grand prize with more than $5000 in goodies- featuring gold-banded dinnerware from west elm, Loop candelabras, Jonathan Adler teapots, notNeutral dinnerware, carafes, cheese boards, aprons, tea towels, table runners, and much, much more! To learn more about the packages, be sure to read the entire list of prizes.

To enter, YOU MUST LOG IN and take the quiz below. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just by completing the quiz once you are logged in. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member and log in before you take the quiz. If you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Don't forget to log in before you take the quiz in order for it to count!

Apologies to all of our international readers: This contest is open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be chosen randomly from among the quiz-takers. The contest ends on Monday, Dec. 10, at 5:00 p.m. PST. For more info read the official rules.

Good luck and don't forget to tell all your friends and family so that they have a chance too!

Take the quiz