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Does Soda Mess With Your DNA?

YumSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 06:58:31 -0700

All of you soda drinkers might want to pay attention to this one. A new study from Britain's Sheffield University is linking sodium benzoate, a preservative found in some sodas, to cell damage. Research is suggesting that the preservative has the ability to switch vital parts of DNA.

Professor Peter Piper, a professor of molecular biology and biotechnology, tested the impact of sodium benzoate on living yeast cells in his laboratory. What he found alarmed him: the benzoate was damaging an important area of DNA in the "power station" of cells known as the mitochondria.

He told The Independent on Sunday: "These chemicals have the ability to cause severe damage to DNA in the mitochondria to the point that they totally inactivate it: they knock it out altogether."

It can be identified in soft drinks by the phrase "sodium benzoate" or E211. Oh and in case you were wondering, it is also used in fireworks as a powder that makes the whistling noises.

This is not the first time sodium benzoate has found its way into the spotlight. In March of 2006, the Food & Drug Administration was said to be running tests on whether or not combined with ascorbic acid, heat and light, it forms benzene, a known carcinogen.

Source: The Independent via Boing Boing

Fast & Easy Dinner: Grilled Shrimp Tacos

partysugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:00:56 -0700

Happy Mexican Independence Day! Although many Americans confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexico's independence, it's actually celebrated on Sept. 16. To commemorate the occasion, how about offering your family these quick yet delicious shrimp tacos? Served on warm soft tortillas with a simple sour cream-cumin sauce, these shrimp are plump and succulent. Although the recipe requires that you grill the shrimp, it also explains how to cook them under the broiler. If you have extra time on your hands, consider making a homemade Mexican fiesta complete with pico de gallo, guacamole, and salsa. Get the uncomplicated shrimp taco recipe now.

Chicken Posole Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:50:53 -0700

I don't often throw big blowouts like Party does, but I still love an excuse to celebrate in my own way. So, to honor Mexican Independence Day (which just happens to be today - olé!), I'm making a spicy soup called chicken posole. With chicken broth, roasted chicken, hominy, and chiles, this rustic stew is down-home, South-of-the-border cooking at its best. Since I'm preparing ahead, I'll be putting together an elaborate rendition with homemade chicken stock, flash-fried tortilla strips, and pureéd ancho chiles, but in the future, when another posole craving inevitably strikes, I'll reach for a similar two-step recipe that does the trick, too. Decide which recipe's best for you

Come Party With Me: Independence Day - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:45:03 -0700

On a hot day, there's nothing quite like a tall glass filled with a tart mojito. Although the drink was created in Cuba in 1943, it's now considered a classic cocktail by America's top bartenders.

Since it's one of my favorite Summer sips, I'm serving them at my Independence Day party. While there's plenty of variations, from cherry to mango, I'm serving the traditional rum, lime, and mint version. The party is sure to last several hours, so don't forget to stock up on beer, soda, and wine.

For the mojito recipe, read more.

Mojito
From Gourmet

Ingredients

1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 lime
3 sprigs mint
1.5 ounces light rum
soda water

Directions

Put the sugar in a highball glass, squeeze in the juice of 1/2 small lime, and toss in the squeezed lime shell.
Muddle for a moment with mint sprigs, add the light rum and handful of fine ice, fill with chilled soda, and relax.

Makes 1 drink.

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Come Party With Me: Independence Day - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:30:39 -0700

While one could easily serve red, white, and blue parfaits at a 4th of July party, I prefer to give guests a more all-American dessert - in the form of a crowd-pleasing cupcake. When I saw these adorably patriotic cupcakes in the current issue of Martha Stewart Living, I knew they would be on the menu at my Independence Day celebration.

The vanilla cake batter is dotted with fresh blueberries before being baked. Each individual cake is iced with fluffy seven-minute frosting and topped with a single plump raspberry. These pretty cakes are a light sweet treat, ideal for Summer entertaining. If you're interested in reading the recipe, do so after the break

Come Party With Me: Independence Day - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:00:45 -0700

Although I don't consider myself the most patriotic person, I love a good 4th of July celebration! With its warm weather, barbecue dinner, and fireworks finish, chances are you enjoy the nation's birthday party, too. If you haven't decided what to serve your family and friends, consider whipping up a meal that is all-American.

Start things off with finger-licking-good chicken wings. The sweet and spicy sauce is so simple it can be made with items you already have in your pantry. Next move on to a beloved classic: a bacon cheeseburger with all the fixings. No backyard party is complete without several stellar sides, so plate up a generous helping of creamy potato salad.

A platter of plump in-season heirloom tomatoes drizzled with olive oil rounds out the menu. Are you enticed by the sound of these dishes? Check out the recipes when you read more.

Chicken Wings With Sweet-and-Spicy Pantry Sauce
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

16 chicken wings, with the two joints attached, tips removed
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar

Directions

Make a slash on the inside of the chicken wing joints without cutting through the bone and in a few other places.
In a large, shallow baking dish, combine the ketchup with the mustard, hot sauce, soy sauce and brown sugar. Add the chicken wings and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Light a grill. Remove the chicken wings from the marinade, leaving some of it on them, and reserve the remaining marinade. Grill the wings over a medium-hot fire, turning and basting them with the reserved marinade, until nicely charred and cooked through, about 30 minutes.
Stop basting during the last 5 minutes of grilling and discard any remaining marinade. Serve the wings hot or at room temperature.

Serves 4.

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Home-Ground Burgers With Bacon, Cheese, and Fresh Thyme
From Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
6 ounces bacon, chopped
1 cup finely chopped onion
3 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 slices cheddar cheese
4 sesame-seed hamburger rolls, lightly toasted
1 1/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
8 thin slices tomato
Mayonnaise, for serving
Ketchup, for serving
Mustard, for serving
Pickles, for serving

Directions

Place the diced chuck in a large bowl.
Set a 10-inch saute pan over medium heat and add the bacon. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is crisp and most of the fat has been rendered, 7 to 8 minutes.
Add the onions to the pan and cook until they are softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute longer. Add the thyme and toss to combine.
Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture over the diced chuck. Drizzle with the Worcestershire, and season with the salt and pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly to combine. Cover and set aside to marinate, refrigerated, for 1 hour.
Assemble a home grinder according to the manufacturer's instructions, using a medium die for grinding. Grind the meat mixture and then gently form it into 4 patties, being careful not to overwork it. Alternately, use a food processor to grind the meat in batches. Form gently into four patties. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
Preheat a grill to medium, and lightly oil the grate.
Remove the patties from the refrigerator and place them on the grill. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Then turn them over and place 2 slices of the cheddar on each burger.
Cook for another 7 to 8 minutes for medium-rare to medium, or until the burgers are cooked to the desired degree of doneness. Place a burger on the bottom of each of the 4 toasted buns. Dress with the lettuce and tomatoes, and add mayo, ketchup, mustard, and pickles as desired. Serve immediately.

Serves 4.

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Potato Salad
From Tyler Florence

Ingredients

2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes
2 large eggs
Kosher salt
1/2 bunch sliced scallions, white and green parts
2 tablespoons drained capers
2 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickles with 1/4 cup juice, about 2 pickles
1/2 small red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 bunch dill, chopped
1/2 lemon, juiced
Freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Directions

Put the potatoes and eggs into a big saucepan of cold salted water. Bring to a simmer. After 12 minutes remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and let cool. Continue cooking the potatoes until a paring knife poked into them goes in without resistance, about 3 minutes longer. Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them cool.
Reserve some scallion greens and capers for garnish.
Meanwhile, stir together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickles and their juice, onion, remaining scallions and capers, parsley, and lemon juice in a bowl large enough to hold the potatoes
Peel the cool eggs and grate them into the bowl.
Stick a fork into the potatoes and lift them 1 at a time out of the colander. Break up the potatoes by hand into rough chunks, add them to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Drizzle with a little olive oil before serving.

Serves 4-6.

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Perfect Tomato Salad
From Real Simple

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds tomatoes, preferably a mix of colors and sizes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

With the tip of a paring knife, remove the stems from large tomatoes and slice them 1/4 inch thick. Leave grape or cherry tomatoes whole.
Divide the tomatoes among individual plates, drizzle with the oil, and sprinkle with the salt.

Serves 6.

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KFC Being Sued Over Kentucky Grilled Chicken

YumSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:50:37 -0700

KFC's Kentucky Grilled Chicken made quite the headlines when it first hit the market - and the media attention doesn't look like it's about to stop. Yesterday vegetarian advocacy group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, or PCRM, announced its plans to sue KFC, alleging the chain failed to warn customers that its grilled chicken contains a carcinogen.The cancer-causing compound in question? PhIP, an amino that can be found in grilled meat. PCRM says it submitted samples to an independent lab that confirmed the presence of the carcinogenic compound in all pieces.

The suit follows a similar 2008 PCRM case against McDonald's, Burger King, Chick fil-A, Chili's, Applebee's, Outback Steakhouse, and TGI Friday's. Burger King, the only chain that wound up settling with the advocacy group, now posts signs inside its California locations warning against the possible presence of PhIP.

Do you believe these findings? Are they enough to deter you from eating Kentucky Grilled Chicken?

Source

What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:30:39 -0700

Keep the ingredient list short when making Maryland-style crab cakes.
Quiz: Can you match these dishes to their Food Network chef creators?
You rang in the US's independence; now celebrate France's with a Bastille Day lunch.
PartySugar shows you how to host a stylishly vintage bachelorette soirée.
Taste tested: New Angus Third Pounders from McDonald's.
Unveiled: The new contestants of Top Chef Las Vegas!
There's no need to pay a premium for organic versions of these everyday foods.

Noteworthy Nibbles - July 7-14, 2009

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:00:31 -0700

July's biggest holiday may have come and gone, but there's still so much to celebrate in the realm of Summer eats - whether it's salmon, sandwiches, or super-sized ketchup. Next Tuesday, don't forget to raise your glass to France's independence day. I plan to hightail it straight to my nearest French bistro to enjoy some moules frites. What are your plans for Bastille Day?

If you know if anything else that's going on, please feel free to chime in below.

Traverse City, MI: National Cherry Festival - July 4-11
New Orleans, LA: Tales of the Cocktail - July 8-12
Hollywood, FL: Slow Food Glades to Coast Hot Tropical Night - July 9
Cordova, AK: Copper River Wild Salmon Festival - July 9-11
Park Ridge, IL: Taste of Park Ridge - July 9-11
Pleasanton, CA: Alameda County Fair's Rib Cook-Off - July 9-12

To see the rest, read more.

Brentwood, CA: Brentwood Cornfest - July 10-12
Cambridge, MA: Taste of Cambridge - July 11
Bedford, VA: Horse and Hound Wine Festival - July 11
Sandwich, MA: SandwichFest - July 11
Los Altos, CA: Los Altos Arts and Wine Festival - July 11-12
Coral Gables, FL: International Mango Festival - July 11-12
Buffalo, NY: Taste of Buffalo - July 11-12
Santa Barbara, CA: Santa Barbara French Festival - July 11-12
Collinsville, IL: World's Largest Catsup Bottle Festival - July 12
Providence, RI: Rhode Island's World of Flavors - July 12
Seattle, WA: Seattle Chocolate Salon - July 12
Los Angeles, CA: Bastille Day Los Angeles - July 12
Athens, OH: Ohio Brew Week - July 12-18
New York, NY: Softshell Crab Extravaganza - July 13
New York, NY: Bastille Day on 60th Street - July 13
New York, NY: Bastille Day: La Fête Nationale - July 14

Source

Come Party With Me: Bastille Day Lunch - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:00:41 -0700

Last week I was all about America's Independence Day, and this week I'm celebrating France's freedom. Bastille Day is July 14 and to commemorate the occasion, why not host an intimate weekend lunch? Like a chic Parisian, select a menu that's stylish yet casual, and wonderfully delicious. Start with a big jar of marinated goat cheese, olives, artichokes, tomatoes, and toasted baguette slices.

A refreshing bowl of vichyssoise - the classic chilled French puree consisting of leeks and potatoes - is an excellent first course, while grilled tuna salade niçoise makes an elegant entree. All three of these dishes can be prepared in advance, leaving plenty of time to mingle in the garden with guests. This delightful menu would also work well at a female-centric event like a bridal or baby shower. To check out the light French recipes, read more.

Marinated Goat Cheese, Olives, Artichokes and Tomatoes
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

1/2 cup pine nuts
1 1/2 pounds fresh goat cheese, softened
2 teaspoons chopped rosemary
2 teaspoons chopped thyme
1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
Salt
1 quart extra-virgin olive oil
20 cooked baby artichoke hearts, from the deli counter
1 cup red cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
1 cup Niçoise olives
Toasted baguette slices, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread the pine nuts in a pie plate and bake for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly toasted. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
In a standing mixer, using the paddle, blend the goat cheese with the toasted pine nuts, rosemary, thyme and paprika. Alternatively, blend the cheese in a bowl using a wooden spoon. Season with salt. Shape rounded tablespoons of the seasoned cheese into balls.
Pour 1 inch of olive oil into a tall 1-gallon glass container. Layer the cheese balls, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes and olives in the container with enough of the remaining olive oil to cover. Let marinate at room temperature for 24 hours. Serve with the toasted baguette.

Serves 12.

Make Ahead: the recipe can be assembled, minus the tomatoes, and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Add the tomatoes shortly before serving.

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Vichyssoise
From Fine Cooking

Ingredients

4 medium leeks, trimmed and washed as directed opposite, sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 3 cups)
2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 4 cups)
2 cups whole milk
Kosher salt
1 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh chives, for garnish

Directions

Combine the leeks, potatoes, milk, and 2 cups water in a 4-quart pot.
Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add 1-1/2 tsp. salt, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until a potato slice falls apart when you poke it with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the cream, and let cool briefly.
Purée the soup, preferably using a regular blender and working in batches, filling it only half way each time.
Strain the puréed soup through a fine sieve. Let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally (stirring prevents a skin from forming), and then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
Before serving, thin the soup with water if necessary-it should be the consistency of heavy cream. Season to taste with salt. Serve cold in chilled bowls, garnished with the chives.

Makes 6 cups.

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Grilled Tuna Salade Niçoise
From Gourmet

Ingredients

For dressing
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons minced shallot
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 large garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt
Rounded 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
For salad
3/4 lb green beans (preferably haricots verts), trimmed
1 1/2 lb small (1- to 2-inch) potatoes (preferably Yukon Gold)
1 1/2 lb (1-inch-thick) tuna steaks
Vegetable oil for brushing
1/4 cup drained bottled capers (1 1/2 oz)
3/4 lb Boston lettuce (2 heads), leaves separated and large ones torn into pieces
1 pt cherry or grape tomatoes
2/3 cup Niçoise or other small brine-cured black olives
4 hard-boiled large eggs, quartered
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley and/or basil

Directions

Make dressing: whisk together vinegar, shallot, mustard, garlic paste, and anchovy paste in a small bowl until combined well, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in thyme, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
Cook beans in a 4- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then immediately transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking.
Add potatoes to boiling water and simmer, uncovered, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes, then drain in a colander. Halve potatoes while still warm (peel if desired) and toss with 2 tablespoons dressing in a bowl, then cool.
Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderately high.
Brush tuna with oil and season with salt and pepper, then grill on lightly oiled rack, uncovered, turning over once, until browned on outside but still pink in center, 6 to 8 minutes total. Let tuna stand 3 minutes, then break into large (3-inch) pieces. Transfer tuna to a large platter and drizzle with 2 to 3 tablespoons dressing and top with capers.
Transfer potatoes to platter with tuna, reserving bowl.
Drain beans and pat dry. Toss beans in bowl with 1 tablespoon dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter.
Toss lettuce in bowl with 2 tablespoons dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter.
Toss tomatoes in bowl with 1 tablespoon dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter.
Arrange olives and eggs on platter and sprinkle salad with parsley and/or basil. Serve salad with remaining dressing on the side.

Serves 6.

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