YumSugar

Yummy Links: From Tomato Bites to Horchata

partysugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 06:45:01 -0700

Tomatoes, basil, and goat cheese combine to make a delicious and adorable appetizer. - The Food in My Beard
Meet Food Network's newest star, Aida Mollenkamp. - Chow
Wake up to the smoky smell of bacon with this bacon alarm clock. - Serious Eats
Candy is a sweet theme for a baby shower. - Hostess With the Mostess
Edible gifts for new parents. - The Kitchn
Are gummi bears good for your teeth? - Slashfood
Test your celebrity food knowledge by taking this fun quiz. - The Epi-Log
Are these musk-flavored candy sticks for real? - Candy Blog
The latest update on the salmonella outbreak. - FitSugar
Making homemade horchata is easy and cooly rewarding. - Baking Bites

Summer Reading: Be My Guest

partysugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:01:18 -0700

When I first started hosting parties back in 2002, the glossy themed party planning book, Be My Guest: Theme Party Savoir-Faire by Rena Sindi was on my Christmas list. Luckily my mom always shops by my lists and on December 25th the shiny new book full of fabulous ideas was waiting for me under the tree. In the book, Rena invites readers to come party with her as she chronicles 14 of New York's high society themed parties - ones that she actually staged and planned herself. Not only are the photos of socialites - yes, that is a pre-famous Paris Hilton on the cover - and celebrities gorgeous to look at, but Sindi has plenty of amazing ideas. Similar to my party plans, she provides the details on all the major pieces of a theme party: the dress, invitations, venue, decor, menu, drinks, entertainment, and music. The food recipes - caviar on potato crisps with creme fraiche or goat cheese bundles with spring salad and yellow lentil vinaigrette - are not for novice cooks, but the cocktail recipes - white chocolate martinis or strawberry mojitos - are varied and exciting. Her musical selections are easy to enjoy and pair perfectly with each theme. This book has honestly inspired my career as a party planner!

Have you had a chance to flip through the pages? If so, what did you think?

Come Party With Me: Winter Dinner - Decorations

partysugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 03:36:11 -0800

My winter dinner party is only 2 short days away and I have kicked into prep mode. National Dinner Party day is next Thursday but I'm hosting a dinner for myself and nine others this Saturday to celebrate. I've been planning all week as I want everything to go as smoothly as possible. The invitations were mailed on Monday and the menu selected on Tuesday. Yesterday I purchased the drinks and today I have to design the decorating scheme. For this type of party to succeed, it's crucial to get the table set and ready as early as possible. This way there's plenty of time to complete all of the cooking. For more on the decorations for my blue and green winter themed dinner, read more

Since it is a dinner party, the table is the most important component of the decorations. I will dress my table in a forest green satin tablecloth. Next I will set the table with dark blue plates and green napkins. I follow the traditional way to set a table with the forks on the left and the knives and glasses on the right. Instead of having a centerpiece I'll arrange an assortment of white candles in all shapes and sizes. Small square vases will be filled with a green and white floral arrangement on each end of the table outside of the candles.

To emphasize the winter theme, I'll cut out paper snowflakes and dose them in sparkly white glitter. Using fishing wire and a needle I'll poke a tiny hole in each snowflake and pass the fishing wire through. I'll hang the snowflakes from my chandeliers in both the kitchen and dining room and then along the windows at varying lengths. All of my votive and candles will be lit and I'll light a fire in the fireplace.

Have an awesome decorating idea for a winter dinner party? Tell me about it. Tomorrow I'll finalize the part plans by figuring out a playlist.

Simple Tip: Use the Menu to Establish a Theme

partysugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:15:01 -0700

While I hosted a Gossip Girl premiere party, my best friend invited a group of gals over to view the series premiere of Cougar Town. The entire event was cougar-themed and she asked everyone to wear animal print.

She set the tone by printing out a special menu. The title of each dish was changed to be more cougar-like. Instead of a fantastic dinner party it was fangtastic. Strawberries become clawberries. The main course was caprese stalker salad and cougar risotto cakes.

Changing the food's names is a fun and easy way to establish the tone of a party. It's very Martha Stewart and can be applied to any event from Halloween to a child's birthday. The best part? It got guests talking and had us coming up with crazy cougarspeak all night! What's your secret for emphasizing a party's theme?

Yummy Links: From Twilight to Artichoke Olive Crostini

partysugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:50:55 -0700

The hit vampire sensation Twilight makes a wonderful theme for a party. - Hostess With the Mostess
What do you think of Food Network's latest show, 5 Ingredient Fix? - Eat Me Daily
The ultimate Cheetos taste test. - Serious Eats
Learn the difference between lox and gravlax. - Chow
On drinking healthy and drinking smart. - The Atlantic
The proper technique for cooking onions. - The Kitchn
Must make: artichoke and olive crostini.- Smitten Kitchen

Yummy Links: From Chocolate-Stuffed Bananas to Spy Chefs

partysugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:45:19 -0700

Chocolate-stuffed bananas make a delicious campfire dessert. - Slashfood
Although the district may be gritty, the grub in San Francisco's Tenderloin is delicious. - Chow
Would you drink a pork martini? - Serious Eats
Four chefs reveal their secrets for making the best pizza, pad thai, taco, and burger. - 7x7
Have you ever had a farm fresh egg? - The Epi-Log
Hilary Swank plans to produce a movie based on the book French Women Don't Get Fat. - BuzzSugar
How to make homemade raisins. - Baking Bites
A Wii bowling tournament is a fabulously fun party theme. - Hostess with the Mostess
Ten chefs whose culinary skills make them exceptional spies. - Best Week Ever

Source

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:00:24 -0700

The menu for my harvest-themed dinner party is inspired by wine, so the tablescape will reflect this general feeling, too. To keep things casual and slightly rustic, don't cover the table with a tablecloth. Instead, place a linen runner down the middle and arrange bunches of ripe grapes as centerpieces.

White plates allow the food to be the focal point. Serve the meal family style and bring the braised chicken and saffron risotto directly to the table. Since the dinner is a celebration of wine, offer guests the choice of red or white wine and have the proper glasses for each.

During the cocktail hour, serve the Champagne punch in an elegant bowl and arrange the goat cheese mousse and strawberry compote on a wooden cheese board.

Lots of candles create an intimate glowing atmosphere while a single lavish arrangement of flowers is a welcoming hello if placed near the front door - it's the first thing guests will see and they'll immediately get in the mood!

Happy Hour: Cranberry Margarita

partysugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:00:46 -0800

While I'm a fan of the classic margarita, during November, I like to enjoy its Thanksgiving-themed cousin, the cranberry margarita. It's surprising how much the addition of cranberry juice changes the flavor of the tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice cocktail. It's festive and familiar, but potent with a rich autumnal hue. Instead of craving tortilla chips and guacamole, I found myself wanting something elegant and savory. Thus, I paired the cran marg with a warm crab dip. Shake and serve straight up, or pour over ice, like I did. To check out the recipe, which is perfect for a party, read more.

Cranberry Margarita
From Bobby Flay

Ingredients

2 cups tequila
1 1/3 cups cranberry juice
1 cup orange-flavored liqueur (triple sec of Cointreau)
2/3 cup fresh-squeezed lime juice

Directions

Combine the tequila, cranberry juice, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a large pitcher. Shake over ice.
Strain into margarita glasses or low cocktail flutes. Alternately, strain into low tumblers filled with ice.

Serves 10.

Print recipe with images | without images

Do you have an amazing Thanksgiving recipe? Please participate in our Thanksgiving recipe challenge. All you have to do is upload your recipe, an image, and a brief description to the Kitchen Goddess group. If you're lucky, we might just feature your recipe here on YumSugar!

The Kitchen Goddesses Can Teach You How to Cook

partysugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:50:54 -0700

The Kitchen Goddess group in the YumSugar Community isn't just a place for browsing and sharing recipes. It's also your one-stop shop for any and every culinary question.

Reader RubyDreams was wondering how to make herbs de Provence. She questioned the goddesses by writing a quick and simple post and over the next couple of days five people responded.

FinnLover replied with wikipedia's definition, Fuzzles suggested purchasing the spice blend at Penzeys, and NotMeAnymore shared Cooking Light's recipe for homemade herbs de Provence.

Whether you're wondering what to do with extra cheesecake batter or need ideas for an around the world themed birthday party, remember the kitchen goddesses are here for you!

Source

Come Party With Me: All Hallow's Eve - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:50:08 -0700

Have no plans for Halloween? Well, there's still time to invite some friends over for a blowout Halloween bash! Halloween won't fall on a Saturday again until 2015, so now is the time to throw a fright-night-themed party.

Start the soirée after dinner and you won't have to worry about serving a complex menu. Instead offer a few fun bar snacks like vampire nut mix. This easy-to-make mixture of nuts gets a vibrant red color from cayenne pepper. Sprinkle won ton wrappers with cheese and bake; the resulting snack resembles bat wings.

Make deviled eggs look like the actual devil by adding a chive beard and bell pepper horns. To check out these quick, simple, crowd-pleasing bites, get the recipes and read more.

Vampire Nut Mix
From Woman's Day

Ingredients

3 cups raw mixed nuts
1⁄3 cup agave syrup
2 tsp salt, or to taste
1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste

Directions

Heat oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or aluminum foil coated with nonstick spray.
Put all ingredients in a medium bowl; toss to mix and coat. Spread on prepared baking sheet.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes until fragrant and toasted. Cool completely before serving.

Makes 3 cups.

Print recipe with images | without images

Crispy Cheese Chips
From Diabetic Living

Ingredients

30 wonton wrappers
Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions

Use a sharp knife to cut wonton wrappers diagonally in half to make 60 triangles.
Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange one-third of the triangles in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. If desired, for ruffled chips, line baking sheet with foil. Shape foil to make ridges. Lightly coat foil with cooking spray. Place wonton triangles on foil, draping over foil ridges.
In a small bowl stir together the olive oil, garlic, and basil. Lightly brush the wonton triangles with one-third of the oil mixture; sprinkle with one-third of the cheese.
Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 8 minutes or until golden. Cool completely on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining wonton triangles, oil mixture, and cheese.

Makes 60 chips.

Print recipe with images | without images

Devilish Eggs
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

12 large eggs
3 jarred roasted red peppers, finely chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco (optional)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into small triangles, for garnish
2 scallions, dark-green parts only, cut into small triangles, for garnish
Fresh chives, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, for garnish

Directions

Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside.
Put eggs into a medium saucepan, and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggs to ice-water bath.
When eggs are cool, peel, and cut in half lengthwise. Carefully remove yolks, keeping whites intact and transferring whites and yolks to separate bowls. Refrigerate whites.
Add roasted peppers, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, and hot sauce (if desired) to yolks. Mash with a fork until smooth. Cover, and refrigerate until stiff, about 30 minutes.
Mound yolk mixture in each egg-white half. Garnish with bell pepper, scallions, and chives to make devilish faces.

Makes 2 dozen.

Print recipe with images | without images