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Top Chef 5.4 - Today Show Recap

partysugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:45:11 -0800

Well another Wednesday night has come and gone and with it, the third episode of Top Chef season 5. Did you watch? To discuss the episode (warning: spoilers ahead), read more.

Can we talk about the intro? I'll admit I've done a little "put on my chef coat" dance in front of the mirror. Has anyone else?
Do you consider Jamie the strongest member of Team Rainbow?
Rocco: love him or hate him? I love him!
What is your favorite breakfast?
In Jamie and Leah's amuse bouche war, who won in your mind?
What dish would you make for a television presentation?
Which chef do you think is the best for television?
Wasn't it interesting how we already knew which dish won?
What did you think of Kathie Lee's behavior?
Were you surprised by Ariane's win? Did she take the easy way out, making a salad?

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Fondue + You = Skewer . . . Dip . . .Yum

YumSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:00:04 -0700

On Friday, I caught a quick glimpse of Nigella Lawson on the Today show. She featured a Fall fruit fondue recipe so delicious looking I had to try it! Seasonal fruit (apples and pears) served with a delectable caramel fondue make for a simple but stunning dessert. This unconventional caramel sauce is quick, easy, and doesn't require sugar chemistry knowledge or a candy thermometer! All of the ingredients are kitchen staples except for the golden syrup. Since I was unable to find this common British product, I substituted a mixture of corn syrup and molasses.

Don't be disappointed if initially the cooked sugar and butter have a grainy consistency. Once the cream is added the caramel's texture will become smooth, rich, and sheeny. To try something new with fondue, read more.

Caramel Fondue With Fall Fruit
Adapted from Nigella Lawson

Ingredients

4 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup molasses
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
Splash vanilla extract
3 apples cut into slices
3 pears cut into slices
1 banana, cut into slices, if desired
1 lemon

Directions

Juice lemon over cut apples to prevent browning.
Melt sugars and butter in a saucepan. Boil for approximately 5 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in cream and vanilla.
Place sauce in bowl or fondue set. Serve immediately with freshly cut fruit.

Serves 4.

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Yummy Link: Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake

partysugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:01:31 -0800

Apparently this is the internet's most clicked chocolate cake recipe! It's super easy to make and looks divinely delicious. The secret? The batter is slow cooked at a lower temperature. - The Today Show via The Epi Log

Soup's On: Sweet and Spicy Chili

partysugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:43:31 -0800

Technically chili isn't a soup, but since it's almost Super Bowl Sunday, and chili is a one-pot meal made in a similar process as soup, I had to feature it. My dad discovered this recipe and has been raving about it for a couple of weeks now. Currently it's our favorite chili because its both sweet and spicy at the same time.

Brown sugar adds the sweetness and serrano and jalapeno peppers add the spice. To save time, I used the food processor to chop the vegetables. This recipe does take a few hours for the flavors to meld, so don't wait until the last minute. To see the method behind the chili, read more.

Sweet and Spicy Chili
From Jason Miller of Primehouse New York

2 tbsp. vegetable oil
16 oz. coarse ground beef
12 oz. sirloin (prime grade is best), cubed into 1/4 in. chunks
2 medium yellow onions, chopped into 1/4 in. dice
1 shallot, diced fine
2 tbsp. finely chopped garlic
1 red bell pepper, diced 1/4 in.
1 green bell pepper, diced 1/4 in.
1 cup tomato paste
1/2 tsp. fine-ground instant espresso
1 cup dark brown sugar
4 tbsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cayenne
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. kosher salt
3 15 oz. cans kidney beans
2 cups beef stock
1 28 oz. can peeled plum tomatoes, chopped (drained, but reserve juice)
12 oz. dark beer (Guinness recommended)
3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
1 serrano pepper, seeded and chopped

Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed stock pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned thoroughly about 8 minutes. Drain off excess fat.

Add sirloin, garlic, onions, shallots, green and red bell peppers and continue to cook for an additional 12 minutes, making sure to thoroughly brown the sirloin and get a good carmelization on the vegetables.

Add the tomato paste, espresso, dried seasonings, and sugar. Saute and thoroughly mix over medium heat for 10 minutes.

Add beans, stock, tomatoes, beer, and hot peppers and let simmer for one hour over medium-low heat, stirring the mixture every 10 minutes.

Reduce heat to low and continue to simmer for additional one hour, using the reserved drained tomato juice to thin if needed.

Serve hot with the garnish of your choice: cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, etc.

Serves 10-12.

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Giada's Got a Bun in the Oven!

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:18:11 -0800

Looks like Giada De Laurentiis has got a bun in the oven, and by that I don't mean a delicious loaf of bread! According to People, the celebrity chef just announced that she is expecting her first baby in early April. Here's more:

"When I found out I was pregnant I was in complete shock," De Laurentiis, 37, admitted. "I truly didn't believe it. I honestly thought, 'there has got to be a mistake.' "

But as she watched the sonograms – first a "lima bean" then a "lemon" – the Everyday Italian chef said that when she could make out fingers and toes, it "brought tears to my eyes."

She is a regular contributor on the Today show and announced the news on this morning's show. This will be her first baby. Congrats Giada!

Update: Here's video of her announcement!

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Guess Who?

YumSugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:58:19 -0700

Guess who was seen probing a chicken on The Today Show? To find out, read more

Come on guys, this one was practically a gimme! You should have guessed that it was domestic diva, Martha Stewart. She was on the Today showing Ann Curry how to grill up chicken. And say what you will about Martha, but I bet that chicken tasted great!

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Zagat Determines Who Has The Best Fries

YumSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 07:01:18 -0700

Yesterday the results to the Zagat/Today Show Fast-Food Survey were announced. The survey, which was taken by 5,535 people (really? that's all???), declared Wendy's, Panera Bread Company and Outback Steakhouse as their top fast-food destinations. Forty-five fast-food chains were scrutinized and then rated on their food, facilities and service - healthy options were also taken into consideration. In addition to scoring each restaurant, the survey also determined the best burger, fries, etc. So who won best burger and which fast-food place has the best fries? To find out the answers, read more

Best Burger: Wendy's
Best Fries: McDonald's
Best Shakes: Dairy Queen
Best Chicken: Chick-fil-A
Most Child-Friendly: McDonald's
Favorite Mascot McDonald's
Top Food Mega-Chain: Wendy's
Top Facilities Mega-Chain: Wendy's
Top Services Mega-Chain: Subway
Top Overall Mega-Chain: Wendy's
Top Food All Chains: Panera Bread Co.
Top Facilities All Chains: Panera Bread Co.
Top Services All Chains: Chick-fil-A
Top Overall All Chains: Panera Bread Co.
Top Food Full-Service Chain: Outback Steakhouse
Top Facilities Full-Service Chain: Cracker Barrel
Top Services Full-Service Chain: Cracker Barrel
Top Overall Full-Service Chain: Outback Steakhouse

Visit Zagat.com for the top five restaurants in each category.

Source: Zagat

Kim Kardashian Is Latest Face of Carl's Jr.

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:50:27 -0800

Guess who's joining the ranks of Paris Hilton, Padma Lakshmi, and Audrina Patridge as Carl's Jr. spokesperson? None other than reality show temptress Kim Kardashian.

Kardashian is teaming up with the burger chain - known for its risqué commercials - to promote its new premium salads. It'll be the first commercial spot the company has done for a menu item that's not a burger. The reality TV star tells People that while she's a healthy eater today, she has a number of fond memories involving Carl's Jr.

"Driving to Las Vegas, my dad would take the family and we'd stay at Circus Circus and we always stopped at Carl's Jr," she says.

"I remember this food fight my sisters and I all had in the back of the van – it was so funny. We got in so much trouble!" Do you think Kim Kardashian and Carl's Jr. will make for fun viewing?

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Food Section Sampler - Nov. 11, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:01 -0800

The sandwich chains of today are threatening the New Orleans tradition that is the po-boy. - New York Times
Kraft has officially launched a hostile bid to take over Cadbury. - Chicago Tribune
Putting frozen green bean brands to the test. - San Francisco Chronicle
A mixed case of peppery syrah makes for an ideal holiday gift. - Wall Street Journal
Is a Bon Appétit TV show in the works? - Los Angeles Times
Five essential kitchen tools to have on hand every Thanksgiving. - Washington Post
Dining at the restaurant where Julia Child had her first encounter with French cuisine. - Boston Globe

Source: Flickr User chadly

What's Cooking With Top Chef 5

partysugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:45:05 -0700

Currently the fifth season of Top Chef is filming in New York City. Although the competing chefs are still unknown, details of the upcoming season are being released.

Last week Tom Colicchio went on the Today Show with three dishes created by 13 of the current contestants. The female hosts of the show tasted the dishes (Kathie Lee spit one out she hated it so much!) and chose one as their favorite. The winner will present the dish on the Today Show when the TC episode airs in December.

In other TC news, rumor has it that the Foo Fighters will appear in an episode of the competition. While I'm looking forward to another season of TC, I can't help but wonder if the mania surrounding the filming (complete with images of the contestants moving into their house) will spoil the show's excitement. What do you think? Do you like to know about the competition before it airs?

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