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Happy Hour: Collalbrigo Prosecco Brut

partysugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:15:31 -0800

Looking for a effervescent bubbly to kick-start your Thanksgiving festivities? Well you'll find it in this lovely Italian Prosecco by Collalbrigo.

With its straw color, delicate bubbles, and apple-pear aroma, it's a refreshingly easy sipper. Its smooth, light intensity is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your party. At $10.99 it's an affordable wine that won't break the bank.

Grown on a hilltop in northern Italy where noble Venetians have produced wine for thousands of years, serve this fabulous bubbly with oysters, salumi, or crostini.

Mushroom Crostata Is a Scrumptious Starter

partysugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:00:07 -0800

Looking for the perfect appetizer to serve at Thanksgiving dinner? Look no further than this delicious mushroom and pancetta crostata. A crostata is an Italian free-form tart that's similar to a savory pie. The dough is simple to make and requires 20 minutes of chill time. The filling, a mixture of mushrooms, pancetta, thyme, and cheese is rich and luxurious.

It makes an elegant start to a party when sliced into individual portions and served with a glass of sparkling wine. If you dislike mushrooms, get creative with the crostata technique. Figs and goat cheese, grapes and ricotta, and pears and blue cheese are combinations that would make great fillings. To learn how I made it,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Butternut Squash Panzanella

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:45:45 -0800

Bread salad is a popular Summer dish, but that doesn't mean it can't be modified for Fall. Instead of the classic tomatoes and basil, this recipe calls for a more seasonal butternut squash and sage. To cut down kitchen prep, bake the butternut squash and the bread ahead of time. To get this comfort recipe,

Happy Hour: Italian Fruit Punch

partysugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:00:19 -0800

Last week, while at my parents house, I was watching an old episode of Everyday Italian when my mom turned to me and said, "Let's make that cocktail!" With its vibrant color it looked amazing, so we sent my dad to the store to pick up the ingredients. The recipe calls for maraschino liqueur, a spirit that's pretty difficult to find.

The next best substitute, according to the alcohol specialist at G&G Market, is kirschwasser. Although it didn't have the bright orange hue, the cocktail was spectacular: not too sweet with a hint of fizz.

Limoncello is an unexpected flavor that makes the drink tart. The recipe makes enough for six cocktails, so it's perfect for entertaining. To look at Giada's recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Mushroom-Cheddar Frittata

partysugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:45:11 -0800

Although this recipe takes a little over an hour to cook, it makes a good weeknight meal because there's minimal prep-work. Once it's in the oven, you can forget about it! Add a crisp, green salad for a balanced vegetarian meal.

With its roasted mushrooms and rich cheese, this crust-less pie is also an excellent option for a vegetarian Thanksgiving. To look at the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Seafood Linguine

partysugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:45:08 -0800

Linguine with clams is one of my favorite recipes, so I'm constantly searching for new ways to recreate the classic Italian dish. This variation adds in scallops and white fish to make a robust, filling pasta. Diced tomatoes give the sauce a rich, red tint. The recipe is incredibly versatile. If you dislike scallops, add more clams, or substitute shrimp. Fresh marjoram can be pricey; luckily, parsley and basil are more affordable, just-as-fresh herb options. To check out the recipe,

Celebrate World Pasta Day With Orecchiette

YumSugar — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 08:00:38 -0700

When I learned that today is World Pasta Day, my imagination began to run wild. What should I make to celebrate? The options were endless: baked ziti; pasta alla norma; linguine with white clam sauce. What to do?

Then I came across the perfect recipe. It completely rises to the occasion: it's everyday but also gourmet, somewhat healthy yet just indulgent enough, and it epitomizes pasta as the ultimate in comfort food. To get this recipe, which also happens to be quick and easy,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Deep-Dish Polenta Pizza

partysugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:30:38 -0700

I was surprised that several of you have never tasted deep-dish pizza, so I found this shortcut recipe to share. Although it's simple enough to make at the end of the week, it's delicious and filling. The traditional heavy tomato sauce is replaced with a mixture of sun-dried tomatoes, radicchio, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. If you dislike this combination of toppings, get creative: Italian sausage and garlic, or pancetta and mushrooms would be scrumptious.

To learn the technique,

The Amazing Rice: Parmesan Crab Risotto

partysugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:15:35 -0700

With the holidays around the corner, its a good time to start bookmarking elegant and delicious recipes. A simple but stunning parmesan crab risotto is the perfect starter for an intimate dinner party. Or, pair it with a crisp green salad for a great luncheon menu. Risotto requires that you stand over the stove for 20 minutes so invite everyone into the kitchen. Use fresh-cracked crab meat for a rich, luxurious-tasting risotto. The recipe is quite basic, so feel free to get creative. Onions instead of shallots, parsley in place of sage, or sautéed mushrooms for a vegetarian version. To look at how I made it,

Italy's Parmigiano Crisis

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 09:10:04 -0700

With cheese prices slipping while raw materials prices multiply, producers of Italy's parmigiano reggiano are turning to the government to remedy a dire situation. The wholesale price of parmiggiano reggiano has fallen below the cost of producing it. Cheese prices have dropped as the result of two factors. First, the availability of parmesan has increased: The sector produces 11 percent more cheese compared to eight years ago. Second, Italians are reacting to the economic downturn by purchasing less of the so-called "King of Cheese."

Producers complain that a select group of supermarkets are able to dictate low prices by buying the bulk of the cheese produced. "This is a prized product. There ought to be policies to safeguard those who produce it," said farmers group Coldiretti.

The group is lobbying the government to temporarily suspend an antitrust law so that producers can cooperate together to reduce output, rather than being wiped out by the competitive market.

Have you heard about the parmigiano reggiano crisis? Have you bought less parmesan cheese as a result of the rising cost of raw materials?

Source

Fast & Easy Dinner: Gnocchi With Mushroom Gravy

partysugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:45:14 -0700

Gnocchi is not your average midweek meal. Made from scratch, the potato pillows are quite a process. However, if you jazz up a good, store-bought brand with a scrumptious, homemade sauce, no one will know the difference! With three types of mushrooms (porcini, portobello, and shiitake), this rich sauce is delicious but not heavy. Cream and butter are absent; instead the gravy gets its flavor from red wine and tomato paste. To indulge in this dish tonight,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Frittata

partysugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:15:00 -0700

Today is world egg day, and to celebrate we should have eggs for dinner. For some crazy reason, the majority of Americans associate eggs with breakfast, but the incredible, edible egg can make a delicious dinner dish.

For example, the fashionable Italian frittata is a scrumptious meal. In this variation, goat cheese adds a delicate creaminess that pairs perfectly with the snap of the red pepper. To honor the egg, get the recipe and

Fast & Easy Dinner: Margherita Pizza

partysugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:45:52 -0700

Sometimes the simplest of dishes can be the most rewarding. Take the classic margherita pizza, for example. With its crispy crust, fresh tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, it's far from complex, yet it's probably the world's most well-known pizza!

It's the perfect comfort food for a busy Wednesday evening, especially when topped with slivers of prosciutto and a shower of arugula. To treat yourself to this lovely pizza tonight,

Noteworthy Nibbles —Oct. 7-13, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:00:12 -0700

It's the middle of Fall, and the festivities are bigger than ever. From Spencer, WV, to San Francisco, there's something for everyone, whether you've got a craving for candy or a hankering for ham. Know of something we've left out? Please feel free to add your comments below!

New York, NY: Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival — Oct. 9-12
Denver, CO: The Celebrity Chef Tour Denver — Oct. 9
Denver, CO: Great American Beer Festival — Oct. 9-11
Spencer, WV: West Virginia Black Walnut Festival — Oct. 9-12
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Magazine's Fallfest 2008 — Oct. 9-12

To see the rest,

Must-Read: Giada's Kitchen

partysugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:30:08 -0700

Last week Giada De Laurentiis fourth cookbook, Giada's Kitchen ($32) hit bookshelves. The book release coincided with the relaunch of her website, Giadadelaurentiis.com. I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of the glossy hardback with Tiffany-blue interior. Yesterday I spent some time reading the book — which is full of pretty pictures and delicious-sounding recipes — to see what I thought of it,

Is the Noodle Dish Italian or Chinese?

partysugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:00:21 -0700

Today is National Noodle Day. While everyone is familiar with noodles and their many different forms from fettuccini to soba, I want to know how well you know classic noodle dishes.

Specifically can you identify the difference between an Italian pasta dish and a Chinese noodle dish? I'll describe the dishes and you tell me if it's Italian or Chinese. Ready, go!

Source

Green Spaghetti and Meatballs

YumSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:15:50 -0700

If you're in the mood for a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs, but want something other than a traditional tomato sauce, I highly recommend this creamy pesto dish! A tasty blend of bread and seasoning, the meatballs that dot the pasta are scrumptious with the perfect texture.Both the pesto and meatballs are simple to make, but do require time. The best thing about this recipe is it makes a lot, so save some for a later date. The cream-less pesto keeps for up to 3 weeks in the fridge. The finished meatballs keep in the freezer for up to 2 months and are easily reheated in a pan with a small amount of olive oil to make crispy.

Not only did I enjoy this as a main course, but also a few days later as a delicious appetizer: The meatballs are great with the creamy pesto sauce as dip. To make your own green spaghetti and meatballs,

Who Has the Best Italian Cooking Show?

partysugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:00:36 -0700

Yesterday Giada De Laurentiis was on the cover of the New York Post magazine. The article discusses her life as a new mother and her role as one of the industry's sexiest chefs. Giada refuses to describe her cooking style as a form of porn, but admits that her show is different: The way we shot close-ups, I just wanted the food to look beautiful. I thought that's what Americans loved about Italy — that it is so sensual and romantic. It's not PBS-style cooking. Lidia Bastianich, sorry, but she's kind of boring. I mean, I love Lidia, but you can fall asleep watching her. And Mario Batali? I love Mario to death...but he's not romantic or sensual. Those are the things I bring to the table.

I find it hard to believe that Giada would so quickly put down her peers and am curious to see what you think of the matter. Do you agree with Giada? Are Mario and Lidia boring? Which celebrity chef has the best Italian cooking show?Source

Who Has the Best Italian Cooking Show?

Giada. Everyday Italian has always been a wonderful show.

Lidia. She's classic and Lidia's Italy is informative and entertaining,

Mario. Molto Mario features delicious, authentic Italian cuisine.

My favorite Italian cooking show is ________ (fill in the blank below).

I've never seen any of these shows.

Taste Test: La Famiglia DelGrosso Pasta Sauce

YumSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Since it's easy to prepare and so versatile, I cook pasta at least once a week. Lately, I've been experimenting with various sauces and pasta shapes to see how the factors make a difference in taste, so I gave La Famiglia DelGrosso a try.

I sampled three of eight different sauces, all of which have kitschy titles named after family members. My boyfriend thought Aunt Mary Ann's Sunday Marinara was "light on flavor," but I preferred it to its competitors. A Trader Joe's pomodoro sauce tasted sickly sweet in comparison. Uncle Joe's Vodka Celebration was my favorite of the bunch: the texture was creamy, but the sauce wasn't as light in color as most commercial vodka sauces, which often are too heavy on cream.

The sauce possessed a strong umami quality (incidentally, tomatoes contain high amounts of umami). Uncle Bo's Roasted Red Pepper Tour was made with — you guessed it — roasted red peppers, and it was my sweetie's favorite of the three because of its deep, smoky flavor.

Certainly no commercial variety can replace a homemade pasta sauce, but La Famiglia sauces work in a pinch. They are available at select Whole Foods and other grocers across the country. Have you tried any of the brand's flavors? What did you think of them?

Noteworthy Nibbles — Sept. 23-29, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:00:54 -0700

This week, spice up your free time with the chili cook-offs that are setting the country aflame. Whether you're looking for an epicurean adventure at the Bellagio, or something more along the lines of a back-country roadkill cook-off, you're in luck. Check out what's going on in your neck of the woods this week, and let us know if we've left anything off the list!

Sante Fe, NM: Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta — Sept. 24-28
Las Vegas, NV: Gourmet's Taste of Bellagio — Sept. 25
New York, NY: Joy of Sake New York — Sept. 25
Providence, RI: Food for Thought — Sept. 25
London, KY: World Chicken Festival — Sept. 25-28

To see the rest,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Baked Pasta With Sausage, Tomatoes, and Cheese

partysugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:45:41 -0700

When it comes to baked pastas, most people think of lasagna or macaroni and cheese. However, ziti, a thick, tubular pasta, is ideal for baking, especially when coated with a dense, rich sauce.

This comforting version is made with turkey sausage and canned tomatoes. It's a no-fuss, simple dish that's sure to win over even the most finicky eaters. To make this for your family tonight, get the delicious MyRecipes.com recipe and

Linguine With Clams Two Ways — Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:00:35 -0700

Linguine with clams: The dish is an Italian classic for a reason — because it's a crowd pleaser. Once upon a time, I didn't enjoy eating clams, but I would make an exception for linguine con vongole. The bounciness of the clams, the briny flavors, the chewy linguine flavored with white wine all come together to make the ultimate comfort dish. Both of these dishes are relatively simple, but the second recipe calls for fresh clams, which then get a treatment on the grill. If you're unsure of your cooking level, you might try the first recipe, and then follow it up a few weeks later with the second. To see both,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Pasta With Bacon and Peas

partysugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:15:54 -0700

While I'm a huge fan of classic carbonara, I also enjoy a variation on theme like this pasta dish. A thick, creamy sauce is made with half and half, shallots, and frozen peas. Crisp bacon is a salty and scrumptious garnish to the simple yet sophisticated meal.

This recipe is versatile, so if you wish to add sun-dried tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, or even roasted chicken, do so! Just be sure to serve with a glass of wine for a decadent start to the weekend. Learn the technique when you

Reader Recipe: Shrimp Penne in Cream Sauce

YumSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:00:39 -0700

I thought I was starting to get sick of pasta . . . until I came across these pictures posted by WhiplashGirlchild.

The chewy comfort of the penne, the creamy sauce, and the Mediterranean-inspired flavors with the shrimp sound just perfect for a family-style meal. Her own recipe for cheesy bread looks entirely delicious, and I think I'll throw in a garden salad for good measure. I'm grateful to have another dinner menu worked out! For this tantalizing recipe,

Definition: Farro

YumSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Farro
An ancient bristled grain that originated in the Middle East. Also known as emmer, this mother grain to all modern varieties of wheat is grown primarily in northern Italy and is prepared like rice to produce a plump, chewy berry that may be added into pilaf, salad, risotto, soups, pastas, breads, and crackers. The grain is closely related to spelt, einkorn, barley, and wheat berries.

Source

Monday's Leftovers: Portobello Mushroom Lasagna

YumSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:45:47 -0700

This recipe for lasagna may not be the most traditional, but it's a great addition to your collection, especially for those days when you don't feel like eating pasta, or if you have some extra mushrooms on hand. In this variation, portobello caps are an unusual breather from the typical noodle. It's a great way to get the little ones to eat vegetables! For an easy weeknight meal,

Summer Supper: A16's Tuna Panzanella

YumSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:00:45 -0700

A few weeks ago, I raved about a new Italian cookbook called A16 Food + Wine that has a delicious (and unique) meatball recipe. Well, I'm still learning great things from it. This week, I made a panzanella with tuna and capers, another item on the menu at the launch party. Every ingredient, from the briny capers to the fragrant basil, was well-balanced.

This is a fantastic meal to make if you've got too much bread or when your loaf is going stale. I left the capers whole, since I like their saltiness and texture. You can easily adjust the recipe to your liking; get your hands on it (and step-by-step pictures) when you

A16 Food + Wine on How to Make Stellar Meatballs

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:26:07 -0700

One of my favorite chefs, Nate Appleman of San Francisco's A16, has debuted a new book co-written with his wine director, Shelley Lindgren, entitled A16 Food + Wine.

To celebrate the cookbook's debut, Williams-Sonoma, which will carry the book, hosted a launch party with the authors on hand. There, I not only scored a copy of the book but also sampled some entries from the new tome.

I couldn't get enough of the moist, complexly flavored meatballs. The recipe can be time-intensive, but once you taste the finished product, you'll think it's totally worth the wait. Learn how to make the meatballs (and check out photos from the bash!) when you

Happy Hour: Rossellini

YumSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:00:30 -0700

Sunny weekends in San Francisco are hard to come by. When I awoke last Saturday to clear-blue skies, I headed over to Bar Bambino, an Italian nook in the city with a new back patio.

There, I enjoyed the perfect warm-weather drink: a spin on sangria that was refreshing and fruity without being overly cloying or too heavy on the alcohol. With one in hand, I imagined I was an effortlessly chic Italian woman. I snagged the recipe for the next real Summer day.

The cocktail calls for white wine (I'd recommend a Sauvignon Blanc, or any other dry white with mineral notes) as well as orange bitters, which can be found at large liquor stores. For the recipe,

Burning Question: How Does Pancetta Differ From Prosciutto?

YumSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:00:45 -0700

Aïda Mollenkamp prefers it to prosciutto, and PartySugar loves it wrapped around her peaches. But what exactly is pancetta?

Referred to as "Italian bacon," pancetta is an Italian charcuterie selection made from salt-cured, aged pork belly. It is not smoked like American bacon, so it has a mellower flavor and higher amount of moisture.

Unlike prosciutto — cured, Italian ham that is made from the hind leg of the pig and is often served thinly sliced and uncooked — pancetta is made from pig's belly, so it is higher in fat content. It is often cooked so its fat can be rendered to add depth to sauces, pastas, roasts, and sautés.

There are many gourmet varieties of pancetta (you can even make it yourself) but don't look for any Italian versions. They are banned from being imported into the United States. Which do you prefer? Pancetta or prosciutto?

Source

Happy Hour: Fantinel Prosecco

partysugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:15:31 -0700

If you are looking for a refreshing, celebratory sparkling wine that won't break the bank, I highly recommend Fantinel Prosecco ($12.99). Uncomplicated and light, this Prosecco makes an excellent aperitif or a delightful bellini.

It has a pale straw color, a subtle touch of sweetness, and a citrus floral aroma. The bubbles are robust instead of delicate making for a lovely body.

This bottle is smooth solo, but it would pair nicely with spicy Chinese or Thai food. It also makes a perfect hostess or housewarming gift!

Fast & Easy Dinner: Antipasto Salad

partysugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:45:42 -0700

Packed with cheese, olives, and salumi, an antipasto platter is one of my favorite Italian appetizers. So imagine how excited I was when I discovered this recipe for an antipasto salad!!

Fresh balls of mozzarella mingle with salami, olives, and pepperoncini in this hearty, crunchy salad. Be sure to serve it with a chunk of ciabatta to sop up the vinegary dressing. A cold Italian white is also a lovely companion to this delicious dish.

For the recipe,

Happy Hour: Bellini

partysugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:00:56 -0700

During the Summer's peach season, I love to enjoy bellinis. Similar to a mimosa, a bellini is Prosecco diluted with fresh white-peach puree. When made with perfectly ripe peaches, this glamorous cocktail is slightly sweet and delicately bubbly.

Named for the 15th-century Venetian painter, Giovanni Bellini, the drink was created at Harry's Bar in Venice sometime between 1934 and 1948. Now it is considered a classic cocktail and can be found on menus across America.

To make the peach puree, score a cross on the bottom of each peach with a knife.

Drop into a pot of boiling water for a couple minutes, plunge into an ice-water bath, and remove the skin. Chop into chunks, puree in the blender, and strain through a fine mesh sieve. For the proportions of this sublime concoction,

'Wich of the Week: 'Ino's Pancetta, Lettuce, and Tomato

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:00:24 -0700

I've let Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book languish on my desk for too long, so this weekend I finally decided to make a recipe from this famously excessive sandwich collection. (Stay tuned for a full cookbook review.) Since I was having friends over for a casual dinner, I avoided the more labor-intensive recipes in favor of a simple but delicious sandwich that would showcase the fresh tomatoes I bought that morning at the farmers market.

This PLT — pancetta, lettuce, and tomato — is a variation on the classic BLT (from New York's 'Ino) using Italian pancetta and arugula. Silverton's book is designed so that, if you choose, you can prepare each ingredient without shortcuts — for instance, braising artichokes rather than buying jarred ones or even making bread from scratch. Since the recipe called for it, I opted to make my own lemon aioli from Silverton's recipe. But despite my ambition, this dinner ended up being something of a disaster. To find out why,

Not Your Regular Nachos: Nachos Caprese

partysugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:15:32 -0700

At the Food and Wine Classic, I watched Jose Andres make bread chips. He froze a baguette, sliced it superthin with a mandoline, and panfried it until crisp. While Andres topped his with anchovies and other Spanish ingredients, I haven't stopped thinking about this bread chip and wondered how it would translate into a nacho. I don't have a mandoline, so I used regular white bread. However, I wish I would have found a way to use paper-thin bread. The final result was more like a cheesy bruschetta than a nacho. When I realized this, I was disappointed, but the classic Italian flavors — mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil — were so delicious that I soon forgot my sadness. I highly recommend you make this scrumptious appetizer, only instead of calling it nachos, simply call it bruschetta! To see what I did,

Definition: Burrata

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:00:41 -0700

Burrata
A mild-flavored Italian cheese made from a mixture of heavy cream and curds. It has a mozzarella skin and runny center. Originally produced in the Italian region of Apulia, burrata is made from water buffalo or pasteurized cow milk. It takes only eight hours to produce from start to finish, with no aging required.

While often served on its own at room temperature, burrata can also be used to replace mozzarella in an unusual caprese salad.

Source

Lasagna Quiz: Use Your Noodle

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:15:11 -0700

News flash! July is Lasagna Awareness Month. Personally, I question why this oven-baked dinner special is being honored in the middle of Summer.

Still, it's delicious, can be easy to make, and is one of America's most beloved classics — so I've put together a few questions to test your knowledge.

Source

'Wich of the Week: Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella Panini

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:00:05 -0700

When it comes to sandwiches — or anything, really — it's hard to go wrong with melted cheese and tomato. Add a few leaves of fresh arugula and chicken cooked to moist perfection on an outdoor grill, and you've got a hot sandwich that showcases the best flavors of the warm months.

I enjoyed this melted panini on a recent weekend away with friends, where the house we rented handily had a panini maker. Better yet, it had a charcoal grill (which I do not have), so I got the rare treat of a sandwich made with chicken grilled fresh over charcoal. Even on a hot day, the juicy meat combined with fresh seasonal tomatoes tasted deliciously like Summer. However, if you don't own a grill or a panini maker, you can still make this whole sammie on the stove, so to get the recipe,

Definition: Granita

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:00:52 -0700

Granita
A grainy sweetened ice that's flavored with fruit puree, coffee, or wine. A granita is a traditional Italian dessert and can vary widely in texture based on its freezing method. Those produced in a gelato machine have fine ice crystals, while another technique that combines freezing and scraping will give you a coarser, crystalline texture. Still others have a slushy consistency and are served as drinks. For a simple, elegant finish, try topping a fresh fruit granita with orange or lemon zest.

Source

Fast & Easy Dinner: Polenta Pizza

partysugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:45:44 -0700

If you've never had pizza with a cornmeal crust, I highly recommend you give this recipe a try. It's a simple technique that combines precooked polenta with water and flour until it makes a dough like consistency. The crust is prebaked before being topped with tomato sauce, red peppers, and green onions. To take a look at this scrumptious, vegetarian pizza,

'Wich of the Week: Italian Pork With Goat Cheese

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:00:14 -0700

Though I love making sandwiches from scratch, some of the best sammies are the ones thrown together using the previous night's leftovers, don't you agree? In fact, when I sat down to eat this delicious stuffed pork the other night, I was already thinking about the sandwich I'd make with the leftovers.

So, if you decide to whip up Tuesday's Fast & Easy Dinner, I highly recommend saving at least one pork chop for the next day. That's all you need to make two of these yummy sandwiches; the filling is so decadent and creamy, I didn't even use condiments. To see how I made them,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Pork Chops Stuffed With Sundried Tomatoes and Spinach

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:45:19 -0700

Stuffed pork chops. When I see those three little words, I get weak in the knees. And when the stuffing involves sundried tomatoes and goat cheese, I am pretty much powerless to resist the stuffed pork chop's charms. So when I happened to catch Giada de Laurentiis making this recipe on TV a few Sundays ago, I had my dinner idea for the night.

Despite a fancy-sounding name and a surfeit of decadent ingredients, this pork recipe is incredibly simple to make. It starts with frozen spinach, cooked in a skillet with sundried tomatoes then mixed with goat cheese and cream cheese for the filling. Simply slice a pocket in the pork chops and cook on the stove until golden brown. As a bonus, the leftovers made great next-day sandwiches. To get the recipe,

Come Party With Me: Graduation — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:45:33 -0700

Since my cousin's graduation party is an informal, open house, we'll be serving crowd-pleasing, comforting dishes. The party should be all about the graduate, so choose an easy, Italian menu that will appeal to an 8th grader and her friends.

Pizza squares make an excellent appetizer because no forks are necessary. For the main course, set up a pasta bar: make a huge batch of pasta and invite guests to choose from three — pesto, tomato, or gorgonzola — pasta sauces. The classic Caesar salad side gets a contemporary update when made with spinach instead of romaine lettuce.

To look at these delicious recipes,

Monday's Leftovers: Grilled Veggie Panini

partysugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:45:00 -0700

Whenever I make a grilled vegetable salad, I make sure to grill up an extra batch of veggies. Filled with flavor, these vegetables are excellent on pizzas, in quesadillas, or mixed into pasta salads. However, the best way to highlight the essence of the grilled vegetable is to make a stacked sandwich.

In this recipe the bread is coated with a quick, homemade pesto and the veggies are topped with melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella. To learn how to make a grilled veggie sandwich, please

A Whole Lotta Gelato

YumSugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:33:07 -0700

It may not lend itself to a clever rhyme like ice cream, but I'd still be willing to scream pretty loudly for gelato. May is actually National Gelato Month, but you can scoop up this dense, rich Italian ice cream all Summer long. It's fairly simple to make at home, or you can use store bought gelato to create your own desserts. For some ideas on how to enjoy gelato, just click "start."

Monday's Leftovers: Italian Tuna Melts

partysugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:45:26 -0700

Using fresh tuna instead of canned takes the classic tuna sandwich to a whole new level. In this jazzed up variation — it makes a great use of leftover tuna steaks — the tuna is mixed with artichoke hearts, sun dried tomatoes, and basil.

Served open faced and topped with lots of melted fontina, this sandwich is hearty and delicious. To take a look at the recipe,

Sunday Dinner: Seared Tuna with Avocado and Salsa Verde

partysugar — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00:05 -0700

Tuna steaks are a delicious and healthier alternative to beef steaks. The meaty fish — that takes well to most seasonings — is filling and easy to cook. In this provocative recipe, tuna is topped with a pungent, Italian style salsa verde and chunks of ripe avocado. The salsa is made like a vinaigrette with fresh parsley, garlic, capers, mustard, and olive oil.

To make this succulent tuna tonight get the recipe and

Fast & Easy Dinner: Shrimp Fra Diavolo

partysugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:30:06 -0700

I love it when I find a recipe that uses basic ingredients in new and interesting ways. In this case, the simple components are shrimp and marinara sauce. While the two are delightful alone, I've never thought of combining them to make a scrumptious sauce for pasta. This recipe — from our friends at MyRecipes.com — cooks the shrimp and mushrooms in a marinara sauce seasoned with lots of crushed red pepper flakes. To learn how to make it,

Off to Market: Pizza Slicer

partysugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 05:30:02 -0700

Although Father's Day is a month away, I want to get my dad a new pizza slicer. His pizza cutter is lost and he can't stop wondering where it is. Let's head off to market in search of a new pizza slicer for dad. Look for durable, functional slicers with sharp blades that will easily and smoothly slice through thick dough. Bookmark your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Pizza Slicer. Happy Hunting!

Geeksugar has created an explanation on how TeamSugar's bookmarking feature works so check it out if you are feeling confused.

For a list of my favorite places to shop online,

Not Your Regular Nachos: Italian Nachos

partysugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:40:19 -0700

Let me just say that taking a gorgeous, appetizing picture of nachos is hard. The image certainly does not do these amazingly delicious Italian nachos justice. They were so good that I ate an insane amount all by myself. What exactly are Italian nachos? A creation I invented based on a little web research. I took elements from several recipes to make my own version.

First I fried pieces of tomato basil tortillas. Next I made an Alfredo sauce and heated up finely chopped Italian sausage. The chips were seasoned with salt and dried oregano before being topped with the sauce, sausage, and a heavy sprinkling of mozzarella cheese. The whole thing was topped with a tomato, sun-dried tomato, black olive, and pepperoncini salsa. The final result was to die for.

For more details on how I made them,