yumsugar -- To die for.

Red Pepper Cheese Crostini Is Easy, Fast, and Delicious App

partysugar — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:00:08 -0800

I'm not from the South, but I have always considered pimento cheese to be an oddly glamorous appetizer. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor combination sublime. When I saw sausage master Bruce Aidells's sophisticated makeover of this Southern classic in the December issue of Bon Appétit magazine, I knew I had to make it. I spent most of yesterday in the kitchen prepping for today's feast, and this crostini made a delightful snack to munch on. It's not too rich, cheesy but spicy, and easy to put together, making it a great last-minute Thanksgiving appetizer. To get the recipe,

All the News That's Fit to Eat — Nov. 26, 2008

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:30:31 -0800

Put together the perfect cheese platter this Thanksgiving. — Los Angeles Times
Turkey hotline operators reveal the biggest trends in turkey over the past 20 years. — Washington Post
This holiday season, try these gluten-free desserts on for size. — The Oregonian
Stay calm during the holidays by running your kitchen like a business leader. — New York Times
Why demand for Beajolais nouveau has been on the decline. — Wall Street Journal
A new book by British food journalist Bee Wilson uncovers the history of food fraud. — Boston Globe
A shopping list guarantees you won't miss any ingredient. — Chicago Tribune
Master these 10 techniques, and you'll be set for a lifetime of Thanksgiving dinners.— San Francisco Chronicle

Source

German Supermarket Cashier Repels Robbers With Cheese

YumSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:10:08 -0800

German Supermarket Cashier Repels Robbers With Cheese I can't say anything bad about cheese, but I figured its uses were limited to sandwiches, gratins, and nachos. Not so! Apparently, if you are as quick on your feet as this cashier in Moscow, you can foil robbers with cheese, too! Read about my new hero.

Monday's Leftovers: Salad With Feta, Chickpeas, and Pita

YumSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:45:38 -0800

In this filling dinner salad, not only do the chicken and leftover chickpeas pack a double dose of protein, but the feta and chopped dill pickles add a much-needed flavor kick.

If you're vegetarian, simply exclude the chicken for an equally delicious meal. To make this salad for dinner,

Yummy Links: From Ghoul-Aid to Alton Brown

partysugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 06:45:03 -0700

Celebrate Halloween by making ghoul-aid. — Hostess With the Mostess
If you are staying in on election night, cook a red- or blue-themed dinner. — GlamDish
European wines may contain high amounts of metal. — Vinography
Looking for a candy that's good for you? Try kiwiberries! — The Epi-Log
Everything you need to know about cheese. — Chow
Learn the difference between regular, smoky, Spanish, and Hungarian paprikas. — The Kitchn
Alton Brown on donuts. — Serious Eats

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Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip Raises Breast Cancer Awareness

partysugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 10:15:19 -0700

After publishing her first cookbook, Around My Mother's Table, Ribbon Chick Lisa Burton, continued her crusade to raise breast cancer awareness with A la Pink, a breast cancer survivors recipe contest. Over the past year she's invited women to share their story and their best recipe. The winner, Tina Herold and her scrumptious recipe, buffalo chicken cheese dip, were announced in September.Herold used her experience to open a wig shop that provides support and compassion for women with cancer. Not only is she an inspiring role model, but she's also a great cook. The recipe is easy to make and perfect for a crowd. When I served the dip, I told my guests Herold's story, further raising awareness for the cause. You can, too, so get her winning recipe and

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

Besides Cheese, What Do You Include on a Cheese Plate?

partysugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:45:08 -0700

Yummy Links: From Pawpaws to Patching Pie Crust

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:45:00 -0700

Legendary Queen's grocer Fortnum & Mason is now available on this side of the pond. — Serious Eats
Learn all about the fruit known as the pawpaw. — The Kitchn
Why foodies should care about the election. — The Epi-Log
How to patch up that hole or tear in your homemade pie crust. — Baking Bites
What to look out for when selecting brown mushrooms. — Chow
Will eating your favorite cheese help prevent cavities? — FitSugar
Whip up a batch of tomatillo salsa in no time at all. — Cookthink
This Halloween, treat yourself to grown-up versions of your favorite childhood candies. — Bon Appétit

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Moldy Cheese or French Château?

YumSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:30:04 -0700

Today, Oct. 9, is National Moldy Cheese day. To celebrate, I thought I'd quiz you with a second round of last year's popular game, moldy cheese or French château? I'm going to list a bunch of French names, and you tell me if it's a mold-ripened kind of French cheese or a French château. Ready? Let's begin!

Source

Have You Ever Made Cheese?

partysugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 10:30:06 -0700

Last night we got a double dosage of Kitchen Nightmares. First Gordon Ramsay fixed up Trobiano's and afterward he headed to the Black Pearl. My favorite part was when Ramsay taught the chef and owners of Trobiano's how to make homemade mozzarella. I started thinking and realized I've never made cheese! How about you? Photo Courtesy of Fox.

Have You Ever Made Cheese?

Yes, I've made cheese before.

Nope, but I would love to experiment in cheese making.

No and it doesn't really interest me.

Other — please fill us in below!

Not Your Regular Nachos: Armenian Chips Cheese

partysugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:00:09 -0700

The other day a friend, who recently got back from Armenia, told me about a delicious treat she experienced on her trip. At first I was a little grossed out when she described the potato chip, mozzarella, and ketchup nachos. However, I took her word for it and decided to make my own. The result, a gooey mess of crunch, cheese, and sauce, is shockingly good. They're the perfect after-school or late-night snack. To look at the seriously simple recipe,

Noteworthy Nibbles — Sept. 16-22, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:25 -0700

In the height of good weather, food and festivity abound, and right about now, I'm wishing I could teleport myself around the United States. First I'd hit up Manhattan for Wine 2.0's wine sampling this week, followed by the Shrimp & Grits Festival in Georgia, and then some classic Eli's cheesecake in the Windy City. Don't miss out on these events — if you do, you'll have to wait another year!

New York, NY: The StarChefs Rising Stars Revue New York — Sept. 16
New York, NY: Epicurious Wine.Dine.Donate New York — Sept. 17
New York, NY: Wine 2.0 New York — Sept. 18
Atlantic City, NJ: Celebrity Chef Tour Atlantic City — Sept. 18
Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA: Delaware River Food & Wine Festival — Sept. 18-21
Nappanee, IN: Nappanee Apple Festival — Sept. 18-21
La Crescent, MN: Applefest 08 — Sept. 18-21
Leavenworth, WA: Wenatchee River Salmon Festival — Sept. 18-21

To see the rest,

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,

Noteworthy Nibbles — Aug. 27-Sept. 1

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:00:37 -0700

Labor Day weekend means food-happenings galore. At front and center is Slow Food Nation '08, the country's first ever slow food event, to be held in San Francisco. I'll be in attendance, so I can learn more about eating sustainably. Locals, perhaps I'll see you there! Here's the lineup; enjoy your long (and tasty) weekend.

Sparks, NV: Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off — Aug. 27
Millersport, OH: Millersport Sweet Corn Festival — Aug. 27
Honolulu, HI: Joy of Sake — Aug. 28
Morgan City, LA: Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival — Aug. 28-Sept. 1
San Francisco, CA: Slow Food Nation — Aug. 29-Sept. 1

To see the rest,

Yummy Links: From Cupcake Holders to School Lunches

partysugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:00:24 -0700

Easily transport cupcakes in an empty egg carton. — Shelterrific
Learn how to purchase cheese from a cheese monger. — Chow
Iron Chef America is being turned into a Wii video game complete with a digital Mario Batali, Masaharu Morimoto, and Alton Brown. — Serious Eats
Don't these creative pop up placemats make you want to host a dinner party?! — The Kitchn
In need of a cute break? Check out this adorable owl bento. — Slashfood
Wine Spectator was the victim of a scam that calls into question the magazine's ability to rate a restaurant's wine list. — The Epi-Log
Adam Roberts, better known as the Amateur Gourmet, has launched a second website, Food Songs, devoted to songs about food. — The Amateur Gourmet
If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, this double-sided timer will make your life a lot easier. — Baking Bites
An insider's look at one elementary school's lunch menu is grossly disturbing. — CitizenSugar

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Curried Tuna Quiche

partysugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 06:45:28 -0700

Lately I've been really into quiche. Quiche can be filled with random odds and ends of ingredients, are quick to throw together, and make delicious leftovers. This quiche recipe caught my eye because it combines two elements I wouldn't normally pair together, curry and canned tuna, to create one delicious dish.

Cooked pasta adds an interesting texture and two types of cheese provide a gooey creaminess. To make this quiche for your family,

Can You Identify the Cheese?

partysugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:30:33 -0700

A couple weeks ago I was asked to play pub quiz trivia. My role would be to answer any questions related to the culinary world. The team was lucky they invited me because the matching round was all about cheese! There was a list of cheeses and a brief description of each one. I had to match the cheese to the description.

It was so much fun, I recreated the game for you to play! If you love cheese, you'll love this quiz, so get started and match the description to the cheese.

Source

Not Your Regular Nachos: Spanish Nachos

partysugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 15:00:55 -0700

Last weekend I was at my parents house in Sonoma County and the weather was wonderfully warm. After consuming a large lunch, I decided to enjoy a light, Spanish-style dinner. The Spanish often eat a dinner of cold cuts, olives, and cheese. Bread or breadsticks normally accompany these simple meals. I took this concept and translated it into a nacho variation. I baked small thin breadsticks topped with Manchego cheese until crisp and melty. Next I topped them with a homemade romesco sauce. Romesco is a typical Spanish sauce made with roasted red peppers and almonds. When served with garlic stuffed olives and fresh jamon, these nachos were salty and delicious! To learn how I made them,

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:15:23 -0700

If you prefer to use cheese in a recipe (rather than simply enjoying it pure), you are probably familiar with the classic dish pictured below. Do you know what it's called?

Say Cheese

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:15:21 -0700

In case you don't already own cheese serving tools, I went shopping for stylish cheese serving trays and found a fabulous selection. They run the gamut from ornate and over-the-top to sleek and minimalist. My favorite is this marble tray with silver bamboo hardware ($78); it's got the perfect amount of flair and will look excellent displaying everything from a pungent blue to a sharp cheddar.

To scope out all my finds, click on the arrows below.

Not Your Regular Nachos: Chili Con Queso Nachos

partysugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:15:48 -0700

A couple of weeks ago, I featured audreystar's recipe for chili con queso. While she served her variation as a warm dip, I decided to experiment with the cheese as a nachos appetizer. I substituted chicken habanero sausages for the Jimmy Dean and used a combination of Velveeta and sharp cheddar cheeses.

The nachos were decadent and spicy. They reminded me of a gourmet version of classic ballpark nachos. Perfect for watching a game, these nachos are crowd pleasing and delicious. While they aren't FitSugar friendly, they are exactly what nachos should be: crunchy, melty, pure scrumptiousness. To learn how I made them,

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

Fast & Easy Dinner: Crab Quiche

partysugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:45:59 -0700

With a store bought pie crust, a quiche comes together in minutes. This quick quiche features crab meat, fresh herbs, and grated cheese mixed together in a warm, fluffy custard.

Once you have the technique down, you can make hundreds of quiche variations. Sun dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, or sautéed mushrooms would be delicious substitutes for a vegetarian version. Don't have crab meat? Stir in chunks of peppered turkey or cubes of ham.

To look at the recipe, which also makes a great leftover for lunch,

Turn Leftover Cheese Into Fromage Fort

YumSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 09:00:45 -0700

Maybe you hosted a wine and cheese pairing in honor of Bastille Day over the weekend. Or perhaps you decided to have fun with fondue. Either way, you've got eight (expensive) odds and ends of cheese in your fridge that you don't know how to salvage. No worries, make fromage fort, a French cheese spread! Any type of cheese can be used to make this tasty spread for crackers and bread. To learn how it's made,

Would You Eat These Nachos?

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 07:45:03 -0700

I'm not afraid to admit it, PartySugar and I actually chowed through this plate of nachos. It was late, we were waiting for a plane, and we were hungry. And as always, nachos sounded great. When they arrived we were disappointed by the canned cheese, the ice cream scoop of sour cream, the rubbery chicken, and the processed guacamole, but that didn't stop us. Tell me, would it have stopped you, or would you have eaten these nachos?

Would You Eat These Nachos?

Yes! I love nachos in every way, shape, or form!

Maybe, I would have to be really hungry.

No thanks that looks disgusting.

Other — What do you think? Tell us in the comments!

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:15:51 -0700

I wonder what wine Laura Werlin would pair with the delicious cheesy appetizer pictured below. Do you know what it's called?

Laura Werlin on Pairing Cheese and Wine

YumSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:15:50 -0700

One of my favorite classes during the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, was Laura Werlin's American Raw Milk Cheese seminar. Laura is one of America's foremost cheese experts and an awarding-winning author. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a plate of cheese and three wines (a white, red, and dessert). Laura walked us through each cheese and wine pairing while giving the rundown on what we were tasting. She also provided some interesting cheese tips. To see her tips for pairing wines and cheese and to learn more about cheese in general,

Would You Eat This Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread?

partysugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 05:30:57 -0700

Recently I found something shocking in my parents' refrigerator: It was a small box labeled pasteurized process cheese spread, in a spinach and artichoke flavor. I thought the box was a joke, but was disturbed to learn my dad wanted to try it. Although I love Velveeta and occasionally enjoy a slice of Kraft American cheese, I was a little nervous by the blatant "pasteurized process" label. I didn't end up tasting it, would you?

Would You Eat This Pasteurized Process Cheese Spread?

Yes, I'm not afraid of the words pasteurized or processed.

Gross, no way!

Only under extreme circumstances would I eat this spread.

Other — see how I feel about this cheese in the comments below.

Not Your Regular Nachos: Corn Pudding Nacho Bites

partysugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:15:13 -0700

Last Friday night I hosted an impromptu dinner party for some close friends. It was an informal introduction of my best friend's new boyfriend, so I went all out with appetizers and a special cocktail. Ever since I made nacho bites, I've wanted to experiment more with Tostitos Scoops, and I decided this was the perfect opportunity to do so.I filled each chip with a corn, cheese, and egg mixture that cooked up like a corn pudding. The final bite was salty, cheesy, and purely delicious. This is an incredibly easy recipe that can be modified to suit your dietary needs. To see how I made this version,

Not Your Regular Nachos: Mexican Pizza

partysugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:14:11 -0700

When you think about it, a Mexican pizza is really a gigantic, circular nacho. The two main components of nachos — crispy tortillas and melted cheese — are present in Mexican pizzas.This recipe came out of my desire to use Spanish chorizo in one of my nacho experiments. Since the chorizo resembles pepperoni, I invented these pizza-like nachos. The "sauce" is a red-bean puree mixed with sautéed onion, garlic, and green chilies. These were quite tasty, next time I'm serving them with sour cream! To take a look at how I made them,

'Wich of the Week: Monte Cristo

YumSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:00:26 -0700

If there were any doubts about my intense love for sandwiches, this post should put them to rest, because I consumed this Monte Cristo at Canter's Deli in Los Angeles a mere three hours after eating an enormous French Dip at Philippe's. Hey, I was only in town for a few days, and there were many iconic sandwiches to be consumed!

Like the French Dip, the Monte Cristo was invented in Southern California. Traditionally, a Monte Cristo is made with bread dipped in egg — essentially, French toast — and filled with ham, turkey, and swiss cheese. The sweet, salty delight is then topped with powdered sugar and strawberry preserves. For more history and a recipe for the Monte Cristo,

Chasing the Cheese

partysugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 06:45:21 -0700

While many of us celebrated Memorial Day on Monday, the people of Gloucestershire, England, celebrated a different annual occasion, their infamous Cheese Rolling tournament. In this crazed and unique sporting event, men and women chase an eight-pound cheese wheel down a steep hill. The person who grabs the rolling cheese — which can reach up to 70mph! — before it crosses the finish line wins. The prize for winning the race? The handmade Gloucester cheese wheel. While the race may be all fun and games, each year numerous people are injured as they slip down the hill. To watch a video of this year's cheese rolling,

Not Your Regular Nachos: Quadruple Cheese Nachos

partysugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:30:13 -0700

This week I was really excited about experimenting with a fancy, new nacho recipe. However, when I looked in my fridge and realized that while I didn't have any feta or goat cheese — two components to my upcoming idea, I had 10 other types of cheese! Thus I decided to make these clean-out-the-cheese-drawer nachos instead. The funny thing is when I was eating them, I wished they were cheesier! This recipe is super simple and best served with a spicy salsa. To see how I made it,

Noteworthy Nibbles — May 15 to 21, 2008

YumSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:30:52 -0700

The weather has warmed up and the festivals are in full swing! From coast to coast there are amazing things to check out. Whether it's cheese in Seattle or BBQ in New Jersey, there's a lot of food waiting to be gobbled up. So if you're wondering what to do this weekend, then look no further. There's something for every region this weekend.

Nantucket, MA: Nantucket Wine Festival — May 14-18
Buckhannon, WV: Strawberry Visions — May 14-18
Alpharetta, GA: Taste of Alpharetta — May 15
Memphis, TN: World Championship BBQ Contest — May 15-17

Monterey, CA: Cooking for Solutions — May 16-17
Intercourse, PA: Rhubarb Festival — May 16-17
Washington, DC: Savor — American Craft Beer & Food Experience — May 16-17
Magnolia, AR: Magnolia Blossom Festival and World Championship Steak Cookoff — May 16-17
Dermott, AR: Crawfish Festival — May 16-17
Fruita, CO: Mike the Headless Chicken Festival — May 16-17
Seattle, WA: Seattle Cheese Festival — May 16-18
Little Rock, AR: International Greek Food Festival — May 16-18
Lodi, CA: ZinFest — May 16-18
Taylorsville, KY: Gourd Festival — May 16-18
Pasadena, TX: Strawberry Festival — May 16-18
Paso Robles, CA: Paso Robles Wine Festival — May 17
San Francisco, CA: Uncorked! Wine Festival — May 17
New York, NY: Taste of Tribeca — May 17
Norfolk, VA: Annual Beer Festival — May 17

There's a ton of other events — including homebrew and oysters! — so be sure to

Would You Eat This Whopper With Bacon and Cheese?

partysugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 03:00:27 -0700

If you're a fan of Burger King, you might not think twice before biting into a Whopper with bacon and cheese. However, you may not be so eager to bite into this specific Whopper because it has 15 times as much bacon as the regular Whopper! I'm a bacon lover, but find this exceptionally excessive. How about you? Would you eat this Whopper with cheese and tons of extra bacon?Source

Would You Eat This Whopper With Bacon and Cheese?

Yes, I always order my Whoppers with extra bacon!

No, that is disgusting.

I would give the Whopper a bite but couldn't stomach the whole burger.

Seeing this makes me relieved I'm a vegetarian!

Other — see my comment below.

Smoky Side: Wheat Berry-Smoked Gouda Salad

YumSugar — Sat, 10 May 2008 04:33:00 -0700

I never think to cook with wheat berries, but every time I have them I'm won over by their flavor and texture. It's an interesting grain that works well as a side dish to almost any meal. This recipe for a wheat berry, smoked gouda salad is packed with olives, walnuts, and parsley.

If you're looking for a new side dish to add to your repertoire, then give this one a try. Just be warned, it takes a bit of prep as the berries need to be soaked overnight and the olives need twenty four hours to marinate. To get the recipe, please

Would You Eat This Cheese?

YumSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 16:00:40 -0700

A few weeks ago, while at the Oxbow Public Market in Napa, BellaSugar and I tasted a deliciously creamy cheese. The cheese was called Mélange and was from the Andante Dairy. I loved its blend of goat and cow's milk cheese that created a great flavor sensation. Even Bella — who hates soft cheeses — thought it was fantastic. There was one teeny issue. The Oxbow Cheese Merchant had been sampling it for a while, so it was a gooey, melty creature. To me it wasn't a problem; in fact, I immediately imagined the cheese spread all over bread. However, another friend couldn't handle it and thought the gooeyness was just wrong. So tell me, could you eat this melty cheese? Or would you have to turn it away?

Would You Eat This Cheese?

Heck yeah! That cheese looks amazing!

Maybe, but only because you said it tasted good.

No way, that doesn't even look like cheese!

I don't eat cheese.

Other — I'll tell you in the comments.

The Crack Heard Around the World

YumSugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Another strange food-based world record was set last month, but at least this time it wasn't a giant vat of food, or salad. In fact this time, it was actually sort of fun! On April 12 at 3 p.m. ET, cheesemongers at Whole Foods in the US, Canada and UK simultaneously cracked open nearly 300 wheels of Parmigiano Reggiano. With official recordings coming in from 176 stores, the record for Most Parmigiano Wheels Cracked Simultaneously was set.

While it sounds simple, the process of cracking open and carving an 85-pound cheese wheel can take up to a half an hour. When asked about the event, Cathy Strange, Global Cheese Buyer — doesn't that sound like a great job! — for Whole Foods said:

It was a sight to behold as our cheesemongers "broke open happiness" and shared this crown jewel of cheeses with our guests. We are thrilled that Whole Foods Market has made its mark in the Guinness Book of World Records.

To check out a video of a cheesemonger cracking open an 80-pound wheel, or see a step-by-step video of how to crack the cheese open, just

Fast & Easy Dinner: Goat Cheese and Tomato Strata

partysugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:30:22 -0700

Instead of making croutons, use leftover bread to make a simple supper in the form of a strata. Like a savory bread pudding, this layered dish is filled with fleshy tomatoes and melted cheese. The recipe involves minimal prepwork giving you plenty of time to unwind after a long day. Pair with a glass of wine and a green salad. For the recipe,

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 08:21:33 -0700

Yesterday I featured a low fat fettucinie alfredo recipe. Another creamy, cheesy dish that I would love to lighten up — without losing flavor — is pictured below. Do you know what it's called?

Textured Side: Sautéed Spinach with Pine Nuts & Golden Raisins

YumSugar — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 04:28:31 -0700

Spinach is one of my favorite things to cook. Whether it's put into a salad or cooked into a casserole, I absolutely love the way it tastes. I recently came across a simple recipe for spinach sautéed with pine nuts and golden raisins. While I have put raisins in many a spinach salad, I've never put them in cooked spinach. I think the squishy texture of the raisins will go nicely with the slightly wilted spinach. To get the recipe and try it for yourself,

What Kind of Cheese Do You Use For Grilled Cheese Sandwiches?

YumSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:28:33 -0700

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Would You Eat Jam on Your Grilled Cheese Sandwich?

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 10:43:18 -0700

Whenever my dad would make grilled cheese sandwiches, he would always end up coating the top of his with grape jelly. As a kid, I copied him and have grown up enjoying the delicious pairing of sweet and savory. It may sound weird, but a lot of folks use fig spread and it's not much different than that. Last night I ended up having a simple one with raspberry-peach jam, and thought it was an extremely flavorful pairing. So tell me, would you eat this grilled cheese sandwich?

Would You Eat Jam on Your Grilled Cheese Sandwich?

Sure, I think it sounds tasty.

Maybe, it would have to be the right jam and the right cheese.

No, that sounds disgusting.

Other — I'll tell you my thoughts in the comments.

Get Thee to the Grilled Cheese Invitational!

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:01:33 -0700

Do you make a mean grilled cheese sandwich? Think you've got what it takes to win the Annual National Grilled Cheese Invitational? Well then you better hurry: Registration ends this Sunday, April 13.

The annual melted cheese event is being held this year in Los Angeles on April 19. There will be up to 100 competitors vying for title of the big cheese. If you're not a sandwich maker, then show up and instantly become part of the judging panel. The sandwiches are handed out to the audience, who then vote for their faves. The categories are: Missionary (white bread, orange cheese, and butter), Spoons (any bread, butter, cheese), Kama Sutra (any bread, butter, cheese, and other ingredients), and Honey Pot (same as Kama Sutra, but sweet).

Event founder and organizer Tim Walker said:

The 1st 6th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational will be mankind's greatest achievement since the invention of fire! This year we will have more cheese than ever before. More competitors, more sammiches, more everything!

It sounds like it's going to be a fantastic cheese voyage. If I lived in the area, I would definitely find a way to attend. How about you? Are you going to go to the Grilled Cheese Invitational?

'Wich of the Week: Honey-Basil Grilled Cheese

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:13:31 -0700

When it comes to American comfort foods, it's hard to beat the classic grilled cheese sandwich. Clearly, I'm not the only one who thinks so, since April is Grilled Cheese Month, and this Sunday is Grilled Cheese Day. For this week's 'wich, I decided to celebrate early with a tasty twist on the old favorite.

For this version, which features creamy mozzarella and salty fontina, I recommend choosing a multigrain or wheat bread that's just a tiny bit sweet. It makes the perfect enclosure to a fresh, but decadent combination of sweet strawberry tomatoes, basil, and honey. For the recipe and step-by-step photos,