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Do You Know Your Classic Cookbooks?

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Although Party and I love to come up with our own original recipes, there's no underestimating the reliability of tried-and-true instructions from a favorite cookbook. To honor October as Cookbook Month, I thought I would test your knowledge of some of the Western world's most seminal culinary works. Do you know your Brillat-Savarin from your Escoffier? Take our quiz to see how (cook) bookish you truly are.

Source: User christyscherrer

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New York Times Traces First Lady's Slave Roots

TresSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0700

The New York Times ran a captivating historical piece today about a six-year-old slave named Melvinia. The paper traces her family's five-generation journey from slavery to modern success.

It's a fascinating American story that just so happens to be part of first lady Michelle Obama's story, too. Using old public records, fading photos, and recollections of older family members, the New York Times, along with genealogist Megan Smolenyak, have uncovered Melvinia's story, which fully connects the first lady to the history of slavery for the first time.

To see an excerpt from the piece, read more.

In 1850, the elderly master of a South Carolina estate took pen in hand and painstakingly divided up his possessions. Among the spinning wheels, scythes, tablecloths and cattle that he bequeathed to his far-flung heirs was a 6-year-old slave girl valued soon afterward at $475. In his will, she is described simply as the “negro girl Melvinia.” After his death, she was torn away from the people and places she knew and shipped to Georgia. While she was still a teenager, a white man would father her first-born son under circumstances lost in the passage of nearly two centuries.

In the annals of American slavery, this painful story would be utterly unremarkable, save for one reason: This union, consummated some two years before the Civil War, marked the origins of a family line that would extend from rural Georgia, to Birmingham, Ala., to Chicago and, finally, to the White House.

Melvinia Shields, the enslaved and illiterate young girl, and the unknown white man who impregnated her are the great-great-great-grandparents of Michelle Obama, the first lady.

To many, Michelle's family story powerfully represents African-American advancement. But her mixed background is also representative of Americans in general, as Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explored in his definitive documentary on genealogy called African American Lives. A historian who discovered that he had black relatives when he researched his memoir tells the New York Times: "We’ve all mingled, and we have done so for generations."

Happy Birthday, Julia Child!

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 05:50:10 -0700

On tomorrow's date in 1912, Julia Child, TV host and French chef extraordinaire, was born in Pasadena, CA. If she were still around today, she'd be 97 years old - and would no doubt catch a screening of Julie & Julia.

Feeling an urge to pay homage to the woman who set an example for home cooks everywhere? Then celebrate by making a few of her favorite recipes - and taking our quiz!

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10 Tasty Panini Recipes

partysugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 05:50:07 -0700

In Italy, a panino (or panini, in the plural) can refer to a type of roll or a griddled sandwich, but here in America, a panini is always a pressed sandwich that is served warm. Why do I have panini on the brain? Because August is National Panini Month! Since I'm a huge fan of the combination of toasty bread and melted cheese, I've rounded up my favorite panini recipes. You don't necessarily need a special kitchen gadget to make them; you can simply cook a panini on a skillet or, if it's hot in your neck of the woods, outdoors on the grill.

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What Do You Know About Goat Cheese?

partysugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:50:24 -0700

While reading Gourmet on the bus yesterday, I came across an article about National Goat Cheese month. It happens to be now, August, so naturally I thought it would be the perfect time to test your knowledge on creamy, smooth, and tangy goat cheese. Although goat cheese has been around for a long time, it only became a widely known popular ingredient in America in the late 1970s. Do you know why? Find out now and take the quiz.

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The Très Bizarre History of Birth Control

TresSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:00:30 -0700

From the Rythmeter to the IUD, birth control has come a long way over the years. But do you know how far? While condoms are a classic that date back thousands of years, there are many other methods that history - thankfully - forgot. Health has an endlessly fascinating look back at birth control's bizarre history, so I've culled some of my favorite facts. Take the quiz and see how much you know.

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What Do You Know About Horseradish?

partysugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 05:50:13 -0700

You may know that horseradish - a spicy white condiment - is commonly stirred into bloody Marys, but do you know when it's harvested? Or what makes it hot?

In honor of National Horseradish Month, I've put together a quiz that will teach you everything about horseradish.

Ready? Set. Go!

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Do You Know M.F.K Fisher?

partysugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:50:16 -0700

On today's date, June 22 in 1992, prolific food writer M.F.K Fisher died. While Fisher was a well-respected figure in the food industry, I don't know much about her. To learn more about her work and life, I thought it would be fun to put together a quiz that celebrates the author who enjoyed and practiced the art of simple eating.

How well do you know her? Find out now and take the quiz!

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7 Suggestions For Refreshing Iced Tea

partysugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:50:17 -0700

June is National Iced Tea month and with the warm weather and long, lazy days, there's no better time for a thirst-quenching glass of iced tea. While making iced tea can be as simple as pouring fresh brewed tea over a tall pitcher of ice, there are hundreds of more complex varieties. I've scoured the Internet for the most innovative recipes. Here you'll find seven of my favorites; these are the iced teas I plan on sipping all Summer long.

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What Do You Know About the Ritz Cracker?

partysugar — Mon, 11 May 2009 05:50:21 -0700

This year, America's favorite cracker, the buttery Ritz, is turning 75. It's hard to believe the cracker has been an entertaining staple and after school snack since 1934. To commemorate the anniversary, I've put together a quiz about Ritz. Learn more about the crispy cracker when you take it now!

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