YumSugar

Do You Cook With Flavored Salts?

YumSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 11:45:45 -0700

Yesterday Party gushed about the flavor of truffles on items such as fries, salad dressings, and pizzas. I'll eat them on anything and I love to add the flavor of truffles to a dish with my beloved truffle salt. Flavored salts are increasingly popular; stores such as NapaStyle carry the crystals infused with rosemary, sun-dried tomato, and citrus to name a few. Are you a fan?

What Is This?

YumSugar — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:00:08 -0800

The other weekend, I ran into one of these at NapaStyle. Can you guess what it is?

Chalkcloth Runner: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:00:45 -0800

When I first saw this chalkcloth runner ($24-38) in the latest NapaStyle catalog, I immediately wanted one. I made the mistake of thinking it was actual chalkboard and was disappointed when, upon further examination, I realized it was just cloth. Still, it's perfect for a cheese display or chili cook-off and would make a great gift for the hostess who has everything. What do you think?

Off to Market: Appetizer Plates

partysugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:45:23 -0700

When you entertain as much as I do, it's important to have a selection of stylish appetizer plates. From small plates to decorative trays, these serving platters are essential to displaying delicious dishes. I'm always looking for interesting pieces - like these portable, three-part servers by NapaStyle ($78.00) - to add to my collection, so let's head off to market in search of appetizer servingware. Save your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Appetizer Plates. I'm excited to see what you discover!

Learn how to bookmark by reading geeksugar's directions.

Find out where I like to shop online for food and entertaining accessories when you read more.

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Sealing Silicone Lids: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:12:51 -0800

As I was browsing the new Napastyle catalog, I came across these interesting silicone sealing lids. Apparently they can fit almost every kitchen vessel from salad serving bowl to sauté pan. While they look a little bulky, I love the idea of the lids as they omit the need for tupperware! My only concern is they come in such large sizes with no lid smaller than eight inches. Still, I'm curious to see how functional these are. What do you think of the lids? Useful or useless?

YumSugar's August Must Haves

YumSugar — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 07:57:31 -0700

August is a bittersweet month - it's definitely still summertime, but you know that Fall is just around the corner. To help you squeeze as much as you can out of your summer, we've come up with a list of things you must have in order to survive. Sure you don't actually need any of these, but you know you gotta have them!

First up is this awesome European bistro inspired French Fry Holder from Williams-Sonoma. It's $16 and comes complete with a porcelain "paper" ramekin - talk about adorable!
These colorful acrylic tumblers and bowls will jazz up all of your backyard shindigs. Imagine them full of ice cream and other delights! Prices start at $48 for a set of 6.
These new all-natural Popchips are super flavorful and contain half the fat. Bathing suit weather is still here, so watch what you eat, but make sure it tastes good! I recommend the potato chips over the rice or corn. A case of 12 bags will cost you $29.88.
Protect all of your cookbooks with a modern cookbook stand. This wood and acrylic one from Luciano Lorenzatti costs $27.50 and comes complete with a built-in measurement conversion table.
Even though July was National Ice Cream month, there's still time to perfect your own frozen concoction. This Big Chill Ice Cream Maker will make hard ice cream in just 40 minutes and the lemon yellow color is perfect to chase away those "fall's approaching" blues. Available for $199.99.

Ottimista / Pessimista Glass: Love It Or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 03:58:38 -0700

Either your glass is half-empty or it's half-full. Which will it be for you? I found these Ottimista/Pessimista Beer Glasses online and think they're quite clever. A set of four is $38 (available as shorter wine tumblers for $28). What do you think, do you love 'em or hate 'em?

Discover Your Napastyle With Michael Chiarello

partysugar — Wed, 09 May 2007 12:58:32 -0700

Last Thursday evening, YumSugar and I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with one of my favorite Food Network chefs and the creator of Napastyle, Michael Chiarello. Michael specializes in homey Italian influenced Northern California cuisine and has been the host of many television shows including Season by Season on PBS, Easy Entertaining on FN, and Napastyle on Fine Living. I love Michael for his friendly, easy going approach toward food and his fresh, delicious, recipes. In October of last year Michael opened his first store, Napastyle, in Berkeley - which is where Yum and I spoke with him. The event was a private party, tasting, and demonstration. In person, Michael is a lot like his TV personality: charming, welcoming, laid back and surprisingly he's more charismatic, incredibly personable, and quite funny.

Before the demonstration began, guests were invited to taste wines from his wine club (if anybody wants to surprise me and get me a subscription to it I would be ecstatic), sample homemade sausages and dips from his store, and to mingle with Michael. Once everyone had passed by the sample table (my favs: the parmesan dip & the rosemary garlic salami), the demonstration began.

For Michael's philosophy on food and life, the difference between taste and flavor in a dish, what he has to say about fellow Food Network celebrity chefs and our interview (including a video with a fantastic Julia Child impersonation), read more.

Growing up, Michael learned at a very young age the importance of sustainability, seasonality, and eating locally. He was raised on a farm in the California Central Valley where his mother taught him about the love that is put into making a meal. He doesn't believe in fast food - which he defines as any meal that is not worth remembering and has jokingly told Rachael Ray, "I can't even clean the kitchen in under 30 minutes."

Michael enjoys turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, being a guest at his own parties, and gray salt. Although his life is beyond busy, he inserts self-imposed speed bumps or meditation time to spend time with his 14 month old baby boy (maybe we should set him up with KatieSugar), 3 older daughters, and his wife (whom he lovingly refers to as his girlfriend because it "sounds better").

Afterwards Michael took a moment to chat with us and even set me up on a date with his sous chef! Here's how it went:

PartySugar/YumSugar: What did you eat today?
Michael Chiarello: For breakfast I had organic cheerios, mangoes, and strawberries. For lunch my wife made me asparagus soup with Point Reyes blue cheese and I drank dinner.

P/YSugar: What are you inspired by?
MC: My mother. That little girl in the crowd, Samantha, who watches my show every Saturday. The fact that food can open your heart and bring people into your life. One time a woman came up to me and told me that she had never gotten along with her mom and when she asked her mom why she had never tried making pasta, the mother answered it was because she didn't have anyone to help her, so the daughter offered. Cooking brought them back together as a family. The best food is like gospel music, it makes you feel good.

P/YSugar: What's your advice to the everyday hostess?
MC: The Greeks set aside time while building the Parthenon to eat, so eat well even while busy. Set aside the time to eat well.

P/YSugar: A successful party is…
MC: Spending half as much time at the table as your guest do. When somebody else cleans up. When the wine is wonderful.

P/YSugar: What’s in your fridge?
MC: Organic Greek yogurt. Mango and papayas. Organic milk. Lots of cooked and ready to go protein.

P/YSugar: What is your guilty pleasure food?
MC: Ruffles.

P/YSugar: Is your show filmed in your house?
MC: No, my first show that aired on PBS was but not anymore.

P/YSugar: Did you read the Omnivore's Dilemma and if so what did you think of it?
MC: Yes, I read it twice. Michael Pollan is an amazing writer and he presents the facts as good as he can. He is conventional and brilliant.

Michael jokes about being upset by the fact that he rarely gets invited out to a friend's house for dinner and dislikes that his favorite organic milk is available only in glass bottles. And while his style is definitely different, he loves that his buddy Emeril has brought millions of people back into the kitchen.

View 20 Photos ›

Off to Market: Kitchen Island

partysugar — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:50:52 -0800

OK readers, I'm moving into my new kitchen this week, and I need your help finding the perfect kitchen island. There's a large space between the fridge and cabinets. If I leave it empty, it will be wasted space, but if I get a portable work station, it will be more counter space! Can you help me search the Internet for kitchen islands? Although I would love something with a chopping block on top, go ahead and bookmark everything you find. Save the islands in the Off to Market group in the YumSugar community - that way I can share them with everyone.

I appreciate your assistance and can't wait to check out your discoveries. Interested in learning more about bookmarking? Read the complete instructions here. Need shopping inspiration? See a list of my favorite online stores after the break.

Off to Market: Valentine's Day Kitchen

partysugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:50:40 -0800

It's the first day of February and that means it's time to decorate our kitchens with hearts! To ensure that we have a little love in our lives, let's search the Internet for fun Valentine's Day themed kitchenware. From heart-shaped pans to dish towels with an adorable heart print, I want to see it all! Search the Internet and when you find a fabulous item, bookmark it. Save them in the Off to Market group in the YumSugar Community - that way I can share them with everyone.

Interested in learning more about bookmarking? Check out the complete instructions here. To get you started, look a list of my favorite online stores after the break.