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Yummy Links: From Side Dishes to Sweet Potato Pie

partysugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 07:46:06 -0800

Twelve sensational, make-ahead sides. - Bon Appétit
Cooking secrets from David Chang. - Cooking With Amy
Learn the difference between shrimp and prawns. - Chow
Simple and delicious: butternut squash, sage, and browned butter. - The Kitchn
How to make cottage cheese. - Serious Eats
This Thanksgiving, serve buttermilk sweet potato pie for dessert. - Baking Bites

Firecracker Prawns

partysugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:01:51 -0800

A couple of weeks ago, while at a friend's birthday party, I had an unbelievable shrimp appetizer. The shrimp was marinated in a thick sauce flavored with hoisin and orange juice. Just before serving, it was rapidly cooked in a large sauté pan. A heavy sprinkling of cilantro and green onions complete the dish.

The shrimp was plump, flavorful, and super succulent. This crowd pleasing, finger licking good recipe is perfect for any party menu. It's a must for your repertoire so get it now and read more.

Firecracker Prawns
From Jane Hammond Events

1/2 cup Hoisin sauce
1/2 cup orange juice
1 serrano chile, seeded and finely diced
1/4 bunch cilantro, leaves and tender stems chopped, plus 1-2 tablespoons chopped for garnish
1 bunch green onion, finely chopped, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 lbs prawns, peeled and deveined (tail on)

Mix the hoisin sauce, orange juice, chile, cilantro, onion, and oil in a large 8x8x2 inch baking dish. Add the prawns and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. If the shrimp are frozen, refrigerate overnight to thaw shrimp.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove shrimp from dish, place on a baking sheet, and discard marinade. Bake for 11 minutes until shrimp is cooked through. Alternately cook the shrimp in a large skillet over medium high heat until pink and plump, 8-10 minutes.
Trasfer to a serving platter and garnish with more cilantro and green onion, if desired.

Serves 8.

Make ahead: Cool the cooked shrimp and cover. Reheat in a 350°F oven for five minutes and serve.

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Yummy Links: From American Idol to Prawn Crackers

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 14:52:01 -0700

If an American Idol cooking challenge isn't enough Idol for you, check out the new McDonald's American Idol Happy Meal toys. - BuzzSugar
Although the sous vide technique of cooking is catching on, you should not be using Ziploc bags. - Megnut
New research is showing that alcohol may enhance strawberry's ability to mop up harmful molecules in cancer. What? Sign me up for a strawberry daiquiri! - Liquor Snob

A recent study shows that chocolate is better than kissing. Hrmm... I don't know about that one. What do you think? Take MissPolli's poll on TeamSugar. - BBC News
In case you've always wondered, check out the breakdown on whether or not a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable. - FitSugar
Who would have thought that the words Pancake and Soup would go great together? - Delicious Days
In anticipation of Singapore Day in New York's Central Park, here's a bunch of posts on food from Singapore. - Serious Eats
Do you remember that energy drink (stupidly) called Cocaine? Looks like the FDA is making them change their name. - Martini Lounge
And last, but not least, I am in serious need of this dish. Gingered Salmon Tartar with Radish and Green Apple on Prawn Crackers. - La Tartine Gourmande

What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday

BuzzSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:30:00 -0800

Whether you're looking for the perfect last minute Christmas gift or just need something new to snuggle up with during the holiday lull, I've got some new goodies for you. First up are hot new DVDs for your Netflix queue, and check back later for the latest in the music world.

(500) Days of Summer

Taking apart a doomed relationship that lasts just over a year (500) Days of Summer is a refreshing, realistic spin on the typical movie romance. Zooey Deschanel stars as the film's title character, while Joseph-Gordon Levitt plays her idealistic admirer and ultimately, her ex-boyfriend (which nabbed him a Golden Globe nomination). The quirky little rom-com charmed audiences (and me) even if it is a little too cute and hipster-y at times. I will say this: it may be worth it just for JGL's adorable dance sequence and the killer soundtrack.

DVD extras include deleted scenes and a commentary track featuring director Webb, writer Michael Weber, co-writer Scott Neustadter, and Gordon-Levitt.

86%

See two more releases when you read more.

District 9

Peter Jackson produced Neill Blomkamp's thriller District 9, which has more than enough aliens and explosions to satisfy sci-fi devotees, but it also has a surprising amount of drama, plot twists, and emotional depth for the rest of us. A thinly veiled social commentary on apartheid, District 9 portrays an alternate reality where Johannesburg, South Africa has been infiltrated with aliens. Twenty years later, the aliens have been separated from the humans and placed into ghettos, where many of the so-called "prawns" are involved in lives of crime.

DVD extras include director's commentary, deleted scenes, the three-part documentary, and four featurettes.

90%

Extract

Mike Judge's comedy stars Jason Bateman as Joel, a down-on-life owner of an extract company that decides to shake things up with a little help from his friend Dean (Ben Affleck). The fun supporting cast includes Mila Kunis as his hot new employee as well as J.K. Simmons and Kristen Wiig. I found the film to be a bit soulless, but there are a few good jokes in there which might make it worth a rental.

DVD extras include Mike Judge's Secret Recipe featurette.

63%

Burning Question: Is It Really Necessary to Devein Shrimp?

YumSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 05:50:16 -0700

If you've peeled your own shrimp (and saved the shells for stock) at home recently, you may have encountered the quandary of whether or not to devein the shrimp. While most recipes call for shrimp to be peeled and deveined (removed of its intestinal tract), there are dissenters, like our very own PartySugar, who has learned from the Spanish that it's completely unnecessary to devein shrimp. So what's the real story?

It depends on the type of shrimp. When cooking with smaller shrimp that have a translucent-hued tract, deveining is unnecessary. Larger shrimp and jumbo prawns often have a dark, sandy intestinal tract. You won't fall ill from eating jumbo prawns if these aren't removed; however, it's recommended that you remove them, not only for cosmetic reasons, but also to avoid affecting the shrimp's clean taste.

Got a burning question? Contact us.

The Office Rundown: Episode 26, "Casual Friday"

BuzzSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:45:47 -0700

"Oh, it is on, like a prawn who yawns at dawn."

Yes, it is, Office fans! In my opinion, this episode is definitely on like a prawn who yawns at dawn. What did you think? Michael, Pam, and Ryan have returned to Dunder-Mifflin and Michael has resumed "casual Fridays" at the office, even though Toby objects to almost everyone's outfit. Casual Friday or not, however, some of the employees are miffed that Michael, Pam, and Ryan took away their clients and now they want them back. I loved this episode. To read about some of the things I loved most and to share your own, read more.

I think I have to go back and watch Kevin spill and then try to collect, and then squirm around on the floor in his chili. It's so disastrously, hilariously awful and I'm not sure I got the full effect from just one viewing.
Michael: "I set the rules and you follow them blindly. OK? And if you have a problem with that, then you can talk to our complaint department. It's a trash can!"
Meredith to Ryan, who sits across from her now: "Don't fall in love with me, kid."
When held over heat, Dwight's "invisible ink" will be revealed to say that people should meet at the warehouse. Invisible ink = urine.
Meredith shows up at Dwight's warehouse meeting and he wonders why she's there. "I dunno, I saw a crowd. Thought there might be a dogfight or something."
The Michael Scott Paper Company already has a photo collage, with "Memories" written in glitter in the middle.
Michael: "The old Michael Scott might have taken this but not the new Michael Scott. They are in for a big surprise. I am not to be truffled with."
I love Creed so much! "Sometimes it's best just to stay out of it. Wanna play a game?" He and Jim play a game of chess, at which Creed appears to be quite good. Turns out, Creed wants to set up Jim with his daughter . . . even though he thought Jim was gay.
Michael brings out Dwight's "meat sandwich." Dwight: "It's pony."

I don't have any words beyond: Meredith's inappropriate dress!!! Best part of the whole episode, in my opinion.
Wow, the altercation between Dwight and Ryan with the client on the phone is genuinely intense.
Andy: "That's completely backward."
Michael: "It's frontwards!"
"Deceit does not come easy to me," Dwight lies. He's then seen writing in what we can only assume is urine, dipping from the mug with Ryan's face on it. So gross.
Erin compliments Kelly's outfit. "You look like J-Lo."
In the warehouse, one of the "walls" of paper boxes starts to move backward and we see Darryl. "What did I tell you about building forts in my warehouse?"
Michael: "I have a very difficult decision to make. It's like last week I was at the video store. Do I watch The Devil Wears Prada again? Or, do I finally get around to seeing Sophie's Choice? It is what you would call a classic difficult decision." Oh, there's so much wrong with that.
Toby stands up to Dwight! In front of everyone! Then he says that "casual Friday" has been canceled.
"Well there is no easy way of saying this so I think I will just drag it out." As a joke, Michael tells Pam that Ryan got the job. Then he starts cracking up and tells her the truth: Pam has the job.

Source

What Would You Serve?

YumSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:30:44 -0700

Entertaining at home is one of my favorite activities of all time, but as with all hobbies, it requires lots of thinking ahead and decision-making, from planning a prep schedule to coordinating the menu. In this series, I'll present a dish and ask you to share what you'd serve alongside it.

Here's the scenario: You're hosting a birthday party for a close friend, and you've purchased fresh asparagus from the farmers market. You wrap it with paper-thin slices of prosciutto and roast it in the oven for a dish that's truly droolworthy. What would you serve alongside it? To see what I'd make, read more.

Inspired by fresh Spring ingredients, I'd serve my guests a seasonal farm-to-table dinner. As a stunning main course, I'd serve roasted prawns with morels, to be accompanied by the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus and ricotta gnocchi on the side. Asparagus is notoriously difficult to pair with wine, so I would select a dry, crisp Pinot Grigio with a fruity nose, avoiding anything overly sweet, oaky, or tannic. For dessert, I'd take advantage of fresh, ripe strawberries and serve strawberries Romanoff.

What would your menu include?

10 Healthy Foods to Try

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:00:00 -0800

Eating is one area where many people remain happily in their comfort zones. Admittedly, I used to be a very picky eater, but have learned to embrace the healthy bounty that exists, particularly in the produce aisle. A group of nutritionists was asked to round up 10 foods that aren't commonly incorporated in the diets of many Americans, but would be nutritious ways to mix things up. Many of the items on this list are part of my regular diet, particularly broccoli rabe, edamame, and quinoa. Have you been eating these 10 foods to try?

Kiwi
Broccoli rabe
Brazil nuts
Edamame
Red lentils
Quinoa
Canned salmon
Prawns
Whole grain and multigrain pastas
Pomegranate

Source

Holiday Survival: Keep Track to Keep the Pounds Off

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0800

Generous pours, savory hors d'oeuvres, and sweet nibbles make it difficult to leave a holiday party knowing how much you actually consumed. The eating and drinking is drawn out through the entire night, so you may not notice when you've actually eaten enough to make a full meal. And when you have three holiday parties in one weekend, those unaccounted for calories can really add up.

Combat holiday-related weight by tracking what you consume at each event, even if you don't usually keep a food diary. Once you put it in writing on one piece of paper, the glasses of bubbly champagne, bacon-wrapped prawns, and to-die-for truffles form a big picture of the calories you've consumed. Even if you think you escaped most of the tempting goodies and stuck by the crudités, write it all down.

Next time you're headed to a holiday celebration take a peek at your diary from the previous party. If you didn't eat as well as you would have liked, it will motivate you to do better, and if you ate healthily, it will encourage you to do the same at your upcoming event.

Source

Pop Watch: Brothers & Sisters, Ep 5 "Domestic Issues"

PopSugarUK — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 02:00:00 -0700

Rather than sibling relationships, episode five of Brothers & Sisters focused on parents and children. Nora's Halloween costume provided some welcome relief to a pretty tense episode - gotta love those googly eyes with the witch's hat!

Your favourite Walker siblings Kevin and Justin took a back seat this episode, as the action revolved around (1) Joe and Sarah's battle for custody of Paige and Cooper, and (2) Kitty's shock discovery brought on by a prawn pizza. I don't want to spoil the surprise for those of you who haven't seen it yet, so more on that after the jump ...

To read more of my thoughts and leave your own comments just read more

As soon as I saw Kitty throwing up after eating a prawn pizza in the opening scene I figured she was pregnant, and loved Nora's reaction when Kitty called her - these two are getting such great dialogue this series, it's fantastic! I couldn't help but giggle when Nora was reading out baby names over the phone as Kitty waited to see the result of the pregnancy test, and Kitty said: "Mum, stop naming my non-existent baby". I'm not surprised Kitty told Nora it came back negative, when really we all saw the plus sign.
I thought the custody battle storyline was really well handled. While I'm shocked and annoyed with Joe for requesting primary custody, he wasn't made out to be a villain just looking to hurt Sarah, and the episode was subtle in its handling of the effect divorce can have on the children involved. I loved Sarah and Paige's interactions - Kerris Lilla Dorsey does a great job as Paige, I'm so impressed by her acting.
Unsurprisingly the annoying relationship between Tommy and Lena continued this week, with Lena calling Tommy to come pick her up after she had too much to drink at a bar and, predictably, they kiss. And, predictably, Lena initiates it. Is anyone else finding Lena as annoying as I am?
Robert spends most of the episode stressing about the upcoming televised Republican debate, so Kitty doesn't get the chance to tell him she's pregnant. We see a little glimpse of Mean Robert and man do I not like what I see there. Fortunately he makes nice with Kitty by standing up for her during the debate.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Walkers are finding out about the pregnancy thanks to Justin, the gossip! He saw Nora go in to the pantry while talking to Kitty on the phone, so he figures it out and tells Rebecca, and Kevin, who tells Saul and so on and so on. The whole history of Nora entering the pantry when big things occur was so funny and, in addition to her crazy Halloween costume, provided some welcome light relief.
It was also pretty cute when Tommy turned up to Nora's and Justin answered the door asking him where his costume was, and he said he'd come as an abandoned husband, with Justin saying he'd come as a wounded war veteran. Heh. However, we were also reminded in this scene that Justin is taking extra pain medication. Not good.
As the family watch the debate, Kitty tells them all she's pregnant. She shares a touching moment in the kitchen with Sarah, and then shares another touching moment the following morning with Nora. That trip to Ojai Springs has worked wonders for the female Walkers' relationships, right? I laughed when Nora said to Kitty: "Do you realise how I'm going to spoil that child? And then I'll hand them back to you and criticise you for how you're raising them". I'm loving Nora this series!
The papers are all saying Robert won the debate, and he and Kitty have made nice about the baby, so they tell their team about the pregnancy and set to work researching how best to safeguard the campaign. I really hope Kitty's pregnancy progresses without any dramas - I don't know why, but I've got a feeling it won't all be plain sailing.
As Joe won temporary primary custody of the kids, the episode ends with Paige and Cooper leaving Sarah's for a fortnight. Nora is there to help her deal with it, and she sinks to the floor as the door closes behind the children. It was a pretty intense episode, so I'm hoping next week we'll get a bit more Kevin action, with witty one-liners and cute Scotty interactions thrown in for good measure.

So there are my opinions on this week's episode, but I'd love to hear your views. Share your thoughts with us, whether you've just watched it or you're reliving it all over again.