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What's Your Pumpkin Carving Style?

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:28 -0700

Some people enjoy spending hours of planning and effort on their Halloween jack-o'-lanterns, and there's no arguing with the fantastic results. However, I'm more of a traditionalist when it comes to my pumpkin - I usually just cut out a jagged-toothed grin, and leave it at that. What do you do at your house?

Source: Flickr User valentinapowers

Casa Quickie: Teeth Carving Tips

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:15:47 -0700

Carving some funky faces in your jack-o'-lantern this Halloween? Show off your pumpkin's pearly whites by scraping the outer orange pumpkin skin from your pumpkin's teeth. To do so, use a linoleum knife to peel off the outer skin, and then use a regular knife to finish shaping the teeth. For more pumpkin carving tips, check out this post on Whole Story.

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:50:09 -0700

Think pumpkin-patch-chic when staging the decor for a pumpkin carving party. Place a wheelbarrow next to the front door, fill it with pumpkins, and when guests arrive, ask them to pick one. For a rustic feel, throw some hay in with the pumpkins. Inside the house, set up carving stations: cover tables and counters with old newspapers, carving tools, and place lots of garbage bags nearby. Leave the chili in a big pot on the stove and stack black bowls next to it. Fill jack-o'-lantern bowls with chili toppings and candy. Display the pumpkin cake on a black cake stand and invite guests to put their beer in an oversize ice bucket. A single bouquet of Fall flowers is festively elegant. Don't forget to stock up on tea lights. Once everyone is done carving their pumpkins, place a tea light in each one and set them outside on the porch.

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:21 -0700

Not only is my annual pumpkin carving party about creating cool pumpkins, it's also about celebrating the flavors of Fall.

To get people in the mood to party, I'll be pouring a potent punch made from pear nectar and sparkling apple cider. It's fruity, bubbly, and refreshing - what more could you ask for in a punch?

In case people want to imbibe something other than hard alcohol, I've asked my guests to bring an assortment of seasonal ales and sparkling sodas. To check out the easy punch recipe, which would be welcome at any large event, read more.

Pear and Sparkling Cider Cocktails
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 cups pear nectar, chilled
2 cups sparkling apple cider, chilled
2 cups seltzer, chilled
4 ounces (1/2 cup) bourbon whiskey, such as Knob Creek
1 Bosc pear, unpeeled, cored, and cut lengthwise into 8 wedges

Directions

Stir together pear nectar, cider, seltzer, and whiskey in a pitcher.
Divide pear wedges among glasses, and pour in cocktail. Serve immediately.

Serves 8-10.

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Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:15:04 -0700

Along with a hearty Fall meal, at my annual pumpkin carving party, I like to serve a pumpkin themed dessert.

In the past I've done ice cream sandwiches and pumpkin bars, but this year I've been all about cakes, so I'll be whipping up a relatively easy pumpkin cake.

The batter is seasoned with orange zest and the frosting is a decadent blend of caramel and cream cheese.

The resulting cake is festive and seasonal and can be made several days before the party. To take a look at the recipe I plan on using, keep reading.

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:50:19 -0700

From 2003 to 2006, every October I hosted an annual pumpkin carving party. In 2007, I threw a huge Halloween bash, and last year, I didn't do anything!

Now, I've decided it's time to bring back my beloved pumpkin carving dinner. I supply the pumpkins and a hearty Fall dinner and ask everyone to bring a bottle of wine or a six-pack of beer. Since the party is all about creating interesting pumpkin designs, I like to serve a menu that guests can enjoy at their leisure.

For starters, I'll offer an orange and black cheese ball and spicy sausages wrapped in pizza dough.

A huge pot of vegetarian chili will bubble on the stove, and in between carving pumpkins, guests can grab a bowl and top it with an assortment of items like cilantro, avocado, and sour cream. A side of jalapeño cornbread muffins are ideal for dipping. To look at these recipes, read more.

Cheddar Cheese Ball
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1 1/4 pounds extra-sharp cheddar, shredded
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup dry sherry
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1/3 cup poppy seeds

Directions

Process all ingredients except poppy seeds in a food processor until smooth.
Transfer to a large bowl lined with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Unmold onto a plate. Press poppy seeds evenly over surface, rounding top. Refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days.

Serves 12 to 15.

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Spicy Sausage in Carrozza
From Michael Chiarello

Ingredients

6 spicy Italian sausages
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing
15 whole garlic cloves
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 (4-ounce) pieces pizza dough, store bought

Directions

In a saucepan add 1/2-inch water to the pan. Immerse sausages in water and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove sausage and dry the pan.
Return to the heat and add the olive oil on medium heat. When hot return the sausage to the pan with garlic cloves and saute until medium brown all over.
Remove garlic to a bowl. Remove sausage to a plate to cool.
Use a fork to mash the garlic with salt and pepper. Stir in mustard and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Cut each piece of dough into 2 and roll out until 1/4-inch thick. Cut 6 pieces of dough about 3 inches wide and 1/2-inch shorter than the length of sausage, just enough to wrap around sausage with the ends peeking out.
Spread bottom of each dough with a tablespoon of garlic/mustard paste. Set sausage on top, moisten 1 dough edge with a wet finger so it sticks together and roll. Press the seam firmly and set them on a lightly floured sheet pan, seam side down.
Brush with olive oil. Bake until brown all around.
Remove and let cool for 5 minutes. Cut into 3/4-inch long pieces and serve.

Serves 6.

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Spicy Vegetarian Chili
From Whole Foods

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 to 3 tablespoons finely chopped chipotles in adobo 1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
3 cups cooked red kidney beans, drained
1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, drained

Directions

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, peppers and garlic and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until vegetables are softened but not browned.
Add chipotles, oregano, cumin, chili powder and salt. Stir to blend. Add tomatoes and 4 cups water. Gently simmer over low heat, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
Add beans and simmer an additional 30 minutes. Garnish individual bowls with green onions or sour cream, if desired.

Serves 6-8.

Nutrition Per serving (about 17oz/495g-wt.): 230 calories (45 from fat), 5g total fat, 0.5g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 1200mg sodium, 37g total carbohydrate (13g dietary fiber, 9g sugar), 11g protein.

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Jalapeño Corn Muffins
From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Ingredients

One 8.5-ounce box corn muffin mix
1/2 cup milk
2 cups fresh corn kernels (3 ears)
4 ounces jalapeño jack cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°.
In a large bowl, prepare the mix according to the package directions, using the milk in place of water. Stir in the corn, cheese and basil; season with salt and pepper.
Grease a muffin pan and fill each cup with batter. Bake until lightly golden, 30 minutes; let cool.

Serves 6.

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Open House: Are You Throwing Any Fall Parties?

CasaSugar — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:30:04 -0700

Every October, I love to invite a few friends over for a pumpkin carving party. It's a great excuse to reconnect with friends, and who can resist the fun of carving images and faces into a pumpkin?

Another friend of mine, who's an amateur mixologist, loves to throw a Halloween-themed cocktail party right around Halloween. From Trick-or-Tinis to Eyeball Highballs, my friend has the spooky drink menu covered.

What type of Fall parties do you like to host? Pumpkin carving parties? Popcorn ball-making get-togethers? Costume crafting nights? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Source: Flickr User indigoprime

Yummy Links: From Beard Blog Awards to Sticky Apple Cake

partysugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 06:45:35 -0700

The James Beard Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2009 awards and they've announced a new category for food blogs. - Eater SF
This year make your own Halloween candy bars. - Chow
Learn how to properly pair beer with food. - Beer Utopia
Two hundred reasons to eat pizza. - Epi-Log
Enter the Serious Eats pumpkin-carving contest! - Serious Eats
Sticky Spiked Double-Apple Cake With a Brown Sugar-Brandy Sauce. Need I say more? - The Kitchn
Get creative and throw a portrait party. - Hostess With the Mostess

Source

Chanel Pumpkin = Brilliant!

FabSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:00:22 -0700

Leave it to CocoChic to carve her Halloween pumpkin in style. Just when I thought I'd seen it all, she shares her Chanel pumpkin with us. She even roasted a bunch of the seeds - what a way to consume fashion!

Off to Market Recap: Pumpkin Carving Tools

partysugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:00:00 -0700

A pumpkin carving party has become my signature Halloween soirée. To make it simple on guests I supply the pumpkins and all of the carving tools. It seems like each year better, more cutting edge craving tools can be found at grocery stores and culinary chains thats why I asked you to help me update my collection of craving tools. You headed off to market in search of precision knives, sharp scoopers, and anything fabulous in between. You saved an amazing selection of useful tools in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Pumpkin Carving Tools.

From drills to stencils to scoopers you found it all. I plan on investing in several of these knives that gruaig_rua discovered. With a sharp, serrated blade these dishwasher safe knives have a nonslip handle which is important when slicing round, unstable pumpkins. Take a look at all of the tools by scrolling to the right below.

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