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Monday's Leftovers: Roasted Vegetable Panzanella

YumSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:45:13 -0700

This all-purpose recipe is a practical rendition of the traditional Italian bread salad. If you have leftover beans or vegetables to use, or vegetables you want to showcase from your backyard, then this panzanella is perfect for you.

Here's a great tip I learned from my bread purveyor: Use a quality baguette that's a day old, as stale bread makes for crustier panzanella than fresh bread does.

To get the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Sauteed Pork and Pear Salad

partysugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:30:09 -0700

A great thing about Fall fruits, specifically pears, is that they can be used as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. In this case, the pears are a crisp addition to a scrumptious salad. The classic pairing is pork and apples, but pears complement the peppered protein as nicely as their crunchy counterpart. A drizzle of a quick honey-mustard sauce finishes off this hearty and delicious dish. To start your weekend with this salad,

A Different Salad: Turnips in Sour Cream

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 05:30:12 -0700

During the period of transition from Summer to Fall, you may find that while you see a lot of Fall produce in the market, the weather isn't quite cold enough for stews. This turnip salad is the perfect dish to make during this brief season. Although it's uncommon to see recipes with uncooked turnips, they're actually delicious eaten raw, with a dense, crunchy texture, and a flavor similar to radishes. It's important to slice the turnips as thinly as possible, and to make sure the salad is seasoned liberally with salt and pepper. If raw onions are too overpowering, reduce the amount of shallots in your salad. To get this recipe, which calls for only four ingredients,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Frisée With Potatoes and Eggs

partysugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:45:56 -0700

Eating this uncomplicated, vegetarian meal is like taking a trip to the French countryside. With its crisp potatoes and oozing egg, this salad is simple, elegant, and pure deliciousness. Feel free to substitute your favorite green for the frisée. Serve with rustic, crusty bread and a French white wine for an enlightening experience.

To look at the recipe — which also makes a beautiful brunch —

Fall Into Salads: Butternut Squash, Pomegranate, and Walnuts

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:15:05 -0700

Today is the first official day of Fall, and it's finally time to put away those light Summer recipes and start using Fall's favorites! Over the weekend, I combined butternut squash and pomegranate to make a scrumptious, hearty salad. With the creamy squash, crisp pomegranate seeds, and tart roasted-walnut vinaigrette, each bite was perfectly balanced. This salad is simple, but requires a little time to prepare the squash. It makes a delicious side or vegetarian meal. Next time I plan on heating the dressing, so when I pour it over the salad the lettuce will wilt. If you want to add this salad to your first Fall feast,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Balsamic Chicken Over Greens

partysugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 07:00:55 -0700

If you love the taste of balsamic vinegar, get excited, this recipe is for you! Thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts are marinated in a store-bought balsamic vinaigrette. Fresh garlic and crushed red pepper flakes add a spicy punch to the marinade.

Served atop a bed of greens, this chicken is tasty and filling, yet healthy and balanced — the perfect meal for a weeknight. To learn how it's done,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Arugula and Fried Mozzarella Salad

partysugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:45:34 -0700

If fried mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce is one of your favorite bar foods, you're going to love this recipe! Smoked mozzarella is breaded and pan-fried in a shallow pool of oil.

A fresh tomato-basil mixture replaces the marinara sauce. Served atop a bed of arugula, this salad is a healthier version of the guilty pleasure classic.

To enjoy it this evening, get the recipe and

Come Party With Me: Fashion Week Party — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:45:18 -0700

For my Fashion Week party, I'm putting together a menu full of iconic New York treats. I'll be hosting the party at my place, but since I want to kick back and have fun too, my dinner menu will be composed primarily of passed items.

Homemade pretzels and dill-pastrami bites are not only great snacks, but they're also quintessential New York eats. For something more substantial, I'll be serving a platter of steak with tomato dipping sauce, as well as small plates of Waldorf salad. To put together this effortless party menu,

Summer Supper: A16's Tuna Panzanella

YumSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:00:45 -0700

A few weeks ago, I raved about a new Italian cookbook called A16 Food + Wine that has a delicious (and unique) meatball recipe. Well, I'm still learning great things from it. This week, I made a panzanella with tuna and capers, another item on the menu at the launch party. Every ingredient, from the briny capers to the fragrant basil, was well-balanced.

This is a fantastic meal to make if you've got too much bread or when your loaf is going stale. I left the capers whole, since I like their saltiness and texture. You can easily adjust the recipe to your liking; get your hands on it (and step-by-step pictures) when you

Fast & Easy Dinner: Chicken and Mango Salad

partysugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:30:48 -0700

Who says chicken salad has to be boring? This recipe re-creates the picnic classic as a vibrant and intensely flavored dish. The mayonnaise-based dressing is replaced with a quick vinaigrette made with mint, cilantro, and curry powder.

Chunks of avocado add creaminess, and red onion slices provides a biting crunch, resulting in a salad that is perfectly balanced in texture and taste. For the fit-friendly recipe,

A Perfect Summer Bite: Caprese Skewers

partysugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 03:00:52 -0700

A delightful alternative to the classic caprese salad, these skewers are bite-sized pieces of heaven. The recipe couldn't be easier, and the simplicity highlights the pure flavor of ripe tomatoes and fresh cheese. To make these easy appetizers, I tossed pieces of bocconcini, or mozzarella balls, with homemade pesto. The next time I make them, I want to use longer, fancy toothpicks. To get the recipe to this delicious dish,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Ginger Pork Chops With Spinach Salad

partysugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:46:34 -0700

Savor the last of Summer's strawberries with this flavor-packed meal. The berries add a delightful sweetness to both the salad and sauce. The pork chops are seasoned with fresh ginger, and the scrumptious sauce combines juicy ginger with the plump berries.

An unexpected ingredient, frozen lemonade concentrate, brings a syrupy tartness to the sauce. Served atop a bed of spinach, this meal is balanced and filling, so get the recipe and

Fast and Easy Dinner: Turkey Bacon Salad

partysugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:30:52 -0700

If you love club sandwiches, get excited for this recipe! It takes elements — salty bacon, crisp lettuce, and juicy turkey — from the classic sandwich and reconstructs them as a crunchy, filling salad.

Sugar snap peas are an unconventional yet balanced addition. For a lighter variation, serve the dressing on the side. Kick off your weekend by making this delicious dinner salad; get the recipe and

Five Dinners That Improve With Time

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:30:12 -0700

In theory, we can all sing the virtues of leftovers: By eating them, you're not only saving money, but also time, energy, resources, and possibly calories. But in reality, some of you just can't stomach the idea of eating yesterday's food. The solution? Take it from SavvySugar: Prepare foods that taste better the next day. For those of you who need a little convincing, here are five dishes that really do taste better the next day.

Greek Salad Two Ways — Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:00:09 -0700

A Greek salad is a dish every home cook should master: In Summer the hearty dish is a meal of its own! While a Greek salad traditionally has certain key ingredients, such as tomato, feta cheese, olives, and onions, the term can be used liberally, and you can experiment by adding Mediterranean elements like cucumbers, spinach, shrimp, lamb, etc.

To get you started, I've found two recipes. The first is perfect for someone who has limited time or patience in the kitchen; it simply requires chopping and tossing. The second salad toys with texture, employing gelatin to whip the feta into an airy mousse. Get both recipes when you

Fast & Easy Dinner: Roast Pork Salad

partysugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:15:44 -0700

Although chicken and fish are common salad ingredients, the other white meat, pork, is not the first protein that comes to mind when making a dinner salad. Cook outside the box with this scrumptious salad.

Thin slices of roasted pork are placed on a bed of greens. A quick dressing that combines pineapple juice with honey mustard and fresh ginger is drizzled over the top. To impress your family with this clever recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Grilled Eggplant Salad

partysugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:45:48 -0700

Although jarred roasted red peppers are readily available in grocery stores, I find the flavor of fresh roasted peppers superior to their supermarket counterparts. During the Summer, take advantage of the grill and char them over the fire. The grill will impart a subtle smokiness that is hard to mimic in mass produced variations. When combined with grilled eggplants, the peppers make a delicious and filling salad.

Packed with plenty of fresh herbs, this vegetarian dish is a wonderful way to use up the bounty of a Summer harvest. To look at the recipe,

Come Party With Me: Movie Club Meeting

partysugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:45:00 -0700

The foodie documentary King Corn will be shown at my movie club meeting, so the menu features a variety of vegetarian corn dishes. During the screening, let guests nibble on corn cakes and pizzettas with corn and zucchini.

After the movie is finished, invite everyone around the table for a light meal of cheddar corn chowder with an arugula fresh corn salad on the side. The soup can be kept warm during the movie, while the salad can be assembled in advance and dressed just before serving.

For these delicious recipes that highlight the sweet flavor of corn,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Seared Shrimp With Cucumber Salad

partysugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 06:45:37 -0700

Just because it's a weeknight doesn't mean you can't experiment with new flavors and ingredients. If you've never had hearts of palm, consider making this recipe tonight. With a smooth, firm texture and artichoke-like flavor, hearts of palm look like white asparagus but with no tips. While it's difficult to find hearts of palm fresh, the canned variation is readily available and simple to use.

In this delicious dish, the palm hearts are mixed with cooling cucumber. The salad is a base for spicy seared shrimp. To look at the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Antipasto Salad

partysugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:45:42 -0700

Packed with cheese, olives, and salumi, an antipasto platter is one of my favorite Italian appetizers. So imagine how excited I was when I discovered this recipe for an antipasto salad!!

Fresh balls of mozzarella mingle with salami, olives, and pepperoncini in this hearty, crunchy salad. Be sure to serve it with a chunk of ciabatta to sop up the vinegary dressing. A cold Italian white is also a lovely companion to this delicious dish.

For the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Steak Salad-Stuffed Pockets

partysugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 06:45:31 -0700

This recipe gives the classic steak sandwich a healthy makeover. Broiled steak is tossed with a crunchy cucumber-romaine salad before being stuffed into a whole wheat pita. A simple dressing made with mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil adds a fresh moistness to the sandwich. For a vegetarian variation, substitute mushroom caps for the steak. A great on-the-go meal, these pitas are perfect for those nights when there isn't time to sit at the table. To learn how to make it,

Perfect For Summer: Sesame Soy Cucumber Salad

YumSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Lately I've been on a huge cucumber kick. They're light and refreshing — perfect for a hot summer day.

I grew up eating this salad at my mother's table, and it's still one of my favorite dishes to start off a light meal. The flavor profile is tart, the texture crunchy, the combination so simple, yet so satisfying.

The best part? The longer you let it sit, the better it tastes. After you've made it once, try altering the ingredients to see what works better for you — cider vinegar or white vinegar, more or less soy sauce, and so forth. My favorite cucumbers to use are the Japanese variety, because they're so crisp and firm. When they aren't available, I substitute Persian cucumbers. To check out my mom's easy recipe,

Reader Recipe: Spinach Salad With Candied Walnuts

YumSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:15:03 -0700

Whether it's the overdone combination of gorgonzola and greens or the excessively fruity vinaigrette, I don't usually spring for spinach salads. However, when I saw Le Etiana's recipe, I was suddenly interested. Her dressing contains poppyseeds, which add extra texture. The cheese is a grated, mild Swiss, not the crumbled blue cheese I'm so tired of seeing in my salads. The candied walnuts add a subtle hint of roasted sweetness. Thanks to her appetizing recipe (and photo!) I think I'm ready to give spinach salads another chance. To see how she whipped up this healthy creation and check out the pictures of the beautiful table she served the salad on,

Come Party With Me: Waterpark Party — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:00:34 -0700

When planning a picnic, select dishes that taste better the next day. Look for recipes that are served cold or at room temperature, and that need time for the flavors to mix. For an afternoon at Waterworld USA, offer guests a delicious roasted shrimp and orzo salad. Flavored with scallions and fresh parsley, this salad is light but filling. A pressed sandwich stuffed with Italian ingredients like pesto and mozzarella is rustic and scrumptious. For a decadent treat, give each guest a take-out container full of homemade potato chips. To look at these picnic-perfect recipes,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Scallops With Pomegranate-Dressed Salad

partysugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 06:50:46 -0700

Brighten up your weeknight with this fresh, flavorful take on a seafood salad. Seared scallops are served on top of a bed of peppery arugula and creamy avocado.

The dressing is made with pomegranate molasses, but if you can't find it at your specialty market, honey makes a lovely substitute. This restaurant-quality meal is ready in a matter of minutes, so get the recipe now:

Fast & Easy Dinner: Grilled-Salmon Salad

partysugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:30:07 -0700

During the Summer, I try to consume as many dinner salads as possible. This grilled salmon salad, from the wonderful minds of MyRecipes.com, is healthy yet filling. The salmon is marinated in a fragrant spice rub before being quickly cooked on the grill. A tomato vinaigrette adds freshness while goat cheese provides a creamy texture. Pine nuts and green onions are a necessary crunch that balance out the buttery texture of the salmon. For the simple yet scrumptious recipe,

Seven Stunning Tomato Dishes

YumSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:30:13 -0700

For those of you who like tomatoes and know how to appreciate them, you know that tomato season is fleeting and oh-so-sweet. How to make the most of it? Here are seven different ways that come to mind . . .

Come Party With Me: Boy's Birthday — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:00:45 -0700

For a boy's birthday party on Alcatraz, pack a portable feast of special dishes that wouldn't normally be found in the common ten year olds lunch box. Keep things simple with easy to eat chicken salad pitas. On the side offer a pasta salad packed with salami and cheese and small bags of chips (let each boy select their favorite bag of chips). Don't forget to pack snacks in case they get hungry while on the tour. Cheese and crackers, crunchy trail mix, and homemade fruit roll ups are filling without being too sweet.
For these kid-friendly recipes,

How Well Can You Toss a Salad?

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:00:42 -0700

In case you weren't aware, National Salad Week begins this Friday.

Chances are, you've eaten a salad or two in your lifetime, but how much do you know about this lightly-dressed medley of cold vegetables?

See if you can match the iconic salad with its quintessential ingredients in our latest quiz!

Source

8 Great, Brown Bag-able Lunches

YumSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:30:34 -0700

The country's current economic downturn has many of you ditching restaurant lunches in favor of a brown bag from home. That's a good thing — but just because you're trying to save a few bucks doesn't mean you have to punish yourself with the same stale sandwich every day. Here are some meal ideas that you can pull together in as little time as it takes to wait in the lunch line.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Greek Melt

partysugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:45:56 -0700

Filled with Greek flavors, this delicious dinner is part salad, part pizza. A crisp pita is topped with sautéed spinach and roasted tomatoes. A creamy yogurt feta sauce, scented with fresh lemon juice, finishes off the open-faced dish.

Light yet hearty, this vegetarian meal is perfect for a hot night. Get the simple recipe when you

Fast & Easy Dinner: Mango Chicken Salad

partysugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:45:30 -0700

This exotic variation of chicken salad is the perfect summer meal. It's filling, cool, crunchy, and delicious.

The mango adds a fresh sweetness and lime juice provides a subtle tartness. Seasoned with turmeric and cayenne, this salad is slightly spicy. It's made with low-fat yogurt instead of mayonnaise so it's FitSugar friendly.

To look at the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Mediterranean Grain Salad

partysugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:45:13 -0700

A great staple to incorporate into your weekly diet is the grain quinoa. Like couscous, quinoa takes on the flavors of its surrounding ingredients. In this recipe, the quinoa is tossed with crunchy peppers, cool cucumbers, and salty olives. Although cheese is not one of the components, crumbled feta or goat cheese would be delicious stirred in with the vegetables. To experiment with quinoa tonight,

10 Fresh Takes on the Summer Salad

YumSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:30:43 -0700

In Summer, salads become a regular part of my diet, but I must admit that sometimes it's hard to get excited about eating the same Cobb salad, chicken Caesar, or any other garden variety (pun intended). That's why I've compiled ten Summer salads that are as original as they are satisfying. If you're looking for international influence, rustic classics, or an eclectic combination of flavors, look no further.

A Condiment Worth Making: Blue Cheese Dressing

partysugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:15:05 -0700

It may be old-fashioned, but I love a good wedge salad. With its crisp, cool lettuce and tangy, creamy dressing, the iceberg and blue cheese combination is incredibly comforting. While good bottled blue cheese dressings exist, there's nothing like the thick, rich homemade variation.

It's not only delicious in the wedge salad, but it's great on spinach salads, tasty as a dip with carrots or buffalo wings, and scrumptious slathered as a spread on steak sandwiches. To learn how to make this simple yet rewarding dressing,

Monday's Leftovers: Grilled Salmon Salad

partysugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:45:05 -0700

Leftover grilled salmon makes a scrumptious add in to a hearty salad. In this tasty recipe, the salad is served in a crunchy, edible tortilla bowl. A mix of fruits (mangoes, strawberries, and oranges) and vegetables (lettuce and avocado) are lightly tossed with a tarragon buttermilk dressing. No worries, if you don't have leftover salmon: start fresh and quickly grill it. To look at the must make recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Asian Noodle Salad With Eggplant

partysugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:30:35 -0700

This vegetarian pasta salad makes a great summer meal. It's packed with grilled veggies (eggplant, mushrooms, and green onions) and fresh flavors (lime and ginger). The balanced and healthy pasta comes together quickly and simply. Grilled chicken or steak would be excellent additions. To learn how to make it,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Chicken with Lemon Over Arugula

partysugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:45:27 -0700

When you're in a pinch and need to make a meal quickly, turn to this simple recipe. It's a delicious and healthy chicken dish that's cooked in the microwave. The seasoned chicken is coated with a light parsley white wine sauce. After being zapped, it's surprisingly moist and tender.

When served on top of a bed of greens it makes the perfect light Summer meal. For the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Fresh Tuna Salad with Avocado

partysugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:45:49 -0700

Give tuna salad a gourmet makeover by using fresh tuna instead of its canned counterpart. In this delicious dinner recipe, the tuna steak is seared in a fennel, black pepper infused olive oil. Grown up ingredients — capers, garlic, and black olives — are stirred into the mayonnaise based dressing.

Served in avocado halves, this salad is rewarding, sophisticated, and scrumptious. Look at the recipe when you

Would You Rather Eat Cole Slaw or Potato Salad?

YumSugar — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:30:11 -0700

As we get ready to feed on all sorts of Fourth of July goodness, I want to know which of these picnic sides you would pick.Source and Source

Would You Rather Eat Cole Slaw or Potato Salad?

Cole slaw

Potato salad

Neither — I'd rather have ____________. (Tell me below.)

Fast & Easy Dinner: Turkey Taco Salad

partysugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:45:38 -0700

Taco salad is one of my guilty pleasure foods. When I'm alone at my parents' house, I like to make a large one and enjoy it for several meals.

This divine variation features ground turkey mixed with a store made salsa. The recipe calls for zucchini and bell pepper, but if you prefer eggplant and squash, use those instead.

To make a vegetarian version replace the ground turkey with canned beans. Sound tasty? Get the recipe:

Yummy Links: From Watermelon Salad to Vending Machine Pizza

partysugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:00:38 -0700

Watermelon, goat cheese, greens, and balsamic vinegar come together to make the Summer's prettiest salad. — The Recipe Girl
Interested in trying a new wine? Here are 25 bottles under $25 that are worth sipping now. — Forbes
Meet the world's largest six pack of beer. — So Good
Learn how to use leftovers as ingredients in delicious new dishes.— iVillage
An Arnold Palmer is refreshing on a hot Summer day. — Baking Bites
Picnic perfect: Barefoot Contessa's Caesar Salad Club Sandwich. — Noble Pig
Lighten up with these five delicious treats that are under 250 calories. — FitSugar
Would you purchase piping hot pizza from a vending machine? — Slashfood

Source

Come Party With Me: Fourth of July — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:45:42 -0700

Since the Fourth of July is a holiday that celebrates all things American, serve a delicious meal of classic American dishes. Start things off with a tex mex favorite: guacamole and chips. Set up a burger bar with an assortment of cheeses, vegetables, and condiments. Invite guests to assemble a burger to their own liking.

Maple glazed baked beans are a sweet and smoky side, while watermelon and arugula salad is a cool and refreshing alternative. To learn how to make these delightfully patriotic dishes,

A Snappy Summer Side: Strawberry Mint Salad

YumSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:01:48 -0700

After enjoying a pizza topped with strawberries, mint, and feta, I've been looking for other creative ways to eat my favorite Summer fruit. The other night, when I needed a side salad to go with eggplant parmesan, I borrowed the berry, mint, and feta combo and added sugar snap peas, which are almost as delicious as strawberries right now. To contrast the delicate flavors, I used slivered almonds and a garlicky, almond-infused balsamic dressing. I was afraid the results might be too sweet, but the salad was well-balanced: light and summery but also bold. With the feta cheese, it's an excellent starter to serve before an Italian or Mediterranean meal. To get the recipe,

Come Party With Me: Summer Solstice — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 07:45:35 -0700

Fresh Italian flavors inspire my Summer solstice dinner party menu. To maximize time spent with guests, all of the food can be made in advance or cooked outdoors on the grill. A buffet of salumi, flatbreads, olives, and store bought spreads will await my guests.

When sliced into triangles grilled mozzarella panini are delightful appetizers. Chicken cooked under a brick is crispy yet succulent. Classic panzanella and balsamic potato salad are delicious served on the side. If these recipes sound tasty, get them now when you

Fast & Easy Dinner: Caesar Salad with Spicy Shrimp

partysugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:45:42 -0700

No matter how many times I've eaten it, I never tire of Caesar salad. As much as I love the classic chicken version, an updated variation is excitingly delicious. This recipe re-invents the salad by substituting shrimp for chicken and tortilla crisps for croutons. Tart lime juice freshens up the typical parmesan anchovy dressing. The final salad is cool, crunchy, and spicy. To experiment with this splendid salad

Monday's Leftovers: Chicken Salad with Cumin Carrot Raita

partysugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:45:12 -0700

Making chicken salad is a classic way to use up leftover grilled chicken. However, when the leftover chicken happens to be tandoori style grilled chicken, the chicken salad is anything but ordinary.

This recipe combines the moist meat with cumin, radishes, and carrots. There's no mayonnaise involved, instead the base of the sauce is whole milk yogurt.

To check out the recipe — which is tasty inside warmed pita bread —

Mango Caprese Salad

YumSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 15:00:08 -0700

Every day when I water my small herb garden, I get a whiff of fresh basil. My first thoughts always go to one of my favorite summertime dishes: caprese salad! However, the tomatoes I've picked up lately are rather disappointing. Luckily, I stumbled across this recipe that puts a new twist on the classic caprese. It's made with mangoes instead of tomatoes.
This salad is a simple mix of mango, mozzarella, and radicchio all tossed with a basil vinaigrette. The sweetness of the mangoes balance out the bitterness of the radicchio creating a combination that is satisfying in both taste and texture. Rather than use the traditional presentation of thin layered slices, I chose a more rustic approach with bite-sized mango and pearl-like mozzarella. To learn how to make this updated classic, please

Yummy Links: From Animal Crackers to the Gourmet Next Door

partysugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:00:02 -0700

Williams-Sonoma recently released circus cookie cutters and Erin made the most adorable cookies. — Erin Cooks
Nobody likes a uni-task kitchen gadget so learn how to use your common appliances in uncommon ways. — Chow
Move over Magnolia: these cupcakes are giving the original cupcake bakery a run for its money. — Grub Street
Speaking of cupcakes, one of the pioneers in the cupcake blog world, Cheryl of the Cupcake Bakeshop, is closing shop. — Slashfood
Once you know the technique for making a salad you can create delicious variations without a recipe. — The Kitchn
Meet SoGreen frozen yogurt, San Francisco's answer to Pinkberry. — FitSugar
Many of you are wondering what happened to Amy Finley, winner of last year's The Next Food Network Star. Wonder no more: she's left the network and moved to France! — Food Network Addict
Source

Come Party With Me: Graduation — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:45:33 -0700

Since my cousin's graduation party is an informal, open house, we'll be serving crowd-pleasing, comforting dishes. The party should be all about the graduate, so choose an easy, Italian menu that will appeal to an 8th grader and her friends.

Pizza squares make an excellent appetizer because no forks are necessary. For the main course, set up a pasta bar: make a huge batch of pasta and invite guests to choose from three — pesto, tomato, or gorgonzola — pasta sauces. The classic Caesar salad side gets a contemporary update when made with spinach instead of romaine lettuce.

To look at these delicious recipes,