yumsugar -- To die for.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Bulgur With Leeks and Swiss Chard

partysugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 10:15:31 -0800

Bulgur, the grain common to tabouleh, makes a scrumptious staple in this quick vegan recipe. Leafy green Swiss chard provides nutrients, while mushrooms add an earthy heartiness to the one-pot dish. Although the recipe is simple, the flavors are rich and filling. Pair with a glass of red wine and some cheese for a luxurious weeknight meal. To look at the recipe,

Come Party With Me: Tree Trimming — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:30:09 -0800

The best dessert for a holiday cocktail party? Something indulgent and chocolatey that can be made in advance.

This brownie recipe is perfect because it incorporates the festive flavor of mint and can be made the night before a party. To make the celebration even more sweet, I'll fill bowls with red and green M&Ms.

For the brownie recipe,

'Wich of the Week: Eggplant Grilled Cheese

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:30:57 -0800

When dealing with Thanksgiving leftovers, sandwiches are an obvious choice — and believe me, I consumed my fair share of turkey and stuffing on wheat bread last week. But in a more unexpected repurposing, I also used the breadcrumb mixture leftover from my New Orleans-style baked oyster dish to make this twist on a grilled cheese.

In this case, the "bread" is actually sliced eggplant coated with breadcrumbs, and the cheese is provolone (though mozzarella would also be good with a marinara dipping sauce on the side). I can't say this recipe is any healthier than a typical grilled cheese, since the bread crumb mixture is made with butter, but it is a creative take on a classic for all you grilled cheese fans.

What's cool is that the golden-browned breadcrumbs take on both the look and flavor of grilled, buttered bread, and the skins of the eggplant slices resemble bread crust. The breadcrumb mixture is easy to make, even for a weeknight supper. To get the recipe and step-by-step photos,

What's Your Favorite Online Recipe Resource of 2008?

partysugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:15:04 -0800

I'm not afraid to admit it: I love reading recipes and I love reading them online. The internet is a wonderful resource for recipes, and I often find myself searching several websites until I find the perfect one. My computer is even dirtied like a cookbook with sauce splatters and food smudges. Since you read this website, I'm assuming you browse the web for recipes, too. Besides YumSugar and in honor of the Best of 2008 coverage, I want to know: Where do you like to read recipes online?Source

Delilicious: Countdown to Christmas Pasta

partysugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:10:09 -0800

Delilicious: Countdown to Christmas Pasta Red and green scream Christmas so deck your children's dinner plates out in the festive colors for an edible holiday countdown. After a long day at the mall or out building snowmen, this flavorful pasta dish requires just a handful of ingredients and it's easy on the budget (more money for gifts!) and simple enough to enlist your lil elves in the preparations.

Perfect Holiday Appetizer: Ham and Cheese Thumbprints

partysugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:17:29 -0800

I love recipes that take simple, classic ingredients — in this case ham and cheese — and recreate them into something sophisticated and elegant. This recipe also uses a technique normally reserved for sweets (jam-filled thumbprint cookies) and applies it to savory components. The end result is an appetizer that is scrumptious, innovative, and delightfully balanced. It's crisp on the outside, light and puffy on the inside, delicately cheesy, and subtly porky. Don't be intimidated by the dough, it's incredibly easy to make. I opted not to pipe mine and instead made circular mounds. Once you have the mastered the procedure, the recipe is highly versatile. I plan on experimenting with several variations: substituting herbs for the ham and pepper jack cheese for the gruyere. To look at the basic recipe,

Delilicious: Countdown to Christmas Pasta

lilsugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:00:00 -0800

Red and green scream Christmas so deck your children's dinner plates out in the festive colors for an edible holiday countdown. After a long day at the mall or out building snowmen, this flavorful pasta dish requires just a handful of ingredients and it's easy on the budget (more money for gifts!) and simple enough to enlist your lil elves in the preparations.

Simmer a sauté pan of San Marzano tomato sauce and pour it over numerical pasta, then top with grated Parmesan cheese. Mix mealtime with pleasure by asking your tots to find the numbers of days until Santa comes in their pasta! If you don't celebrate Christmas, you can pour the same sauce over any number of seasonal shaped pastas or just skip the game portion.

To get this kid-friendly recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Warm Winter Salad

partysugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:45:25 -0800

Jam-packed with crisp vegetables and poached chicken, this salad is a healthy, filling meal in itself. The dressing calls for sherry vinegar, but if you don't have it in your pantry simply use white wine vinegar.

To toast the walnuts, cook in a small skillet over medium-low heat until they are fragrant and lightly browned.

Check out the recipe and

Chocolate Gingerbread Two Ways — Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:00:56 -0800

If you're looking to wow a crowd, a decadent chocolate dessert will never disappoint. And 'round this time of year, gingerbread is the fastest way to touch the holiday spirit. Why not combine the two and make a chocolate gingerbread cake? Gift these basic and satisfying chocolate gingerbread bars, or pull out a showstopping gingerbread cake that's topped with chocolate ganache and crystallized ginger. Either way, you're sure to bring loads of merriment and joy. To see both recipes,

Come Party With Me: Tree Trimming — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:41:43 -0800

I've invited some friends over this Friday for a holiday cocktail party. Since everyone (including moi!) will be attending a jewelry sample sale before, the snacks must be prepared in advance. Crostini with lentil and green olive spread can be made the night before the party. My dad will bake the brie with mango chutney twenty minutes before we arrive, so it's warm and gooey the second we walk in the door. A smoked salmon platter with dill sour cream waits chilled in the fridge and mini beef slider patties cook quickly.

To look at these recipes, which would be awesome for any holiday event,