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Noteworthy Nibbles — Sept. 23-29, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:00:54 -0700

This week, spice up your free time with the chili cook-offs that are setting the country aflame. Whether you're looking for an epicurean adventure at the Bellagio, or something more along the lines of a back-country roadkill cook-off, you're in luck. Check out what's going on in your neck of the woods this week, and let us know if we've left anything off the list!

Sante Fe, NM: Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta — Sept. 24-28
Las Vegas, NV: Gourmet's Taste of Bellagio — Sept. 25
New York, NY: Joy of Sake New York — Sept. 25
Providence, RI: Food for Thought — Sept. 25
London, KY: World Chicken Festival — Sept. 25-28

To see the rest,

Reader Recipe: Honey Glacée

YumSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:00:57 -0700

The other day I was browsing the recipes on TeamSugar and this one by VirginSin caught my eye: Was it a breakfast item, a snack, or a dessert? I think the answer is all of the above! These bite-sized treats — a combination of cornflakes, honey, and peanuts — are served in paper cups making them a tasty, portion-controlled indulgence. The recipe calls for a few ingredients, all of which most likely already exist in your kitchen.

To make your own version,

Monday's Leftovers: Pork Tenderloin with Ancho Chile Sauce

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:45:21 -0700

If you're into bold meals, then this recipe won't bore you. The anchos, paprika, cumin, and coriander will bring earthy, spicy flavors into the mix. The coconut milk-based sauce mellows the heat.

If you can't locate anchos, which are dried poblano peppers, you can substitute ancho chile powder (not to be confused with chili powder, which is a mix of different spices). To enjoy this succulent pork,

Monday's Leftovers: Peanut Tofu Wrap

YumSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:45:21 -0700

If you need a healthy, on-the-go lunch for the start of the week, use leftover grilled tofu to make a portable peanut wrap. The recipe only makes one serving, so if you are planning on making it for the whole family, you will need to adjust your measurements accordingly. To get this delicious recipe, which takes only 10 minutes to make,

Would You Rather Eat Peanuts or Cracker Jacks?

YumSugar — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:30:25 -0700

Celebrating America's birthday got me thinking about America's pastime, and unfortunately, that means that "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is stuck in my head. Though the lyric demands peanuts and Cracker Jacks, which one would you pick if forced to choose?Source and Source

Would You Rather Eat Peanuts or Cracker Jacks?

Peanuts

Cracker Jacks

Neither — I get ____________ at the ballpark. (Fill in the blank below.)

Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies

YumSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:15:37 -0700

Recently, I was treated to a box of Bouchon Bakery goodies with a gigantic Nutter Butter cookie in the box. Everyone knows the famous peanut-stamped cookie with peanut-butter-cream filling from their childhood, and this homemade version was delightfully gourmet. While I remember that Nutter Butters were delicious, these cookies, made by culinary legend Thomas Keller, were absolutely heavenly!
After a quick search, I came across the exact recipe and decided to experiment with my own Nutter Butter cookies. The recipe is easy, but requires time and patience. However, anything with this much butter is worth the wait! To learn how to bake these creamy, crunchy, and peanut buttery cookies,

Yummy Link: Candied Peanuts

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:01:33 -0700

If you only learn one party snack recipe, you might as well make it these killer candied peanuts. — David Lebovitz

Fast & Easy Dinner: Butternut Squash with Couscous

partysugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:45:31 -0800

I hate to say it, but pretty soon the peak season for butternut squash will be over. Butternut squash are best from early Fall to Winter, and although Spring means a plethora of appetizing vegetables, it's sad to see the squash go. To make the most of it while we can, serve a curried version of the veggie tonight. It's a delicious meal atop couscous, flavored with peanuts and chutney. This recipe is perfect for the vegetarian in your life, so get it now and

Heart-Shaped Peanuts for Valentine's Day

YumSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:59:33 -0800

Now, I don't know if this is true or just an anomaly caught on film, but according to Wenn, a farmer in China has decided to grow heart-shaped peanuts. If these things really exist, they'll be perfect for Valentine's Day. Could you imagine getting a packet of these? They'd be a great alternative to chocolates. I'd like to think that they're real and that we'll see them on the shelves eventually. However, something tells me it's just this one freak peanut; either way it's a cute treat for Valentine's Day.

For another pic,

Good-Bye Cupcakes, Hello French Macaroons!

partysugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:01:39 -0800

Ever since Fab's party on Saturday night, I can't stop thinking about French macaroons! They are the perfect dessert because —like cupcakes — they come in a ton of different flavors. They are also small, incredibly cute, and colorful. I've added French macaroons to my list of cookies to bake for the holidays, but instead of doing the classic almond variety, I'm planning on making these peanut-chocolate macaroons. To get the recipe for this scrumptiously, pretty cookie,

TV Dinners: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:11:33 -0800

As a child, one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving — besides the turkey, pie, and Macy's parade — was the annual viewing of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. I love the way that Snoopy and the gang had their own Thanksgiving without adults. Even though Peppermint Patty freaks out over the lack of turkey and pumpkin pie, I always thought it looked like a lot of fun. What child wouldn't want a a smorgasbord of treats — two pieces of buttered toast, pretzel sticks, popcorn, and jelly beans — while sitting around ping-pong table? Looking back on it now, I see part of the message is that it doesn't matter what you're eating, as long as it was made with love. So despite how your feast turns out — be it fantastic or forgettable — remember to take a deep breath and enjoy the day.

To see a clip of Snoopy and the gang prepping for their Thanksgiving feast,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Spicy Peanut Chicken

partysugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:00:36 -0700

Peanut chicken is one of my favorite dishes to order out. There is something about the sweet, syrup-like sauce and the crunchy, salty peanuts that makes an exciting and delicious combination. However, you don't have to go out to an expensive restaurant to enjoy this dish. This recipe for spicy peanut chicken is surprisingly easy to cook and incorporates everyday supermarket ingredients. Serve with white rice and cold sake for a restaurant-quality dinner at home! Take a peek at the recipe when you

A Cure To Peanut Allergies?

partysugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:03:31 -0700

A few weeks ago, Yum and I were discussing peanut allergies. The allergy - which leaves many unable to consume the childhood staple of peanut butter & jelly sandwiches - affects thousands of schools, children, and families . Even the smallest amount of peanut oil can cause severe reactions. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a magical way to cure peanut allergies? He's no magician, but Mohamed Ahmedna, a food science professor may have discovered an enzyme that will reduce the effect of peanut allergies. The enzyme locates the peanut allergies in the body and deactivates them before any shock reactions can form.

If additional research confirms Ahmedna's findings, more people, many of them young children, will be able to eat peanuts and peanut-containing products safely. Food processors will be able to use peanuts more freely. New peanut-based products could be created.

While there is very positive hope that the peanut-allergy fighting enzymes will be mass marketed and produced, Ahmedna's findings have yet to be reviewed by the scientific community. Once the enzyme has been patented, the studies will be released.

Do you know anyone with a peanut allergy? Pass the positive news along!

Source: New's Record
Image Source

Cheers To Peanuts

partysugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 03:00:11 -0700

On today's date in 1965, the characters of the popular cartoon comic strip, Peanuts, were on the cover of Time magazine. Peanuts was arguably the most popular of comic strips, and created solely by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. The year before the Peanuts gang graced the cover of the magazine, Schulz created one of television's most beloved specials, A Charlie Brown Christmas. In the Peanuts comic strip, when Charlie Brown's sister Sally was born, the characters celebrated by enjoying a round of chocolate cigars. Revisit Charlie, Peppermint Patti, and friends by enjoying a box of delicious chocolate cigars today. Oh and if anybody remembers Charlie Brown's favorite food, please tell me what it is, I've been going crazy trying to figure it out...

Also, in a semi-related note: Peanuts, the edible legume, are the most common food allergy in children and are found in many shapes and forms as a groundnut, eaten plain or roasted, in salted and unsalted varieties, as peanut butter and peanut oil.