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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,

'Wich of the Week: Fall Gouda-ness Grilled Cheese

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:00:39 -0700

When the produce bins brim with Fall bounty, I love to swap out the tomatoes on my sammies for sliced apple. Together with melted cheese, the slightly sweet, slightly tart fruit makes for a hearty autumnal meal.

Though apple and cheddar is always a safe bet, last night I whipped up a grilled ham and cheese with one of my favorite indulgences: smoked gouda. With the condiments, I created two versions: one with just sweet mustard and another with mustard and Branston Pickle relish. I actually preferred the robust, saltier sandwich with the Branston, but if you don't like (or can't find) this popular British spread, sweet mustard will do just fine. For vegetarians, just subtract the ham. To get the recipe and see how I made it,

Noteworthy Nibbles —Oct. 7-13, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:00:12 -0700

It's the middle of Fall, and the festivities are bigger than ever. From Spencer, WV, to San Francisco, there's something for everyone, whether you've got a craving for candy or a hankering for ham. Know of something we've left out? Please feel free to add your comments below!

New York, NY: Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival — Oct. 9-12
Denver, CO: The Celebrity Chef Tour Denver — Oct. 9
Denver, CO: Great American Beer Festival — Oct. 9-11
Spencer, WV: West Virginia Black Walnut Festival — Oct. 9-12
San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Magazine's Fallfest 2008 — Oct. 9-12

To see the rest,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Penne With Butternut Squash

partysugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:45:17 -0700

Fall produce week continues, and today's featured ingredient is the beloved butternut squash. Although it has a thick skin, squash flesh roasts in a high-heat oven in less than 20 minutes.

Tossed with pasta, sage, and a creamy mascarpone sauce, this dish is decadent and delicious. If you are a vegetarian, simply omit the ham.

Look at this luxurious recipe when you

'Wich of the Week: Ham and Swiss on Dutch Crunch

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:15:09 -0700

San Francisco's Roxie Food Center is an unassuming corner store, located on an unlikely residential block, that's rumored to have remarkable sandwiches. I've been meaning to try it for months, so a few weeks ago I made a special trip just to get my jaws around one these sammies.

Though the store has all the usual varieties of bread and cold cuts, I'd heard great things about the Dutch crunch rolls, which are topped with a sugary, salty crust. The mere thought of the salty-sweet bread combined with jalapeños and pickles made my mouth water, so I ordered a ham and swiss sandwich, dressed with everything and warmed in the oven. For the rest of my Roxie sandwich adventure,

Cubano Quesadillas

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:15:18 -0700

During the hot Summer, I hate to be indoors. Browsing through Everyday Food: Great Food Fast, I found the perfect recipe to escape my toasty kitchen, Cubano Quesadillas. The recipe requires a minimum amount of preparation and everything is cooked on the grill! Traditionally, Cubano sandwiches consist of glazed ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, spicy mustard, and dill pickles served on Cuban bread. This recipe combines these delicious ingredients and contrasting flavors. They're topped with sweet, grilled red onions and sandwiched between two crisp tortillas. To learn how to make these fast and easy quesadillas,

'Wich of the Week: Monte Cristo

YumSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:00:26 -0700

If there were any doubts about my intense love for sandwiches, this post should put them to rest, because I consumed this Monte Cristo at Canter's Deli in Los Angeles a mere three hours after eating an enormous French Dip at Philippe's. Hey, I was only in town for a few days, and there were many iconic sandwiches to be consumed!

Like the French Dip, the Monte Cristo was invented in Southern California. Traditionally, a Monte Cristo is made with bread dipped in egg — essentially, French toast — and filled with ham, turkey, and swiss cheese. The sweet, salty delight is then topped with powdered sugar and strawberry preserves. For more history and a recipe for the Monte Cristo,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Ham and Pineapple Fried Rice

partysugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:33:33 -0700

During the busy work week, it's easy to get caught in a cooking rut. If your meals have become monotonous, consider making this ham and pineapple rice dish.

Far from dull, the fresh flavors of sweet pineapple and spicy jalapeño are combined to make one incredibly exciting dinner. To entice your family with this recipe,

'Wich of the Week: Easter Ham Slider

YumSugar — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:20:19 -0700

One of my favorite things about major holiday feasts is getting to make sandwiches with the leftovers. But while the post-Thanksgiving sandwich is probably the most popular, I think Easter is underrated in this regard. So for this 'Wich of the Week, I thought I'd do something a bit different and show you how I transformed my Easter ham and side dishes into a sandwich.

This probably isn't a sandwich you'd make from scratch — the individual components are fairly time intensive — but it would be delicious if you did. Or, you can easily re-create the meal and use the leftovers to make your own sandwich. To see how the meal became a sandwich, and to get the recipes,

Would You Rather Eat Ham or Lamb for Easter Dinner?

partysugar — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:28:51 -0700

Source

Would You Rather Eat Ham or Lamb for Easter Dinner?

Ham, to me Easter is always about ham.

Lamb, it's delicious and flavorful.

Neither, I prefer _______ (fill in the blank below).

Since I'm a vegetarian I'll be eating ______ (fill in the blank below).

I don't celebrate Easter.

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:03:55 -0700

Yesterday I suggested you use leftover ham to make a tasty frittata. You could also make the classic sandwich that is pictured below, Besides thinly sliced ham, other ingredients in this scrumptious 'wich include pork, swiss cheese, and pickles.

Monday's Leftovers: Ham, Gruyere and Caramelized Onion Frittata

partysugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:13:31 -0700

Leftover ham pairs great with eggs. An elegant way to serve eggs for dinner is in the form of a frittata. Besides ham, this hearty frittata is filled with potatoes, cheese, and caramelized onions. A generous sprinkle of finely grated parmesan cheese adds a rich finish to the baked frittata. With a glass of chilled white wine and a crisp green salad, you can have a wonderful meal in no time. Take a look at the recipe when you

Sunday Dinner: Ginger-Aled Ham

partysugar — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 01:28:51 -0700

Nothing says Easter dinner more than a delicious baked ham. There are many liquids that you could glaze an Easter ham with — whiskey, coke, orange juice, etc. — but this recipe uses ginger ale. Isn't it a fun name? I want to make this ham because Ginger-Aled Ham sounds so delicious. Not to mention that brown sugar and mustard enhance the glaze resulting in a ham that is succulent and delicious. To get the recipe,

Introducing the iHam

YumSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:21:51 -0800

I like to think that I keep abreast of new technology. After all, I've got an iPhone, use iPhoto, and iTunes; however, I am ashamed to say that I do not have an iHam (or iJam if you're in Spain).

In what is clearly a spoof of the Apple iLife, the iHam 5Js promises to revolutionize the world of design and entertainment. Not to mention diet and happiness. And if ham is not your thing, don't worry there's iLoin — now with a sleeker 23-inch design — and the iHam Nano (presliced pieces of ham, for those who cannot handle the whole leg). Also, if you're wondering what to do with your iHam, don't fret, there are many peripherals — iBread, iCocktail Stick, and iKnife to name a few — that will help you further enjoy your iHam.

If you're still confused about it all then check out the guided tour video. To do so, just

Soup's On: Lentil Soup

partysugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:48:31 -0800

The other day, when I asked my sister what kind of soup she wanted for dinner, she quickly replied lentil. I researched some recipes and started chopping vegetables. Later when we sat down to dinner I realized she was only kidding! Luckily the soup was hearty and delicious and my entire family enjoyed it. The original recipe has you puree the soup, but I left it chunky for texture. The croutons add a nice crunch, but don't directly affect the flavor of the soup. Paired with a green salad and a glass of red wine, this is one excellent Winter meal. To see how I made it,

What Would You Make?

partysugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:03:31 -0800

Here's the scenario: you are at home and hungry for food. You have to cook up something scrumptious for you and your boyfriend/girlfriend/ spouse/child/friend, but the ingredients you have on hand are limited.

You have cooked ham, a package of frozen pre-made dough, and fresh spinach. Using these products, along with whatever you currently have on hand in your cupboard and refrigerator, what would you make?

To see what I would make,

Kitchen Experiments: Baked Egg in a Ham Shell

YumSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:03:38 -0800

Earlier this week, I wanted a simple, yet hearty breakfast. I knew I had some eggs and ham, but I didn't have a lot of time. I had to get ready for work, but also wanted something yummy. That's when I remembered baked eggs. Baked eggs are great because you can pop them in the oven, get ready for work, and have a warm breakfast before you leave.

I was originally going to have a simple egg, but then thought about lining a ramekin with ham in order to make a self-contained meal. Next I decided to toss in some tomatoes sautéed in garlic. To find out how it all turned out and get the recipe I used,

Come Party With Me: Potluck — Menu

partysugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 10:18:31 -0800

After New Year's, the last thing I feel like doing is planning another huge party. However, I want to get all of my friends together for a family style dinner, so I've decided to do a potluck. Hosting a potluck is a no-fuss way to throw a party. Start by downloading and filling in our potluck invite. Ask or assign guests to bring a side, salad, pasta, appetizer, or dessert. If one friend loves to bake, ask her to bring a dessert. Likewise, if another friend is plagued with chronic lateness, don't appoint him an appetizer.

As the hostess you should supply the main dish. A delicious citrus glazed ham will feed a crowd and is simple to make. Also, make an appetizer so when guests arrive they have something to nibble on. Little mushroom tarts are bite sized pastries that will have your guests licking their fingers. For these recipes please,

YumSugar Gift Guide: Formidable Food Snobs

YumSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:18:31 -0800

If you're worried about what to get those food know-it-alls on your shopping list, then fear no more. if the foodie in your life is constantly spouting off information, then test their knowledge by getting them the Food Lover's Trivia Game. If they don't yet know everything, then get them a copy of the Food Snob's Dictionary. This way they'll be able to wow and impress everyone with food facts and terminology. If you'd rather get them something edible, try these conserves from June Taylor. Or, go crazy and splurge completely by treating them to entire Serrano Ham, complete with stand! For more choices, scroll through below.

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 16:27:11 -0700

Yesterday's fast and easy dinner recipe was for a tasty ham, cheese, and egg sandwich. The sandwich pictured below is similar, but without the fried egg. It's a classic French bistro style sandwich, do you know what it's called??

Fast & Easy Dinner: Greens, Eggs, & Ham Sandwich

partysugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:18:51 -0700

I hate how people typically see eggs as a breakfast only food. Eggs can be cooked into many different forms, so why limit them to a certain time of day? I propose an elegant egg sandwich for tonight's dinner. This open faced mealwich is piled high on a thick slice of whole grain bread and you can easily modify the fixings to suit your tastebuds. If you don't like ham and swiss cheese, substitute turkey and cheddar. If you are a vegetarian remove the ham and replace it with chunky pieces of tomato. For the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Tomatoes Stuffed With Spinach & Ham

partysugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 09:01:37 -0700

Tomatoes make a great edible vessel for a variety of fillings. For tonight's dinner, I propose a rich and indulgent stuffing in the form of creamy spinach, cheese, and ham. When baked in the oven, the tomatoes explode with juiciness, and the inside oozes into a wonderful taste sensation. Salute the weekend with crusty French bread for dipping and a glass of sparkling wine. To make this delicious dish tonight all you need is the recipe — and the groceries of course! — so

Definition: Jamon Serrano

partysugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:01:31 -0700

Jamon Serrano

Pronounced ha-mon ser-an-no.
Spain's most famous ham is generally served in slices cut fresh from the pig leg. Similar to Italy's proscuitto, it is dry cured and considered a delicacy. The most expensive is known as pata negra and comes from a free range pig with a black hoof. Serrano Ham — as it is usually called — can be found in most major grocery stores in the US. It is often sold pre-sliced.

Image Source

Would You Pay $2100 For A Ham?

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 08:57:32 -0700

Yep, you read that title correctly. I didn't forget a decimal point, that does indeed read twenty-one hundred dollars. Or, if you prefer, $160 per pound.

The salt-cured Spanish 2006 Alba Quercus Reserve ham won't be available until 2008, but you can put your $250 deposit on it now. Producer Manuel Maldonado — whose family has been in the business for four generations — has taken the art of ham to the next level by pampering his pigs with a free-range life and high-quality acorn feed. He then cures the meat for two years, instead of the standard one.

Originally Maldonado had hoped to have a batch available for this year's holiday season, however the 2005 ham didn't live up to his standards. Next year he hopes to have 80 to 100 legs available for purchase. If you think the price is too extraordinary, Maldonado would like to remind you that:

"A ham like this can be shared among 20 people, he notes, whereas a bottle of the finest wine going for the same amount goes down quickly among just a few."

It's a really great point, but I still don't know if I could ever justify spending $2100 on a ham leg. However, you know I won't turn down the opportunity to taste such a fine product! Just looking at this picture is making me drool!

How about you? Would you spend this much on a ham?

Source: Yahoo News

Take It Easy: Make Calzones For Dinner In 20 Minutes

partysugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 10:01:18 -0700

After the long week, who wants to jump right into the kitchen and cook? To lessen the stress of a hard week, make a super easy calzone for dinner. Store bought pizza dough makes it a perfect quick fox meal for a busy weeknight. Serve the calzones, which are filled with a quick spinach, cheese, and ham mixture, with warmed bottled marinara dipping sauce. Stock your freezer with frozen spinach and canned pizza dough crust and you'll be able to whip this up for you and the hubby any hectic time. I can't wait to make this for dinner tonight and if you can't either get the recipe, just

What's For Dinner? Easy Peasy Pizza!

partysugar — Fri, 18 May 2007 08:57:31 -0700

You all know how much I love pizza: in every shape, form, and flavor! Making homemade pizza does not have to be an elaborate production, with a little help from the grocery store you can have delicious crisp melt in your mouth pizza quicker than delivery. I know it's Friday and the last thing you feel like doing after a long week of hectic work is making dinner, but this is so fast, so simple, and so tasty that it really is a wonderful choice for tonight's dinner. The recipe calls for chopped green pepper but feel free to substitute your favorite vegetable: roasted red peppers, chopped tomatoes, or sliced mushrooms. Likewise use premade pizza dough if you're not a fan of pita. For the recipe,

Come Party With Me: Easter - Menu (Dinner, Main Course)

partysugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:54:19 -0700

Today I'm all about Easter menus. This morning I gave you all a brunch menu for Easter Sunday, and this afternoon, I'm solving all of your dinner menu planning problems. Start with deviled eggs and spring pea soup, continue with a ginger ale glazed ham (I've heard of hams being glazed in coke, beer, and jam but never ginger ale, so I'm super excited to give this ham a try), potato, leek, and artichoke gratin (you know I'm crazy about gratins), and classic creamed spinach side. To check out all the recipes,

Monday's Leftovers: Healthy Ham Quiche

YumSugar — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 08:58:12 -0800

Alright, so you went and made a great big ham, now what? Ham sandwiches for the rest of the week? Personally that doesn't sound like such a bad idea, a little mustard, aged cheddar and some artisan bread, mmm... and yet I know that not everyone is keen on sandwiches every night, so why not try a great and healthy ham quiche? To check out the recipe,

Sunday Dinner: Ham with Bourbon and Coca-Cola

YumSugar — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:11:08 -0800

When I was younger, ham was usually something reserved for Christmas or Easter. Occasionally, my parents would make one at some other time of the year, and I always found it to be a tasty treat. In fact, I love it so much, I say we have it any time of the year! A nice juicy ham definitely takes a little time, but it's actually quite simple, you just have to be committed. To check out PartySugar's favorite ham recipe (which involves bourbon & Coca-cola and will go great with her Champagne Risotto),