yumsugar -- To die for.

All the News That's Fit to Eat — Oct. 1, 2008

YumSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0700

Early autumn is a perfect time to try some of Italy's most charming reds. — Boston Globe

Satisfy the football fans

Los Angeles Times

Why Tom Colicchio's newest restaurant concept is sure to be one of the toughest reservations in town. — Diner's Journal
Top choices and worst picks for sustainable seafood found on sushi menus. — San Francisco Chronicle
Enter the fascinating realm of faux food. — Chicago Tribune
Meet Jen Lin-Liu, one of America's experts on Chinese cuisine. — Washington Post
The time is ripe for enjoying green tomatoes. — The Oregonian
Why a rice cooker ought to be standard equipment in your kitchen. — New York Times

Source

What Kind of Soy Sauce Do You Use?

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:15:33 -0700

Last time I went out for sushi, I debated over whether to use regular or reduced-sodium soy sauce. Reduced-sodium soy sauce is the condiment of choice for those who are watching sodium intake, as too much sodium can result in high blood pressure. Regular soy sauce, while definitely saltier, has more flavor, in my opinion. Ultimately, I opted for regular, but this prompted me to wonder what most people tend to use in their kitchens.

What Kind of Soy Sauce Do You Use?

I prefer to eat and cook with regular soy sauce.

I opt for reduced-sodium soy sauce when dining and cooking.

Either is fine with me — it doesn't matter.

I don't cook or eat with soy sauce.

Name That Dish!

YumSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:15:00 -0700

Do you know what this popular vegetable maki sushi is called?

How to Make a Chopstick Rest

YumSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:30:45 -0700

When my cousin and I went for sushi, we were seated at a tiny table with a wobbly leg that left my chopsticks rolling around. That is, until he showed me how to make a rest for my chopsticks out of the wrapper. Now I'm passing along my knowledge of what might just be the world's most functional origami piece. Read on to make your own.

Will the Real Red Snapper Please Stand Up?

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:15:23 -0700

A recent study conducted by two New York City high-school students shows that fish is commonly misnamed. When 60 fish samples from four sushi restaurants and 10 supermarkets were inspected using a genetic fingerprinting technique, a quarter turned out to be mislabeled.

Some findings: "White tuna" was really Mozambique tilapia, a much cheaper, commercially farmed fish. "Flying fish roe" was actually smelt roe. And more than 75 percent of "red snapper" samples weren't the real McCoy: Instead, they turned out to be everything from Atlantic cod fish to endangered Acadian redfish.

This study was done on a small scale, but according to the New York Times, it's "unlikely to be a mere statistical fluke."

With the controversy around raw salmon, seafood is certainly getting a bad rap. This news has me worried. What if someone has a fish allergy? What do you think? Does this finding surprise you?
Source

Do You Eat Raw Fish?

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:45:48 -0700

Raw fish may not be so safe after all. A man in Chicago has sued a prominent seafood restaurant for giving him a nine-foot tapeworm. A tapeworm he says was caused by consuming raw salmon. In response to the incident, Jon Rowley, a seafood expert, reveals that tapeworms are commonly found in salmon. Marinating or curing the fish will not kill the parasites; the only surefire way to kill tapeworm larvae is to cook the fish completely or freeze it at minus-31°F for at least 15 hours. This news is frightening to me since I come across salmon sashimi, sushi, tartare, ceviche, and crudo on menus all the time. I'm now convinced that when it comes to raw fish, I need to be more discriminating about when and where I eat it. What about you? Will this change the way you eat your fish?Source

Do You Eat Raw Fish?

Yes, I love it!

I did, but upon hearing this, I may need to reconsider . . .

Only at selected places where I trust the source.

No way — I think it's unsafe.

No, because I don't like it.

No, because I don't eat fish.

Other — see my comments below.

Get Rolling Sushi Style

YumSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:03:19 -0700

Every time a friend of mine hosts a sushi party, I somehow end up behind the sushi-rolling station, churning out roll after roll. I don't mind because I get the chance to talk with everyone at the party. Recently a friend suggested hosting one soon. I think it'll be fun, as sushi is a great treat for a warm, Spring evening.

All this sushi talk got me thinking about how nice sushi boards are, so I scoped out Shopstyle Living to see what I could find. From nigiri molds to soy sauce dispensers, I found everything one needs to host a fabulous sushi party! To see the collection, scroll through below.

Yummy Link: Easy Homemade Sushi

partysugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:21:31 -0700

Have you ever made sushi before? I've done it twice and both times were deliciously rewarding. If you want to experiment with sushi making, check out this recipe for lox and roasted asparagus sushi. Doesn't it look absolutely divine? — For the Love of Food

Yummy Link: Sweet Sushi

partysugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:10:31 -0700

Can you guess what this sweet sushi is made out of? Chocolate sponge cake and marsala mascarpone filling! That's not soy sauce on the side, it's a mocha rum dipping sauce. This would be a fun finish at a sushi party. — Dessert First

Toy Box: Can You Say Sushi?

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:22:31 -0800

Toy Box: Can You Say Sushi?
Plastic chicken drumsticks and rubber grapes are SO yesterday.
Get with the times and introduce your babe to roe-covered spicy tuna and California rolls with Melissa and Doug's Sushi Set ($15).

Definition: Unagi

partysugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:25:12 -0800

Unagi:
The Japanese term for freshwater eel. This ingredient is often found in Japanese dishes and sushi restaurants. It is most commonly served grilled.

Source

Sweet Sight: Sushi Cookies

YumSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 07:11:10 -0800

If you think this sushi looks absolutely delicious, I suggest you look again. It's actually not a savory sight, it's a sweet one! TeamSugar member treu shared these sushi-shaped cookies with us in the Savory Sights Group. These cookies were made by her sister and use rice krispies, marzipan, chocolate, gummi drops and marshmallow to portray a full sushi spread. They look so realistic, I want to host a sushi party just so I can make these for dessert!

Have you taken photos of any delicious food recently? If so, then post them to our Savory Sights Group. I'll post my favorite ones here on YumSugar, so what are you waiting for?!

Revisiting Travel Week

partysugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:50:18 -0800

This Summer YumSugar and I went on a trip around the world, and we invited you along for the ride! We devoted entire days to discussing the delicious cuisines from 10 different countries around the globe. I've looked back at all of our coverage and picked out my favorite memories from our culinary journeys. Here they are for you to revisit! Starting in top left corner and moving clockwise:

Yum celebrated all things Brazilian by making Pão de Queijo, a Brazilian cheese bread.
I planned a travel party.
In Morocco, we chowed down on kefta — spiced meatballs — with eggs.
We learned how to say cheers in 12 different languages.
When we went to Japan, we channeled our inner sushi chef by rolling sushi.

How about you? Where did you enjoy traveling to this year?

Yummy Link: Make Handrolls Like a Pro

YumSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:31:33 -0700

I love a great sushi roll, but sometimes a simple hand roll is better. If you want to learn how to do it yourself, check out these step-by-step photos - Blue Lotus

New Machine Turns Sushi Rolling Into Child's Play

YumSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:48:31 -0700

While children in America continue to burn themselves on Easy Bake Ovens, the children in Japan are going burn-free. They might however, start giving off an odd fish odor.

Toymaker Bandai Namco has created a great new toy to help create perfectly rolled sushi. The Sushi-Rolling Machine works by adding rice and ingredients, and then sealing it up and rolling a piece of seaweed over it.

Personally, I think this would make a sushi party a snap. Imagine if you had a few stations and folks could roll their own?! They were released in Japan this summer, and I hope I can find one imported somewhere soon!

Source: TokyoMango

Would You Rather Eat Sushi Or Sashimi?

partysugar — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 04:18:31 -0700

Image Source Image Source

Would You Rather Eat Sushi Or Sashimi?

Sushi

Sashimi

I love both!

What's the difference??

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

Yummy Link: The Subtle Art of Eating Blowfish

YumSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:28:33 -0700

If I ever find my way back to Japan, I will have to remember this three part series on the subtle art of eating blowfish. - Gadling

Would You Eat Raw Meat Sushi?

YumSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:54:31 -0700

My gal Giggle sent me this video the other day. We all know about fish sashimi, but have you heard of horse, deer, or chicken sushi?! Be sure to check out the video and then tell me, would you eat raw meat sushi?

Would You Eat Raw Meat Sushi?

Sure, I'll try anything once.

Maybe, it would depend on the meat.

No way! What are you, crazy?!?

I'd try it, but I know I won't like it, so why bother?

Other - Tell us in the comments.

Off To Market Recap: Sushi Serving Set

partysugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 11:56:13 -0700

Last week I told you how I love to have the correct serving dishes for specific international items. Although I have never been to Japan, I really want a fabulous sushi serving set. When I'm out eating sushi, I always admire the delicate, beautifully patterned serving sets and want to bring this sentiment into my home. So I asked you to help me find the most spectacular sushi serving set out there. You saved the pieces in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Sushi Serving Set. I really like the aqua fish shaped sushi set that UrbanBohemian bookmarked. It's enough for two people and the gorgeous color of the plates makes me want to use these dishes for more than just sushi. However my favorite sushi set was found by gruaig_rua. The cobalt blue bamboo pattern is both traditional and sophisticated, elegant and modern, and absolutely lovely. Great job girl! Scroll through the list below to see what else you guys came up with!

' />

For more on how the bookmarking feature functions check out geeksugar's guide.

Become One With Your Inner Sushi Chef

YumSugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:58:30 -0700

Today our "travels" took us to the elegant cuisine of Japan. Sushi, one of their most popular exports, happens to be a really big weakness of mine. However it's a rather expensive - and delicious - hobby. At some point I was eating it several times a week and decided that I could no longer justify spending that much money on it. So I took the frugal route and decided to make it at home instead. If you've ever wanted to try making your own sushi, you're in luck. I've got some great tips to help you get started. If you're scared of eating raw fish at home, don't forget, you can always make California or vegetarian rolls. To check out my tips,

Definition: Sashimi

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:28:41 -0700

Sashimi, pronounced sah-SHE-me
A Japanese delicacy consisting of raw fish that is sliced paper thin. Fish types range from the popular tuna, yellowtail, and octopus to the dangerous blowfish. Usually served with condiments such as wasabi or soy sauce and as a first course to a meal. Best when only the freshest, most high quality of fish is used.

Image Source

Do You Use Chopsticks To Eat Sushi?

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 05:47:31 -0700

Do You Use Chopsticks To Eat Sushi?

Yes.

No.

Other - see my comment below.

The History of Sushi

partysugar — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 01:38:31 -0700

It might be a little shocking but sushi, Japan's most typical and in demand food, is native to China! With a history that dates back to the 4th century BC, sushi was used originally as a manner of preserving raw fish. Fish was flattened, salted, fermented with rice, and preserved for several months. When the fish was consumed, the rice was discarded. Only when the technique was later introduced in Japan did the rice get eaten along with the fish. Sushi gradually evolved, with the additions of vegetables and vinegar, as it become widely popular in Tokyo through mobile street vendors. However, in 1923, a large earthquake caused the majority of these street vendors to lose their jobs and head back to their home towns and sell sushi all over Japan. With Americans becoming more health conscious, sushi experienced a wide surge in popularity in the US in the 1980s.

Off To Market: Sushi Serving Set

partysugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:00:01 -0700

It may be a bit over the top, but I love to have the correct serving dishes for specific international items. For example, any time I make Spanish tapas I serve them in clay dishes that I purchased while living in Spain. Although I have never been to Japan, I really want a fabulous sushi serving set. There is something about the delicate, beautifully patterned serving sets that I admire and love. Can you help me find the most spectacular sushi serving set? Search the internet for the most authentic sushi sets and intricately designed chopsticks. Save your bookmarks in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Sushi Serving Set. I'm excited to see the pieces you discover!

For more on how the bookmarking feature functions check out geeksugar's guide.

Yummy Link: Are We Afraid of Sushi?

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 15:00:38 -0700

Does America have a fear of sushi or are we still ignorant in the subject? - Just Hungry

Image Source

Yummy Links: From Ratatouille Wine to Travel Chopsticks

YumSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:28:39 -0700

Looks like Disney's cashing in on Ratatouille by launching their own branded wines and cheese platters. - Serious Eats

Cooking hot dogs just got a little bit cuter thanks to the barking hot dog cooker. - Baking Bites
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has given the title of "sexiest vegetarian" to Carrie Underwood and Kevin Eubanks. - Slashfood
I love sushi, but even I might think twice about horse meat sushi. - Chow
If you're interested, here's a list of restaurants where this season's Top Chef contestants worked. - Zagat
Harold McGee's amazing On Food and Cooking is now fully indexed online. - Apartment Therapy Kitchen
Three new Chinese cookbooks will let you bring authentic recipes home. - Culinate
If you're planning a trip and want to take your own chopsticks, here are six sets of travel chopsticks to choose from. - NotCot

FantaSuteki Platters: Love Them Or Hate Them?

YumSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 04:18:19 -0700

I found these platters over at Notcot and immediately fell in love with them. Designed by Masaru Iwata, the FantaSuteki platters appear to be plain embossed dishes, but when you add soy sauce the images appear. I love them! What do you guys think? Love them or hate them?

FantaSuteki Platters: Love Them Or Hate Them?

Love It

Hate It

Undecided