Blog Posts by YumSugar

Source: 4 Wine Varietals You Should Know

With the United States officially surpassing France in total wine consumption, wine drinkers aren't just about Chardonnay and Cab - they're into New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Argentinian Malbec, and Australian Shiraz, too. But beyond the usual suspects, there are plenty of grape varietals out there are that have flown under the radar. Take the time to seek them out, as they've got distinct flavor characteristics and are generally awesome values. For some of our favorites, keep reading.

YumSugarSource: Celebrate National Burger Month in 13 Different Ways

Few things are as satisfying as a patty in a bun with savory toppings and condiments. Yes, I'm talking about burgers. And what better time to get creative with your burger-making than National Burger Month? Keep things classic with the perfect homemade cheeseburger or take things to a fancier level with a brie-stuffed burger. And don't forget about the ketchup and mustard! We've got some great recipes for you to experiment with making your own. Click through for some delicious burger inspiration.

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10 Quintessentially American Dishes

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YumSugarSource: 12 Pretty Kitchen Gifts For Moms Who Cook

If you're lucky enough to have a mom who cooks, chances are you grew up with deliciously nourishing homemade meals and a repertoire of heirloom family recipes. This Mother's Day, thank Chef Mom for years of hard culinary work with pretty gifts to beautify her kitchen! We've picked out our favorite fetching accessories to make her smile when whipping up the next family meal masterpiece.

1. Chalkboard Spice Jars: Flexible and functional, these chalkboard spice jars ($10 each) are also colorfully cute!
2. Kalorik Aqua Blender: The baby-blue dial on this Kalorik Aqua Blender ($130) gives it a clean, retro feel.
3. Acacia Salad Bowl and Servers: Acacia wood is burnished into a graceful shape in this bowl and servers set ($37).
4. Joseph Joseph Baking Tools Set: For a mom who also likes to bake, liven up her pie-making endeavors with a rose-and-lilac-hued baking set ($45).
5. Illy Espresso Machine: With its

Put a Bird on It! 5 Basic Dishes Made Better With an Egg

If you're not familiar with the Portlandia skit "Put a Bird on It!", it's time to get watching - and I'll say "you're welcome!" in advance. While you may not be branding bird silhouettes onto pieces of toast, I've found my own foodie spin on how to put a bird on it this Spring. In honor of National Egg Month, here are five everyday dishes that are taken to the next level with the addition of a tasty egg.

1. Pasta. Pasta and eggs may seem like a strange combination, but it shouldn't. While lots of pasta carbonara dishes bring an egg to the table, fried or poached eggs paired with a plate of simple pasta makes for a great go-to dish when you're in a bind for time or you'd like to keep things a little more budget-conscious.
2. Oatmeal. If you're always reaching for an oatmeal recipe that's sweet, put a twist on your morning routine and opt for an oatmeal recipe that's on the savory side: Asian-inspired savory oatmeal

YumSugarSource: Food Must Haves For May

From the most addictive candy we've tasted in a long time to a salad spinner to help us celebrate National Salad Month, our tastes are all over the map for the month of May. The one thing we can be certain of is that it's going to be a delicious 31 days. Click through to see what we can't live without this month.

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YumSugarSource: 5 Lesser-Known Spring Veggies and What to Make With Them

We're nearing the end of April, and Spring produce remains abundant at farmers markets everywhere. But don't get too used to it: these pretty green things are still shockingly fleeting, and in just a few weeks, you won't be able to locate the likes of lesser-known specimens, like Spring onions, fava beans, and freshly foraged morels. Here are five more foods you'll want to track down before the season's over, plus our best recipes for them.

• The Spring Food: Spring Onions: Spring onions are underdeveloped onions that are milder than their more mature allium cousins. Their innocuous flavor makes them ideal contenders for salads, sautés, and caramelized preparations.
• What to Make: Spring Onion Jam With Goat Cheese Toasts: Slow-simmer Spring onions in a zesty agrodolce sauce until a thick, rich jam forms, then top them on toasted baguette with creamy goat cheese for the ultimate appetizer.
• The Spring

Source: Marcela Valladolid's Party Guide This Cinco De Mayo

With our favorite Mexican-themed holiday on the horizon, it's impossible to spend our time thinking about anything other than what we'll be serving come Saturday. Will there be tacos, tortas, or both? Which south-of-the-border beer should we buy? For more Cinco de Mayo advice, we enlisted the help of Marcela Valladolid, host of Food Network's Mexican Made Easy. Chef Marcela, who also stays busy as a cookbook author and a spokesperson for Kahlúa, took the time to offer her tips for party planning, her thoughts on up-and-coming Mexican dishes, and the one stereotype about her cuisine that she'd love to dispel.

YumSugar: In case you missed it, Cinco de Mayo's coming up. What are some seasonal appetizers and drinks to pull together?
Marcela Valladolid: For an easy appetizer, try a festive guacamole with a little lime, salt, and pepper. It's a total crowd-pleaser. And I love pairing my dishes with a Mexican-inspired cocktail

Source: 5 Secrets For a Perfect At-Home Cocktail Party

Hosting a cocktail party out of your home is intimate and charming but can sometimes be a source of great stress. The truth is that a little bit of planning and preparation can go a long way. Who wants to spend the party worrying about things like running to get more ice or salvaging burnt hors d'oeuvres? We've got five tips to help you host a smooth soiree.

Make sure to have enough ice.
The last thing you'll want to do is run to the store for more ice while your guests' drinks run dry. Make sure to get enough ice ahead of time for the number of guests you're inviting. Also fill your ice trays earlier in the day for backup.

Stock a variety of mixers and garnishes.
You may be set on serving a signature cocktail for the evening, but just in case it's not everybody's style, keep a variety of drink mixers on hand. We recommend tonic water, cranberry and orange juice, a variety of sodas, and margarita mix. Set out basic garnishes