Blog Posts by YumSugar

Source: It's Time for a Snack-Attack!

We all get hungry throughout the day, and while it's easy to pop into the nearest café or corner store to pick up something to nibble on, it's much more rewarding, and satisfying, to make your own snacks. The good news is if you spend a little time on the weekend preparing some tasty treats, you'll be able to toss them in a bag and throw them into your purse to enjoy for the week ahead. Note: these ideas also make great snacks to sneak into movies . . . shh!

• Make some sinfully delicious tiki party mix. Any bacon lover will be thrilled to snack on this.
• Cracker Jack's aren't just for the baseball stadium. Munch on this sweet treat to get you through long afternoons at the office.
• My grandma always had candies in her purse. Make your own caramel candies, wrap them individually in wax paper, and keep a stash in your purse whenever you need to calm your sweet tooth.
• If you're trying to keep things a little healthier, cut your

Source: Fabio Viviani on Upcoming Ventures and the Health Trends That Bug Him

Recently, we had the chance to spend some quality time with Italian charmer Fabio Viviani. After homemade pasta and cappuccinos for breakfast, and a series of hilarious one-liners, we grabbed a table at Casa Tua in Miami, and got to dishing. Even though he'd been out until 4 a.m. the night before, he had plenty to say about reality TV, the world of vegan cuisine, and his take on health food.

YumSugar: You rose to fame on Top Chef. Do you have any further plans for reality TV, on Bravo or anywhere else?
Fabio Viviani: There are a few things in the works. So, yes, chances are that you're going to see me getting up in the morning, you're going to see me doing some sports, some hobbies I have, but my show will be more about everything that's going on in my life rather than let's see who Fabio's dating, or let's see who Fabio's barking at.

YS: Your Café Firenze Cookbook was a big success. Are you thinking about

Source: Jams, Jellies, Butters: A Definitive Guide to Preserving Fruit

I'll admit to using several of these words interchangeably on a regular basis. For the longest time, I thought that if mashed-up fruit came in a jar, it was essentially all the same thing. But as it turns out, there is a difference between jam and jelly, and preserves and fruit butters. Upon learning what those differences are, I realized why I am typically drawn to one type of spreadable fruit preserve over another.

• Chutney: A relish of Indian origin that incorporates cooked fruit, spices, and herbs.
• Fruit butters: Whole or halved fruit (often unpeeled) is cooked down with sugar and/or spices and then pressed through a sieve or a food mill. Contrary to popular belief, there is no butter involved. The name refers to the spreadability of the resulting fruit. Also, it is differentiated by the fact that no gelling agent is used.
• Jams: Defined by cooked fruit purees, or fruit that has been

Source: Chef Sachin Chopra on Indian Food's Evolution in America

Over the past few years, Indian food, much like Vietnamese and Korean cuisines, has made giant strides in the landscape of American cuisine. No one can speak to this more than chef Sachin Chopra, the creative force in the kitchen at Bay Area restaurants All Spice and Arka (where he's chef-owner and consulting chef, respectively). Chopra, who was recently named one of the four new chefs to watch by Esquire, had garnered accolades for his unique marriage of Indian and West Coast flavors. I spoke to the chef about his creative twists on classic Indian cuisine, the benchmark dish for a truly great Indian restaurant, and what spices you need in your pantry to create restaurant-worthy Indian food.

YumSugar: Where do your menu items (like chilli cheese uthappam and tomato basil biryani, both on the menu at Arka) come from?
Sachin Chopra: Working in various upscale restaurants over the years, both Indian and American, I

Source: Why You Should Toast Your Nuts

Love the texture and flavor of nuts? Then take the time to toast them before adding them to dishes. The difference between regular and toasted nuts is noticeable: a short period of high heat will release the oils within the nuts, enhancing the nutty flavor and the crunchy texture.

If you're toasting a small amount of nuts, a cup or so, use a pan on the stove over medium-high heat. There's no need to add oil to the pan, as the nuts have enough themselves. Be sure to stir them around frequently so they don't burn. If you plan to toast up a bunch of nuts, spread them evenly on a baking sheet and roast them at 350° Fahrenheit for about 15 to 20 minutes. Use your toasted nuts however you want, like tossed in a salad, or just enjoy them on their own. What nuts do you toast?


Related Content:
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Everything You Need to Know About Nuts
How to Cut a Mango in Under a Minute


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Source: Know Your Techniques: Steaming Vegetables

Lately I've found myself craving the simple, unadulterated flavors of steamed vegetables. Steaming is arguably one of the healthiest ways to cook vegetables, but that doesn't mean it's boring. Not only do properly steamed vegetables retain most of their nutrients, but the brightly colored vegetables are incredibly appetizing and full of flavor. There are a few tricks to perfect steaming - and they don't necessarily involve having to own a steamer!

The Basics
Firstly, the water should be boiling before you add the vegetables to your steamer basket to ensure even temperature throughout the cooking process. Try not to crowd the steamer with too many vegetables and take care to either properly layer your steamer basket according to cooking time or just cook up several batches. Firm vegetables like potatoes and carrots take longer to steam and should be placed toward the bottom of the steamer basket, while green beans and spinach take

YumSugarSource: 9 Salty Snacks That Pair Well With Beer

Whether you're prepping for a St. Patrick's Day party or simply planning to sip a few beers this weekend, these salty snacks are perfect to pair with your favorite brew. From simple baked ham chips to spicy stuffed jalapeños, these nine delicious, salty picks can be tried with a cold beer.

• Carbonara Potato Skins: Creamy carbonara sauce and diced pancetta make these carbonara potato skins a must-try salty snack. Even better? The delicious blend of cheeses: mascarpone, mozzarella, and pecorino.
• Pancetta-Wrapped Asparagus: Crispy, juicy, salty - what's not to love about pancetta-wrapped asparagus? It's a quick, simple recipe that's sure to satisfy your taste buds.
• Stuffed Jalapeños: Craving something spicy with your brew? Try stuffed jalapeños with bacon, whipped cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, and a cilantro sauce topping.
• Ham Chips: These ham chips couldn't be simpler: sliced prosciutto baked and

YumSugarSource: Green Eats For a St. Patrick's Day Get-Together

Planning to host a St. Patrick's Day shindig for your friends? Lay out a spread of green foods for an extrafestive celebration. From creamy guacamole to pesto pasta to the tastiest mint dessert, these 10 green eats are perfect to serve while you toast the Irish.

Related Content:

Go Green With Healthy Broccoli Romanesco

Green Cocktails to Sip on For St. Patrick's Day

Drink Your Dessert: Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

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