Blog Posts by YumSugar

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On this Wednesday, we don't just celebrate Hump Day for the week; we also honor French Laundry chef and restaurant legend Thomas Keller, who turns 54 today. The culinary pioneer - who's been called everything from the food industry's Yoda to Father Jesus Keller - shows no signs of slowing down. He's about to open a Bouchon restaurant in LA and a new inn in Napa Valley. Although chef Keller gets plenty of press, he still manages to keep a lot of his personal life under wraps. Here, 10 things you probably would never have guessed about him.

• He had no formal culinary training. - Keller admits he's never had any formal training at culinary school: "When I started cooking, in our country, there weren't really any schools to go to. My mother ran a restaurant and said, 'Do you want to be a chef?' I said yes."
• His favorite wine is Zinfandel. - "I love young Zinfandels. Maybe it's that American brashness or sensibility in me. It's really forward in fruit, it's big and thick and

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From classic stovetop shells to leek-and-cheddar penne, I've never met a mac and cheese I don't like. But the recipe I'd been craving most of all was one that, up until recently, only lived in my imagination: buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese.

My fantasy finally became reality one weekend when I put together all the elements I'd dreamed about. Al dente elbows of pasta, coated in creamy, sharp cheese sauce, topped with hot pepper sauce and crispy chicken.

It only occurred to me after sinking my teeth into the first bite that I could improve upon it even more by dotting the top with blue cheese crumbles and diced celery squares. That's why I can't wait to make it again! The epitome of indulgence, after the break.

Buffalo Chicken Macaroni and Cheese
Original Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups unseasoned breadcrumbs
1-1/2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1-1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 large eggs
1 pound chicken cutlets

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When I was little my favorite meal was Kraft macaroni and cheese with slices of Ballpark hot dogs stirred in. Although I haven't had this dinner in years, I remember it fondly and sometimes crave an intensely creamy stove-top mac and cheese. I considered giving the old package a try, but the thought of powdered cheese made me cringe. That's why I decided to make my own version of Kraft's classic mac. Surprisingly, it's very quick and easy to put together and the resulting dish is comforting and nostalgic, yet a little more gourmet. To ensure a smooth rich texture, I combined Velveeta - what can I say, it's a guilty pleasure! - with a good-quality, extra-sharp cheddar. The mixture works wonderfully and from now on instead of reaching for a box, I'll reach for this recipe! To do the same, get it now and read more.

Kraft-Style Stovetop Mac and Cheese
Original Recipe

Although I used whole milk, you could probably substitute 1 or 2 percent and still have a thick orange sauce.

Kraft-Style Stovetop Mac and Cheese

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Did you know that October is National Cookie Month? Cookies are a quintessential, individual, and portable dessert, and there are so many varieties we could feature a new recipe every day. Whether you enjoy something chewy, fruity, or crispy, to celebrate national cookie month, I've rounded up our best cookie recipes. It's never too early to start thinking about what kind of cookies you'll be making over the holidays, so check out the cookies we have to offer now.

• Caramel Apple Cookies - Get in the Halloween spirit by making these caramel apple cookies. They're sugar cookies dipped in caramel and put on a stick!
• Chocolate Citrus Biscotti -On a chilly Fall afternoon there's nothing like a cup of coffee or cocoa to warm you up - and there's nothing that goes better with a hot drink than chocolate biscotti. These cookies also make a great gift.
• Peanut Butter Cookies - You loved the idea of adding Reese's Peanut Butter Cups to blondies, so why not throw them into

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When the weather is cold, there's nothing like a piping hot bowl of soup to warm the kitchen and the soul. I enjoy making soup on Sunday or Monday. Then I eat it for lunch all week long. There's an endless variety to soups; if you want something luxurious you can make a cream based soup. Likewise, when you're in the mood for a lighter meal, a soup chock full of hearty vegetables is ideal. To encourage you to make more soup, I've rounded up some of my favorite recipes.

• Clam Chowder - This classic white clam chowder is filling and slightly decadent. Serve it in a bread bowl and you've got a delicious meal perfect for entertaining!
• Corn and Kielbassa Chowder - Seafood not your thing? This recipe - which comes together in under 30 minutes! - replaces the clams with chunks of kielbassa and quick-cooking frozen corn.
• Roasted Tomato Basil Soup - Use up the last of Summer's tomatoes to make this tomato soup. There's no cream in it, but it has a smooth velvety texture.

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Looking for a fun weekend project? How about making a delectable brisket sandwich? With its fall-apart beef and tangy sauce, this sandwich is so good you'll be licking your fingers for every last bite. Along with her hostess tips, and as part of Macy's Come Together campaign, chef Cat Cora shared this delicious exclusive recipe with us! The brisket is on the menu at her classic barbecue restaurant, CCQ in Costa Mesa, CA.

While there are several components to the sandwich, taking the time to make each element results in a restaurant-worthy 'wich that's sure to impress friends. If you start marinating the brisket now, you can enjoy the sandwiches over the weekend. Cat recommends plating the sandwich with barbecued potato chips, but I paired it with my dad's famous macaroni salad instead. Whatever you serve on the side, you'll need the sandwich recipe, so keep reading.

Beef Brisket Sandwich
From Cat Cora

Ingredients

8 Sourdough rolls or large cornmeal buns, split in half
3

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Are you hooked on Mad Men, the Emmy-winning AMC series about drinking advertising in the early 1960s? If so, then you know that the show can easily put you in the mood for a cocktail, with its three-martini lunches and meetings over bloody Marys. It's a great showcase for classic libations, so before the next episode airs on Sunday, mix up one of these eight great drinks featured on the show.
Photo Courtesy AMC

• Martini - Roger Sterling is often seen knocking back martinis. The classic dry version uses vodka or gin, dry vermouth, and olives.
• Old Fashioned - Don Draper is a brown-liquor man who is known to order old fashioned cocktails, made with whiskey, bitters, and a touch of sugar.
• Tom Collins - This sweet and sour gin cocktail is perfect for Summer parties - so perfect that Don teaches his 6-year-old how to make them for guests.
• Brandy Alexander - A milky mix of brandy, cream, and creme de cacao, the brandy Alexander helps Peggy through an

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