Blog Posts by YumSugar

YumSugarSource: 10 Party-Ready Pantry Items

December's a time for festive lights, edible gifts, holiday music, and, of course, fabulous parties. This time of year, it's impossible to know who may stop by my apartment on the way home from Christmas shopping or before a spirited Saturday on the town, so have the provisions on hand to throw together a quick, snackable spread. Here are 10 ingredients essential to hosting an impromptu evening of holiday entertaining.

• Salami: Fat slices of porky-spicy salami are a hearty nibble. Set the entire chunk of salami on a cutting board and let guests help themselves.
• Cheese: There are always at least two kinds of cheese in my refrigerator. For parties, select interesting and exotic cheese, stock up on a variety of milks and textures, and serve a creamy cheese next to a hard cheese.
• Crackers: You can't have cheese without crackers! They provide an element of crunch to go along with the rest of your charcuterie or cheese plate.

YumSugarSource: 9 Hostess Treats to Make at Home

Fans of nostalgic packaged sweet treats may be racing to stock up with the news that Hostess Brands is closing, but we have a different approach: making our own! Several enterprising chefs have re-created their favorite nostalgic treats which look even better than the original. And an added bonus? Those preservatives that will keep those Hostess treats (and possibly your gastrointestinal tract) fresh through the next nuclear event aren't a concern when the Twinkies and Ho Hos come from your oven.

• Hostess CupCakes: The first commercially produced cupcake, the Hostess CupCake and its signature icing squiggles are now a cultural icon.
• Hostess Donettes: or some, breakfast would never be the same without powdered or chocolate-dipped Donettes to dip in their coffee. Thankfully, a homemade version is within your reach.
• Hostess Twinkies: The original Twinkie had a banana cream filling, but today most people know and love it for

YumSugarSource: 4 Ingenious Spins on Mashed Potatoes

While few things can beat classic no-frills mashed potatoes, it can be a lot of fun to experiment with variations on the classic comfort food. Here are four of our favorite versions, from the baked-potato-inspired (bacon, scallions, and cheddar) to pesto-flecked.

• Mashed Potatoes With Bacon, Cheddar, and Scallions: Start with basic mashed potatoes, then fold in three strips crumbled thick-cut bacon, the thinly sliced white and green parts of three scallions, and 3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar, reserving some of each to sprinkle on top.
• Garlic-Thyme Mashed Potatoes: Begin the recipe for basic mashed potatoes. While the potatoes cook, take the cream and bring it to just below a simmer in a small saucepan with one smashed garlic clove and one large sprig of fresh thyme (or two small). Take it off the heat, and allow to steep for 10 minutes, then mix it in per the instructions in the original recipe.
• Pesto Mashed Potatoes:

YumSugarSource: 5 Fall Foods and What to Cook With ThemB

efore Fall's gone entirely, don't forget to enjoy the best of the moment's fruit and vegetable bounty. Here are five affordable, versatile favorites to seize before the season's over and some of our recommended ways to cook with them.

• The Fall Food: Pomegranates: This Autumn fruit doesn't just look like it's precious - it is! Use the antioxidant-rich arils to add crunch to a salad or a garnet color to any glaze.
• What to Make: Pomegranate Guacamole: Pomegranate seeds serve as both textural contrast and finishing garnish on a tropical-themed guacamole.
• The Fall Food: Brussels Sprouts: Rich, sweet, and tender, brussels sprouts are at their prime now through February.
• What to Make: Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad: Brussels sprouts are surprisingly satisfying when served raw; here, they're shredded, combined with kale, and tossed with maple vinaigrette in a Fall salad.

More from YumSugar: Your

YumSugarSource: Food Gifts For Him, From Bacon Jam to Brewing Kits

From exotic meats like venison and wild boar to cookbooks and kitchen gear to inspire his culinary adventures, we've rounded up our favorite picks for the man in your life. While some are definite splurges, we've also included surefire stocking stuffer hits, plus everything in between.

• Scanwiches: Sandwich devotees will appreciate Scanwiches ($20), which brings to life nearly everything between two pieces of bread through an unusual medium: the scanner. Both visually appealing and full of in-depth info, it's a surefire hit.
• Beer-and-Pretzel Caramels: Fill his stocking with intense, complex, and salty beer-and-pretzel caramels ($10). Just make sure he shares!
• Marble Rye Poster: Seinfeld fans (really, who isn't one?) will appreciate this graphic poster ($20) whose illustration alludes to the infamous marble rye loaf from the episode "The Rye."
• Stuffed Hamburger Press: Let burger aficionados take things to the

YumSugarSource: Make-Ahead Potluck Dishes, From Amazing Apps to Delightful Desserts

Heading to or hosting a potluck Thanksgiving this year? We've got you covered: from easy appetizers to zingy desserts there's a make-ahead and easy to transport option for every part of the meal (save the turkey and gravy - the host should make these herself).

• Caramelized Leek and Bacon Dip: This enticing upgrade on French onion dip can be made up to a day ahead of time, making it a perfect potluck candidate. Just don't forget to bring pre-toasted crostini or cut up crudité to serve it with. To serve: prep it in its entirety ahead of time, aside from the garnish. Sprinkle the garnish on top before setting out.
• Brie With Caramel and Almonds: While not truly a make-ahead dish, this decadent brie appetizer can be assembled when you arrive at the potluck party. Simply bring all the ingredients (a wedge of brie, jarred caramel sauce, slivered almonds and crackers), drizzle the caramel, fan out the

Source: A Brine-Free Solution to Your Thanksgiving Turkey Woes

In my fantasy world, I'd be the sort of put-together individual who plans things out far enough in advance to lovingly brine a heritage bird. Realistically, though, my actual Thanksgiving planning is more of a fly by the seat of my pants sort of endeavor.

Years of crunch-time prep (and admittedly a bit of unnecessary panic) have taught me that even when I only get down to business the morning of the big day, it can still lead to a juicy, flavorful bird that my family will devour with relish.

Essentially, this is a friendly reminder that one need not stress themselves out (too much) over the big day. Take a deep breath; pull the (hopefully thawed) turkey out of the fridge; whisk together a hefty helping of salt, minced herbs, olive oil, and other aromatics; and have at it!


More from YumSugar: Make-Ahead Potluck Dishes, From Amazing Apps to Delightful Desserts


Easy Herb-Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
Adapted from Ina Garten

Source: Mashed Potatoes So Creamy That They Need No Adornment

Family members and longtime friends often take great amusement at my career of choice, as I was a remarkably picky eater in my early years. I was no run-of-the-mill fussy child; until my teens, I turned my nose up at even the most basic, revered, and seemingly inoffensive of comfort foods: mashed potatoes. Perhaps I was prejudiced against the delightful spud due to an early negative experience - in the wrong hands they can be reminiscent of wallpaper paste - yet still, of all of my food phobias I've overcome, this might be the craziest and most embarrassing.

Since that first revelatory bite, I've devoured them with relish and have experimented with all sorts of novel add-ins, but I keep coming back to their most simple, unadorned iteration. Bolstered by naught but cream, butter, and salt, this pared-down side might not sound like much to write home about, but don't let that dissuade you. Rather, these are the essence of