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Know Your Ingredients: Pimm's

partysugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:15:37 -0700

A couple of weekends ago, for FabSugar's technicolor luau, I made a batch of Pineapple Pimm's Cup. Created by Duggan McDonnell of Cantina, this punch recipe consisted of pineapple vodka, Pimm's No. 1, ginger beer, ginger syrup, and fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juice.

The refreshing and unexpected cocktail was a major hit and everyone was inquiring about the ingredients. While I was able to tell them what was in the drink, I wasn't able to answer when they asked, "What's Pimm's?" My lame reply, "Oh it's a liquor popular in England." But really, I had no clue what it was!

Until now. Pimm's, an aperitif, is a brand of alcoholic beverages that was created in London in 1840, with the most popular being Pimm's No. 1 Cup. Each number of Pimm's has a different base spirit; No. 1 is a gin-based, No. 2 is scotch-based, and No. 3 is brandy-based (only No.1 still exists). Other elements (spices, citrus, etc.) are added to the base spirit to achieve a characteristic floral flavor and rich tea color. Pimm's is often mixed with soft drinks or as in the classic Pimm's Cup, with lemonade, cucumber, and fresh fruit. Do you enjoy Pimm's?

Would You Eat Deep Fried Pickles?

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:30:29 -0700

Fried pickles accompanied by a side of ranch dressing are a staple on many a pub's menus, so recently, I decided to give them a try at one of my favorite spots, Barclays. With their salty goodness (think salt and vinegar chips), they complemented my pint of Guinness. However, I wouldn't dare to eat an entire plate of them, it's too much sodium for my taste. Would you give this crunchy and salt-laden pub delicacy a shot?

Happy Hour: Samuel Smith Strawberry Ale

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:00:32 -0700

While selecting in-season strawberries at Whole Foods the other day, an unfamiliar brewski, Samuel Smith Strawberry Ale, caught my eye. Since I was surrounded by the delicate aroma of ripe berries, I couldn't resist picking up a bottle.

I was curious about the unfamiliar label, and couldn't wait to give Samuel Smith's signature strawberry beer a taste. Brewed in Stamford, England, this certified organic ale, which is made with fresh strawberry juice, only became available stateside this year. The ale has a floral, jammy bouquet that brought me right back to sniffing strawberries at the market and notes of caramel and malt to finish. It was so refreshing that I drained the hefty-sized bottle, then proceeded to trek out and pick up a fresh one.

At $5.99 for 550 ml, this seasonal sip has become my favorite nightcap so far this Summer. Have you ever tried strawberry beer?

Get the Look: Topshop New York

CasaSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Yesterday, UK clothing chain Topshop opened its first stateside outpost in New York City, kicking things off with a new Spring/Summer '09 collection designed by Kate Moss. Of course, the racks are filled with fashionable gear, but the store itself is also furnished to the max in quirky Brit style. I'm loving the modern rock 'n roll edge of this dressing room corner, so I thought I'd try to re-create the look. To see my finds, read more.

For the wallpaper, I went straight to stylish British wallpaper company Graham & Brown. The Chantilly Wallpaper ($60) isn't a perfect match, but it's a close runnerup, with the same sexy, stormy vibe.

You can learn to make your own record bowl in my rockin' DIY here.

For more furnishings to help you get this polished Brit-punk look, check out this widget:

Graham and Brown Barbara Hulanicki Wallpaper - Viva pattern - in Black Gloss - $60.00	Moooi - pig table by front for moooi - $2,277.00
Noguchi Table in Black by Herman Miller - $1,349.00	Dupioni Silk Pole Pocket Drape - $109.00
Ibride Sultan Red Dog Stool - $350.00	Ritva Pair Of Curtains With Tie-backs - $29.99
40x30 Infinity Mirror in Stainless Steel - $349.00	ludwig mies van der rohe Barcelona® Stool - $2,046.00
Knoll barcelona chair - chrome plated - $4,328.00

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Fish and Chips

partysugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 06:50:51 -0700

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day tonight, serve your family a classic pub favorite. Although fish and chips is a traditionally British dish, this recipe pairs perfectly with an Irish pint.

Large chunks of fresh fish fillets are dipped in buttermilk and coated in cornmeal. The chips are baked in the oven, resulting in potatoes that are crisp, but not overly oily. For the uncomplicated recipe, read more.

Fish and Chips
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 large russet potatoes (about 1 pound), scrubbed
Four 6-ounce sea bass or cod fillets (about 1 inch thick), skin removed
For the seasoning:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
For the coating
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon paprika
For the garnish
Lemon wedges
Malt vinegar

Directions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven.
Cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick strips. Rinse well in a large bowl of cold water, and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Transfer to a large baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; toss well. Arrange strips in an even layer on the sheet. Bake on lower rack until golden and crisp, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, place fish fillets in a large bowl. Add buttermilk, and gently turn fish to coat.
In another shallow bowl, combine cornmeal, paprika, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add fillets to cornmeal one at a time, turning to completely coat. Transfer to a plate while repeating with remaining fillets.
Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add remaining tablespoon of oil; swirl to coat. Add fillets, being careful not to overcrowd pan. Cook until nicely crusted, about 1 minute; turn over with a spatula.
Place skillet in top third of oven, and cook until firm but beginning to flake when pressed in the center, about 8 minutes.
Transfer to plates, and serve with potatoes. Serve lemon wedges and malt vinegar on the side.

Serves 4.

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Sally Winslet Is an Award-Winning Onion Pickler

partysugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:45:58 -0800

Looks like Oscar nominee Kate Winslet isn't the only award winner in her family. The British actress's mother, Sally Winslet, affectionately known as the "Queen of Shallots," is an award-winning pickler. Yesterday Sally won the annual onion pickling contest at her local East Reading pub, the Retreat. This is the third year in a row that Sally's pickled onions won the competition. Upon accepting her title, Winslet explained what made her onions so special:

There are a lot of good onions here. I just boil up the spices with sugar and when the balsamic vinegar is cold I pour it over the onions.

Over the past six months, pickling has become incredibly popular, and Anna Winslet, Kate's sister and Sally's daughter, who was on hand at the competition, couldn't have put it better when she said, "Everyone should be a pickler." No word on Kate's pickling skills, although she is known to be an enthusiastic, yet accident-prone cook.

Are you surprised to learn that Winslet's mother is an award-winning onion pickler? Do you pickle?

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Definition: Clotted Cream

partysugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:15:46 -0700

Clotted Cream
With origins in Devonshire, England, this thick topping for scones is made by heating rich, unpasteurized milk. The milk is warmed until a thick layer of cream rises to the surface. Once cooled the cream is removed and served atop bread, fruit, and desserts. It should be kept covered in the refrigerator.

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Would You Eat This Fish and Chips?

YumSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:30:42 -0700

Recently at Waterbar, here in San Francisco, I ordered the fish & chips. I was blown away when the waiter brought out an entire rock cod - eyes, fins and all! The fish was battered and deep-fried whole for my eating pleasure. I immediately began to dig in, but some of my friends sharing the gigantic entrée were a little more hesitant. How about you? Could you stomach this unique version of fish and chips?

Meet the World's Most Expensive Burger

partysugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:10:56 -0700

With the arrival of British Burger King's bling burger, the world just got a little more ridiculous. At £95 (about $200), this burger puts New York's $175 burger to shame. The burger will enter the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's most expensive hamburger.

Japanese wagyu beef, white truffles, pata negra ham, onion rings made from Cristal batter, pink Himalayan rock salt, and an organic white-wine-infused mayonnaise are the ingredients that make this burger incredibly pricey. While it's obviously excessive, all the proceeds will be donated to charity so what do you think of the bling burger?

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Jamie Advises Women Abstain From Sex Until Men Cook

partysugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:00:35 -0700

Should you refuse sex if your husband or boyfriend doesn't cook for you? Jamie Oliver thinks so. The British celebrity chef recently expressed his opinion to the Times Online. He said:

Men are driven by sex. So the best way for women to get their men into the kitchen would be to stop having sex with them until they start to cook.

Oliver's tactic may be outlandish and unreasonable but it also may work. Being single, I don't have the chance to put his theory to practice but was wondering, what do you think about the idea?

Have you ever abstained from sex to get your man to cook?

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