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Happy Hour: Jade Cocktail

YumSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:00:45 -0700

Last week's candy corn cordial and slime rickey were such a playful way to get in the spirit of Halloween that I couldn't wait to continue on with the fun.

This drink's day-glo-green hue hints at just the right amount of macabre without being too kitschy. It's also a last relic of the now-defunct Jade Bar, formerly one of my favorite haunts in San Francisco.

With a punchy melon flavor that resembles a lime Skittle, it'd be a great adult substitute for trick or treating. Interested in this ghoulish gulp? Then keep reading for the recipe.

Come Party With Me: All Hallow's Eve - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:00:46 -0700

It's T minus two days until your big Halloween party! Since nobody wants to spend the entire night mixing cocktails, serve a punch. It's quenches the thirst of a crowd and is easy to make. All you have to do is dump the ingredients into a cauldron and stir. This potent concoction is a mixture of passion fruit vodka, cranberry juice, ginger ale, and sparkling apple cider. To achieve a smoldering affect, you'll have to get your hands on dry ice, but if you don't have time to seek it out, the punch is still enjoyable without the smoke. Also, stock up on beer or order a keg. To check out the apple punch recipe, read more.

Wicked Witch Apple Punch
From Skky

Ingredients

1 750 ml bottle Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit
1 750 ml bottle sparkling apple cider
1 64 oz. bottle cranberry juice cocktail
1 Liter ginger ale
2 cups pineapple juice
Red apple slices

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large black witch’s cauldron with ice and stir.
Garnish with large slices of red apple floating on top and if desired, dry ice.

Serves 12-14.

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Halloween Fingers Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:50:39 -0700

Whether you're throwing or attending a Halloween bash this weekend, chances are you'll need some flavorful frights to go with whatever hard drinks you're having on All Hallow's Eve. Go ghoulish - but not too gruesome! - with a treat that's also a bit of a trick: bony witches' fingers. Make a handful in a flash with the help of pre-made breadstick dough. Going for the realistic? Take the time to make them from scratch, knuckles, almond fingernails, and all. Tickled yet by one or both recipes? Get them after the jump.

'Wich of the Week: Pecan Pumpkin Cakewich

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:00:10 -0700

In Autumn I welcome the arrival of all things pumpkin, whether it's pumpkin lattes at Starbucks, pumpkin chocolate cookies, or pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. So why not pumpkin sandwiches? Inspired by carrot cake with cranberries folded in, this sweet sandwich would make a great dessert or an afternoon snack with cider. Just in time for Halloween, you can make your own pumpkin bread or use a mix from a store like Trader Joe's, which is where I found the apple-cranberry chutney. Get this comfy Fall recipe now.

Happy Hour: Eyeball Highball

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:29 -0700

All month I've been fixated on trying my hand at as many spirited Halloween cocktails as possible. And with only five more days until the scariest night of the year, I wanted to shake up something that was more frighteningly festive than anything else I've made.

I was going for something creepier than my slime rickey, but not as gross as the infamous brain hemorrhage. I found a happy medium in the eyeball highball, a riff on the classic martini that's bobbing with radish-and-olive eyeballs. Put a seasonal slant on America's most beloved cocktail when you read more.

Happy Hour: Slime Rickey

YumSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:11 -0700

After tossing back a few of PartySugar's Candy Corn Cordials last weekend, I was ready to get into the spirit of the holiday with a chilling concoction of my own. A slime rickey isn't just a wordy play on the classic lime rickey of gin, lime juice, and club soda - it's also softened with the sweetness of simple syrup and eerily bobbing frozen grapes. The beverage is so easy to drink that the pitcher I made was gone in under an hour! Looking for a playful and festive Halloween refreshment? Then read more

Pumpkin Bread Is Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

YumSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:46 -0700

I've had Autumn on the brain for weeks now, but it wasn't until I received an inquiry about a faithful pumpkin bread recipe that the aromatic, spiced bread crossed my mind. Yet as soon as it did, I found myself craving a loaf of it. There was only one thing to do.

This tried-and-true recipe couldn't be any simpler. It doesn't require an electric beater, and you don't need to spend hours roasting your own pumpkin. The übermoist, not-to-sweet, spiced bread is the perfect breakfast, snack, or edible gift for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or anywhere in between. Want the recipe? Keep reading.

Happy Hour: Candy Corn Cordials

partysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:00:43 -0700

Are you ready to get in the Halloween spirit? Then I have a spirit for you, candy corn-infused vodka! Don't be afraid, the candy corn slightly sweetens the vodka and gives it a vibrant orange color. Use the candy corn vodka to make a cocktail by combining with orange liquor, lemon juice, and an egg white. The egg white is necessary; it provides a rich frothiness to the drink. The candy corn cordial ends up tasting like a sophisticated orange soda. It's not cloying, but rather smooth, drinkable, and slightly potent. To get the recipe for this festive cocktail, read more.

Candy Corn Cordials
From Food Network

Ingredients

For the infused vodka:
1/2 cup candy corn
1 1/2 cups vodka
For the cordials:
2 ounces orange liqueur
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 large egg white
Candy corn, for garnish

Directions

Infuse the vodka: Combine the candy corn and vodka in an airtight container; set aside for at least 3 hours, then strain.
Make the cordials: Add 4 ounces of the candy corn vodka, the orange liqueur, lemon juice and egg white to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Strain into 2 chilled martini glasses and garnish with candy corn.

Makes 2 drinks.

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Come Party With Me: All Hallow's Eve - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:50:08 -0700

Have no plans for Halloween? Well, there's still time to invite some friends over for a blowout Halloween bash! Halloween won't fall on a Saturday again until 2015, so now is the time to throw a fright-night-themed party.

Start the soirée after dinner and you won't have to worry about serving a complex menu. Instead offer a few fun bar snacks like vampire nut mix. This easy-to-make mixture of nuts gets a vibrant red color from cayenne pepper. Sprinkle won ton wrappers with cheese and bake; the resulting snack resembles bat wings.

Make deviled eggs look like the actual devil by adding a chive beard and bell pepper horns. To check out these quick, simple, crowd-pleasing bites, get the recipes and read more.

Vampire Nut Mix
From Woman's Day

Ingredients

3 cups raw mixed nuts
1⁄3 cup agave syrup
2 tsp salt, or to taste
1⁄4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste

Directions

Heat oven to 300°F. Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or aluminum foil coated with nonstick spray.
Put all ingredients in a medium bowl; toss to mix and coat. Spread on prepared baking sheet.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes until fragrant and toasted. Cool completely before serving.

Makes 3 cups.

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Crispy Cheese Chips
From Diabetic Living

Ingredients

30 wonton wrappers
Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions

Use a sharp knife to cut wonton wrappers diagonally in half to make 60 triangles.
Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange one-third of the triangles in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. If desired, for ruffled chips, line baking sheet with foil. Shape foil to make ridges. Lightly coat foil with cooking spray. Place wonton triangles on foil, draping over foil ridges.
In a small bowl stir together the olive oil, garlic, and basil. Lightly brush the wonton triangles with one-third of the oil mixture; sprinkle with one-third of the cheese.
Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 8 minutes or until golden. Cool completely on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining wonton triangles, oil mixture, and cheese.

Makes 60 chips.

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Devilish Eggs
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

12 large eggs
3 jarred roasted red peppers, finely chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco (optional)
1 small red bell pepper, cut into small triangles, for garnish
2 scallions, dark-green parts only, cut into small triangles, for garnish
Fresh chives, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, for garnish

Directions

Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside.
Put eggs into a medium saucepan, and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Cover; let stand 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggs to ice-water bath.
When eggs are cool, peel, and cut in half lengthwise. Carefully remove yolks, keeping whites intact and transferring whites and yolks to separate bowls. Refrigerate whites.
Add roasted peppers, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne, and hot sauce (if desired) to yolks. Mash with a fork until smooth. Cover, and refrigerate until stiff, about 30 minutes.
Mound yolk mixture in each egg-white half. Garnish with bell pepper, scallions, and chives to make devilish faces.

Makes 2 dozen.

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Stun Friends With Martha Stewart's Snake Cake

partysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:00:50 -0700

Sometimes I'll be flipping through a cooking magazine and see an item, say a chocolate cheesecake with a ganache glaze and a green sparkly sugar snake, and think, I'm going to make that. The majority of the time I rip out the recipe, add it to the "must-make" stack, and forget about it. But, sometimes the stars align and I do end up making said item. And so is the tale of the snake cake from the current issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Don't be intimidated, this cake is not that hard to make. It's a standard chocolate cheesecake and typical chocolate ganache. The most difficult part is cutting out the snake stencil. Completing the cake is wildly rewarding, I found it more satisfying than actually eating a piece, and regretted not making it for a party where it could be properly displayed and admired. It's perfect for Halloween or a Harry Potter-themed birthday party, so if you're feeling daring, get the recipe and read more.

Snake Cake With Venom Glaze
From Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients

For the crust
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 ounces (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/3 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 large egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the filling
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoonsunsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 pounds plus 10 ounces cream cheese, softened (from six 8-ounce blocks)
3/4 cup sour cream
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 large eggs plus 1 large yolk
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferably 61 percent cacao), melted and cooled slightly
Boiling water, for pan
For the glaze
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (preferably 61 percent cacao)
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
For the decoration
Snake stencil
Green and red* powdered food coloring

Directions

Make the crust: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Beat butter and sugars with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in yolk and vanilla. Reduce speed to low, and mix in flour mixture, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Press dough evenly into bottom of a 10-inch springform pan** to form a 1/4-inch-thick crust. Let chill in freezer for 15 minutes. Bake until firm, about 15 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack, and let cool completely. Leave oven on.
Make the filling: Whisk together granulated sugar, flour, and cocoa powder. Beat cream cheese with a mixer on medium speed until fluffy, scraping down sides as needed, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low. Gradually add the sugar mixture, and mix until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla, and mix until smooth. Add eggs and yolk, 1 at a time, mixing just to combine after each addition. Add chocolate, and mix until combined.
Wrap exterior of springform pan with a double layer of foil. Pour filling onto prepared crust, and set springform pan in a large roasting pan. Fill roasting pan with enough boiling water to reach halfway up the sides of springform pan. Bake cheesecake for 45 minutes.
Reduce heat to 325 degrees. Bake until set but slightly wobbly in the center, about 30 minutes more. Turn oven off; leave cake in oven with door ajar for 1 hour.
Transfer springform pan to a wire rack, remove foil, and let cake cool completely. Run an offset spatula or a knife around edge of cake, and carefully unmold. Set cake on wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet.
Make the glaze: Combine chocolate and corn syrup in a small bowl. Bring cream to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour cream over chocolate. Let stand for 5 minutes. Whisk until smooth. (Do not whisk too much or bubbles will form). Let cool for 10 minutes.
Decorate the cake: Pour glaze over cake in a circular motion, starting at the center and slowly moving outward toward the edge, to cover entire surface. Refrigerate, uncovered, until set, at least 4 hours (or overnight). Cake can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Set snake stencil on cake: Print template. Place it under a sheet of calendar vinyl. Use a permanent marker to trace the outline and the snake design onto vinyl. Working on a cutting mat, use a craft knife to cut along the lines. Work slowly and carefully. The vinyl will dull the knife's blade; change the blade as necessary. Sift green powdered food coloring over snake, avoiding the tongue, Carefully sift red powdered food coloring over tongue.

Serves 10-12.

*I used pink sugar instead of red, because that's what I had on hand.

**I made this in a 9-inch springform pan and had lots of leftover batter.

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