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Mac Attack! Gorgonzola Apple Macaroni and Cheese

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:30:54 -0700

I love blue cheese, but occasionally find that it can overpower a dish with its pungent flavor. But after appreciating its modest contribution to last week's buffalo chicken macaroni and cheese, I was ready to give it a starring role.

One of my favorite versions of macaroni and cheese in San Francisco is made by Solstice, a restaurant and bar in my neighborhood. One taste of the creamy, steamy, slightly sharp mac - which is foiled by tart green apples and toasted walnuts - and all of the day's problems have vanished.

Since I've enjoyed it so many times at the restaurant, I took a stab at recreating it in my own kitchen. My attempt wasn't too bad, although I decided next time I'll make a few variations to the béchamel, which are noted below. Curious to see how I made it? Find out after the break.

Photo Gallery: Gorgonzola Mac and Cheese

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:13:11 -0700

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Eva Teaches Us How to Make Tortilla Soup

YumSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 13:30:00 -0800

Last night celebrity chef/restauranteur Todd English and actress Eva Longoria celebrated the opening of their new restaurant Beso. The restaurant has been in the works for some time, and Eva has been involved in every level including the menu. In fact, she has even contributed recipes to the menu. Two of the house specialties are Eva's guacamole and her tortilla soup. She says:

I make the best guacamole in the world. And my tortilla soup . . . I am renowned for.

If you're curious to try Eva's tortilla soup, but can't quite make it to Beso then make it at home. Get the recipe, just read more.

Eva Longoria's Tortilla Soup
From Eva Longoria via People

Ingredients

1 medium onion, medium dice
½ bunch of celery, medium dice
¼ cup garlic, chopped
1 pasilla pepper (a dried, mild chili), medium dice
1 jalepeño pepper, diced
½ cup olive oil
6 whole Roma tomatoes
6 cups hearty chicken stock
½ cup lime juice
2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin seed
1 tablespoon paprika
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper, to taste

Tortilla chips, avocado, jalepeños or sour cream to garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350º. In a bowl, toss tomatoes with half of the oil, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Spread on a baking pan and roast until light brown, 25-30 minutes.
While tomatoes are roasting, in a stock pot over medium heat, sauté onion, celery, peppers and garlic in remaining oil, stirring frequently until soft and translucent.
Add chicken stock, cayenne, chili powder, ground cumin seed, paprika and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer 20 minutes.
When tomatoes are light brown and their skins have begun to peel back, remove from oven and add to the broth.
Add chicken breasts, cut into strips. Simmer 10 minutes.
Using an immersion hand blender, or in batches in a food processor or blender, blend soup until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve piping-hot in large bowl, garnished with chopped avocado, tortilla chips, chopped jalepeños and sour cream. Other suggestions for garnish include diced red onion, chopped cilantro, salsa verde, sliced radishes and cooked, diced chicken. Adjust spices and seasonings to your taste. Enjoy!

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In the Kitchen With Ryan Scott

partysugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:15:39 -0700

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity of going into the kitchen at San Francisco's Mission Beach Cafe. Chef Ryan Scott, a competitor on this season's Top Chef, invited me in for a crouton cooking lesson. The friendly, good-looking chef told me about his re-creation of the menu and his hopes to build the restaurant's status. With his TC experience behind him, Scott is busy focusing on cooking and making culinary appearances.
His delicious food is comforting yet sophisticated, familiar yet complex. If you're in the Bay Area, I highly recommend checking out the cafe. His homemade croutons (found in everything from soups to salads) are the best I've ever tasted. If you aren't in the area, bring a little bit of Ryan into your home with this amazing crouton recipe.
Instead of writing out the recipe, Scott, a hands on chef, preferred to teach me personally how to make them. To go behind the scenes and learn how to make Chef Scott's scrumptious croutons, take a look at our exclusive video, and read more.

Homemade Croutons
From Ryan Scott

The key to making these delicious croutons is a large quantity of butter. According to Chef Scott, the bread should be fried in a "Jacuzzi of butter."

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter
1 bundle fresh thyme, tied together with cooking string
6-8 garlic cloves, peeled
4 dried arbol chilies
2-4 cups ciabatta bread, torn into bite-sized pieces

Directions

In a large saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. When the butter is bubbling and melted (do not let it brown) add the thyme, garlic, and chilies. Saute for a couple of minutes, tossing to coat with the butter.
When you hear the thyme start to snap and pop, add the bread pieces.
Toss to coat. Cook, stirring or tossing occasionally for 5-7 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the broiler.
Place the bread under the broiler for 3-5 minutes until it is crisped and brown.
If desired, finish on the stove, with 2 more minutes of sautéing.
Remove the pan from the heat and transfer croutons to another dish to cool.
Remove the thyme, garlic, and chilies* from the croutons. Enjoy the croutons immediately or keep stored in an air-tight container for 2 days.

Makes 2-4 cups of croutons.

*Do not simply discard these ingredients. Chef Scott uses the thyme bundles to season stocks and the sautéed garlic adds depth to his appetizing aioli.

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Happy Hour: Cilantro Martini

partysugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:13:13 -0700

I met two of my oldest gal pals for happy hour at Two restaurant here in San Francisco. We sat at the bar and acted the way long time girlfriends usually do when they see each other: giddy. Laura, who is a member of the staff at Two, told me that I had to try the cilantro martini. Using cilantro to infuse a cocktail?! Pure genius! This cocktail was smooth and refreshing - an absolutely excellent aperitif. My tastebuds were souring, my palette tantalized, and my heart racing (not from the drink but from the very cute bartender!). Like any resourceful party gal I ran home and worked out the recipe on my own. Like cilantro? Like vodka? Make this cocktail for your next happy hour! To get the recipe just read more

Cilantro Martini
Inspired by a cocktail consumed at Two restaurant

heaping handful fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated and minced
juice from 1 lime
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
2 oz citrus flavored vodka (recommended Ketel One Citroen)
1/2 oz gin (recommended Bombay Sapphire)

Fill shaker with crushed ice, cilantro, lime juice, and simple syrup. Muddle well.
Add vodka and gin shake well.
Strain into a chilled cocktail shaker and enjoy.

Serves 1.

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A Little Monday Inspiration - Paula Deen

SavvySugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:02 -0800

Need a little Monday inspiration to get you going, then look no further than Paula Deen. The 62 year-old restaurateur, entrepreneur, and superwoman, makes the list of Fortune's 50 Most Powerful Women, and opens up about her journey to the top and how she totally transformed her life.

You may not agree with her buttery-indulgent recipes, but Paula's personal story and professional mega-success certainly inspire - serving as a role model for anyone looking to make a career out of their passion, and as a reminder that it's never too late to redirect your career goals.

Explains Paula, "I came from an era where...I expected some man to take care of me...[till] 42 [when] I realized that I was just as capable as my husband," and opened her very own restaurant business, The Bag Lady - the first small step in a career move that has had a huge payoff. How's that for a savvy career woman?

To see Paula's complete interview read more.

Monday's Leftovers: Lamb and Polenta "Lasagne"

YumSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:42 -0800

With a little leftover ground lamb and even less time, you can make a layered lamb and polenta dish that rivals anything you could order at a restaurant.

The key to speedy success is to take smart shortcuts. Use already-stewed tomatoes, grated mozzarella, and ready-made polenta for easy layering.

Employ the oven for a final browning touch, and you'll have a dinner that can't be beat on the busiest night of the week. To see the recipe, keep reading.

Sunday Dinner: Whole-Wheat Flatbreads With Lamb & Yogurt

YumSugar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:30:25 -0800

Ever since I made pasta with lamb and tomato ragu, I haven't been able to stop singing the praises of ground lamb. If you love ordering lamb at restaurants but have never made it at home, ground lamb is the perfect starting point, since it requires no special handling.

Prepare the quick, from-scratch recipe for wheat pitas below or, in a pinch, use store bought pitas or tortillas. The textural contrast of the grainy bread with Greek yogurt and ground meat is incredibly satisfying. For the fun, hands-on recipe, read on.

Food Section Sampler - Nov. 4, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:30:07 -0800

Isaac Mizrahi is now hawking plaid cheesecakes for QVC. - Women's Wear Daily
Did Gourmet magazine die by trying too hard to be all things to all people? - Los Angeles Times
One Brooklynite re-creates the famed St. Louis gooey butter cake. - New York Times
The economy hasn't quelled America's appetite for luxury foods. - San Francisco Chronicle
The science behind how gelatin works. - Boston Globe
Look forward to enjoying new cocktail classics. - Washington Post
Restaurants have a new way to cut back: Re-creating recipes to conserve on ingredients. - Wall Street Journal

Fast & Easy Dinner: Gnocchi With Chard and White Beans

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:50:38 -0700

If you think gnocchi is a dish that can only be enjoyed in restaurants, think again! These days most grocery stores offer packaged gnocchi in the fresh or regular pasta sections. Why not make this staple a part of your busy-cook pantry? Then when you're in the mood for a comforting Italian-style meal, make this dish! The gnocchi is combined with hearty chard, stewed tomatoes, and white beans. The recipe calls for a topping of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, but if you are trying to eat healthy, simply omit them. Sound delish? Wait till you read the recipe.