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Come Party With Me: Tree Trimming — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 10:41:43 -0800

I've invited some friends over this Friday for a holiday cocktail party. Since everyone (including moi!) will be attending a jewelry sample sale before, the snacks must be prepared in advance. Crostini with lentil and green olive spread can be made the night before the party. My dad will bake the brie with mango chutney twenty minutes before we arrive, so it's warm and gooey the second we walk in the door. A smoked salmon platter with dill sour cream waits chilled in the fridge and mini beef slider patties cook quickly.

To look at these recipes, which would be awesome for any holiday event,

Sunday Slow Cooker: Pork and Slaw Barbecue Rolls

YumSugar — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:00:25 -0800

Tonight I'm forgoing my usual soups, stews, and chowders for a relaxed Southern favorite: barbecue. This morning I'll literally be dropping my pork into the slow cooker, pouring in a few basic ingredients, and in six hours, the sweet aroma of North Carolina-style pulled pork will be wafting out of my kitchen. The fall-apart tender finished product, with its intensely tangy sauce, will no doubt become a family favorite. To get the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Beef Stroganoff With Pasta

partysugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:45:18 -0800

Tonight, make this rich, comforting classic for your family's dinner. Thinly sliced beef is seared with a pan-sauce of tomato paste, beef broth, and Worcestershire, making a meal that is flavorful and filling. Passing the sour cream horseradish mixture around the table lets everyone control the amount of creaminess in their stroganoff. To save time and dishwasher space, cook the pasta and broccoli in the same pot of boiling water. Get this mouth-watering recipe and

Sunday Slow Cooker: Hearty Fish Chowder

YumSugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 06:00:18 -0800

Making seafood in a slow cooker can be tricky, but this hearty fish chowder is a rare gem.

The key is to add the fish in the last hour, so as not to overcook it. Cream of celery soup and milk powder add richness and body to the stew; chunky potatoes, stewed tomatoes, and legumes add texture.

To make this effortless meal,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Herbed Lamb Steak Salads

partysugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:45:07 -0800

The classic steak salad gets a Greek makeover in this quick recipe. Lamb is seared on a grill pan before being tossed with mixed greens, radishes, and feta cheese.

A simple dressing combines yogurt with fresh chopped mint. When paired with a hummus and pita chip starter, this salad is perfect for weeknight entertaining. Check out the recipe and

Sunday Slow Cooker: Fennel and Pear Chicken

YumSugar — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 06:00:40 -0800

If you're in search of a new chicken recipe and you love pears, then this slow-cooked meal is for you.

Dried pears, in combination with pear nectar, truly bring the fruit's nutty, fragrant flavor forward. Add in mildly sweet, herbaceous fennel, and you've got a timeless recipe.

To put this simple meal together,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Layered Turkey Enchiladas

partysugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:30:53 -0800

Can't wait for Thanksgiving? This Tex-Mex-style meal is for you! It uses classic Thanksgiving ingredients to create a lasagna-like dish. Turkey is tossed with stir-fried vegetables, enchilada sauce, and cranberry sauce. The mixture is layered with cheese between corn tortillas before being baked until crisp and gooey. This dish is also a great way to transform leftovers. Feel free to substitute chicken for the turkey, if that's what you have on hand. To look at the recipe,

Sunday Slow Cooker: Vegetarian Curry

YumSugar — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0800

Now that we've cleared up any confusion you may have about curry and curry powder, I wanted to share a great recipe for it that you can make in your slow cooker.

This veggie dish makes a rounded meal whether or not you're a vegetarian; meat lovers will find it's full of robust flavors. To get this easy-prep recipe,

Come Party With Me: Election Night — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:00:42 -0700

Since the election night party starts around dinnertime, I plan on providing guests with some substantial snacking. However, the party is at Elixir, a bar with no kitchen, so all of the food has to be made in advance, and it must taste delicious served at room temperature.

To keep up with the patriotic theme, LibertySugar and I have come up with clever names for each of the dishes. Spicy buffalo chicken left-wings (or right! depending on your party) are cooled off with a scrumptious blue cheese dip. A campaign trail mix is crunchy and filling.

Lipstick pigs in a blanket are sure to be a crowd-pleasing favorite. Seven-layer dip with red, white, and blue tortilla chips rounds out the menu. To get the recipes to these festive election night eats,

Sunday Slow Cooker: Minestrone With Squash & Pork Sausage

YumSugar — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 06:00:15 -0700

If you're wondering what to do with all the beautiful Fall produce, look no further than this hearty minestrone with kale, squash, and pork sausage. If you've got dietary restrictions, simply adapt this recipe to your needs.

For example, you can substitute spinach for kale, kabocha for butternut squash, or chicken sausage for pork sausage. To make this comforting and adaptable recipe,