GeekSugar

6 Things to Do With Chives

Susannah Chen — Wed, 23 May 2012 05:39:40 PDT

Ever buy a bunch of herbs for a recipe, only to use a scant stem and find the rest wilted with dehydration a week later? This has admittedly been a long-standing problem in my kitchen, and I'm determined to cultivate a solution for it. This week I've addressing a fresh herb I have an ongoing problem forgetting to use: chives.

Although chives may be a perennial hardy in the garden, once they're in your crisper, don't expect their delicate, slender scapes to last over a week.

Before they devolve into a sorry state bound for the compost bin, be sure take advantage of chives and their light onion flavor. A few examples:

Start the day off right with a classic pairing of smoked salmon, cream cheese, and snipped chives.
Use them to add pungency to any mashed potatoes or any other potato dish.

Keep reading for more chive serving suggestions.

Gadget Essentials For Camping

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 20 May 2012 08:11:24 PDT

Heading to the great outdoors sometime this Summer? Before you load up the camper and hit the road, consider picking up these geeky gadget essentials for your time in the wilderness. They'll surely come in handy for those who just can't leave their electronic luxuries behind.

From Marinades to Mix-Ins, Make the Most of Mustard

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:55:51 PDT

Source: Flickr User jlastras

While mustard's always delicious slathered onto your favorite sandwich, there are so many ways to go beyond the basics and get creative with this common yet versatile condiment. From marinades to mix-ins, there are plenty of ways to make the most of mustard for your next meal.

Give your casseroles a bit of bite.
From shepherd's pie to mac and cheese, a spoonful of mustard can go a long way when developing the flavor profile of a classic dish.

Make a tangy dressing.
Whether you're making classic honey mustard or you're mixing things up with a standard vinaigrette recipe, a little mustard can go a long way.

Read on for countless more uses for mustard.

5 Creative Ways to Utilize Cream Cheese

Lizzie Fuhr — Tue, 15 May 2012 05:16:06 PDT

While there's nothing tastier than a big schmear of cream cheese on a freshly toasted bagel, this tasty spread can multitask in some amazing ways. Whether you're going for something savory or sweet, cream cheese can add a layer of delicious decadence that won't go unnoticed by the people who love to chow down on your food. Ready to get inspired? Here are five creative ways to make the most of the cute cream cheese tub in your fridge.

Add it to a dip. The addition of some cream cheese to your favorite dip can give it a whole new depth of flavor. If you haven't added cream cheese to a dip recipe before, we're partial to these tasty mushroom goat cheese queso and caramelized vidalia onion dips, both starring cream cheese.
Create a creamy marinara. Throwing together a last-minute weeknight supper? Take your traditional marinara sauce to the next level by adding a heaping helping of tasty cream cheese to the pan when you're heating up your red sauce. This is an easy way to make your basic sauce a little more exciting to everyone at the table.

Keep reading for three more tasty ways to enjoy cream cheese.

8 Hospital Bag Essentials For Nursing Mamas

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:51:16 PDT

When you throw your clothes in a bag to head to the hospital, don't forget the goods that will aid in breastfeeding your new babe. Ease into the motherly duty with a few of these items that may ensure nursing success.

4 Wine Varietals You Should Know

Susannah Chen — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:48:47 PDT

With the United States officially surpassing France in total wine consumption, wine drinkers aren't just about Chardonnay and Cab - they're into New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Argentinian Malbec, and Australian Shiraz, too.

But beyond the usual suspects, there are plenty of grape varietals out there are that have flown under the radar. Take the time to seek them out, as they've got distinct flavor characteristics and are generally awesome values. For some of our favorites, keep reading.

Essential Kitchen Items For College Grads

Sara Yoo — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:27:49 PDT

Graduation is such an exciting time, and for many former co-eds, it's a chance to try out a new city, pursue dream jobs, and rent an off-campus apartment. It also may mean stocking and maintaining a "real" kitchen . . . at least one that's used for more than steeping ramen noodles and unpacking fast food bags. We've rounded up 10 kitchen items that are essential to any postcollegiate kitchen (hint, hint, gift givers).

Walnuts: Our New Favorite Ingredient

Camilla Salem — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:33:09 PDT

Historically, walnuts haven't been an ingredient that comes to mind often when I'm cooking - I typically eat them out of my hand and in banana bread, but that's about it. But recently, I attended a seminar with cooking host Joanne Weir and the California Walnut Board and Commission, where we enjoyed a walnut-centered lunch. From that broadening meal, I learned so many new ways to incorporate the healthy and delicious nut into more recipes. A few of my favorite takeaways:

Add chopped toasted walnuts to homemade aioli: I enjoyed a dish of roasted asparagus, boiled eggs, and homemade toasted walnut allioli (Spanish aioli) that was transformative. The chopped walnuts added great texture and crunch to the dish, and complemented the garlicky sauce perfectly.
Top pizzas with walnuts: The Spanish pizza we enjoyed was topped with walnuts, bringing a delicious crunch and nuttiness to each bite.
Make walnut butter: Walnut butter is straightforward and simple, and would be great atop crostini as an appetizer.
Add them to salsa verde: Toasted walnuts bring an earthy flavor to a bright, zesty sauce such as Italian salsa verde. We enjoyed it topped on crispy roasted salmon.

Find more ideas for walnuts when you keep reading.

Mommy Milestones: Accomplishments Women Should Celebrate

LilSugar — Tue, 08 May 2012 13:55:58 PDT

Mother's Day is just around the corner! Mothers fawn over their children's accomplishments, but the proud parent often forgets to pat herself on the back for getting through a certain phase of life. And, many of those big moments lead to a bit more independence for the tot and freedom for mom! Women throw themselves into raising their offspring so when dramatic transitions occur, they should celebrate. Check out our list of amazing milestones that all mamas of young children should honor!

Real Simple's Allie Lewis Clapp Reveals 10 Ingredients to Save You Hours in the Kitchen

Susannah Chen — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:45:10 PDT

You may vow to skip takeout in favor of cooking every weeknight dinner, but let's face it: regardless of how much you like to cook, if you've got a busy schedule, you probably don't want to spend hours in the kitchen every night. The secret? According to Allie Lewis Clapp, food director of Real Simple magazine and editor of the new book Real Simple: Easy, Delicious Home Cooking, the secret sauce lies in having an arsenal of go-to ingredients. "There are a lot of items we go to again and again for Real Simple," she says. "We stock our kitchens with things to make our lives easier." See what Allie's top 10 list includes, when you keep reading.

Photos: Lauren Hendrickson, Real Simple, and Katie Sweeney