BellaSugar

Fresh Flavor: A Spanish Food Primer

YumSugar — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:25:02 PST

I constantly crave the flavors of Spain. Though Spanish cuisine varies tremendously across the different regions, they all have one thing in common: the use of fresh, local flavors. Spanish cuisine is heavily influenced by its climate and geography.

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the best way to describe Spanish food is the generous use of olive oil and garlic in dishes. Spain is the number one producer of olive oil, so it seems fitting that this ingredient brings together so many delicious elements. Spain has direct and abundant access to some of the best seafood in the world, and the cuisine offers everything from octopus to razor clams. Meat is also an important part of the Spanish diet and culture, specifically cured pork like jamón serrano and beef (eaten more rarely). Wine is a regular part of mealtime, similar to other Mediterranean countries. Fresh ingredients are of the utmost importance in Spanish cuisine, and because of this, dishes tend to be on the healthier side.

In Spain, dinner is typically eaten late at night (beginning around 10 p.m., but some even sit down to eat as late as midnight), which explains why tapas are a very significant part of Spanish culture. Tapas are small little meals, usually packed full of flavor, meant to be enjoyed while slowly sipping wine and conversing with friends. The cultural phenomenon of tapas is an important reminder to slow down and savor all of the flavors of life.

As I mentioned before, regionality is hugely important when it comes to Spanish cuisine. Typical meals in Galicia are vastly different from those in the Basque region or Andalusia. Still, there are a few common dishes and terms you should know about. Keep reading to learn more!

6 Things You Didn't Know About Tequila

Susannah Chen — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:14:03 PDT

If you hadn't noticed already, I'm a little obsessed with tequila these days. During San Francisco's Cocktail Week, I got educated on the basics of tequila by expert Ryan Fitzgerald and was swiftly convinced that there were numerous reasons why America should be drinking more tequila. But beyond that, I also garnered a number of surprising facts about the Mexican spirit. See the shocking facts - I guarantee they'll surprise you, too - when you read on.

Tequila 101: A Basic Primer

Susannah Chen — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:44:03 PDT

From margaritas to body shots, tequila has played an unforgettable role in America's drinking history. But let's face it: how much do you really know about this spirit? I'll be the first one to admit: I knew nada. So, instead of opting for one of the more advanced seminars on craft cocktail tools or artisanal gin cocktails at San Francisco Cocktail Week, I opted for a crash course on tequila instead. Thankfully, Ryan Fitzgerald, tequila expert and bar manager at Beretta, took no issue with our lack of tequila knowledge, and had no qualms answering any of our questions. Two hours later, I felt equipped with all the knowledge I needed to dive right into tequila appreciation. The basics of tequila - where it comes from, the way it's made, and how to taste it - when you read more.

Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etouffee: What's the Difference?

Susannah Chen — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 03:55:04 PST

New Orleans cuisine: boy, it may have a richly-colored heritage, but unless you're from around there, it sure can be confusing. Not only is it hard to keep track of which dishes are Cajun and which ones are Creole, but those rice dishes can be pretty tough to keep straight! So gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée: what's the difference, anyway?

Think of jambalaya as a distant relative of paella. It's got protein and vegetables (sometimes tomatoes, sometimes not), with rice and stock later simmered together or combined before serving. In contrast, gumbo - a mix of vegetables and meat or shellfish with thickened stock - is thinner and served as a soup alongside rice that's cooked separately.

Different from gumbo (which is considered a soup), étouffée's a main course, made of one type of shellfish (crawfish or shrimp, for instance) that's been smothered in a thick sauce and sometimes served ladled over rice. Don't confuse any of these, of course, with the city's historic Monday favorite: red beans and rice. Got all that?

Source: Flickr User gromgull

Holiday Survival Guide: Go From Day to Night in 5 Easy Steps

Jaime Richards — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:00:31 PST

Do you feel it in the air? It's party season, and that means you probably have more than just one festive social function marked in your calendar. But it also probably means you have very little time to actually get ready for said soirées. That's why I've devised this quick and simple multitasking guide for going from work to holiday gatherings in a flash. To see the step-by-step list, just keep reading.

Want to Know About All Things Primer? This Post Is For You

BellaSugar — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 09:00:03 PDT

The secret to keeping makeup looking fresh and slip-free all day is easy. Good skin always helps, but so does a primer premakeup application. From drugstore brands to luxe finds to a helpful tip from a Hollywood makeup artist, here are a few of our favorite primer posts below. Are you ready for prime time?

Primer + Foundation = Tinted Moisturizer	Olay and CoverGirl Unite For Double the Results	Monistat: Not Just For Ladyparts
Bring in a POREfessional	Hold the Silicone, Please!	Get Dewy, Hold the Shine

3 Ways to Flawless-Looking, Cake-Free Makeup

BellaSugar — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 08:00:00 PDT

Cakey makeup does not a happy woman make. And that's why I asked Debbie Zoller, Castle's makeup artist (and former makeup artist on Mad Men), how she manages to make the characters on the show look like they're not even wearing makeup at all - even though they're often wearing loads of it. While Debbie's tips focus mainly on her methods for TV, her steps apply to real life just as much. Find out her helpful pieces of advice on staying smooth when you read more.

Prime Time: Benefit the POREfessional

BellaSugar — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:00:00 PDT

In the final installment of my prime time series, here's a look at Benefit's the POREfessional ($28), a recently-released balm that's supposed to minimize the appearance of pores. But for all intents and purposes, it's a primer. Unlike the brand's That Gal ($28), which is luminescent and pink, this primer is matte and beige in color.

Right away, I was concerned about the chemically floral notes I got from the creamy gel. Also, getting used to that slippery feel silicone-based primers possess, is always a challenge. However, within seconds, the scent dissipated, and the oil-free product dried almost instantly into something smooth and translucent. As a test, I applied the POREfessional to just one side of my face in the morning. At the end of the day, I asked colleagues which side looked better. While it was unanimous that the primed side looked more even and fresh, it did wear a bit dry by end of day. Find out more when you keep reading.

Prime Time: Using Monistat as a Makeup Primer

BellaSugar — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:00:00 PDT

You've undoubtedly heard that Preparation H under the eyes acts as a depuffer, but have you heard the old wives' tale about using Monistat on the face as a makeup primer? You read it right.

Throughout my Prime Time series, I've experimented with primers of all sorts, and since I've been hearing so much about how wonderfully this lady bits product doubles as a primer, I had to give it a try. The brand's Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder-Gel ($8) is meant to be used for delicate areas like the bikini area, underarms, and inner thighs to provide protection and relief from irritation, and not for yeast infections (in case you were wondering). To find out if this unusual method does indeed work, just keep reading.

Prime Time: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer

BellaSugar — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 08:00:42 PDT

When it comes to primers, a few standards ring true. The majority are going to have that clear, slippery-to-the-touch feel, and essentially, they're going to do the same thing: create an even surface on the skin. What it all comes down to is personal preference. Do you want matte or satin finish, or something that's silicone- or scent-free? How about the price tag?

Maybelline's silicone-based Instant Age Rewind Primer pretty much has you covered on the basics, and at $9 a tube, it will appeal to your pocketbook. While a little more dense (but not oily) than other primers I've tried, it's also a lot more spreadable, and even has the tiniest bit of pink coloration to help give a subtle glow. My foundation and concealer glided right over it quite nicely. Find out more when you keep reading.