tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021:/mixed-review/30 2011-11-13T15:00:00Z Serious Eats Chapp tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.224958 2011-11-13T15:00:00Z 2011-11-13T15:00:00Z

I don't often prepare carb-heavy meals for dinner. Most nights, I'm happy with a giant salad and some simply roasted fish or chicken. But in the late fall when the temperature drops, I start craving things like pasta, mashed potatoes, heaping bowls of couscous, and above all else, risotto.

Lucy Baker I don't often prepare carb-heavy meals for dinner. Most nights, I'm happy with a giant salad and some simply roasted fish or chicken. But in the late fall when the temperature drops, I start craving things like pasta, mashed potatoes, heaping bowls of couscous, and above all else, risotto. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.185222 2011-10-16T15:00:00Z 2011-10-16T15:00:00Z

A hearty, creamy bowl of soup makes a great cold weather meal. This mix--made entirely of freeze-dried and powdered ingredients--promised to be a "rich fall harvest blend of squash, apple and pumpkin with a touch of brown sugar." Could it pack any real vegetable flavor without any fresh vegetables?

Lucy Baker A hearty, creamy bowl of soup makes a great cold weather meal. This mix--made entirely of freeze-dried and powdered ingredients--promised to be a "rich fall harvest blend of squash, apple and pumpkin with a touch of brown sugar." Could it pack any real vegetable flavor without any fresh vegetables? Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.218077 2011-09-25T15:00:00Z 2011-09-25T15:00:00Z

This year Rosh Hashanah falls smack in the middle of the week. Between work, recipe testing, and taking care of our new puppy, I just don't have time to prepare a lavish holiday feast from scratch. Williams-Sonoma recently released a <strong>jarred brisket starter</strong> made from tomatoes, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. All you have to do is pour it over the beef and braise in the oven or slow cooker. But would it be as good as a Jewish bubbe's?

Lucy Baker This year Rosh Hashanah falls smack in the middle of the week. Between work, recipe testing, and taking care of our new puppy, I just don't have time to prepare a lavish holiday feast from scratch. Williams-Sonoma recently released a jarred brisket starter made from tomatoes, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. All you have to do is pour it over the beef and braise in the oven or slow cooker. But would it be as good as a Jewish bubbe's? Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.184920 2011-07-17T15:00:00Z 2011-07-17T15:00:00Z

While ingredient lists for crab cakes need not be long, a lot of recipes call for things like homemade mayonnaise, a bevy of aromatics, or spices you don't necessarily have on hand. Would Crate &amp; Barrel's Chesapeake Crab Cake Mix ($3.95) streamline the process without compromising flavor?

Lucy Baker While ingredient lists for crab cakes need not be long, a lot of recipes call for things like homemade mayonnaise, a bevy of aromatics, or spices you don't necessarily have on hand. Would Crate & Barrel's Chesapeake Crab Cake Mix ($3.95) streamline the process without compromising flavor? Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.261618 2011-07-03T15:00:00Z 2011-07-03T15:00:00Z

The flatbreads were tender and easy to pull apart, pleasingly chewy, and perfect for sopping up leftover olive oil or grilling sauces. While I couldn't detect any significant sundried tomato flavor, the flatbreads were garlicky and spicy, and had a nice hint of salt. I would definitely recommend them as an accompaniment to grilled fish, eggplant, or saucy chicken.

Lucy Baker The flatbreads were tender and easy to pull apart, pleasingly chewy, and perfect for sopping up leftover olive oil or grilling sauces. While I couldn't detect any significant sundried tomato flavor, the flatbreads were garlicky and spicy, and had a nice hint of salt. I would definitely recommend them as an accompaniment to grilled fish, eggplant, or saucy chicken. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.258297 2011-06-12T13:00:00Z 2011-06-12T13:00:00Z

Gluten-free baking mixes have been available for a long time at health food and specialty stores, but it's only recently that everyday supermarkets have gotten into the game. Betty Crocker now has a line of easy, inexpensive, and readily available gluten free mixes. This week I baked a batch of the chocolate chip cookies.

Lucy Baker Gluten-free baking mixes have been available for a long time at health food and specialty stores, but it's only recently that everyday supermarkets have gotten into the game. Betty Crocker now has a line of easy, inexpensive, and readily available gluten free mixes. This week I baked a batch of the chocolate chip cookies. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.216965 2011-06-05T13:00:00Z 2011-06-05T13:00:00Z

I tried out Rick Bayless's <a href="http://www.fronterakitchens.com/shopping/product/11056/">Frontera Guacamole Mix</a> last weekend, when I was hosting a barbeque and didn't have time to make guac from scratch. Normally I don't mind all the mashing, mincing, and dicing, but in the summer I'm all about easy entertaining. Was it worth the price? And, more importantly, were my guests fooled into thinking I made it myself?

Lucy Baker I tried out Rick Bayless's Frontera Guacamole Mix last weekend, when I was hosting a barbeque and didn't have time to make guac from scratch. Normally I don't mind all the mashing, mincing, and dicing, but in the summer I'm all about easy entertaining. Was it worth the price? And, more importantly, were my guests fooled into thinking I made it myself? Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.292011 2011-05-22T11:00:00Z 2011-05-22T11:00:00Z

I like to start my day off on a healthy note, which means I don't often indulge at breakfast. But I do have a weakness for pancakes&mdash;fluffy golden-brown stacks topped with a fat pat of butter and dripping with pure maple syrup. Needless to say, I was excited to try out <a href="http://www.kodiakcakes.com/index.php">Kodiak Cakes</a> <strong>Whole Wheat, Oat and Honey Flapjack Mix</strong> ($7.95). They mix is made with 100% whole grains and egg whites, and has no added fat or sugar. And the pancakes came out so perfectly you might think I was a short order cook.

Lucy Baker I like to start my day off on a healthy note, which means I don't often indulge at breakfast. But I do have a weakness for pancakes—fluffy golden-brown stacks topped with a fat pat of butter and dripping with pure maple syrup. Needless to say, I was excited to try out Kodiak Cakes Whole Wheat, Oat and Honey Flapjack Mix ($7.95). They mix is made with 100% whole grains and egg whites, and has no added fat or sugar. And the pancakes came out so perfectly you might think I was a short order cook. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.195909 2011-05-08T11:00:00Z 2011-05-08T11:00:00Z

Justin Esch and Dave Lefkow believe that "everything should taste like bacon." To that end, they have developed a successful line of bacon flavored products that includes microwave popcorn, mayonnaise, seasoned salts, lip balm, and even baby formula. But here's the thing: none of them contain any actual bacon. If it's possible for something to taste like bacon without being meaty or porky, this dressing achieved it.

Lucy Baker Justin Esch and Dave Lefkow believe that "everything should taste like bacon." To that end, they have developed a successful line of bacon flavored products that includes microwave popcorn, mayonnaise, seasoned salts, lip balm, and even baby formula. But here's the thing: none of them contain any actual bacon. If it's possible for something to taste like bacon without being meaty or porky, this dressing achieved it. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.276071 2011-03-13T13:00:00Z 2011-03-13T13:00:00Z

Irish soda bread comes in many varieties. It can be sprinkled with caraway seeds or studded with raisins or currants. The hallmark of a good loaf is a crunchy, crumbly crust and a moist, tender interior. It's dead simple to bake from scratch, but in case you're short on time this St. Patrick's Day, I tested out <a href="http://www.stickyfingersbakeries.com/breadmix.asp">Sticky Fingers Bakeries Irish Soda Bread Mix</a> ($5.99).

Lucy Baker Irish soda bread comes in many varieties. It can be sprinkled with caraway seeds or studded with raisins or currants. The hallmark of a good loaf is a crunchy, crumbly crust and a moist, tender interior. It's dead simple to bake from scratch, but in case you're short on time this St. Patrick's Day, I tested out Sticky Fingers Bakeries Irish Soda Bread Mix ($5.99). Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.277672 2011-01-22T13:00:00Z 2011-01-22T13:00:00Z

you're having people over to watch the playoffs this weekend, or hosting a Super Bowl party on February 6th, odds are you'll be serving chili. Of course, <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/01/the-best-chili-recipe.html">awesome recipes for homemade chili</a> abound. But if you're already making guacamole, onion dip, wings, brownies, and other football-friendly foods, why not cut yourself some slack? I tried out Crate &amp; Barrel's new <a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/savories-snacks/frontera-chili-starter/s402764">Frontera Chili Starter</a> ($8.95) to see if it would be good enough to serve on game day.

Lucy Baker you're having people over to watch the playoffs this weekend, or hosting a Super Bowl party on February 6th, odds are you'll be serving chili. Of course, awesome recipes for homemade chili abound. But if you're already making guacamole, onion dip, wings, brownies, and other football-friendly foods, why not cut yourself some slack? I tried out Crate & Barrel's new Frontera Chili Starter ($8.95) to see if it would be good enough to serve on game day. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.240660 2011-01-15T11:00:00Z 2011-01-15T11:00:00Z

I found this mix exceptionally easy to prepare and the results terrific. These granola bars tasted like something your friend's hippie mom would bake and serve you after school. I highly recommend them.

Lucy Baker I found this mix exceptionally easy to prepare and the results terrific. These granola bars tasted like something your friend's hippie mom would bake and serve you after school. I highly recommend them. Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.206905 2010-11-20T13:00:00Z 2010-11-20T13:00:00Z

Last week, the folks at Serious Eats World Headquarters published an exhaustive stuffing <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/11/what-is-the-best-stuffing-for-thanksgiving-store-bought-brands-pepperidge-farm-martins-potato-rolls.html">taste test</a>. But their test was limited to readily available supermarket mixes, which left some of you wondering&mdash;what about the specialty mixes at gourmet shops?

Lucy Baker Last week, the folks at Serious Eats World Headquarters published an exhaustive stuffing taste test. But their test was limited to readily available supermarket mixes, which left some of you wondering—what about the specialty mixes at gourmet shops? Read More ]]> tag:www.seriouseats.com,2021://30.239192 2010-11-06T11:00:00Z 2010-11-06T11:00:00Z

Two years ago, I did a <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2008/11/cornbread-boxed-mixes-review-thanksgiving.html">roundup</a> of standard supermarket cornbread mixes for this column and was generally unimpressed with all of them. They were gummy, thin, and cloyingly sweet. I called Jiffy, my top choice, "solid, if not sensational" and recommended doctoring it up with add-ins like sun-dried tomatoes, poppy seeds, and pecans. This year, I thought it was time to revisit the cornbread basket by comparing two readily available specialty mixes: <strong>Crate &amp; Barrel's Buttermilk Cornbread Mix</strong> and <strong>Trader Joe's Cornbread Mix</strong>.

Lucy Baker Two years ago, I did a roundup of standard supermarket cornbread mixes for this column and was generally unimpressed with all of them. They were gummy, thin, and cloyingly sweet. I called Jiffy, my top choice, "solid, if not sensational" and recommended doctoring it up with add-ins like sun-dried tomatoes, poppy seeds, and pecans. This year, I thought it was time to revisit the cornbread basket by comparing two readily available specialty mixes: Crate & Barrel's Buttermilk Cornbread Mix and Trader Joe's Cornbread Mix. Read More ]]>