Stuff We Love &#8211; Taste of Home

We Tried It

Bruvi Coffee Maker

Bruvi makes the best pod coffee machine that's a smart app-compatible, touchscreen device that brews seven drinks: coffee, espresso, Americano, cold brew, iced coffee, infused coffee and tea.

Why I Love It

The best thing about Bruviit makes seriously good coffee. It’s a full-bodied, palatable cup of joe. Each roast is packed with flavor and distinguishable from the others.

No, I don’t think a single-serve coffee maker will ever beat the taste of French press coffee with freshly ground beans. However, it is easier to brew coffee in the Bruvi, and a heck of a lot quicker when I’m in a pinch for time.

When guests come over, they’re always in awe of my Bruvi and all the options. For a coffee maker, it’s quite entertaining to use with the large touchscreen control panel and smartphone app capability.

The Bruvi is aesthetic and looks beautiful on my coffee bar with a white exterior and bamboo accents. I’m all for a bright, minimalistic appliance. Plus, it’sthe only single-serve coffee maker that can make so many different types of drinks. And, it’s sustainable and aesthetic!

But Dont Take My Word for It!

I’m not alone, reviewers are obsessed with their Bruvi coffee makers.

Five-star reviewer, Tyler S. is throwing out his Keurig and encourages you to bite the bullet with Bruvi. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but all of my expectations have been exceeded. I’ve been dedicated to the Keurig brand for a good number of years now solely due to convenience, but I’ve never been too impressed with the quality of the coffee. In my opinion, Bruvi is finally an alternative to Keurig that successfully does what Keurig can’t. Coffee strength is impeccable, taste is amazing [and] it never feels watered downI can even make strong iced lattes in the comfort of my own home! If you’re struggling to bite the bullet with Bruvi because you already have a Keurig, let this be your sign,” he writes.

Stephanie Q. says this is the best coffee maker she’s ever used. She seldom leaves reviews, but felt this one was needed. “I cannot say enough positive things about the Bruvi. We added this to our coffee bar about three weeks ago, and it has become my new favorite kitchen gadget. I was strongly against the pod system because I didnt care for how the water sat in the machine. We used to own a Keurig, and that would often make us have stomach troubles. I have not experienced that yet with the Bruvi. I can taste the difference between the pods and feel the temperature which is amazing.”

Where to Buy the Bruvi Coffee Marker

The Bruvi coffee maker bundle retails for $398 on Bruvi’s website and Amazon with the inclusion of a brewer and 20 B-Pods. This option serves the best bang for your buck. Or, purchase the brewer alone for $373 on Bruvi.

A pack of 20 pods ranges from $22-$30, so each pod costs $1.10-$1.50. Opt for auto-delivery every two, four, eight or 12 weeks and receive a 20% discount. I always end up restocking the variety pack for an array of options.

Final verdict, the Bruvi lives up to the hype. While others may have different opinions, the Bruvi is the only pod coffee maker I’d recommend.

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Bruvi Coffee Maker

Bruvi uses an auto-optimized brewing system to brew up to 40% more sustainably sourced, 100% Arabica coffee than a typical pod.

Why You Should Trust Us

I’m a Senior Shopping Editor at Taste of Home and have years of experience reviewing products. I’ve tested numerous pod coffee makers and coffee brewing vessels, including Keurig, Nespresso, Chemex, AeroPress, Bialetti and Bodum to name a few. As a coffee connoisseur, I worked at a Fair Trade-certified coffee shop in college and learned the art of coffee.

FAQ

Does Bruvi use K-Cups?

No, the Bruvi coffee maker only uses B-Pods, which can be purchased on the Bruvi site.

The post Bruvi Review: I Can Brew My Morning Coffee From Bed appeared first on Taste of Home.

The 5 Best Plant-Based Meal Delivery Services of 2024

Madi Koetting — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 19:12:49 +0000

Best Overall

Purple Carrot

Topping our list of best plant-based meal delivery services, Purple Carrot is 100% vegan and plant-based. They stand out for ease of ordering, strong meal variety and fresh ingredients. While some services specialize in one category, like “prep and cook it yourself” kits or heat-and-eat style meals, Purple Carrot offers it all. Looking to channel your inner chef? Go for the meal kit option. What about those nights when you’re craving something easy yet packed with flavor? Purple Carrot’s prepared meals and frozen meals are ideal.

Plus, there’s a kit option for home cooks who desire less prep time. Bonus: the “plantry” section makes it a breeze to stock up on vegan pantry goods. As if it could get better, Purple Carrot meals are clinically proven to lower LDL cholesterol and may lower the risk of developing diabetes.

I first tested this service in October 2022 when I was trying plant-based eating for the first time. I remember feeling overwhelmed by the amount of ingredients I had to cut out of my diet to maintain a plant-based plate. When I tried Purple Carrot, I was blown away by the flavor and ease of cooking. Who knew all it took was a juicy portobello burger meal kit to convert me to this eating style? In all seriousness, Purple Carrot is the top service that gives me the confidence to maintain a plant-based diet that tastes amazing and makes my body feel good, too.

Pros

100% vegan and plant-based meals
Meals are packed with flavor and fresh ingredients
Ordering is easy and convenientno need to filter for vegan-exclusive meals
Strong recipe variety spanning meal kits, ready-to-eat dishes and frozen options

Cons

If you have a nut allergy, pay extra attention to dishes with plant-based dairy substitutes as they typically contain tree nuts

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We Tried the Viral Bissell Little Green Machine—And The Results Are Disgustingly Good

Madi Koetting — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:27:43 +0000

As a cleaning-obsessed homebody and pet parent, I’ve spent several years investing in high-quality gadgets to keep my home in tip-top shape. Anyone who relates knows a closet filled with the best cleaning products cuts down on chore time (looking at you, Tineco VacMop). Rock star cleaning products also offer peace of mind knowing your gadgets are really deep cleaning the home. During this time, I’ve curated a list of non-negotiable cleaning heroes: Grove Collaborative’s eco-friendly products, an electric spin scrubber for the bathroom, and my new favorite gadget: the Bissell Little Green Machine. Read on for our official Bissell Little Green Machine review.

What is the Bissell Little Green Machine?

Also known as a portable upholstery cleaner, the Little Green Machine uses wet/dry vacuum technology to eliminate tough stains and spills. I like to call it a magic eraser for couches, car seat cushions and carpets because it makes surfaces look (and feel) brand new. So how does it work? Simply fill the clean tank with water and one capful of the included cleaning solution. Then, plug it in, spray stains with the scrub brush attachment, and vacuum the area in an upward motion to clean. After a few short minutes, stains magically lift away while making surfaces look and smell as fresh as day one. It’s that easy!

Speaking of, you’ll never use a dustpan again after trying a stationary vacuum.

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We Tried It

Bissell Little Green Machine

The wet/dry vacuum is like a magic eraser on couch cushions, car seats and carpet.

Bissell Little Green Machine Features

Portable
48-ounce dirty tank capacity
Includes cleaning solution
Weight: 10 pounds
Size: 8.25 x 17.25 x 12.5 (DxWxH)

How We Tested It: Bissell Little Green Machine Review

My initial review began in September 2023. Upon unboxing, my Little Green Machine arrived mostly assembled. A few parts, like the cord holder and spray brush, required manual attachment. The instructions for adding these pieces were simple and took a mere five minutes. Next, I filled the clean tank with water and a capful of the included cleaning solution. All that was left was to plug in the device and press the power button. Time for my Bissell Little Green Machine review!

Couch

To put this gadget to a true test, I spilled black coffee all over my white couch. Risky, I knowbut this is the best way to test its limits. I let it sit for 30 minutes, then went in with the Little Green Machine. All it takes is spraying the solution all over the affected area and then working the scrub brush in an upward motion to vacuum. I discovered it’s best to move the scrub brush in multiple angles to clean the entire surface. I followed this process of spraying, scrubbing and vacuuming three to four times before I saw visible results, which is expected based on all the Bissell Little Green Machine reviews I’ve read. Still, in just 10 minutes, my white couch no longer had a black coffee stain. After about an hour of drying, my white couch looked as bright as day one. My initial spilled coffee test proved the Little Green Machine is solid gold.

Carpet

Time for risk number two: dumping orange juice on my carpet. Just like my couch, I let the orange juice stain soak in for 30 minutes. Going in with the machine, I rigorously sprayed the carpet with solution and began vacuuming. Immediately, orange juice started filling up the dirty tank. Cleaning with this gadget is so satisfying and dare I say, fun. Yes, the final result is amazing, but vacuuming is just as delightful because it’s like a magic eraser. The key is numerous sprays and at least five minutes of vacuuming to ensure the stain is lifted from deep within the upholstered surface. After five minutes, the carpet fibers were no longer crusted over with orange juiceand it smelled fresh, too!

Other Surfaces and Messes

As I mentioned, I’m a pet parent. Though my dog, CeCe, is mostly trained, there are always occasional pet accidents. And if they’re on carpet, it can be as long as a few days or weeks until I catch a crusty stain. I’ve tested a lot of pet stain removers, but nothing cleans the carpet quite as well as the Bissell Little Green Machine. If I catch the pet stain immediately, I always treat the area with an enzymatic spray and clean it the next day with the green machine. If it’s an old stain, I immediately go in with the green machine.

I then tested the machine on a recent accident on my bedroom carpet. I’m not exaggerating when I say it could have been there for months before I caught it. Firing up the Little Green Machine, I saturated the area with the solution and vacuumed it in multiple up, down and side-to-side motions. Whiffs of pet urine lifted away as I cleaned the carpet, signaling the machine was deep cleaning the fibers. When I was finished, the dirty tank was a dark brownaka the sign of the machine’s success. Better yet, my carpet no longer had a layer of yellow crust on the top.

Pros

Multipurpose portable carpet cleaner
Eliminates stains on any upholstered surface
Powerful suction
Fun to use
Large dirty water tank capacity means less rinses in between cleanings
Works on tough pet stains
Includes cleaning solution
Removes odors
One-year limited warranty

Cons

It’s not cordless
Must clean the machine immediately after use to avoid odors or malfunctions
If you want to clean an entire couch or rug, it will take a while, but the results are worth it

FAQ

What is the Bissell Little Green Machine used for?

The Bissell Little Green Machine is a portable wet/dry vacuum that removes stains or spills on upholstered surfaces: couches, carpets, rugs, throw pillows, seat cushions, car seat coversyou name it. Any surface with a stainwhether new or five years oldis no match for this gadget.

Does Bissell Little Green leave couch wet?

Because the machine is a wet vacuum, surfaces are left somewhat damp and will need to air dry for at least one hour. The machine combines water and liquid cleaning solution to thoroughly clean couch cushions and beyond, so make sure to suction up every last bit, even after stains are no longer visible, to ensure surfaces dry properly.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Five-star reviewer Collin M. writes, “I absolutely love this thing, for certain, it’s simply magic. We had a stain in the house for YEARS that refused to come up no matter what cleaner you used on it, and was removed in a couple minutes with this bad boy. The water that came up from that old stain was so dark it was disturbing, haha. The only problem now is that the spot where the stain was is now so clean that it makes the rest of the carpet look dirty, lol. Definitely, 100% would recommend!”

“So, with multiple kittens in the apartment, plus kiddo’s got his dog visiting for a little while, as you can imagine, my poor carpet’s taken quite a beating these last three months,” writes verified purchaser T. Rea Okerberg. “Since I can’t afford to have one of those upright shampooers, not only because of their price tag but because of how bulky they are and I lack the space to store it when it’s not being used, I knew I needed to find SOMETHING that would work. Hello, Bissell Little Green! This little guy is SO strong with its suction, it cleaned the mess up super well, and you can’t even tell where he’d marked!”

Product Comparison

Though the classic Little Green Machine is the most popular portable carpet cleaner Bissell offers, it’s not the only one. The brand offers several more portable carpet cleaners like the Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner,Cordless Little Green Machine (ideal for cars or areas where an outlet isn’t nearby), HydroSteam and the ProHeat. These machines are more heavy-duty than the classic model, so it truly depends on how deep of a clean your home or business requires. From my tests, I’ve found the classic Little Green Machine is an ultra-powerful spot cleaner for stains, spills, dirt and grime produced by humans or pets. It also works wonders cleaning entire couches and rugs, just note it requires a little more manpower and patience.

For pet parents, Bissell’s Little Green Pet Pro line is ideal for homes with multiple furry friends who frequently have accidents or get dirt on upholstery. The machine’s technology is specifically designed for big pet messes, making it a saving grace in the event of serious pet accidents. If your pets are small or their accidents are rare, the classic Little Green Machine cleans just as well.

Choosing a portable carpet cleaner comes down to personal preference. The HydroSteam and ProHeat models have heat technology and additional tools that permanently remove stains and deep-clean fibers. Rest assured that no matter what model you choose, upholstered surfaces are guaranteed to get a serious deep clean.

Final Verdict

If you can’t tell by now, my Bissell Little Green Machine review proves this cleaning device is solid gold. I found it takes a healthy amount of spraying and vacuuming to truly eliminate stains. Because it’s a wet/dry vacuum, surfaces are wet post-vacuuming. Be patient if the upholstered item isn’t in A+ condition right away. It’s also important to vacuum every last bit of liquid or else surfaces won’t dry properly. Still, cleaning with the machine is as easy as spraying, scrubbing and vacuuming to transform any upholstered surface. The bottom line: any home with kids, pets or everyday stains they can’t seem to remove can benefit from the Bissell Little Green Machine.

Where to Buy the Bissell Little Green Machine

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We Tried It

Bissell Little Green Machine

The wet/dry vacuum transforms surfaces to like-new condition.

If you have kids, pets or can’t seem to avoid messy spills (aka literally everyone), take our Bissell Little Green Machine review as your sign to add the grime-busting pro to your cart. Find it on Amazon, the Bissell website, Walmart and Target where it goes for around $123.

Considering it revives any upholstered surface (couch cushions, car seats, rugsyou name it) back to like-new condition, it’s one of the best cleaning gadgets to have in your back pocket when serious messes occur. Not to mention it’s a much more affordable alternative to hiring a professional cleaner. If you need me, I’ll be freshening up the couch with this fun gadget!

Next, check out the Bissell Steam Shot for hard-to-reach cracks and crevices.

The post We Tried the Viral Bissell Little Green Machine—And The Results Are Disgustingly Good appeared first on Taste of Home.

I Tried the Farberware Countertop Dishwasher and Dishes Take Me a Fraction of the Time

Annamarie Higley — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 18:40:37 +0000

No chore makes me feel like Sisyphus quite like dishwashing does. The last time I lived in an apartment with a dishwasher was nearly four years ago, so it’s been a life of hand-washing and pruney fingers for a while now. And because I work from home and cook three square meals in my kitchen each day, the plates, bowls and silverware pile up at warp speed. Even with my trustiest dishwashing tools on hand, the task is so monotonous.

Unable to look at one more food-crusted fork, I was desperate for a solution. Enter: the countertop dishwasher. I jumped at the chance to test out the popular Farberware model, but would the appliance make my life easier, as I’d hoped?

What is the Farberware Countertop Dishwasher?

This Farberware dishwasher is an appliance that sits on a surface such as a table or countertop and simply plugs into a wall. Because of this, its capacity is significantly smaller. The machine can fit just a few place settings at one time and holds dishes with a 12-inch diameter or smaller. The overall footprint is 22 by 20 by 17 inches, and it weighs 43 pounds.

The Farberware countertop dishwasher is intended for those who live in RVs, dorms, studios or other small apartments. Regardless of location, it’s best for one- or two-person households. (Psst! See more small appliances.)

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We Tried It

Farberware Countertop Dishwasher

The compact dishwasher has wash programs that leave your dishes clean and you with more free time.

Farberware Countertop Dishwasher Features

I’ve compared various countertop dishwasher models, and in my opinion, the Farberware one has all the essential features. For one, it doesn’t require a faucet hookup. Although that option is available, the 5-liter tank may also be filled manually with the provided pitcher before each use, making the machine extra versatile and portable. In addition to the pitcher, the dishwasher also comes with a rolling rack, clip-on silverware tray, baby bottle holder, drain hose and faucet supply line. Note: I did not receive the fruit basket that’s currently available.

Moreover, there are various functions: normal, rapid, glass, fruit, baby care and air refresh. Although I haven’t had the use for most functions, I’ve noted that the normal cycle, which takes just over two hours, includes drying, whereas the 40-minute rapid cycle does not. I much prefer the former. I use liquid dishwasher detergent, but pods work, too.

When you’re all set, the door latches via magnetic strips, plus it has a window so you can follow along with the progress (my cat is a big fan of this feature!).

How We Tested It

Set-Up

I’ve used the Farberware countertop dishwasher almost daily for three months. Assembly upon reception was effectively nonexistent because I didn’t hook it up to our faucet right away. All that was required was unpacking the accessories, which were neatly situated within the rolling rack; connecting the drain hose to the back of the machine, then snaking it into a nearby sink; and plugging the dishwasher into the wall.

For the first two months, I manually filled the water tank via the provided plastic pitcher. Although this method makes the dishwasher more universally usable, it does get old after a while. The pitcher holds less than two liters of water, so it requires three trips to fill the tank. Plus, the opening to the cavity in which you pour the water is small and lends itself to spillage.

That being said, the dishwasher was convenient enough to make these gripes worth it. I didn’t fall in love with the appliance, however, until I hooked it up to my kitchen faucet. If this is an option for you, I’d highly recommend it. It makes me feel like I have a standard dishwasher at my service.

Use

I most often employ the rapid and normal cycles. The rapid cycle takes under an hour, but the water doesn’t get as hot and the dishes aren’t dried. The normal cycle is lengthy, but I typically do dishes right before bed, so I don’t mind it running throughout the night to have mostly dried dishes in the morning. While running, it’s surprisingly quiet, and the alarm that sounds upon completion isn’t overly disruptive. The normal cycle takes two hours and 10 minutes, and temps reach well over 150 degrees.

On those lighter days in which I’m not meal-prepping and creating tons of dirty pots and pans, the dishwasher holds roughly an entire day’s worth of plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. The silverware rack, especially, fits a surprising amount.

After I’m done loading the rack, I squeeze a dollop of liquid detergent into the designated compartment on the backside of the door and let it do its thing. I typically have a few additional dishes to take care of by hand, like those that aren’t dishwasher-safe or are too big. But, in all, I’d say the Farberware dishwasher cuts the amount of time it takes me to do my dishes in half.

I’ve never had any issues with stuck-on food (granted I do thoroughly rinse dishes before adding them to the dishwasher). There have been instances, though, of small amounts of dried coffee and melted cheese readily washing away. It does a bang-up job that’s comparable to that of any full-size dishwasher.

Pros

No hookups required
Included accessories (water pitcher, baby bottle holder, fruit colander)
Easy touchscreen with five wash programs
Drying capabilities
Sleek appearance with see-through window and LED lights
More compact than most other models

Cons

Not compatible with rinse aids

FAQ

How much water does a Farberware countertop dishwasher use?

The Farberware countertop dishwasher uses 5 liters of water per wash cycle, regardless of the program selected. It will need to be filled, either manually or via the faucet supply line, each time you use it. This compares to the 4 to 14 gallons of water used by full-size dishwashers (granted, they are cleaning more dishes). Additionally, hand-washing dishes can use as many as 27 gallons of water per full-size dishwasher load.

How does a countertop dishwasher drain?

This Farberware countertop dishwasher, specifically, drains by way of a hose, which screws and clamps onto the back of the machine. It’s more than 50 inches long, so the dishwasher does need to be somewhat close to a sink, but it’s bendable and inconspicuous to make the connection more manageable. The hose is also fitted out with a suction cup so that it can be secured in place to the wall or base of the sink.

Product Comparison

As I mentioned, I believe the Farberware countertop dishwasher to have the best parts of all its competitors. For example, it doesn’t require a faucet hookup like some others. It has drying capabilities, which not all can boast. And its wash programs and accessories are on par. Additionally, it’s similar in size to or smaller than other models, like, say, the Black+Decker one. Most countertop dishwashers cost between $200 and $500. At $280, this Farberware dishwasher is solidly in the middle. Plus, its touchscreen, windowed door and overall sleek design make it more attractive than most.

As compared to standard dishwashers, it’s, of course, cheaper, but it’s also much smaller. Standard dishwashers can clean more than a dozen place settings at one time, whereas the Farberware countertop dishwasher can only handle two or three. That being said, the Farberware model is not meant to take the place of a standard dishwasher but rather serve as a shortcut solution for those who don’t have access to or the means for one.

Final Verdict

Not to sound dramatic, but I don’t want to remember a time before my Farberware countertop dishwasher. In a perfect world, it would probably hold more dishes and dry them slightly more effectively, but the appliance has made a dreaded daily chore far less burdensome. It’s such a relief to have a place to toss things like coffee mugs, small cutting boards and cooking utensils where I know they’ll be cleaned thoroughly and quickly.

If you can hook up the dishwasher to your faucet, I’d recommend this to anyone who might think that have a use for it, whether they’re a college student, RV-dwelling retiree or young urbanite. If you only can fill it up manually, I’d first gauge how much you dislike doing dishes before adding it to your cart because, truthfully, it might not save you much overall time, more so the need to get your hands dirty.

Where to Buy the Farberware Countertop Dishwasher

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We Tried It

Farberware Countertop Dishwasher

The Farberware countertop dishwasher fits atop most kitchen surfaces and washes dishes like its full-size counterparts.

The Farberware countertop dishwasher is available from Amazon, Home Depot and Wayfair for $280. If you like to spend your time in the kitchen cooking rather than cleaning, then this appliance is the sidekick you need.

The post I Tried the Farberware Countertop Dishwasher and Dishes Take Me a Fraction of the Time appeared first on Taste of Home.

Home Chef vs. HelloFresh: I’ve Tested Both, But How Do They Compare?

Annamarie Higley — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 14:46:57 +0000

I’ve tested six meal delivery services, and even I, who has unpacked the boxes of ingredients and prepared the meals with my own two hands, can get them mixed up. The companies are similar, and, as far as I’m concerned, similarly successful at accomplishing their mission: delivering the makings for quality recipes to doors across the country and alleviating the burden of meal planning.

Because of these overlapping goals and audiences, the company names sound, well, kind of the same. There’s HelloFresh, Home Chef, Chefs Plate, Green Chef, Purple Carrot, Blue Apron. Phew! If the “H” companies have you jumbled up, we’re here to explain the differences between Home Chef vs. HelloFresh, two of the more prominent names in the biz.

What’s the Difference Between Home Chef and HelloFresh?

Similarities

Home Chef and HelloFresh have the same model as other meal delivery services for families. They allow you to select plans for different numbers of recipes and servings to receive each week. The insulated cardboard boxes that each company sends contain all the ingredients needed for the chosen recipes, sorted into bags for added convenience.

Even the cost differences are virtually nonexistent. Home Chef meals cost between $9.99 and $11.99, depending on how many you purchase. HelloFresh meals cost between $9.99 and $11.49. (Psst! Keep an eye out for sales.) Note: With Home Chef, you have the option to order six servings per meal, whereas HelloFresh only sells meals with yields of up to four servings.

The recipes are similarly categorized on the website, with labels related to carbohydrate and calorie content, cook/prep time, vegetarian-friendliness and more. Both companies offer roughly 30 recipes to choose from each week. (Need an exclusively vegetarian service? Try Mosaic Foods.)

When trying out Home Chef vs. HelloFresh recipes, each box had its highs and its lows, for a very comparable experience with both brands. For instance, I loved the Italian-Style Wedding Soup from Home Chef but was a little underwhelmed by the Salmon Cakes with Dill Hollandaise. As for HelloFresh, the Street Cart-Style Turkey Bowls wowed while the One-Pan Beef Enchiladas Verdes left a bit to be desired.

In addition to the entrees they provide, HelloFresh (through HelloFresh Market) and Home Chef also allow add-ons to their boxes. Think breakfasts, drinks, side dishes, breads, desserts and a la carte proteins, available for an additional cost.

Lastly, both companies are committed to eco-friendliness and sustainability, exhibited through their sourcing practices and packaging.

Differences

The differences between these two companies in terms of menu options, flexibility and pricing are hard to identify. There are a few additional features of Home Chef, potentially accounting for its slightly elevated price tag, that set it apart from HelloFresh. If you view these features as value-adds, then it could be the fit for you.

Home Chef, owned by Kroger, sells some of its meal kits in supermarkets. This means that to enjoy Home Chef’s offerings, you might not even need to subscribe. Also, if you have a favorite food celebrity, there’s a chance they’ve collaborated with Home Chef. Some examples of partnerships include Rachael Ray and Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest fame, who developed limited-time recipes for the service. This meal kit also offers oven-ready meals that require little prep before popping in the oven and family meals that automatically come with four servings.

All About Home Chef

Home Chef is based in Chicago, Illinois, and was founded in 2013. Since then, the company has expanded its offerings to include traditional meal kits, as well as optional add-ons like desserts, breakfasts and sides; oven-ready meals; and in-store kits.

Most of its recipes are developed by professional on-staff chefs, though some notable celebrity partnerships mean a selection of the company’s recipes were developed by the famous chef in question. Recipes are dubbed easy, intermediate or expert, and labeled with tags like Keto-Friendly, Gluten-Smart, Vegetarian, Carb-Conscious, etc.

The company boasts its products as “endlessly customizable…meal kits that fit your needs” with “fresh, pre-portioned ingredients.” This customization is made clear via the “Customize It” options, which usually entail swapping out proteins or omitting them altogether.

I thoroughly enjoyed my Home Chef meals, especially the Italian-Style Wedding Soup, and their high-quality ingredients. I found the cook times and difficulty ratings to be accurate. Plus, the comprehensive recipe cards were incredibly helpful. Although I think some of the recipes could’ve been more efficient, my experience was certainly a positive one, and I believe it could be for you, too. Home Chef offerings are suitable for all types of consumers: couples, singles and families.

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Retailer Comparison

Home Chef

Home Chef, available in select Kroger stores and online, is a celebrity-endorsed, ultra-customizable meal delivery service.

All About HelloFresh

If HelloFresh isn’t beckoning you, perhaps one of the company’s other brands will. The HelloFresh Group, based in Germany, also owns Green Chef, EveryPlate, Factor and Good Chop, among others. Green Chef focuses on healthy, organic recipes while EveryPlate is a budget brand. Factor sells fully prepared frozen meals, and Good Chop is a meat delivery service.

HelloFresh, the group’s namesake, is the most straightforward meal delivery serviceand perhaps the original, founded in 2011. You’ve surely heard of it, thanks to its omnipresent marketing, solid reviews and amazing deals.

I’ve tested HelloFresh three times now, and its meals are always tasty, easy and made with ingredients I, myself, would pick out from the supermarket. Think Daisy sour cream, Philadelphia cream cheese, Cholula hot sauce and Colavita olive oil. The comprehensive recipe card makes recipe preparation super simple.

And don’t discount HelloFresh Market, which functions as a more built-out grocery delivery service. There’s even fresh produce available!

Some negligible drawbacks include misquoted prep and cook times and substantial cleanup, but those are small complaints for an overwhelmingly pleasant, ever-consistent experience.

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Retailer Comparison

HelloFresh

HelloFresh is a fan-favorite meal delivery service celebrated for its diverse menu, customization options and affordability.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to Home Chef vs. HelloFresh, you can’t go wrong here. I’d suggest browsing the menus of both companies and deciding which one entices you more. However, if you’re committed to your weekly supermarket runs or your favorite celebrity chef, then Home Chef might be a better call. Aside from that, the pricing, sustainability practices, recipe selections and ingredient quality are very comparable.

The post Home Chef vs. HelloFresh: I’ve Tested Both, But How Do They Compare? appeared first on Taste of Home.

Le Creuset Everyday Pan Review: It’s Literally the Only Pan You Need

Jill Schildhouse — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:12:49 +0000

Ever since I became enchanted with Le Creuset earlier this year, upon purchasing a $50 Mystery Box at the brand’s Factory to Table sale, I’m constantly reaching for my newfound staple pieces, like the Dutch oven, braiser and skillets. I have fallen in love with their clear superiority over my other cookware and have been further adding to my collection with mostly used purchases. To me, finding a great deal is almost as delightful as finding the perfect pretty piece!

When the Le Creuset Everyday Pan hit the market in October 2023, I knew I had to get my hands on one and realized it would be nearly impossible to find a used version of a brand-new design. After witnessing one happy customer after the next rave about this pan’s versatility in various Le Creuset Facebook fan groups, I decided it was worth the full-price investment.

I’m pleased to report that not only did it live up to the hype, but it’s also lived up to the name. The Le Creuset Everyday Pan has taken over as my go-to pan for almost every dish I cook.

What is the Le Creuset Signature Everyday Pan?

Think of the newly released Signature Everyday Pan as a perfect cross between a braiser and a fry pan or skillet. Deeper than a traditional skillet, the Everyday Pan offers ample room to develop sauces and casseroles. Plus, its wide surface area minimizes the crowding of ingredients.

At 11 inches in diameter (in the interior; 15 inches wide with the handles) and 3 quarts in capacity, it’s the ideal size for so many recipes. It’s versatile for meals that feed two people or up to eight, depending on the dish.

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Everyday Pan

It's perfect for everything from pan roasting to one-pan meals and simmering sauces.

Everyday Pan Features

You may be used to seeing Le Creuset interiors in the lighter Sand color. But for the Everyday Pan, the brand chose a Black Satin Enamel interior that’s specially formulated to enhance cooking performance. It has a slightly coarser texture than the Sand, but it still has an enamel coating rather than raw cast iron. Expect it to develop a natural patina over time, making it virtually nonstick and easier to maintain and clean. (This should help with eggs in the future).

The enameled cast iron, which comes in your choice of more than 20 colors to match any kitchen aesthetic, is ready to use straight out of the box. The pan resists dulling, staining, chipping and cracking. It delivers excellent heat distribution and retention and is compatible with all cooktops and oven-safe up to 500 degrees. It’s even dishwasher-safe, though I haven’t tried that. Cleaning this pan by hand is easy and my family of two only runs the dishwasher twice a week.

How We Tested It

My Signature Everyday Pan arrived on October 21, 2023, and I’ve used it almost every day. The first thing I cooked in it was a few slices of ham and a couple of fried eggs. Unfortunately, I wasn’t off to a strong start. Those eggs stuck to the pan and left half the egg and a ton of residue behind. It’s likely I didn’t use enough butter in the pan and had the heat turned up too high, so I chalked it up to user error. Cleaning the pan took a little elbow grease with a no-scratch sponge and some liquid dish soap after letting it soak for a bit.

Searing Steaks

The next day, I seared a couple of steaks. My fianc proclaimed them the tastiest, most perfectly seared and juiciest I’ve ever cookedI had to agree. The sear on these filet mignons was fast and even and they truly tasted like restaurant-quality steaks. Plus, there was much less scalding-hot and messy splatter to contend with than when I use a more shallow skillet. There was no residue left behind and clean-up was a breeze.

From that point on, I continued using this pan daily, for a host of dishes. I used it to make taco meat, pork chops and stir-fries. I sautd asparagus and green beans. On Thanksgiving, I cooked and served a savory sweet potato swirl that was the show-stopper of my feast. I even reheated leftovers!

Without a Lid

At one point, I realized that if it had a lid, I could use it for even more dishesand began to wonder why it didn’t come with one. “Since it’s similar to a fry pan with many of the same uses, a lid isn’t entirely necessary,” explained Sara Whitaker, Le Creueset’s director of category marketing. “Additionally, it’s easier to store without a lid. In fact, we envision most people just leaving it out on the stovetop ready to use. Because it’s so useful, we do see people using it every day!”

She wasn’t wrong, I was already displaying it on my stove since putting it away seemed like a waste of effort. Plus, the beautiful Cerise color (my favorite!) made me happy every time I walked into the kitchen.

Still, I wanted a lidand I wasn’t alone, as people in the Facebook groups had already discovered that the 11-inch Le Creuset glass lid with stainless steel knob was a perfect fit (or if you have a 28-centimeter lid from another LC pot, that’ll work too). When mine arrived, it was like unlocking another level of usefulness. I could now use the pan to simmer a four-person serving of meaty spaghetti sauce for dinner.

Pros

The Signature style indicates oversized handles that provide a more secure grip
No seasoning necessary with enameled cast iron
Lightest weight cast iron by quart on the market
Oven-safe up to 500 degrees
Comes in 20+ beautiful colors
Large surface area with a 3-quart capacity
Comes with a lifetime warranty (just don’t use metal utensils in it!)

Cons

Doesn’t come with a lid (though you don’t need a lid for most applications)
Priced as an investment, but can easily replace your need to buy a handful of other pans
The handles get hot since it’s cast iron, but these silicone handle grips work like a charm

FAQ

What is an Everyday Pan used for?

This pan works for almost everything you want to cook, assuming you aren’t batch-cooking a huge amount of food. It’s perfect for sauting vegetables, searing meat, frying chicken, simmering sauces and roasting proteins. You can sear on the stovetop and then finish a dish in the oven. It’s also the ideal shape and size for one-pot dishes, like Enchilada Pasta, Beef and Pepper Skilletand Wasabi Beef Fajitas.

What are the best type of pans for everyday cooking?

Most home cooks lean heavily on skillets or pans for making everything from omelets and seared meats to stir-fries and pretty upside-down cakesand for the last couple thousand years, cast iron has been king. Le Creuset’s enamel coating makes cast-iron cooking more approachable. There’s no need to follow a specific seasoning ritual or worry about how you clean it.

That said, there are plenty of raw cast-iron options that are more affordable, including Lodge skillets, though you will likely also need to purchase some of these must-have cast-iron accessories. If cast iron is too heavy for you to handle, check out some of these lighter nonstick frying pans, though their walls aren’t nearly as high as the Everyday Pan.

Product Comparison

Of course, the Le Creuset Signature Everyday Pan isn’t the only one-pot wonder on the market. The Always Pan 2.0 is a lighter-weight version that costs $30 lessit can do many of the same functions, but it can only withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees and only has a 2.6-quart capacity. Drew Barrymore’s Hero Pan is another one-pot cooking solution, which means your eggs shouldn’t stick. It’s about a third of the pricehowever, it’s not oven-safe.

Final Verdict

Now that I have my Everyday Pan, I find myself reaching for my Le Creuset braiser and skillets less often. If you’re new to the brand, this is the ideal entry-level piece to invest in. It’s incredibly versatile, costs quite a bit less than other pieces and gives you an excellent understanding of how Le Creuset pieces perform. Add a lid, and it can do even more!

If you already own a Le Creuset braiser and skillet or one of these other pretty pans, then you’ll have to decide how much you’d appreciate a single vessel that combines the best of both worldsperhaps you’ll choose to rely on the Everyday Pan for daily use and only pull those other items out for specific recipes it can’t handle. And if you are short on storage space, this one pan may allow you to downsize your other pieces. (I promise, there are plenty of hungry buyers who will adore your gently used Le Creuset!)

Where to Buy the Le Creuset Everyday Pan

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Le Creuset Everyday Pan

This pan combines the benefits of a braiser with the ease of use of a fry or saut pan.

The widest selection of Signature Everyday Pan colors is available on Le Creuset’s website, but you can also find them at Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Amazon, Nordstrom and Macy’s.

The post Le Creuset Everyday Pan Review: It’s Literally the Only Pan You Need appeared first on Taste of Home.

Good Chop Review: This Meat Subscription Brings Quality Cuts Directly to Your Door

Allison Robicelli — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 15:11:41 +0000

Ethically raised meat may be pricier than the stuff you can find in the supermarket, but there are so many good reasons to consider making the switch. Sustainably-sourced meat and seafood are better for the environment. Meat raised without hormones or antibiotics is healthier. And, most importantly, high-quality meat simply tastes better! So, do the Good Chop reviews live up to the sustainability hype?

Depending on where you live, it’s not always easy to find a wide variety of good meat, and that’s where Good Chop comes in. This online butchery lets you shop for meat online and ships it straight to your doorstep. But just because it’s sustainable doesn’t necessarily mean it’s flavorful, so I tried some of their bestsellers to see if the raving Good Chop reviews I’ve read are legit.

What is Good Chop?

Good Chop is an online subscription butchery that brings high-quality grass-fed beef, pork, chicken, bison, turkey and seafood from the farm to your front door. Everything they sell is raised responsibly without the use of hormones or antibiotics and is sourced from American family farms and fisheries that are committed to using sustainable agricultural practices.

Meat and seafood from Good Chop comes packaged in vacuum-sealed portions that are frozen rock-solid shortly after they’re butchered, and arrive packed with dry ice and eco-friendly insulation in a 100% recyclable box. The company offers two different sizes of fully customizable subscription boxes, which are shipped out every four weeks. And if you don’t need your regularly scheduled meat delivery, pause or cancel your subscription at any time.

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Good Chop

Get high-quality American meat & seafood with no antibiotics or added hormones, ever.

Good Chop Features

Good Chop offers two box options. The smaller box costs $149 and includes 14 pounds (approximately 36 portions) of meat and/or seafood. A large box is double the size, with 28 pounds (or 72 portions) of meat/seafood for $269. As for what your order will contain, Good Chop’s plans are fully customizable to build your own box with whatever cuts you like. You can either modify your selections every month or create a regular order that will restock your freezer without worry every four weeks.

In addition to quality meat and seafood, Good Chop offers an array of sides and delectable desserts as well. Here’s what you’ll choose from when ordering from Good Chop:

Angus Beef: Ground beef; ribeye steaks; strip steaks; ranch steak; filet mignon; sirloin steaks; porterhouse steaks; flank steaks; T-bone steaks; tri-tips; burger patties; sirloin tips; diced beef; grass-fed hot dogs
Free-Range Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs; wings; drumsticks; organic ground chicken; Italian chicken sausage, apple chicken sausage
Humanely-Raised Pork: Boneless pork chops; thick-cut uncured bacon; tenderloin; whole loin roast; boneless butt; St. Louis ribs; mild Italian sausage (ground and links); Bratwurst; Chorizo links; pulled cooked pork; ground pork; charcuterie
Seafood: Alaskan Sockeye salmon; sea scallops; Alaskan halibut; Pacific cod; Florida pink shrimp; Gulf shrimp; smoked Sockeye salmon; rockfish; sable fish; Maryland-style crab cakes
Other meats: Ground bison; ground turkey
Side Dishes: Macaroni and cheese; potatoes gratin; smashed red potatoes; Parker House rolls
Desserts: Cheesecake; Key lime pie; chocolate lava cakes

How We Tested It

Good Chop reviews aren’t worth their salt without rigorous testing. My custom delivery from Good Chop included Alaskan Sockeye salmon, filet mignons, ribeye steaks, boneless, skinless chicken breasts and party-cut chicken wings. Here’s what happened when I cooked these items at home.

Filet Mignons

I’ve tested over eight mail-order meat services, and I can confidently say that Good Chop’s filet mignon was some of the finest I’ve ever tasted. This cut is prized for being the tenderest cut of beef, but it’s also the leanest, meaning that when it comes to flavor, fillets often pale in comparison to well-marbled cuts like ribeyes and New York strips. Not so when it comes to Good Chop’s filet, which is so flavorful that it puts steakhouses to shame.

I made my filet using the reverse-sear method, cooking it low-and-slow in a 225-degree oven for 40 minutes before searing each side in a red-hot cast iron skillet for 30-45 seconds to get a beautiful dark-brown sear on every inch of the steak. The filet practically melted in my mouth, and literally brought a tear to my eye. A fine steak like this one is a splurge, so when you get one, it better deliver on every front. Good Chop’s filet doesn’t just deliverit exceeds expectations in the most delicious of ways.

Ribeye Steak

Ribeyes are arguably the perfect steak, with just the right amount of marbling to make them tender and juicy, with an intense flavor that shows off beef at its very best. It’s not hard to make ribeye taste good, which is why to put these to the test, I committed the “sin” of cooking them til they were well done. (People who like well-done steaks deserve good meat, too!) I’m thrilled to report that even when cooked to 155 degrees, Good Chop’s ribeyes were insanely tender and juicya feat most inferior steaks are incapable of accomplishing. Not only that, but the flavor was off-the-charts delicious, causing me to reconsider my stance on well-done steaks.

Salmon Fillets

When it comes to salmon, sourcing is everything. Wild-caught salmon is exponentially more flavorful than pallid, flaccid farm-raised salmon, which often is treated with coloring agents to make it look pinker than it actually is. Meanwhile, wild-caught salmon is a vibrant shade of pink that borders on red, with a firmer, meatier texture. Good Chop’s salmon is spectacular and needs almost nothing to make it sing. And because it’s truly that good, it makes for just about the easiest dinner imaginable; salmon fillets can be air-fried directly from the freezer without the need to defrost. All it needs is a sprinkle of good salt, and it’s wonderful.

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

Straight out of the bag, the first thing you’ll notice is how much smaller Good Chop’s chicken breasts are in comparison to the conventional ones at the supermarket. And that’s a good thing! Chicken breasts that are colossally large aren’t natural, and without the use of hormones, antibiotics or inhumane farming practices, there’s no way for Good Chop’s chicken to be gargantuan. These breasts are a perfectly normal size, and perfect for making chicken cutlets as well.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts don’t have much in the way of flavor, which is why we do so much when cooking them. Hello, marinade! What’s important when cooking chicken is that it doesn’t dry out while cooking, which is something that’s outstandingly easy to do. That’s why I decided to test it by making a dish where the chicken gets cooked twice: Chicken Parmesan. After breading, frying, smothering in sauce and baking, Good Chop’s boneless skinless chicken breasts remained moist, succulent and tender.

Party Wings

Good Chop’s party wings are the exact size they should benot too big that they’re practically a drumstick, but not so small that you’re searching for meat. They cook up crisp and juicy when air-fried, and when tossed in Buffalo sauce, these wings have the perfect balance of spicy, tangy and meaty.

Pros

Remarkable quality
Good variety of meats to choose from
Meat comes packaged in individual portions
Delivered frozen solid
Eco-friendly packaging
Company has strict sustainability standards
Only works with ethical, sustainably-focused family farms and fisheries in the U.S.A.
Free shipping
Scheduled orders can be skipped

Cons

Pricey (though worth it)
Requires a subscription

FAQ

Is Good Chop meat good quality?

Yes, Good Chop meat is good quality. In fact, it’s great quality! All of Good Chop’s meat and seafood are sourced from highly reputable farms and fisheries.

Is Good Chop fresh or frozen?

All of Good Chop’s meat and seafood is individually packaged and quickly frozen shortly after butchering for the freshest possible product. Once your Good Chop order arrives, simply put it straight in the freezer and defrost it as needed.

Product Comparison

Of all the best meat delivery services out there, Good Chop is most similar to ButcherBox, which also sells superlative, sustainable meat. According to Good Chop reviews and personal experience, what sets them apart is the fact that Good Chop’s boxes are customizable, whereas ButcherBox offers three specially curated “butcher’s choice” meat boxes in addition to a custom option. Good Chop also offers sides and desserts, which ButcherBox does not. In contrast to other well-known mail-order meat brands like Omaha Steaks, Good Chop is a subscription-based service, delivering a new package every four weeks.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a convenient way to buy environmentally friendly, ethically raised and high-quality meat, you should absolutely consider giving Good Chop a go. After reading all the Good Chop reviews and testing it myself, I can honestly say the quality is well worth the price, and I love the customizable options. There’s a good chance you’ll never need to step foot in a butcher shop again.

Where to Order Good Chop

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Good Chop

Enjoy quality meat and seafood from domestic family farms and fisheries with flexible deliveries and 100% customizable boxes.

Visit the Good Chop website to set up a subscription, which can be paused or canceled at any time. You can customize a 14-pound box for $149 or a 28-pound box for $269. Delicious dinners await!

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ButcherBox Review: Is This Mail-Order Meat Service Worth the Hype?

Allison Robicelli — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:23:31 +0000

We all know the benefits of buying high-quality meat, but it can be difficult to find unless you live in a big city with plenty of butchery options, or close to farm-raised animals. ButcherBox aims to solve this problem by shipping the best meat straight to your doorstep. This mail-order meat company sets high standards for all the farms and fisheries it partners with, requiring they follow humane, environmentally friendly practices. Beef is grass-fed, chicken is free-range and seafood is sustainably caught. But when it comes to ButcherBox reviews, how does the meat taste?

What is ButcherBox?

ButcherBox is a mail-order subscription service that delivers high-quality, humanely raised meat and seafood. Offering 100% grass-fed beef and bison, heritage-breed pork and free-range, organic chicken, all of ButcherBox’s meat comes from farms committed to sustainable agriculture and fair labor practices. In other words, the meat is raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics. Seafood offerings are wild caught, sustainably harvested and are never treated with chemicals, preservatives or artificial colorings.

Meat is shipped frozen rock solid in individually vacuum-packed portions, and comes packed in a 100% recyclable insulated box with dry ice. Subscriptions can be set for delivery every two, four, six or eight weeks, and can be postponed or skipped over if needed. Choose from four different boxes: beef and pork, beef and chicken, mixed (with beef, chicken and pork) and a custom box that lets you mix and match from 25 different cuts.

Not looking for a commitment right away? ButcherBox also offers an assortment of one-time gift boxes to ship to loved onesor yourself!

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ButcherBox

ButcherBox provides high-quality, humanely raised meat and seafood delivered straight to your door.

ButcherBox Features

There are three standard ButcherBoxes to choose frombeef and pork, beef and chicken, and mixed (with beef, chicken and pork). They are specially curated with different cuts of meat every month. Each shipment is a surprise! A box with eight to 11 pounds of meat is $146 while a 16 to 22 pound box is $269. According to ButcherBox reviews, here are possible meat options:

100% grass-fed beef: sirloin tips, ground beef (85/15), ground sirloin (90/10), hamburger patties, tri-tip steak, flat iron steak, top sirloin steak, flank steak, ribeye steak, NY strip steaks, filet mignon, steak tips, bottom round roast, sirloin cap (roast beef), pot roast, beef hot dogs
Free-range, organic chicken: whole chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts and thighs, chicken tenders, drumsticks, bone-in thighs, wings, ground chicken, mild chicken sausage, apple chicken sausage
Humanely raised pork: ground pork, St. Louis and baby back ribs, center-cut pork loin roast, tenderloin, Italian sausage links, ground Italian sausage, boneless pork chops, pork sirloin roast, bone-in pork butt, ButcherBox bacon, tender belly bacon, ground breakfast sausage, ground chorizo, pork hot dogs
Seafood: wild-caught Alaskan sockeye salmon, wild-caught scallops, salmon burgers, cod, wild-caught gulf shrimp, cold smoked salmon

If you’re not much for surprises and don’t mind spending a little more, ButcherBox offers custom boxes as well. For $169, you’ll get 9 to 14 pounds of meat and/or seafood. Shipping on all boxes is always free.

How We Tested It

My custom ButcherBox included two filet mignons, four boneless pork chops, a flank steak, a whole chicken and a bag of individually frozen salmon filets.

Filet Mignons

Filet mignons are cut from the tenderloin, a muscle running down the back of a cow that sees almost no movement, so there’s no connective tissue or gristle to be found. However, this also means there’s not much in the way of fat marbling, which is what gives prized cuts, like ribeyes and porterhouses, so much flavor. Though it’s certainly a luxurious piece of meat, filets can run the risk of being flavorlesssomething you never want to encounter, especially if you’re paying a premium.

The good news is that ButcherBox’s grass-fed filet mignons deliver plenty of big, beefy flavor while also being impossibly tender. They’re cut on the thinner side, so they cook quickly and go from rare to well-done in a matter of seconds. Searing them for two minutes per side in a cast-iron skillet rendered steaks that were a bit more cooked than I personally prefer, but this didn’t diminish my enjoyment one bit.

Salmon Filets

Much like a good steak, a quality piece of salmon needs next to nothing to taste spectacular. In fact, it’s almost a sin to cover up superlative salmon with excessive amounts of sauce, spices or marinades. I tested ButcherBox’s salmon by air frying filets directly from the freezer without thawing, which helps prevent the insides from overcookingnot to mention making dinner far easier to slap together! Simply sprinkle kosher salt and lightly spritz cooking spray to prevent sticking.

The resulting salmon was stellar, rich and buttery. The second time I made it, I added a light glaze of Bachan’s Japanese barbecue sauce halfway through the cooking process, which complemented it wonderfully without being overwhelming, and giving me a fancy no-fuss dinner in minutes with almost no work whatsoever.

Boneless Pork Chops

It’s easy to make boneless pork chops that are dry and underwhelming, and that’s due to the quality of factory-farmed pork. ButcherBox’s humanely raised pork is (literally) an entirely different animalone that remains juicy and succulent during cooking. With so much flavor, it isn’t necessary to marinate or slather with strongly flavored sauce.

Flank Steak

Thanks to the filets, I already knew that ButcherBox’s beef is impressive when prepared simply. That’s why I chose to use its flank steak to make a rich rag to serve with pappardelle, and I’m pleased to announce it was a wise decision. The flank steak’s flavor was robust enough to not get lost in the sauce. When red wine, tomatoes and plenty of garlic are invited to the party, a lesser piece of meat could easily be overshadowed or rendered completely invisible. ButcherBox’s flank steak, on the other hand, remained firmly in the spotlight, shining like the star it is while playing nice with its fellow ingredients.

Whole Chicken

A simple roast chicken is wondrous, assuming the bird in question is of exceptional quality. A standard supermarket chicken often needs a good amount of assistance to be transcendent, whether it’s brining, basting or employing “hacks” to save it from becoming another dry, boring bird. ButcherBox’s chicken, on the other hand, roasts up wonderfully without much help. Simply seasoned and roasted atop a bed of vegetables in my Great Jones Dutch oven, it came out tender and juicy, with the sort of flavor that makes rotisserie chickens look downright depressing in comparison.

Pros

Remarkable quality
Meat comes packaged in individual portions
Delivered frozen solid
Eco-friendly packaging
Company has strict sustainability standards
Only works with humane, ethical farms
Good selection
Certified-B corporation
Free shipping

Cons

Pricey (though worth it)
Seafood, bison and turkey are only available in custom boxes

FAQ

Is ButcherBox meat high quality?

Yes, ButcherBox has quality meat from highly reputable farms that humanely raise their livestock and use environmentally friendly practices.

Can you get ButcherBox without a subscription?

Generally, ButcherBox requires a subscription, but there are no fees or penalties to cancel. Subscriptions deliver every two, four, six or eight weeks. The brand also offers several curated gift boxes for one-time purchase.

Is ButcherBox meat organic?

Chicken is the only meat from ButcherBox that’s certified organic. While its beef, pork, bison and turkey don’t have organic certification, they’re all raised according to the highest agricultural standards without the use of hormones or antibiotics.

Product Comparison

There are many mail-order meat companies and meal delivery services out there, so what sets this meat subscription apart? According to ButcherBox reviews, the company wins with its high standards for quality, sustainability and business ethics. (Check out our Good Chop review for another stellar option for ethical, eco-friendly meat delivery!) In contrast to well-known brands like Omaha Steaks, ButcherBox requires a subscription and sells meat in assorted boxes instead of la carte by cut.

Final Verdict

If where your meat comes from matters, then ButcherBox makes ethical eating easier. It’s a company committed to making big changes in the meat industry, and it’s an eco-friendly alternative to environmentally disastrous factory farms, according to ButcherBox reviews. But most importantly, the meat and seafood are spectacular! ButcherBox may completely change your relationship with meat, and that’s a wonderful thing.

Where to Buy ButcherBox

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ButcherBox

Get high-quality meat at an unbeatable value with a ButcherBox subscription.

Sign up for a subscription at the ButcherBox website and feed your family a curated box of a high-quality selection of meats and seafood delivered to your door. A monthly subscription starts at $146. Your customized choices await!

The post ButcherBox Review: Is This Mail-Order Meat Service Worth the Hype? appeared first on Taste of Home.

Blue Apron Review: This One’s For You, Lazy Gourmets

Annamarie Higley — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 22:06:50 +0000

Both at Taste of Home and at a local cooking school, I’ve worked with and around professional chefs for more than five years now. Their knowledge and expertise have been absolutely integral to my culinary journey. They’ve unwittingly turned me from a fresh college grad who had to Google how to fry an egg into a competent home cook who feels empowered to try new techniques, customize recipes and be all-around bold behind the stove.

I am so grateful for this opportunity and wish every food lover had it. And subscribing to a meal kit service is about as close as one can get without applying for a second job. Blue Apron is just one of the many meal kit services, and all of its recipes are developed by chefs with a combined 50-plus years of restaurant experience and with home cooks like you in mind. You feel like you have a trained professional peeking over your shoulder and offering guidance with step-by-step instructions.

I’m always craving restaurant-level meals that I can count on at home, so I gave the meal kit service a spin in my own kitchen.

What is Blue Apron?

Blue Apron is a meal kit delivery service similar to EveryPlate, Dinnerly and Gobble. It was founded 10 years ago and touts itself as the “meal kit that puts quality first.” Not only are there chef-approved recipes from which to choose each week, but there’s also the Blue Apron Market that has seasonal offerings, such as a complete Thanksgiving dinner, and multipacks of Heat & Eat meals, like Four-Cheese Enchiladas and Lemon Chicken.

You also might have heard of the Blue Apron wine subscription service, which allowed customers to purchase wines that paired well with Blue Apron meals. However, Blue Apron discontinued it in October 2023. They’re sticking to food for right now! This includes dinners in a number of categories, yes, but also breakfasts and desserts, too.

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Blue Apron

Blue Apron makes every mealtime feel special with its craft recipes that focus equally on nutrition, ease and flavor.

Blue Apron Features

Blue Apron offers various plans that allow you to select your preferences (i.e., Chef Favorites, Wellness, Family Friendly, Fast & Easy) and then choose how many meals and servings per meal to receive each week. You can receive as few as two meals for two people or as many as five meals for four people.

Then, on the menu, you’ll find 70-plus items from which to pick, including recipes that are carb-conscious, highlight fall produce, contain a certain number of calories and more. Easily find the prep time and other recipe details as you scroll the page.

In the Add-Ons tab, you’ll find rotating extra items. For example, there are brunch items, like breakfast casseroles and crepes, desserts, standalone proteins and the aforementioned Heat & Eat meals.

Once your box has been handpicked by you, it’ll arrive on your doorstep midway through the given week. Some of the ingredients, like the produce and proteins, are placed in the insulated box loose, whereas smaller items are divided into Knick Knack bags by recipe. For example, in the Ramen Knick Knacks bag, I found items like furikake, sauces, vinegar, broth and more.

Additionally, the box contains recipe cards. These are a bit sparser than other recipe cards I’ve encountered. They list the included ingredients, prep and cook time, yield and step-by-step instructions with photographs. However, they exclude nutritional facts and lists of needed tools and at-home ingredients.

How We Tested It

The box arrived on Thursday, and I stored the two meal kits in my refrigerator until I cooked them on Monday. I chose one of the service’s Ready to Cook mealsMiso-Maple Chicken Thighs & Rice with Mushrooms & Spinachas well as a Craft recipeHoisin Pork Belly & Miso Ramen with Bok Choy & Soft-Boiled Eggs. Below are my Blue Apron reviews for two meals.

Miso-Maple Chicken Thighs & Rice

I’ll admit: I was wary of this recipe as soon as I unwrapped the ingredients. First off, I was sent chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs, which, frankly, makes a big difference. I’m not sure I would’ve ordered the recipe had I known I would receive chicken breasts. Also, I always get a bit nervous about cooking rice entirely in the oven.

But, for the most part, I was pleasantly surprised. This ready-to-cook recipe was as advertised. It took less than 15 minutes to get into the oven, where it baked for 40 minutes. All I had to do beforehand was rinse the rice, add the base ingredients to the provided aluminum tray, season the chicken and place it on top of the base, then bake. While the dish was in the oven, I prepared the glaze that went on top of the chicken partway through cooking. And voila!

When I pulled the pan from the oven, I was still a little dubious about the rice. There was a fair amount of liquid in the pan, but after resting for about 15 minutes, the excess water was absorbed and the meal was ready to enjoy. And enjoy it we did.

My boyfriend said it was his favorite meal-kit recipe he’d tried. The maple and miso, a somewhat unexpected duo, complemented each other nicely, and I cooked the spinach and mushrooms to perfection. Although I thought the rice was slightly underdone and the chicken was a bit dry, cooking everything all at once in the oven made things so breezy, this didn’t matter. In all, this recipe felt quite elevated, especially for how easy it was to make.

Hoisin Pork Belly & Miso Ramen

This recipe was significantly more tedious than the Miso-Maple Chicken, but that’s to be expected if you want homemade, decked-out ramen like I do. Preparation entailed soft-boiling the eggs, roasting the pre-cooked pork belly, chopping the vegetables, quick-pickling the radish, stirring together the sauce, cooking the noodles, sauteeing the vegetables and making the base.

This sounds like a lot, and it was, but the recipe developers designed this recipe to be as streamlined as possible. It took me 44 minutes to makejust barely within the quoted time of 35-45 minutes. I was able to pull this off because the eggs, noodles and base were all cooked in the same saucepan at different times. Plus, the pork belly baked concurrently. The two-ingredient sauce took seconds to combine, and I could set and forget the radishes.

I was pleased with the quality of all the produce, the ramen noodles and the pork belly, especially considering they sat in the fridge for four days. Unfortunately, one of my eggs was cracked upon arrival, so I opted to use one already in my refrigerator. Furthermore, there was an unidentified leak within the Knick Knacks bag that soaked through the furikake packaging. Because I wanted some garnish, I used my own sea moss seasoning and sesame seeds.

This is the fanciest ramen I’ve ever made at home, and I felt like I could find it on a restaurant menu. The miso lent a richness and sweetness, and it made the dish that much more interesting. The perfectly soft-boiled egg that peeled easily, the acidic pickled radishes, and the glazed pork bellyalbeit slightly overcookedreally took things over the top. I was thrilled to have leftovers for lunch the next day.

Pros

Ready to Cook recipes are truly ready to cook in minutes
Elevated-feeling meals with low-effort
Quality produce
Virtually no food waste
Mostly accurate cook/prep times

Cons

Ingredients I received and ingredients listed didn’t always match up
Leakage in the packaging, which affected some ingredients
Recipe cards don’t include a list of tools or required at-home ingredients

FAQ

Does Blue Apron have good meals?

Blue Apron reviews can attest that the company not only has good meals but, more importantly, has a good variety of meals. There is something for virtually everyone on the website, including vegetarians, pescatarians and health-conscious folks.

Although this possibly wouldn’t be the best meal kit service for families because of its more elevated menu, the meals are ultra-delicious and palatable for the gourmets out there. My mouth is just watering while perusing the upcoming menu of Egg & Cucumber Sandwiches with Smoked Gouda Spread & Persimmon Salad and Sweet & Spicy Cod with Rice & Bok Choy.

Product Comparison

I’ve tried six meal kit delivery services at this point, and I’m always on a mission to figure out the differentiating factors of each. Blue Apron reviews will admit that this meal kit is on the pricier sideup there with Green Chef ($12/meal)and Home Chef ($10/meal). However, I would say the balance between the simplicity of the preparation methods and the sophistication and success of the recipes justifies the cost. Blue Apron meals feel more elevated than most competitors’ meals, so there’s going to be an elevated price tag to match. The creativity and thoughtfulness of each recipe wowed me.

I also appreciate that there is a Blue Apron Market and the option for add-ons, such as proteins, desserts and more. Although the market isn’t as robust as HelloFresh’s market, which is essentially a grocery delivery service, I think this feature from Blue Apron can still be considered a pro. Plus, its Heat & Eat and Ready to Cook meals further set it apart from others.

Final Verdict

Believe the Blue Apron reviews! This meal kit has offerings for everyone. Whether you’re a health-focused young professional without much experience in the kitchen or a small family of adventurous eaters and soon-to-be foodies, there’s something for you. The Heat & Eat and Ready to Cook meals are perfect for those in the former category, and the rest of the recipes are a great match for those in the second group.

The unannounced ingredient swaps and packaging issues were a little disappointing, but the complex flavor profiles and great taste of both my recipes impressed me. And I was even more impressed by how little work it took to get them on my table. I would certainly recommend this meal kit service to anyone with a busy schedule and/or some extra money to spend on food.

Where to Buy Blue Apron

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We Tried It

Blue Apron

With a couple clicks, you and the whole crew can enjoy handpicked, chef-approved recipes week after week.

Purchase your first box on the Blue Apron website for between $61 and $171, depending on the number of meals and servings selected. Chances are, it won’t be your last!

The post Blue Apron Review: This One’s For You, Lazy Gourmets appeared first on Taste of Home.

Fancy Panz Are Our Secret Weapon for Holiday Hosting

Madi Koetting — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 12:29:25 +0000

We’re officially in the thick of holiday hosting season. And before you stress about the best hostess gifts or what delectable side dish to bring to your next holiday soiree, allow me to introduce you to our new favorite vessel for transporting food. It’s called Fancy Panz, and it’s our secret weapon for transporting and serving everything from hot casseroles to crisp salads and decadent desserts. Spoiler: you’ll be the talk of the party for introducing everyone to this genius solution.

What is Fancy Panz?

Complete with a hot/cold gel pack and a serving spoon, Fancy Panz is exactly what it sounds likea “fancy” upgrade to flimsy foil pans. Instead of packing your dish in a regular foil pan that’s prone to toppling over, Fancy Panz allows for a much smoother experience thanks to its sturdy and stackable design. The colorful encasing keeps the included 9×13 foil pan from spilling while doubling as stylish serveware.

The real kicker is the versatility. Whether you’re bringing a salad, creamy mac n cheese or apple crisp, the included hot/cold gel pack keeps food at an optimal temperature. Meaning, no reheating food at your destination, which is especially handy for keeping tailgate foods warm or making sure your summer charcuterie platter doesn’t melt at your Fourth of July party.

Serving and transporting a veggie and fruit tray? Simply place the gel pack in the freezer overnight. For hot casseroles, boil the gel pack in hot water for five minutes (it’s also microwave-safe). Pro tip: if you’re hosting at your house, Fancy Panz makes for easy peasy cleanup. You get the satisfaction of a stylish serving station without all the hassle.

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Fancy Panz Features

Includes 9×13 foil pan
Comes with serving spoon
Hot/cold gel pack keeps food at an optimal temperature
Reusable, but you’ll need a new foil pan each time
Several color choices available
Dishwasher-safe

Why I Love It

Though I love attending holiday parties, I hate that awkward moment when you want to leave, but your expensive serving dish is still out on the table. Then you have to transport food into another vessel to leave at the partyall resulting in unnecessary tasks to accomplish.

Sure, you can solve this problem by serving your meal in a disposable pan, but you end up sacrificing stylish serveware for convenience. That’s where Fancy Panz saves the day. The statement-worthy vessel not only holds a foil pan, it keeps food at the optimal temperature while serving. Plus, the foil pan easily comes out of the colorful encasing so you can leave the party without leaving your best China behind. Fancy Panz are endlessly reusable. Just pop in a new foil pan for every tailgate or holiday soiree. It’s truly a win-win.

I tested this genius pan and can confirm it does more than double duty. Flimsy 9×13 foil pans finally get an upgrade with Fancy Panz’s sturdy and stackable design that makes transporting foodie creations a breeze. Your dish will be the star of the holiday table for both taste and adorable styling.

But Don’t Take My Word for It!

We’re not the only ones obsessed with Fancy Panz. Here’s what other five-star Amazon reviewers have to say about the problem-solving serving solution.

Verified Amazon reviewer, Ellen, adds, “The gel pack is easy to heat or freeze to keep foods at the proper temperature! This is a fabulous gift for anyone, including yourself.”

“This is not my first time buying Fancy Panz and this will not be my last!” raves verified Amazon reviewer, Merrin Christenson. “They are so convenient and they’re always very popular when I bring them to a potluck or tailgating. I love how they stack on top of each other for easy transportation, and I love that they come with a hot/cold pack. This is a must-have item in every household.”

Where to Buy Fancy Panz

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Editor's Pick

Fancy Panz

Fancy Panz is an all-in-one solution that retains all the conveniences of a foil pan while providing the look of your favorite serving dish.

Find the Fancy Panz set on Amazon and Walmart where it goes for $15 to $35. Whether you’re transporting and serving food at Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations, tailgates or community gatheringsyou name it, Fancy Panz is the complete solution thanks to the included hot/cool pack and serving spoon. Say bye-bye to forgetting your nice casserole dish at the host’s house once and for all!

The post Fancy Panz Are Our Secret Weapon for Holiday Hosting appeared first on Taste of Home.

Cheryl’s Cookies Review: They’re a Buttercream Lover’s Dream

Annamarie Higley — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:07:47 +0000

Cookies are incredibly subjective. One of the most contentious food debates I can recall is about Lofthouse cookies. If you ask me, they’re positively delicious. But others shudder at that mere sentiment. Some people like unfrosted classics like chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin. (They’d love Levain cookies.)

Some prefer aesthetically pleasing cutouts with royal icing and a pleasant crunch. And some enjoy soft, tender sugar cookies with velvety frosting. As you might guess from my stance on Lofthouse cookies, I fall into this camp.

Cheryl’s is another leader in this categoryand luckily, one whose cookies can be delivered straight to your door. I’ve been nibbling on Cheryl’s cookies since college (my aunts loved to include them in care packages), and my love for the company’s treats has continued into adulthood. Even after testing a handful of cookie delivery services, Cheryl’s remains among my favorites.

What are Cheryl’s Cookies?

Cheryl’s Cookies is one of the 1-800-Flowers.com brands, alongside Harry & David and 1-800-Baskets, and has been around for more than 40 years. Sugar cookies and buttercream frosting are its bread and buttercream (sorry, I had to), but Cheryl’s also sells brownies and cakes. These items are created to withstand nationwide shipping, but they can also be found at Cheryl’s various retail locations in Ohio.

The buttercream frosting that bolstered the brand is made of four simple ingredients: butter, vanilla, evaporated milk and confectioners’ sugar. Some special flavors include additions such as cinnamon, maple or peanut butter. The famous frosting is then slathered atop buttery cutout cookies, most of which are just circles, but some come in shapes to match the season or holiday. Think trees for Christmas or flowers for spring. Although these two components are certainly enough to make a knockout cookie, some varieties also have toppers like colorful sprinkles, teensy peanut butter cups or chopped nuts.

Customers can pick and choose which flavors they want with the choose-your-own option, or they can rely on the specially curated boxes of bestsellers or those for occasions such as holidays, anniversaries and housewarmings.

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Why I Love Them

Historically, I’d only sampled the plain sugar cookie and buttercream combo, which I can’t compliment enough. Recently, I had the chance to revisit this old faithful of mine, as well as some other flavors.

I received the Bow Gift Box, as well as the Grand Merry Christmas Cutout Gift Tin. The former contained three varieties of plain sugar cookies with buttercream frosting dyed in different colors. Additionally, four of the sugar cookies were tree-shaped for extra festive flair. The latter boxa decorative green and red tin that read “Merry Christmas”included cookies in the following flavors: plain, maple, buckeye (i.e., peanut butter and chocolate), candy cane, devil’s food, salty caramel and butter pecan.

Now, I should make one thing clear. I don’t love Cheryl’s cookies for their appearance. The team does their bestthe frostings feature pretty colors, the toppings serve as cute embellishments, the cookie cutter shapes make things all the merrier, but ship happens. Because these cookies are so soft and tender (a pro!), they are susceptible to smooshing, breaking or cracking during the shipping process.

Soft & Sweet

What I do love the cookies for, however, is this aforementioned softness and sweetness. And now, I love them for their flavors, too. I was so impressed by how pronounced and true-to-life the flavors were, especially in the maple, butter pecan and candy cane cookies. The candy cane cookie reminded me of Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s from Trader Joe’sa holiday staple in my household. And the butter pecan cookie was reminiscent of the iconic ice cream flavor in the very best way. I’d have to say this nutty cookie was my top pick. I would’ve never guessed!

Trying all the flavors was such fun, and the decorative tin made up for the lack of Christmasy ingredients. Another thing I love about Cheryl’s is that the packaging so thoughtfully reflects the given occasion, whether it’s a birthday, game day or Thanksgiving. It’s what makes them such a great gift basket. I know this from my homesick college days when a care package would show up just in the nick of time.

If you’re looking for a cookie-of-the-month club, Cheryl’s truly stands out for its freshness, customization, variety and packaging. These cookies are the total packageliterally.

FAQ

How fresh are Cheryl’s cookies?

Although it’s hard to know how far in advance the cookies are baked and prepared, each one arrives individually packaged in a plastic wrapper to promote freshness. The website also recommends that the recipient enjoy (or freeze) the cookies within four days of cookie delivery. I’ve personally never experienced anything but tender, fresh cookies from the company, but in the event that you do, it offers a 100%-satisfaction guarantee.

Why are Cheryl’s cookies so good?

You have to be the judge of thattough job, I know! In my opinion, the reason Cheryl’s has such a fanbase is primarily because of its buttercream and tender cookies. The luscious frosting hardens ever so slightly into somewhat of a crust, but once you bite into it, the smear melts in your mouth. And the cookies remain soft and buttery days after receipt, too. This long-lasting freshness is, in large part, thanks to the packaging. The cookies might come to your door in a cute, decorative tin box, but once you open it up, you’ll find each cookie is packed in its own clear plastic baggy. This might not make for the prettiest display, but it’s worth it to keep the cookies so good.

What kind of cookies are Cheryl’s cookies?

Cheryl’s most famous cookies are cutout sugar cookies with buttercream frosting of various flavors. Some examples: s’mores, maple, cookie dough, cinnamon roll, triple chocolate and Key lime. Additionally, Cheryl’s also sells unfrosted favorites such as oatmeal raisin, red velvet, snickerdoodle and classic chocolate chip. Not to mention the non-cookie offerings, such as cupcakes, crumb bars and brownies.

Where to Buy Cheryl’s Cookies

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Editor's Pick

Cheryl's Cookies

Cheryl's Cookies ship nationwide so you can nibble on the buttery, creamy goodness no matter where you live.

Grab an assortment of Cheryl’s Cookies from the website for your family, sweets-loving bestie and, of course, yourself. Boxes start at $20. There are cookies for every occasion on your calendar, but then again, we never needed an occasion to eat a cookie. Enjoy!

The post Cheryl’s Cookies Review: They’re a Buttercream Lover’s Dream appeared first on Taste of Home.

Home Chef Review: It’s Endorsed by Food Celebrities for Good Reason

Annamarie Higley — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 21:17:02 +0000

Some people might consider meal kit delivery services a cop-outonly for lazy or uninspired home cooks. (“How hard is it to create your own meal plan?”) But Tieghan Gerard, cookbook author and creator of Half Baked Harvest, as well as Rachael Ray, iconic celebrity chef, beg to differat least when it comes to Home Chef. Both of these big food names partnered with Home Chef in the past or present to offer their own recipes through the delivery service.

Call me a sucker, but these food celebrity endorsements certainly piqued my interest. (I’ll admit: Gordon Ramsay is the reason I tried and now swear by HexClad pans.) I can’t say any of the other myriad meal kit delivery services I’ve tried have been backed by famous chefs, save for Martha Stewart’s company, Marley Spoon. So, naturally, I had to order a box of Home Chef to see firsthand if we can trust all this fuss.

What is Home Chef?

Home Chef, much like its competitors HelloFresh and Dinnerly, is a meal kit service that promises the delivery of fresh, quality ingredients for fun, new recipes straight to your door. These can be recipes for lunches or dinners, depending on which you choose. There is also an array of pre-made offerings to add on to boxes, such as egg bites, single-serving desserts, salad kits and a la carte proteins. (See more meat delivery companies.)

The Home Chef name might ring a bell, especially if you frequent Kroger grocery stores. For an edge over other meal kit services, Home Chef, which is owned by Kroger, is stocked at select stores for one-off purchasing.

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We Tried It

Home Chef

For as low as $9.99, Home Chef delivers ready-to-make lunches and dinners, plus more, to your door each week.

Home Chef Features

Home Chef claims to be “endlessly customizable,” and it begins to back up that claim as soon as you register on the website. First, users can enter their nutritional or dietary preferences (i.e., calorie-conscious, vegetarian or keto-friendly), then their foods to avoid (i.e., pork, tree nuts, shellfish), whether for health or personal reasons.

From there, you select the number of recipes and the number of servings per recipe you’d like each week. Order between two and six recipes per week, with yields of either two, four or six servings. Next up is your billing information and then comes the fun part: Choosing the contents of your box.

Once the menu of 30-plus recipes pops up, you can click the “View Customize It Options” button to further personalize the recipe for you and your family. For example, one of the recipes I ordered was the Italian-Style Wedding Soup with Sausage. I had the option to double the amount of Italian sausage or swap out the protein for ground turkey, beef or plant-based meat. Most of the customization options entail swapping out the protein or eliminating it altogether.

When your box of handpicked recipes arrives, you’ll find the different makings divided into separate plastic bags. The proteins all show up in a singular plastic bag, too. Lastly, there are comprehensive recipe cards that include an internal temperatures chart for proteins, a recipe spice and difficulty level, when-to-cook-by date, cook/prep time, step-by-step instructions and more. Note: You need to go online to see the nutritional facts.

How We Tested It

I love it when a meal kit takes a complicated-sounding recipe and proves that it’s simple. Cooking and “pattying” salmon from raw and making a from-scratch hollandaise sauce might seem intimidating, but you’ll quickly be proven wrong. This is one of Home Chef’s expert-level recipes, and that’s certainly reflected in the overall time commitment and multiple steps. In all, this recipe took me 40 minutes to make, and it was estimated to take between 40 and 50 minutes.

The salmon patties were fabulous. I got all the flavor notes: lemon, salt, creme fraiche, dill. The hollandaise and fresh herbs on top made all the difference, and I thankfully didn’t have too much trouble getting the patties to stay together while cooking. I even repurposed them the next day into a Lox-inspired lunch with cream cheese and butter crackers.

The potatoes, on the other hand, left me a little underwhelmed. I cooked them for 25 minutes, rather than the quoted 15 to 20 minutes, and they still weren’t crispy. I think the potatoes could’ve been cut smaller and/or cooked at a higher temperature. Additionally, the chimichurri seasoning wasn’t very flavorful. The marinated feta on top was definitely the saving grace!

Although the potatoes were a bit disappointing, this recipe still proved to me that no one should be intimidated by a Home Chef meal labeled as difficult. There might be more dishes at the end of the night, but the instructions are easy to follow and the ingredients are high quality.

Pork Spring Roll Skillet with Garlic Sesame Sauce

Next-level lunch alert! I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this meal for dinner, as it might feel a little lacking, but for an office lunch or small supper, especially on the fly, it was awesome. It took me 19 minutes to make and generated very few dirty dishes. It’s what I’d call a true one-skillet meal. Essentially all that was required of me was chopping a few veggies (red bell pepper and green onions), then browning and sauteing the ingredients in batches in a single pan.

The aforementioned produce was fresh and first-rate, as was the coleslaw and ground pork. Plus, the pre-made sauce saved time and packed a punch of flavor. However, I did notice that I received white wine vinegar instead of the listed seasoned rice vinegar, but as far as I’m concerned, it didn’t affect the final outcome.

Although I would’ve liked some more textural variety (maybe a more substantial crispy noodle) and heat (this recipe is listed as spicy but falls a bit short), it was so easy, that I can hardly complain. This is touted as one of Home Chef’s “express” mealsand to me, it was a major success.

Italian-Style Wedding Soup with Sausage and Garlic Ciabatta Bread

I saved the best for last! This Italian-style wedding soup was a knockout, and I really appreciated the inclusion of the garlic ciabatta bread. I’ve ordered soup from other meal kit services, and it has served as the standalone dish, leaving the meal feeling incomplete to me. The perfectly garlicky, tender-on-the-inside-crispy-on-the-outside bread rounded things out.

My only note about this soup is that the sausage meatballs were a bit on the large side. I ended up cutting them in half with my spoon while eating. During preparation, I formed the sausage into 22 meatballs, as instructed, and, in my opinion, the chunks were still too overpowering in each bite. But that’s only because they had so much flavor. I adored how fennel-forward they were. Everything else was perfection. The kale was tender, the pre-cut(!) carrots were a huge time-saver, and the onion and celery were a smart means of bulking up each bowl.

Although there was some downtime while the soup simmered and the bread baked, the preparation of this soup as a whole made a lot of sense to me. By cooking the orzo, browning the meatballs and simmering the soup all in one pot, hardly any dirty dishes were created. Not counting the time it took to preheat the oven, boil the water or wash the dishes, this restaurant-worthy meal took me 42 minutes to make.

Pros

Very customizable
Fresh, quality ingredients
Accurate cook times and difficulty ratings
Creative, interesting recipes with good results
Quick shipping

Cons

A lot of plastic packaging
More expensive than some competitors
Some downtime during preparation

FAQ

Is Home Chef good quality?

Most people’s main concern with meal kits is the freshness of the ingredients, particularly the proteins and the produce. Based on my Home Chef review, I found the delivery of produce and meat to be very good quality. They arrived cold, thanks to the ice packs. The produce, such as the bell pepper, green onions, herbs and kale, were in amazing shapefree of browning, bruising or wilting. Similarly, the salmon, Italian sausage and ground pork looked, smelled and, perhaps most importantly, tasted fresh.

Is Home Chef cheaper than groceries?

Personally, Home Chef meals are not cheaper than my groceries. Meals range from $9.99 to $11.99 per serving, depending on how many are ordered, meaning a box is at least $48. I am very thrifty at the grocery store, and I spend about $80 per week for my two-person household. By the time I supplemented a Home Chef box with breakfast items, lunch food, store-bought snacks, etc., from the supermarket, my weekly grocery expenses would be well over $80. However, someone who shops at a higher-end grocery store or consistently dines out might find Home Chef to be a money-saver.

Product Comparison

I’ve tried meal kits from six companies at this point, and truthfully, they’re incredibly comparable. Many source ingredients from the same distributors. Most are around the same price. And a large percentage offers a similar variety of recipes, sorted by equally similar filters.

Although a few meal kit services are cheaper than Home Chef (like EveryPlate), the cost is fairly on par with that of Green Chef, Blue Apron and others. Home Chef’s ingredients stack up to its competitors, too. Even though there weren’t as many explicitly name-brand items included with my meals, Home Chef made up for it with the standout freshness of the produce and meat.

The main ways in which Home Chef differentiates itself from the rest are its in-store availability, its celebrity collaborations (who doesn’t want a shortcut Half Baked Harvest meal for dinner?) and its slightly increased levels of customization.

Final Verdict

My takeaway from Home Chef is that its ingredients are top tier and its recipe cards accurately manage expectations. I loved all of the protein I received in my box, especially the Italian sausage. And the quality of the ground pork for my spring roll bowls far surpassed the quality of ground pork I’ve received through other services. Moreover, the kale, dill and onion, in particular, were in immaculate shape.

Additionally, I’ve run into issues with meal kit services misquoting prep and cook times, presumably to boost the appeal of recipes, but Home Chef gives it to you straight. I’m not a professional by any stretch, but I was able to handily finish all three of my recipes in the allotted time. I received one easy, one intermediate and one expert recipe, and they all met those classifications. No surprises, just deliciousness!

After reading Home Chef reviews and conducting my own testing, I’d recommend this meal kit service to someone with a sizable food budget who’s looking to cut down on the time it takes to meal plan and prep. It would be great for young, busy singles or couples, as well as smaller families.

Where to Buy Home Chef

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We Tried It

Home Chef

Home Chef, backed by food celebs and thousands of happy customers, offers 30-plus new and exciting meals for the whole family each week.

Buy a box of Home Chef from the company’s website or individual meal kits from select Kroger stores. Boxes cost between $48 (for four weekly servings) and $360 (for 36 weekly servings). Prices of the in-store meal kits and Home Chef products vary. Who knew eating like a food celeb could be so accessible?!

The post Home Chef Review: It’s Endorsed by Food Celebrities for Good Reason appeared first on Taste of Home.

The Best Balsam Hill Christmas Trees

Katie Bandurski — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:26:23 +0000

Best Overall

Classic Blue Spruce

We tested the Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce in our Milwaukee office, and its the best option for anyone craving a good ol fashioned Christmas tree. Our testers were in awe at the lifelike branches of the Blue Spruce, remarking that it reminded them of real trees from holidays past.

Assembly took less than four minutes for a 7.5-foot tree, and we loved that the lights connected with an easy plug. (AKA no fumbling in the branches trying to find a bunch of tiny connectors). Its incredibly full, yet the branches are pliable for endless finessing. A word to the wise? Plan to fluff this tree for a long time. We spent a full 20 minutes on this tree and could have kept going.

The Blue Spruce is available in eight heightsranging from 4.5 feet to a whopping 15 feetand up to five light styles.

Pros

Classic, full Christmas tree shape
Incredibly lifelike, less “plasticky” than other trees we tested
Eight height options
Moderate price point

Cons

Requires a lot of fluffing
On the wobblier side

The post The Best Balsam Hill Christmas Trees appeared first on Taste of Home.

The Best Smokeless Fire Pits of 2023

Madi Koetting — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:59:40 +0000

Best Overall

Solo Stove Bonfire

Topping our list of smokeless fire pits, we can’t think of a more spot-on pick than the popular Solo Stove Bonfire. Boasting five sleek color options (including stainless steel), this versatile pit isn’t just smokeless, it’s ideal for toting around to all of your outdoor events, whether you’re camping, hosting a s’mores night in the backyard or heading to the beach.

Because it wouldn’t be the best smokeless fire pit without easy peasy cleanup, we’re happy to report there’s nothing to be intimated by when setting up. “The Solo Stove Bonfire comes with four main pieces: the fire pit body, an ash pan, a base plate and a flame ring,” says Senior Shopping Editor, Katie Bandurski. “I opted for the model that includes a stand for safe burning on (almost) any surface. To assemble, simply put the fire pit base on the stand, place the ash pan in the bottom center of the fire pat and nestle the base plate above the ash pan with the dome pointing upthat’s it!”

While you can certainly add on Solo Stove’s fire starter accessories to light it up, you can also build a fire the old-fashioned way by nestling some leaves, twigs and small wood pieces in the base and stacking large logs on top. “Watching fire in the Solo Stove is incredibly mesmerizing, thanks to the double-walled design,” says Katie. “Plus, in addition to no smoke, there were no blowing ashes or sparks. I was able to get very close to the Solo Stove without fear of being burned by rogue flyaways. The fire itself gave off an amazing amount of heat, which, on a chilly night, was much appreciated.”

Finally, this outdoor essential takes it to the next level by offering safe flames to cook over. “In true Wisconsin fashion, I couldnt complete a Solo Stove Bonfire review without cooking a brat over the open flames,” adds Katie. “I loaded up my skewer and started turning. In just minutes I had a beautifully blistered sausage. Marshmallows, with the help of some telescoping sticks, also toast like a dream.”

Fuel source: Wood | Weight: 25 pounds | Dimensions: 19.5 x 17.5 inches

Pros

Truly smokeless
Burns cleanly and evenly
Evenly disperses heat without producing a lot of ashes or sparks
Wood burns down completely
Compatible with cooking accessories
Comes with carrying case and stand, making it portable
Removable ashtray
Available in five colors

Cons

Additional tools and accessories sold separately
Stainless steel exterior gets very hot while burning
No great way to extinguish the fire

The post The Best Smokeless Fire Pits of 2023 appeared first on Taste of Home.

Meet the Hybrid HexClad Wok, the Ultimate Cooking Companion for One-Pan Meals

Allison Robicelli — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 19:56:03 +0000

Over the past few years, the cookware market has incorporated new materials, innovative designs and upgraded manufacturing technology to revolutionize home cooking. One brand at the forefront is HexClad, which has created a full line of cookware that combines the best elements of cast iron, stainless steel and nonstick pans. I’d long been ride-or-die with my trusty cast-iron skillet, but when I tested the HexClad skillet, I was thrilled with the results. But I must admit I only use it sporadically. Its small size doesn’t make it ideal for cooking large meals for myself and my two teenage sons. The HexClad wok, however, offers plenty of room to work with. Here’s how the HexClad wok fared in my home kitchen.

What is the HexClad wok?

HexClad cookware has been dubbed “the Rolls Royce of pans” by none other than Gordon Ramsay, and a countless number of Michelin-starred chefs have sang its praises. Its patented design combines all the best elements of cast iron, stainless steel and nonstick pans to create a “super pan” of sorts. Like cast iron, it’s sturdy, resilient and retains heat in ways other pans can only dream of. Two layers of non-reactive stainless steel with an aluminum core distribute heat evenly across the surface of the pan.

What sets the HexClad wok apart is its size. There are three available sizes (10 inches, 12 inches and 14 inches), so there’s plenty of room to make all sorts of dishesnot just stir-fries and Asian food! Use this pan as you would a large saut pan to cook one-pan meals, pasta, fried foods, eggs or whatever else you’re able to imagine. This versatile pan offers endless possibilities, and the superlative construction makes it the perfect everyday pan.

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HexClad Wok

The HexClad wok is ideal for high-volume cooking, so you can prepare a whole meal in one pan.

HexClad Wox Features

There are five elements to HexClad’s patented technology that make its pans unlike anything else on the market. Like many other brands of high-quality cookware, it all begins with an aluminum core, which rapidly conducts heat and gets your pan lightning-hot in less than a minute. Beneath it is a nearly indestructible stainless steel base that retains that heat, and because it’s magnetic, it can be used on induction cooktops in addition to electric and gas stoves. There’s a layer of stainless steel on top, too, which distributes heat evenly across the surface while helping the pan maintain a consistent temperature. The stainless steel and nonstick hybrid design makes HexClad products, including their Dutch oven, stand out.

Now comes the ingenious part! The top stainless steel layer is coated with a layer of a high-grade, non-toxic, nonstick material infused with diamond dust. Then, a laser is used to etch a hexagonal design through the coating, exposing some of the stainless steel below. This not only helps distribute heat evenly across the pan, but also helps create a gorgeous sear on meat, fish or whatever else you’re cooking. And unlike many other nonstick pans, it’s safe to use metal utensils while cooking with the HexClad wok.

In addition to being a powerhouse on the stovetop, the HexClad wok is also safe to use in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, with a stay-cool ergonomic handle that makes it easy to maneuver. As for cleanup, it’s dishwasher safe, or it can be quickly hand washed with warm, soapy water. Don’t worry about scratching the surface in the event of stains; the HexClad wok is durable enough to stand up to abrasive sponges and steel wool.

How We Tested It

Much like every other piece of HexClad cookware I’ve ever come across, the HexClad wok impressed me straight out of the box with its heft and ergonomic design. While it may weigh a bit more than some of the other pans I’ve tested (like the Hero Pan from Drew Barrymore), I didn’t mind one bit. A heavy pan is a durable pan, and considering the HexClad wok comes with a lifetime guarantee, I do expect it to last a lifetime. Besides, if a pan is made with multiple layers of high-quality metals, it should be heavy! And despite the weight, the handle and overall design of the wok make it surprisingly easy to handle.

Ground Meat

The first thing I tested in the HexClad wok was plain ground meat. (chorizo, to be specific.) This would give me a good idea of how the pan heated up at various points across its surface. When a recipe tells you to begin by browning meat, it’s not just to cook it throughit’s to develop flavor. When cooked in less-than-stellar pans, meat often browns unevenly, meaning you’ll have spots where it becomes richly colored and flavorful and other areas where the meat becomes bland and gray before it ends up simmering and steaming in its own juices.

A good pan will coax the maximum amount of flavor out of the meat, and the HexClad wok definitely comes through in this department. Every bit of chorizo from the center to the edge came out beautifully, and the high sides made it easy to stir and smash without the errant piece of meat jumping ship. The high sides also helped contain the grease, which helped reduce spattering when compared to a typical skillet.

Stir-Fry

Because it is a wok, I obviously had to try out a few quick-and-easy stir-fries in my new HexClad pan, and it should come as absolutely no surprise that it worked spectacularly. The high sides and curved shape made it easy to flip and toss my ingredients without anything flying out of the pan. One of the major keys to successful stir-fry cooking is to work with a lightning-hot pan, and on my electric stove, the entire cooking surface of my HexClad wok gets scorching hot in under two minutes. Because it cooks so well so quickly, it truly is possible to get dinner on the table in less than 10 minutes!

Pros

Truly nonstick
Non-toxic cooking surface
Heats evenly
Oven- and dishwasher-safe
Available in three sizes
Safe for use with metal utensils
Induction-compatible
Lifetime warranty

Cons

Pricey
Doesn’t come with lid

FAQ

Is HexClad cookware dishwasher safe?

Yes! Just like other pots and pans in their line of cookware, the HexClad wok is dishwasher safe. The scratch-resistant surface is safe for use with abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and steel wool, too.

Is HexClad cookware heavy?

The HexClad wok isn’t as heavy as the average cast-iron pan, but it’s definitely heavier than most average pans. (That’s what happens when you use high-grade metal!) But despite its heft, the ergonomic handle helps to make it easy to lift and maneuver.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

I’m not the only one praising the HexClad wok. Here’s what other real-life home cooks are saying:

“I love, love, love this pan as well as the others I recently purchased,” says Gail G., a verified HexClad customer. “It makes cooking a snap. Everyone in the house feels the same and they say what a joy it is to cook in it and how easy it is to clean.”

Five-star Amazon reviewer, NB, writes, “This has now become the best wok I own! I have used it for about three months now and I’m very impressed with how it has held up. Stuff cooks faster in it with minimal heat. The handle is very ergonomic. Highly recommended!”

“I leave this pan on top of [the] stove and use it for cooking everything from a fried egg to stir-fry to saut and deep-fry. It is easy to clean. I love this pan,” shares Anita Ford, another five-star reviewer.

Product Comparison

Just like Caraway cookware, the Our Place Always Pan and Green Pan, HexClad’s pans have built up plenty of buzz on social media and the internet at large. The HexClad wok stands out for its functionality, versatility and durability. This pan is virtually indestructible, making it just as good for beginners as it is for seasoned pros. Plus, its outstanding heat conduction takes a lot of the guesswork out of cooking, as it’s easy to regulate temperature and cook to perfection. Its surface can stand up to metal utensils, so there’s no need to replace all your cooking tools with nonstick-friendly ones.

Final Verdict

The HexClad wok is a stellar pan that can handle just about anything you care to throw at it, and it’s easy to clean, to boot. Though it’s pricey, it’s also backed by a lifetime warranty. There’s a good possibility this might be the last wok you’ll ever need to buy.

Where to Buy the HexClad Wok

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HexClad Wok

The HexClad Wok is 12 inches across and 3 inches deep. When youre cooking for a crowd or want to make sure there are leftovers, this is your go-to pan.

Pick up the HexClad wok on the brand’s website, Amazon or Walmart. It retails for $179, but HexClad frequently runs sales, so if you keep your eyes peeled, you might be able to nab one at a substantial discount.

The post Meet the Hybrid HexClad Wok, the Ultimate Cooking Companion for One-Pan Meals appeared first on Taste of Home.

The 15 Best Harry & David Gifts That Make Holiday Shopping Easy

Allison Robicelli — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 21:31:51 +0000

For the Muncher: Holiday Snack Gift Box

Your most snacky friend will love Harry & David gifts like this mix of sweet and savory bitesand you’ll love the budget-friendly price tag! It includes a container of Harry & David’s beloved caramel Moose Munch popcorn, an Elevation Artisan Meats Thuringer pork sausage (that pairs perfectly with the block of sharp white cheddar cheese and a box of three-seed crackers) and, for some extra zing, a jar of honey hot mustard.

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I Tested the Gorgeous Great Jones Dutch Oven, and Fully Expect It to Last a Lifetime

Allison Robicelli — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 20:56:56 +0000

Of all the beautiful cookware to be ogled on Instagram, few are as aesthetically pleasing as the pieces from Great Jones. But when it comes to cooking, good looks don’t mean anything if your pots and pans can’t perform. Our senior shopping editor was blown away when she tested the Great Jones Holy Sheet pan, so when I had the opportunity to test the Great Jones Dutch oven, I had high standards and great expectations. The Dutchess is undeniably gorgeous, but does it cook as good as it looks?

What is The Dutchess, the Great Jones Dutch Oven?

Great Jones Dutch oven, The Dutchess (as well as its smaller counterpart, the Dutch Baby), is an oval-shaped, cast-iron pot with a slick, non-stick enamel-coated interior that not only makes cooking easier but makes cleanup easy, too. Food residue cleanly wipes off with a soapy sponge, so it truly takes only seconds to wash The Dutchess by hand. If you don’t feel like handwashing, though, this Dutch oven is also dishwasher-safejust be sure to dry it by hand once the cycle is finished to prevent the exposed cast-iron edges from possibly rusting.

Like almost everything Great Jones makes, The Dutchess is not only well-made but utterly gorgeous. It’s available in six vibrant colors: blueberry, broccoli, taffy, pepper, salt and, the color I chose, mustard. I’ve been ogling this Great Jones Dutch oven online for a long, long while, and upon unboxing it, it didn’t disappoint in the slightest. It’s as beautiful as it is in the pictures and has earned a permanent spot on my stovetop, even if I don’t cook with it every day. This Dutch oven is a work of art that I love staring at.

But as someone who has tested more than her fair share of Instagram-famous cookware, I know that looks aren’t everything. The Great Jones Dutch oven had enough heft to give me hope that it would excel when I put it to the test.

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The Dutchess

The Dutchess is a Dutch oven by Great Jones that moves gracefully from stove to oven to table centerpiece.

Great Jones Dutch Oven Features

With its 6.75-quart capacity and oval shape, The Dutchess is a big pan that can do big things. You can use it to boil pasta water, simmer soups and stews, bake casseroles or roast a whole chicken. Its tight-fitting lid keeps heat and steam well-trapped, making it ideal for baking bread and braising meats low and slow without losing moisture.

Quality

Like many Dutch ovens, The Dutchess is made of enameled cast iron. In the kitchen, cast iron is unrivaled for conducting and retaining heat, and works on gas, electric and induction stovetops. It’s also oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. And thanks to the enamel coating, you won’t have to fret about caring for your pot! Not only does the enamel create a nonstick interior, but it also protects the iron underneath from rusting and oxidation.

The non-stick enamel coating is also non-toxic and free of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs). The inside of the pot is a soft gray, which helps make the Great Jones Dutch oven more resistant to staining while being light enough to let you notice color changes and other visual cues while cooking.

Aesthetics

Aside from the fact it’s a quality cooking vessel, The Dutchess’ biggest asset is its looks. It makes an incredible gift for home cooks, and to make it extra special, Great Jones can engrave a name or message on the lid.

The Dutchess retails for $160, which is cheaper than many other Dutch ovens on the market, but still on the pricier side of the cookware spectrum. But as they say, you get what you pay for, and the Great Jones Dutch oven is meant to last you for many years to come. Plus, it’s backed with a limited lifetimewarranty. The company also offers a 60-day “no-questions-asked” return or exchange policy, so if you don’t fall head-over-heels in love with The Dutchess, you can send it back for a full refund.

How We Tested It

Since I so regularly use a Dutch oven in my day-to-day cooking, I figured the best way to test The Dutchess was simply to put it into use in my own kitchen. Real-world use provides real-world results! And The Dutchess was more than up to the challenge.

Stocks and One-Pots

Since I have a small kitchen, my Dutch oven doubles as a stockpot for making things like stock and soup, but most often I use it for boiling pasta water. It’s a simple task, but The Dutchess excels at it by rapidly conducting heat and preserving it, especially when topped with the heavy-duty lid that prevents heat and steam from escaping. Its oval shape makes it easy to add long pastas like spaghetti or linguine without having to awkwardly push them underwater with a wooden spoon.

Dutch ovens are also great for cooking one-pot meals, which is another reason why they get so much use in my kitchen. With plenty of surface area on the bottom, you can easily saut enough vegetables and brown enough meat to feed a whole family. As a mom of two teenage boys who have ravenous appetites, I’m always able to make enough food to keep them satiated and occasionally have leftovers for lunch the next day.

Deep Frying

Another thing Dutch ovens are good for is deep frying, which is something I rarely do at home because of the hassle involved. However, The Dutchess made deep frying nearly painless, thanks to high sides to contain splatters and a smooth design that allows you to clip on a fry thermometer without worrying it will slip or slide. Because it conducts, retains and distributes heat so well, it was easy to adjust and maintain the temperature of the oil. When you’re making homemade doughnuts, you don’t want a single one of them to be disappointing. With The Dutchess, I was able to make a whole batch without burning or undercooking a single one.

In the Oven

The Dutchess dominated on the stovetop, but a Dutch oven isn’t worth a damn unless it performs just as well in the oven. Unsurprisingly, this Great Jones Dutch oven yielded dynamite results in there as well. It braises like a champ, but more impressively, it can roast a chicken that comes out tender and juicy with minimal effort. And you barely need a recipe to do it! Just cover the bottom of the pan with cut-up vegetables like potatoes and carrots, add your chicken, season everything liberally, pop on the lid and slide it into a 375-degree oven. In about an hour, you’ll have a chicken so succulent that it practically falls off the bone. One-pot cooking at its finest!

For its final trial, I used the Great Jones Dutchess to make no-knead bread. It yielded a loaf with a shatteringly crisp crust and fluffy interior that could rival any bakery and ran circles around the bread from the supermarket. The pictures truly say it all.

Pros

Outstanding quality
Aesthetically gorgeous
Truly non-stick interior
Available in six vibrant colors
Oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Works on gas, electric and induction cooktops
Dishwasher safe; easy to handwash
60-day “no-questions-asked” return policy
Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

Pricey

FAQ

Is Great Jones cookware non-toxic?

Yes! All Great Jones cookware is non-toxic and free of “forever chemicals,” including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). These pots and pans have also passed industry standard lead tests, and are 100% cadmium-free.

Where is Great Jones Dutch oven made?

Great Jones is a female-founded small business that’s based in New York City, but its cookware is produced in factories in Guangdong and Tianjin in China, as well as some in the United States.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

There’s something to be said about a Dutch oven that gets people this excited. Here’s what real-life home cooks have to say about The Dutchess:

“I have been a chef for over 25 years and have always used the big French named Dutch ovens and always loved them,” writes verified Great Jones customer, Jennifer M. Hopkins. “I decided to give GJ a try and YES!! One-third of the price and superb quality. I am sold and even told a few others all about it! Can’t wait to use it more and more.”

Five-star reviewer, Christine P. calls this Dutch oven the “best gift,” and says, “I love mineand my friend, when I brought it to her house on Thanksgiving, filled with an amazing butternut squash and wild rice side dishthreatened to refuse to return it. So I got this one for her for Christmas!”

“A work of art,” writes verified buyer, Elizabeth R. “I found Great Jones on the hunt for a good Dutch oven and ideally not spending $400 to $500. I was intrigued by their story and the rich green of The Dutchess in broccoli. It works great and cleans up so easily. The quality is more than five stars!”

Product Comparison

Here at Taste of Home, we’ve reviewed many Dutch ovens from top cookware brands, like HexClad and the famous Le Creuset. In comparison to other heavyweights, the Great Jones Dutch oven performs just as well while being relatively wallet-friendly. (A high-quality Dutch oven isn’t cheap!) With its outstanding performance, generous return policy and limited lifetime warranty, you may want to check out the Great Jones Dutch oven before you consider any of its competitors.

Final Verdict

The Dutchess is far more than a pretty faceit’s the real deal. Though I’ve only been cooking with it for a few months, based on its steady performance and easy cleanup, I fully expect it to last a lifetime just like Great Jones promises. Not only that, it looks damn good sitting on my stovetop, which is a very nice bonus. If you’re looking for your first Dutch oven or are unhappy with your old one, I highly recommend adding The Dutchess to your cookware collection.

Where to Buy the Great Jones Dutch Oven

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The Dutchess

This cast-iron oval pot delivers exceptional heat distribution and retention for slow cooking to braising or roasting.

The Dutchess, the Great Jones Dutch oven, is available on the brand’s website for $160. You can also shop it on Sur La Table, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Choose your color and get to cooking!

The post I Tested the Gorgeous Great Jones Dutch Oven, and Fully Expect It to Last a Lifetime appeared first on Taste of Home.

5 Best Prebiotic and Probiotic Soda Brands

Annamarie Higley — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 14:32:38 +0000

Best Overall

Olipop

During our testing, Olipop really, well, popped. Whether it’s the fruity basics such as Classic Grape or Orange Squeeze, or the soda dupes such as Root Beer or Vintage Cola, Olipop succeeds. In fact, we found its Root Beer and Cream Soda to be nearly indistinguishable from the real deal. Plus, the retro branding is an adorable nod to its nostalgic flavors like Strawberry Vanilla and Banana Cream. And, dang, we’ve only listed seven of the whopping 16 flavors so far! (They’re always dropping seasonal faves too!)

Olipop has the nutritional facts to back it up. As with most prebiotic items, the sodas are rich in fiber. Each can contains 9 grams, more than any others on this list. Furthermore, there are no more than 50 calories per can and between 2 and 5 grams of sugar. It’s a drink you and your taste buds can feel good about. Although it’s about $3 per can when purchased in bulk, the splurge is well worth itit’s as close as you’re going to get to a regular soda.

Editor’s Favorite Flavor: Strawberry Vanilla (Psst! Try it with a splash of vanilla coffee creamer.)

Pros

Greatest selection of flavors on this list (16 total)
Best replacement for “traditional” soda
Readily available in stores and online
9 grams of fiber per can, more than other prebiotic sodas
Adorable branding

Cons

One of the more expensive options on this list

The post 5 Best Prebiotic and Probiotic Soda Brands appeared first on Taste of Home.

Thrive Market Review: Can This Online Grocery Store Really Save You Money?

Allison Robicelli — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:55:41 +0000

Not too long ago, the idea of doing all your grocery shopping online seemed almost too good to be true. Now, that dream has become a reality. You can order almost anything from the comfort of your couch for delivery straight to your door. Thrive Market is one such company, offering nothing but clean, all-natural groceries at discounted prices. I spent hours combing their website to see if their advertised savings are as significant as the company claims. Then, I placed an order of my own to conduct my Thrive Market reviews to see if they could change the way I buy groceries.

What is Thrive Market?

Think of Thrive Market as a mix of Whole Foods, Costco and your favorite online grocery store. For a $12 monthly subscription fee (or $59.99 if billed annually), you can shop thousands of grocery, cleaning and personal care items that are natural, non-GMO and sustainable. They also carry a wide range of products that accommodate dietary preferences like gluten-free, vegan and paleo.

Thrive Market has an extensive list of over 500 “never ingredients” you won’t find in a single product they sell, including high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and bleached flours. Though not every product they sell is organic, Thrive Market carries over 2,000 certified organic items, which isn’t too shabby. In addition to dry goods, Thrive Market also sells frozen foods, including flash-frozen meat and seafood. They don’t offer refrigerated goods like eggs, produce or dairy. (For produce, we’re big fans of Misfits Market.)

Their Mission

Besides giving everyone in the lower 48 states ready and easy access to healthy foods, Thrive Market’s greater mission includes ending food inequality. The company regularly partners with small food equity organizations like Foodcorps and FoodCycle LA and has set a goal of providing at least $20 million of healthy groceries to people in need by 2030. Additionally, every annual membership sponsors a free membership for families that could use a bit of help.

Thrive Market prides itself on sustainability, boasting they’re the only grocery store that’s climate-positive. The company is already carbon-neutral, with goals to become carbon-negative by 2025. All of Thrive Market’s warehouses recycle or repurpose at least 90% of the materials used. Plus, all packaging is 100% recyclable or compostable. Whew!

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Thrive Market

Thrive Market is an online grocery store where everything is organic or sustainably sourced and curated by experts.

Thrive Market Features

Shopping Thrive Market requires a membership. But if you regularly purchase specialty groceries, the fee will pay for itself in no time. In fact, the company guarantees that if you don’t recoup your annual membership fee in savings each year, they’ll pay you the difference in store credit. Monthly memberships cost $12 and don’t come with the benefit of a free trial period. Thrive Market reviews will tell you that it’s a better decision to spring for the $59.99 annual subscription, which allows you to cancel within 30 days for a full refund.

Shipping

Thrive Market ships anywhere within the lower 48 states. Orders are usually processed within 12 hours once they’re placed and shipped within 24 hours. Pantry items and dry goods usually arrive within 2-4 days after an order is placed, while frozen goods take between 2-3 business days to arrive once shipped. Thrive Market only ships out frozen orders on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays to prevent any shipping delays over the weekend.

For goods you buy regularly, Thrive offers an auto-ship program that can save you an additional 5-10% off their already discounted prices. Autoship orders can be set for every 4, 8 or 12 weeks, and can be canceled, postponed, or rescheduled as needed.

Product Specialist

Every paid membership comes with a free 15-minute phone consultation with a Thrive Market Product Specialist. This feature is especially helpful for people who are starting restrictive diets like keto, or those with specific nutritional/medical needs. During the consultation, the Product Specialist will help you sift through Thrive Market’s inventory to find the best products for your particular needs, and provide tips to help you maximize your membership.

Thrive Cash

In addition to their regularly discounted prices, some items allow you to earn Thrive Cash, which is essentially a cash-back store credit program. Thrive Cash is automatically applied to your next order, as long as it’s within 30 days. The company also offers Thrive Cash as a part of its price-matching program. If you find a product you want at a lower price, you can submit a screenshot or photo of the item along with its advertised discounted price. Once Thrive reviews your photos, it will send you the cost difference in Thrive Cash.

Another benefit to a Thrive Marlet membership is the frequent freebies, which are usually offered every day. Provided you purchase at least $49 worth of groceries, that day’s featured freebie will be automatically added to your cart. Buying at least $49 worth of packaged groceries will also net you free shipping; anything less is subject to a $5.95 shipping fee. There’s a $120 minimum to qualify for free shipping on frozen items; under that, the delivery fee is $19.95

How We Tested It

Even though I’m a professional food writer and recipe developer, I have a huge soft spot for ready-to-eat foods and meal delivery services. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! Sometimes I’m way too tired to cook (or really do anything at all), and I have no issue boiling up some ramen noodles, tossing frozen snacks into the air fryer or microwaving a vacuum-sealed pouch of saag paneer. Not only that, as a single mom of two teenage boys, I like stocking the house with healthy(ish) foods my kids can eat on nights I’m too busy to cook dinnerparticularly foods they can prepare for themselves without making a mess of the kitchen. Thrive Market reviews will say they’re a great option for ready-to-eat foods.

Ready-to-Eat Foods

But as with most things, you get what you pay for, and the cost of filling a few cabinets with the best ready-to-eat foods adds up quickly. Even when the savings seem slight, they quickly add up to something significant when buying in bulk. Through Thrive Market, I was able to buy several weeks’ worth of all-natural (and delicious!) instant ramen cups, tinned fish, boxed tofu, jarred simmer sauces and more for about $200. Had I bought the same items retail, not only would it have cost me at least 30% more, but I would likely have needed to visit multiple stores to get everything I wanted. Another great thing about Thrive Market is they’re able to store massive amounts of inventory in their warehouses, so items rarely go out of stock.

That said, I wasn’t overly impressed with the savings for items I use in my home pantry. While the company has a price-matching program, searching for lower prices elsewhere is a tedious process that renders the convenience of online grocery shopping nearly irrelevant.

If I lived in a place where the nearest specialty supermarket was hours away, I wouldn’t care much about the overall savingsthe fact that Thrive Market could get healthy, all-natural groceries to my doorstep would be well worth the prices, even if they’re not much different than retail prices. However, I’m a city mouse and can easily pick up natural/organic pantry items, grass-fed meat and sustainable seafood. Ready-to-eat foods, on the other hand, are a different story.

As for my haul, I couldn’t be happier. If I’m too tired to cook anything substantial, there’s something delicious in my pantry that can be ready in minutes. Thrive Market is a fantastic supplement to regular grocery shopping if you stick to sales and shop intelligently.

Pros

Makes healthy foods accessible
Offers significant savings if you’re a smart shopper
Daily freebie offers
Flash sales that offer deep discounts
Not too difficult to meet the free shipping threshold on non-frozen items
Price matching program
Thrive Cash rewards program

Cons

Not all foods are offered at significant discounts
Frozen foods require a $60 minimum; free shipping offered with $120 purchase
Price-matching program is tedious to take advantage of

FAQ

Can I browse Thrive Market without a membership?

To browse Thrive Market, you need to sign up for a membership. According to the company’s website, this is meant to protect the brands they carry, as many do not want their products publicly advertised at deeply discounted prices. Once you sign up, you’ll have full access to Thrive Market’s entire catalog of over 6,000 products. If you decide the prices aren’t low enough for you, you can cancel your subscription within 30 days for a full refund.

How much does a Thrive Market membership cost?

A Thrive Market membership costs $59.95 annually, or you can subscribe on a monthly basis for $12. Annual memberships come with a 30-day cancellation window, while monthly memberships do not.

Final Verdict

After conducting my own and reading many Thrive Market reviews, I can guarantee that this online grocery store is a godsend to anyone in the lower 48 states who doesn’t have easy access to natural groceries. It’s also excellent for people who are on restrictive diets like paleo or keto and who need to shop for a wide variety of specialty products. As for savings, as long as you shop smart, they can be significant, making Thrive Market well worth the cost of membership.

Where to Buy Thrive Market

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Thrive Market

The Thrive Market reviews are in! Get groceries without artificial flavors or synthetic preservatives.

You can sign up for your own membership exclusively on the Thrive Market website. Savings await!

The post Thrive Market Review: Can This Online Grocery Store Really Save You Money? appeared first on Taste of Home.

The 13 Best Blankets of 2024, According to Our Tests

Madi Koetting — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 18:09:40 +0000

Best Overall

ChappyWrap Harborview Herringbone Blanket

What if we told you there’s a blanket that’s truly pill- and fuzz-resistant while delicately cozy enough for every activity? Yes, it exists, and the secret is a ChappyWrap blanket. “As one of the best blankets, this is the first one Ive owned that combines luxury with functionality,” says Senior Shopping Editor, Nancy Snyder.

“Previously, I always sacrificed one for the other. The material (which is a blend of cotton, acrylic and polyester) and finished edges make it soft yet durableperfect for movie night or draped at the foot of a bed. And because its machine washable, its both pet- and kid-friendly. Not to mention it’s perfect to pack for a picnic or camping trip.”

“The ChappyWrap comes in many versatile and stylish patterns and colors, but Im a sucker for a reversible herringbone design,” adds Nancy. “The blanket holds up in the washer and dryer (tumble dry on low heat), and has shown zero signs of pilling, fading or fuzz.” Talk about a win-win!

Pros

Luxurious yet functional
Fuzz-, pilling- and shrinking-resistant
Perfect for snuggling or draped over the bottom of a queen-size bed
Various patterns and colors
Machine washable
Offers the perfect amount of warmth and heaviness to be used during any season
Family-owned, female-run business

Cons

On the pricey side, but this durable blanket holds up well after lots of use
Your family and friends might steal it!

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The post The 13 Best Blankets of 2024, According to Our Tests appeared first on Taste of Home.

3 Best Indoor Pizza Ovens for Restaurant-Quality Pies All Year Long

Molly Allen — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 13:37:22 +0000

Best Overall Indoor Pizza Oven

Ooni Volt

Ooni has earned a top spot on the list of best outdoor pizza ovens. The brand has multiple oven designs for outside use, including models that use gas, wood and charcoal. The Ooni Volt is both an outdoor and indoor pizza oven with its all-electric, plug-and-play option.

The Volt is constructed with stainless steel and coated carbon steel for a durable, modern design. It can sit on any heat-safe surface but does need quite a bit of space with its dimensions of 24×21 inches. It has a large window on the front of the folding door so it’s easy to keep an eye on your pizzas while they cook. The oven takes 20 minutes to preheat to reach 850 degrees, but the temperature dial is flexible enough to turn it down to 150 degrees for ultimate customization.

Plus, the indoor pizza oven includes a cordierite pizza stone which warms by a bottom heating element, along with another heating element at the top of the oven. Both of those heating elements are adjustable once the oven comes up to the preheated temperature to allow you to choose the perfect cook for your pizza. If you love a thin Neapolitan-style pizza, this definitely comes in handy.

I use the Ooni at home at least once a week and love how simple it is to operate. It’s easy to turn on and preheat, and there isn’t much need to watch the pizza closely as there is with an outdoor pizza oven with a live flame. I’ve found that I can cook pizzas between 90 seconds to three minutes, depending on the toppings. I definitely still keep an eye on my pizzas to check on how much browning I’m getting, but there isn’t as much of a need to constantly turn them. Helpful pizza oven accessories such as Ooni’s perforated pizza peel are sold separately for this oven.

Pros

Easy to use
Reaches 850 degrees
Indoor and outdoor use
Balance dial to customize the cook on the pizza

Cons

High price point
Takes several hours to cool

The post 3 Best Indoor Pizza Ovens for Restaurant-Quality Pies All Year Long appeared first on Taste of Home.

12 Soup Gift Baskets for When You Want to Send a Warm Hug This Holiday Season

Kim Bussing — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 16:22:10 +0000

For the Decision Maker: Choose Your Soup Pack

What if choose your own adventure games ended with chicken noodle, creamy tomato soup or lobster bisque? This four-pack of soup comes from a soup maker that has blended up comforting family recipes for generations. You can choose between eight different types of soup, and the pack has between 28 and 32 servings. Supplement it with these gift baskets on Amazon.

The post 12 Soup Gift Baskets for When You Want to Send a Warm Hug This Holiday Season appeared first on Taste of Home.

Blackstone Pizza Oven Review: A Rotating Pizza Stone Churns Out Fuss-Free Pies in Minutes

Molly Allen — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 13:45:54 +0000

The Blackstone Griddle is an icon for those who love outdoor cooking, whether it’s used to whip up hash browns for breakfast or a batch of smash burgers. Now, the barbecue brand has entered the line of outdoor pizza ovens with its propane-powered Blackstone Pizza Oven.

As a pizza enthusiast, I make pies once a week in my backyard. I’ve also tested numerous pizza ovens, including the best-selling Ooni Koda 16 and the all-electric Ooni Volt. To see just how Blackstone’s pizza oven compares, I put it to the test.

What is the Blackstone Pizza Oven?

The Blackstone Pizza Oven is a gas-powered oven that hooks up to a propane tank. It utilizes a hose and connectorthe same setup as with a regular barbecue. The pizza oven is almost all black with a stainless steel interior and looks very similar to a gas grill.

VIA MERCHANT

We Tried It

Blackstone Pizza Oven

Two-stone technology with a rotating bottom stone generates even cooking.

It has a front ignition switch and heat regulation dial along with a power button. Inside there is a large rotating pizza stone, as well as a pizza stone on the top of the oven. It has a wide opening at the front and space to cook 16-inch pizzas. And, in the right cookware, you can prep other items such as steak, salmon or wings.

The Blackstone Pizza Oven is sold with a stand and includes a pizza peel, but all other pizza-making tools and accessories are sold separately.

Blackstone Pizza Oven Features

The Blackstone Pizza Oven is sold either with a stand or a mobile cart. These units are crucial because of the design of the powerful, heavy pizza oven. While this means that the pizza oven takes up more space, the wheeled cart is helpful for moving the pizza oven around your backyard and patio. The oven can also sit on a heat-safe countertop or table, but because of its weight, it’s likely that two people will need to move it together.

The burner is very powerful, putting out a lot of heat. This makes it so the pizza oven’s exterior gets quite hot as well. Even standing two feet away from the front of the oven, you can feet the heat. This burner makes a significant difference in cooking pizzas because the small live flame is housed underneath and to the side of the pizza stone. It eliminates the need to worry about whether the crust of your pizza will touch a live flame.

The rotating stone is operated by a small motor which can be powered by either plugging it in or using batteries. For those who are new to making pizzas in an outdoor oven, it could be a useful tool, eliminating the need to think about turning as often. However, it sill is necessary to stand and watch pizzas cook because the high heat cooks them very fast.

How We Tested It

Set-Up and Assembly

The Blackstone Pizza Oven is incredibly heavy, weighing 140 pounds once assembled with the stand. The assembly is definitely best with two people, especially once it’s time to position the pizza oven onto the stand. To get the pizza oven ready for use, you have to attach the feet, screw in the handles, attach pieces for the rotisserie to rotate the pizza stone and attach the motor. Building the stand requires quite a bit of assembly to build the walls and attach the wheels. Once the stand is built, simply lift the oven component on top. Overall, the assembly wasn’t too tricky, but it did take over an hour to put together and ready for use.

Lighting the Burner

For my first few uses, it took several tries to ignite and light the burner. Once I turned the ignition switch, I had to hold the dial in a specific spot to keep it lit long enough to maintain a flame. After a few tries, I got the hang of it, and this was no longer an issue. Once lit, I turned the heat regulator up to high to preheat the oven. The high-pressure burner is incredibly strong and puts out a lot of heat. It’s also surprisingly loud on high. Preheating the oven took only 15 minutes to reach 900 degrees.

Cooking

Looking at the built-in thermometer, the pizza oven was at 700 degrees. However, when I checked the temperature with an infrared thermometer to see what the stone was at, it was over 800 degrees. With the rotating pizza stone powered on, I launched my pizzas into the oven with no issues. The wide opening makes it simple, especially for 12-inch pizzas. The pizza stone rotates throughout the cooking process, which only takes 60 to 90 seconds depending on the toppings used for each pizza tested. This rotation eliminates the need for a pizza turner, making for even browning. The fact that the pizza won’t come in contact with a live flame makes a difference as well.

While the pizzas I tested cooked beautifully on the crust and top, I did have an issue with the amount of char on the base of the crust. For all of the pizzas I make, in any pizza oven, I use coarse organic wheat flour, which helps to prevent the dough from sticking to the pizza. I used the same amount as I would for any other pizza oven. However, because of the incredibly high heat, I ended up with far more charring on the base of my crust than usual. For some, this isn’t an issue, but it does point to just how hot this pizza oven gets.

The high-pressure burner pumps out an incredible amount of heat, even while cooking with it on low. Once I let the pizza oven cool down for a bit, I had better luck cooking pizzas with less charring. The pizza peel included with the pizza oven also played a role in how much flour was transferred into the pizza oven while cooking. Blackstone sells a perforated pizza peel that would help with this issue significantly. It’s one of our favorite Blackstone accessories!

Pros

Cooks 16-inch pizzas very quickly
Unique rotating stoneno need for a turner!
No live flame within the cooking space
Comes with pizza peel, but may want to supplement it with a perforated peel

Cons

Very heavy so it’s not conveniently portable
Learning curve to maintain temperature

FAQ

How long does it take to cook a pizza in a Blackstone Pizza Oven?

The time it takes to cook a pie in a Blackstone Pizza Oven depends on the crust thickness and topping choices. For most pizzas, it will take 60 to 90 seconds to cook. You’ll be able to use your pizza cutter and grab a slice in no time.

Can you put a pizza oven on a Blackstone Griddle?

Blackstone sells another type of pizza oven that can be used with a Blackstone Griddle. The conversion kit sits on top of a griddle to transfer and retain heat, allowing you to cook pizzas on a stone within the chamber. The stand-alone Blackstone Pizza Oven cannot sit on top of a griddle.

What else can you cook in a Blackstone Pizza Oven?

While the Blackstone Pizza Oven is designed for cooking pizzas at high temperatures, you can use this addition to the backyard to cook just about anything. You can put a cast iron pan in the pizza oven and cook steaks, burgers, chicken wings and salmon.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Blackstone lovers are shouting praises for this pizza oven. Reviewer Ray says there was a bit of a learning curve at first, but now the oven is cooking amazing pizzas. “Installation of the pizza oven was simple but give yourself time to not rush through this process as it will save you time having to go back and rebuild your oven. Directions were easy to understand. Have now cooked 10 to 12 pizzas and while there is a learning curve to get to that perfect pizza. Once you get you will experience amazing pizza. I have really enjoyed using my pizza oven. I know it is an investment but well worth it. Can’t wait to try other cooks!”

Reviewer Rick noted that this pizza oven is as close to plug-and-play as you can get. “With so many pizza ovens on the market right now I debated long and hard as to which one to purchase. Which fuel, what size, etc… Ultimately I decided that pizza night should be fun and not work so I chose this one. After a few Friday night pizza gatherings, I am confident that I made the right choice. This unit comes to temperature ready to cook in approx. 10 minutes and stays there with no tinkering needed. The rotating stone is fantastic as it allows you to be prepping the next pizza while the one in the oven is cooking evenly (without the constant turning).”

Product Comparison

The Blackstone Pizza Oven certainly heats up to high enough temperatures to cook delicious pizzas at home in just 60 seconds. However, in comparison to other popular pizza oven options on the market, it is a significantly different design. Ooni pizza ovens, Solo Stove and the Gozney Roccbox all use gas burners to produce a live flame on their pizza ovens. The heat from this flame radiates throughout the oven to heat up the stone and cook the top of a pizza.

The key difference with the Blackstone Pizza Oven is that it’s heated by a burner, which is located out of the way of the pizza stone, eliminating any worry about contact with a live flame. The rotation of the pizza stone is also unique to the Blackstone Pizza Oven design. This pizza oven produces similar results as others on the market, including Ooni pizza ovens. It has a no-fuss design so you don’t have to think as much about watching or turning your pizza while cooking.

Final Verdict

The Blackstone Pizza Oven is very different from the other pizza oven models I’ve tested. While Ooni, Gozney and Solo Stove are individually unique, each brand’s pizza oven is relatively similar in design with a live flame and a base pizza stone. Blackstone did something entirely different with its pizza oven design. For those looking for portability, this is not the best option out there. However, for those looking for a no-fuss pizza oven experience where you can rely on a rotating pizza stone to do much of the work for you, this is definitely a good fit. It’s also helpful for those who already love Blackstone griddles and want to complete their outdoor kitchen set-up.

Where to Buy the Blackstone Pizza Oven

VIA MERCHANT

We Tried It

Blackstone Pizza Oven

Temperatures reach over 900 degrees and cook a pizza in as little as 90 seconds.

The Blackstone Pizza Oven with a stand retails for $799 and can be found at Blackstone, Walmart, Lowe’s and BBQ Guys. Once it’s assembled, you’ll take a bite out of homemade pizza in no time!

The post Blackstone Pizza Oven Review: A Rotating Pizza Stone Churns Out Fuss-Free Pies in Minutes appeared first on Taste of Home.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set Review: Do These Pretty Pans Live Up to the Hype?

Allison Robicelli — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 14:07:29 +0000

As someone who has worked as a chef, food writer and recipe developer for 20 years, I’m normally wary of celebrity-branded cookware. When I found out Drew Barrymorewho is an actress, not a chefwas lending her name to Walmart-exclusive cookware, I had the lowest possible expectations.

Imagine my surprise when I was called upon to test and review the Drew Barrymore Hero Pan and ended up falling in love! That single pan not only impressed me but continues to get regular use in my home kitchen. I was curious to see whether or not a cheaper Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set would also pass the test.

What is Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware?

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is a collaboration between Drew Barrymore and kitchenware manufacturer Made by Gather. In addition to cookware, the Beautiful line also includes small appliances like stand mixers and frozen drink makers, furniture and home goods. All Drew Barrymore products are exclusively sold at Walmart.

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We Tried It

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware

This cookware set is made with non-toxic, healthy ceramic non-stick coating that is impeccably crafted with a sleek design that's compatible with all stovetops.

There are many different types of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore cookware like cast iron Dutch ovens and stock pots. This set includes five essential pieces for day-to-day cooking: two frying pans, a saute pan, a saucepan and a small Dutch oven. It also comes with four foam cookware protectors to prevent scratches when stacking pans for storage. These pans are lightweight and come in four different colors, making them ideal for beginner or novice cooks.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Features

The first thing you’ll notice when taking your Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set out of the box is that it’s, well, beautiful. This 12-piece cookware set values looks just as much as it values performance. It is available in four colorways: White Icing, Sage Green, Black Sesame and Ceramic Gray.

There are two frying pans (8-inches and 10-inches), and three pans with die-cast metal lids: a 3-quart high-sided saute pan, a 2-quart saucepan and a 5-quart Dutch oven. The handles on both the pans and lids are made of gold die-cast metal, so this cookware is oven-safe up to 500 degrees. Then pans are made from light-cast aluminum, which is highly durable and excellent at both conducting and retaining heat. The aluminum construction also makes these pans suitable for use on gas, electric and induction cooktops.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is fully nonstick while also being nontoxic. All five pans are coated with nonstick ceramic, which is 100% free of “forever chemicals” like PTFE, PFOA and PFOS. Though that coating is durable enough not to chip and relatively scratch-resistant, this cookware set also includes four cookware protectors so you can stack the pans for storage.

The nonstick coating doesn’t only make it easier to cookit makes it easier to do dishes as well! Though it’s safe to put these pans in the dishwasher, hand-washing is recommended, and honestly? It’s easier. It rarely takes more than a soapy sponge and a quick rinse to get these pans perfectly clean.

How We Tested It

To test this set of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore cookware, I used them as my family’s everyday pans for two months. This meant that in addition to me, a former professional chef and current professional food writer, they were also being used (and abused) by my two teenage sons who are just learning to cook for themselves.

Testing the Skillets

Of all five pieces, it was the nonstick skillets that got the most use. We eat a lot of eggs in our house, as they’re something that goes from the pan to the plate in almost no time at allperfect for those weekdays when I’m overworked, overtired and in no mood to cook dinner. (Yes, even we professionals get sick of cooking sometimes!) Also, eggs are easy, meaning my boys can whip up an omelet or a fried egg sandwich whenever they’re hungry without relying on my assistance.

As egg pans, both skillets worked great! The 8-inch skillet is ideal when cooking for one, and is the perfect size for making omelets and crepes. But the most important attribute an egg pan can have is a nonstick surface that never fails, and these Drew Barrymore frying pans did not let me down. Our eggs continued to come out perfectly and slide out of the pan easily, as long as we remember to grease them with butter or cooking spray first. When we’ve forgotten to grease the pan (hey, it happensespecially when we’re groggy first thing in the morning!), any bits of egg that have clung to the pan comes right off with soap, water and a gentle sponge.

Testing the Saucepan

The saucepan has done a fine job in the two months we’ve been using it. My boys regularly use it for making themselves boxed mac and cheese and instant ramen, and then throw it in the dishwasher as they refuse to hand-wash pans. So far, the saucepan still looks brand new and does its job well.

Testing the Saute Pan and Dutch Oven

The saute pan and Dutch oven are both serviceable, but neither impressed me, especially when compared to some of the other pans I cook with, including the Drew Barrymore Hero Pan. Both pots are made from thin aluminum which conducts heat like a dream but does a terrible job of letting you control that heat. Food cooked in the saute pan frequently burned; to prevent this, I had to continually remove the pan from the heat for a minute to let it cool down before putting it back on the stove. I should note that I have an electric stove, so those who cook with gas might have a slightly different experience, but likely not by much.

A good Dutch oven should be made of a heavy metal that can conduct and retain heat, like cast iron. The version in the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set is made of the same aluminum as the rest of the set, so while it’s fine at heat conduction, it’s not as good at heat retention. For recipes that call for a Dutch oven, like breads and braises, I prefer my Great Jones Dutch oven. As for this pan, I would consider it more of a large saucepan or small stockpot. In the context of a complete cookware set, this is the pan you need for boiling pasta water or making brothy soups. I wouldn’t recommend it for typical Dutch oven dishes like stews or braises, as it suffers from the same heat-regulation issues as the saute pan.

Size and Cleanup

Another important thing to consider is the size of the pans. The skillets and small saucepan are good everyday pans for easy solo cooking (like grilled cheese sandwiches) and making side dishes. The skillet and Dutch oven can make enough food for singles, couples or families with young children who don’t eat that much. However, if you have a large family, older kids or like to end up with leftovers after you cook, these pans are too small to be of much use.

Cleaning my pans right after cooking is very easy with Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware. The nonstick ceramic coating is truly nonstick; once I’m done dishing up dinner, a rinse under hot running water clears almost everything out of the pan. Next, I give it a light rum with a soapy sponge, rinse again, and that’s all! Clean pans in under 30 seconds, no dishwasher required!

Pros

True to the name, this cookware is beautiful
Free from PFOAs/Forever Chemicals
Lightweight
Die-cast lids and handles
Oven safe up to 500 degrees
Easy to clean
Great for beginners
Would make a great gift for recent grads, newlyweds or anyone setting up their first kitchen

Cons

Size of the pans makes this set best for couples or solo cooks
Thin aluminum construction makes it difficult to regulate heat
Not flimsy but not built to last more than a few years

FAQ

Are Drew Barrymore pots and pans safe?

Yes! All Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is free from PFAs, or “Forever Chemicals.” The nonstick coating on these pans features nontoxic ceramic that’s PFOA-, PTFE- and PFOS-free.

Can Drew Barrymore cookware go in the oven?

With the exception of the cookware protectors, every single piece is oven-safe up to 500 degrees, including the pot lids.

How do you clean Drew Barrymore pans?

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore pans are as easy to clean as they are to cook with. They are dishwasher-safe, though we recommend hand-washing. Fortunately, hand-washing these pans might actually be easier than putting them in the dishwasher! Thanks to their nonstick ceramic interiors, these pans nearly always come clean with a quick wipe of a soapy sponge. For anything that doesn’t come off right away, a short soak in soapy water should finish the job.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Satisfied Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Walmart customer Cat says this set is a great investment for the everyday cook. “These pots/pans are wonderful!” she writes. “They completely met my expectations for nonstick cookware. I am so happy I took my time to do research and to compare against other popular pans (like the really overpriced ones). Very sleek and durable. Highly recommend.”

“Obsessed with these pans and this brand!” raves five-star reviewer Laura. “Not only do the pans live up to their name and look amazingcooking with them is a dream (nonstick and lightweight), and cleaning is simple! This pan’s materials are healthier and don’t contain forever chemicals, so I feel better using this pan for my family.”

Five-star reviewer Jassie says her set of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore cookware is “a keeper,” writing, “She named these perfectly. They cook really well. I’ve fried in them, sauteed with them and even made rice crispy treats so far and I’m going to do plenty more. When cleaning these pots/pans you should be using a cloth towel to wash and dry to avoid scratching the pans and don’t air dry at all with nonstick pans. I’ve had the set for about two months, I’m a culinary student so I’m always cooking I have no problems with paint chipping, and none of my pans have burnt marks or stains.”

Final Verdict

While these pretty pans have held up decently for the past two months, they won’t last forever, and at their value price point, I don’t expect them to. This set of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is best for beginners who are setting up their first kitchen. The cookware is also great for singles and couples who prefer to whip up simple, easy meals. More serious home cooks or families with older children should consider Caraway cookware.

Where to Buy Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware

VIA MERCHANT

We Tried It

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware

The cookware heats up fast, cooks evenly and is oven-safe to 500 degrees, including the die-cast lids.

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware is available exclusively at Walmart. This complete set of cookware currently retails for $149 but is frequently on sale, so keep your eyes peeled!

The post Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Cookware Set Review: Do These Pretty Pans Live Up to the Hype? appeared first on Taste of Home.

I Went to the Le Creuset Factory to Table Sale and Now I’m an Avid Collector—Here’s Why

Jill Schildhouse — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 20:51:14 +0000

“Come over here, sweetie, and show us what you’ve got in your mystery box,” a cheerful woman called. She was pushing a shopping cart filled with five colorful pieces of stoneware and enameled cast-iron cookware. I was elbow-deep in my car’s trunk, unceremoniously tearing open and unpacking the contents of my Le Creuset mystery box while attending the Phoenix Factory to Table Sale event.

I already had two Le Creuset skillets and one Dutch oven to my nameall of them unused because their heft and beauty felt strangely intimidating to meand I couldn’t wait to discover the iconic French cookware buried within this nondescript brown box. The brand says that each of these brown mystery boxes contains up to $350 in retail value of merchandise, so purchasing one at $50 through the sale was hardly a gamble. An avid home cook, I was determined to add new treasures to my meager collection in an affordable way andfinally put them to use.

I briefly lifted my head to respond and realized we were hardly alone. The entire parking lot was abuzz with men and women of all ages and from all walks of life, showing off their mystery box wares and making trades left and right. Apparently, a high-end swap meet had organically transpired in the event’s parking lot. The only currency? Cookware.

What’s your color?

The woman nudged me out of the way to get a better view of what I’d uncovered in my trunk: An all Mist Grey collection of mugs, casserole dishes, a large braiser and a platter. Each piece was striking, but the colors didn’t match my kitchen. I love a bold red (Cerise, in Le Creuset color lingo), and that’s what my heart was set on. “Is this your color?” she asked. When I shook my head no, she sprang into actionthis clearly wasn’t the woman’s first rodeo, but she sensed it was mine.

She told me to go ahead and put all that packing material in the bottom of my shopping cart and to lay each Le Creuset piece on top so people can easily see what I’d be trading. “Head over toward that camper,” she said, “It’s where everyone is gathering, and there are snacks and drinks too. Help yourself.” Intrigued, I did as I was told, moving slowly so my wares wouldn’t clank together, but also because I had no idea what I was walking into.

Trading Wares in the Parking Lot

When I arrived at the heart of the action, it would have been easy to feel overwhelmed. I didn’t have a vast knowledge about the brand, wasn’t attuned to the finer points of trading wares in a parking lot, and I didn’t know anyone.

Instead, I was greeted by about 30 friendly faces who turned out to be the most welcoming group of brand loyalists I’ve ever encountered: Grandmothers who have spent decades collecting their heritage cookware reminiscing about Le Creuset’s long-retired vintage collections, savvy moms who make stews and casseroles for their growing families, couples obsessed with hosting rustically chic dinner parties and millennials looking to outfit their first kitchens.

The attendeessome of whom already knew each other from Le Creuset fan Facebook groupsdubbed it “Le Creuchella.” Several had traveled from across the country to attend this event, something they did a few times a year for great deals and camaraderie.

One woman, Gigi, was flitting about, helping other attendees keen to trade their newfound wares identify vessel shapes, sizes and colors, and even helping complete strangers broker deals. I learned that she is a personal chef who’s been collecting Le Creuset for about eight years and is known throughout the fan Facebook groups as a brand expert.

I watched as her eyes lit up when someone revealed a limited-edition piece from their box or a special piece she’d been wanting for years. She had flown in from Florida just to attend this event and brought pool noodles and bubble wrap to help protect her new treasures when she shipped them home. I learned so much by observing her interactions, and she stopped to answer my newbie questions multiple times as I worked up the nerve to begin trading my pieces.

The Joy of a Good Swap

Over the next few hours, I successfully swapped most of my Mist Grey mystery box items for more preferential shapes, sizes and colors. The trading took on a life of its own and I soon noticed my swapped items in the carts of those I hadn’t even “done a deal” withthese pieces were changing hands multiple times. Everyone was on their own personal mission and each pot and pan was simply a tradable vessel in their strategy to successfully add to their own collections.

So I’d accept a trade, then trade that piece for something else, and repeat the process with someone else. At one point, a woman offered me her gorgeous Cerise cast-iron Signature Saucepan in exchange for a few stoneware casserole dishes, and when I told her she was getting the short end of that deal financially, she said she didn’t care. She just wanted, no, needed, my casserole dishes. Fine by me!

That was the beauty of this experience: Nobody felt slighted, nobody cared as much about the “true value” of each piece as they did about getting their hands on coveted pieces, and nobody argued. And I didn’t see a single dollar bill exchange hands.

In the end, I walked away with a larger Dutch oven than the one I already owned (I was convinced it was necessary for bigger batches), an oval Dutch oven (which I gave to my mother), a rice pot, a pie plate, some casserole dishes and a Flame braiser. I was thrilled, and it was so much fun. So fun, in fact, that I was actually sad when I realized I was done.

Where Else to Find Le Creuset Deals

That was about six months ago, but the warm fuzzy feeling of that day has yet to fade. Now, I find myself scouring OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace ads, looking for killer Le Creuset deals. I’ve since purchased a brand-new tagine for $90, a gently used loaf pan for $20, a set of six rainbow-colored ice cream bowls for $45 and an unused roaster for $75.

Each time I score a deal, I feel like I’ve won the lottery. And when I post my newfound gems on the Le Creuset fan Facebook groups, all the members show their excitement about the bargains (especially for those ice cream bowls, which apparently are hard to find).

The community fostered in these groups is a rare mix of respect and helpfulnessthey share everything from cleaning tips and recipe ideas to unlikely finds at Marshall’s and tips for avoiding scams when purchasing from eBay.

I was amazed at how something as simple as the appreciation for quality cookware can unite an otherwise unconnected population. In stark contrast to a sample sale or Black Friday, where shoppers have been known to get physically violent while snagging the perfect product, this impromptu Le Creuset mystery box exchange was more than civil; it was heartwarming.

What’s more, everyone walked away happy, feeling as though they’d somehow gotten the better deal. I arrived an outsider looking in just hoping for a great deal (I didn’t even know how to use my Dutch oven!), and now I’m braising meats and buying yeast for breads because the people in that parking lot inspired me to learn how.

The post I Went to the Le Creuset Factory to Table Sale and Now I’m an Avid Collector—Here’s Why appeared first on Taste of Home.

Taste of Home Shopping Wins: Everything Our Editors Are Loving for Cozy Season

Madi Koetting — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 13:17:55 +0000

Glass Pumpkin Candle

Because it’s simply not fall without pumpkin-scented everything, my current home decor obsession for cozy season is this glass pumpkin-shaped candle from Target’s beloved Threshold collection. I’ve collected pretty much every size and scent this candle comes in, and I love the cozy ambiance it exudes while lit on my shelf or mantle. Even when it’s not lit it doubles as chic seasonal decor, which is a total win-win. When I’ve burned every last bit of pumpkin spice goodness, I will definitely be cleaning out the vessel to reuse it year after yearor as a Halloween candy jar!

–Madi Koetting, Associate Shopping Editor

The post Taste of Home Shopping Wins: Everything Our Editors Are Loving for Cozy Season appeared first on Taste of Home.

The HexClad Wok Is Our Favorite Amazon Prime Day Two Deal

Emily Way — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:00:15 +0000

‘Tis the season to start thinking about holiday shopping. While Black Friday prices are a huge draw, there’s no need to wait until November to start scoring deals. Amazon decided to throw a huge sale in October, and this year’s fall Prime Dayalso called Amazon Big Deal Daysfeatures thousands of savings across nearly all categories on-site. Head over to the Amazon site to start shopping ASAP, since these savings are only live from October 10-11, 2023.

Just like summer’s Amazon Prime Day, Big Deal Day savings are only available to Prime Members (or those with a free 30-day trial). While we shopping editors collectively have our eyes on everything from pizza ovens to artificial Christmas trees, I’ve got my sights set on one item: the HexClad wok.

The Best Amazon Prime Day Deal

So, what makes the HexClad Wok our favorite Amazon Prime Day deal? Apart from the modern look and an endorsement from chef Gordon Ramsay, there are lots of things to love about HexClad cookware in general. As seen in editor-tested favorites like the HexClad Dutch oven, the cookware uses thin lines of stainless steel, sandwiched between nonstick hexagons, to provide incredible searing power without the threat of burnt-on food.

Shop Now on Amazon

What are the HexClad Wok features?

Because of its many bells and whistles, we decided to break down our favorite features of the HexClad wok into the bulleted list below. Heres everything you can look forward to:

Tri-ply aluminum and stainless steel construction
Hexagonal surface that prevents sticking
Stay-cool handle
Domed lid included
Works on gas, electric, glass and induction cooktops
Oven-safe up to 500F
Surface is metal-utensil-resistant
Dishwasher-safe design
Lightweight at only three pounds
Lifetime warranty

Where to Buy Our Favorite Amazon Prime Day Deal

The HexClad Wok is available on Amazon and regularly retails for $149.99. However, during Prime Day, Amazon Prime members (and those using their free 30-day trial) can snag this classy pan at a savings of 20%, putting the price under $100. Fire it up and see why chef Gordon Ramsey calls HexClad cookware “the Rolls Royce of pans.”

VIA MERCHANT