Tag: #Allrecipes

Posted in Taste Tests

We Tried 11 Types of Hot Dogs—These Were Our Favorite

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Let’s be frank, not all hot dogs are created equal.

By 

Tadhg Hylier Stevens

Published on June 30, 2024

Frankly, there’s never a bad time for a hot dog. And that means that you should keep a few packs in stock that can be thrown on the grates or roasted around a campfire at a moment’s notice. Even if you don’t have a way to cook up a few franks outdoors, you can still enjoy a charred brat by using your oven’s broiler or air fryer, as long as you monitor the hot dog’s progress carefully.

Before you start cooking up a dog or two, you’ll want to decide which brand to reach for. To help you figure out which brand most deserves your buck, we tested 11 varieties of hot dogs, all of which are available online or in stores. Here are our rankings from best to worst.

What We Looked for When Ranking Hot Dogs 

Taste: Flavor is top priority in our search for the perfect frank. For this test, we considered how much actual meat flavor was in each dog compared to just salt taste; we also made sure to point out different varieties of hot dogs so that those who prefer beef to pork (or turkey to either) can find their best bites.

Price: Hot dogs aren’t just a summer staple; they’re a year-round grocery list favorite. On top of that, they’re famously made from inexpensive meat cuts, so they shouldn’t cost more than a few dollars. Most of the hot dogs we tested cost $4 or less, and one brand cost less than $0.50 for a pack of eight.

Texture: For this test, we were looking for which franks would have the best texture when either grilled or broiled. By and large, most of the brands we tested plumped up well and didn’t split while cooking. Most also achieved a pleasantly crisp exterior; we’ll point out the few that didn’t.

Additional Features: As mentioned above, some hot dogs can suffer from an abundance of salt flavor. That’s because some contain more than just a bit of salt. In addition to noting the protein-heavy hitters on this list, we also pointed out which brands contained a notable amount of sodium. Some brands we tested contained less than 300 milligrams of sodium per hot dog, but a few packed in nearly half a day’s recommended serving in just one frank.

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Crockpot Caesar Chicken Pasta

By 

Sarah Brekke

Published on February 17, 2025

 Tested by 

Juliana Hale

I I love a slow cooker pasta recipe and this crockpot Caesar chicken pasta is a hearty, creamy pasta dish that the whole family loves. Adding lemon zest really brightens up the dish!

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Posted in #Recipes

14 Beef Dinners Perfect for Two People

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

If you’re starting your dinner planning with beef—whether it’s ground, a steak, or another type of cut—you’re already halfway to a hearty and delicious meal. Indeed, one of the best parts about beef is the way it lends itself to salty, sweet, and savory flavors. Whether

you’re pairing it with blue cheese, apricot preserves, or mushroom cream sauce, it’s sure to have your taste buds cheering. Here are 14 genius beef recipes that each only make two servings, so you can enjoy a different tasty supper every night of the week.

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Posted in Kitchen Tips

How to Clean Dirty Baking Sheets So They Look Brand New

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

If you’re like me, sheet pans are probably some of your most well-loved and perpetually dirty kitchen items. No amount of scrubbing and soaking seems to get any of that burnt residue off. Sometimes it’s time to set soap and water aside and look for new methods of cleaning stubborn stains and residue. So before you toss those dirty pans, give these methods of cleaning sheet pans a try.

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Posted in #Recipes

Princess Diana Ate This Easy One-Pot Soup ‘Once a Week’

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

No matter how many years have passed since Princess Diana’s tragic, untimely death, she will always be remembered as the people’s princess. Everyone who met Princess Di has only had wonderful things to say about her personality, humanitarian efforts, and, of course, style—including her staff at Kensington Palace. 

After her divorce, the Princess of Wales moved into Kensington Palace with her sons, William and Harry. She was given access to a private chef and she chose Buckingham Palace’s former chef, Darren McGrady, who has shared many fond memories of his time working for the princess online and in his book “Eating Royally.”

Around lunchtime, Princess Di would pop into McGrady’s kitchen and they would “chat about anything and everything that was going on,” McGrady recalls. Typically over a bowl of one of her favorite soups: Parsnip and Apple Soup with a Parmesan Chive Foam.

“I made this delicious soup … for Princess Diana about once a week,” McGrady shared on YouTube. “This was one of her favorites and she enjoyed it with a bowl of salad for lunch.”

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20 Creamy Chicken and Rice Recipes You’ll Love

There’s nothing quite like a creamy chicken and rice dish when the temperature starts to drop and you’re craving some good old-fashioned comfort food. These recipes get their irresistible textures from creamy ingredients like canned soup, sour cream, and mayo. Whether you’re in the mood for a nostalgic casserole just like your grandma used to make (this Mamaw’s Chicken and Rice Casserole has more than 1,000 glowing reviews), a filling soup or stew (make this Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup when you want to use up leftover rotisserie chicken), or just something easy and delicious (this Oh-So-Good Chicken lives up to its name), you’ll find what you’re looking for in this collection of creamy chicken and rice recipes.

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Posted in Taste Tests

I Asked 5 Chefs for the Best Salt, and This Brand Won by a Big Pinch

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Salt might seem like the most standard of pantry staples. Whether it’s in individual packets, added to a shaker and placed alongside black pepper, or sold in a 3-pound bucket, it’s all just the same ol’ crystals of sodium chloride, right?

Not so fast. The style and brand of salt you use can make all the difference between a dish that falls flat, one that sings and is full of flavor, or one that is so salty, it’s inedible. (Also, when you add salt during cooking also matters!)

To help us smartly stock up and season like the pros, we asked chefs from coast to coast to reveal their favorite salt brand as well as the ways (both classic and unexpected) they like to use it.

Our Panel of Salt-Savvy Chefs 

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Posted in Kitchen Tips

How Long Does Boxed Chicken Broth Stay Good in the Fridge?

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

There are certain kitchen staples that are versatile superstars, here to help with any number of recipes. Boxed chicken broth is one of those hard-working items you can keep on hand for everything from soups and stews to rice and pasta.

This handy supermarket shortcut is shelf-stable as long as it isn’t opened, but once you unscrew the cap, do you actually need to use it all at once? Here’s everything you need to know about saving an open carton of chicken broth.

Is There a Difference Between Homemade and Boxed Chicken Broth? 

The biggest difference with homemade broth and a box of chicken broth is the time it takes to prepare. Homemade broth involves simmering onions, carrots, and other aromatics along with chicken in water. The chicken broth in a box is a kitchen time-saver in that it is ready-to-use as soon as it is opened.

What’s the Difference Between Stock and Broth?

The ingredient profile is also slightly different as far as the protein and gelatin content. A boxed broth has virtually no gelatin which means that it does not have the depth and viscosity of a homemade version. A homemade broth will naturally start to thicken as it reduces over heat, while a store-bought stock will remain a thinner consistency.

What Is In Boxed Chicken Broth? 

Look at the ingredient list on a box of chicken broth and you will find a combination of ingredients not dramatically different from what you’d use to make broth at home. Ingredients such as: chicken, water, salt, natural flavoring, mirepoix (carrots, celery, onions), yeast extract (barley), sugars (dextrose), canola or soybean oil.

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Posted in Kitchen Tips

PSA: You’re Storing Your Potatoes and Onions the Wrong Way

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Potatoes and onions have a fair amount in common: They’re infrequently the star of a dish, but play stellar supportive roles in everything from pot roasts to casseroles. Onion bulbs and potato tubers both flourish underground, meaning that the vegetables require similar storage conditions—cool, dark, and ventilated environments—and they fare much better on a counter than in the fridge.

However, just because onions and potatoes prefer the same conditions doesn’t mean they make good neighbors. In fact, storing the vegetables together will shorten both of their shelf lives.

Can You Store Potatoes and Onions Together? 

Storing potatoes and onions together isn’t the best idea. Onions produce a high level of ethylene gas, which will cause potatoes to ripen—and go bad—before you’re ready to use them. However, those spuds aren’t completely innocent, either: Potatoes’ high moisture content can cause onions to liquefy and leak. Keep onions and potatoes apart for both vegetables’ sakes.

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Posted in #Recipes

Easy Funeral Potatoes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

What Are Funeral Potatoes?  

Funeral potatoes is a Midwestern dish made with hash browns or cubed potatoes, cheese, and canned cream soup. The casserole, which features a crunchy cracker or potato chip topping, gets its name from its place on the traditional after-funeral dinner table. It’s also common at picnics, potlucks, and all sorts of social gatherings. 

Funeral Potato Ingredients 

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy funeral potato recipe: 

  • Canned soup and sour cream: This rich and creamy recipe starts with a mixture of canned cream of chicken soup and a pint of sour cream. 
  • Cheddar: You’ll need 1 ½ cups grated Cheddar cheese for these cheesy potato casserole. 
  • Onion flakes: Add flavor with ½ cup of dehydrated onion flakes. 
  • Hash browns: Use a package of frozen shredded hash browns, thawed. 
  • Potato chips: Top the funeral potatoes with a cup of crushed potato chips. 

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