In the Test Kitchen

Hotdogs are a reliable and convenient option at cookouts. But adding an extra ingredient or two can really level them up. So, how do you do it at home? Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey break down the components that can elevate the beloved cookout go-to.

Recipes Mentioned:

Chicago-Style Hot Dog

Sonoran Dog

Homemade Corn Dogs
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tacos take all kinds of shapes and forms; crispy shelled tacos, tacos dipped in consommé, there’s even taco ingredients eaten over rice. It’s not just the shapes they take; what kind of meat is used, what ingredients you add to the taco have endless variations. Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey come together to discuss the qualities that make a good taco a great taco.

Recipes Mentioned:

Crispy Tacos (Tacos Dorados)

Quesabirria Tacos

Okinawan Taco Rice
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lots of cultures and countries love steak, but it has this almost iconic status in American culture. There are so many different cuts and so many different ways to cook them. Lan, Bryan, Nik and Lidey dive into three recipes and discuss the cooking techniques that go into making them seamlessly at home. 

Recipes Mentioned:

Pan Seared Strip Steak

Shio Koji-Marinated Flank Steak

Slow-Roasted Medium-Rare Short Ribs
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every couple of months at America’s Test Kitchen, an informal poll emerges among test cooks about which starch–bread, pasta, or rice–reigns supreme. It’s always a tight race, but it’s no surprise why rice is often a top contender: it’s a beloved staple across the world. In this episode, Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey eat their way through 3 rice dishes and ask: What makes rice the world’s most popular dish? 

Recipes Mentioned:

Hoppin’ John

Simple Fried Rice

Arroz con Pollo
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meatballs span cultures and come in all shapes, sizes, and sauces. Lan, Bryan, Nik, and Lidey try three recipes from around the world and ask: What makes the perfect meatball? 

Recipes eaten in episode:

Meatballs and Marinara

Lion’s Head Meatballs

Albóndigas (Spanish-Style Meatballs in Almond Sauce)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices