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Tag: #homecooking
I Tried All 7 New Hidden Valley Ranch Flavors and This 1 Is—Dare I Say—Better Than the Original
If I could only dip my nuggets into one sauce for the rest of my life, it would be ranch. Specifically Hidden Valley Ranch—although I have tried every major fast food ranch and crowned a winner, too—which I’ve been dipping into and dressing salads with for decades. It was the only condiment in the fridge that was name brand when I was growing up, as I lived in a non-brand-loyal household of generic stuff. But I could tell a difference in how tangy, creamy, herby, and slightly sweet HVR was compared to other brands and unworthy substitutes.
I’ve made my own ranch—including seven different recipes for “cranch” in my cookbook Big Dip Energy—and love to, when I have time. But in a pinch, Hidden Valley is always there to save the day with reliable ranch. I’ve even used Costco-sized bottles to fill a ranch fountain for a birthday party. I never thought I’d love anything more than the original Hidden Valley Ranch…until the brand released seven new flavors in one incredible day. I was lucky enough to taste test the new flavors—and two kinda-new (Dill Pickle and Buffalo, released in April 2023) flavors—in different dishes, ranging from popcorn to pizza and lots of wings at an event in NYC. But after tasting them all again individually, I was shocked to discover that I liked one of the new flavors more than the original. And when mixed with another new flavor, it’s a dip of epic proportions.
For simplicity, I tried each of the new ranch flavors plain, with a ridged potato chip, and with a thin piece of carrot for maximum dip-to-dipper ratio. Below are my rankings, from last place to first place.
Allrecipes
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Meet Porcupine Meatballs: The Retro Dinner That Deserves a Comeback
When searching for dinner inspiration, it’s easy to always look for what’s new and now, but sometimes it’s worth looking to the past. While the trending recipes have a time and place, nothing scratches the comfort food itch like the dishes you grew up with (whether that was in the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, or beyond).
It’s not uncommon for retro recipes to have some pretty out-there names. From Frog Eye Salad to Broken Glass Cake, these titles often sound strange and even inedible, but don’t fear—their names typically nod to the recipe’s unconventional appearance. That’s certainly the case for Porcupine Meatballs, a beloved retro recipe we’d argue is long overdue for a comeback.
Allrecipes
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51 Black-Owned Food Brands That You Need in Your Kitchen
Grocery shopping is habitual and something many of us do on a regular basis. It’s easy to buy the same brands, make the same meals and rarely take stock of what’s in our pantries. But as efforts to dismantle systemic racism continue, Americans are being called upon to put their money where their mouth is — and that means rethinking how we shop. Buying from Black-owned businesses is a way to continually support the Black community and stock your shelves with quality products you’ll use all the time. Below is a list of pantry staples, snacks, coffee, tea and wine brands available nationwide. It’s important to note that we stand by these products for their quality, taste and craftsmanship — not simply because they’re Black-owned.
And these products are not the end. Once you’ve shopped this list, we encourage you to seek out local Black-owned food businesses in your area. On social media, you’ll find resources with information on where to donate (community bail funds, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Black Lives Matter are good places to start), lists of restaurants to patronize, documentaries and films to watch and books to read.
This list has been updated from its original publish date. We will continue to add more food and drink businesses that can be purchased throughout the country or that ship nationwide.
Food Network
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How to Make Cowboy Soup
Anyone who’s lived in a cowboy town knows that the Wild West is still very much alive—rodeos, cattle drives, coal-powered railroad rides and mining tours in a picturesque mountain town continue on. In addition to Wild West vibes, the cowboy appetite is also quite real. After a long day of working outdoors, there’s nothing more comforting than a big bowl of cowboy soup.
The best part about this hearty, filling recipe is that it’s super easy to make and almost completely customizable. You can make it with a variety of ingredients you have on hand in the pantry.
Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree 