We start the process of testing a recipe with a complete lack of preconceptions, which means that we accept no claim, no technique, and no recipe at face value. We simply assemble as many variations as possible, test a half-dozen of the most promising, and taste the results blind. We then construct our own recipe and continue to test it, varying ingredients, techniques, and cooking times until we reach a consensus.
But that’s not enough. Recipes are then sent to the Friends of ATK, a cadre of 60,000 at-home recipe testers, for their feedback. Are the instructions clear? How did it look? How did it taste? Only recipes that score 80% or higher on our “I’ll definitely make this again” rating make it through to you. We also have kid-friendly recipe and activity testing. Parents and guardians can learn more about that here. The result of all of this work, we hope, is the best version of a particular recipe.