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From the EpisodeSpicing Up the Grill
Published: September 2017
TahiniFinding the best tahini can be a real grind.
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From the EpisodeGrilled Steak and Fruit Tart
Published: July 2017
MascarponeTiramisù is just the tip of the iceberg for this creamy Italian cheese. But does…
From the EpisodeSoup for Dinner
Published: November 2016
CinnamonLabels touting origin imply there’s more to this standby spice
than there once …
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From the EpisodeVegan for Everyone
Published: January 2017
Vegan MayonnaiseVegan mayo can’t be very good, can it? Read on for a shocking surprise.
From the EpisodeUltimate Italian
Published: November 2016
Whole-Milk Ricotta CheeseAs any Italian grandmother knows, the importance of good ricotta cannot be overs…
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From the EpisodeHow to Roast Everything
Published: November 2017
Supermarket TurkeyThe holidays are no time to gamble on a bird that cooks up dry and bland—or, wor…
From the EpisodePantry Pastas
Published: July 2016
Supermarket ParmesanFor a cheese with all the nutty, savory flavor and crumbly, crystalline
texture…
From the EpisodeBig Easy Favorites
Published: May 2016
Smoked PaprikaWe tasted seven products, rating them on their flavor, level of smokiness, and o…
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From the EpisodeFlavorful Italian Favorites
Published: September 2016
AnchoviesEven if you’d never put anchovies on a pizza or a salad, a tin of these little f…
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From the EpisodeNew England Classics
Published: May 2016
Sherry VinegarThe woodsy yet vibrant taste of sherry vinegar makes it such a standout that it …
From the EpisodeThe Ultimate Sticky Buns
Published: July 2016
Almond ButterThe best almond butter contains more than just ground almonds.
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From the EpisodeFast Food Makeovers
Published: November 2015
Supermarket Extra-Virgin Olive OilOften dull or even rancid-tasting, supermarket olive oils never seem to live up
…
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From the EpisodeTwo Modern Stews
Published: March 2016
Prepared PestoWe scooped up seven traditional basil pestos (also called pesto Genovese), price…
From the EpisodeSeafood Supper
Published: September 2015
Fish Sauce We gathered five products from grocery stores and Asian markets and sampled the…
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From the EpisodeMediterranean Grill
Published: March 2016
Whole-Milk Greek YogurtNonfat products used to dominate this market, but now whole-milk versions are ta…
From the EpisodeChinese Takeout, Revised
Published: September 2016
Soy SauceSavory, fragrant, umami-rich soy sauce is a staple in American kitchens.
But ch…
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From the EpisodeMexican Mole and Drunken Beans
Published: January 2015
Mexican LagersWe sampled the four best-selling imported Mexican lagers plain and cooked in dru…
From the EpisodeBraised to Perfection
Published: May 2015
Smoked SalmonWe gathered up five top-selling, widely available products to find the best choi…
From the EpisodeVegetarian Essentials
Published: January 2015
Vegetarian BrothMore vegetables, better broth? We tasted a slew of products and discovered that,…
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From the EpisodeFrench Pork Chops and Bisque
Published: May 2015
Supermarket BrieThink French pedigree and words like “triple crème” indicate the best examples …
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From the EpisodeItalian with Ease
Published: July 2015
Supermarket Balsamic VinegarIn recent years, Italy has created a new set of guidelines for mass-produced bal…
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From the EpisodePork and Pears
Published: November 2014
Apricot PreservesWe tasted five top-selling products plain and in our Cook's Illustrated French A…
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From the EpisodeSweet and Spicy Asian Specialties
Published: November 2014
Sichuan PeppercornsWe tasted five brands of Sichuan peppercorns to find out which had the best flav…
From the EpisodeSpanish Chicken and Israeli Couscous
Published: July 2015
Israeli CouscousWe tasted five supermarket products, plain and in our Cook's Illustrated recipe …
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From the EpisodeA Hearty Fall Feast
Published: March 2015
Dijon MustardWhat traits guarantee a Dijon mustard that packs a wallop of clean heat and bala…
From the EpisodeA Hearty Start to the Day
Published: September 2015
Maple SyrupMaple syrup continues to be produced on small farms in the same low-tech way tha…
From the EpisodeTwo Ways to Unlock Asian Flavor
Published: May 2014
Five-Spice PowderWe tested six brands of five-spice powder to determine which really delivered an…
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From the EpisodeLet's Make Bread
Published: July 2014
Artisanal Cream CheeseWe mail-ordered three artisanal cream cheeses to see if they could beat our supe…
From the EpisodeScallops and Shrimp Hot Off the Grill
Published: July 2014
Supermarket Frozen YogurtThese days, supermarket frozen yogurts are flying off the shelves.
Is that beca…
From the EpisodeGreat Grilled Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries
Published: January 2014
Swiss CheeseWe scoured supermarket cases, the deli counter, and specialty cheese shops
for …
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From the EpisodePizza and Cookies Go Gluten-Free
Published: November 2017
Gluten-Free Pasta (Spaghetti)Tired of gluten-free spaghetti that turns gritty or mushy? So were we.
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From the EpisodeThe Italian Vegetarian
Published: September 2014
Supermarket ProsciuttoA new surge of grab ’n’ go packages means you no longer have to wait at the deli…
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From the EpisodeSeafood Specials
Published: September 2014
Fire-Roasted TomatoesCould canned, diced fire-roasted tomatoes deliver the smoky complexity of fresh?…
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From the EpisodeChicken and Rice Get an Upgrade
Published: March 2014
Jasmine RiceWe put six brands of jasmine rice—from supermarket varieties to high-end mail-or…
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From the EpisodePasta Rustica
Published: May 2014
Canned White BeansThink canned cannellini beans are no match for dried beans cooked from scratch? …
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From the EpisodeBeefing Up Mexican Favorites
Published: November 2013
Dark ChocolateIt’s easy to find a great snacking chocolate. But cooking is different: Choosing…
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