Reviewers often list what they did to alter the recipe. This can be very useful. Sometimes, though, it's a little overboard. Occasionally a review reads something like this fictional review of a chocolate chip cookie recipe:
"Good basic recipe, but I did make a few changes. I left out half the oil and added a cup of chunky peanut butter. I also left out the chocolate chips; my husband is allergic. I spread the batter in a sheet pan, baked it, and after it cooled, I cut into 1 x 2 inch rectangles. To die for!"
Psst, Mr. or Ms. Reviewer--you didn't make chocolate chip cookies. You made peanut butter bars!
So I usually ignore the reviews that list so many changes that the original recipe is unrecognizable, but I do often use some of the advice I've read. A Mexican casserole might be greatly improved by a can of olives, and if a previous reviewer has had luck replacing white flour with whole wheat, chances are I'll do the same.
To get you started, here are a few fantastic recipes I've discovered at All Recipes. Enjoy!
Real Hummus (Fantastic, basic hummus recipe.)
Colleen's Slow Cooker Jambalaya (Delicious, and makes a ton!)
Caramel Apple Pie (Delicious on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and 363 other days.)
Simple Scones (Truly simple, and truly delicious.)
Baked Spaghetti I I love this non-spaghetti-sauce based recipe. DON'T pay attention to the reviews that tell you to add spaghetti sauce!)
6 comments:
LOL, I always get a kick out of those reviews, too! The best ones are on Spark People - I don't think a single person in the history of Spark People has ever just made the recipe as listed. Every review starts out "great recipe, but instead of abc, I used xyz, and instead of..."
Lol...I just love all recipes...and definitely ignore the ones who make so many changes the recipe is un-recognizeable!!
Try this one my kids love it--the only change I make is mashing the pb and bananas together beforehand instead of the way they suggest..lol
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Peanut-Butter-and-Banana-French-Toast/Detail.aspx
That always cracks me up too. Sometimes, you start with a recipe for lasagna and somehow end up with a review of fruit salad based on all the alterations. But in general, I find the reviews to be really helpful.
AllRecipes is my goto site when I'm looking for inspiration. I was just there last night looking for ways to rev up fresh green beans.
me too
I've always used All Recipes and Cooks.com - I'm not a review reader at all....I'm more of a "look at the ingredients and look at the result" type of person. If it looks tasty to me - I make my own version :o).
OH and real hummus...yummy!!! I have a friend that makes her own and it's so tasty, dipping a carrot or a bagel chip...mmmmmm.
Hilarious! That is so true. So funny. I also love this site. Thanks for the tips!
Beth -- Linda tells a story (that SHE thinks is funny) about giving me a recipe years ago that I later told her I liked, but then told her the "few" changes I had made and she finally said, "Wait a minute. You didn't MAKE my recipe!" She was right. I have learned to be more faithful to recipes now.
btw, the Baked Spaghetti is very similar to an old family favorite of ours called, very cleverly, Spaghetti Bake. Gunny's family still make it regularly. One thing we really like about it is that it is just as good warmed up!
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