Ingredients

• 1 box (13-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
• 2 jars (16 ounces each) chocolate frosting
• 32 Kit Kat candy bars
• 1 cup milk chocolate M&M's

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons pistachio flavoring syrup
• 3 ounces brewed espresso

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2-1/3 cups cake flour
• 2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup 2% milk
• FROSTING:
• 16 ounces mascarpone cheese
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• FILLING:
• 2/3 cup seedless strawberry jam
• 2 cups each fresh blueberries, sliced fresh strawberries and fresh raspberries

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2-1/4 tablespoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cold cup club soda
• 1 pound uncooked shrimp (26-30 per pound), peeled and deveined
• Oil for deep-fat frying
• Sweet chili sauce, optional

Stand Mixer with the Best Features

Breville the Bakery Chef Stand Mixer

Home bakers, it’s time to expand your collection of Breville appliances. The brand, which makes one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite hand mixers, also makes one of the best stand mixers we’ve tried: the Breville the Bakery Chef Stand Mixer.

Much like its hand mixer, this Breville stand mixer has an array of useful features that we never knew we needed but now don’t know how we lived without. An “immediate standout,” according to Sarah is the light that illuminates the bowl. This allows you to get a good look at the texture of your buttercream as it grows smoother and smoother.

Another worthwhile feature is the timer. Set the dial and the mixer will beat your ingredients for the allotted time. This is ideal for creaming butter and sugar, which can be a lengthy process—up to seven minutes! It also helps prevent over-whipping ingredients. With a set endpoint, you can walk away from your bowl of cream and not have to worry about it churning into butter.

On top of all these extras, this mixer does all that you’d expect of a great stand mixer. The controls are intuitive and our team easily stirred up all kinds of recipes from chocolate cakes to chocolate chip cookies to chocolate babka.

As you shop, be sure to check out more Breville items; you’ll find that this brand makes one of the best coffee makers and best ice cream machines, according to our Test Kitchen.

Features

• 5-quart bowl
• 12 speed settings
• Light brightens the inside of bowl while in use
• Built-in timer with shut-off option
• Includes glass bowl, whisk, paddle, dough hook, pour shield and bowl cover

Pros

• Bowl light allows you to see your ingredients better than ever
• Timer allows you to step away from the bowl if needed
• Attractive design available in several finishes

Cons

• Can be loud when used on the highest settings

Price: $400

$469.95 at Amazon

Most Versatile Stand Mixer

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

With so many KitchenAid attachments and accessories available, it’s easy to see why the KitchenAid Artisan is the most versatile stand mixer on the market.

Before we get into all the extras, let’s talk about how well this mixer performs right out of the box. KitchenAid’s flagship stand mixer is so easy to use. Fit the bowl and the attachment of your choice into place and get ready to mix up batch after batch of easy drop cookies. And you don’t need to stop there: Attach the whisk and this mixer turns egg whites into meringue in a flash.

One of the best uses for this stand mixer, though, is for kneading bread dough. With the included dough hook attachment, you can knead dough right in the mixer in less than half the time it would take you to knead by hand.

Once you see what a joy it is to use this machine with the included fittings, it’s easy to see why many home cooks and bakers invest in KitchenAid’s many attachments. Extras like the vegetable peeler make quick work of spiralizing veggies and peeling apples. You can also use the power of the mixer’s motor with the pasta maker attachment (read our review for the full scoop) for faster pasta right at home

The only critique our pros have of this mixer is that you may have to adjust the height of the mixer’s tilt head when whisking a single egg white or a very small amount of ingredients. Fortunately, this is an easy tweak; here’s how to adjust your KitchenAid mixer. (P.S. We recommend this Blossom KitchenAid Stand Mixer, too.)

Features

• 5-quart bowl
• 10 speeds
• Includes whisk, dough hook and paddle attachments as well as a splatter shield

Pros

• Many additional KitchenAid accessories are available
• Available in many vivid colors to match any kitchen or personality; there’s even a Joanna Gaines KitchenAid mixer!
• Easy to use

Cons

• Head may require a little adjusting so the beater scrapes the bottom of the bowl

Price: $450

Available for $449.95

Best Heavy-Duty Stand Mixer

Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Stand Mixer

If your kitchen runs more like a corner bakery, our team recommends the Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Stand Mixer. This is a seriously heavy-duty machine that can tackle recipe after recipe with ease. In the words of Sarah, “This is great for someone who bakes constantly and needs something that will definitely stand up to anything.”

To start, there’s no beating the capacity of this Wolf stand mixer. It’s fitted with a giant seven-quart bowl—plenty big for stirring up large loaves of bread (these yeasted coffee cakes come to mind).

And when it comes to these large batches—be it cupcakes, cookies or buns—this stand mixer blends with ease. The powerful 500-watt motor “handles chunky cookie dough and kneading bread dough with complete ease,” according to Sarah.

A feature our team really loves is how the mixer starts slowly. No matter the setting, the mixer will churn a few times at a slow speed before ramping up. This helps prevent ingredients from splattering all over or puffing up in your face (we’ve all fallen victim to a flour-y mess with our mixers). While it may seem like a minor feature, it’s one that serious bakers will appreciate.

The only drawback to this machine is the price tag. However, you can take comfort in knowing that this mixer is designed to be put to the test. It’s as close to a commercial stand mixer as you can find without visiting a restaurant supply store.

Features

• 7-quart bowl
• 10 speed options
• Pulse setting
• Includes a whisk, dough hook and flat beater attachment as well as a splatter shield

Pros

• Accommodates large batches
• Durable
• Very easy to use
• Dishwasher-safe attachments

Cons

• Heavy—this mixer weighs 29 pounds
• Pricier than most mixers on the market

Price: $1,000

799.9537% OFFAvailable for $499.96

Best Stand Mixer for Beginner Bakers

Beautiful Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

While expert home bakers may not mind splurging on a top-of-the-line mixer, we know that those appliances aren’t for everyone. If you ask us, you can get a great stand mixer for about $130: the Beautiful Tilt-Head Stand Mixer.

Despite being a lightweight machine, this Beautiful stand mixer is ready for any task you throw its way. This mixer whipped cream and created airy egg whites with ease and remarkable speed. Cookie dough was also no problem for this mixer, though Sarah recommends scraping down the sides of the bowl a bit more frequently with this model.

Because this stand mixer is light, make sure that it’s suctioned firmly to your work surface before tackling serious tasks like kneading bread dough or stirring up a stiffer cookie dough (something like gingerbread or monster cookies with lots of mix-ins).

Sarah sums up the Test Kitchen’s experience with this mixer like this, “It’s great for a beginner baker or college student. It’s affordable and gets the job done.”

This Walmart-exclusive brand consistently performs well in our tests; Beautiful makes one of the best air fryers, best blenders and best electric griddles. Here’s a complete list of what we think are the best Beautiful by Drew Barrymore kitchen items.

Features

• 5.3-quart bowl
• 12 speed settings
• Includes balloon whisk, dough hook and flat beater attachments in addition to a splatter guard
• Suctioned base holds mixer in place

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Dishwasher-safe attachments
• Available in attractive, trendy colors like cornflower and cream

Cons

• Lightweight construction means this isn’t the ideal machine for heavy-duty baking

Price: $129

Shop on Walmart

What to Consider When Buying a Stand Mixer  

A stand mixer can be a significant investment in your culinary capabilities, so there are several factors to consider when shopping for the perfect option.

Motor Power and Speed Options 

• Motor Power: Opt for a stand mixer with at least a 250-watt motor. However, if your cooking and baking tasks are more heavy-duty and high-volume, a higher wattage motor is recommended (they typically go up to about 1000, but the really high-end ones are better for professional settings).

• Speed Settings:  Most stand mixers offer variable speeds, but the more high-end models have a greater range of speeds (KitchenAid, for instance, has settings that range from one to eight, with the lowest representing a slow stir and the highest intended for whipping). The more speed settings a stand mixer has, the more versatile it will be.

Build Quality and Design 

• Materials:  Typically, stand mixers are made from some combination of plastic and stainless steel. These are both durable materials but have benefits and drawbacks depending on their use. Stand mixer housings are usually plastic, but the additional accessories and attachments can be either/or. Stainless steel attachments (like mixers) will last longer, but they are sometimes more expensive at the outset. Plastic ones can break more easily and require more frequent replacement, but they’re more inexpensive. Both materials are easy to clean and should be dishwasher-safe.

• Design:  Overall, a stand mixer’s design won’t speak to its overall qualities and capabilities, but it might hamper your ability to enjoy looking at it—and you might not want to leave it out (like when guests come over). Luckily, the overall design is one of the easiest things about a stand mixer to discern, so you’ll have virtually no trouble deciding if you like the look of one before buying.

Bowl Capacity 

Included bowls typically range from three to seven quarts in size. Most stand mixers come with a single bowl in this size range, but you can always purchase more (and they don’t have to be from the brand itself). Ensure the bowls you choose are the right depth to work with your mixer, as not all the available options will be compatible.

Attachments and Accessories 

• Included Attachments:  Most mixers have a bowl, dough hook, flat beater and wire whip. These are the essential tools for any stand mixer, allowing for a wide range of cooking/baking options. Some stand mixers will come with more than this. Still, we recommend against getting a stand mixer without these essential tools, as you’ll be significantly limited in your capabilities.

• Optional Accessories:  Most stand mixers will have a limited line of accessories, but some brands offer additional ones (typically for an added cost). Look at the options for your stand mixer before buying, as you want to make sure you can access accessories for your everyday cooking. This is also important if you break or misplace an attachment, as you’ll know if they’re easy to replace.

Ease of Use and Cleaning 

• Attachment Mechanism: Ensure your attachments are easy to insert and remove (so you can swap them for different tasks and cleaning), but attachments must also stay secure. Trustworthy brands have mechanisms that manage both of these feats simultaneously. Still, you may need to learn how to attach and detach accessories properly (outlined in the user manual).

• Cleaning: The easier your stand mixer is to take apart (and put back together), the easier it is to clean—and this is very important. Devices that are hard to clean inevitably have a shorter effective lifespan and may get jammed or cease working. The easier it is to clean your stand mixer, the longer it will last.

Noise Level 

Larger, higher-capacity mixers are typically louder than smaller ones. However, stand mixers tend to run quieter than other kitchen gadgets (like blenders). If your stand mixer suddenly starts making a loud noise and didn’t before, consider contacting customer service, as something could be wrong with it and may need repair.

Reliability and Warranty 

• Brand Reputation: While brand name recognition isn’t everything, it can significantly affect your shopping experience. Lesser-known brands may offer more budget-friendly buys but can also offer sub-par products. Better-known brands have reputations to maintain and are often more reliable. That said, there’s more to a product than its name, so consider customer testimonials and professional reviews.

• Warranty: A given warranty determines what is covered (like manufacturer defects, missing parts, etc.), but every brand offers a different range of coverage, support and the amount of time a warranty is valid. Remember this when shopping, as it could make or break your experience if something goes wrong with your stand mixer.

How We Tested Stand Mixers

So what does it mean to test at Taste Recipes? It means that our squad of expert bakers, led by Sarah Tramonte for this test, put each stand mixer through its paces; trying all the speeds, using every attachment and putting these countertop appliances to good use by stirring up recipes submitted by our readers (submit your best recipes!).

Our testing squad took careful notes of how each model performed in the following categories:

• Beating: Stand mixers are the go-to tool for beating together cake batters and cookie dough. The Test Kitchen stirred up plenty of these recipes to see how each stand mixer performed.
• Whipping: Our Test Kitchen staff judged how well each mixer whisked cream into homemade whipped cream and egg whites into stiff peaks using each mixer’s whisk attachment.
• Kneading: Save yourself a lot of effort and use your mixer to knead bread. Our team checked to see if each mixer was up to this tough task.
• Features: Mixers come with all sorts of extras, from dough hooks to splatter guards. Any extra attachments or added features should make time in the kitchen more enjoyable, not more complicated.
• Cleanup: Stand mixers see a lot of action and can get dirty fast. Our team made note of easy-to-clean parts. (Bonus points if attachments are dishwasher-safe!). We also took our tips for how to clean a stand mixer and put them to use during this test.
• Price: Stand mixers are one of the more expensive countertop appliances. Our pros test products to make sure you get your money’s worth.

This was a serious product test! Check out which brands were our testers’ favorites, the ones we call Test Kitchen-Preferred.

Why You Should Trust Us  

Lisa Kaminski has worked with Taste Recipes for over six years, including helming the Taste Recipes Bakeable program, a guide-to-baking hub and social community of 20,000 home bakers. She dedicated herself to finding and testing quality ingredients, kitchen gear and home products and writing articles about the best-of beverages, snack foods, ready-made baking ingredients and more. Her work has reached over half a million Taste Recipes readers.

Sarah Tramonte has also worked with Taste Recipes for over six years as a food stylist and recipe developer. She has a bachelor’s degree in art and design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She’s also the author of The Moody Foodie, a cookbook that catapulted her culinary career. Sarah has developed, tested and styled hundreds of recipes for Taste Recipes.

Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Taste Recipes, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.

FAQ  

Which brand is best for mixers? 

KitchenAid is the most widely recognized name in stand mixers, but all the brands we tested had worthy offerings. Ultimately, the stand mixer you should choose depends on more than just the brand name—the capabilities are far more important than the label.

What mixer is comparable to KitchenAid? 

Alongside KitchenAid, the brands with the most to offer that we tested included Breville, Wolf Gourmet and Beautiful.

Which stand mixer is most powerful? 

In our testing, we discovered that the Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Stand Mixer is the best for heavy-duty mixing and, therefore, is the most powerful.

How many watts should a good stand mixer be? 

Opt for a stand mixer with at least a 250-watt motor. The most powerful stand mixers on the market have motors up to 1,000 watts.

The post The Best Stand Mixer Models, According to Our Test Kitchen Team appeared first on Taste Recipes.

Luckily, when it comes to serving watermelon, you have plenty of options: salad, kabobs, gazpacho and, of course, classic drip-down-your-chin watermelon slices. And then there’s watermelon pizza.

What Is Watermelon Pizza?

This spin on a summer classic took off on TikTok, where the newest Internet food trends often make their debut. This particular trend was kicked off by TikToker @lalaleluu, whose super-sour version uses chamoy as the sauce, and lemon and Tajin as toppings. Since then, we’ve seen watermelon pizza done many ways, with different variations of “sauce” and “toppings” taking their turns. Today I’ll show you how to make it with a fluffy cream cheese frosting, fresh fruit and mint.

How to Make Watermelon Pizza

Ingredients

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 slice whole seedless watermelon, about 1 inch thick
• Assorted fresh fruit (I used berries, mango and kiwi)
• Fresh mint leaves, optional

Directions

Step 1: Make the “sauce”

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped topping, then the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla until combined.

Step 2: Frost and cut into wedges

Spread the watermelon slice with your frosting. I used a piping bag and an offset spatula. Next, cut your watermelon slice into eight wedges.

Test Kitchen Tip: Cutting the watermelon pizza before adding the toppings allows you to avoid having to cut into your toppings and possibly cause them to slide around.

Step 3: Add your toppings of choice

You can use whatever assorted fruit you like, but I used a delicious and colorful combination of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, kiwi and mango. Lastly, add a little more brightness with a garnish of fresh mint and enjoy!

For another viral TikTok pizza recipe, try out this burrata pizza.

Make These Watermelon Recipes Next

1 / 22

Frosty Watermelon IceHere's a fun twist on watermelon. It's so refreshing on a summer day, and you don't have to worry about seeds while you're enjoying it. —Kaaren Jurack, Manassas, Virginia

Go to Recipe

Watermelon PieThis cool and refreshing no-bake dessert features juicy watermelon and a creamy filling. It’s perfect for hot summer days.

Go to Recipe

 

Zippy Shrimp SkewersThese flavorful skewers deliver a mouthwatering kick with minimal effort. Fix them for your next party and watch them disappear. —Jalayne Luckett, Marion, Illinois

Go to Recipe

Tangy Watermelon SaladThe refreshing blend of watermelon, red onions and a splash of citrus always does me proud at picnics and potlucks. I like to prepare it a day ahead so the flavors have a chance to blend, and I use the rind as a colorful serving bowl. If you're short on time, simply substitute any bottled citrus vinaigrette. —Alisha Duncan, Blanchard, Oklahoma

Go to Recipe

Juicy Watermelon SaladThis fruit salad has such a surprising yet fabulous mix of flavors that friends often ask for the recipe. Combine seedless watermelon varieties in yellow, red and pink for a colorful twist. —Heidi Haight, Macomb, Michigan

Go to Recipe

Ancho Garlic Steaks with Summer SalsaThe first time I tasted this, I was amazed how well the blueberries and watermelon went with the peppery steak. Use whatever fruits are in season so you can serve this anytime. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut

Go to Recipe

Watermelon and Spinach SaladSummer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii

Go to Recipe

Mojito Marinated FruitAll the flavors of the popular mojito cocktail are featured in this fantastic salad. After you eat the fruit, you’ll want to sip the luscious syrup! —Marcy Griffith, Excelsior, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

Watermelon Tomato SaladWatermelon and tomatoes may seem an unlikely pair, but they team up to make a winning combination in this eye-catching salad. —Matthew Denton, Seattle, Washington

Go to Recipe

Strawberry Watermelon SlushWe like to relax on the back porch with glasses of my slush after a long, hot day. Strawberries and watermelon blend up with lemon juice and sugar for an instant refresher. —Patty Howse, Great Falls, Montana

Go to Recipe

Yellow Squash & Watermelon SaladI always like to bring this healthy option to parties and potlucks, and people seem to really appreciate that. No oil is necessary for this salad; the lemon juice combines with the feta to lightly coat the bright, fresh ingredients. —Camille Parker, Chicago, Illinois

Go to Recipe

Watermelon GazpachoRefreshing watermelon gazpacho is the perfect summertime soup. Once you add this light yet elegant meal to your recipe rotation, you can try endless variations to make it your own.

Go to Recipe

Contest-Winning Watermelon SalsaI entered this recipe in a local fair, and it took first place! This is one of my favorite dishes because all the ingredients (except for the lime juice) came directly from my garden and beehives. —Carolyn Butterfield, Lake Stevens, Washington

Go to Recipe

Melon with Serrano-Mint SyrupThis is just one of the recipes I developed to take advantage of the fresh mint I grow nearly year-round. The serrano pepper is a nice contrast to the sweetness of the syrup and salad. —Jennifer Fisher, Austin, Texas

Go to Recipe

 

Strawberry Watermelon LemonadeThe nutrition department at my local hospital inspired me to create this refreshing summer sipper. I tweaked their recipe slightly to create this drink full of sweet-tart flavor. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Melon-Berry SaladThe best way to cool down on a warm day is with a chilled fruit salad. Serve this one for breakfast, brunch or dessert. Yogurt and coconut milk make the creamy dressing even more decadent. Wait until just before serving to garnish the salad. Otherwise the toasted coconut will get soggy. —Carrie Hirsch, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Go to Recipe

 

Watermelon CupsThis lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen

Go to Recipe

Frozen Watermelon Lemon Cream TartsThese fruit tarts are so refreshing on a hot summer day! They are extremely healthy and convenient, and just a few ingredients means they're easy to make, too. —Bethany DiCarlo, Harleysville, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Mixed Fruit with Lemon-Basil DressingA slightly savory dressing really complements the sweet fruit in this recipe. I also use the dressing on salad greens. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois

Go to Recipe

Watermelon Feta Flag SaladOur family celebrates the Fourth of July with a watermelon salad that resembles the flag. Here’s an all-American centerpiece that’s truly red, white and blue. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina

Go to Recipe

Watermelon SorbetThis three-ingredient watermelon sorbet is so tasty, you won't be able to keep enough watermelon on hand to match the demand. No ice cream maker needed!

Go to Recipe

Watermelon SpritzerIt couldn’t get much easier than this bright spritzer! “Watermelon blended with limeade is cool and refreshing. It’s a wonderful thirst-quencher on a hot summer day.” —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Go to Recipe

The post How to Make Watermelon Pizza with Cream Cheese Frosting appeared first on Taste Recipes.

Making homemade pasta is such a labor of love. It can take a lot of time and effort, and without the right tools it can be a pain. Homemade gnocchi requires half the energy, and the end result is soft and pillowy dumplings that still feel like love, just with less labor. Gnocchi is inexpensive, easy to make and super filling. Similar to other dumplings, you can either eat them right after boiling, or fry them in a pan with some oil to get a crispy outside.

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make Gnocchi at Home

Ingredients

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 3/4 to 2 cups flour plus extra for sprinkling
• 3 quarts water

Directions

Step 1: Boil your potatoes

Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until a fork easily pierces their flesh. Drain your potatoes and transfer them to a large bowl.

Fill your pot with water again and get it back on the heat so it’s boiling by the time your gnocchi are ready to cook.

Step 2: Peel and grind (or mash) your potatoes

Cool off your boiled potatoes in cold tap water (so you can easily handle them), and run them through a food mill or a ricer. If you don’t have either, you can mash them just like you would for normal mashed potatoes (but don’t add anything to them).

Step 3: Assemble your dough

Place 2 cups mashed potatoes in a large bowl (save any remaining mashed potatoes for another use). Stir in egg and 1 teaspoon salt. Gradually beat in flour until blended. The dough will be firm and elastic.

Step 4: Shape and cut

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead gently 15 times. Using your bench scraper, cut off a piece that you can handle rolling out into a rope of about a half inch diameter.

Step 5: Form your dumplings

Cut the rope into 1-inch pieces (they will look like little pillows!). Repeat until you’ve used all the remaining dough. If you want to give these gnocchi the ridges like you might see at an Italian restaurant, you can invest in a gnocchi board. Or, just gently press down with a fork.

Step 6: Cook your gnocchi

Add gnocchi into boiling water in small batches; cook for 3-5 minutes or until gnocchi float to the top and are cooked through. Remove with a slotted spoon. Run then under cold water to keep them from sticking to each other while you continue boiling the rest.

Tips for Making Homemade Gnocchi

What is the best kind of potato for making gnocchi?

The secret to perfectly light and pillowy gnocchi is the right potato—one that’s high in starch and low in water. Luckily we have this guide to choosing the right potato for every recipe, so we know that the russet potato is our go-to gnocchi potato.

How do you store homemade gnocchi?

If you find yourself with leftovers, they should keep in the fridge for about 2-3 days. Alternately, you can save some of the dough for another time by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and placing it in the freezer (up to 6 weeks); when you’re ready to make more gnocchi, simply defrost the dough in the refrigerator.

How do you serve homemade gnocchi?

Homemade gnocchi is quite versatile. You can pan sear it to a crisp and serve it with browned butter and parmesan cheese and fried sage, or serve it with one of your favorite sauces. Some of our faves are Classic Pesto, the Best Marinara Sauce and Homemade Alfredo Sauce. If you’re looking for more ways to use your gnocchi, you can also use it in a baked dish in place of pasta, like a baked ziti.

The post How to Make Homemade Gnocchi appeared first on Taste Recipes.

Boxty is different from other potato pancakes or latkes, and you’ll see that once you bite into one and notice the crispy hash brown-like outside and soft, dough-like inside.

What Is Boxty?

Boxty is a traditional Irish potato pancake, that gets its unique texture from the combination of mashed and shredded raw potatoes.

Fried in oil, these little potato pillows from heaven are perfectly crispy when you bite into them, but soft like a pancake on the inside. With the addition of buttermilk, flour and baking soda, they puff up slightly in the oil while getting a deep golden crust. Drooling yet?

How to Make Boxty

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups cold mashed potatoes
• 2 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 to 1-1/2 cups buttermilk
• Oil for frying

Tools You’ll Need

• Veggie peeler: You need to peel quite a few potatoes for this recipe. Make sure you have a good peeler on hand. This model is just $5 but our Test Kitchen swears by it.
• Box grater: A box grater is a necessity for any kind of potato pancake, including boxty.
• Tea towels: To press the water out of the potatoes, you’ll want thin kitchen towels at the ready.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the potatoes

Boxty has two types of potatoes: mashed and shredded. Make some mashed potatoes in advance. Boil the potatoes until soft and mash with a masher or potato ricer. No need to add any milk or butter here; that’ll come later.

Let the mashed potatoes cool completely.

Step 2: Shred and squeeze

Start by shredding your potatoes with a box grater just like you would for any other potato pancakes. Using a clean dish towel, squeeze out any excess liquid from shredded potatoes. This will help the batter hold together better and allow your boxty to crisp up better.

Step 3: Make the batter

In a large bowl combine the flour, baking soda, salt and pepper. Add the mashed and shredded potatoes to the flour mixture and stir to combine. Add a cup of buttermilk to the mixture, adding more as needed.

Step 4: Fry

In a large frying pan, heat 1/8-inch oil over medium heat. Using 1/4 cup, drop batter into hot oil and flatten into patties. Fry until golden brown on each side, adding more oil as needed.

It’s better to cook these longer and lower than higher and quicker, as you don’t want the outside to crisp up before the shredded potatoes have cooked through.

What to Eat with Boxty

It’s true they are so tasty that you may want to just eat them alone, but if you’re looking to make a meal of it try serving your boxty with either fresh butter, crème Fraiche, green onions, bacon, smoked salmon and eggs. For an authentic Irish dinner try serving it with corned beef and fried cabbage.

The post How to Make Boxty, Ireland’s Famous Potato Pancakes appeared first on Taste Recipes.

Born out of innovation and resourcefulness, banana ketchup is the delightfully tangy and sweet, little cousin to the more widely known tomato ketchup. We’re here to give you our thoughts on this popular Filipino condiment, as well as provide our own banana ketchup recipe for you to make at home.

Banana ketchup may seem like a new trend, but it’s actually been around for about 100 years. It was popularized in the Philippines and much more recently made its way to the U.S. by way of fast-food chain JolliBee, where it’s featured in their Filipino spaghetti.

What Is Banana Ketchup?

Banana ketchup was invented by Maria Orosa, a Filipina food chemist who wanted to decrease the Philippines’ reliance on culinary imports. Americans had introduced people there to shelf-stable foods like tomato ketchup, which they used on foods like garlic fried rice, hot dogs, fried chicken and Spam. Imported tomatoes were necessary to make ketchup, so Orosa got to work making a replacement that could be produced entirely within the country. Orosa discovered that a similar condiment could be made with vinegar, spices and bananas instead of tomatoes, and voila! Banana ketchup. It’s remained a staple in Filipino cuisine ever since.

How Does Banana Ketchup Taste?

So how does it taste? Unsurprisingly, banana ketchup tastes very similar to tomato ketchup but a lot sweeter. The texture and flavor are both reminiscent of sweet and sour sauce.

I tried both Jufran Brand Banana Sauce in original flavor and Hot and Spicy on hot dogs, french fries, and Filipino spaghetti. The sweetness and tanginess counteract salty and crunchy foods really nicely. The spicy version, although it looks indistinguishable from the original flavor, definitely packs some heat so proceed with caution.

Where Do You Buy Banana Ketchup?

If there is a Filipino market near you, you should have no problem finding banana ketchup. It’s also easily available at larger grocery stores and can be ordered online. I found it at a local supermarket, but your most reliable source will be online. A few brands to look for include Jufran, Baron and UFC. If you’d like to try making it at home, we’ve got a recipe for you!

How to Make Banana Ketchup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup onions, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1-1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 bananas)
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Tools

• Large saucepan
• Blender or food processor

Directions

Step 1: Saute

In a medium skillet, saute onion, jalapeno and ginger in oil until tender, 8-10 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

Step 2: Simmer

Add bananas, brown sugar, tomato paste, vinegar, water, soy sauce and spices. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until well combined and slightly thickened, about 10-15 minutes.

Step 3: Blend

Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Cool completely before serving.

Banana Ketchup Tips

What do you serve with banana ketchup?

As I mentioned above, banana ketchup is often used to make Filipino spaghetti, and as a condiment on hot dogs and french fries. But it’s also eaten on garlic fried rice, scrambled eggs, fried Spam, lumpia (Filipino style egg rolls), tortang talong (Filipino eggplant omelet), Bola-Bola (Filipino style meatballs), Filipino style fried chicken, and hamburgers. You could also try serving it with grilled chicken or brats. No matter how it’s eaten, banana ketchup is a delicious and nostalgic staple that is sure to be found at any Filipino family gathering.

How do you store banana ketchup?

Homemade banana ketchup should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it should stay fresh for up to two weeks. The store-bought version is shelf-stable, but once it’s been opened it should be kept in the fridge. Our guide to how long condiments last will remind you how long you can keep other sauces before they need to be replaced.

Now that you know more about banana ketchup, make sure you brush up on other Asian sauces that you should have stocked alongside the Filipino staple.

The post I Tried Banana Ketchup—Here’s What You Need to Know appeared first on Taste Recipes.

Ingredients

• 4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1-3/4 to 2 cups all-purpose flour
• Spaghetti sauce, warmed
• Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano or parsley