Caprese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash

Guinea Pig: Kelli

THE CLAIM

Foodgawker recently featured Cookie Monster Cooking's recipe for Caprese Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. Hearty, healthy and low carb?  Sign us up! Click the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.


Click here for recipe and photo source.

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Kelli gave this a try, and served this as a side dish.  It was a with the adults and kids alike, and they report it was fun to eat straight out of the shell!  However, Kelli offers the following feedback:

• This recipe calls for cannellini beans, which is a little out of place when thinking "caprese."  Kelli is going to leave them out next time.
• There was some confusion regarding the balsamic vinegar glaze.  The recipe actually links you to a different recipe on how to make balsamic vinegar glaze.  Kelli just used balsamic vinegar straight, and said it was still good.

 
Good news if you are serving a crowd - these hold their shape very well, even when cut in half.  See the picture below. 

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kelli

 

CONCLUSION

Yum!  No worries here.  Give this recipe a try!

 

 

Oven Roasted Smoked Sausage and Potatoes

Guinea Pig: Sarah

THE CLAIM

Aaaaaaaaah, Fall.  Cooler weather means one thing in the kitchen: COMFORT FOOD.  Check out this recipe from Big Blue Binder for Oven Roasted Smoked Sausage and Potatoes.  Click the link in the photo caption for photo and recipe source.


Click here for photo and recipe source

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Sarah put this recipe to the test. The result was delicious, and could easily be served for a group.  Sarah sums it all up by saying, "This dish tastes like autumn." We envision it with more veggies and possibly even sauerkraut!  The only complaint was that she wasn't able to spread the vegetables out enough for them to brown.  Try dividing this between two baking pans or cookie sheets for even browning.

Because the original ingredient list wasn't very specific, Sarah made sure to note how much of everything she used.  See the original ingredient list in black, and Sarah's edits in blue.

• 1 package of smoked sausage [14 oz. of Eckrich smoked sausage.]
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped [A yellow onion the size of a softball.]
• 5 large potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes [Each of her russets yielded a generous cup when cubed]
• olive oil [3 T, divided: 2 tsp. for the baking sheet & 2 T + 1 tsp. in the bowl]
• fine sea salt [1/2 tsp.]
• freshly ground black pepper [1 tsp.]
• sweet paprika [1 tsp.]
• dried thyme [1/2 tsp.]
• a handful of grated strong cheddar cheese [3/4 cup] 

Sarah also adds the following suggestions:

• In a hurry?  Try using 4 cups of hash browns (thawed), and an 8oz bag of chopped onions. 
• Mix the olive oil and the spices together before adding to the vegetables, to ensure an even coating.
• Get fancy with the cheese. How about an aged cheddar?

 

CONCLUSION

No complaints here!  Guinea Pig Squad stamp of approval!

 

 

Libby's Pumpkin Muffins

Guinea Pig: Kelsey

THE CLAIM

Need something to go with your Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Pumpkin Pie? VeryBestBaking.com offers this recipe for Pumpkin Muffins, featuring Libby's canned pumpkin puree.  Click the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.


Click here for Recipe and Photo Source

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Kelsey gave these a try.  She liked how simple the recipe was and how quickly it came together.  The result?  Delicious!  Approved by the whole family! 

To be clear, this isn't the pumpkin version of cornbread, to be served as a dinner side. These are desserts.  To turn this from a dessert into a show stopper, consider a cream cheese frosting!  (YUM!)

Kelsey did not that she didn't use muffin liners, and it turned out just fine.  She said her batch of muffins (traditional size) were done at exactly the 25 minute mark, and the recipe yielded 26 muffins.  She also said that she used water instead of the optional orange juice.

CONCLUSION
No complaints here!  Guinea Pig Squad stamp of approval!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Guinea Pig: Jennifer

THE CLAIM

When you hear the words "pork" and "crock pot," most assume that we're talking about the variety soaked in BBQ sauce.  TidyMom offers this recipe for a more traditional Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.  See link in photo caption for recipe and photo source.  



Click here for recipe and photo source.

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Jennifer made this recipe.  Per the recipe suggestion, she substituted apple juice for hard cider.  The result?  Delicious and moist!  Just the right amount of sweetness and just a hint of "apple."  But there are some things to note:

1. Again, this is not BBQ Pork.  It's shredded pork.  Add sauce of your choice when serving.
2. 4-5 lbs of meat is a lot of meat.  Jennifer made this for two adults and a toddler.  See the picture below.  There were plenty of leftovers for shredded pork nachos. 
3. We'll say it again: 4-5 lbs of meat is a lot of meat.  You'll need more than 4-5 hours on low in a crock pot to shred this.  Aim for 7-8 hours instead.  

CONCLUSION
YUM!  Proof that pork in a crock pot doesn't need to be BBQ.

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Karen

Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake

Guinea Pig: Kelli

THE CLAIM

We know that we recently featured a recipe for Molten Lava Mug Cake.  Too soon to post another?  ABSOLUTELY NOT.  Check out this video on Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake, as featured by Buzzfeed's Tasty Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/buzzfeedtasty).  Video can also be viewed in YouTube by clicking this link.

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Kelli made this recipe happen.  Her reaction? "Wow! Easy! Straight forward and good! It wasn't a true "lava" cake, but more of a pudding cake. The pudding was on the bottom. So cake on top of pudding. And it was delicious straight out of the crock pot. The cooking time was perfect."

The end result would be something similar to an 8" round cake, two inches high, and might feed 8-10 people.  Wondering what to do with the leftovers? (Or laughing at the thought of any of it being left over?)  Kelli said she left hers in the crock pot, and put the crock pot in the fridge until she was ready to serve it again.  Reheating in the crock pot caused some of the edges to burn, but you could cut around that.  Microwave works just as good.  Nothing is as good as straight out of the crock pot, but reheating works just fine.

CONCLUSION
Perfect for the choco-holic in your life!

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kelli

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kelli

Root-Beer-Spiked Pulled Pork

Guinea Pig: Kimberley

THE CLAIM

Want to take BBQ pork to the next level?  Community Table offers this crock pot recipe with a surprise ingredient: root beer! Click the link in the photo caption to see recipe and photo source!

Click here for recipe and photo source!

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Kimberley made this one, and she is happy that she did.  She says that the recipe is delicious, and that her family was happy to eat the copious amount of leftovers for the rest of the week!  She is sure she will make the recipe again.

Kimberly says that after 10 hours in the slow cooker, "the meat just fell off the bone and was very easy to shred."

As far as the root beer flavor, Kimberley said she didn't notice a discernible difference between this and traditional BBQ pork (except that this was REALLY GOOD BBQ pork).

CONCLUSION
A worthy rival to traditional crock pot BBQ pork!

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kimberley

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

Guinea Pig: Karen

THE CLAIM

Facebook personality Courtney Luper shared a post earlier this month, promising low carb dieters that pizza was still on the menu.  Using cauliflower, the low carb diet's secret weapon, she claims to have found the best recipe for a low carb pizza crust.  Click the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.

Click here for recipe and photo source.
(This will take you to the Facebook post and may require you to log in to Facebook.) 

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Karen, lover of cauliflower and low carb dieter, gave this a try.  As a disclaimer, she used 3 full eggs (which was an alternative to 3 egg whites, per the recipe).  She ended up dividing her dough between two 9" pie pans. 

There's good news and bad news.  The good news is that it does not taste like cauliflower, especially once you add the pizza toppings. 

The bad news is that the consistency is just awful.  The recipe pointedly says that this is a "soft crust."  By soft they mean mushy, and completely unable to hold its shape. Says Guinea Pig Karen, "The crust with mushy - like something between french toast and ricotta."  And that was after 45 minutes of baking.  (The recipe doesn't specify a baking time.)  Karen was so turned off by the consistency that she could only eat a few bites. 


CONCLUSION
We're not saying that cauliflower can't be used to make pizza crust.  We're just saying this recipe isn't the one to use.  

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Karen

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Karen

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers

Guinea Pig: Kelsey

THE CLAIM

Nothing can compare to a true philly cheesesteak sandwich.  However, GroceryBudget101.com offers this recipe for a budget-friendly alternative that isn't half bad for you either! Click the link in the caption for recipe and photo source. 

Click here for photo and recipe source. 

THE TEST

Guinea Pig Kelsey decided to test this out on her husband and toddler.  Good news - she says it works out well!  "Super easy to make! [...] Peppers cooked perfectly, not too hard or soft."  The whole family enjoyed them. 

The only word of caution that Kelsey mentions is that these do not reheat well.  The consistency of the pepper turns out undesirable, so make sure to finish these in one sitting (or make them in batches as needed).  


CONCLUSION
Cheap and delicious?  Sign us up! 

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kelsey

Molten Lava Mug Cake Recipe

Guinea Pig: Karen

THE CLAIM
Oh, Target.  It's hard enough to walk in for a gallon of milk without walking out with all the makings for a fabulous new living room.  Do you really have to start posting recipes?  Recipes that promises warm chocolate cake in 2 minutes??? WHY CAN'T WE QUIT YOU????? 

Check out this Betty-Crocker-inspired recipe, as featured by Target.com.  Click on the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.



Click here for recipe and photo source.

 

THE TEST

Guinea Pig Karen couldn't resist this one, and she gave it a try. And she may have tried it a couple of times since.  She says,  "It was pretty good. Neither as goopy as your traditional lava cake, nor as tasty, but good enough. I like the idea that you can satisfy the I NEED CAKE fix with warm, fresh cake in 2 minutes, and that I have a lot of left over mix for future 2 minute cakes."

She said that the semisweet chocolate "lava" was a bit too bitter for the cake, and that she would use milk chocolate or even a caramel square next time.  Frosting was not needed, but Redi-Whip was a good addition.

Make no mistake - this is not a true substitution for a real chocolate cake that you mix up and bake forever in the oven.  But it's fine as a single-serve alternative.

CONCLUSION
Something fun to keep on standby, but if someone offers to bake you a real chocolate lava cake, LET THEM BAKE YOU A CHOCOLATE LAVA CAKE.

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Karen

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Guinea Pig: Kathy

THE CLAIM

Leave it to Taste of Home to take a favorite meal, and turn it into effortless comfort food!  Check out this recipe for Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta.  Click the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.

Click here for recipe and photo source.

THE TEST

Guinea Pig Kathy gave this a try, and good news!  It's as good as it sounds.  Reviews are beginning to populate on the Taste of Home website saying the same thing, so don't just take our word for it - check them out too!  Kathy recommends this as an entree dish, not a side. 

Kathy does has some advice if you want to make this at home.  "The only problem is the pasta soaks up all the béchamel sauce so not as good the second day. Still tasty, but a bit too dry. You could probably pour a little more cream into the pasta when reheating."


CONCLUSION
Add this recipe to the rotation!  It's a keeper!

Mudslide Muffins

Guinea Pig: Jennifer

THE CLAIM

Shugary Sweets published this recipe last month for Mudslide Muffins.  Their tagline? I quote: "Double the chocolate, crushed espresso beans, and some BAILEYS® Coffee Creamer make these Mudslide Muffins the perfect breakfast!"   Did your head just explode?  Ours sure did!  Check out the recipe and photo source by clicking on the link in the photo caption.

Click here for recipe and photo source.

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Jennifer gave these a test, and Guinea Pig Kelli just happened to show up on the day she was making them, and was FORCED to give them a try. ;-) They both give the recipe a thumbs up, and said that the crunch of the coffee beans is a nice addition.  The coffee flavor is not strong (Guinea Pig Jennifer would have preferred stronger), and the muffin has a sweet aftertaste. 

These are a heavy, dense muffins, and they are very rich.  Guinea Pig Kelli said she had no trouble with the richness of the full-sized muffin.  However, Guinea Pig Jennifer found the chocolate to be a little overwhelming and recommends that you consider making mini muffins.

CONCLUSION
A tasty muffin that tests the "chocolate limit" of even the most hardcore chocolate addict. 


Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Jennifer

Lemon Supreme Rice Krispie Treats

Guinea Pig: Kimberley

THE CLAIM

Ah, Labor Day.  The Unofficial Last Day of Summer.  Before Guinea Pig Squad and the rest of the world delves into everything pumpkin and apple flavored, let's take one more look at summer flavors.  Check out this recipe from Sweet as a Cookie, infusing lemon into one of our favorite snacks: Rice Krispie Treats.  Click the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source. 

Click here for photo and recipe source. 

THE TEST
Though we may be exaggerating a little, there was nearly a brawl between Guinea Pig Sarah and Guinea Pig Kimberley over who would get to make these.  And who could blame them?  Light, krispy and lemony? Sign us ALL up!  

Guinea Pig Kimberley won this one. How do they taste?  Better than traditional krispie treats?  Kimberley said they were, "amazing," and says they were "equally as good, but different than the original, which nothing compares to."

While you would think rice krispie treats would be easy-peasy, this recipe had to go and make it complicated.  Directions like "juice of one lemon" and 1.5 bags of marshmallows aren't very precise.  Kimberley used 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, which she describes as "just the right amount of lemon."  


CONCLUSION
Lemon doesn't need a season.  A great treat for any day! 

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kimberley

5-Ingredient Zucchini Fritters

Guinea Pig: Kelli

THE CLAIM

Those of you visiting your local farmers' market lately will notice an abundance of zucchini.  For those of you looking for a new challenge (besides mounds of zucchini bread), Just A Taste offers this recipe for 5-ingredient zucchini fritters.  Check it out! Follow the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.

Click here for recipe and photo source.

THE TEST
Guinea Pug Kelli gave this one a try. She said they were very easy to make!   Hers turned out thicker than the ones in the picture, which required a longer cooking time. 

The astute readers among you may notice that this recipe is lacking in any spices.  Sure it has scallions and optional sour cream, but even potato fritters/pancakes have salt to give them taste.  Sure enough, Guinea Pig Kelli and her family indicated that they were bland and in need of additional flavor.  Kelli says, "Next time I make them, I'd like to try some fresh basil. I have also thought about another time making them with fresh cilantro and adding some fresh squeezed lime juice to the sour cream. I think this would be amazing."
Leftovers did not hold up well the next day. 

CONCLUSION
A good base recipe, but definitely needs some customization.

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kelli

 

 

Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries

Guinea Pig: Amber

THE CLAIM

As if you needed more arm twisting to eat french fries, FoodGawker recently promoted this recipe for Oven Baked Garlic Parmesan Fries (published by The Stiers Aesthetic).  AND it includes dipping sauces. (SWOON)  

Click the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.

Click here for photo and recipe source.

THE TEST
Guinea Pug Amber gave these a try, and she says both the fries and the sauces are tasty. BUT...

• This recipe is not quick. Aside from cutting up the taters, they have to soak for an hour before baking. Between thr prep and the waiting, GP Amber questions whether the end result is worth it. 
• Watch the baking time. Amber had a few burn victims in her batch.  She suggests flipping the fries after 20 minutes (not 25), and then check the fries after 10 minutes on the other side. 

CONCLUSION
A tasty french fry recipe if you want to put in the time to make it.

 

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Amber

 

 

Spicy Whole-Roasted Cauliflower

Guinea Pig: Karen

THE CLAIM
Cauliflower has become something of a craze in the low carb community over the past few years. It is often the key ingredient in low carb "mashed potatoes," fritters, pizza crusts, etc.  TipHero suggests it can even be roasted as a whole head for a fancy side dish. Click the link in the photo caption for photo and recipe source. 

Click here for recipe and photo source. 

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Karen, our low-carb aficionado, gave this a try with one of her Sunday dinners (despite her insistence that the picture above looks like a brain).   Though it was amazingly simple, she gives this recipe mixed reviews.  She says, "...The spices on this recipe were too much for us. Curry...cumin...chili powder... Had a very potent Middle Eastern/Indian flavor that we didn't particularly enjoy."  However, if you know you're a fan of this spice blend, then this may be a good fit for you.   

Karen did enjoy the roasted method and found the end result to be something between raw and steamed cauliflower.  Note that your cooking time may differ depending on the size of your caulifower.  Karen had to roast hers 10-15 minutes longer just to be able to get a fork through it.  

Since the whole roasting method seems to work, perhaps give this a try with your favorite spices.  Guinea Pig Karen might try a lemon-garlic yogurt glaze next time.  

CONCLUSION

A thumbs up to the roasting method, but the spice blend leaves something to be desired. 

Photo courtesy of Guinea Pig Karen

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Guinea Pig: Kelsey

THE CLAIM
On June 20, 2015, Facebook personality Trisha Renee shared this recipe for slow cooker chicken and dumplings. Will this make it into your next crockpot recipe rotation? Click the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.




Click here for recipe and photo source.

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Kelsey gave this recipe a try.  She says, "This was delish! My husband and toddler both had two bowls!! [...] It is super easy to make. Will be making this one again!"

She offers two recommendations to those playing at home.  First, do consider using a crockpot liner for easy clean-up.  Second, as a reminder, if you use smaller pieces of chicken, it'll cook faster. 

We're not entirely sure who came up with this recipe first, but this is very similar to this extremely popular recipe on AllRecipes.com.  With a rating of 4.5/5 stars after 6,000+ votes, plus Guinea Pig Kelsey's thumbs up, you can be assured this recipe is a keeper.  Guinea Pig Karen has also made this recipe before.  She recommends adding a bag of frozen mixed veggies at the beginning. 

CONCLUSION

An easy-peasy staple to add to your crockpot lineup!

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kelsey

Easy Peach Galette

Guinea Pig: Kathy

THE CLAIM
For the culinary-challenged guinea pigs at home, a galette is a flat, rustic pastry or bread, often accompanied by fruit.  To commemorate peach season, we decided to give this CommunityTable recipe a try.  Click the link in the photo caption for photo and recipe source.

Click here for photo and recipe source.

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Kathy gave this a try and describes it as "most excellent." She initially feared that she went overboard with the cinnamon and sugar, but said it all turned out well.  Unable to wait for it to cool, she had her slice straight out of the oven, topped with whipped cream.

Because it uses a pie crust, it's tempting to think that this will feed as many people as a pie would.  However, remember that galettes are flat.  This recipe will serve four people.

CONCLUSION

Guinea Pig Kathy heartily recommends this, and says she'll be making this again!

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Kathy

Nested Potato Skins

Guinea Pig: Jennifer

THE CLAIM
Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen recently featured this idea for a fun twist on hash browns/potato skins.  Click the link in the photo caption for photo source and recipe. 

Click here for photo and recipe source. 

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Jennifer gave this a try, and declares it a resounding hit!  Whether served as a snack or an appetizer, these are sure to please! Jennifer says, "[The recipe] was very easy to follow, the ingredients were simple and inexpensive, and they turned out fantastic and everybody loved them."   They are firm enough that they can be eaten as a finger food. 

Jennifer used frozen hash browns (fully thawed) and says they were dry enough that she didn't need to drain or dry them.

Two tips, straight out of Jennifer's Kitchen: 

1. Use a touch more Pam (or other cooking spray) on the bottom of the tins than you think may be necessary.  These tend to stick a little bit, and more oil might help. 
   
2. Jennifer used some of the leftover batter to make miniature versions of these in her mini muffin tin.  The result? She likes them better, and says they were easier to pop out of the tin.  

CONCLUSION

A great snack for your next barbecue, picnic or Game Day. 

Photo Courtesy of Guinea Pig Jennifer

(One Pot) Spicy Thai Noodles

Guinea Pig: Jenna

THE CLAIM
FoodGawker recently featured Domestic Superhero's drool-worthy spicy thai noodle recipe.  Asian cuisine can be daunting to make, but what if we told you this is a one pot recipe??? Click the link in the photo caption for recipe and photo source.

Click here for photo and recipe source.

THE TEST
Guinea Pig Jenna, lover of spicy and noodley things, gave this one a try.  She did add the optional chicken for protein, but this recipe could be vegetarian "as is." Jenna says, "I made this for dinner after a busy day of traveling and it couldn't have been more simple or satisfying."  If you do want to add chicken, she recommends adding it earlier so it has more time to soak in more flavor. 

This recipe makes 3-4 servings, depending on how hungry you are.

CONCLUSION

A total keeper - easier and faster than takeout!