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