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What a delicious year! Hundreds of products were put to the ultimate taste test on the Taylor Strecker Show’s Chub Chub Showdown segment (and recapped here on Friday Food Finds), but only 10 were deserving of 2019’s top honors. These were the new snacks, drinks, desserts, and flavor iterations that impressed us most, earning unanimous praise from Chowhound editors, guest co-hosts, and Taylor herself. So without further ado, here is your Top 10 Friday Food Finds of 2019:
Thank you so much for following along as we tried the best (and worst) that food and beverage companies had to offer. Did any of your favorites make the list? Be sure to scroll down for a recap of our initial reviews, as well as links to purchase each of the products. We’re already excited for what 2020 will bring (as long as it’s not another stevia-sweetened protein bar)!
Want to try all 10 of our Top 10 Friday Food Finds for yourself? Be sure to enter our Instagram sweepstakes here. We’ll be picking 10 lucky winners to receive all 10 of the chosen products! Contest rules can be found in the post’s description box. Limit one entry per username. All entries must be in by Wednesday, Dec. 18 at noon ET.
Related Reading: The Top 10 Friday Food Finds of 2018
March 15: After consuming hundreds of new food products every year, it takes a lot to shock and surprise us. Well, consider us shocked and surprised. PigOut’s Pigless Bacon Chips taste EXACTLY like bacon, but are made with mushrooms (!!!) for a mid-afternoon snack, salad mix-in, avocado toast topper, etc. They’re not only salty and delicious, but healthy and easy on the palate. These are definitely in contention as a Top 10 Friday Food Find of 2019, and we’re excited to see what other ideas this company has in store.
March 29: These were hands-down the best things we sampled all day. They’re the perfect balance of sweet and salty and make an amazing mid-afternoon snack that is, overall, quite healthy. These would also be great topped with cheese or a homemade preserve, which means you’re officially planning the next happy hour whether you like it or not. Rush to buy these immediately.
June 28: Holy moly. This crumb cake is absurd in the best way possible. We could seriously eat it by the pound. The topping is particularly delicious because you can actually taste spices like cinnamon and cloves, without them being overpowering. What’s also great is that you can easily freeze the product and thaw it when hunger strikes. Dear dreams: we’d like to introduce you to your newest subject. Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cake Co. is celebrating 2020 by offering 20 percent off for Chowhound readers! Enter promo code CHOWHOUND at check-out. (Please note: The site will be down from Dec. 17 – Jan. 6 for the holidays.)
May 3: Let’s just say that this ranch dressing forced Taylor and me to burst into Usher’s “Oh My God.” It is, perhaps, one of the best things we’ve sampled on the show. So creamy, so truffley, so decadent…yum, yum, yum. My only gripe is that it is damn-near impossible to get this stuff out of its pretty jar. I literally had to use the handle of a fork to stab it repeatedly. Still worth it, though. I’ll be pouring this on everything.
Aug. 2: Wow. The raspberry flavor in this bar is intense and we’re NOT complaining! In fact, this may be the bar to turn white chocolate haters (cough, Taylor) into lovers, especially with the fun addition of popping candy. I also brought their Dark Chocolate Almond and Sea Salt variety for fun and it was equally, if not more amazing. Could this be our new favorite desk-side indulgence? With adorable rainbow packaging and a commitment to ethical farming practices, it very well could be.
Aug. 16: We don’t think we could love this drink more if we tried! Kombucha is already a deliciously healthy alternative to soft drinks and sugar-laden juices and this alcoholic, rosé-flavored variety more than delivered. It was not overwhelmingly sweet, contains probiotics, and was palatable for even the kombucha-averse. Not a fan of rosé? A) Who are you? and B) They’ve got a bunch of other equally delicious varieties, also brewed with green tea and honey to make your new favorite libation. We are huge fans!
Aug. 23: This was absolutely the best thing we sampled all day. The integration of hazelnuts gave it a nice texture and the fluffiness of the ice cream made it less artificial-tasting than its icy and flaky competition. We appreciate the company’s commitment to natural ingredients, as well, with a green tea infusion that provides a boost of caffeine and antioxidants. If you’re dieting and craving a quick and almost guilt-free dessert, this is the one for you.
Sept. 6: We were really blown away by these. Borderline obsessed, even. Edible cookie dough is all the rage, so to take something naturally decadent and make it healthy is truly mind-blowing. We genuinely have no complaints here. Our only recommendation is to let these sit a bit so that the texture isn’t hard from being frozen. Other than that, they’re damn-near perfect and we can’t wait to buy them in bulk.
Sept. 6: I am a self-proclaimed sauce connoisseur and this is probably my favorite sauce I’ve tried all year. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy with an almost caramel-like texture that clings to nearly anything you want to dip into it. I can’t wait to pile this on chicken fingers and french fries for a weekend indulgence to celebrate the end of bathing suit weather and the start of hibernation season. Don’t act like you’re not planning to do the same.
Oct. 11: Kettle really hit it out of the park with this one. In fact, they should seriously consider making Apple Cider Vinegar a permanent flavor in their already-impressive lineup. This is the go-to snack for those who think traditional Salt & Vinegar is too strong. It’s the perfect balance of salt and tang, piled high on the familiar, crunchy chip we’ve grown to love. This is definitely a contender for Top 10 Friday Food Finds of 2019. You heard it here first, folks!
Continue reading "Easy Ways to Beautifully Package Your Edible Gifts" »
Between festive holiday cookies and the seemingly endless list of craveable comfort foods, winter is really carbohydrates’ time to shine. But you’re likely feeling conflicted or confused about what role carbs play in your daily diet; and popular plans like keto and Whole30 certainly aren’t helping clear things up. So, here’s the bottom line on whether carbs are actually bad for you, which ones are “good,” and why cutting carbs could be a mistake.
A carbohydrate is a general term used to describe one of the macronutrients our body needs for optimal function (others include fat and protein). Getting a little more specific, carbohydrates are further classified into two categories—simple and complex.
Where carbs get a bad rap is the connection to sugar—most carbohydrates break down into glucose, providing the body with energy, which is a good thing. The main difference, however, is that complex carbs (vegetables, beans, and whole grains, for example) usually come with necessary extras, like vitamins and nutrients.
“While all forms of carbohydrates can fit into your diet, certain types of carbs do have more nutrients than others,” explains Alissa Rumsey, a registered dietitian and intuitive eating counselor in New York City. “Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains all contain fiber, which not only helps to keep us full and satisfied, but can help improve our gastrointestinal function and is linked to lower risk of certain chronic diseases including heart disease and some types of cancer.”
Getty Images / Carsten Schanter / EyeEm
Simple carbs (like cookies and cakes), often provide little to no extras and quickly convert to sugar providing a quick energy hit but not prolonged satiety.
And then there are carbs that naturally contain sugar but are also a great source of vitamins and minerals—think fruit and dairy.
Lumping all carbs into one group that you categorically avoid isn’t really fair.
It’s time to drop the stigma against carbs, says Rumsey. “There is nothing wrong with carbohydrates and in fact they are extremely important to our body. Further, we need to eat carbohydrates, as they are the only fuel source that our brain and nervous system can use,” she explains (hence why “brain fog” is often a side effect of low-carb diets). “Carbs are also the preferred form of energy for all of our other bodily functions.”
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Rumsey also warns against limiting food groups, carbs or otherwise (bar a legitimate allergy).
“I still find that most people have been taught that carbs are ‘bad’ and that they shouldn’t eat them,” says Rumsey. “But your brain interprets any type of restriction as a sign that starvation is coming, so it increases the cravings. When you make carbs ‘off limits’ or have been on-and-off diets that cut down on carbs, eventually this leads to you wanting even more carbohydrates.”
Related Reading: What Exactly Is Intuitive Eating?
The carb consensus boils down to common sense. Fuel your body by loading up on carbs rich in vitamins, nutrients, and fiber (whole grains, vegetables, fruit, beans, legumes); enjoy pasta and bread (Rumsey’s favorite carbs) in moderation; and limit calorie-packed sweets.
Turns out carbs aren’t so complicated after all.
These copycat soup recipes are just what you need right now. It’s already mid-December, and the temperature is dropping fast! Here in New York, the first week of the month brought some snow (along with a nagging reminder that I have to start keeping a hat and a pair of gloves on hand). After a long, dreary, cold day, I know a lot of people who turn to food for comfort and warmth.
In my humble opinion, one of the most underrated comfort foods of all time is soup.
You can warm up by holding the steaming bowl in your hands, and a lot of fall and winter flavors are delicious in a thick, creamy soup. When I need to cozy up around this time of year, I like to run to Panera for their seasonal Autumn Squash Soup because it’s warm, flavorful, and it just hits the spot.
Related Reading: The Best Bone Broths for Easy & Warm Nutrition This Winter
If you have a favorite soup from a restaurant chain, there’s nothing wrong with picking it up whenever you have a hankering, but on those days where it’s just too dang cold to go out, follow these copycat recipes for soups you can make from the comfort of your own fuzzy socks.
When people think of Chili’s, I doubt soup is the first thing that comes to mind, but don’t knock it ’til you try it! With a slight kick and a beautiful blend of Southwestern flavors, this soup should be your go-to the second the leaves start to change color. This copycat Chili’s Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe (via dinnerthendessert.com) is a dead ringer for the real thing, and it’ll taste ten times better when you’re eating it in your PJs.
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I know I said my personal fave is the Autumn Squash, but Panera’s Broccoli Cheese Soup is a definite crowd pleaser. When it’s not Autumn Squash season, I have to admit I go for the Broccoli Cheese all the time. While it’s not hard to find similar recipes online, this Broccoli Cheese Soup recipe (via therecipecritic.com) is pretty close to Panera’s specific decadence. Bonus points if you make it in a bread bowl!
Related Reading: Copycat Mac and Cheese Recipes from Your Favorite Restaurant Chains
This soup is seriously so popular that if you Google “Zuppa Toscana,” a million copycat recipes come up before you can even find the Olive Garden menu. I chose this Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana recipe (via thechunkychef.com) because it not only looks delicious, it actually claims to be better than the original. Only one way to find out! It’s also a Crock Pot recipe, and who can resist that?
View this post on InstagramOutback Steakhouse Walkabout Soup #CopyCat #Recipe #OnTheBlog #recipeoftheday #yum
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The Walkabout Soup is basically the Blooming Onion in a bowl. Hearty, filling, and creamy, Outback hits the nail on the head as far as great winter soups go. This Outback Steakhouse Walkabout Soup copycat recipe (via foodfolksandfun) puts a homey and delicious spin on the favorite from “Down Under.”
There’s no soup better than a hot vegetable soup on a cold day, and since there’s no restaurant chain that does down-home food better than Cracker Barrel, you know this is a high quality soup that will make you happy. And since the nearest Cracker Barrel to me is about five hours away, I’m super thankful for this Copycat Cracker Barrel’s Vegetable Soup recipe (via kidfriendlythingstodo.com).
You may not realize because your mind is on the half-off apps and dollar cocktails, but Applebee’s has a pretty killer tomato basil soup. This Applebee’s Copycat Tomato Soup recipe (via theslowroasteditalian.com) takes it up a notch with its quick prep time and extra cooking tips. Serve with a grilled cheese for peak comfort.
Related Reading: 7 Rules for Making Amazing Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Carrabba’s is way underrated—from the seasoned olive oil you can dip your bread in all the way to the extensive sangria menu. So it’s no surprise that their sausage and lentil soup is to die for. This Carraba’s Sausage Lentil Soup copycat recipe (via thecookierookie.com) is perfect because it recreates this flavor-packed, restaurant-quality soup in no time at all.
Although Disneyland is technically not a chain restaurant, far be it from me to exclude the happiest place on Earth! And the food at Disney is a big part of that, but don’t worry about booking a trip if you’ve got a hankering for a high-quality clam chowder; this Disney Inspired Clam Chowder recipe (via kleinworthco.com) is a great replacement—right down to the bread bowl.
Related Reading: You Can Now Make Disney’s Dole Whip in Your Own Kitchen
I’m admittedly mad that there isn’t a Café Rio in New York, because through my research I’ve learned that their chicken tortilla soup is supposedly amazing. Well, thank goodness for the copycat, because now I can’t wait to try this Cafe Rio Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe (via favfamilyrecipes.com) and pretend that I’m really there.