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    1. Bon Appétit - Making Perfect Season 2: Thanksgiving

      Rather than post this new season's episodes individually as they came out, I decided to wait until it was complete before I submitted anything. The final episode came out yesterday, so here is the...

      Rather than post this new season's episodes individually as they came out, I decided to wait until it was complete before I submitted anything. The final episode came out yesterday, so here is the season in its entirety. Enjoy!

      Here are all the episodes in order:

      What Makes the Perfect Thanksgiving Meal? | Making Perfect: Thanksgiving - Prologue
      Brad and Andy Try to Make the Perfect Turkey & Cranberry Sauce | Making Perfect: Thanksgiving Ep 1
      Molly and Carla Try to Make the Perfect Mashed Potatoes & Gravy | Making Perfect: Thanksgiving Ep 2
      Chris and Rick Try to Make the Perfect Stuffing | Making Perfect: Thanksgiving Ep 3
      Claire & Christina Try to Make the Perfect Thanksgiving Sides | Making Perfect: Thanksgiving Ep 4
      Claire & Brad Make the Perfect Thanksgiving Pie | Making Perfect: Thanksgiving Ep 5
      The BA Test Kitchen Makes the Perfect Thanksgiving Meal | Making Perfect: Thanksgiving Finale


      p.s. The reason this is a text topic is because it turns out the BA playlist of this season, which I originally submitted, is out of order and so I decided to delete that and resubmit this.

      10 votes
    2. Planet Money: Fries Of The Future

      From the transcript: By 1988, for the first time, more fast-food orders were taken at a drive-through window than at the restaurant. And this was a problem for the wimpy french fry because by the...

      From the transcript:

      By 1988, for the first time, more fast-food orders were taken at a drive-through window than at the restaurant. And this was a problem for the wimpy french fry because by the time you got home from the drive-through, the fries were no good.

      [...]

      So back then - almost 20, 25 years ago - Lamb Weston invented a coating called Stealth, which was their secret coating that you couldn't see and you couldn't tell was on the french fry, but it lasted - it was crispier longer, up to 12 to 15 minutes.

      [...]

      But this potato company has a new problem now - delivery. And a 12- to 15-minute lasting Stealth french fry isn't going to cut it because delivery takes longer than a drive-through. The average delivery wait time in a busy city is 20 to 30 minutes because drivers pick up multiple orders and make multiple stops.

      [...]

      They're starting to pitch these fries to fast food chains now. So they're not in stores yet, but Deb says they could be in a couple months. You won't know it's a crispy on delivery fry just like you don't know when you're eating a stealth fry. You'll just know you had a better french fry delivery experience.

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      6 votes
    3. What piece of kitchen equipment do you regret buying, and why?

      What piece of kitchen equipment do you regret buying? Why? I bought a garlic masher. (I don't think it was anywhere near £26 when I bought it!)...

      What piece of kitchen equipment do you regret buying? Why?

      I bought a garlic masher. (I don't think it was anywhere near £26 when I bought it!) https://www.amazon.co.uk/royalvkb-VP303-370-Royal-Garlic-Crusher/dp/B000OW58D8/ It looks really heavy, but it actually isn't. I regret it because it's not nearly as much fun to use as it looks. It's safer than mashing garlic with a knife, and it's easier to clean than a press. But other than that it's not worth the money. The garlic cards (credit card sized bits of plastic with embossed letters) that you rub garlic over are better.

      22 votes
    4. Has anyone gifted you food or a kitchen / cooking gadget that you particularly liked?

      Coming up to Christmas and gift-giving is on my mind and I wondered if you've ever been given food or a food-related gadget that you liked? I guess we can also talk about the misses too. I like...

      Coming up to Christmas and gift-giving is on my mind and I wondered if you've ever been given food or a food-related gadget that you liked? I guess we can also talk about the misses too.

      I like chocolate, so small amounts of nice chocolate are something that I like.

      11 votes
    5. Is anyone else interested in (or actively pursuing) meat from more ethical and sustainable sources?

      I consider both industrial meat production and veganism to be sub-optimal across all dimensions. I've recently jumped into this growing niche market for more sustainable and ethical meat. It's a...

      I consider both industrial meat production and veganism to be sub-optimal across all dimensions. I've recently jumped into this growing niche market for more sustainable and ethical meat. It's a little more pricey, unless you buy in bulk (e.g. 1/4 to full cow at a time), but I think it's worth it in the end.

      I'm looking to share sources of info and network of producers/farms in this regard. Allan Savory has the Savory Institute which I found to be a good start. Though FYI there have been back-and-forth essays written about the criticism and defense of these practices (too many to post here but easy to find in the two above links).

      I found one local family-operated farm that practices e.g. "organic" (in this case no herb/pest/fungi-cide) farming (crops for the animals), legitimate free-roaming chickens and sustainable land management that allows soil and ecology equilibration (reducing fertilizer use and subsequent runoff). Plus, buying and directly supporting local farmers and ranchers is always a plus!

      EDIT: I foresee this thread being hijacked towards a discussion about how "meat is bad" and how we eat too much meat etc. I am being narrow here because I want to be pragmatic, rather than opine on global economics and dietary needs.

      15 votes