Tag: cooking

Martha Stewart Has a Mashed Potato Hack, and It’s So Simple

If the mashed potatoes you make are always bland, Martha Stewart has a game-changing tip that will up your potato game.

And no, it has nothing to do with peeling technique, potato variety, or how aggressively you whisk. According to Martha, the secret to ultra creamy, ultra dreamy mashed potatoes is simple: CREAM CHEESE.

During a visit to the Today show, Martha dropped the wisdom she picked up from her mom. Her method is built on classic basics like butter and milk, but with one rich upgrade that apparently makes all the difference. As she put it, “My mother’s mashed potatoes, secret ingredient. Cream cheese with the butter and milk.”

The internet did what the internet always does, and people quickly split into Team Martha and Team Absolutely Not. Some commenters praised the idea for adding tang and extra richness. Others declared their loyalty to alternatives like sour cream or Greek yogurt, both of which also bring a little zip to the bowl without as much decadence.

The fun part is that none of this changes the basics. Mashed potatoes are still one of the most forgiving dishes on the table. Whether you go rustic and lumpy, silky and whipped, buttery, tangy, garlicky, roasted, or dairy-free, adding cream cheese just gives you one more option to test while everyone is in the kitchen sneaking samples.

If you want to test the Martha method for yourself, she shared the tip on air. And she posted her full recipe online, which keeps things simple but indulgent.

Pancake Soup: Fall’s Quirkiest Comeback

So the word on the internet is that it’s almost fall… a.k.a. PANCAKE SOUP season. Yeah. Pancake. Soup.

A recipe from 1975 just resurfaced online, and people are losing their minds over it.

Now, when you hear “pancake soup,” you might picture some weird TikTok mashup… but nope, this is the real deal from 50 years ago, and people apparently ate it unironically.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Make pancakes in bacon grease.
  2. Slice ‘em into strips, like, well, bacon strips.
  3. Toss them into a broth made from bouillon cubes and water.
  4. Heat. Serve. Try not to panic.

At first, it sounds horrifying… but then, the longer you think about it, the more you start to wonder: Wait, is this… kinda brilliant?

Turns out, it’s actually a legit German dish called Flädlesuppe. Modern versions look more classy, and less “soupy”… but the 1975 version? Let’s just say it has “grandma experimenting in the kitchen” energy.

The internet, of course, has thoughts:

  • “Pretty sure this was invented to get rid of yesterday’s sad pancakes.”
  • “Creative… but beef broth with pancake chunks isn’t exactly ‘joy in a bowl.’”
  • “I’d rather eat pancakes and soup separately, thanks.”
  • “This screams Depression-era cooking.”
  • “Switch the broth to black tea with honey and milk, and now we’re talking breakfast!”
  • “Actually, it sounds kinda like pasta in soup . . . I’d try it!”
  • “Nope. Hard pass. Soggy flapjacks are my nightmare.”

So, Pancake Soup: genius culinary innovation . . . or mush regret?

The Best (and Worst) Ways to Cook Bacon

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Bacon lovers, prepare for a sizzling debate. Whether you prefer it crispy, chewy, smoky, or somewhere in between, how you cook your bacon might be just as important as the kind you buy — and according to the food experts at TheKitchn.com, some of us have been doing it all wrong.

 

Let’s be honest: it’s hard to make bacon bad. But when it comes to getting that perfect balance of crisp, flavor, and (let’s not forget) easy cleanup, some methods clearly outshine the rest.

 

 

🔥 The Top Two Bacon Cooking Methods

Oven-Baked Bacon (The Clear Winner)

Hands down, the best way to cook bacon is in the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lay your strips out flat, and bake at 400°F. Go for 18 minutes with regular-cut or up to 24 minutes for thick-cut slices. The result? Evenly cooked, crispy bacon without the splatter — and bonus: parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze.

 

Cast Iron Skillet (For Purists)

Want that traditional sizzle? A cast iron skillet still holds up. Start with a cold pan, place the bacon in, then heat to medium. Flip occasionally and cook for 8–11 minutes, depending on thickness and how crispy you like it. It takes a bit more attention, but it delivers that classic, smoky flavor and gorgeous caramelization.

 

 

🙅‍♂️ The Two Worst Ways to Cook Bacon

The Water Method

 

Yes, it’s a real thing. This technique involves covering the bacon in water, boiling it, and gradually lowering the heat until the water evaporates. Supposedly, it helps render the fat and reduce splatter — but according to testers, it’s messy, inconsistent, and not worth the effort. Stick with dry heat.

 

The Microwave

You probably already know this one’s not ideal. While it can work in a pinch, microwaved bacon tends to come out hot, rubbery, and unevenly cooked. Even with paper towels to soak up grease, you’ll rarely get that satisfying crisp — just a lot of limp disappointment.

 
So, What’s Your Go-To?

 

Everyone has a bacon method they swear by. But if you haven’t tried oven-baking with parchment paper, this might be your sign. It’s cleaner, easier, and arguably more delicious.

 

After all, life’s too short for bad bacon.

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