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I tried roasted potatoes from Guy Fieri, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray. My favorite recipe was also the easiest to make.

20 December 2024 at 10:29
three kinds of roasted potatoes on a black plate labeled rachael ray, guy fieri, and ina garten
I followed three celebrity chefs' recipes for classic roasted potatoes.

Paige Bennett

  • I tried Guy Fieri, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray's recipes for roasted potatoes to find the best one.
  • Mushrooms made Fieri's recipe more interesting, and Garten's potatoes had a nice crunch.Β 
  • But of all three, Ray's potatoes were the easiest, quickest, and tastiest.Β 

Roasted potatoes are an easy side dish, and I typically make mine without a recipe β€” just using some oil and seasonings.

However, I decided to try some new methods by following recipes from Guy Fieri, Ina Garten, and Rachael Ray.

Here's how they turned out.

Fieri’s roasted potatoes incorporated plenty of fresh ingredients.
potatoes, mushrooms, seasonings, oil, butter, and herbs on a wooden cutting board
Guy Fieri's potatoes called for mushrooms and herbs.

Paige Bennett

Fieri's recipe had some ingredients that made his roasted fingerling potatoes stand out.

For one, it contained nearly as many mushrooms as it did potatoes. But I love mushrooms, so this wasn't a problem for me.

The recipe also said to include thyme and rosemary, but I subbed thyme for oregano because I really dislike thyme.

The potatoes were very simple to throw together.
mushrooms, potatoes, butter, and seasoning spread out on a sheet pan
I mixed all the ingredients together and put everything on a sheet pan.

Paige Bennett

Fieri's recipe instructions were simple.

I tossed all of the ingredients together except the butter, spread the potato and mushroom mixture on a sheet pan, and then placed little cubes of butter all over.

Although I expected the little fingerling potatoes to cook fairly quickly, I was skeptical they'd be done in 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

They needed far more time in the oven than the recipe listed.
cooked mushrooms and potatoes on a sheet pan
I cooked the potatoes twice as long as the recipe said.

Paige Bennett

I was right.

After 20 minutes in the oven, my potatoes couldn't be pierced by a fork at all. They needed closer to 40 minutes at this lower temperature.

The mushrooms were the best part of Fieri's dish.
roasted mushrooms and potatoes on a white plate
I loved the flavor of the mushrooms.

Paige Bennett

These potatoes tasted good, but they needed to be paired with a mushroom in every bite for the full flavor effect. The mushrooms seemed to absorb most of the herbs.

Fieri's potatoes weren't crispy β€” like I usually prefer β€” thanks to the added moisture from the mushrooms and butter. But these were a tasty alternative to my usual side dish.

Garten adds plenty of garlic to her roasted potatoes.
potatoes, garlic, seasonings, oil, and herbs on a wooden cutting board
Ina Garten's potatoes only called for a handful of ingredients.

Paige Bennett

Garten's garlic-roasted potatoes sounded delicious to me.

Aside from garlic and potatoes, other ingredients included salt, pepper, olive oil, and some fresh parsley.

Garten called for small red or white potatoes. I like both, but I used white for this recipe.

My potatoes were prepped in minutes.
potatoes, oil, and seasoning in a mixing bowl
I used a garlic mincer to speed up the process.

Paige Bennett

Because I have a mincing tool for garlic, it took very little time to prep this recipe.

I just needed to mix all the ingredients (minus the parsley) in a single bowl and lay the potatoes in a flat layer on a sheet pan.

These potatoes required the most time in the oven.
chunks of seasoned potatoes on a sheet pan
I baked the potatoes for 45 minutes.

Paige Bennett

Once my oven preheated to 400 degrees, I baked the potatoes for about 45 minutes. I turned them a couple of times while cooking, which helped make sure they got crispy all around.

When they were done, I quickly tossed them with a bit of fresh parsley.

Garten’s potatoes turned out super crispy and golden.
crispy roasted potatoes on a white plate
I loved the texture of Ina Garten's roasted potatoes.

Paige Bennett

After 45 minutes, the potatoes were nice and crispy, just how I like them.

I loved the texture, and the parsley added some freshness. But I would have loved even more herbs, like rosemary, for a more vibrant flavor.

Ray has a quick, five-ingredient recipe for rosemary-flavored potatoes.
potatoes, oil, seasoning, garlic cloves, and rosemary on a wooden cutting board
I was excited to try Rachael Ray's easy-looking recipe.

Paige Bennett

Ray is known for her 30-minute recipes, and this hearty side dish is no exception.

The prep time only took me about five minutes, and there were only five ingredients.

I mixed everything together right on the pan.
oil being poured over potatoes and garlic on a sheet pan
I didn't have to dirty a mixing bowl for this recipe.

Paige Bennett

Ray said to mix the ingredients right on the sheet pan rather than dirtying an extra dish, which made the prep even easier.

Then I popped the potatoes in the oven at 450 degrees for 20 minutes.

I loved the crispy yet soft texture of these potatoes.
crispy roasted potatoes on a sheet pan with garlic and rosemary
The insides of the potatoes were still fluffy.

Paige Bennett

Ray's potatoes turned out to be a good balance of crispy, salty, and herby.

I could taste the rosemary in every bite. I also liked that the exteriors were slightly crisped, but the insides were really soft.

These didn't get quite as crispy as Garten's, but I still enjoyed them β€” especially since they only took 20 minutes.

I enjoyed each recipe for different reasons, but Ray’s rosemary potatoes were my favorite.
four golden brown roasted potato halves on a white plate
I can't wait to make Rachael Ray's potatoes again.

Paige Bennett

It was really difficult to choose a favorite because I loved each recipe for different reasons.

Garten's potatoes were extra crispy, which I loved. And the mushrooms and herbs in Fieri's potatoes made them very flavorful.

If I had to choose a favorite, I'd go with Ray's roasted baby potatoes with rosemary. They were flavorful, and I liked that they were a little crispy but still really soft inside. Plus, they were super quick and easy.

This story was originally published on December 23, 2023, and most recently updated on December 20, 2024.

Read the original article on Business Insider

6 of the best and 6 of the worst Christmas movies on Netflix, according to critics

20 December 2024 at 04:09
A composite of stills showing Taron Egerton in "Carry-on," Lindsay Lohan in "Our Little Secret" and Vanessa Hudgens in "The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star."
Taron Egerton, Lindsay Lohan, and Vanessa Hudgens all star in separate Netflix holiday movies.

Netflix / Bob Mahoney / Mark Mainz

  • The holiday season is incomplete for many people without holiday movies.
  • This year, Netflix is streaming a wide range of Christmas classics and original movies.
  • Business Insider has rounded up what critics say are the best and worst Christmas movies on Netflix.

It is the time of year when many turn to Christmas and holiday movies to get them through the winter.

Netflix has a bunch of Christmas films available, many of which are originals.

Here are six movies to watch this holiday season β€” and six to consider skipping.

"Klaus" is one of the most recently made movies to be considered a Christmas classic.
a skinny, shorter man, jesper, in a blue postmasters' uniform looking up at a mountain of a man, klaus, with a white beard, hefting a sack of wrapped presents
"Klaus" stars Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons and Rashida Jones.

Netflix

Summary: As Norway's worst postal student, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) is exiled to Smeerensburg and instructed to deliver 6,000 letters within a year. Through befriending a carpenter named Klaus (J.K. Simmons) and a teacher named Alva (Rashida Jones), Jesper is able to bring joy back to the town.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Why you should watch it: Critics praised the beautiful animation and hopeful narrative.

"Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey" is fun for the whole family.
Jingle Jangle Netflix christmas movie 1
"Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey" stars Forest Whitaker and Keegan-Michael Key.

Netflix

Summary: In this magical musical, toymaker Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) teams up with his granddaughter Journey (Madalen Mills) to recover an invention stolen from him long ago and restore his legacy.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

Why you should watch it: Critics said the film is creative and fun for adults and kids alike. If you love musicals and the magic of Christmas, "Jingle Jangle" is fun to watch.

The likable cast of "Let It Snow" elevates a cliched story.
Odeya Rush and Liv Hewson with a pig in the snow
"Let It Snow" stars Odeya Rush, Liv Hewson, Kiernan Shipka, Shameik Moore, and Jacob Batalon.

Steve Wilkie / Netflix

Summary: "Let It Snow" is a holiday rom-com about a group of young people in a small town in Illinois who are forced together by a snowstorm.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Why you should watch it: "Let It Snow" is more diverse than the typical Christmas rom-com, and critics praised the charming young cast.

"White Christmas" is a fun Christmas musical.
A screengrab from "White Christmas."
"White Christmas" stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.

Paramount Pictures

Summary: The 1954 musical follows two former soldiers-turned-performers as they meet a beautiful sister singing duo. The two groups must work together to save the lodge owned by the soldiers' former commander.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%

Why you should watch it: Critics said "White Christmas" is warm and cozy. Perfect for a winter afternoon.

"Hot Frosty" is not as bad as it sounds.
Dustin Milligan as Jack Snowman and Lacey Chabert as Kathy Barrett in "Hot Frosty."
Dustin Milligan as Jack Snowman and Lacey Chabert as Kathy Barrett in "Hot Frosty."

Netflix

Summary: Lacey Chabert stars as Kathy, a grieving widow who accidentally brings a snowman to life with a magic scarf. When she takes the responsibility of looking after the living snowman (Dustin Milligan), she gains a new perspective on life.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%

Why you should watch it: On the surface, "Hot Frosty" seems like a silly film about a hot snowman, but it's also the perfect self-aware cozy movie to watch during the holidays.

"Carry-on" is the new "Die Hard."
Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek in "Carry-On."
Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek in "Carry-On."

Sam Lothridge / Netflix

Summary: Taron Egerton stars as a young, apathetic TSA agent who is blackmailed by a mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) into allowing a mysterious package through security checks. The agent instead tries to stop the package from reaching its destination while protecting his loved ones.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%

Why you should watch it: This is the closest thing to "Die Hard" on Netflix's catalog. A fun, electrifying thriller set on Christmas Eve, where one man takes on a team of highly trained terrorists.

The sequels to "The Princess Switch" are not as good as the original.
Vanessa Hudgens in grey dress and black dress
"The Princess Switch" series stars Vanessa Hudgens as lookalikes.

Netflix

Summary: In the "Princess Switch" franchise, Vanessa Hudgens plays numerous lookalikes who bump into each other during the Christmas season in the kingdom of Belgravia. Chaos ensues.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53% - 56%

Why you should skip it: While the first "Princess Switch" was received reasonably well, the sequels β€” "The Princess Switch: Switched Again" and "The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star" β€” overdid it with the switching.

The sequels to "A Christmas Prince" are also disappointing.
Rose McIver in "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby"
The "A Christmas Prince" series stars Rose McIver and Ben Lamb.

Cos Aelenei / Netflix

Summary: This franchise stars Rose McIver as a magazine journalist who falls for a prince while trying to write an exposΓ© about him.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 36% - 50%

Why you should skip it: "A Christmas Prince" was fun, but sequels "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding" and "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby" made this royal love story outstay its welcome.

Critics slammed the "Holidate" for being bland.
Emma Roberts as Sloane Reed and Luke Bracey as Jackson in "Holidate."
"Holidate" stars Emma Roberts as Sloane Reed and Luke Bracey as Jackson.

Steve Dietl / Netflix

Summary: Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) are sick of bad dates and meddling family members. When they have a chance encounter, they decide to pretend to be a couple for the holidays. The arrangement works until they start to grow feelings for each other.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%

Why you should skip it: Roberts and Bracey have great chemistry, but critics thought the film was mediocre.

"A Bad Moms Christmas" was another poor Christmas sequel.
bad moms christmas stx entertainment
Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, and Kristen Bell in "A Bad Moms Christmas."

STX Entertainment

Summary: In the Christmassy sequel to "Bad Moms," Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Kathryn Hahn return as three mothers living life to the fullest, defying social expectations. This time, they are rebelling against their mothers, who are making the holidays difficult.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 32%

Why you should skip it: Critics said the sequel was not as funny or charming as the original "Bad Moms." "A Bad Moms Christmas" is fun to watch once, but it won't become a Christmas classic.

"Our Little Secret," Lindsay Lohan's third holiday movie, disappointed critics.
Ian Harding as Logan, Lindsay Lohan as Avery, and Jon Rudnitsky as Cameron in "Our Little Secret."
Ian Harding as Logan and Lindsay Lohan as Avery in "Our Little Secret."

Bob Mahoney/Netflix

Summary: Ian Harding and Lindsay Lohan team up as two exes forced to be nice to each other at a family Christmas gathering when they discover their new lovers are siblings.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 38%

Why you should skip it: Lindsay Lohan's Netflix holiday movies are divisive: you either love how bad they are or are completely bored by them. Critics said "Our Little Secret" is better than Lohan's other two movies but still formulaic, and the two lead stars have poor chemistry.

Critics said "Best. Christmas. Ever!" was not the best Christmas movie.
Heather Graham as Charlotte, Brandy Norwood as Jackie, Madison Validum as Beatrix in Best. Christmas. Ever!
Heather Graham, Brandy Norwood, and Madison Validum in "Best. Christmas. Ever!"

Scott Everett White/Netflix

Summary: Charlotte (Heather Graham) is envious of her old college friend Jackie (Brandy Norwood), who sends a Christmas letter every year about her family's accomplishments. When Charlotte and her family get stuck at Jackie's house for Christmas, Charlotte attempts to expose Jackie for lying about her perfect life.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 40%

Why you should skip it: Critics were not enthused by this film, with most saying that the story was poor and did not make much sense.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Join us today for Ars Live: Our first encounter with manipulative AI

19 November 2024 at 07:40

In the short-term, the most dangerous thing about AI language models may be their ability to emotionally manipulate humans if not carefully conditioned. The world saw its first taste of that potential danger in February 2023 with the launch of Bing Chat, now called Microsoft Copilot.

During its early testing period, the temperamental chatbot gave the world a preview of an "unhinged" version of OpenAI's GPT-4 prior to its official release. Sydney's sometimes uncensored and "emotional" nature (including use of emojis) arguably gave the world its first large-scale encounter with a truly manipulative AI system. The launch set off alarm bells in the AI alignment community and served as fuel for prominent warning letters about AI dangers.

On November 19 at 4 pm Eastern (1 pm Pacific), Ars Technica Senior AI Reporter Benj Edwards will host a livestream conversation on YouTube with independent AI researcher Simon Willison that will explore the impact and fallout of the 2023 fiasco. We're calling it "Bing Chat: Our First Encounter with Manipulative AI."

Read full article

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