I'll admit that I've been let down by the restaurant more than once, but nonetheless, I count myself among its fans. Because Subway has over 30,000 locations globally, it's still nice to know I can probably grab something familiar at one, no matter where in the world I am.
I ordered a 12-inch roast-beef sub for $16.28, which breaks down to about $1.36 an inch.
The produce at Subway tasted surprisingly fresh.
Subway employees can sometimes go a little heavy on the sauce, but the few stripes of mayo I got were well-portioned.
The bread and cheese were nothing special, but the roast beef was actually pretty tasty β I just wish there was more of it.
The produce truly stood out here. The tomatoes were thickly cut and actually had good flavor, and the lettuce tasted fresh and crisp.
I'd argue that roast beef should be the star of a roast-beef sandwich, but I'm certainly not mad at the Subway sub.
Jimmy John's Big John sandwich was next on my list.
Jimmy John's is a Midwest staple that's spread to over 2,000 locations across the US. It's perhaps most famous for its fresh-baked bread.
I ordered a regular (8-inch) Big John but paid $1 extra to add provolone cheese. The total came to $11.41, or about $1.43 an inch.
The bread makes the meal at Jimmy John's.
Sadly, I thought my roast-beef sandwich from Jimmy John's tasted rather bland overall.
It needed a bit more meat, the meat needed a bit more salt, the cheese was all but undetectable, and the veggies faded into the background.
You'd think that would mean I didn't enjoy this sandwich, but that wasn't the case because of one thing: the bread.
Jimmy John's French bread is good enough to be enjoyed on its own with just some butter or perhaps a spread of Dijon mustard. It readily elevates what would've been an underwhelming sandwich into a perfectly decent meal.
Jersey Mike's served up freshly sliced meat.
New Jersey-based chain Jersey Mikes has over 2,000 locations throughout the US and Canada.
It's famous for building sandwiches with freshly sliced cold cuts, and it was the only chain where I watched an employee slice my roast beef seconds after I placed my order.
My No. 6 (roast beef and provolone) 7-inch sub cost me $12.36, or about $1.77 an inch.
My Jersey Mike's sandwich reminded me of one from a mom-and-pop deli.
The roast beef piled onto my Jersey Mike's sandwich was well over an inch thick. I pulled a few pieces of meat out to try on its own and found that it tasted high quality, too
The provolone cheese also had good flavor, but I didn't think there was enough lettuce, and the tomatoes tasted a bit bland.
However, the biggest issue I had with the sandwich was the rather sloppy, messy assembly. It was difficult to hold together as a cohesive unit, and the mayo was slapped on too heavily and unevenly.
I haven't ordered this enough to know if it was a one-off problem or a consistent problem with the chain's sandwich assembly.
There were pros and cons to each sandwich β I wish I could combine them.
The generous portion of roast beef and the quality of the meat at Jersey Mike's easily would've made it my favorite sandwich had it been assembled with more care.
However, as it is, there were things I liked and disliked about each sub. Jimmy John's sandwich tasted pretty bland despite its amazing bread, and Subway's felt underfilled but had lovely tomatoes and lettuce.
It would be divine if I could combine the meat from Jersey Mike's and the produce from Subway on the bread from Jimmy John's.
Business Insider asked interior designers about the bedroom trends that are in and out for 2025.
Designers think hand-painted murals, wallpaper, and natural hues will likely be popular next year.
However, they said trends like matching furniture and recessed lighting will be out.
The new year is a great time to refresh your personal spaces, and the bedroom is no exception.
So, Business Insider asked interior designers to share the bedroom trends they think will make a big impact next year β and which we'll likely see less of. Here's what they said.
One designer said hand-painted murals will be popular in 2025.
San Francisco Bay Area designer Jasmine Wang predicts people will start to embrace hand-painted murals in their bedrooms because they add artistry, warmth, and a deeply personal touch.
She said this trend will take shape with nature-inspired scenes, statement accent walls, personalized artistry, and vintage motifs.
Neutral, restorative hues will likely be popular.
Ali Burgoon Nolan, the owner and principal designer of Studio Burgoon, said restorative hues like sage, clay, and soft taupe will help ground bedrooms with calming energy in 2025.
"Drawn from nature, these colors create harmony, offering a tranquil retreat within the home," she said.
Jordan Miranda, the founder and principal designer of JM Living Concepts, also thinks we'll see more muted-terracotta and warm-taupe tones. She also thinks natural materials like wood and linen will be popular.
Reading nooks are becoming trendy.
The bedroom is a place to unwind, which is why Nolan predicts more people will "transform the bedroom into a space for reflection, rest, and rejuvenation from daily life."
She said clients might do this by incorporating relaxing designfeatures like reading nooks or meditation corners into their bedrooms.
Celeste Robbins, the founder of Robbins Architecture, also sees built-in nooks being popular next year.
"There is something intimate and grounding about a built-in nook in a bedroom," she said. "It's a place to curl up, read, or recharge that is not your bed."
Four-poster canopy beds will help create thoughtful separation in the bedroom.
In the age of at-home work and smaller spaces, Miranda acknowledges that the bedroom often becomes a multi-use environment.
By visually and physically defining the bed as its own cozy sanctuary, a canopy bed reinforces the boundary between work or activity zones and restful sleep areas.
"A canopy bed is a way to keep the sleeping space sacred, creating thoughtful separation between the rest of the room where a desk or exercise equipment might also live," she said.
Wallpaper is also making a comeback.
"One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to enhance a bedroom without major construction is using wallpaper to create a feature wall," Kristin Christensen, the owner and principal designer of Mod Earth Studio, said.
She said wallpaper is "in" again because it's an easy way to add personality and flair to a bedroom for much cheaper than construction or custom pieces.
On the other hand, all-white spaces are out for 2025.
Wang and Nolan both told BI they think all-white, minimalist spaces are on their way out.
Nolan said, they can have a "sterile" look and more people are leaning toward "richer, layered designs that invite relaxation."
"The all-white, ultra-minimalist look is making way for spaces with more warmth, color, and texture," Wang said. "In its place, expect to see more accent-wall colors, layered neutrals, and earthy tones that create a cozy, inviting atmosphere."
Matching furniture sets are on their way out.
Wang and Christensen predict the "bedroom in a box" look will be replaced with a more curated and eclectic approach.
"Designers are mixing and matching materials, finishes, and styles to create a unique, collected-over-time vibe,"Wang said.
Christensen recognizes that matching furniture sets provide a convenient solution for creating a polished look, but individuality and self-expression are becoming highly valued by everyday consumers.
"People are increasingly seeking to create spaces that feel more authentic and lived-in," she told BI.
Industrial-heavy styles won't be as popular in 2025.
According to Wang, the ultra-industrial aesthetic will exit bedroom spaces next year.
"While industrial touches may still be popular in certain spaces, the overly rugged look with exposed brick, metal, and harsh edges is being traded for softer, nature-inspired designs," she said. "Organic textures, natural woods, and calming colors are now the go-to for a warmer feel."
Recessed lighting is also out.
Christensen predicts that recessed lighting, a round lighting fixture installed into the ceiling or wall, will be replaced for its lack of ambiance.
"For years, recessed lighting was the go-to choice for many bedrooms, promising a sleek, minimalist look and ample light without taking up visible space," she told BI. "However, in recent years, recessed lighting has started to feel outdated, especially in bedrooms."
Instead, she said, people may opt for alternative lighting solutions with things like smart ceiling lights and dimmable fixtures, table lamps, bedside lighting, wall sconces, or pendant lights.
I've planned girls' trips with friends for years, but it's been harder to coordinate them over time.
We all have a lot going on, and many of us have kids who can be especially tough to plan around.
Our adults-only trips aren't going anywhere, but we now plan group trips with our daughters, too.
Since college, I've been fortunate to have a big, close-knit group of girlfriends β and I've prioritized nurturing those friendships.
I especially love strengthening our bonds during getaways, and in my group, I handle planning and coordinating the girls' trips.
Since the '90s, I've spearheaded countless getaways for our group β from raging college spring breaks (New Orleans) to bachelorette parties and divorce parties (both Vegas), to milestone birthdays (my 21st in NYC and 30th in Jamaica), to healing retreats after illness and loss.
These trips have been a great source of joy, laughter, healing, and countless memories β one that sustains us through distance and life's tribulations.
I'm determined to keep up the girls' trip tradition, especially as life looks different for all of us.
There are more factors to consider now that we're adults with full lives
In our teens and early 20s, finding time and space for bonding was easy because many of us lived together and had few distractions.
As life has gone on, those opportunities for connection have become fewer and more difficult to coordinate. We no longer live under one roof, and many of us aren't even in the same city.
In our group, there are big jobs, spouses or partners, ailing and elderly parents, a wide range of disposable incomes, and home projects.
For many of us, there are also kids. This element, in particular, makes it harder for people to commit to dates and make a trip happen: There's homework to do, drop-off and pick-up schedules to coordinate, and sometimes no partner who can help.
It can be hard to prioritize time for yourself as a parent, let alone make time for a trip with friends.
A recent change of plans helped me approach girls' trips in a new way
My last girls' trip to Palm Springs was an impulsive overnight stay at an Airbnb oasis with a jewel box of a pool amid a historic heat wave.
My friend had intended to celebrate her anniversary with her husband and daughter there β but when he got sick, she invited my daughter and I to join for a two-generation girls-only sleepover instead.
While we hung out, our daughters (ages 7 and 10) had fun among themselves. When we all came together, we did pedicures and facials, had cannonball contests, and shared a huge tray of nachos by the pool.
This arrangement was fun and rewarding, plus it eased some of the logistical burdens involved in coordinating childcare. It also helped me realize how nice it could be to incorporate our daughters into some of our trips.
Mom-daughter trips won't replace our old format entirely. Importantly, some friends in our group have no kids (and no interest in spending leisure time with them), and some have only sons.
Still, I'm hoping the two-generation girls' trip flourishes as one extension of a cherished tradition in our expanded circle as life goes on.
Most of all, I'm thrilled to expose the next generation to the soul-satisfying joy of girls' trips, a travel style that I believe nurtures friendships and supports sanity across all stages of life.
I took an overnight train from Helsinki to Lapland that's called the Santa Claus Express.
I paid $73 for my seat and the one next to me, so I was able to stretch out on the ride.
Santa didn't appear on the 12-hour ride, but I found the journey exciting and festive anyway.
This month, I embarked on the overnight rail experience of a lifetime: Finland's Santa Claus Express.
The 12-hour train rides from the Finnish capital of Helsinki to Rovaniemi in Lapland β the "official home of Santa Claus," known for its Santa Claus Village.
For 70 euros, or about $73, I journeyed from the southernmost point of the country into the Arctic Circle.
My trip was a real adventure, but there are a few things I wish I'd known beforehand.
Some Helsinki hotels offer special checkout packages for guests catching late-night trains.
My train left at 11:13 p.m., so after checking out of my hotel at midday, I went and found a place to store my luggage in the city.
I also had hours to kill before boarding, so I visited the Senate Square Christmas Market, Temppeliaukio Church, and the Allas Sea Pool β working up a sweat in saunas then jumping in freezing water.
However, I later learned that many of Helsinki's hotels offer a late-night checkout package for these late-night trains. I don't regret my afternoon in the city, but others might prefer a quick power nap before the overnight journey.
The double-seat booking option was perfect.
My seat was about 47 euros, but the ability to book neighboring seats at a reduced rate was a game changer.
I added the 21-euro upgrade on a whim, but it really improved my experience. At 5-foot-3, I comfortably curled across two carpeted seats and managed to get some shut-eye.
Because I was traveling during peak season, all the carriages were booked. If I hadn't reserved the seat next to me, I would've been sleeping upright like a sardine with a neighbor.
I felt pretty smug being horizontal.
I should've brought an eye mask.
The biggest kicker was the conductor's insistence on keeping the carriage lights on overnight, apparently to prevent pickpocketing.
I get the gist of the strategy, but I'm actually not sure how effective it was for that purpose β everyone just covered their faces with their coats instead.
I'd undertaken a similar rail journey in Sweden last year and slept like a baby in the darkened passenger cabin. The low lighting even allowed me to spot the northern lights from the window. On the Santa Express? No such luck.
Sleeping with the lights on was much harder. In hindsight, I should've brought an eye mask or invested in a private cabin (40 to 160 euros) where I could control the light switch.
I didn't need to worry about the food options on the train.
I'd been worried about food quality on the train, so I hurriedly ate before boarding.
In hindsight, I didn't need to scarf down an 11 p.m. dinner. The train's restaurant car had an impressively varied menu.
Food service stayed open for dinner until 2 a.m. and reopened for breakfast at 4 a.m. There was a mixture of refrigerated sandwiches, pizzas, pastries, and alcoholic, hot, or soft drinks.
People weren't exaggerating about the dodgy internet.
Around an hour into the journey, both my mobile data and the train's complimentary WiFi stopped working.
I'd read other travelers' online reviews, and many people said that this would happen, but I hadn't expected it so early on in the trip, especially since we were still riding past fairly built-up suburbs.
Fortunately, I'd prepared for a digital detox and was carrying a pen and paper to jot down story ideas. Old school? Yes, but I have to admit it really amplified the feeling of adventure.
The toilets looked pretty but got a bit messy within the first two hours.
I'm happy that I snapped a picture of the toilets while boarding, as they looked pretty messy within two hours. It was a shame, as the decor and skylights were quite pretty.
On reflection, the situation wasn't helped by the small sinks β water splattered everywhere with each use of the tap.
Throughout the trip, they were usable but unappealing enough to make you think twice about drinking a coffee too fast.
Santa doesn't actually make an appearance, but the platform has a magical atmosphere.
My ride on the Santa Express was sadly Santa-free aside from the large illustrations adorning the carriage exteriors.
There was no festive dress-up or meet-and-greet on board, but the platform was magical nonetheless.
Carol singers erupted with Christmas songs, and barrier staff exchanged secret grins before allowing floods of giddy families onto the platform in festive Rovaniemi.
The excitement was infectious as I headed toward Santa Claus Village and the remainder of my trip in Lapland.
Business Insider asked etiquette experts about the mistakes to avoid when hosting for the holidays.
It's important to make sure everyone feels welcomed β even unexpected guests.
Hosts should also ensure there is enough seating for everyone at the party.
Although hosting friends and family for the holidays can be fun, there's no denying that doing so also comes with its fair share of stress. Without proper planning, things can even get chaotic.
To avoid making etiquette mistakes in the process, Business Insider asked two experts to share the top mistakes they see people make when hosting. Here's what they said.
Don't chastise guests for bringing an unexpected plus-one
Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and the owner of the Protocol School of Texas, told BI that hosts should never reprimand a guest for bringing an unexpected plus-one.
If this happens, she said to address the issue later β not in front of others.
"You don't want to reprimand the guest or the guest's guest in front of anyone. Later on, you can say, 'Sally, I wasn't expecting a plus one because it kind of put me in an awkward position with other people.' But you can say that privately at another time, not that night," Gottsman said.
Make sure there is enough seating for all guests
When it comes to seating, it's important to double check your head count and ensure everyone has a place to sit. Gottsman said this should also be done for more casual events like cocktail or dinner parties.
"You want to have enough seating for people," Gottsman said.
Avoid creating a chaotic environment
Etiquette and hosting expert Carla Shellis said another common mistake hosts make is not considering how they want their event or home to feel.
By yelling and scrambling to get things done at the last second, the host can unintentionally leave the space feeling more chaotic than welcoming.
Gottsman shared similar thoughts, telling BI, "When the doorbell rings with your first guest, you should not still be in your hair rollers, or lighting candles, or racing around talking about how busy you are."
To combat a chaotic situation, Shellis likes to play music, light candles, and clean the space before her guests arrive. She also gives herself plenty of time to get everything done so she doesn't have to rush.
Be cautious when serving alcohol
Shellis told BI that serving too much alcohol is an easy way to create unnecessary issues at a party. That's why it's important to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves in moderation.
For instance, Shellis said when people ask her if she has any more wine, she'll say no and redirect them by offering other beverages like iced tea or soda.
"For 30 years, I've been hosting parties, and I'm going to tell you there's nothing that will kill a beautiful environment quicker than somebody that's hammered and acting foolish," Shellis told BI.
As the only vegan in my family, the holidays can be challenging β I want everyone to enjoy the festivities without having to sacrifice their favorite foods.
It gives me a headstart on dinner when I'm making stuffing, soup, or side dishes with quinoa and wild rice. The mix also tastes great in breakfast scrambles and burritos.
Peppermint popcorn is an instant hit on the dessert table.
Sweet meets savory in Trader Joe's seasonal peppermint-crunch popcorn, which mixes dark- and white-chocolate-coated kernels tossed in crushed candy canes.
It's great for a holiday dessert table or a cozy movie marathon, but it also makes a nice host gift.
Sometimes, I'll even add it to a larger holiday snack mix or rice-crispy treats for extra festive cheer.
Trader Joe's holiday gummies are just plain fun.
It's easy to keep my candy dishes full with Trader Joe's gummy Scandinavian Tidings, which come in all sorts of festive shapes.
I also saw a Festive Chaos candy mix this year. It contains bovine gelatin, so it's not vegan, but the rest of my family can enjoy it.
Aside from snacking, these festive bags make excellent stocking stuffers. You can also use them to decorate gingerbread houses and top holiday cupcakes and cookies.
Candy-cane Joe-Joe's are a must for me every winter.
Perhaps the most anticipated product of the season at Trader Joe's is its candy-cane Joe-Joe's.
The peppermint sandwich cookies are great on a holiday dessert board, chopped and stirred into a bowl of ice cream, crumbled on top of eggnog, and dunked into mugs of hot cocoa.
You could even crush them into bits to make an easy pie crust.
The regular candy-cane Joe-Joe's are "accidentally" vegan β meaning they just happen to be fully plant-based. However, the gluten-free version of the cookies may contain milk and eggs, per the ingredient list.
Stuffed olives are a game changer.
Zesty lemon-stuffed olives are my top pick for adding flair to cocktails, mezze platters, and charcuterie boards.
The citrusy olives are good as a right-out-of-the-jar snack, but I also skewer them on toothpicks alongside vegan cheese and cocktail tomatoes or chop and swirl them into dips.
If lemon isn't your thing, other stuffed-olive options are available, including garlic and jalapeΓ±o.
Peppermint mini marshmallows add a jolly twist to classic favorites.
The vegan peppermint mini marshmallows are something I look forward to all year.
Toast and sandwich them between graham crackers and chocolate for festive s'mores, or melt them with vegan butter for a holiday take on the quintessential rice-crispy treat.
For the ultimate seasonal beverage, I like to include them on my hot-cocoa bars alongside plant-based whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Trader Joe's frozen appetizers are a huge help.
I check appetizers off my to-do list with Trader Joe's frozen crispy vegetable pouches.
The pockets of pastry dough are filled with jicama, taro, cabbage, carrots, onions, and shiitake mushrooms for an elegant plant-based hors d'oeuvre.
They're seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, and red chili, adding global flavors to your holiday menu. Plus, they're ready to eat in under 15 minutes.
A friend nominated me and I was selected to be on the show. Here are five surprising things I learned from my "Say Yes to the Dress" episode.
I'm one of few people β if not the only bride β who received a free dress on 'Say Yes to the Dress'
Normally, the "Say Yes to the Dress" team starts by breaking down your budget, but because my original wedding gown was destroyed, I received a free dress.
My episode highlighted the tragedy of the flood that took most of my belongings and I was offered the best care by bridal designer Randy Fenoli and his team. "Say Yes" flew my husband and me to New York, where we stayed in a lavish hotel right by Times Square.
My family lost everything in the flood, so it was a huge contrast to go from watching all of our stuff wash away to wearing a Mark Zunino gown, Jimmy Choo shoes, and Kleinfield's own collection of jewelry.
Fenoli was so kind, and we even shared a personal connection
As we filmed, I could feel Fenoli had a strong bond with the people who he worked with to tell my story. I'm still so grateful to have been chosen to share my experience about planning a wedding that felt as if it would never happen, and I cannot thank that team enough for helping me feel the most beautiful and cared for.
During the process, I learned that Fenoli actually grew up in Louisiana, and he's also dealt with natural disasters. He was trapped in a two-story apartment in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
I think my experience touched him because it was a story that was so close to home.
I still talk to Fenoli to this day, and he featured my story in a special season-17 episode where he discussed his most memorable brides.
And if I said something funny, cute, or cool, I quickly learned to expect to see that footage over and over again.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any of the footage of my own wedding
I was so excited to have such an enormous film crew and producers record my wedding because I thought I would receive some of the footage. I also didn't hire my own videographer to capture the details of my entire wedding, so sadly, I don't have the day's events on film.Β
Still, the "Say Yes" production team gave me five minutes of absolute fabulousness.
Hindsight is 20/20, but I still wish I would've known the footage wouldn't be available to me because I definitely would've hired a videographer.
I still receive fan mail about our episode every so often
People may not know that my husband and I have split up since our episode aired.
Still, every time fans contact me, I don't really know what to say other than, "Thank you."
This story was originally published on July 14, 2022, and most recently updated on December 20, 2024.
I was worried about how my adult children and new partner would bond and get along.
Once we started traveling together, though, we got closer and really felt like a family.
By traveling, created shared memories while learning more about each other.
When I first met my partner almost 10 years ago, my two daughters were in college and not home much.
Once he became a fixture in my life and they were home more, though, the complexities of blending a family became real. It wasn't easy for them to share our space and get to know this man β nor was it easy for him to navigate his new partner's children.
We finally found our groove once we started traveling together.
To start, we took a short trip (two days) with just the four of us β and we chose a place close to home.
I wasn't sure how we'd all get along, if it would feel awkward, if there'd be arguments, or if we'd all want to do different things. My partner also confessed a feeling of dread as we approached the trip: What if it was a disaster?
As our trip began, though, I noticed how relaxed we all felt away from all the day-to-day stresses of home and work. This immediately made it easier to connect.
Travelling as a group forces us to spend more time together
Once my youngest daughter moved in with her serious boyfriend, we saw a little less of her, which made building family bonds harder.
We were keen to welcome her boyfriend into the family and so, we thought, what better way to do that than by traveling together? We all spent a few days in the English Lake District in an old rental house, exploring the lakes and browsing antique stores.
Staying in a house together for a few days forced us to really get to know each other and connect. My partner and my daughter's boyfriend got on better than any of us could have hoped, and we all loved being in the one house.
I don't think anything brings you closer than sharing experiences, and that was definitely the case for our family.
We've found out more about each other through travel
We've gone wine tasting in Yorkshire, toured the Roman Baths in Bath, and toasted marshmallows over a fire in the Cheddar countryside.
Sharing all these new experiences together and doing things we might not do on our own β or might never even imagine doing β brought us closer together.
Along the way, we've learned and shared who each of us was and what we liked and didn't like.
We learned more about my daughter's boyfriend's love for skateboarding at an exhibition in Wales. My eldest daughter introduced us to her love for Ethiopian food in London.
At one point, my partner shared how much he enjoys a cold dip in the sea in Wales in October. Then, we all tried it.
As we each ran toward the waves, shrieking at the cold water and laughing at each other's reactions, I knew traveling together had made us closer than ever.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Gartenβs potatoes turned out super crispy and golden.
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.
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.
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.
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 Rayβs rosemary potatoes were my favorite.
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.
I can't get enough of the store's Italian Bomba hot-pepper sauce.
When it comes to seafood, I get the raw Argentinian red shrimp or farm-raised smoked-trout fillets.
Before I became a dietitian and intuitive-eating counselor, I worked at Trader Joe's. To this day, the retailer is one of my favorite places to find new food options that keep things varied and exciting in the kitchen.
As a dietitian, I encourage people to follow an intuitive-eating framework, which means I don't put clients on restrictive diets or meal plans.
Instead, I use the principles of intuitive eating β an evidenced-based approach that encourages clients to listen to their body's natural hunger and fullness cues β to help them decide what, when, and how much they should eat.
Throughout my own intuitive-eating journey, I've found some great snacks and ingredients at Trader Joe's. Here are some of my favorite things I grabbed there throughout 2024.
Trader Joe's farm-raised smoked-trout fillets are delicious in salads or on a cracker.
Eating protein-rich foods, like this smoked trout, is an excellent way to create an energizing, filling meal.
Trader Joe's smoked trout has become a staple in my home β it's a great shelf-stable item to have on hand when I want to add more sustenance to a meal.
This flavorful fish makes a great addition to a greens-and-feta salad, though the fillets are also delicious simply paired with a cracker.
I have the organic tea and lemonade when I want to make my meals more satisfying.
When I followed restrictive diets, I was afraid to have sugar-sweetened beverages because I felt guilty about drinking my calories.
Now, as an intuitive eater, I know that adding fun drinks to meals can be a great way to enhance satisfaction. When our meals are satisfying, we can move on without dwelling and decrease our chances of bingeing or overeating later.
This tea-and-lemonade beverage has the perfect level of sweetness. I love having it with a turkey sandwich, a hearty salad, or cheese and crackers.
I was recently introduced to the Italian Bomba hot-pepper sauce, and I love it.
A friend recently shared a recipe for spicy-vodka rigatoni, which called for Calabrian chiles. She recommended using Trader Joe's Italian Bomba sauce, a Calabrian-chile-based flavoring, and it has become an instant favorite.
It adds a flavorful punch to pasta dishes and soups, though it's also tasty when smeared on crusty bread or mixed with mayo.
Trader Joe's Silver Goat chèvre is perfectly creamy and crumbly.
I've tried many different kinds of goat cheese, but this one from Trader Joe's is my favorite.
It's the ideal mixture of creamy and crumbly, making it a perfect addition to fall salads or a roasted-root-veggie dish. It also adds richness to pasta dishes when I don't have milk or cream.
I recommend spreading this goat cheese on toast and pairing it with different toppings, like walnuts, honey, and sea salt, or caramelized mushrooms and onions.
I love adding the organic toasted-sesame dressing to my salads.
When a craving for salad strikes, I enjoy using Trader Joes toasted-sesame dressing.
Having a premade dressing lowers the workload of making a salad, which is another reason I love keeping this delicious dressing stocked in my fridge.
Trader Joe's broccoli-and-kale slaw is a convenient way for me to get my veggies.
Some days, I crave fresh flavors but don't have the bandwidth to cut up lettuce and veggies β which is why I appreciate this broccoli-and-kale slaw with dried cherries, slivered almonds, and sunflower seeds.
Even when I don't have the time or energy to start chopping ingredients, I can almost always find it in me to dump the contents into a bowl and toss them with the kit's premade, sweet slaw dressing.
Sometimes, I'll doctor the salad up with goat-cheese crumbles. I typically pair the salad with a frozen pizza to add a source of carbs and fat and create a more filling meal.
I use the raw Argentinian red shrimp to add protein to simple dishes.
In my opinion, the Argentinian red shrimp tastes so fresh, you'd never know that it comes frozen.
During the summer, I add this shrimp to a simple pasta dish with pesto, pine nuts, and tomatoes for a protein-rich meal with lots of staying power. In the colder months, I make a shrimp scampi with simple ingredients like lemon, broth, wine, and Parmesan cheese.
Like the smoked trout, this frozen shrimp is great for adding a protein boost to my meals.
Trader Joe's hot-and-sweet pepper jelly is the perfect flavor combination.
When I ask new clients which foods they enjoy, many of them have been dieting for so long that they no longer know what flavors they authentically enjoy.
In my intuitive-eating experience, I discovered I love the combination of sweet and salty flavors. In particular, I adore Trader Joe's sweet, spicy pepper jam with savory cheese and crackers.
It's also delicious spread on a grilled-cheese sandwich for that same flavor contrast.
So far, I've traveled through Africa to Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt.
Seeing Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was unreal, and I was impressed by Egypt's many landmarks.
South Africa's Cape Town has great shops and restaurants and I loved the liveliness of Morocco.
The African continent is teeming with unique travel experiences.
There's something for just about any traveler, whether you want to go on an African safari, savor first-class food and wine, see diverse landscapes, laze on stunning beaches, or marvel at ancient civilizations.
My African bucket list is extensive, but I've already ticked off Zimbabwe, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt. All four countries were vastly different but charming in their own way.
Here's what I enjoyed most about each.
Zimbabwe has a lot of natural beauty.
If you're looking for safaris, game lodges, exotic foods, and breathtaking natural beauty, Zimbabwe is the place.
The highlight of our trip was seeing Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet and is said to be the world's largest sheet of falling water.
There are few places more Insta-worthy, particularly if you catch a rainbow β we saw a double one over the falls.
I also really loved Imire: Rhino and Wildlife Conservation, located about two hours from the capital of Harare. There, we went on a game drive and encountered plenty of African wildlife. Then, we had a delicious lunch in the game park overlooking an animal-studded waterhole.
It felt like pure magic.
We found a lot to do in South Africa.
Cape Town, one of South Africa's capitals, didn't disappoint with its spectacular coastal views, a top-notch foodie scene, and great shopping options.
A highlight of our trip was riding on the cableway up to Table Mountain β our gondola had a offers 360-degree panorama of the city.
We spent a whole day walking around the V&A Waterfront and spent a lot of money at its wonderful shops and restaurants.
From there, you can also catch a ferry to Robben Island, which was once a prison for political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela during apartheid, but is now a museum.
The road trip from Cape Town to Knysna β which included a section of the Garden Route, a breathtaking stretch along the coast β was also absolutely stunning. We were lucky enough to stay with family in Knysna who had a beautiful, secluded property on the side of a hill, complete with access to a private beach.
Morocco was like nowhere else I've ever been.
I felt like I was in a movie the moment I arrived in Marrakesh
Donkey-drawn carriages cruised up and down laneways while snake charmers, folk dancers, and trinket vendors vied for my attention.
I enjoyed the delightful chaos and quickly fell in love with the vibrant colors, mouthwatering food, and rugged landscape of this North African country.
The standout for me was our three-day tour from Marrakesh to the Sahara Desert. We journeyed across the Atlas Mountains and explored ancient kasbahs along the way, then eventually rode camels into the desert.
On our final night, we ate chicken tagine (a traditional Moroccan dish with a spiced sauce) under the stars, then slept in a Berber desert camp.
There's incredible history in Egypt.
In the land of the pharaohs, I marveled at millennia-old colossal monuments like the Pyramid of Giza, the Great Sphinx of Giza, and the Abu Simbel temples.
The outstanding engineering capabilities of the Egyptians have to be seen to be believed.
The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities is also a must-see if you're in Cairo. It houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the mask of Tutankhamun and his sarcophagus.
Cabernet sauvignon is one of the most popular red wines and is easy to find at most stores.
I found seven different bottles, all $35 and under, that I think are best.
Selecting a bottle of wine can be daunting. The labels often have confusing jargon, and it's hard to know if you're getting a good deal.
As a sommelier, I'm here to help. The good news is you don't have to spend a fortune. There are probably several solid bottles of good-quality wine right at your local grocery store.
Let's start with cabernet sauvignon, one of the world's most widely planted wine grapes that's especially prominent in places like Napa Valley, Bordeaux, and Chile.
Here are seven cabernets I like to pick up at the grocery store, all $35 and under, listed from cheapest to most expensive.
Ironstone Vineyards cabernet sauvignon is easy to drink β and easy to love.
If you're looking for a wine that's super easy to drink and that's enjoyable both on its own or with a weeknight meal, the cabernet sauvignon from Ironstone Vineyards is the one.
At $14, it's also the most affordable option I reach for.
The pleasant, light-red blend offers notes of juicy, ripe fruits on the nose and palate. It has just a touch of residual sugar for those who prefer sweeter fruity notes.
For an organic option, pick up Domaine Bousquet Reserve's cabernet sauvignon.
Domaine Bousquet is a family-owned estate in the Mendoza region of Argentina. Its reserve wines are made with hand-picked, certified organic fruit.
I love the brand's cabernet sauvignon because it tastes exactly like a cab should (full-bodied and dark) for only $18 a bottle.
The wine has a nice tannin structure, so it's on the drier side. Additionally, the notes on both the nose and palate are dark and complex.
In the winter, I reach for Juggernaut Hillside cabernet.
Juggernaut's cabernet β made from grapes on hillside vineyards β majorly over-delivers for its $20 price point.
Upon first taste, the wine is dark-fruited and herbaceous in nature. Then, a smooth and velvety side comes through with some chocolate notes, giving it a rich and warming impression.
It's the perfect winter cabernet to enjoy with a pot roast in front of a crackling fireplace.
Bonterra Estate Collection's cabernet sauvignon is everywhere.
Bonterra, a leader in sustainable winemaking, offers an easier-drinking cabernet sauvignon with little tannin impression, making it less dry and bitter on the palate.
I think it delivers precisely what a cabernet should for $22: A quaffable glass of red everyone can enjoy.
Bonterra is also one of the easiest-to-find brands on the list. It has wide distribution in major retailers such as Whole Foods, Albertsons, and Trader Joe's.
If you're hosting dinner, check out Ancient Peaks' cabernet sauvignon.
From the sprawling Santa Margarita Ranch on the south side of Paso Robles, California, comes a spicy little number from Ancient Peaks Winery.
The brand's $25 cabernet has a more dramatic nose and palate, with notes of cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla.
Although some cabernets can be sipped on their own, this bottle is best enjoyed with food. I think it would shine with a hickory-grilled burger, grilled portabellas, or a spiced pork tenderloin.
Alta Nova's cabernet sauvignon is great if you have a little more room in your budget
Founded and owned by master sommelier Des Echavarrie, Alta Nova highlights wines made from grapes grown at high elevations in Paso Robles, which is located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Its $33 cabernet is deep, dark, and brooding in nature, with a good tannin structure. However, it's still a ripe, fruity crowd-pleaser.
Rounding out the top of the list is Rodney Strong's cabernet sauvignon.
Rodney Strong Winery is a legacy Sonoma producer that showcases beautiful grapes from the Alexander Valley.
Its cabernet is dark-fruited, with a lovely note of sweet spice from the oak influence.
Although it's the most expensive on the list at $35, it's the perfect bottle to enjoy with grilled steak or braised short ribs.
Whether baking for yourself or as a gift for family and friends, you may find that sometimes your oven can be your worst enemy when you're baking cookies.
To make your winter baking a breeze, Business Insider spoke with chefs to get their best tips and tricks for making holiday cookies.
The key is to rest the dough and let cookies set
Michael Wallace, culinary director at Kinder's Premium Quality Seasonings & Sauces, told BI that home bakers need to allocate time to let the dough and finished treats sit.
"First thing I like to tell people is the importance of resting the dough," Wallace said. "I like to let it rest for at least two hours before baking."
"Next would be to allow the cookies to cool after baking for five minutes before transferring from the baking sheet," he said. "This allows the cookie to 'set up.'"
Wallace also said that unless you're using gluten-free flour, be cautious of overmixing your dough.
"Scoop and freeze your dough before baking," Nally said. "Chilled dough is always best, but it's difficult to scoop when it's cold."
Adequate chilling time can vary depending on the dough you're using and the cookies you're trying to make, so do your research and allocate that waiting period ahead of baking.
Remember that less can be more
Nally added that it may be worth your time to focus on nailing one type of cookie rather than tackling a bunch of varieties at once.Β
"I'm also a fan of quality over quantity," Nally said. "I'd rather give people one or two or the same kind of cookie β or any pastry β and have them be really good than give them 10 subpar cookies."
If you've already made different batches of dough, you can always place them in the freezer to bake at a later date.
You can make different kinds of cookies using the same dough
Nally also recommends baking different cookie varieties with the same dough to keep things fresh.
"Try making multiple kinds of cookies with the same dough base, like a sugar or shortbread dough that can be turned into thumbprint cookies, sandwich cookies, rolled for cutouts, etc.," Nally said.Β
In addition to mixing up cookie shapes, you can also vary the way you decorate and plate your holiday treats.
Having good tools can sometimes make a difference
As a chef myself, I'll share a few parting words.
Always be sure to chill your dough before rolling it out β particularly if it is sugar-cookie dough. It needs time to firm up so that cookie cutters are able to create the sharpest lines.
I'd also recommend purchasing a bench knife, which will help you slice dough, cut butter into flour, and more β having the right tools in the kitchen can make all the difference.
Other items I'd recommend you stock up on are different size cookie scoops, a small offset spatula, and a Silpat baking mat.
This story was originally published in December 2018 and most recently updated on December 19, 2024.
The Christmastime rom-com "The Holiday" is a classic, but fans may have missed these gems.
Amanda and Graham both have floor-to-ceiling shelves showcasing things relating to their careers.Β
An iconic voice actor narrates the trailers in the film, and the movie's composer gets a shout-out.Β
As we get closer to the end-of-year holidays, there are plenty of comforting, festive rom-coms to turn to.
"The Holiday," which stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack Black, and Jude Law, is a classic.Β
Here are some mistakes, Easter eggs, and details you may have missed in "The Holiday."
Iris' desk gives viewers a hint about what she does before it's actually said.
Iris writes for the society column at The Daily Telegraph.
At the beginning of the film, the camera pans across her desk, showing scattered marriage announcements and photos.
These are all visible before her job title is actually mentioned during the company holiday party, so eagle-eyed viewers may have already figured it out.Β
The shoes Amanda throws at Ethan disappear and reappear behind him.
At the beginning of Amanda and Ethan's argument, she throws two sneakers at him.
Both shoes land behind him in the hallway outside their bedroom.
Throughout the next few shots, the shoes seem to disappear and reappear on the floor behind him.Β
The gardener tries to signal to Ethan not to admit to his affair.
Amanda's gardener overhears the conversation between Amanda and Ethan when their argument continues outside.
Amanda asks Ethan to admit to having an affair with his secretary and says she really wants to know the truth.Β
Before he answers, the gardener looks at Ethan and shakes his head, presumably to warn Ethan against confessing.
This wasn't Lindsay Lohan's first project with the "Holiday" director.
It's hard to miss Lohan's uncredited cameo in "The Holiday" β she appears in Amanda's movie trailer alongside James Franco. But there's a story behind her appearance in the film.Β
Nancy Myers, the writer and director of "The Holiday," also created Lohan's first feature film, "The Parent Trap."
In a 2006 interview with ComingSoon.net, Meyer's said, "I know Lindsay because I directed 'The Parent Trap' and I told her she owes me everything so I made her do it."
The director added, "I called her and said, 'You have to do this for me,' but she was sweet about it, she was totally there."
Hal Douglas narrates the trailers throughout the movie.
The trailer Amanda works on at the beginning of the film and the one she dreams later on are both narrated by recognizable voice actor Hal Douglas.
Before his death in 2014 at the age of 89, he was well-known for narrating thousands of movie trailers, including those for "Forrest Gump" and "Lethal Weapon."
The website Amanda and Iris use to swap houses is real.
Amanda and Iris find each other through the house-swapping website HomeExchange.
It's a real company and websitethat's still running today. It continues to offer the experience shown in the film, where two users agree to stay at each other's homes for a set amount of time.
The books stacked next to Amanda's bed date the movie a bit.
Amanda brings a big stack of books on her vacation, featuring manyΒ popular reads from the late 1990s and early 2000s.Β
The pile includes the spiritual book "The Power of Now" (1997), young-adult fiction novel "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (1997), and Alice Munro's short-story collection "Runaway" (2004).
The way Iris' scarf is tied changes as she walks around Amanda's house.
When Iris first arrives at Amanda's house, she excitedly explores each room.
For most of the tour, her scarf is loosely looped around her neck once.
However, there are a handful of shots where her scarf is instead tied in a double layer around her neck.
The DVDs at Amanda's house seem to all be arranged in alphabetical order.
Amanda has a massive DVD collection at her house, which isn't surprising seeing as she makes movie trailers for a living.Β
Based on various shots, the DVDs seem to be sorted in alphabetical order. When Iris looks more closely at the shelves, she's near the "G" section.Β
"Enigma" (2001) can also be spotted on one shelf, which is a bit of a pop-culture paradox since Kate Winslet (who played Iris) starred in the movie.
Irish watches a very fitting movie at Amanda's house.
After excitedly looking through Amanda's impressive DVD collection, Iris settles on "Punch-Drunk Love" (2002).
The choice pretty perfectly coincides with her plot in "The Holiday" as the 2002 rom-com follows an American man who falls for an English woman.
Arthur gets it wrong, Cary Grant isn't actually from Surrey.
When Iris and Arthur have their meet-cute, he asks her where in England she's from, and she says, Surrey.Β
He excitedly responds that Cary Grant was from Surrey, which he knows because the famous actor told him.
However, Grant was actually from Bristol, another English town.Β
The meet-cute Arthur mentions is from "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife."
Arthur explains the concept of a meet-cute β the moment in a rom-com when a couple meets for the first time β to Iris.
He then gives an example of a man and a woman meeting at a store while trying to buy separate halves of the same pajama set.
There are indeed five marshmallows in each cup of hot cocoa at Graham's house.
Graham and his daughters, Olivia and Sophie, tell Amanda that they always drink hot cocoa with five marshmallows each.
Whenever the shot shows a clear view of their mugs, there are indeed five marshmallows in each cup.
Olivia says they never have girls at their house, but Graham's daughters seem close with their aunt Iris.
When Amanda hangs out with Graham and his daughters, Olivia comments that they never have girl visitors at the house.
But their aunt Iris lives nearby, and judging by their reaction to seeing her at the New Year's Eve party at the end of the film, they're fans of hers.Β
Graham's book collection mirrors Amanda's DVDs.
Just like Amanda's wall of DVD shelves, Graham has a wall of bookcases in his house. This is equally fitting since he works as a book editor.Β
His collection seems to include a number of classics β there's a Tennessee Williams collection visible on the same shelf as a Dylan Thomas book.
However, there are also multiple travel guides on the shelves.
Miles comments on work done by the composer who scored "The Holiday."
While perusing Blockbuster with Iris, Miles picks up a copy of "Driving Miss Daisy" and tells her the iconic score was done by Hans Zimmer.
Zimmer actually composed the score for "The Holiday" as well.
"Jaws" is in the wrong section of the video store.
Miles continues pulling multiple movies from the shelves of the video store to comment on the different scores, including "Jaws."
The movie was sorted in the "drama" section, but it's most commonly referred to as an adventure/thriller.
Dustin Hoffman makes a brief but well-timed cameo.
During the video-store scene, when Miles picks up "The Graduate" (1967) and starts singing Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," the camera flashes down the row to Dustin Hoffman perusing the shelves.Β
Hoffman starred as Ben Braddock in the 1967 film, and his cameo in "The Holiday" was actually happenstance.Β
In the DVD commentary, Meyers said they were filming at a Blockbuster in the Brentwood neighborhood of LA, and Hoffman was having lunch next door. Meyers knew the actor, so she invited him on set, and he jumped into the scene.Β
They didn't even change his clothes or give him any makeup.Β
This story was originally published in December 2022 and most recently updated on December 19, 2024.
Aldi isn't my family's primary grocery store, but there are a few things I'll always stop there for.
I love picking up snacks like Simply Nature PB&J bites and Bake Shop Bakery cheese Danish.
I also like to browse the Aldi Finds aisle for fun and unique items.
Although I live relatively close to an Aldi, the store isn't our family's primary grocery stop.
However, we like to shop there for specialty items every couple of months, and regularly keep an eye on the Aldi Finds in the store's weekly ads.
Here are eight items we stock up on for our family of four at Aldi.
Simply Nature PB&J bites are a delicious snack.
Whenever I see the Simply Nature gluten-free PB&J bites at Aldi, I stock up. My kids enjoy snacking on them, and I love the sweet-and-salty flavor.
The Savoritz turtle-shaped cheddar crackers are a fun alternative to Goldfish.
The Savoritz cheddar turtles are very similar in taste to Goldfish and are a fun way to mix up our usual snack selection. The only difference I've found is that they're slightly less puffy than Goldfish.
I love finding unique items in the Aldi Finds section.
I focus a lot of my shopping on the Aldi Finds aisle, which has a rotating selection of fun items. Earlier this year, Aldi had a Disney drop that included Mickey ears, sneakers, pillows, and more.
On my recent trip, I found Disney princess shoes and slippers, some seasonal food items and decor, and multiple Bluey toys.
I love grabbing fruit at Aldi.
I never leave Aldi without fresh fruit, as the store's prices are almost always lower than that of other grocery stores near me.
Aldi carries one of my favorite cheese Danish.
I grew up eating cheese Danish from a small bakery near my grandma's house, and I rarely find anything that comes close in terms of taste.
However, I love the version from Bake Shop Bakery, which has the perfect ratio of filling to pastry.
The store has a fun selection of frozen treats.
Aldi's frozen selection always has fun and unique treats, including seasonal ice-cream pops, which my children love.
At one point, my store even had Barq's frozen root-beer floats in push-pop form.
Aldi has a large selection of seasonal decorations and tableware.
Aldi always has a good selection of indoor and outdoor seasonal decorations.
During my most recent trip, the store had Christmas decorations, cozy blankets, Christmas trees, and holiday plates and serving platters.
Aldi's serving trays are perfect for entertaining β cute and festive but not so precious that I'm concerned about my kids grabbing food off of them.
I always check out Aldi's large selection of gluten-free items.
One of the things I love most about Aldi is the store's large selection of gluten-free items. In addition to the aforementioned Simply Nature PB&J bites, I love grabbing Aldi's liveGfree stuffing.
My family tried and ranked 14 frozen meals from Costco to see which ones were the tastiest.
The Kirkland Signature breaded panko shrimp was OK, but I wasn't fond of its $19 price tag.
Red's turkey-sausage breakfast burritos were delicious, and I plan on having them in my lunches.
Like a large portion of shoppers who buy frozen food, a retail sector that's seen significant growth over the past year, I prioritize cheap, convenient meals for my family. Costco is typically my go-to store, as I can save money by buying items in bulk.
The freezer section at Costco always offers a broad variety of frozen meals, but buying anything in bulk-sized portions can be risky if you have no idea what to expect from the food.
My family of four tried 14 different frozen meals from Costco and ranked them from worst to best.
Editor's Note: The items in this taste test were purchased between April and December 2024. Prices and availability may vary by location.
The Kirkland Signature breaded panko shrimp was the most expensive item I purchased.
The 2-Β½ pound box of Kirkland Signature panko shrimp, which cost $19, was the most expensive meal I purchased. According to its packaging, each box comes with 40 to 50 shrimp that can be prepared in the oven.
Once it was prepared, I found this meal a little disappointing.
The slightly peppery seasoning on the shrimp was tasty, but I thought there was too much breading, making the shellfish feel like an afterthought.
Next time, I'll make my own version with frozen uncooked shrimp, which is also quick and easy to prepare.
The Sandwich Bros. chicken-melt pocket sandwiches looked enticing.
The Sandwich Bros. chicken-melt sandwiches, which I'd wanted to try for a while, looked enormous and delicious on the box. But when I opened the package, they were smaller than I'd expected.
A pack of 15 individually wrapped sandwiches cost $12.70, which seemed reasonable to me.
They were OK, but I thought the pita bread was a little rubbery.
The pita got a little rubbery in the microwave, but no other cooking methods were listed on the box. I tried heating the sandwiches in the oven and air-fryer, but both methods essentially baked the pita into a cracker.
Taste-wise, the chicken had a mildly peppery seasoning. The strongest flavor was the American cheese, which never came out as beautifully melted as it looked on the packaging. The sandwiches tasted best when I added a condiment like spicy mayo or hot sauce.
My 3-year-old loved these sandwiches, which seemed appropriate for someone whose favorite foods are bread, cheese, and chicken nuggets.
The Kirkland Signature thin-crust pepperoni pizza required lots of freezer space, but I was excited to try it.
I picked up a four-pack of the Kirkland Signature thin-crust pepperoni pizza for $13.70, which came out to just over $3.40 per pie.
I thought the price was reasonable, but I'd prefer to spend a little more money on Target's single Red Baron pie, which doesn't require nearly as much freezer space.Β
Each Kirkland Signature pizza was individually wrapped in plastic. However, during transport, most of the pepperoni shifted to one side of the pizza, so I manually redistributed the slices before baking it for about 12 minutes.Β
The finished pizza looked exactly how I expected. The cheese melted, the edges of the crust browned, and the pepperoni glimmered with grease.
Unfortunately, the pepperoni pizza didn't blow me away.
In my opinion, this pizza was sort of bland β the thin, cracker-like crust had a nice texture but little flavor, the sauce was slightly sweet but light on seasoning, and the pepperoni didn't have much spice.Β
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great, either. I would probably serve one as a convenient appetizer if I needed to cook a more elaborate meal for guests, especially if kids were around.
But since this pizza wasn't better or cheaper than other frozen pies I've had, I don't expect to buy it again.
The Ajinomoto Tokyo-style shoyu ramen with chicken looked promising.
The Ajinomoto frozen ramen featured big chunks of chicken, noodles, dehydrated carrots, corn, red peppers, and green onions.
This pack came with six individual bowls, which required a decent amount of freezer space.
The ramen was tasty and would make for a great quick lunch.
I added water and microwaved the ramen for four minutes per the instructions. The noodles were tender, the chicken was a bit spongy and sweet, and the salty soy-based broth was tasty without being overpowering.
They were a great size for a small but satisfying lunch, though far less portable than other forms of ramen. And at $18 for six bowls, they didn't seem like a very good value.
The Kirkland Signature Italian-style beef meatballs seemed like a great bang for your buck.
I'm somewhat particular about meatballs, but the deal on this Kirkland Signature product was hard to pass up. A 6-pound bag filled with 140 walnut-sized meatballs was only $18.
When I brought them home, the meatballs heated quickly in my air fryer and got a nice crust on the outside.
The meatballs were OK, but I don't think I'd buy them again.
Unfortunately, the meatballs were a bit too spongy for my taste. Without sauce, they had a fairly strong garlic taste with some mild black-pepper spice. Still, they were neutral enough to take on the flavor of any sauce I paired them with.
I served my kids a few plain meatballs alongside some mac and cheese, and they seemed unimpressed.
When I tried the meatballs on a roll with cheese, barbecue sauce, and pickles, I thought the finished product tasted a bit like a McRib.
However, I liked them best as an appetizer, tossed in a sweet-and-sour sauce I made with ketchup, jelly, Sriracha, and Worcestershire sauce.
Overall, they seemed like a good value, but the 6-pound bag took up so much freezer space that I can't imagine buying these again.
I tried a sample of the Bibigo mini chicken-and-cilantro wontons at Costco.
On the day I went shopping, Costco offered samples of these dumplings, so I knew what to expect before I brought them home.
They seemed plain, but I was impressed by the price. The 3-pound bag was on sale for $7.50, though it normally costs $10.
The wontons were tasty and came out the best when steamed in the microwave.
When I opened the bag, I noticed some of the wontons fused in the freezer and didn't easily come apart without ripping. Though it didn't affect the flavor, this might make me less likely to use them as an appetizer while hosting.
I tried pan-frying them, but they took on a lot of the oil flavor. They were better when I steamed them in the microwave, as this cooking method allowed the filling's subtle sweetness and cilantro flavor to shine through.
The Kirkland Signature Italian-sausage-and-beef lasagna required a long time in the oven.
The Kirkland Signature lasagna requires 65 minutes in the oven, so it's a little less convenient than many other frozen meals from Costco. That is, unless you risk the 24-minute microwave option suggested on the packaging.
But other than the baking time, the lasagna requires very little work. Each two-pack of lasagna was $16.70.
The lasagna was good but a little more seasoned than I'd prefer.
The finished meal looked appealing, covered with brown, bubbly mozzarella cheese. The lasagna was surprisingly spicy, with a black-pepper taste.
The sauce was subtly sweet but more seasoned than I'd like. The noodles came out perfectly tender, and the meaty sausage had a nice fennel flavor.
Each lasagna was enough to feed my family, with plenty left for the next day's lunch.
Red's turkey-sausage egg'wich looked like a great low-carb breakfast option.
Red's turkey-sausage egg'wich caught my attention as a quick, protein-forward, low-carb breakfast option at the perfect time β I'm trying to eat lighter meals ahead of three family weddings.
The preparation was fast and simple. I microwaved the egg'wich for 50 seconds on each side, and I had a piping-hot turkey-sausage sandwich with eggs patties for bread.Β
This eight-pack of egg'wiches cost $15, which didn't seem especially cost-efficient as far as Costco frozen meals go.Β
I needed to add a few extra components to my egg'wich.
I was a bit surprised I enjoyed these, as I don't usually like precooked egg patties. However, these were moist without being too greasy (though they were a little greasier than most foods I'd eat with my hands). The flavorful turkey sausage, which had a hint of black pepper, was good, too.
However, the egg'wich, which was only 190 calories and had 17 grams of protein, didn't fill me up. I usually like to spice up my egg breakfasts with some hot sauce, but I was worried it would spill out the sides or off the top of the sandwich.
After some consideration, I took a hamburger bun and put the entire egg'wich between the bread to better protect my hands from grease and condiments. I found the egg'wiches tasted much better and were more satisfying this way, though they were no longer keto-friendly.
I'll probably buy these again β along with more buns.
The Crazy Cuizine Mandarin-orange chicken reminded me of a similar Trader Joe's meal.
This was similar to a frozen orange-chicken meal I frequently buy at Trader Joe's. Both the Crazy Cuizine and Trader Joe's versions contain frozen chicken nuggets and pouches of sweet, brown, tangy sauce.
The meal came together flawlessly in the air fryer.
Without the sauce, the meat pieces' crispy, salty, outer breading reminded me of chicken nuggets.
The meal seemed tailor-made for preparation in an air fryer and was ready in about 20 minutes. The chicken pieces came out super crispy and were even tastier than some Chinese takeout meals I've had.
I'd buy this $16.50 box again, especially since the chicken was enough for four meals for my family when I served it with white rice and vegetables.
The Kirkland Signature breakfast sandwiches were easy to prepare.
A box of eight individually wrapped Kirkland Signature breakfast sandwiches, made with bacon, egg, cheese, and a croissant, cost $16 at my Costco.
The sandwiches were extremely easy to prepare β after just six minutes in the air fryer, I had a quick, hot-breakfast option.
We thought the Kirkland Signature breakfast sandwiches had a good flavor.
We enjoyed these sandwiches. The croissant (though a bit flimsy) had a nice hint of sweetness, the bacon was flavorful with a bit of crunch, and the melted cheese kept the sandwich from becoming too dry.
The sandwich also had enough flavor and moisture that it didn't need ketchup or hot sauce.
They reminded my wife and me of similar options from chain coffee shops. However, at about $2 per sandwich, they cost less than many of the options at my local Starbucks.
I'll likely repurchase the Kirkland Signature sandwiches when I need a break from my typical breakfast routine.
The Kirkland Signature tempura shrimp seemed like a great meal for a busy weeknight.
I picked up this 30-count box of the Kirkland Signature tempura shrimp on a week when I needed an easy dinner to make.
I thought I knew what to expect from the $18 box, as I'd previously bought this item for a holiday party. But I didn't try many, and though I remember my kids eating them, I wasn't sure if they'd still like this meal β that was over a year ago, and children can be fickle.Β
The box contained a resealable bag of frozen shrimp and pouches of a soy-based dipping sauce.
To my pleasant surprise, my entire family liked the tempura shrimp.
The shrimp were extremely easy to prepare β I simply heated them in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
The shrimp were light on flavor yet hearty, so each piece felt substantial. When I tried them with the soy dipping sauce, they soaked up the sweet-salty taste.
All four of us liked this meal β which is a rarity. My 7-year-old deemed them "shrimp sticks" and delighted in the way the tails acted like little handles.
The Authentic Motor City Pizza Co. deep-dish double-pepperoni pizza came with plenty of mozzarella and meat.
I was eager to try this staple of the Costco frozen section. The package came with two six-serving pizzas and was on sale for $10, though it normally costs $13.
It may be a deep-dish pizza, but the crust was nice and airy. Each pie had plenty of molten mozzarella and both sliced and diced pepperoni.
The pepperoni got shaken up in the package, but that allowed me to rearrange the pieces to leave a meat-free section for my 6-year-old, who doesn't like it.
I tried baking the pizza two different ways and was pretty satisfied with the results.
The instructions called for baking the pizza directly on the oven rack in the tray it comes in. I tried this method, but I thought the buttery crust had more texture when I set the tray on top of a preheated cast-iron pizza pan.
The Kirkland Signature garlic-butter shrimp looked like a convenient dinner option.
A box of Kirkland Signature garlic-butter shrimp cost $16, which seemed like a good price for seafood that wasn't breaded.
The box contained two 1-pound bags of shrimp, which I found convenient β a pound of shrimp is usually just enough for a family dinner.
The meal couldn't have been easier to prepare. I opened the bag and dropped the shrimp into a skillet over medium heat. As the meal cooked, the buttery crust on the pieces of shrimp melted into a sauce.
With frequent stirring, the shrimp was ready to eat in about 10 minutes.Β
Simply put, the shrimp was delicious.
The shrimp was surprisingly tender, considering it was cooked straight from the freezer. The buttery, rich sauce also burst with garlic and Parmesan flavors.
I served the shrimp over white rice, which was a perfect medium for soaking up the excess sauce. I sometimes make a similar shrimp meal from scratch, but it never goes over as well as this one did.
My only issue with the meal was that my kids wanted more shrimp than their usual share. I'll buy this again, but I'll cook both bags for future dinners.
I tried preparing Red's turkey-sausage breakfast burritos a few different ways.
I experimented a lot with preparing Red's turkey-sausage breakfast burritos. The tortillas tended to burst open when I cooked the burritos in the air fryer, and the microwave made them too chewy.
Eventually, I settled on a combination β 30 seconds on each side in the microwave, then 10 minutes in the air fryer at a low temperature.
I liked everything about the breakfast burritos.
I don't normally enjoy precooked frozen eggs in dishes like these. However, these burritos and their egg fillings tasted freshly made. The cheese was gooey, the sausage was tasty, and the flavor was spicy enough to be interesting without turning off my kids.
Don't let the name fool you β these do not have to be reserved for breakfast. Since this taste test, the turkey-sausage burritos have become my go-to lunch.
At $15.70 for 10 small burritos, they're a similar price to some convenience-store burritos, but these taste like premium versions.
This story was originally published on June 6, 2024, and most recently updated on December 19, 2024.
I made hot-chocolate recipes from Ina Garten, Jacques Torres, Sandra Lee, Alton Brown, Carla Hall.
My favorite recipe for hot chocolate was Sandra Lee's, which calls for a bit of alcohol.Β
Garten had my second-favorite recipe, though I'd make all of them again with some adjustments.
Like many people, hot chocolate was a staple of my childhood. On snowy days, I'd go build snowmen or sled with my little brother, then run inside to a cup of it.
I'd never had a homemade mug of hot chocolate β or hot cocoa, if it's made from a powder β so I decided to try five recipes from celebrity chefs Ina Garten, Jacques Torres, Sandra Lee, Alton Brown, and Carla Hall to see which I'll follow all season long.Β
Garten's hot-chocolate recipe includes espresso powder and a cinnamon stick for garnish
The "Barefoot Contessa" host's hot-chocolate recipe seems great for a crowd β although I cut the recipe in half, it still made two to three servings.Β
The original recipe calls for half a pound of chocolate, so I expected it to be very rich. It also includes espresso powder, which I figured would boost the chocolaty flavor.Β
SheΒ calls for a vanilla bean or cinnamon stick to use as garnish, which are fancier and more expensive than marshmallows, whipped cream, or peppermint rods.
Once the ingredients were measured and chopped, this drink quickly came together
It took me some time to measure out all of the ingredients, but after that was done, Garten's recipe was pretty quick and straightforward.Β
I heated the milk and half-and-half on the cooktop, then whisked in the bittersweet and milk chocolate until they were melted. From there, I added in the rest of the ingredients, stirred it all together, and poured it into my mug.Β
I garnished the drink with a cinnamon stick since vanilla beans are a little too pricey for me to justify using them for garnish.
This hot chocolate was delicious and not too sweet
Rich is the best way to describe this hot chocolate β it had a thicker consistency and a delicious, chocolaty flavor that wasn't too sweet thanks to the bittersweet chocolate. The espresso definitely helped bring out the richness of the chocolate.
Although the cinnamon stick was a nice touch, a drink this good begs for some whipped cream as well.
Torres' hot-chocolate recipe calls for 4 ingredients, and none of them are sugar
The one thing I noticed right away is that there are no sweetening agents in this recipe, so I expected it to be more bitter than the others.
The directions were as simple as the ingredients list
With only four ingredients, it makes sense that this recipe was also easy to make.Β
I boiled the milk, stirred in the chocolate until it melted, then added the milk powder and cornstarch to thicken the mix.
Although I quickly whisked nonstop, I later found out that some of the milk powder didn't completely dissolve.
Β
I would've liked a bit of sweetener in this recipe
I liked the use of dark chocolate, but this recipe needed a little bit of sweetener. It was just a bit too bitter, but the worst part was the clumps of milk powder that didn't dissolve, no matter how hard I whisked. Luckily, this is an easy fix: I'll use a strainer next time.Β
Otherwise, the texture was thick β but not as rich as Garten's β and it would be really delicious with a little bit of sugar.
Lee's recipe is a little boozy
I was unsure if I'd be a fan of Lee's "Semi-Homemade Cooking" recipe, which calls for milk chocolate, half-and-half, cinnamon, and either vanilla vodka or hazelnut liqueur.Β
I opted for the latter because it's what I had on hand, but I was worried the milk chocolate would make this drink too sweet.
This was the fastest recipe to make
With only three ingredients that go onto the cooktop at the same time, this recipe was ready in five minutes.Β
After the mix melted together and heated up, I poured it into a cup and added an ounce of hazelnut liqueur.
I couldn't believe how incredible this hot chocolate turned out
This recipe is so good. The drink had a hint of spice and was sweet, slightly nutty, and definitely chocolaty β I loved the flavor that the cinnamon and hazelnut added.Β
Brown's recipe is for hot cocoa, but I still wanted to try it
This recipe results in a hot-cocoa powder that you can store and use again because it keeps "indefinitely," according to Brown. This was an advantage the hot-chocolate recipes didn't have, so I was excited to see how this turned out.Β
The mix calls for six dry ingredients that get combined with hot water.
Mix, pour, and stir β this recipe was ready in no time
I measured out all of the dry ingredients, including a pinch of cayenne, and stored the mix in an airtight container. Even after cutting the recipe in half, this still made about two cups of hot-cocoa powder.Β
Once everything was combined, I filled my mug halfway with the mix, then poured in the hot water and stirred.
This simple hot cocoa had the slightest kick from the cayenne
The finished drink had a barely sweet chocolate flavor, plus a little heat from the cayenne.Β
The recipe lists hot water among the ingredients, so that is what I used. However, Brown also said in the directions that the mix works great with warm milk, which I'll use next time for a slightly thicker and richer drink.
Overall, this hot cocoa was still tasty and better than the store-bought alternatives.
I was excited to experiment with the unique hot-chocolate ingredients in Hall's 'Snow Day Cocoa'
I love all of these flavors, so I was looking forward to trying this option.
This recipe took me the longest to make
Hall's hot chocolate was more involved than the others, but the steps were still easy to follow.Β
I started by toasting some ground cinnamon in a pot on the cooktop, then I added the rest of the base ingredients.Β
As that heated up, I made the whipped cream β which requires heavy cream, ginger, and sugar β in my stand mixer. The original amount of cream was too little for my attached whisk to reach and whip, so I doubled the recipe.
I enjoyed the various flavor profiles in this hot chocolate
The drink had a strong dark-chocolate flavor, which I liked. The toasted cinnamon and hints of ginger and orange helped tone down most of the bitterness.Β
I think I'd add a little more sugar to the hot chocolate itself, but overall, this recipe was great.
I liked all of the recipes, but Lee's was my favorite
I'd try all of these recipes again, but Lee's was the winner for me. I loved her combination of chocolate, cinnamon, and hazelnut. The drink's texture was perfect because it wasn't too watery or too thick.
Garten's recipe was a very close second, as it was so rich and chocolaty β just as this delicious drink should be.Β
I'd also happily make Hall's "Snow Day Cocoa" again with a little more sugar, and Brown's mix is still in my pantry. I would also attempt Torres' recipe again, though I'd use a strainer and add sweetener to it.Β
We pay half of our two family members' rent in Los Angeles so we can stay with them when we want.
Most of the year, we live in our house in Wisconsin, where my husband works and our mortgage is low.
We've had to get creative to afford to live in both places, but we're happy to make it work.
In August, my husband and I signed a one-year lease for a two-bedroom apartment in Studio City without giving up our home in Wisconsin.
We love the Midwest, but I grew up in Los Angeles County and often miss my home state β especially in winter when temperatures in Wisconsin can plummet below zero.
My family and I have often traveled to California, visiting family and friends, splurging on Disneyland, and enjoying the beach. Our trips have been soul-nourishing and fun but pricey. On average, we've spent about $200 to $300 a night on Airbnbs alone.
We've talked about moving to California, but there are delightful obstacles in our path. First of all, we adore our community, and my husband loves his job in Wisconsin.
We also love our house and the 3 acres of land it's on. Plus, the low 3% interest rate on our mortgage means living in our five-bedroom home in Wisconsin costs about the same a month as renting a 1,000-square-foot apartment in Los Angeles.
So when two members of our family decided to move to Los Angeles, we made a proposal: If you can put us up for some of the year, we'll pay half the rent.
They happily accepted. This way, they could afford a larger place in a nicer neighborhood, and we'd get a pied-Γ -terrewith the flexibility to come and go as we please for just $1,750 a month.
After a fun period of collaborative apartment hunting, we found a great space in Studio City and have been back and forth several times.
To make this work, we've found ways to live frugally and save money
Whenever we've gone to Los Angeles for an extended visit, we've driven the 2,000 miles in our hybrid to save on airfares and car rentals once we arrive.
For shorter trips, we find cheap flights. Since we keep clothes, toiletries, and books in both places, we only need laptop bags when we travel, which saves money on checking bags.
We also arranged for a friend in Wisconsin to stay in our house while we're gone, so we don't need to pay someone to water our plants or mow the lawn.
Our apartment in Los Angeles has been furnished with Ikea sale items, donations from friends, and cheap (or free) finds from Facebook Marketplace and our neighbors.
When we're home in Wisconsin, we live frugally. If we're going to splurge a bit, we prefer to do it in Los Angeles.
Although the cost of living is higher there, we've also found many free or inexpensive things to do for fun: hiking on many of the nearby trails, going to the beach, exploring different neighborhoods, and visiting free museums.
If we go out to eat, we do so during happy hour to take advantage of discounted specials. Potluck meals with friends have also been a great way for us to have fun in Los Angeles without breaking the bank.
Since we live in a neighborhood close to shops and restaurants, we also save money on gas and get our steps in by walking as much as possible.
We still meet our savings goals by using the money we'd normally budget for vacations to support this lifestyle instead.
For now, I hope to continue living across 2 states
My favorite things about living between the Midwest and West Coast have been the excitement of always looking forward to something new, enjoying the beauty in both locales, and spending time with family and friends in each place.
Our lease will be up in August 2025, and I don't know if our family members will continue to live in Los Angeles.
If they move out and on, my husband and I will need to get even more creative to keep making our California-Wisconsin lifestyle work. We'd probably need to downsize the apartment and find other ways to cut back on our spending β but that's fine by me.
Every time I walk along the beach in Malibu on a sunny day in January while it's -10 degrees in Wisconsin, I know it's worth it.
I tested a few different appliances to find the best way to make coffee.
I brewed a cup with an Aeropress, coffee pot, French press, and Keurig and compared the results.
The Keurig may have been the fastest, but it paled in comparison to the French press.
Being able to make a fantastic cup of coffee at home can be a real asset to my wallet. However, with so many individual brewing options and accessories, I didn't know where to start.
To see how I could make the best coffee at home, I tried making cups in an Aeropress, coffee pot, French press, and Keurig.
After brewing, I added 1 tablespoon of Chobani cinnamon-coffee-cake creamer to each glass, which gave them all a creamy layer of cinnamon-sugar flavor.
Here's how each brewing method stacked up, and which I think is the best way to make coffee.
I started with a blend I already know I love.
The perfect cup of morning coffee often revolves around the bean or blend you use.
For a bold, caramel-tinged flavor this time of year, I chose the classic Eight O'Clock Coffee dark Italian espresso roast.
The Aeropress came with everything I needed.
An Aeropress uses air pressure, fast immersion, and a micro-filter to brew a quick, full-bodied cup of coffee or tea.
The travel version I have, which costs around $50, includes the main appliance, a scoop, a stirrer, paper micro-filters, and a travel mug. Different models range between $40 and $150.
That 2-tablespoon scoop portions out the perfect amount of coffee grounds, so I really didn't need anything else from my kitchen.
First, I added the grounds and water.
To start the process, I put the plunger inside the main casing and pulled it until it was secure at the edge. Then, I flipped everything over and added one scoop of coffee grounds in the designated slot.
Hot water goes on top of the beans, then I used the stirrer to combine everything and ensure an even distribution.
The filter is definitely necessary.
The microfilter is a crucial component of this appliance because it prevents annoying coffee grounds from infiltrating your cup.
I placed one inside the filter cap before twisting it onto the top of the Aeropress. I ensured it was secure before moving on to the next step.
Once the coffee had time to steep, I plunged it.
After letting the coffee steep for about two minutes, I flipped the Aeropress over on top of the included travel mug.
You can use any mug for this, but I knew the Aeropress one would be a perfect fit, so I thought it would help reduce any user error.
Then, I pushed the plunger down until the appliance started hissing and stopped dispensing liquid.
The Aeropress coffee had a bit of a bitter aftertaste.
The coffee was smooth and caramelly, just how I like it. However, it also had a bit of a bitter aftertaste.
I'm new to using the Aeropress, so I'm not sure if this is typical or due to my own skills.
An old-fashioned coffee pot is nostalgic.
A regular coffee maker may be old-school, but it works.
I like that you can even preset it so it brews in the morning, and you can find basic models for as little as $20.
Other than the appliance itself, I just needed a filter, the grounds, and some water. For comparison's sake, I used the Aeropress 2-tablespoon scoop to add grounds to the filter.
There were easy-to-understand brew options.
Once I added the coffee grounds and filled the water compartment, I just hit the "brew" button and let it do its thing.
When my pot is finished with its magic, it sputters and steams (and stops dispensing coffee).
The roast tasted kind of weak.
This mug of coffee tasted fine, but it tasted weaker than the others β almost watered down, even though I used the same ratio of beans and water for everything.
After adding 1 tablespoon of creamer, I could visually see the difference in color compared to the other cups.
The French press seemed daunting at first.
French presses always seem fancy, but the process is relatively straightforward.
There are luxury models out there, but affordable versions of the basic appliance go for around $10 to $15.
I started by adding a 2-tablespoon scoop of coffee grounds to the bottom of the pitcher.
I heated up some water in the microwave.
Like with the Aeropress, I needed to add already hot water to the French press β 200 degrees Fahrenheit is evidently the optimal temperature for this process.
You can heat the water in a kettle, but I just used my microwave.
Once it was heated, I poured it over the coffee grounds in the pitcher.
Make sure to slowly press down the plunger.
After one minute, the grounds should float to the top of the water.
I stirred everything with a wooden spoon, then placed the lid and plunger on top and let the pitcher steep for three more minutes.
When it was ready, I slowly plunged my pitcher.
This cup of coffee came out dark, bold, and delicious.
Because this brewing process doesn't use a paper filter, the coffee bean's natural oils have more opportunity to break through, adding dimension to the flavor.
Right away, I could tell this was going to be the boldest cup. With its impressive depth of flavor, the coffee from my French press would be hard to beat.
The Keurig is the most mindless option.
If you're looking for the quickest option for coffee, a Keurig can't be beat.
The cheapest models start around $50 and larger/newer versions go up from there.
To start, I just popped the top open and added enough water to the basin.
In my experience, though, Keurig machines can be fickle. Although I put 10 ounces of water in my machine, it only dispensed about 8.
It really doesn't take much.
I had the same blend of Eight O'Clock Coffee in pod form, so the comparison should be fair.
I turned the Keurig on and popped open the pod compartment. When I closed the compartment, it secured with a click.
After putting my mug under the dispenser, I pushed the start button and walked away while it brewed.
This was my quickest cup of coffee, but not the most flavorful.
The cup of coffee from my Keurig was fine.
I didn't think I could taste the full flavor of my coffee, but I wouldn't say it tasted was watered down, either β just a little one-dimensional.
A Keurig is always going to be an easy option, but that doesn't necessarily make it the best one.
There was a clear winner for me.
For me, choosing the best at-home brew was relatively simple. The French press made the darkest cup with the boldest flavor.
I was also glad that my favorite coffee-brewing appliance was the cheapest of the bunch.
The Aeropress cup produced a near-perfect cup, but its slight bitterness landed it in second place.
The classic coffee pot wasn't as impressive, comparatively, and the Keurig was best for efficiency β less so for taste.
The "You've Got Mail" cast has been in many projects since the rom-com premiered 26 years ago.
Tom Hanks has since held roles in films like "Elvis" (2022) and "A Man Called Otto" (2022).
Meg Ryan has starred in a range of films and made her directorial debut in 2015 with "Ithaca."
"You've Got Mail" may have premiered over 25 years ago, but it's still a favorite movie among fans of rom-coms and 90s classics.
The film, which was directed by Nora Ephron, starred Meg Ryan as a struggling bookseller who develops an online friendship-turned-romance with an anonymous internet user. Unbeknownst to her, she's actually messaging her nemesis, the owner of a chain bookstore, played by Tom Hanks.Β
Here's what the "You've Got Mail" cast has been up to since the movie hit theaters in 1998.
Hanks starred as Joe Fox, a New York businessman who opens a chain bookstore.
In "You've Got Mail," Hanks' character, Joe, is a third-generation businessman who opens a commercial chain bookstore called Fox Books on Manhattan's Upper West Side.
In the 1990s, Hanks impressively earned two consecutive Oscars for his performances in the dramas "Philadelphia" (1993) and "Forrest Gump" (1994), which was based on Winston Groom's novel of the same name.
He also received best actor award nominations for "Big" (1988) and "Saving Private Ryan" (1998).
In addition to appearing in the baseball film "A League of Their Own" (1992) and the NASA biopic "Apollo 13" (1995), Hanks was in "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), another iconic Ephron rom-com in which he starred opposite Ryan.
Additionally, he voiced Woody, a Wild West action figure, in Pixar's "Toy Story" (1995).
Hanks has portrayed an impressive range of real and fictional characters.
Following "You've Got Mail," Hanks had starring roles in late-1990s and early-2000s hits such as "The Green Mile" (1999), "Cast Away" (2000), and "Catch Me If You Can" (2002).Β
He also lent his voice to the conductor in "The Polar Express" (2004) and reprised his role as Woody in all the "Toy Story" sequels, most recently "Toy Story 4" (2019).Β
Hanks has notably portrayed a number of real-life figures on the screen, too.
He played Walt Disney in "Saving Mr. Banks" (2013), pilot Chesley Sullenberger in "Sully" (2016), Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee in "The Post" (2017), and Fred Rogers in "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" (2019), which scored him an Academy Award nomination.
He also held roles in the Apple TV+ war drama "Greyhound" (2020) and Amazon's "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm" (2020).Β
His most recent projects include "Elvis" (2022), Disney's live-action "Pinocchio" (2022), "A Man Called Otto" (2022), and "The Bloody Hundredth" (2024).Β
Ryan played Kathleen Kelly, a children's bookstore owner who unknowingly starts an epistolary romance with Joe.
Ryan played Kathleen, the owner of an independent children's bookstore called The Shop Around the Corner. After joining an over-30 chat room online, Kathleen unknowingly starts an epistolary romance with Joe, her business rival.Β
Some of her first credits include lead roles in the long-running CBS soap opera "As the World Turns" β her character, Betsy Stewart, was a fan favorite whose on-screen wedding garnered 20 million viewers β and in the Western ABC series "Wildside."
Opposite Billy Crystal, she charmed viewers in Rob Reiner's friends-to-lovers romance "When Harry Met Sallyβ¦" (1989). In "Sleepless in Seattle," she played a journalist who falls for a single dad (Hanks) after his young son calls into a radio talk show.
Ryan went on to star in the drama "When a Man Loves a Woman" (1994) and appeared opposite Nicolas Cage in the romantic fantasy "City of Angels" (1998).
She also provided the speaking voice for the title character in "Anastasia" (1997), the animated musicalΒ inspired by the Russian royal family.Β
Ryan has since starred in commercial and independent movies and made her directorial debut.
In 2001, Ryan starred in "Kate and Leopold," a romantic drama that centers on a 19th-century duke (Hugh Jackman) who time-travels to present-day New York.
A few years later, she pivoted to roles in independent films such as "In the Land of Women" (2007) and "Serious Moonlight" (2009).
Ryan's projects in the 2010s have ranged from Lisa Kudrow's improvisational Showtime comedy series "Web Therapy" about a psychologist's teletherapy practice to the film "Fan Girl" (2015), which stars Kiernan Shipka as a teen who wants to make a movie about All Time Low, her favorite band.Β
On top of making her directorial debut with "Ithaca" (2015), a drama based on William Saroyan's novel "The Human Comedy," she also starred in it alongside Hanks and her son, Jack Quaid.
She most recently directed and starred alongside David Duchovny in a romantic comedy called "What Happens Later" (2023).
Stand-up comedian Dave Chappelle portrayed Joe's best friend, Kevin Jackson.
Although better known as a comedian, Chappelle had several film credits to his name by the time he played Kevin, Joe's best friend and a store manager at Fox Books.
Chappelle was in Mel Brooks' musical parody "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" (1993) and the 1996 remake of the sci-fi comedy "The Nutty Professor."
He also appeared in the action-thriller "Con Air" (1997).Β
Chappelle's comedy career took off in the 2000s with stand-up specials and his own show.
Three years later, he launched "Chappelle's Show," a weekly sketch series on Comedy Central that aired until 2006.Β
In addition to touring his stand-up act around the country, he has earned three consecutive Grammy awards for best comedy album.Β
Although mainly focusing on stand-up, Chappelle still acts from time to time. He played Morris in Spike Lee's "Chi-Raq" (2015) and George "Noodles" Stone in "A Star is Born" (2018).Β
In recent years, he has appeared in his own TV comedy specials.
Greg Kinnear played Frank Navasky, Kathleen's boyfriend and a journalist obsessed with analog technology.
Kinnear played Kathleen's boyfriend, Frank, a New York Observer writer who loves analog technology, especially typewriters, and decries the computer revolution.Β
Kinnear had a number of small parts in shows and in made-for-TV movies in the late 1980s before making his feature-film debut in the superhero parody "Blankman" (1994).
His first major role was in Sydney Pollack's remake of the romantic drama "Sabrina" (1995) opposite Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond.Β
In 1997, he starred in "As Good as It Gets" as Simon Bishop, a painter who lives next door to a reclusive romance novelist (Jack Nicholson). Kinnear earned his first and only Oscar nomination to date for that performance.Β
Kinnear has appeared in buzzy indie films like "Little Miss Sunshine" (2006) and several high-profile TV series.
Kinnear's biggest roles in the 2000s spanned from baseball coach Roy Bullock in Richard Linklater's remake of "Bad News Bears" (2005) to pageant dad Richard Hoover in the hit independent film "Little Miss Sunshine."
He also played Tina Fey's romantic interest in "Baby Mama" (2008).Β
He also starred as Jack Kennedy in Reelz's "The Kennedys," played billionaire Bill Shepherd in season six of Netflix's "House of Cards," and made a cameo as himself in Netflix's "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."
Additionally, he portrayed a young Joe Biden in "Confirmation" (2016), which chronicles Clarence Thomas' Supreme Court nomination hearings, and has starred in festival-favorite indies such as "Little Men" (2016) and "Brigsby Bear" (2017).Β
Kinnear appeared in the thriller "Dreamland (2019)," costarring Armie Hammer, Gary Oldman, and Lily-Rose Depp. He also held roles in the Apple TV series "Black Bird" and season four of Netflix's "You."
Posey played Joe's girlfriend, a book editor named Patricia Eden.
Despite coming off as aloof and self-absorbed, the ambitious Patricia offers to give Kathleen a job when The Shop Around the Corner is jeopardized by Fox Books.Β
Posey gained name recognition in the 1990s from appearing in Richard Linklater's "Dazed and Confused" (1993), "Kicking and Screaming" (1995), and the cult classic "Party Girl" (1995).Β
She also portrayed art dealer Mary Boone in the biopic "Basquiat" (1996) and starred in the mockumentary "Waiting for Guffman" (1997).Β
In addition to acting in films, Posey has made guest appearances in shows like NBC's "Parks and Recreation" and Fox's "New Girl."
Posey's movie roles in the 2000s ranged from Fiona, a conspiracy-spouting record company executive, in "Josie and the Pussycats" (2001) to Kitty Kowalski, Lex Luthor's nurse and eventual girlfriend, in "Superman Returns" (2006).Β
Posey also starred as June Harris, also known as Dr. Smith, in the Netflix sci-fi reboot "Lost in Space," which aired from 2018 to 2021.Β
She has also played recurring parts in ABC's "Boston Legal," CBS' "The Good Wife," and TBS-HBO's "Search Party" in addition to making guest appearances on series like NBC's "Will and Grace," "Parks and Recreation," and "New Girl."
Posey also played Blair in AMC's "Tales of the Walking Dead" and is set to appear in season three of HBO Max's "The White Lotus."
Steve Zahn played George Pappas, an employee at The Shop Around the Corner.
Zahn played goofy bookseller George in "You've Got Mail."Β
Prior to acting on screen, Zahn cut his teeth onstage. In 1991, he helped form the Malaparte Theatre Company with Ethan Hawke and playwright Jonathan Marc Sherman. The collective focused on works about male anxiety.
In 1994, he appeared with Hawke in the cult classic "Reality Bites," a film focusing on recent college grads in Houston.
He also starred alongside Hanks in "That Thing You Do!" (1996), Hanks' directorial debut about a fictional 1960s band.
Zahn has played an eclectic range of characters in movies and TV.
Zahn provided the voice for the cat Monty in "Stuart Little" (1999), played Rosencrantz in Michael Almereyda's contemporary version of "Hamlet" (2000), and starred as Drew Barrymore's ex in the coming-of-age film "Riding in Cars with Boys" (2001).Β
His movie roles in the 2010s have included parts in "Dallas Buyers Club" (2013), "Captain Fantastic" (2016), "Where'd You Go, Bernadette" (2019), and the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" film series, based on the books by Jeff Kinney.Β
Also known for his work as a TV actor, Zahn starred in the New Orleans-set HBO drama "Treme" as Davis McAlary and in the ABC sci-fi thriller "The Crossing" as Jude Ellis.
Zahn also voiced an emotional support dog that helps an anxious preteen in Netflix's family comedy "The Healing Powers of Dude." Zahn appeared as Mark, a father with an inferiority complex, in season one of HBO Max's "The White Lotus" and most recently held a role in season two of the Apple TV+ show "Silo."
Heather Burns played Christina Plutzker, George's coworker.
Burns played Christina Plutzker, George's droll coworker at the bookstore.
Before appearing in "You've Got Mail," Burns had small parts in NBC's "Law and Order" and ABC-Hulu's soap opera "One Life to Live."Β
Burns is known for her role as Cheryl Frasier in "Miss Congeniality" (2000), which she reprised in the movie's sequel.
Burns has acted in multiple films with Sandra Bullock, beginning with her performance as Miss Rhode Island, Cheryl, in "Miss Congeniality" and continuing with "Two Weeks Notice" (2002) and "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous" (2005).
She is also known for her roles in "Bewitched" (2005) and "What's Your Number?" (2011).Β
Burns also starred in the HBO comedy "Bored to Death" and the NBC sitcom "Save Me."
She also had recurring roles and guest parts in shows such as NBC's "Blindspot," Amazon's "Sneaky Pete," and Netflix's "The Politician."Β
She appeared most recently in an episode of the timely Netflix anthology "Social Distance." Since then, she's held roles in the Paramount+ drama "The Good Fight" and HBO Max's "Julia."
Jean Stapleton began acting in movies in the 1950s and played Birdie Conrad, Kathleen's friend and bookkeeper.
Stapleton played Birdie, the eccentric and sage bookkeeper at The Shop Around the Corner who Kathleen confides in about her personal life.Β
Stapleton, who had a background in theater, began acting in movies and TV shows in the 1950s. Her first film role was in the musical "Damn Yankees" (1958).
She went on to star in "Up the Down Staircase" (1967), a drama based on the novel of the same name by Bel Kaufman.
She's perhaps best known for her role as matriarch Edith Bunker in the CBS sitcom "All in the Family," which earned her three Emmys.
Stapleton died in 2013 at age 90 after a long career.
SheΒ guest-starred in hit CBS series in the 1990s and early 2000s like "Murphy Brown," "Everybody Loves Raymond," and "Touched By an Angel."Β
In 2013, Stapleton died of natural causes at age 90. Her final movies included the direct-to-video sequel "Pocahontas 2: Journey to a New World" (1998) and the rom-com "Pursuit of Happiness" (2001).
This story was originally published in December 2020 and most recently updated on December 18, 2024.