There are certain brands that I always buy or order because I think that they are superior. But am I just being blindly loyal or do I really think they are the best? The only way to know is to compare them with their competitors in a blind taste test. So Harry and I decided to do just that.
We started with citrus sodas.
We tested them blindfolded to get the full soda experience.
Here is what we thought:
7up:
Michelle– it was okay – it was more limey/citrusy than the others
Harry – very sweet with a lemon/limey taste
SunDrop:
Michelle– did not like at all – it had a chemical, artificial taste
Harry – had more of an upfront sugary taste
Mello Yello:
Michelle – supersweet and articial
Harry – too sugary – not happy with that one
Sierra Mist:
Michelle – has a weird aftertaste – not very citrusy
Harry – good – lemon-limey
Sprite:
Michelle – okay, I guess
Harry – sugary – not very good
So the winner was:
Michelle – Sprite
Harry – Sierra Mist
And the loser was:
Mello Yello. We both hated it.
Next up was soup – chicken noodle.
Except for the Organic brand, they all kinda looked the same.
Some definitely had bigger chunks of chicken and carrots.
Here is what we thought:
Wolfgang Puck:
Michelle – had a weird herby taste? Maybe fennel. I hate fennel.
Harry – some saltiness, decent flavors, good
Progresso:
Michelle – had a canned taste and a sweetness – like caramelized onions
Harry – had a bright taste
Healthy Choice:
Michelle – watery, no flavor, tasteless, needs LOTS of salt
Harry – a sharp, burnt taste, tastes like catfood, canned tuna, weird, blech
Campbell’s:
Michelle – had a weird taste – like dirt. It’s the worst!!
Harry – had a sharp, herb taste, pungent. It’s better than catfood.
Organic:
Michelle – alright. The chicken was dry
Harry – the chicken was big, not as salty. The flavors come through.
And the winner was:
Soup in a box! We both chose the Organic brand
*Of course, the best chicken soup is my own not in the running homemade
(even when I forget to add in the celery).
The loser was:
Michelle – Campbell’s. The next day we got this coupon in the mail.
Maybe I should ask for a a refund…
Harry – Healthy Choice.
Which cracked me up because he bought a case of it at Costco.
We didn’t want to confuse out palates, so we saved salsa for last.
As you can see, Chachies is the brand we usually buy.
So how did our favorite measure up?
Rojo’s:
Michelle – good heat, too vinegary. I would not buy this.
Harry – was the spiciest heatwise – had strange tastes
Margaritaville:
Michelle – had a strong cilantro flavor. Not much heat. Was mushy in texture (except for some crunchy onion bits)
Harry – not too much tomato taste. Had more of a vinegar pickle relish taste
Chachies:
Michelle – tomatoey, nice heat. I like it.
Harry – Lots of tomato flavor. Not as hot as some of the others.
Santa Barbara:
Michelle – Had an oregano or thyme? flavor
Harry – Had some heat, a vinegar taste, muddled flavors
Sabra:
Michelle – nice, had an herby taste, not much heat, tastes like something you’d get at a restaurant
Harry – okay. More herby than the others.
So which salsa came out ahead?
Just like Joanie, we love Chachies!
And we both rated Rojo’s last. Ay caramba.
So, do you have a favorite soda, soup or salsa? And are you sure?
Maybe you should have a taste test of your own…
Make sure to join us next time in the M. test kitchen as we taste the letter P!
While some of you were digging out your umbrellas, battening down the hatches, and stocking up on bottled water, candles and Cheetos, Harry and I were on our way to see Kathy Griffin in concert!
I made a shirt for the occasion. This is my first foray into bedazzling. Yes, I know the “I” is crooked.
On our way to Costa Mesa.
It’s so great to be back in California! Colorado sucked.
We got into a little traffic on our way.
Yay! “Pop Music” by M.
Shout out to the Oldz (you know who you are).
I got hungry and needed a snack.
We had dinner at Gordon Biersch. Beer for Harry and a caramel martini for me. Yum!
I had the chicken curry lettuce cups (ok, but not very spicy – and the dish needed some lime).
Harry had a sausage party.
We had to pay for parking!! Don’t they know who we are?!! Sheesh.
On the way in we saw Team Griffin – or as Kathy calls them, “her gays”. It was cool to see them in person after seeing them with her on the My Life on the D-List, Same Name, and other shows.
We were second row, it was too awesome.
Kathy had tweeted that this was what she was going to wear, but really she wore black pants, a black shirt with a belt and flats. She is super tiny and has a Scarlett O’ Hara waist.
We went to the first show that night. They were taping both shows for a Bravo special to air in the middle of September. Kathy’s mom Maggie came out (with a glass of wine) to say a few words and introduce Kathy. She got a standing ovation and was adorable. Kathy was hilarious, of course. Some of her bits included the Kardashians, Cher, Anderson Cooper, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Marcus Bachman and Casey Anthony.
Harry (best husband ever) won a contest on Kathy’s blog to meet her between shows! So we hustled around to the back of the theater and then waited in a room backstage with 16 other people for a meet and greet. She only had a few minutes, so she wasn’t signing autographs. She was there just long enough to give hugs and take pictures. She was warm, engaging and super sweet to everyone.
I told her my cheeks still hurt from smiling and she said, “Thanks, that means I’m doing my job.”
She liked my shirt. As you can see we are totally bff!
She had done a bit about how she walks down the street and eyef*cks all the guys, so I asked her to eyef*ck Harry – and she did! I also asked her if she watched Dance Moms, and she said, “Of course.” I should have said something better, but I was an excited mess. Then she was ushered back out the door. It was all a blur and over way too soon. Kathy’s one of those people I would love to sit down and have a long chat with. I LOVE her.
Before the long drive home, Harry and I stopped at The Yardhouse and shared a brownie with ice cream (Diet? What diet?).
Other than briefly shaking James Taylor’s hand before one of his concerts, this was my first celebrity encounter. I couldn’t have asked for a better one!
So – did I not have the best night ever? What would you have said to Kathy? What celebrity would you love to meet? Let me know in the comments!
Every Friday either Adam or Mikey shares his five favorite things of the week. But why should they have all the fun? Here is my list of what was awesome this week:
1. Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag
I discovered this show on OWN (thanks Oprah!). They are showing all 3 seasons and I am currently having an A&K marathon. Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag is a cooking show where the hosts review popular cookbooks by cooking some of the recipes within. They also give tips about food and preparation as well as testing ingredients and cooking equipment. At the end of their cooktime they invite a chef over to taste and critique. I love when the chefs taste their food (or just look at it) and crack up. Anna and Kristina make me laugh – I would love to hang out with them. Plus – they’re Canadian*! They often (always) make mistakes (either their own or through the fault of the cookbook). Anyone who’s ever had a disaster in the kitchen can relate.
*Tam, Kristen and Nathan – why didn’t you tell me about this awesome show??
2. Unrecognizable actors
I just watched I Love You Phillip Morris – the movie was amusing (and based on a true story). When watching the credits at the end, I was dumbfounded that the character of Jim Carrey’s lover was played by Ewan McGregor. I didn’t even recognize him! I feel he really disappeared in this role. I don’t see this often (Tom Cruise is always Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson is always Jack Nicholson, Jennifer Aniston – well, you get it). So props to Ewan for being such a great chameleon.
3. vuboq’s cherry drink
I think of vuboq as the “queen of cocktails.” So, when I saw this drink on his blog, I just knew I had to try it.
Cherry Caipirissima (from the NYT’s article on simple summer cocktails)
3 cherries, pitted and halved
3/4 oz simple syrup (vuboq used Rose’s Lime Stuff)
2 lime wedges
2 oz of white rum
6 ice cubesIn a cocktail shaker, muddle the cherries and lime wedges with the syrup. Add the rum and ice cubes. Shake like the dickens. And pour into a rocks glass.
*I didn’t have cherries or limes, so I used strawberries and lemons. And I used vodka instead of rum. And I was too lazy to make simple syrup, so I substituted lemonade. It was super delicious! Thanks vuboq!
4. Asian kids!
They sing! They dance! They play musical instruments! They’re adorable and I can’t get enough. And Tam says they’re only $20,000. I better start saving up! (do I get my money back if they can’t sing or dance?) This little cutie is so talented he makes Crocs look good.
5. Me!
Thanks to being a Biggest Cock & Rudest Loser loser, I finally weigh enough to donate blood! Soon, some unfortunate soul will receive an infusion of AWESOME. And maybe now I’ll get into heaven!
This week’s runners up include: The premiere of Project Runway and all the other reality tv I’m watching, and that’s about it. I need a life.
Each Friday, we at C&R present you with our five favorites of the week. We call it … The Friday Five. This week, there are exactly five things that we can’t get enough of. Here they are:
This week’s runners up include: retro microphones, Rachel Berry bangs, old red carpet footage, bubbles, awkward claps, disappearing moles, limes, singing in the mirror, choreographed dance numbers, and sing’n in the back seat. What are your five favorites of the week?
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A few of my favorite things
What do raindrops on roses, all edges brownie pans, schnitzel with noodles and apple bottom jeans have in common? They are not my favorite things (sorry Oprah and Maria von Trapp). I like other stuff. Here are a few of my favorite things:
My Le Crueset pitcher in Caribbean Blue. I just love the color. I got it so I can make iced tea (pouring the hot water in won’t crack it). I don’t like tea, and try as I might, cannot acquire a taste for it. But having this pitcher is an incentive to drink healthy, good for you, yucky tasting tea.
Nothing says “class” like plastic wine glasses (I also have plastic champagne glasses). We do have the crystal stuff, but who wants to hand wash a glass after enjoying their Beringer‘s zinfandel? The answer is: Not me.
Our TV trays – we use them ALL the time. Why eat at the dinner table when you can cram your face with food in front of the TV? Conversation is overrated anyway.
Butt warmers. Almost makes it worth driving a station wagon (it’s Harry’s – I will not cop to owning a station wagon).
Speaking of warm buns – croissants! Mmmm. Buttery, flaky and low calorie! Well, I’ll have to settle for two out of three.
Jasmine – this isn’t our jasmine. Ours isn’t quite as lush. But it’s blooming and smells heavenly.
Know what else smells good? Me! Because I use Elizabeth Arden‘s Green Tea perfume. It doesn’t smell like green tea, though, more like peppery lime.
Parcheesi! I love this game. Even though I haven’t played it in a million years, it’s still a favorite. Doubles, blockades, sending someone home – so much fun!
I love notebooks. I like the promise a brand new notebook holds. Maybe I’ll scribble down ideas for a post, make out a grocery list or start writing that million dollar novel – especially now that I’m participating in Craig’s Six Figure Summer (maybe he should make that Seven Figure Summer…).
See’s Milk Bordeaux candies. Did you know that See’s calls the sprinkles “chocolate rice”? You do now. Thank goodness they’re so rich or I’d be giving Fat Betty some competition.
So this is what I think of when the dog bites or the bee stings. And if you look under your chair, you will find… nothing! You get nothing! And you get nothing. Everybody gets nothing!
So what are some of your favorite things? Let me know in comments!
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