Our Authors

Hayley Daen

Hayley Daen

  • Website
  • Location: Sometimes Charleston, sometimes Scotland, sometimes NYC
  • Favorite foods: Dorie Greenspan's World Peace cookies, pork scratchings, homemade peanut butter granola, pumpkin bread

Taste Test: String Cheese

String cheese was always a lunchbox standby. It may not have been the highlight like chocolate chip cookies or Hostess Sno Balls, but it was salty and fun to eat—an acceptable outlet for those urges to play with your food. Years later, we still haven't grown too old for string cheese. Even if it doesn't have the most complex, nuanced flavor, it has a special time and place. What's the best brand of string-able dairy out there? We tasted 10 nationally available varieties to find out. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekday Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekend Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Food-Inspired Lip Balms from General Mills, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury

Wearing Bonne Bell's Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers on a chain around your neck may have gone out of style, but General Mills, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury has swooped in with lines of food-inspired lip balms. The "flavors" include Warm Delights Molten Caramel Cake, Fruit Gushers, Lucky Charms, and Pop Secret Buttered Popcorn. When you don't have room in your bag for a bowl of cake batter or fresh-popped popcorn, are these the answer? Should we even be asking ourselves this? We tried 12 flavors to find out. More

Today Is National Rice Pudding Day

You either love it or you hate it, but if you're in the former camp, then rice pudding is one of the creamiest, most comforting desserts around. Will rice pudding ever take off like cupcakes and pie? Is there room for gourmet rice pudding? Here are some of our favorite rice puddings to make at home. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekday Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

This Week in Recipes

  • Sweet 'n Salty: With a name like Chocolate Crack, how could it possibly be bad?
  • Fauxreos: These "Oreos" aren't just chocolate cookies around a cream filling; nope, they're as close to real Oreos as you can get.
  • Homemade Naan: Learn to make this Indian classic at home—and the tandoori chicken to go with it.
  • Fresh and Flavorful: A simple and delicious grilled whitefish salad with tomatoes and a tarragon vinaigrette.
  • A New Use for Avocado: Don't keep your avocado use limited to guacamole. Instead, try this quinoa salad with corn, tomatoes, avocado, and lime.
  • The Wonderful World of Harry Potter: If you ever wished you were seated at the Ravenclaw table in the Great Hall, you'll love this recipe for pumpkin pasties from The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook.
More

This Week in Eating Out

  • From Kimchi to Korean Barbecue: If you're heading out to Queens in the near future, be sure to check out these great spots for Korean food in Flushing.
  • Seriously Slow Roasted: Cutty's in Brookline, MA makes one mean slow roasted pork sandwich.
  • Beefy Goodness: The Slidertinis from The Gathering Spot BistroTruck in San Diego are moist and flavorful. (And don't forget to try some of the sweet potato tots.)
  • Lollapalooza Eats: If you're planning to brave the heat and head to Chicago for the music festival, we've made sure that you definitely will not go hungry.
  • Lackluster 'Cue: The Neelys have a new New York barbecue restaurant that's more than a little underwhelming. Looks like they should stick to television.
More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekend Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

10 Ways to Celebrate Grab Some Nuts Day

It may sound nutty, but according to our food holiday calendar, today is Grab Some Nuts Day. Everyone, at least everyone who's not allergic, loves a fistful of roasted peanuts at a summer baseball game or a plastic tub full of boiled peanuts to shell on the dock (even if peanuts aren't technically nuts). Or when you're at the bar, some salted cashews and almonds to go with a cold beer, or a bag of GORP (good ol' raisins and peanuts) while on a long hike. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy nuts. More

Road Trip Snacking: Tasty Recipes to Make Ahead

When you enter about the sixth hour of a long road trip, the novelty of a Dairy Queen blizzard or Cracker Barrel (OK maybe not Cracker Barrel) starts to wear off. Packaged peanut butter crackers and gas station hot dogs just won't cut it anymore, and you find yourself starting to eye roadkill as a possible snack—that's where this list comes in. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekday Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

This Week in Recipes

  • Homemade Flatbreads: What could be better than warm, freshly-baked cheesy flatbreads studded with sesame seeds?
  • A Better Blended Drink: Ditch the sugary drinks from Starbucks, and whip up this salty, sweet, and refreshing treat.
  • Mexico's Answer to Gazpacho: If standing over the stove stirring a boiling pot of soup doesn't sound particularly appealing to you, this elegant and dynamic tomato soup with roasted corn guacamole is for you.
  • Dip It: Melitzanosalata, a tasty Greek eggplant dip, is the perfect snack to bring along to a picnic or potluck.
  • Hearty Salad: A fresh and bright Thai beef salad makes for a filling and easy summer supper.
More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekend Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Meet and Eat: Adam Richman, The Man of 'Man vs. Food Nation'

Adam Richman, one of the more serious of eaters around, is the host of The Travel Channel's hit show Man vs. Food Nation. In each episode he travels to a different city and coaches a local through food challenges, tackling everything from a six-pound barbecue sandwich to a super spicy pizza. We recently chatted with him over the phone to find out his pre-challenge routine to get warmed up, his favorite spot for mint chocolate chip ice cream, his last bite on earth, and more. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekday Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekend Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekday Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekend Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekday Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekend Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekend Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More

This Week at Serious Eats World Headquarters

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE! I can't believe yall were up for all that pie after all those mail-order pies we ate this summer. miss you all!

Cereal Eats: Yes, Rice Krispies Treats Cereal Still Exists

I might just have to try them now Leandra! You know, since all I have to do is click

McFoie Burger from Tapaç24 in Barcelona

Ahhhh Erin! I ate this when I went there and had to order another it was so good

Meet & Eat: Hayley Daen, Serious Eats Intern

Hello everyone!

@thesteveroller hahah I would not be surprised. Those locals, or NEDS (nearly educated delinquents) are crazy!

@gargupie I'm not sure. They just never really did it for me...cherries probably because my first experiences were with the sickly sweet maraschino cherries, and the texture of avocado freaks me out

@CJ McD there's a link to the recipe on my blog right under the picture! Just click 'Get the recipe'

Chicken Salad with Tahini-Yogurt Dressing

Chicken Salad is great and all, but it's definitely been done. You can vary the ingredients a little bit—grapes and slivered almonds is one of my favorites—but the basic chicken + mayo base doesn't change much. And frankly, it gets a little boring. Which is why this recipe from Patricia Wells is so intriguing. More

20 Fun Sandwiches for Your Sack Lunch

It's back-to-school time for kids and parents, which means even more sandwiches need to be made. We see this as an opportunity to try out fun, new sandwich concoctions, especially if you're willing to go beyond the average PB&J (not that we don't love it). Here are 20 make-ahead recipes to pack in your sack lunch this school year. More

Cereal Eats: A New Column Devoted To The Cereal-Obsessed

You can always recognize a fellow cereal lover. Well, perhaps "lover" isn't strong enough. Cereal obsessive? Cereal junkie? You know who you are. The conversation could really go on for hours: likes and dislikes, childhood favorites, discontinued and hard to find varieties. We never got sweet cereals as kids, we got Kashi and unfrosted shredded wheat, health-food brand O's and Fiber One. It's finally time to have that conversation here. More

Lunch Today: Shrimp Summer Rolls from Banh Mi Saigon

You know those summer days when you're not in the mood for anything too hot or heavy for lunch, your office AC is busted, and you're still full from the crunchy peanut butter tastings? Well, it was one of those days, so when walking across the street to Banh Mi Saigon, the packaged gỏi cuốn, or shrimp summer roll trio ($5), in the fridge next to the sodas looked light, refreshing, and perfect. More

Fresh Food on TV: Weekday Edition

With all the channels on broadcast TV and cable and the inevitable episode repeats, it's hard to sort out what's new or worthwhile. Let us sort it out for you so you don't miss anything worth watching. Times may vary with region; check your local listings for exact hour and channels. More