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Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Summer 2025 ~ My Favorite Kitchen Gadget Reviewed

Okay, okay, I have more than one favorite item in the kitchen, but for purposes of this review I'm sticking my neck out and picking my go-to item.

Now, just to be certain, coffee makers are not included here because that is my all time favorite kitchen gadget all year around. Without my "rocket fuel" also known as coffee, this person would not be able to function. Maybe that's because of my Brazilian roots, who knows for sure?

So back to the most favorite kitchen gadget for 2025 and beyond! I'll fill you in on all the reasons why this great item made the top of my list.

The WINNER in my books has got to be the INSTAPOT!

Did you guess this or is it a surprise? There could have been many different items here, but this one tops my list. The reasons are simple.

Even when it's hotter than Hades outside, you don't need to spend hours in a hot kitchen preparing something for dinner.
This past summer with temperatures up around 80+ and feeling like 100, you can still make dinner without melting right along with the butter.
It takes up little counter space when in use.
It's easy to clean up, one pot does it all!
It's great for chicken, pork. beef and just about anything else you want to make.
It's not just for dinner (although with us, that is it's major use)
There are recipes galore for you to try out.

The only thing I would not do in the Instapot is a great steak ( T-bone, porterhouse, sirloin, those IMHO should remain a staple for the grill).

This particular Instapot can easily make dinner for one, two or more people. Or you can make enough for two days, especially when the weather is super warm. If you have a small family you could get the 3 quart size and if you have a larger family there is even an 8 quart sized Instapot. We have a 6 quart sized one and find that it is perfect even though there are only two of us in the household. It also seems that this is the favorite size as it is an Amazon Choice product.

So here are some of the features according to the Product Description.

It has 7 different functions, you can pressure cook, slow cook, saute, steam, ,make rice, yogurt or simple keep your meals warm. (all in the same pot, but not all at once)
Customizable programs, you can make everything from soup to desserts.
Safe and easy steam release
Cooks up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
Pro-Grade cooking pot: stainless steel with a tri-ply bottom
Family sized capacity: the 6 quart is perfect for 6 servings and batch cooking
Quick Clean UP. The lid and inner pot are dishwasher safe.

Now the added bonus that you don't hear about too often, is that it uses so much less energy than stove top cooking.

Cleaning the Instapot is easy too, the face of the pot just needs a wipe down after use with warm soapy water. Rinse and it's done!

So there you have it folks. All my reasons why this has become my favorite Kitchen Gadget for 2025 and beyond!

Of course my Coffee Maker will remain in top spot for beverages, but the Instapot is #1 for everything else!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Saturday, October 11, 2025

October is National Seafood Month

For Seafood Lovers everywhere, join me in a review of several seafood products and recipes by the contributing writers here on ReviewThisReviews.

Celebrating National Seafood Month

People everywhere love seafood. And what’s not to love with so many choices. The variety, from shrimp cocktails to fish, from smoked salmon to yummy, dripping in butter, lobster tails, makes choosing a favorite nearly impossible. And when you consider the wide variety of ‘ways’ to prepare various seafood delicacies, the list is just about endless. Plus, for quick meals, there are some delicious, pre-packaged, seafood dishes available at your favorite markets.

A few fish recipes and restaurants are included in this review, as fish (such as salmon, tuna and trout) are considered seafood, along with those in the shellfish category.

So, read through the following list of seafood reviews from the helpful review site of ReviewThisReviews.com, and find a few you would like to try. After all, as a seafood lover, you want to help celebrate the delicious Seafood Month of October!

Seafood Recipes

Buttery Pasta and Shrimp Recipe - review written by Wednesday Elf

Phillips Frozen Crab Cakes Recipe and Review written by Dawn Rae

Review of Our Favorite Seafood Dip - With Recipe written by Wednesday Elf

Recipe Review of Drunken Mussells written by Dawn Rae

Fish Recipes

Easy Meal Recipes for Fish Tacos written by Dawn Rae

Air Fryer Lightly Breaded Haddock, review written by Sam Monaco

Heat & Serve Prepacked Seafood Dishes

Gortons Grilled Tilapia Review written by Wednesday Elf

Review of Budweiser Beer-Battered Cod written by Wednesday Elf

Seafood Restaurants

Flying Fish Bar and Grill Restaurant Review written by Wednesday Elf

Restaurant Review of Go Fish Marina and Bar written by Wednesday Elf

Seafood-Related Holidays

January: 10th Oysters Rockefeller Day, 25th Fish Taco Day.

February: 13th Crab Rangoon Day, 24th Tartar Sauce Day, 24th Fish Fry Day.

March: 9th Crab Meat Day, 12th Baked Scallops Day, 31st Clams On The Half Shell Day.

April: 17th Crawfish Day, 29th Shrimp Scampi Day.

May: 2nd Tuna Day, 10th Shrimp Day.

June: 25th Catfish Day.

July: 3rd Fried Clam Day.

August: 5th Oyster Day, 27th Crab Soup Day.

September: 25th Lobster Day.

October: 2nd Fried Scallops Day, 8th Salmon Day, 19th Seafood Bisque Day.

November: 1st Fried Clams Day.

December: 21st Fried Shrimp Day.

Summary

So, throughout this National Seafood Month of October, indulge in some tasty fish and shellfish recipes and restaurants. Fish and shellfish are considered a healthier meal alternative, plus have the added advantage of being delicious.

Happy National Seafood Month

An October Holiday

*National Seafood Month is a fun food holiday review written by Wednesday Elf

Fish & Seafood Cookbooks:

From OCEAN TO TABLE: A Beginners Guide To cooking Fresh Seafood

The Ultimate Fish and Seafood Cookbook: 70 Delicious Recipes to Make at Home – The Complete Guide to Cooking Fish & Shellfish

Shellfish: Recipes with the Fresh Taste of the Sea (A Seafood Cookbook)

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Saturday, September 20, 2025

Review of National Fried Rice Day

A delicious food holiday celebrated on September 20th each year.

National Fried Rice Day Origins

In 2018, the renowned Japanese restaurant chain Benihana partnered with the National Day Calendar to create the National Fried Rice Day holiday. This flavorful holiday was founded to spotlight the culinary importance of high-quality rice and encourage people to enjoy their favorite versions of fried rice.

I have seen many versions of recipes for fried rice. It is a popular and tasty way to use up leftovers, especially turkey, chicken and pork. Most of these recipes appear to include peas & carrots, but my preferred version instead includes onions and/or scallions and mushrooms. The scrambled eggs are one of my favorite ingredients. Therefore, I usually add an extra egg for LOTS of egg in every bite. I’ve often made fried rice with leftover roast turkey or rotisserie chicken, but my most favorite is Shrimp Fried Rice.

Personal Fried Rice Story

As a newlywed, I was not a very good cook, as you can see by some of my earliest cooking disasters in my story ‘Potholder Soup’. Actually, if truth be told, I couldn’t cook at all.

It took a long time, but I finally learned to cook. Luckily, my hubby was a good cook, so he didn't starve while I learned. (LOL)

During those first couple of years, my parents used to come visit about twice a year (especially after their very first grandchild was born). Each visit, my dad (the cook in our family during my growing up years) would give me a cooking lesson of one of my favorite childhood dishes. One trip, the lesson was how to prepare ‘fried rice’ since we had leftover turkey from a roast turkey meal.

First, you have to understand that my dad had a fantastic sense of humor, so you never knew what he was going to come up with. On this particular evening, as we began to gather the ingredients for our fried rice dish, dad announced that the time it takes for food preparation of any recipe can be measured by beer! It is either a 1-beer, 2-beer, or 3-beer job. I like beer, just like my dad, but my limit is usually one; maybe sometimes two. We enjoyed cooking the meal together, completed the recipe, and the family enjoyed a delicious fried rice meal.

Now it’s about five years later. My parents were coming for a visit, and I wanted to make something comforting yet practical—chicken fried rice. It’s one of those dishes that can be made ahead of time and still taste great no matter when they arrive.

At dinnertime, I served the chicken fried rice. As we were eating, my mom asked “how much soy sauce did you use in this dish of fried rice?”

Me: “Soy Sauce?” “Soy Sauce?”

Do you believe that my original cooking lesson of fried rice became a 3-beer job? And that the soy sauce was the last ingredient to be added? Well ~ I admit I have absolutely no memory of the soy sauce ingredient! For five years I made meals of fried rice - with NO soy sauce. Hubby used to add it to his portion, but never once asked me why I didn’t use it in the recipe. I think he thought I didn’t like soy sauce, so never mentioned it.

Needless to say, I now know ALL the ingredients for my fried rice recipes. :)

So, for National Fried Rice Day, or any day you are in the mood for fried rice, pick your favorite recipe (or look online for a new one), and enjoy this tasty Asian dish. Don’t forget the soy sauce!

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

The Protein Advantage Cookbook — A Delicious, Healthy New Cookbook

The Protein Advantage Cookbook is a collection of 100 high-protein, low-carb recipes and tips from bestselling author Carolyn Ketchum, the deservedly popular recipe developer and blogger behind All Day I Dream About Food. Ketchum’s newest cookbook blends quick weeknight meals with make-ahead basics and treats, wrapped in her pragmatic, low-carb approach, this time with a focus on high-protein recipes.

Its official launch date was yesterday, August 12, 2025, but I was lucky enough to get an advance review copy courtesy of the author and the publisher, Fair Winds Press (an imprint of Quarto). It’s a terrific cookbook for anyone interested in increasing their protein intake, and I’m delighted to share my review.

The Protein Advantage Cookbook by Carolyn Ketchum

Who It's For

This low carb, high protein cookbook is for anyone looking to improve their health through “weight loss, blood sugar management, building lean muscle mass, or simply having more energy for daily life” while eating delicious, easy to prepare, wholesome food.

Ketchum’s stance of prioritizing protein aligns with the current science: increasing protein intake can improve satiety and support lean mass, especially alongside resistance training. And for adults 40+, adequate protein becomes increasingly important.

What's Inside

Ketchum opens with a concise science and strategy overview, including what “protein-forward, low-carb” means, why prioritizing protein matters from a health perspective, and how to stock a high-protein, low-carb pantry with healthy, tasty ingredients.

True to its name, of course, the majority of The Protein Advantage Cookbook is devoted to the recipes. I was delighted to see Ketchum's signature format: clear, easy to follow, step-by-step instructions, lots of full-color photos (although not every recipe has a photo), and practical tips, such as for swapping ingredients or scaling portions.

The 100 recipes are organized into chapters with straightforward labels:

Breakfast
Breads and Muffins
Appetizers and Snacks
Soups and Salads
Main Dishes
Desserts

The Breakfast chapter includes 22 tasty recipes, such as Loaded Breakfast Casserole (29.5g of protein), Chocolate Protein Pancakes (19.7g of protein), Hot Maple Cereal (29.7g of protein), and Everything Bagel Smoked Salmon Toast (26.5g of protein).

Loaded Breakfast Casserole recipe from The Protein Advantage Cookbook

The Breads and Muffins chapter has 10 yummy high-protein recipes including Easy Protein Bagels (13.3g of protein), Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread (11g protein), Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits (12.9g protein), and even Chocolate-Glazed Donuts (10g protein)!

The Appetizers and Snacks chapter caters to both savory and sweet cravings, including 17 recipes such as Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms (12.8g protein), Taco Bites (18.7g protein), Frozen Hot Chocolate (17.6g protein) and Chocolate Hazelnut Spread (9.8g protein).

Asian Chicken Noodle Soup recipe from The Protein Advantage Cookbook

The Soups and Salads chapter features 13 simple yet satisfying recipes such as Asian Chicken Noodle Soup (31.1g protein), Chicken Chile Verde (35.3g protein), Turkey Club Salad (29.1g protein) and Old Bay Shrimp Salad (23.3g protein).

Easy Steak Fajitas recipe from The Protein Advantage Cookbook

The Main Dishes chapter contains 22 terrific recipes to suit a wide range of tastes, such as Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs (33.3g protein), Easy Steak Fajitas (25.2g protein), Pork Tenderloin with Dijon Cream Sauce (33.4g protein), and Teriyaki Salmon (30.2g protein).

If you have a sweet tooth, never fear! Carolyn Ketchum is also the author of The Ultimate Guide to Keto Baking, and The Protein Advantage Cookbook includes 16 luscious desserts with a high-protein twist, such as Deep Dish Brownies (16g of protein), Lemon Cheesecake Bars (12.3g of protein), Coconut Candy Bars reminiscent of Mounds bars (10.4g of protein), and Strawberry Lemonade Ice Pops (10.1g of protein).

There's also a chapter called "A Day in the Life" which chronicles what Ketchum ate over the course of a few typical days, along with the workouts she did on those days. As a very active, extremely fit woman, her calorie limits are much higher than mine, but it was still helpful to see how she incorporates the cookbook recipes into her daily meal plans.

Why It Deserves a Place in Your Kitchen

The Protein Advantage Cookbook delivers exactly what it promises: approachable, protein-centric low-carb recipes anchored in sensible nutrition guidance. For those of us who want to feel more satiated, lift heavier weights, or simply be stronger as we age, while eating delicious, nutritious food and without spending all day in the kitchen, this book will be an excellent, much-used addition to our cookbook collections.

The Protein Advantage Cookbook: High-Protein, Low-Carb Recipes That Burn Fat, Build Muscle, and Restore Metabolism

Friday, March 7, 2025

Pork Chops with Gravy Crock-Pot Recipe

I love cooking in my crock pot. It is so nice to be able to start a meal in the morning and have it ready to serve at dinnertime without too much additional fuss. I am constantly seeking new crock pot recipes that my family will enjoy.

Not all of my new recipe experiments have been well received in our home. Due to varying ingredient preferences, it is not unusual for one of us to like a particular meal while others simply do not care for it and start rutting in the refrigerator for last night's leftovers. When I plan to try a new recipe, I make sure there is an alternative meal available. I've learned that is a necessity.

Due to my own childhood experiences with tomatoes, I've never required my children, or anyone, to eat a meal that did not appeal to them, simply because it was set before them. Of course, I cook with tomatoes, but my personal preference is either tomato sauce or petite diced tomatoes. I cannot eat a tomato alone or sliced on a hamburger like my parents, siblings & husband. Therefore, I completely understand when someone doesn't like a specific ingredient or presentation.

A few years ago, my mother started cooking pork chops in her crock pot. I have cooked pork loin in my crock pot for decades, but not the chops and I hesitated to try the pork chops in gravy. However, Mom was kind enough to share one of her cooked pork chops with me and I loved them. They are awesome!

She gave me her recipe and with a few very simple changes based on my household preferences, I now cook pork chops in gravy for my family. Everyone, except our vegans, love these chops.

Crock Pot Recipe for Pork Chops with Gravy

5 Pork Chops (any size – I use the breakfast chops)

1 Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup

1 pkg of Pork Gravy Mix (I use Pioneer Roasted Pork Gravy Mix)

½ Cup Water or Chicken Broth

½ teaspoon Pepper

Butter

Note: Can add a pkg of onion dip mix if desired (I don’t use this)

Directions

Mix together the soup, gravy mix, water and pepper. Pour into the crock pot.

Layer the pork chops on top of the mixture.

Lightly pepper and add a pat of butter on each pork chop.

Cook for 7 ½ hours on low.

Finishing sauce thickener after chops are cooked: In a cup, stir together 2 Tablespoons Corn Starch & 2 Tablespoons Water to make a sauce thickener. Temporarily remove pork chops and stir mixture into sauce in the crock pot. Add the chops back to the crock pot and cook chops in the sauce for another 30 minutes.

During that additional 30 of cooking in the crockpot, I prepare a box of Uncle Ben's Wild Rice and serve the cooked pork chops over the wild rice.

My Crock-Pot

I own two crock-pots. My original crock pot is over 40 years old, but it still works like new. However, during the holidays, I found I needed a second crock-pot to carry meals to my parent's home when my siblings and their families are in town. I chose one that has latches on the top for easy transporting.