America's Test Kitchen - Season 8

America's Test Kitchen - Season 8

Season 8

Network
Episodes26
DatesJan. 5, 2008 - Juni 28, 2008
Previous SeasonNext Season

Episodes

Rainy Day BBQ Pork Chops
Season 8Episode 130 min

Rainy Day BBQ Pork Chops

We wanted juicy pork chops slathered with a smoky, tangy barbecue sauce. But how would we replicate the savory crust of a grilled pork chop indoors? We set out to solve this puzzle. We also make a cool, creamy macaroni salad with the perfect ratio of macaroni to dressing. Recipe: Skillet-Barbecued Pork Chops, Cool and Creamy Macaroni Salad Equipment: Chef's Knives Science: The Science of Brining
Jan. 5, 2008
Lemon Layer Cake
Season 8Episode 230 min

Lemon Layer Cake

Layer cakes are desserts to be savored at birthday parties, holidays, and other celebrations. Ideally, the cake’s tender layers offset the bracing, citrusy filling, and the whole is swathed in a glossy, pale frosting. We’ll show you how to make a version that tastes as great as it looks. Recipe: Lemon Layer Cake Taste test: Yellow Cake Mixes
Jan. 12, 2008
Italian-American Classics
Season 8Episode 330 min

Italian-American Classics

Stuffed manicotti makes a hearty and delicious main course, but in most cases its preparation is best left to a practiced and patient Italian grandmother. We wanted a simpler, easier method for making manicotti. Recipe: Baked Manicotti, Cheesy Garlic Bread Equipment: Garlic Presses Taste test: Supermarket Parmesan Cheese
Jan. 19, 2008
More Cookie Jar Favorites
Season 8Episode 430 min

More Cookie Jar Favorites

We turn our attention to two favorite cookies: a triple chocolate cookie so chocolaty it’s almost a brownie, and the humble brown sugar cookie, moist, chewy, and packed with butterscotch flavor. Recipe: Brown Sugar Cookies, Triple-Chocolate Cookies Equipment: Coffee Makers (Inexpensive)
Jan. 26, 2008
Kansas City BBQ
Season 8Episode 530 min

Kansas City BBQ

It’s hard to choose a best-loved style of ribs, but we’d be willing to bet that smoky, sweet Kansas City ribs are a top contender. These meaty ribs are slow-smoked for their trademark flavor—and in traditional recipes they truly do take all day to cook. We wondered if there was a faster way. Recipe: Kansas City Sticky Ribs on a Charcoal Grill, Smoky Kansas City BBQ Beans Equipment: Barbecue Thermometers Taste test: Pickles
Feb. 2, 2008
French Classics
Season 8Episode 630 min

French Classics

Coq au vin’s appeal is timeless, but its preparation can be intimidating for the home cook. We set out to make this dish a little less overwhelming—but just as delicious as we remembered. We also simplify the process of making pot de crème without compromising this decadent dessert’s rich flavor or ethereal texture. Recipe: Modern Coq au Vin, Chocolate Pots de Creme Equipment: Dutch Ovens Science: Cooking with Alcohol
Feb. 9, 2008
Coffeehouse Treats
Season 8Episode 730 min

Coffeehouse Treats

In this episode, the test kitchen perfects two breakfast treats: blueberry scones and rich bran muffins. Recipe: Blueberry Scones, Better Bran Muffins Equipment: Commuter Coffee Mugs Taste test: Strawberry Preserves
Feb. 16, 2008
Asian Take-Out at Home
Season 8Episode 830 min

Asian Take-Out at Home

We develop a Thai-style chicken soup that uses supermarket ingredients without sacrificing authentic flavors, and we make a vegetarian stir-fry so hearty even carnivores will be satisfied. Recipe: Stir-Fried Portobellos with Ginger-Oyster Sauce, Thai Chicken Soup Equipment: Ladles Taste test: Soy Sauce
Feb. 23, 2008
Holiday Beef Tenderloin Dinner
Season 8Episode 930 min

Holiday Beef Tenderloin Dinner

Holiday Beef Tenderloin Dinner Add a rich stuffing to beef tenderloin, and you’ve got the ultimate main course, at least in theory. But making a tenderloin through can be a challenge—this is an expensive piece of meat, so you don’t want to risk overcooking it. We also wanted mashed potatoes so rich and decadent, not a drop of gravy would be necessary to enjoy them. Recipe: Roast Beef Tenderloin with Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Stuffing, Creamy Mashed Potatoes Equipment: Electric Knife Sharpeners
März 1, 2008
Pasta and Tomatoes, Reimagined
Season 8Episode 1030 min

Pasta and Tomatoes, Reimagined

We don’t have anything against spaghetti and meatballs or pasta with marinara, but the world of pasta and tomatoes extends far beyond these popular standbys. Enter Penne alla Vodka and Pasta Caprese. Recipe: Penne alla Vodka, Pasta Caprese Equipment: Stockpots Taste test: Penne
März 8, 2008
A New Way with Turkey
Season 8Episode 1130 min

A New Way with Turkey

Brining is the best way to guarantee a moist turkey, but it isn’t always the most practical way. We rethink our brine-at-all-costs philosophy and find that salting, a kind of “dry-brining” in which we rub the bird with salt and let it rest in the refrigerator for several hours, not only seasons the meat but also helps keep it moist. Recipe: Roast Salted Turkey, Roasted Green Beans with Red Onion and Walnuts Equipment: Roasting Pans Taste test: Turkey
März 15, 2008
White Chicken Chili Supper
Season 8Episode 1230 min

White Chicken Chili Supper

Chicken chili might sound like heresy—after all, isn’t chili supposed to be made with beef?—but this Southwestern dish is a light, bright alternative to tomato-rich beef chili. The key to chicken chili is finding the right cooking method so that the white beans become tender and the chicken doesn’t dry out and turn rubbery. Recipe: White Chicken Chili, Double-Corn Cornbread Equipment: Cast-Iron Skillets Taste test: Tortilla Chips
März 22, 2008
French Apple Tart
Season 8Episode 1330 min

French Apple Tart

A tart should be easier to prepare than the typical double-crust American pie. But developing a flaky crust sturdy enough to support the fruit is a bit tricky. And getting the apples to caramelize by the time the crust is baked is also a challenge. Recipe: Apple Galette Equipment: Bakeware Basics Science: Flour Types
März 29, 2008
More Chicken in a Skillet
Season 8Episode 1430 min

More Chicken in a Skillet

It’s not a surprise that so many cooks turn to chicken breasts for dinner. They’re convenient, low in fat, and, when made right, juicy and satisfying. To keep boredom at bay, one of our simple skillet recipes features a flavorful drizzling sauce, another a golden Parmesan crust. Recipe: Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Cutlets, Pan-Roasted Chicken Breasts with Potatoes Equipment: Inexpensive Instant-Read Thermometers
Apr. 5, 2008
Pizza Party
Season 8Episode 1530 min

Pizza Party

We set out to develop a better-than-takeout pizza in which the crust gets equal billing with the toppings and each is full of flavor—not grease. Recipe: Pepperoni Pan Pizza, Antipasto Pasta Salad Equipment: Toaster Ovens Taste test: Frozen Pizza
Apr. 12, 2008
Old-Fashioned Breakfast Cakes
Season 8Episode 1630 min

Old-Fashioned Breakfast Cakes

Bakery versions of crumb cake often fall short. The crumb topping can be skimpy or dry and brittle. And the cake can suffer too, baking up too dry or not sturdy enough, so that the crumb topping simply sinks into the cake. We tackle these issues to develop the ultimate crumb cake. Recipe: New York-Style Crumb Cake, Blueberry Boy Bait Equipment: Square Cake Pans Taste test: Hot Cocoa Mix
Apr. 19, 2008
Bistro Steak Dinner
Season 8Episode 1730 min

Bistro Steak Dinner

Cutting into a steak to find that the rosy meat is confined to a measly spot in the center—with the rest a thick band of overcooked gray—is a great disappointment. Our surefire method for pan-searing thick-cut steaks delivers both a flavorful crust and juicy, rosy meat throughout. Recipe: Pan-Seared Thick-Cut Strip Steaks, Garlic and Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes Equipment: Slotted Spoons Science: Tender Steaks
Apr. 26, 2008
Lightening Up Chocolate Desserts
Season 8Episode 1830 min

Lightening Up Chocolate Desserts

Skipping dessert or eating a piece of fruit is an obvious way to cut calories, but where’s the fun in that? We set our sights on lowering the fat and calories in two favorite chocolate desserts—chocolate mousse and brownies. Recipe: Low-Fat Chocolate Mousse, Fudgy Low-Fat Brownies Taste test: Light Vanilla Ice Cream
Mai 3, 2008
Fish on the Grill
Season 8Episode 1930 min

Fish on the Grill

Fish fillets might look innocent, but once their delicate flesh hits the grill, there’s no getting them off without a fight—simply put, fish sticks. And because fish is delicate, in comparison to meat, the flesh easily dries out. We decided to take the fear out of grilling fish by tackling these two recipes: blackened grilled snapper and glazed salmon. Recipe: Charcoal-Grilled Blackened Red Snapper, Sweet and Saucy Charcoal-Grilled Salmon with Lime-Jalapeno Glaze Equipment: Barbecue Mitts
Mai 10, 2008
Indian Favorites, Simplified
Season 8Episode 2030 min

Indian Favorites, Simplified

We develop home-cook-friendly versions of two Indian favorites: vegetable curry and chicken tikka masala. Recipe: Indian-Style Curry with Potatoes, Cauliflower, Peas, and Chickpeas, Chicken Tikka Masala Taste test: Crushed Tomatoes
Mai 17, 2008
Grilled Cornish Game Hens
Season 8Episode 2130 min

Grilled Cornish Game Hens

We’ve always enjoyed roasting game hens and thought the grill might deliver even more flavor to the tender meat, grilling poultry is full of challenges—especially whole birds. Recipe: Grill-Roasted Cornish Game Hens on a Charcoal Grill, Rice Salad with Oranges, Olives, and Almonds Equipment: Chimney Starters Taste test: Basmati Rice
Mai 24, 2008
Easy Skillet Suppers
Season 8Episode 2230 min

Easy Skillet Suppers

Easy Skillet Suppers Streamlined methods for Beef Stroganoff and Baked Ziti condense all the steps into one skillet—yes, even the noodles. Recipe: Skillet Baked Ziti, Skillet Beef Stroganoff Equipment: Can Openers Taste test: Supermarket Extra-Virgin Olive Oils
Mai 31, 2008
Four-Cheese Lasagna
Season 8Episode 2330 min

Four-Cheese Lasagna

The problem with four-cheese lasagna? Too often it’s heavy, greasy, and bland. Watch as we create an elegant lasagna with the right combination of cheese and a smooth and creamy sauce. Recipe: Four-Cheese Lasagna, Spicy Salad with Mustard and Balsamic Vinaigrette Equipment: Box Graters Taste test: Balsamic Vinegar
Juni 7, 2008
Two Ways with Shrimp
Season 8Episode 2430 min

Two Ways with Shrimp

We explore two elegant approaches to shrimp—one hot dish and one cold—and find the best way to prepare each. Recipe: Garlicky Shrimp with Bread Crumbs, Shrimp Salad Equipment: Kitchen Timers Taste test: Tuna
Juni 14, 2008
Drive-In Specials
Season 8Episode 2530 min

Drive-In Specials

Food safety concerns have many of us now grilling burgers to medium-well and beyond. Unfortunately, grilling burgers for so long results in disappointingly dense, dry meat. We weren’t yet ready to omit burgers from our backyard menu, so we set out to solve the problem. Recipe: Oven-Fried Onion Rings, Well-Done Hamburgers on a Charcoal Grill Taste test: Cheddar Cheese Science: All About Panades
Juni 21, 2008
Favorite Slow Cooker Classics
Season 8Episode 2630 min

Favorite Slow Cooker Classics

Most of us think of the slow cooker as a kitchen workhorse best reserved for weeknight simple stews, hearty soups, and the like. But what about pulling the slow cooker out for entertaining? Recipe: Beef Burgundy, Beer-Braised Short Ribs Equipment: Slow Cookers
Juni 28, 2008

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked!
Running

RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked!

Get all the behind-the-scenes drama, tears and laughter of RuPaul's Drag Race as the queens anxiously await their fates backstage every week after the runway critiques.

Unforgotten
Running

Unforgotten

Unforgotten focuses on ‘cold' murder cases. Each series deals with a new case, introducing seemingly unconnected characters who are gradually revealed to have some relationship with the victim. As the murder mystery unfolds, the emotional ramifications of the crime on the lives of those affected are also explored. 

GenreDrama, Crime
American Dad!
Running

American Dad!

In American Dad!, Stan Smith leads the all-American family in this animated sitcom filled with wild and crazy extremes. Everyday life is taken to the limit as Stan applies the same drastic measures used in his job at the CIA to his home life. Driven by machismo and the American dream, he often is blind to how horribly he fails at his attempts. This father might not know best, but he never stops trying.

RuPaul's Drag Race
Running

RuPaul's Drag Race

RuPaul's Drag Race is a Primetime Emmy Award winning American reality competition television series, hosted by five time Emmy Award Winning Host and international Drag superstar RuPaul. The show features drag queen contestants competing in weekly challenges such as photo shoots, comedy performances and stomping the runway in the hopes of avoiding the bottom two - where they will have to lip sync for their lives.

Miss Austen
Upcoming

Miss Austen

Miss Austen takes a literary mystery – Cassandra Austen notoriously burning her famous sister Jane's letters – and reimagines it as a fascinating, witty and heart-breaking story of sisterly love, while creating in Cassandra a character as captivating as any Austen heroine.

The drama begins in 1830, a while after Jane has died. Cassandra races to see her young friend Isabella who is about to lose her home following her father's death. Cassandra is ostensibly there to help her friend, but her real motive is to find a stash of private letters which, in the wrong hands, could destroy Jane's reputation. On discovering them, Cassandra is overwhelmed as she is transported back to her youth. In flashback, we meet Young Cassy and Jane as they navigate the infatuations, family feuds and dashed hopes which shaped their lives and laid the foundations for Jane's unforgettable stories. Cassandra's re-evaluation of her past eventually leads her to realise how blind she has been to the real cause of Isabella's heartache and distress. Finding a way to guide Isabella towards true happiness, Cassandra is finally able to understand and celebrate the sacrifices she chose to make for her brilliant sister, Jane.