Pinterest Recipe Review

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

I hope you had a beautiful weekend. I managed to try a few Pinterest recipes this weekend and I thought I'd share how they turned out.

I know I always appreciate hearing "real life reviews" of popular pins...I thought you might like to as well! :)

I was intrigued as soon as I saw this recipe for Magic Cake.

ease of recipe- Super easy. You have to fold in some whites, but that's about the only semi-difficult part.

review- Ehhh. It's sort of flan-esque and I HATE flan with a passion. Shudder. It's got a custard layer you can see in the photo. There's actually nothing "cake" about this cake. Unless I made it wrong. It's much more a baked custard/flan.

But it's pretty! So I took it to the BBQ and it was pretty popular. Which is good b/c I didn't have to eat any. :)

I LOVE Caprese Salad, so I figured I'd love this Caprese Pasta Salad.

ease- Ridiculously easy. The only somewhat involved step is reducing some balsamic on the stove.

verdict-Super underwhelmed. The salad tasted like...uh...pasta. No other flavors. I let it marinate for quite a bit and I even tried adding more balsamic, but it was just not impressive. Surprising.

I have been wanting to make these Carmelitas ever since I pinned them. Holy decadent! Anything that has oatmeal, caramel, and chocolate chips is going to be my friend.

ease-Not hard. You have to be pretty vigilant and patient while melting down the caramel, but that's it.

review-OMGAMAZING.Seriously, sinfully delicious. I'll definitely be making them again!

 

So there you have it. Have you made any really good Pinterest recipes lately? Or do you have any duds to share?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Oh, and here are my food related Pinterest boards if you are interested.

Munchies

Sweets for My Sweets

xoxo

S

Comments

[AmyA]

I make the caprese salad, but instead of Basalmic, I use Ken's Reduced Fat Balsmic Dressing, amd we love it! Really flavorful!

[Stephanie Howell]

great tip. maybe ill try that next time. thank you so much, amy!

[Rita]

The Strawberry Yogurt Bundt cake is really good!!! There is also a Chicken Enchilada recipe that is the best I've ever eaten......they taste like good 'ole Tex-Mex. I've had quite a few duds though.......

[Stephanie Howell]

links?!?!? :)

[Holly Coombs]

Hi Stephanie- thanks for the reviews! I hadn't seen the cookie bars, but will try them- yum! I made the strawberry lime Tom Collins yesterday. If you are looking for a refreshing cocktail ( that's not too sweet), they are tasty!
http://www.cookincanuck.com/2013/05/fresh-strawberry-lime-tom-collins-cocktail-recipe/

[Jena Burns]

We LOVE this recipe http://pinterest.com/pin/114138171778872800/
And this recipe http://pinterest.com/pin/114138171778872790/

I'm pretty sure I could eat the soup once a week. (Hopefully those links work)

[Jena Burns]

We love eating Tostitos chips with the soup too. Probably my 3yr old's favorite recipe for that reason :-)

[Erica]

Pinterest is pretty much the only place I look for recipes now!
We really liked the black bean salad (http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/06/southwestern-black-bean-salad.html), the tilapia with dill sauce (http://scissorsandspatulas.com/2011/07/my-favorite-tilapia-recipe.html), and the blackened chicken with avocado sauce (http://www.sarcasticcooking.com/2012/03/15/blackened-chicken-and-cilantro-lime-quinoa/. I cannot wait to try this recipe for creamsicles (http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/05/homemade-creamsicles.html)

[jenna]

I LOVE that you're doing this. I currently cook about 5% of what I pin.

[Virginia]

thanks for these reviews - i find that too with pasta salads in general, typically underwhelmed....just wait till you move to italy, I'm sure you'll enter a whole new realm of deliciousness wrt pastas!

those carmelitas seem dangerously delish!

[Nikki M]

We have a family favorite recipe for caprese pasta salad that We love. I can't find a link to it but would be happy to email it to you. Interested? I also have a family favorite simple cake that doens't need frosting, is moist, and can be picked up and eaten by the slice instead of serving with forks so its' fantastic for parties. Here's that link http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Dessert/Vanilla-Rich-Chip-Cake. Will have to try Carmelitas, today!

[Vivian]

Recently I made this pin, using the dried mint and only 1/2 the oil called for - YUMMMO!!!! http://pinterest.com/pin/119275090103712918/

And, also this soup,which I doubled & it was fantastic!
http://pinterest.com/pin/119275090103105529/

They are both pinned to my "pins i've actually tried" board - I have liked most of the things that I've pinned there.

Thanks for the reviews!!

[Stephanie Howell]

YUM! Tfs!

[Stephanie Howell]

Pinned several of those. Thank you SO much!!

[Stephanie Howell]

Pinned the Italian Wedding Soup. Looks DELICIOUS!

[Stephanie Howell]

I just pinned the cake! And I'd LOVE the recipe! harpersmama8(at)gmail(dot)com!

[Stephanie Howell]

HOLLY COOMBS! so happy to see you today! <3
pinned the drink. love you!

[laurie lariviere]

I have a good one if you like pasta salad, I saw this on Pinterest and in Southern Living...
bowtie pasta 1/2 box
head of brocolli chopped, 1 cup of pecans chopped, bacon bits (to your taste) 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes or grapes (I use tomatoes)...the dressing...1 cup mayo, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup chopped red onion, 1/3 red wine vinegar. cook the pasta, mix all the other ingredients, pour the dressing over, chill for an hour.
Every time I make this and bring it somewhere, everyone asks me where I found it, the flavor of the dressing is a sweet tangy oniony yumminess that is soooo addicting! Let me know if you try it and what you think

[sherried]

Thanks for the reviews.

Here is a recipe that is really good. Asparagus & Gruyere tart - easy to make, etc. www.joythebaker.com/2012/05/asparagus-and-gruyere-tarts/ Someone that doesn't like asparagus said that it wasn't bad.

Here is another one. Olive Garden pasta fagioli copy cat soup. http://restaurant.food.com/recipe/olive-garden-pasta-e-fagioli-soup-in-a-crock-pot-copycat-31717 It makes a big crock pot of soup. I cooked the pasta separately and added just before serving.

[Michelle Bazeley]

Thanks for sharing, I really like hearing when people actually use their Pins....insread of just pinning like crazy (like me). ha!

Here's one I really liked. Spinach Artichoke Chicken. I couldn't stop eating the leftovers it was so good!

http://pinterest.com/pin/205758276698181647/

[Erin R.]

I make this salad all of the time now and it is my hubby's favorite. So. Good.

http://pinterest.com/pin/10836855323647829/

Amazing.

http://pinterest.com/pin/10836855323040740/

Really good, but you need to like garlic. (I also err on the side of less garlic in the homemade tzatziki sauce).

http://pinterest.com/pin/10836855323074500/

The Chocolate Banana Refrigerator Oatmeal on this pin is SO GOOD. I'm getting ready to try the PB Banana one for tomorrow's breakfast. (I didn't really like the apple cinn one and the maple blueberry one was just okay compared to the chocolate banana).

http://pinterest.com/pin/10836855323565695/

Thanks for the reviews. I've heard great things about the carmelitas too, but I haven't tried them myself.

[LeighErin]

Nicely done Mrs. Howell! Love the review. I'm not a flan lover either. I tried to be because it sounds so romantic in spain, but I'm just not. Its like heavy jello. And I only like jello with alcohol. ;)

[Sarah Swann]

This one has become a staple for us. 3 ingredients in the crockpot? Yes please! And you can dress up the tacos for variety each time with the toppings. But seriously, the chicken is so good and tender.

http://pinterest.com/pin/309833649333908451/

[Kim]

I love trying out new recipes. Here's my pinned & did recipe board:
http://pinterest.com/orosky17/pinned-did-recipes/

Our repeating favs have been:
No bake energy balls
Maple cinnamon coconut granola
Turkey pesto meatballs (yum)
Crockpot taco ranch chicken
Baked tortilla fish (my 2.5yr old devours these)

[joann, laura's mom]

AS far as I am concerned, there is only one good pasta salad recipe. Laura and I make it ALL THE TIME - I first had it over 20 years ago!
Sorry there is no link, but I could not find another that is the same, online.

PASTA SALAD WITH BRIE

2 large tomatoes, chopped (or several plum tomatoes)
1 pound Brie cheese, peeled and cut into small pieces
1 c. fresh basil
2 cloves garlic , chopped (I use the kind that comes in jars)
1 cup olive oil
2 1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 1/2 lb. pasta such as rotelli or penne (which I prefer)
1/2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese

**I usually halve this recipe if it is just for the four-family. Measurements are very flexible!

Mix first 7 ingredients in a large bowl and let sit, covered, at room temperature for at least an hour to blend the flavors

Cook and drain pasta and immediately mix in large bowl with the tomato mixture. Add Parmesan and mix again.

Serve at room temperature.

[Christine Campbell]

I've made this cake:
http://pinterest.com/pin/157414949447913313/

It is sooooo moist - only thing is it doesn't rise like it would with eggs, oil etc but still awesome! I did put a tiny bit of water in it, just because I didn't believe the yogurt would be enough but it was awesome anyway. Nobody believes me when I say it's a box with greek yogurt - that's it.

this snack is unbelievable - messy but awesome:
http://pinterest.com/pin/157414949447586673/

made this for xmas day and it was WAY too dry. followed it to the letter but it needed a lot more of something:
http://pinterest.com/pin/157414949447478577/

there's a belgian waffle recipe that I've tried too but for some reason, I can't find it. one of my favourite things ever.

[Sandra Klary]

Hey Stephanie! I'm usually a lurker, but since your pasta salad didn't turn out that good, I just HAVE TO give you my absolutely favourite recipe for that! :) It's pretty pricey for a sald, but omg soooooo goooood!! We love it in summer with a pice of selfmade pita bread..
Here's the link to the German recipe: http://www.chefkoch.de/rezepte/449221137159093/Italienischer-Nudelsalat-la-Lisa.html
Really, it's delicious! If you can't make it out, just drop me a mail and I can translate it for you! :)
Greetings from a very rainy Austria..
Sandra

[Kim]

Thought of another family favorite. So easy and incredibly tasty!!! Giada's Pasta Ponza.

http://pinterest.com/pin/282600945340346117/

[tara pollard pakosta]

I am weird in that I don't try Pinterest recipes unless a friend recommends them! LOL~ so thanks for trying so many and reviewing them! LOVE LOVE LOVE Iowa Girl Eats because of YOU!
thanks steph!
tara

[Stephanie Howell]

DELICIOUS! thank you so much!

[Stephanie Howell]

OOH! I pinned that asparagus tart in 2 seconds flat! Yum!

[Stephanie Howell]

I pinned it! thank you so much for sharing!

[Stephanie Howell]

Pinned several of those. Thank you so much for linking me up!

[Stephanie Howell]

HAHAHAH! I like this thought process.

[Stephanie Howell]

PINNED! Thanks for the heads up. Sounds perfect for my family!

[Stephanie Howell]

I just went on a major pinning spree. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[Stephanie Howell]

This sounds DELICIOUS.

[Stephanie Howell]

Pinned that popcorn just now. Um...my mouth is watering!

[Stephanie Howell]

I pinned it and even though i don't understand a word of it, it looks amazing!

[Erin R.]

ps, tried the PB and Banana no cook oatmeal yesterday and that was delicious too.

[Stacy]

I am so glad you share what worked (or didn't) for you. I finally set up a board on Pinterest of the ones we've tried and liked:

http://pinterest.com/stacy_n_hackett/recipes-we-tried-and-loved/

Can you believe I made it all the way to 45 without ever having made or eaten Tater Tot Casserole? LOL! My family loves it! The stuffed mushrooms were a huge hit at a party I attended recently...I cooked them at the party, and they were gone minutes after I took them out of the oven.

Thanks again for sharing your reviews!

[kathy]

Forget the leftovers, I have to beat the family away in the construction phase of the Spinach-Artichoke Chicken recipe. My two kids (ages 8 and 3) like it too.

[kathy]

http://pinterest.com/phi1618/family-eats/

This board has the recipes I have pinned and tried...

Cheesy Grown Up Spaghetti-Os (I substitute sausage for the chicken)
Chicken and Kale Casserole
Korean Beef
Parmesan Chicken Bake

are the recipes that I have avoid putting in the meal rotation too often.

This dessert recipe is the one that I get the most "when are you making more of them" requests. (dh calls them peanut butter-crack brownies)
http://pinterest.com/pin/244179611017459878/
Note: I don't use the peanuts in the pb cup layer and my family doesn't eat creamy pb, so I used super chunk. Delicious!