Magazine

The Legendary McRib Phenomenon The Legendary McRib Phenomenon (image credits: flickr) The most-searched-for discontinued fast food item is the McRib from McDonald’s, which has been searched well over 300,000 times in the past year. This item was searched on Google over 327,000 times and remains a popular limited-time offering at McDonald’s. This barbecue-flavored pork sandwich has achieved something few fast-food items ever do: genuine legendary status. When the BBQ boneless rib sandwich slathered in tangy sauce and served on a hoagie-style bun was first introduced in 1981 it wasn’t an instant hit. In fact, it was pulled from national menus … Read more

Shopping Carts Are Sized to Make You Buy More Shopping Carts Are Sized to Make You Buy More (Image Credits: Flickr) Those oversized shopping carts aren’t just convenient transportation devices. They’re carefully sized to encourage larger purchases, with many elements intentionally designed to influence your spending habits. Former grocery workers reveal that the massive carts create a psychological effect where shoppers feel compelled to fill them up. The bigger the cart, the more you’ll unconsciously assume you need to buy. It’s similar to how a large dinner plate makes you serve yourself larger portions. You’re stepping into a meticulously crafted … Read more

Moxie – The Nerve Food That Outsold Coca-Cola Moxie – The Nerve Food That Outsold Coca-Cola (Image Credits: Flickr) Moxie is a brand of carbonated beverage that is among the first mass-produced soft drinks in the United States. It was created around 1876 by Augustin Thompson as a patent medicine called “Moxie Nerve Food” and was produced in Lowell, Massachusetts. What started as a medicinal tonic claiming to cure everything from nervous exhaustion to paralysis became America’s first bottled carbonated beverage. By 1920, Moxie reportedly competed strongly with Coca-Cola, thanks to its distinctive taste and advertising efforts. It has been … Read more

Habit Burger Doubles Down on Victory Habit Burger Doubles Down on Victory (image credits: pixabay) At number one for the second year in a row, the crown goes to the Habit Burger & Grill Double Char. California-based Habit Burger & Grill was considered to have the best burger in town for the second year in a row, according to a reported poll. This California-based chain has been famous for charring burgers over an open flame since 1969. The Double Char comes with two flame-grilled patties, crisp lettuce, tomato, pickles, and caramelized onions on a toasted bun. According to everyday Americans … Read more

Swanson TV Dinners Get a Microwave Makeover Swanson TV Dinners Get a Microwave Makeover (image credits: By Sir Beluga, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69128871) Swanson TV dinners were already popular, but the microwave gave them a new audience. Meals like turkey with stuffing or meatloaf with corn became staples of weeknight TV time. The company that essentially invented the TV dinner in 1953 had to adapt or die when microwaves entered American kitchens. In 1986, the Campbell Soup Company introduced the microwave-safe tray. The first microwave oven-safe trays were marketed. This technological breakthrough transformed Swanson’s aluminum-tray heritage into plastic convenience that could heat … Read more

Using Cold Eggs Straight from the Fridge Using Cold Eggs Straight from the Fridge (image credits: This image was released by the National Cancer Institute, an agency part of the National Institutes of Health, with the ID 2606 (image) (next)., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15601118) When you’ve got omelets to make and mouths to feed, it can be tempting to grab eggs from the refrigerator and immediately start cooking. However, using cold eggs is a major mistake, as the yolks and whites will be less likely to combine as you whisk them. Eggs are easier to whisk when they’re at room temperature, … Read more

American Cookery by Amelia Simmons (1796) American Cookery by Amelia Simmons (1796) (Image Credits: Pixabay) American Cookery, by Amelia Simmons, is the first known cookbook written by an American, published in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1796. The Library of Congress recently designated American Cookery one of the 88 “Books That Shaped America.” This tiny book with just forty-seven pages changed everything for American cooking. Simmons called herself “An American Orphan” on the title page. Simmons’ American Cookery used terms known to Americans, and ingredients that were readily available to American cooks. It was the first cookbook to include New England specialties … Read more