WideOpenEats

You don't have to be pregnant to enjoy a pickle and peanut butter sandwich. Created during the Great Depression as an unusual pantry sandwich, the pickle and peanut butter sandwich was produced out of necessity. Since then, the PB&P was was a quiet recipe that people would make in the middle of the night for a snack. That is until 2017 when Dwight Garner of The New York Times shared his love of the depression era pickle sandwich in his De Gustibus column. The article brought a whole new life to the sandwich and turned the internet upside down. It influenced every food website and foodie to question if pickles and peanut butter were meant to live together harmoniously in between white bread, myself included. How to Make a Perfect Peanut Butter and Pickle Sandwich While this sandwich recipe is simple, it does require a little bit of thought. Dill pickles or butter pickles? White bread or slices of wheat bread? Crunchy peanut butter or creamy peanut butter? These are all up to the consumer. Personally I like kosher dill pickles with creamy peanut butter on white bread. The savory and sweet combo on two slices of bread is much better than the traditional PB&J. For more like this, check out WideOpenEats.com.

Is that one spot next to the couch in the living room looking a like sparse? Instead of a planted palm, why not grow your own fruit tree indoors like a friendly houseplant? While it may sound impossible (they are huge outdoors!), dwarf trees are the perfect size to fit in any living room, sun room or even that bare spot in the kitchen. Dwarf trees, which are the result of grafting a fruit tree onto a dwarf rootstock, makes it possible to grow these fruits indoors. These types of fruiting trees can be purchased at your local nursery or gardening store or even online. Each plant needs a deep pot (about 1 foot deep at least) and a large layer of drainage material at the bottom of the potting. Water the plant frequently and feed regularly with fertilizer. 1. Peaches Peach trees make great indoor plants. Look for the Bonanza dwarf variety which grow on 30-inch stems. These trees do great in a sunny room until the fruit starts to set, when it needs to be in temperatures of 65 to 70°F. Simply set it outdoors on a porch and wait for the edible fruit to grow. 2. Apricots Like peaches, apricots do great indoors. Buy varieties like Shipleys and Goldcot and place in a large pot filled with compost and draining. Since the flowers cannot pollinate themselves, use a paintbrush to gently transfer the pollen from one flower to another. 3. Figs While most fig plants have large roots, the Negro Largo variety works great in a large pot. Place the fig tree in a well-lit room away from direct sunlight for the best results, feeding with fertilizer two to three times a season. 4. Lemons Citrus trees do extremely well indoors. Grow Meyer lemons, which self pollinate, for the best crop. These plants need a lot of sunlight and humidity, especially Meyer lemon trees, which can be mimicked with a quick spray of water from a spray bottle. 5. Limes Like lemons, limes love growing indoors. Kaffir limes (which also produce amazing leaves to use in Thai cuisine) is the tree of choice for growing inside. Lime trees require about eight to twelve hours of sunlight everyday, so keep them in your sunniest room to produce fruit. 6. Olives These self-pollinating olive trees are easier to care for than most other fruit trees. When buying, look for the Arbequina or Picholine varieties which will grow fruits. Simply water the tree when the top inch has dried out and give about six hours of sunlight each day. 7. Avocado While it's not easy to grow an avocado tree indoors, it is possible. Rather than growing your own fruit from a pit, use varieties like Wurtz, Gwen and Whitsell for the best results. Water the plant regularly and celebrate when the fruit starts coming in. 8. Bananas Self-pollinating, the Super Dwarf Cavendish or Dwarf Red is the best bet for an indoor banana tree. Fertilize the plant monthly and mist with a spray bottle to mimic a bit of humidity. 9. Nectarines Like peaches, nectarine trees can grow as short as 30 inches and love growing in a sunny indoor location. Opt for the nectarella variety and place on the porch when the fruit starts growing. 10. Oranges Calamondin orange trees are the best orange trees inside though the fruit is incredibly source. These dwarf fruit trees are comparable to Meyer lemon trees and lime trees in that they self-pollinate. Have you ever grown fruit plants before? See more at wideopeneats.com

We typically think of salad as being built with cool, crisp lettuce or other greens. But if you grew up in the South, especially in Appalachia, you've probably had wilted lettuce salad with warm bacon dressing. The leaf lettuce is gently wilted by the heat from the bacon drippings, and the tangy salad dressing adds just the right bite. With almost no prep time, this recipe is going to become your family's favorite salad. To make this salad as an easy side dish for family dinner, start by cooking four slices bacon until they are extra crispy. When the bacon is done, set the slices onto paper towels to drain. While the bacon is cooking, toss the lettuce with sliced green onions in a large bowl. When the bacon is cool, crumble it over the salad. While the pan you cooked the bacon in is still warm, add the sugar, salt, black pepper, and apple cider vinegar to the warm bacon grease. Add the ingredients gently so that you don't create grease splatters. Whisk everything until the sugar dissolves; if you need to turn the heat back on, keep it on low. Pour the sizzling dressing over the salad and quickly toss to evenly wilt. Serve the wilted lettuce salad with hot bacon dressing while still warm and enjoy! See more at wideopeneats.com

Looking for the perfect side dish to serve with your BBQ pulled pork? Try this fireball pineapple recipe from Malcom Reed, founder of How to BBQ Right on Youtube. Loaded with brown sugar, raw sugar, fireball whiskey, and ground cinnamon, this recipe features a whole pineapple grilled to perfection on a rotisserie spit. Caramelized and sweet, this grilled pineapple recipe is perfect as an appetizer or even topped on some cool vanilla ice cream. How to Make Fireball Pineapple To start, make sure your charcoal grill has a rotisserie rod or rotisserie setup. Once you have the grill set up, remove the pineapple skin with a sharp knife and cut small slits diagonally along the pineapple. This diamond pattern will make sure all the Fireball whisky soaks into the fruit. Place the cut pineapple in a large ziplock storage bag and add a touch of fireball whisky. Let the pineapple marinate for at least two hours, turning the pineapple every 30 minutes to ensure every side of the pineapple is soaked. Mix together the cinnamon-sugar mixture and press on the pineapple and cook for a total of an hour, adding more cinnamon-sugar mixture when necessary. Slide the pineapple off the rotisserie forks and enjoy your delicious grilled fireball pineapple slices. See more at wideopeneats.com

Located 20 miles from Savannah, Georgia, and South Carolina, Hilton Head Island is a Lowcountry resort town filled with history, activities, and just about all the seafood you could possibly eat. Named after Captain William Hilton who discovered the headland in 1663, the island didn't become a resort destination until the 1950s when Charles E. Fraser developed the Sea Pines Resort. Things to do in Hilton Head: Golf Home to award-winning golf courses such as the Harbour Town Gold Links and Oyster Reef Golf Club. Beaches With over 12 miles of pristine beaches, HHI is all about the surf and sand. Coligny Beach Park, as well as Folly Field Beach, Burkes Beach, and Driessen, are popular public beach spots. Coligny Plaza features a boardwalk as well as amenities. Biking Hilton Head Island is 100% bike-friendly. Grab a bike and cruise on one of the many public bike trails on the island or take it off-roading and pedal on the sand. Dolphin Tours Hop off the island and explore the water around it with a guided tour and dolphin cruise. Live Oac has been hosting boat tours since 1996 and boasts knowledgable guides. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet-ski rentals are also available for thrill-seekers if you want to get on the water on your own. Hilton Head with Children With the whole family in tow make sure to check out the Coastal Discovery Museum. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum explores the salt marshes and outdoor history of the island. Afterward, head over to the Harbour Town Lighthouse and climb 114 steps to the top. The Hilton Head Seafood Festival Once a year restaurants and chefs from across the United States travel to Hilton Head to take part in the Hilton Head Seafood Festival. Family-friendly, the Hilton Head Seafood Festival features area restaurants and chefs serving up seafood specialties, celebrity chef demonstrations, a 5-story Ferris wheel, a beer garden, an artisan market, and live music. See more at wideopeneats.com

One step into the Magic Time Machine restaurant and you'll be wondering if you are in Texas anymore. With a variety of adventures to take on, and some of the best steak around, The Magic Time Machine is a wild Texas experience you have to see for yourself. Opened in San Antonio, Texas, in August of 1973, followed by a second location on the north side of Dallas in Addison, Texas, in 1979, The steakhouse is a fun place to visit for special occasions or a random Tuesday night. The adventure starts the minute you walk in the door, where wait staff greets you in various costumes, ranging from superheroes to classic characters like Spiderman and Captian Jack Sparrow. Each dining room of the restaurant is themed; you might find yourself at the Sweethearts Table, sitting in the Tee-Pee or in a Lunchbox, or on a Carousel. Once seated, make your way to the salad bar (it's actually a red 1952 MG-TD Roadster salad car) and load up on classic salad bar favorites while you wait for your meal to arrive. The menu is fun. There are regular entrees like slow-roasted prime rib, chicken alfredo, and fried shrimp, along with buffalo chicken and cheese pizza for the kids, but you can also order the Roman Orgy, which is a roast feast with brisket, herb-smoked chicken, fresh fruit, and vegetables brought to your table with great fanfare. Now that's a dinner! See more at wideopeneats.com

There's so many rules to desserts. You have to add vanilla ice cream to peach cobbler and you have to dip chocolate chip cookies in milk. I could go on and on. We actually might not agree on those first two, but what I hope we can all agree on is that brownie edge pieces are the best. Honestly, I could write a masters thesis on why so many desserts need a balance between crust and moisture. The most delicious brownies are moist in the middle, but have crispy sides. There's just something about the corner piece! Baker's Edge gets it! Thanks to them, you can finally buy an edge brownie pan. Every brownie edge piece lover needs a Baker's Edge Nonstick Edge Brownie Pan in their life! The dividers give you two extra crispy edges. The nonstick pan is made from heavy gauge cast aluminum, so you don't have to worry about the baking pan warping in the oven. The crispy corner brownie piece and vanilla ice cream combination is heavenly! Customer reviews are incredible. There's nearly 1,000 reviews with 4.7 out of 5 stars on the crispy corner brownie pan. Add this bakeware to your Christmas wishlist, y'all. Everyone's getting crispy corner brownie pieces for this year's potluck dessert! This is a game-changing kitchen gadget for those chewy edge lovers. The interior walls will improve baking performance by circulating heat to the middle of the aluminum pan. I think you'll have your best brownies yet with a nonstick edge brownie pan! Edge Brownie Pan Specs Nylon spatula included Brownie recipes Continuous chamber to spread brownie batter easily You'll never go back to any regular baking pan for your brownies. Bake yourself a nice pan of crispy brownies and get yourself a gallon of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream. If you're looking to step up your bakeware collection, check out cornbread on a stick pans. See more at wideopeneats.com

Eating a low-carb diet is hard but it doesn't mean you have to cut out your favorite fast food joints like Taco Bell, Wendy's, and McDonald's! Thankfully there are tons of keto-friendly fast food options at most (if not all) fast food restaurants. Popular fast food chains like In-n-Out Burger and Five Guys serve their burgers in a lettuce wrap while others like Chipotle offer keto burrito bowl options sans the rice and beans (but extra avocado guacamole please). Today we decided to check out five different keto fast food breakfast options from Burger King, McDonald's Chick-Fil-A, Hardee's (Carl's Jr.) and Jack in the Box. Each location had keto friendly options when it came to breakfast sandwiches. Hardee's even had a low carb breakfast menu to choose from, making it helpful to make low carb fast food choices without having to ask for no bun or make substitutions. All of these items were ordered without the bun. 1. McDonald's - The Egg McMuffin served with an egg, cheese, and ham. Coming in at 160 calories, 12 grams of protein, and 3 grams of carbs, the bunless McMuffin is a great low-carb option for breakfast lovers. 2. Burger King - The Fully Loaded Croissan'wich served with black forest ham, sausage, bacon, American cheese, and eggs, this keto breakfast option is packed with protein (23 grams) and only contains 3 net carbs. 3. Hardee's - The Low Carb It Breakfast Bowl features folded eggs, a sausage patty, swiss cheese, and a loaded omelet filled with shredded cheddar and bacon bits. Weighing in at 660 calories, this 38-gram protein monster kept me full until dinner. However, the bowl also contains 10 grams of carbs, more than three times the amount of carbs than the other two keto-friendly fast food options I tried the days prior. 4. Jack in the Box - The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich topped with two eggs, two slices of American cheese, ham, and bacon. With 540 calories and 4 net carbs, the sandwich packs a big protein punch. 5. Chick-fil-A - The Egg White Grill Sandwich is a breakfast grilled chicken sandwich topped with egg whites and American cheese. The lowest carb count of the week (just 1!) and the lowest calories, I would have to say this was the best keto item I had all week. See more at wideopeneats.com

When it comes to an easy meal and quick dinner recipe, these Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers take the trophy. Fresh large green bell peppers are filled with a mixture of deli roast beef, caramelized onions, golden-brown mushrooms, and topped with a slice of provolone cheese. A low-carb keto alternative to a cheesesteak sandwich, this stuffed pepper recipe takes a total time of 40 minutes, making this an easy recipe to make with your family during the weeknights. Remove the tops of the peppers (you can always use red peppers) and take out all the seeds. You can do this prep while the onions and mushroom mixture gets all tasty and caramelized in a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil. Toss the roast beef strips in the vegetable mixture to heat and you're ready to stuff the peppers. Put the pepper halves in a baking dish cut side up. Lay a slice of provolone inside each pepper, add the meat and veggie mix, then lay another slice of cheese on top. Bake until the peppers are tender and the cheese is that perfect brown on top. Then enjoy your healthy comfort food!

The Starbucks menu is nothing short of options. Whether you want a mocha frappuccino loaded up with all the whipped cream you can handle, or a green tea latte, the coffee chain has you covered. When it comes to the best hot Starbucks drinks these six classic coffee drinks take the lead: Caffe Americano, Doppio, Caramel Macchiato, Flat White, Pike Place Blend, and Pumpkin Spice Latte. Caffe Americano: Made with a double shot of espresso and hot water, this Starbucks coffee is almost as basic as it gets. The espresso shots are smooth, making it a favorite for the barista. Doppio: The simplest of all Starbucks hot drinks. Get out of here whole milk and sugar-free hazelnut creamer. This is two shots of espresso served straight. Caramel Macchiato: This favorite drink features freshly steamed milk, vanilla syrup, rich espresso, and a caramel drizzle. You can also order this as an iced coffee, but we think the hot version is so much better. Flat White: Served as a grande, this "cappuccino cousin" boasts steamed milk and two shots of espresso. Pike Place Blend: Go simple! While this is great as a cold brew, a hot Pike Place topped with soy milk is always a winner. Pumpkin Spice Latte: Available for only a portion of the year, the infamous PSL is one of the best drinks of the season. See more wideopeneats.com

Do you know how rice is grown? Whether its brown rice or white rice, long-grain rice, or medium-grain, every rice variety is grown the same way. Unlike in Asian countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines where rice paddies are sometimes built against hills, here in the United States rice farmers utilize large spans on land and natural eater to flood their rice fields. Like all crops, rice production starts with rice seeds. At the beginning of the growing season, farmers plant rice seeds in the ground. Once the rice plants begin to grow, farmers flood the fields to prevent weeds from growing. After 190 days the rice crop is ready for harvest. Without machines, this labor-intensive task would take ages. Once harvested the rice grains are separated from panicles in a process called threshing. From there the grain of rice must be dried to decrease the moisture content. Depending on the types of rice the moisture content should be anywhere between 18-22%. After, the rice is transported to the hulling process where the husk is removed from the rice. This is the last step brown rice goes through. For white rice, the rice is brought to the milling process where the outer bran layers are removed, leaving a white rice. From there, the rice is either packaged or processed into products like rice cakes. See more at wideopeneats.com

Wide open skies, long farm roads, seven-lane interstates outside the cities, H-E-Bs bigger than some northern strip malls. Texas is big and wide and it feels like it. Crossing it by road gives you a sense of wonder that reality often scrubs away. That's what the drive down to South Padre Island is like. The only tropical island in Texas where sky rises don't hide the ocean shoreline between the streets. Where you can cook your catch and dine later at big city-quality restaurants on the same island strip. Welcome to South Padre Island, it's waiting for you. I went to South Padre in January 2020, and had what I consider the perfect long weekend trip. Here's our itinerary, with thanks to all of the kind vendors who hosted Wide Open Eats. South Padre Island is a welcoming, unfussy beach destination that doesn't quite know just how beautiful it really is. It (and you!) are about to find out. How to get to South Padre Island If you're too far to drive, you can reach SPI through Valley International Airport (VIA). Rent a car for the drive in, you won't regret that stretch of the Queen Isabella Causeway where the sea air begs for you to open the windows. I drove the six hours from Austin, leaving around 6:30 a.m. in the pouring rain and let me tell you, when the rain cleared just outside San Benito and the desert opened up, it was like chicken soup for the soul. Route 77 does that to you, and the family-owned Valley citrus farm stands make every mile even more worth it. Stay at the new Courtyard Marriott near the end of Padre Boulevard and you could be the first person in that room! It opened January 2020 and has scenic views, a continental breakfast that opens to the beach past the pool, and more space than you thought you'd want but somehow deserve. Just go with how right it feels. Start your morning on the water You're on the Texas Gulf Coast, so grab that continental breakfast and start your day under the sweet sunshine. It's time to enjoy the sea life and as an angler, I recommend heading out early for a fishing trip where you'll watch the sky and water mingle in the fog until it opens up into the clearest blue skies you've ever seen. Fishing isn't the only option for a lovely morning on South Padre Island, it just happened to be what we did! I heard the water sports like kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kiteboarding, and parasailing are excellent, and no matter if you're bayside or beachfront, keep your eyes open for bottlenose dolphin watch! However, if your crew is the type to wet a line or two, head to Pier 19 for a fishing trip with Osprey Cruises where you'll drop weighted rigs off the side into Laguna Madre Bay with your whole family while you wait for whiting and sand trout. The view of the jetties from the water is soothing morning scene that makes you feel that everything is all right in the world. If you're feeling bold, schedule a deep sea fishing trip into the Gulf of Mexico where the rigs get bigger and the fish do, too. Osprey also offers boat tours of the barrier island if fishing isn't necessarily your thing. If you've wet your lines and caught your fair share of the tasty catch of the day, head back to Pier 19 where they'll clean your catch and teach you how to do it at home! Now for that bag of fresh fish... Cook your catch for lunch In honor of Cook Your Catch Day on January 23, we embraced the holiday and toook advantage of our catch. The chefs at the iconic Painted Marlin Grille are ready and waiting for your catch of the day to prepare it six ways to Sunday, per your requests. While I do love the classic salt and pepper shore lunch next to a trout stream, there is no denying that the fried, blackened, and grilled fish at the Painted Marlin Grille is the next best thing. Grab a seat on the sunny bayside deck with a stack of appetizers that'll keep you full until your fresh fish is ready and margarita bowls the size of your face (yes, you need it), this is the perfect stop after a morning on the water. Don't forget an order of Padre Pie, the combination key lime and mango that you will remember long after you leave. I know I'm still dreaming of that sweet, creamy last bite. Find a little piece of South Padre to take home If you're like me, you love to bring home a small piece of your travels with you. I stopped picking up shells awhile ago (those sea creatures still need them!) and instead went in favor of wooden kitchen magnets. You could say that I like small souvenirs from my getaways and let me tell y'all, despite that, I almost took all of Sisters Interiors on Padre Blvd. home with me. The family-owned store specializes in interior design with a full working kitchen so you can really get a feel for your makeover. If you're visiting and not looking to renovate, rest assured that the MacKenzie-Childs hand-painted ceramics and tasty treats will convince you otherwise. If shopping isn't your wheelhouse and you haven't hit the boardwalk or the beach yet, take the afternoon to do so. Catch a nap with the waves rocking you to sleep. If you're not there during Sandcastle Days, you can still take part in sandcastle building. There's just something about that South Padre sand that holds. If you love lighthouses, the Port Isabel Lighthouse is a must-see on the way before you cross over the Queen Isabella Causeway. It became a National Historic Place in 1976 during America's bicentennial year. Your dinner awaits Whether or not you'll be joining the many nightlife festivities later, you still have to eat dinner after such an active day! We recommend Sea Ranch Restaurant or Food & Beverage SPI for two upscale dining experiences that make for the sweetest date night in the sea air. At Sea Ranch Restaurant, the starters are especially delicious; if you love ceviche, order it as soon as you sit down. The blackened grouper was cooked beautifully and seasoned just enough to provide that depth of flavor off the grill without overwhelming the tender meat. Of course the key lime pie is the perfect size for its richness (can you tell I love all citrus yet). Food & Beverage SPI, or F&B SPI, is where exceptional, inventive dishes meet the laidback island atmosphere of South Padre for a dinner you'll never forget. The dining space is light and airy with comfortable seating and incredible jellyfish-style light fixtures. For the food, which is really why you're here, the special menu we experienced was unlike anything I've seen before and watching the reveal of the salt-crusted fish was exceptional. You couldn't order anything wrong from this menu, and it is with true delight I tell you that they have the best chocolate chip cookies, possibly in America. Y'all, these cookies are about three inches tall and came so warm from the oven, it was impossible not to dig in immediately. Is it time to come back already? Sure, if you know South Padre Island, you know the basics: Sea Turtle, Inc where they rescue and rehab injured sea turtles; the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center; Port Isabel and Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark; the Laguna Madre Nature Trail; Sandcastle Days; the Dolphin Research & Sea Life Nature Center; and the incredible seafood. While we didn't experience these mainstays, there's a reason people still rave about Isla Blanca Park and Schlitterbahn Waterpark. Our Wide Open Eats trip highlighted a few off-the-beaten path options for anglers and families alike. South Padre Island isn't just a spring break mainstay; it's a family-friendly destination that offers everything from jet ski tours of the coastline to horseback riding. If you're looking for a tropical paradise with the old school charm of a beach town and food better than what you'll find in the city, look no further in the United States than South Padre. For more, check out WideOpenEats.com

We went to Pier 19 on South Padre Island with Osprey Cruises, cooking our catch for Cook Your Catch Day! What’s your favorite way to cook fish at home?

If you've ever spent anytime online or on social media, there's a pretty good chance an advertisement for Hellofresh popped up. Like Blue Apron, HelloFresh is a meal delivery service that sends you meal kits and recipe cards based on your meal options. You can choose between a Veggie plan, family plan or classic plan and each HelloFresh meal come complete with high-quality fresh ingredients, turning running to the grocery store and meal planning into a 5-minute affair. A click of a mouse and you've got a HelloFresh box lined with ice packs waiting at your front door. Our HelloFresh Review We tested this subscription service for ourselves and while we love cooking here at Wide Open Eats, taking the hassle of grocery shopping out of the equation is a well-welcome benefit. The first box we received was filled with delicious meals, however, we did miss one big thing we came to love by cooking at home: leftovers. Most meals feed two people comfortably, but if you are looking for seconds or leftovers for your next day lunch, you better look elsewhere. Sure, it's great to be able to make healthy meals with quality ingredients without thinking twice, but we think that's what makes cooking fun. Plus with more and more Americans dealing with dietary restrictions, it's hard to make sure everything in the box is up to everyone's diet. So is it worth it? See more wideopeneats.com

Sure, coffee saucers serve a purpose by acting as a place to place our coffee cup or teacup. But did you know back in the day people used to slurp their hot tea, coffee or hot beverage from a saucer plate? It's true! While it is not clear where the practice was invented. Some say Sweden, where they purposely overfilled their cup so they could drink from the saucer. They would hold a lump of sugar in their front teeth and sip the hot beverage through it in a tradition called "dricka på bit" or "drink with a lump." It was a practice in polite society to drink coffee from a shallow bowl or saucer. It was even a verb: "saucering". It eventually made its way to the United States. In the 18th century when Thomas Jefferson returned to the United States he asked George Washington why the delegates created two houses of Congress. "Why did you pour that tea into your saucer?" asked George Washington. "To cool it," said Jefferson. "Even so," responded Washington, "we pour legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it." Drinking coffee is an old tradition your great grandfather probably partook in to cool his coffee on a large and shallow surface area. Would it be weird to see it happen now-a-days? Probably.

Have you ever tried a Goetze caramel cream or bulls eye? This chewy caramel candy with a cream center is a sweet all New Englanders are crazy about. Beginning in 1895 as The Baltimore Chewing Gum Company, Goetze's Candy Company started making their Goetze's caramel creams in the early 1900s. The sweet treat is soft like a tootsie roll but doesn't stick to your teeth. And don't get me started on the cream filling and creamy center. Yum! The original caramel creams were introduced first, then the candy company introduced Cow Tales, a bigger version of the soft caramel. Along with the originals, Goetze's also offers chocolate caramel creams, caramel apple cow tails, and strawberry cow tails to try. See more wideopeneats.com

Sorry, this isn't chocolate we are talking about here. No, far from it. These are fresh truffles, a subterranean fungus that grows under oak trees, hazelnut trees, and beside the tree roots in places like Italy, France, the Pacific Northwest, the Middle East, and even China. There are over 40 different kinds of truffles including the Black or Perigord truffle (Tuber melanosporum), Winter truffle (Tuber brumale), Summer truffle (Tuber aestivum var. aestivum), Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum var. uncinatum), Oregon Black Truffle (Leucangium carthusianum) and, Oregon White Truffle (Tuber oregonense), with each concentrated in a particular region of the world. The Italian countryside and French countryside being rich places of growth. Black truffles grow with the oak and hazelnut trees in the Périgord region in France. Burgundy truffles can be found throughout Europe in general, like the black summer truffle.

Rootin', tootin', it's time to don your ten-gallon hat and mosey up to the bar to grab yourself a pint glass of sarsaparilla. A once-popular soft drink, especially during the 19th century when sodas like Coca-Cola were given out to help with ailments, Sarsaparilla is slowing fading away. Thankfully, it's pretty easy to make your own Sarsaparilla soda at home with a few ingredients and a bit of know-how. Discovered in the early 16th century, the sarsaparilla plant, which comes from the smilacaceae plant family, was found in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Some common names of the sarsaparilla plant that root from the types of sarsaparilla species are smilax regelii, smilax aristolochiifolia and smilax glabra. Gatherers used the steroidal saponins, flavonoid antioxidants, and sterols from the sarsaparilla root for its health benefits which include increased urination, treating psoriasis, skin problems, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, and treating digestive disorders. As a herbal medicine, it seemed perfect. Then in the 1960s, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) concluded that a compound in sassafras called safrole caused side effects including cancer cells in mice. Because of this, Sassafras was banned, leading to the ultimate demise of the soft drink and making room for root beer to take over. Today companies in the United States use a sarsaparilla extract with the safrole removed or a flavoring mix that tastes like root beer. Check out more wideopeneats.com!

What's more American than cheap beer? We put our favorites to the test and here's which American beer came out on top. Sorry, no craft beer here. 11. Natural Ice If you are looking for a beer that should only be chugged it's this one. Let it get warm and you'll be wishing you had a Natty light. 10. Keystone Light Too many college parties were spent drinking this American beer. 9. Busch The recipe of this American lager hasn't changed since the 50s. 8. Coors Banquet This beer (along with Coors Light) is best enjoyed with a handlebar mustache. Is it the champagne of beers? You decide. 7. Rolling Rock Extra pale with a flavor profile similar to a skunk. Don't believe us? Take a whiff for yourself. 6. Budweiser Crisp and light, the taste of an ice cold Budweiser is much more tolerable than the business practices of Anheuser-Busch. 5. Lone Star Listen up beer drinkers, pick up a tallboy of this beer and you'll have a Texas twang in no time. 4. Narragansett If it was good enough for Richard Dreyfuss, then it's good enough for you. 3. Yuengling This light beer is best enjoyed in a dive bar. 2. Pabst Blue Ribbon PBR is the essential hipster beer and we ain't mad. 1. Miller High Life Look no further for the best cheap beer you can find in the grocery store. For more check out WideOpenEats.com

It's not a family dinner without the can of creamed possum with sweet potatoes garnished with coon fat gravy! An original Southern delight, this Deep South gag gift brings your family's love of roadkill and pranks together in a can of critters. According to the labeling, this gag gift can is filled with the freshest roadkill used in the cannery(but what's really inside is just organic material.) I wonder if they can any other roadkill like armadillo, raccoon or even skunk to help with these tough times. Gather your friends at your next White Elephant party and see who ends up with this taters and opossum fun gift. They'll be saying, "WTF." For more check out WideOpenEats.com

The McRib is as essential to the McDonald's fast-food menu as the Big Mac and Chicken McNuggets. Created in 1981 as a limited-time item, the McDonald's McRib was first added to the McDonald's menu due to a chicken shortage. It wasn't popular at first as the fast-food chain tried to push it. But that all changed when The Flintstones hit theaters in the summer of 1994. The boneless pork patty topped with bbq McRib sauce, tart pickles slices, and slivered onions all served on a hoagie style bun turned into a cultural phenomenon and loyal fans swarmed to McDonald's locations across the United States to get a taste of the pork sandwich. Soon after, the barbecue sauce sandwich was constantly returning as a limited-time item to hype up the fan base.

There's nothing like a Voodoo Doughnut! Established in Portland, Oregon in 2003 by co-founders Kenneth "Cat Daddy" Pogson and Richard "Tres" Shannon III, this crazy doughnut shop is known for its wacky donuts served fresh in pink boxes. Now selling in Eugene, Denver, Austin, Los Angeles, and Orlando, this outstanding donut shop is totally one of a kind. Popular doughnuts include the Portland Cream, the Old Dirty Bastard, Grape Ape, Mango Tango, Captain My Captain, and the Triple Chocolate Penetration. Today our Editors took a trip to the Austin, Texas location to try out some of the magic this place has to offer. In total, they tried out 6 doughnuts including the Ring of Fire, School Daze PB&J, the Voodoo Doll, the Bacon Maple Bar, Memphis Mafia, and the Maple Blazer Blunt. The most popular donut of the shop is the Voodoo Doll which is a raised yeast doughnut filled with raspberry jelly and topped with chocolate frosting and a pretzel stake. For more, check out: WideOpenEats.com

While you may have hated brussels sprouts as a kid, it's time to love them as an adult. And not only for their flavor but all the health benefits it has! Considered a part of the cruciferous vegetable family (like kale, cauliflower, broccoli, and collard greens) these miniature cabbages are powerhouses when it comes to promoting good health. Loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin b6, a serving of brussels sprouts as a side dish is a great idea. Our favorite way to prepare brussels sprouts is either in a salad using raw brussels sprouts or roasting them in an oven with olive oil. Just be sure to keep an eye on the veggies, overcooking leads to a stinky smell! Here are some of the best health benefits of Brussels Sprouts: 1. Helps prevent diabetes and heart disease. 2. Full of folic acid 3. High in dietary fiber 4. Maintain healthy blood sugar levels and can help lower blood pressure. 5. Reduce inflammation 6. Rich in antioxidants to promote overall health care. 7. Aid in weight loss 8. Rich in Vitamin K 9. Contain Omega-3 fatty acids 10. Early studies show Brussels sprouts may protect against carcinogens, and therefore may prevent the risk of cancer. For more, check out: WideOpenEats.com

There's nothing more refreshing than the first taste of a freshly opened glass bottle of soda pop. It'll always ring true, that is, if you are drinking anything but Lester's Fixins sodas. If you've ever visited a novelty candy shop like Rocket Fizz in the United States, you've probably come across one of these sodas known for their unique flavor. And boy, this brand sells some wild soda flavors. Have you ever wondered what Bacon-flavored soda tastes like? Now you can, thanks to this special 6-pack crafted by Lester's Fixins. Prank your friends and put them up to a taste test. The six-pack includes Pumpkin Pie Soda, Peanut Butter & Jelly Soda, Sweet Corn Soda, Bacon Soda, Ranch Dressing Soda, and Buffalo Wing Soda. Try it for yourself! For more food, check out WideOpenEats.com

There's one candy that poses a threat more dangerous than cavities this Halloween. According to the FDA, black licorice is on the list as candy to look out for, especially if you have some underlying health problems. The Food and Drug Administration has announced that black licorice contains glycyrrhizin, a sweetening compound that comes from the licorice root. This compound, in excessive and large amounts, can cause your potassium levels to drop, leading to irregular or abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, edema, lethargy, and most terrifyingly, congestive heart failure. In fact, if you are 40 and older, eating 2 ounces of black licorice a day for two weeks could land you in the hospital with irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia. The black licorice candy can also interact with dietary supplements and prior heart problems. Thankfully, this doesn't account for all candies, where most in the United States use anise flavoring to mimic the licorice flavor. Regardless, if you find yourself worried about eating too much black licorice, stick to red licorice (Hello Red Vines) or even a bag of Twizzlers. If anything, consult your healthcare provider with questions.