Love an anything-but-beef burger? At Sutter Home Winery's Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest this past weekend, contestants submitted alternative burger recipes for a chance to win $15,000. These five finalists flew to Napa Valley to cook their alternative burgers (including pork, salmon, and lamb) in front of the judges. Take a look and get inspired to cook something other than beef!
How to Shell and Prepare Fava Beans
Unless they're very young (in which case they can be eaten whole), fava beans must be peeled twice: the outer shell and outer skin of each bean must be removed to enjoy the tender, buttery fava beans. It's a little bit of a fussy technique; however, blanching and shocking the beans in their shell makes it easier to shuck them. Fava beans are in season from April to July, so take a look at these step-by-step photos for easy prep all Spring and Summer long.
The Top 5 Finalists From the Build a Better Burger Contest
For the past 20 years, Sutter Home Winery has hosted a Build a Better Burger Recipe Contest, where over 5,000 Sutter Home fans submit their original recipes for a chance to win $100,000. Five finalists were selected, and they flew into Napa Valley this weekend to cook their burgers for the judges. With lavish additions like pretzel buns, seaweed, fried watercress, and salted caramel bacon, we promise these burger recipes are worth making at home.
What's the Difference Between American and French Omelets?

If you've ever ordered an omelet in Europe, then you know you were served something very unlike the omelets we know and love in America. Many Americans feel squeamish about undercooked eggs (hello, risk of salmonella!), but that custardy, underdone quality is sought out in Europe. Whether you plan to cook one of the styles yourself or experience it at a European restaurant, here are the main differences between American and French omelets.
An American omelet, as pictured on the top, has a speckled golden crust from the pan, and the surface is uneven with craters. This effect occurs because, similar to how steak chars on a pan, the scrambled eggs are cooked over a high heat and left untouched until the eggs set. The round omelet is then folded in half and served. Often, the fillings like meat and vegetables are cooked into the eggs rather than added afterward.
Learn more about the French-style omelet when you keep reading.
Savory Sight: Pico de Gallo Shrimp Cocktail
Who needs a piñata when you can treat yourself to this colorful pico de gallo shrimp cocktail, courtesy of eatspinrunrepeat?

Pico de gallo shrimp cocktails are a perfect appetizer for Spring and Summer. I've put a Mexican twist on the traditional shrimp cocktail.
For more — and the recipe — visit her blog, and then be sure to share your food photos via Savory Sights on POPSUGAR Social or by starting your own blog. If you're on Instagram, then chime in on the conversation with the hashtag #savorysight.
Taste Test: Coffee Bean's New Birthday Cake Ice Blended

To honor 50 years of being in business, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has released its new limited edition Birthday Cake Ice Blended ($4) drink, out starting today and available until Sept. 2. We've seen a slew of cake batter ice creams and frozen yogurts, so we were excited by the prospect of a cake-flavored frozen beverage from the makers of the Original Ice Blended Drink. Keep reading to see our review.
10 Mouthwatering Ways to Use Mayonnaise
Hellmann's mayonnaise is celebrating 100 years of its top-secret vinegar, egg, and oil recipe, and the company has launched its biggest ever campaign, beginning today, which will feature everything from the world's largest picnic table to recipes developed by Mario Batali.
We're happy to join in on the occasion, as some of our favorite foods just wouldn't be the same without a jar of mayo. Click through our slideshow, and be ready for your mouth to water. From classic applications like deviled eggs to out-of-the-ordinary ones like artichoke dip-stuffed mushrooms, these recipes will remind even the most mayo-adverse that we could all use a little more of the creamy condiment in our lives.
Savory Sight: Sweet and Sour Sloppy Joes
If you elevate them with Asian pantry staples, sloppy joes can be classy too. Just ask dmash.

It turns out that when you mix together green onions, a little soy sauce, ginger, tomato paste, brown sugar, and ground beef, you’re in for the tastiest Asian-inspired sandwich ever.
For more — and the recipe — visit her blog and then be sure to share your food photos via Savory Sights on POPSUGAR Social or by starting your own blog. If you're on Instagram, then chime in on the conversation with the hashtag #savorysight.
The Best of POPSUGAR Food This Week

- A springtime sea bass recipe, developed by a three-Michelin-star chef
- Does this mock meat taste like chicken?
- The no-fail way to cook quinoa
- Dive into one of these salad cookbooks this Summer
- Wedding cakes that are anything but traditional
- Don't ever toss bacon grease again! Here's how to handle it
- Shop these essential items for a dorm "kitchen"
10 Tricks For the Best Homemade Salads
Do you have a whole plateful of salad woes? If you find that your homemade salads just aren't as good as those in restaurants, perhaps the problem rests in the prep of the salad, the choice of ingredients, or the dressing itself. Integrate these 10 tricks into your salad-making routine, and we promise, you'll toss better homemade salads in no time.
Gift an Aspiring Chef These 15 Essential Tools
To become a professional cook, it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears . . . as well as equipment. Here are some items you'll want to give to someone starting her career a chef. It's easy to pull together these essential items for both home kitchen and professional use.
Do Beyond Meat's Chicken-Free Strips Really Taste Like You-Know-What?

There are some pretty scary mock meats out there, but here's a new one that claims it doesn't compromise flavor or texture: Beyond Meat Chicken-Free Strips ($5). These strips, which are sold at Whole Foods nationwide, are being touted as gluten-free and protein-rich (about 18 grams for 3 ounces). They've even garnered praise from the likes of Mark Bittman, who claims he was "fooled badly" in a blind tasting. But let's get to the real heart of the matter: is this product, made primarily of non-GMO soy and pea protein, just a science experiment of sorts, or is it really worth eating?
10 Tricks For Better Fruit Salads
It may seem as though there's not much to a fruit salad other than tossing chopped fruit in a bowl, but a few simple tricks transform a flat fruit salad into something enticing to the eye and pleasing to the palate. From picking fruit with the same level of ripeness to spritzing fruit with lemon juice, these 10 tricks will help you make better fruit salads all year round.
A Crave-Worthy Cobb For the Salad Averse

Confession: I didn't eat salads until I was way into my teens. The reason? I never found them filling and was typically bored after a few bites. It wasn't until I tried a Cobb salad, filled with all sorts of hearty ingredients, that I changed my mind about leafy green meals.

The rainbow spread of toppings in a classic Cobb include bacon, tomato, egg, blue cheese, avocado, and shredded chicken, positioned neatly over a bed of romaine lettuce. While any dressing, from creamy blue cheese to balsamic vinaigrette, will complement the salad, my favorite way to eat it is with a tart red-wine vinaigrette, which helps cut through the rich flavors.
Savory Sight: Grilled Vegetable and Goat Cheese Sandwiches
We're looking at our new favorite Summer sandwich, courtesy of FoxesLoveLemons.

This sandwich is something my friend from culinary school would call "Lori Food." In our two years in school, he quickly learned my favorite dishes and ingredients and noticed how I tried to sneak them into everything. Goat cheese, basil, red peppers, things made into sandwiches — these are all "Lori Food."
For more — and the recipe — visit her blog, and then be sure to share your food photos via Savory Sights on POPSUGAR Social or by starting your own blog. If you're on Instagram, then chime in on the conversation with the hashtag #savorysight.
3 Travel Containers to Transport Salad Dressing in Style

If you've tried it all — resealable baggies, plastic containers from delis, and even mini shampoo bottles — but haven't yet found the best way to pack salad dressing for lunch, then try these three mini containers and bottles, made from plastic, silicone, and glass. They're guaranteed to be food-safe, durable, and, most importantly, spill-free.
Nalgene Leakproof Jars ($2) — The makers of the BPA-free plastic water bottles also make these mini leakproof jars with a screw lid that hold just enough salad dressing for lunch.
5 Treats to Celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
Yes, May 15 is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, and there's only one thing to be done: make a dozen or two cookies to celebrate. We've included a few classic, much-loved recipes, but if you're feeling in the mood for a riff, like chocolate chip cookie cake or even a guilt-free vegan cookie dough, then keep on clicking, because we've got you covered.
A Preview of the Best Summer Cookbook Releases

A Decadent Bridal Shower Treat: Four-Layer Petit Fours

If you're responsible for bringing the dessert to a bridal shower, look no further than this decadent, special occasion treat which feeds a large group of people. Petit fours are miniature layered cakes that take a long time to prepare, but as all will attest, they are so worth it. These are taller than your average petit four, but that's because there are four layers of sour cream-cheese pound cake with sweet cherry preserves filling. The bride and the rest of her party are sure to love the towering tiers of sweetness. To see how it's done, in photos, keep reading.
Bring On the Bacon Grease! How to Handle, Store, and Use It

Before my nose fully reached the countertop, my grandmother would show me how to fry up a piece of bacon just to render the bacon fat for my favorite lady pea recipe. After all, the Southern attitude is of the "who needs spices or herbs when bacon's flavor will saturate and perfect just about any dish?" mentality. I've maintained that perspective in my kitchen today, and urge you to do the same. If you've been prone to toss out the liquid gold after frying up a few pieces of bacon, for goodness' sake, stop! Let me show you how to handle, store, and use bacon grease.





