Ep 16. The Most Important Meal

In season 20 episode 16 of America's Test Kitchen, titled "The Most Important Meal," the focus is on breakfast. The hosts seek to uncover the secrets to perfecting this important meal of the day, from light and fluffy pancakes to crispy bacon and beyond.

The episode begins with a segment on bacon, examining the various types of cuts and offering tips for achieving the perfect crispness. Next up is a recipe for buttermilk pancakes, with the Test Kitchen team experimenting with different leaveners and techniques to create the ultimate fluffy stack. The hosts also offer suggestions for adding variety to the pancake batter with additions like blueberries and cornmeal.

Following the pancake segment, the episode delves into omelets, with the team sharing their go-to techniques for achieving a fluffy and evenly cooked egg dish. They also offer tips for filling the omelet with ingredients like cheese and sautéed vegetables.

The episode then turns to a more savory breakfast option with a recipe for huevos rancheros, a classic Mexican breakfast dish featuring eggs, beans, and salsa. The hosts share tips for achieving the perfect texture for both the eggs and the beans, and offer suggestions for serving the dish alongside avocado and hot sauce.

Next, the focus shifts to waffles, with the Test Kitchen team experimenting with different batters and cooking methods to achieve a crispy exterior and fluffy interior. They also offer ideas for adding new flavor combinations to the waffle batter, such as adding chives and cheddar cheese.

The episode also includes a segment on breakfast sandwiches, with the hosts offering tips for creating a perfectly cooked egg and the ideal bread-to-filling ratio. They also suggest ideas for adding variety to the classic breakfast sandwich format, such as using croissants or adding avocado and bacon.

Throughout the episode, the Test Kitchen team offers helpful tips and tricks for achieving the perfect breakfast, from selecting the best ingredients to mastering crucial cooking techniques. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting out, this episode is sure to inspire you to up your breakfast game.