Thursday, January 1, 2009

The Diva's Test Kitchen



If you've been looking for a recipe for a certain dish or getting frustrated with trying different recipes and just want to know which one is the best? Then submit your request to The Diva's Test Kitchen and your request could be chosen and featured in my upcoming weekly video segment of "The Divas Test Kitchen!"

On a daily basis I am asked if I have a good recipe for a certain dish. Often times I have never even created the dish before and would have to do a test with several recipes. Of course I can't do this for every request I get so that's why I created The Diva's Test Kitchen!

How does The Divas Test Kitchen work?  Simply submit your recipe request in the bottom form. Each week I will choose one recipe from the submissions to test and do a video on it.


How do you test recipes? I LOVE testing recipes to find "the diamond in the rough".   For example, lets say I chose a recipe request for "Strawberry Shortcake". The way I test out my recipes is first I search my favorite cookbooks & magazines for the best strawberry shortcakes recipes, I then search online and gather all the ones with the highest ratings for strawberry shortcake recipes & of course I ask my family & friends (which have proven to be the best reference ever!! ).

I then narrow it down to about 10-20 recipes, scale each recipe down until they are very, very tiny portions (which is a pain in the !@#! Ever tried to divide an egg into 1/8th?) I then make each recipe. I give them a taste test and often let my family taste and review them as well (they are brutally honest). I often combine recipes or change up the measurements slightly to get the outcome I'd like. Even if the recipe is adapted I still give credit to the creator of the original recipe if known.

You can do this at home yourself as well with just a tad bit of time and patience. It's worth it when you are looking for a really good recipe but don't have the time and money to try out a whole bunch of them.

Simply send in your name and recipe requests and stay tuned to my youtube channel for Diva's Test Kitchen!

50 comments:

  1. hey,me and my sister and my best friend is trying to lose weight and we were wondering if you can do some diet like receipes and if possible a low fat version of vanilla puding thanx!! 4tsimmons

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  2. I want to be able to make some banging potato salad. Mines is okay but i want it to be rocking. Its summer everyone is making potato salad but for real its not all good. I don't make it for that very reason, its got to be perfect and its not there yet.

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  3. Could you do a pasta salad recipe?

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  4. I have a beef roast that has been in my freezer for months! Girl I need to find some way to cook this thing!! HELP.

    P.S. I also have a pork one as well so tips on that too. (hee-hee)

    THANKS~!

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  5. Hi, I was wondering if you had a recipe for a nice southern pound cake, (lemon, 7-up, sour cream, etc). I was looking on youtube for a demonstration but could not find one that used a bunt pan, only a loaf pan. Could you help a sister out?

    Tanisha,
    Chicago, IL

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  6. Help! I am looking for a good preserves recipe. I am especially fond of plum, peach, and apricot preserves. Once I get a good recipe I can cook up a batch of those good ole biscuits posted on your site. Yummy!

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  7. I have THE ultimate chocolate cake recipe that "anonymous" was requesting. It's super easy and you will immediately stop forevermore looking for the "best" recipe. I don't know how to get the recipe to this person but I have it if there is a way :>)

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  8. Do you think you could do homemade oatmeal raisin cookies? My mom is crazy for them. I want to try homemade without buying a bag of them.

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  9. A recipe for a Roast would be great!

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  10. Roast beef, please♥♥♥♥♥♥

    Tonight I made roast beef. I let my roast get to room temperature (on the counter for an hour or so.) I made slits (IDK how many) throughout the roast and added garlic cloves (sometimes I add onions as well.) Next I tightly wrapped my roast with "cooking twine" and added a generous amount of kosher salt (my neighbor substituted the kosher salt for seasoning salt. I....didn't try it so I won't knock it), garlic powder nutmeg (shhh secret), crushed rosemary, and fresh pepper. *DON'T GET STINGY WITH THE SPICES! Cake it* Place the roast fat side up on a roasting rack (optional but *I* recommend) and bake for one hour at 375. After an hour drop the temperature down to 250 and cook for 2-3 additional hours. Try to contain yourself...no peeking. Once your roast is finished cooking let it stand for 10-20 minutes (cook your side dishes) before slicing.

    Generally, I make it using one of two easy methods. In a bag or slow roasting (turning down oven or turning off oven.) How do you cook yours?

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  11. Ooooh I have been looking for bread pudding. I just had it for the first time (early Aug) and it was delicious! I never made it and don't remember having bread pudding before that day.
    OMG! There was a caramel? dressing that went over top? PLEASE I want the remix (O_o)

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  12. How about a tasty flavorful spagetti recipe.

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  13. How about a tasty flavorful spaghetti recipe.

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  14. I love lasagna even though I eat around the ricotta cheese. My cousin made one with pepperoni's it was sooo goood! Do you have a good recipe?

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  15. Hey, Monique

    What about old fashioned butter rolls? I would love to see a video of how to make them.

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  16. what about lasagna or shrimp Alfredo yum yum!

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  17. Hi DIVA!!! i want to know if you can post or e-mail some recipes to me for bread pudding w/a sauce, rice pudding and tea cakes....i'm a traditional southern girl so classic recipes are my desires, with a southern flare.....thanks DIVA!!!

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  18. Could you possibly do one for cranberry oatmeal white chocolate chip cookies?

    Thanks!

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  19. PLEASE MAKE A BUTTERMILK AND SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE VIDEO

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  20. I can't seem to find a recipe for Chilli on your site? Could you please send me a link or post a recipe. I love my Chilli!

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  21. Could you create a recipe for chicken salad. I am searching for the perfect recipe that doesn't have any fruit in it. Thanks!

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  22. I would like to see a recipe for Baked Apples. I have already in two days made your turkey meatloaf,apple crisp, and rainbow cupcakes and they were all a hit. Thank you for the recipes

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  23. Any recipes you have for spicing up veggies as good sides dishes to work with canned, fresh and frozen.

    Really luv your recipes/videos!

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  24. Do you have a recipe for spinach dip?

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  25. i was curious if you had any healthy recipes that you could share? i've made up my mind to start eating healthier but a lot of the recipes are so bland so if you had any, please share!

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  26. hey I love your site and recipes I have a request for three random things I wanna see thats.: chicken alfredo pasta, oxtails (some form of cooking), and jerk chicken pls

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  27. This is my first comment on the site. I am very moved by your excellent recipe, have learned a lot of ways to improve what I already know. THANKS GIRL, and keep up the good work. I've tried quite a few of your recipes they are error free, easy to follow and delicious. Monique you ROCK!!!

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  28. HI Monique! How are you and your family doing? I pray your New Year is off to a great start... I was wondering if you have a recipe for a good German Chocolate cake?

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  29. Do you ever use a slow cooker/cock pot? if you do you could share your recipes for that :)

    How about Fried chicken?
    um, Some pasta stuff too (love the baked mac n cheese!!

    Thanks a lot for helping us out Mo'!
    I really appreciate it :)

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  30. I love your recipes, but I want to use your Red velvet cake recipe to make cupcakes...What substitutions should I make?

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  31. I love your recipes, but I want to use your Red velvet cake recipe to make cupcakes...What substitutions should I make?

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  32. Do you have a recipe for hush puppies? And a recipe for seafood salad?

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  33. How about a recipe for a southern pineapple cake with white icing?
    I never heard of pineapple cake until I moved to NC, when ladies from the church bakes one...so so yummy!

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  34. Do you have a recipe for a good strawberry cake, like the kind the church ladies bring to the repast?

    (Don't laugh, ya'll know repast food is bomb!)

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  35. Cocktail (sweet and sour) meatballs
    Lasagna

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  36. Do You have a recipe for red beans and rice?

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  37. Collard Greens to go with the red rice oh and squash casserole...?

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  38. Spaghetti w/ground turkey

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  39. Hey Monique,

    I've been looking for a good recipe for fried greens. Have you heard about or tasted this dish?

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  40. Hey Monique I absolutely LOVE your recipes and because of you I am cooking alot,lol. Do you have any recipes for eggplants?? Thnx.

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  41. I would love a recipe on lima beans.

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  42. Hey requesting some oxtails and lima beans

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  43. Do you have any recipes for stuffed portobello mushroom? Thanks

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  44. Hey diva, I love your site......I was wondering why wasn't there recipes for seafood???? I love shrimp and looking for recipes for shrimp, mussels, seafood gumbo(could be made from just chicken amd sausage also....).....You should give it a try!!!!!!! Thanks!!!

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  45. Im requesting a thanksgiving or christmas ham!

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  46. Hey, Chica!
    You are the biznezz plus 2!!
    Please please please tell me you know how to make beer boild bbq ribs. I'm dying to learn. I could go to other websites, but I trust your methods the most. You make things easier for me (for some reasons). I have tried your other recipes, and I absolutely love them.

    -Thanks!

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  47. I need some ideas for a Baby Shower Please!.. Some fun EASY party Favors and Recipe Ideas for the Baby Shower itself. I would Appricate any Help you can throw my direction!..lol.. Im not a Crafty creative person at all.. Im lucky if I can succsefully sew a button on a pair of Jeans..For Real, I suck.. Anyone, I'm open for suggestions..Thnx So much..Angie..my email is hutch200040@yahoo.com if i can send me some Ideas.. I would be greatful..

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  48. how do i get da grandma's creamcheese pound cake receipe?

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