Does Anyone Use Allrecipes.com?

[Christine]

I am very disappointed with them!!

This weekend I decided to try to venture out of my cooking rut and try some new things. I have heard of people using allrecipes.com, in fact my dad uses it occasionally.

I thought it would be a good idea to look at a recipe and see how well it is reviewed. So many recipes seem to disappoint.

So, I found two chicken recipes that both *sounded* pretty good. One of them had 5 stars and had been reviewed by something like 250 people. Supposedly it was "excellent." BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. It was boring and so not worth the effort.

I made the second one and it was only marginally better.

So what's up with this site? Are the reviews over-inflated? Am I looking for too much?

I just want me SOME FLAVOR!!!!

 

[MushyMushy]

I prefer using recipesource.com. There are no reviews, but I've made some great recipes from there.

Never need to buy another cookbook!

 

[Nancyg56]

I use them, but I read the reviews before I begin the recipe. I think that many people review the recipe after they have tweaked it , so the original recipe has not a lot to do with the end result.

I prefer recipezaar. The reviews are helpful, but once again I read the reviews because a 5* may need the changes suggested in the reviewers notes.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

I have used allrecipes, but only when looking for something specific. I'm a natural born recipe-tweaker (please, tag fairy, don't find me now), so I tend to change every recipe I try before I ever make it!

When I'm looking for something new, I usually go to the food network website. They have some interesting recipes, and they're almost always good.

 

[Christine]

Well, I guess I need to venture out more. I do read the forums (and magazine) for Cooking Light. I have mostly liked their recipes but find some of them to intensive for weeknight cooking.

The chicken recipe I made from allrecipes was just HORRIBLE to me even though it had my favorite ingredients (marinated artichoke hearts and mushrooms). It was just so bland and flavorless--I was so disappointed.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I also use www.kraftfoods.com for some easy week night dinners when I'm not looking for anything super fancy or difficult.

 

[Galahad]

I use them all the time. I get a lot of ideas on how to improve a recipe by reading the reviews. Haven't been seriously disappointed yet.

 

[beattyfamily]

I've had great luck with them but I mostly use them for the desserts.

 

[Christine]

I use them all the time. I get a lot of ideas on how to improve a recipe by reading the reviews. Haven't been seriously disappointed yet.

Well, you're proving my own suspicion--I'm being very picky.

 

[LuvDuke]

I am very disappointed with them!!

This weekend I decided to try to venture out of my cooking rut and try some new things. I have heard of people using allrecipes.com, in fact my dad uses it occasionally.

I thought it would be a good idea to look at a recipe and see how well it is reviewed. So many recipes seem to disappoint.

So, I found two chicken recipes that both *sounded* pretty good. One of them had 5 stars and had been reviewed by something like 250 people. Supposedly it was "excellent." BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. It was boring and so not worth the effort.

I made the second one and it was only marginally better.

So what's up with this site? Are the reviews over-inflated? Am I looking for too much?

I just want me SOME FLAVOR!!!!

I'm not a big fan of allrecipes.com. Many of the recipes use too many prepared food.

You might want to try the Fine Cooking website:

http://www.taunton.com/finecooking/

I've been getting Fine Cooking for years and every recipe has been on the money and spectacular.

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

Allrecipes.com needs a section on Hamburger Helper. That about sums up my cooking abilities.

But I HAVE used it for some good slow cooker/ crockpot recipes.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I love allrecipes website. I have been trying recipes from there for years, some are keepers and some aren't even when the review post is in the
100's. Don't worry if you get a couple of "I will never make this again", I have also. Some peoples taste is blander than others and like you I love flavor! The thing I really like about that website is its vastness and the spectrum of recipes I can browse through. Better luck next time!

 

[chamonix]

I agree that you have to remember that some people (most?!) have very bland tastes. I like things hot and spicy, so wouldn't even bother with a recipe that didn't have ingredients for that in it. Be sure to imagine with your mind's taste buds what the recipe will taste like to you. I add pepper, fresh jalapenos, other hot peppers, hot sauce, crushed red peppers, etc to most dishes no matter where I get the recipe.

On occasion you will see in the reviews that the folks who do like "big taste" will recommend adding hot stuff to blande recipes.

I like allrecipes.com, but I always tweak to my tastebuds anyway. All the other sites mentioned are great too. Don't give up on the whole site based on one recipe. It's a huge site. Try again, and now that you know you may be disappointed with bland tastes, try spicing it up a little yourself, or specifically look for spicy recipes. Most of all, have fun!

edited to add, what recipe did you make? Maybe we can help you take it and "kick it up a notch". LOL (I hate emeril, lol)

 

[Minnie824]

go to www.foodnetwork.com!! I used to go to allrecipes then kraftfoods, but this year I'm also trying to actually cook more...Giada has the BEST recipes! I've found tons of things I've started making this year, and so far all easy and good.

 

[theycallmered]

I like using allrecipes when I am looking for a specific recipe. Other than that I almost never use allrecipes when looking for something new. I've been disapointed with their recipes too many times.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I use them now and then. But, I dont just read the reviews. First I hit the sort by review, then start at the bad reviews and see what they say. I can often tell by that what might be wrong with the recipe and what to tweak. I can tell by the bad reviews if people consider it bland, too spicey, etc. I would rather know what might be wrong then how good it is.

I have a good Amish white bread recipe and a sugar cookie recipe I love from there. But, I did have to tweak the sugar cookies a bit.

 

[nhrenee]

Yes, I use them. But I will read the reviews first. It's usually there you find the "adjustments" the recipe needs.

 

[kdudley3]

I use it all the time. I always read the reviews and make my own changes.

I will agree that some of the recipes that have good ratings are a bit bland for me.

But I will say that the recipes I use for Sloppy Joe's and Pineapple Upside Down cake come from there.

I'm making the Sloppy Joe's tonight !!!!!!!!

 

[TigerKat]

I've used just about every food website known to man and they ALL have good and bad recipes. Allrecipes is no different, I've tossed many of them out after one try, but I've kept far more. I also read all of the reviews first and if the recipe needs too much tweaking - I pass on it.

 

[shirleyb]

I love allrecipes.com. I look for a highly rated recipe, and also read the reviews before trying it, and lots of times you learn that people liked the recipe, but added 1/2 cup of vinegar or some such.

I'm a tweaker myself, so I tend to do the same thing.

My DH tells me that I like bland things (what does that say about him?), so who knows? You also have to understand that different areas of the country have different tastes, so what's great to you, may be too spicy for others, etc.