# Is there a worse recipe site than Cooks.com? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 20, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164 "2010-03-20T19:50:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/41 "2010-03-21T21:13:23Z")
[Cooks.com](http://Cooks.com) sucks! I didn’t realize the extent of the suckage until last weekend, when I attempted to make a chocolate rice pudding recipe they had. It was supposed to take 20 minutes. I cooked it for an hour and it was still crunchy with underdone rice. I should’ve known better than to try to cook rice with no lid, but I was just following the directions! I ended up eating a couple spoonfuls and throwing the rest away. ---
**Author:** ![Perciful](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Perciful](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perciful)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/42 "2010-03-21T21:55:55Z")
> [@Bacon\_Salt](#): > > For a moment, I thought you were linking to [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4zw99VsoMA) travesty. Did she really make a macaroni salad with a can of sweetened condensed milk and a cup of sugar and a pint of mayonnaise. Stirring well to make sure its “corporated”. Ewww. It looks like macaroni soup. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/43 "2010-03-21T22:01:25Z")
> [@Perciful](#): > > Did she really make a macaroni salad with a can of sweetened condensed milk and a cup of sugar and a pint of mayonnaise. Stirring well to make sure its “corporated”. Ewww. It looks like macaroni soup. :eek: What makes me giggle is the running calorie counter. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/44 "2010-03-22T03:11:38Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > Sometimes, Heinz 57 sauce is a “secret ingredient”, even in Chili. I’ve had a great variety of chili… some very traditional, some not so traditional, some would do well by the a shot of Heinz 57. I am not above using prepared sauces as an ingredient. To be clear here, the recipe in question called for _one bottle_ of Heinz 57. As seasoning. For 1 cup of beans, a pound of ground beef, and a minimal amount of vegetables. (Celery and mushroom, I think?) ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/45 "2010-03-22T05:27:55Z")
When I was a kid I’d gaze at the picture on the side of the can of evaporated milk. There was always a picture of evaporated milk being poured into a meatloaf. It fascinated me. I thought it must taste heavenly. Today, I can’t figure out why, of all possible food ingredients, you’d add something like evaporated milk to a dish like meatloaf, unless it was to ensure that Jews couldn’t eat your otherwise innocuous product. ---
**Author:** ![Bacon\_Salt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/65b543/32.png) [@Bacon\_Salt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacon_Salt)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/46 "2010-03-22T05:55:30Z")
Oops, sorry for the derailment. So, I’ve been perusing [Cooks.com](http://Cooks.com) to see what all the fuss is about. I’ve never used it because the layout annoys me. And that’s another thing that makes its popularity utterly baffling, the website is just plain fugly and there’s no way to eliminate items from your search. And no pictures! If I’ve never made something before, I’d like to know what I’m aiming for. And now I understand. I’m adding my voice to the chorus of “What the hell is [cooks.com](http://cooks.com)’s obsession with Ritz crackers?” They’re everywhere! Also, most of the recipes look like they were culled from the desserts section of Kraft or Nabisco or whatever’s website, crumpled up by a Cheetos residue-covered hand, lost between the couch cushions for fifteen years, found by the dog who used it as a chew toy, before being run through Babelfish and then posted as an entree. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/47 "2010-03-22T06:34:42Z")
I wasn’t familiar with the place but after a quick look, I see what you all mean. This one was my favorite > [@](#): > > RITZ CRACKER SALAD > > 2 c. Ritz crackers (crushed) > 1/2 c. butter (melted) > > Mix together and bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes in pyrex cake pan. Remove from oven and let cool. Set aside some of the crust to sprinkle on top. 1 can Eagle Brand milk > > Mix together and fold in one small carton whipped topping. Pour over crust and refrigerate. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/48 "2010-03-22T12:09:41Z")
i used crumbled ritz crackers instead of panko because it’s cheaper and butterier. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/49 "2010-03-22T13:33:38Z")
> [@Omega\_Glory](#): > > I wasn’t familiar with the place but after a quick look, I see what you all mean. > > This one was my favorite That’s perfect - exactly everything that’s wrong with [cooks.com](http://cooks.com). ---
**Author:** ![Mikemike2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikemike2/32/305_2.png) [@Mikemike2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikemike2)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/50 "2010-03-22T18:05:57Z")
Pulling this out of the air, but I think [cooks.com](http://cooks.com) is an ancient website that probably started with the dial up bulletin boards. I remember get dos based recipes from this site when sorting recipes was one of the only useful things you could do with a computer. So it has massive authority because of its age, and gets ranking. I go directly to [epicurious.com](http://epicurious.com), and never lack for impressive recipes. ---
**Author:** ![Maiira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Maiira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maiira)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/51 "2010-03-22T18:06:32Z")
> [@](#): > > RITZ CRACKER SALAD > > 2 c. Ritz crackers (crushed) > 1/2 c. butter (melted) > > Mix together and bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes in pyrex cake pan. Remove from oven and let cool. Set aside some of the crust to sprinkle on top. 1 can Eagle Brand milk > > Mix together and fold in one small carton whipped topping. Pour over crust and refrigerate. This is hilarious. I especially love how the whipped topping isn’t even mentioned in the list of ingredients. And what the heck do you do with the “1 can Eagle Brand milk”?? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/52 "2010-03-22T18:08:01Z")
> [@Maiira](#): > > This is hilarious. I especially love how the whipped topping isn’t even mentioned in the list of ingredients. And what the heck do you do with the “1 can Eagle Brand milk”?? You regard it. Patriotically. ETA - but what do you even come out with? Buttery cracker crust with… cool whip? Are you sure this isn’t a recipe for a pie meant to be thrown in somebody’s face, Three Stooges style? ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/53 "2010-03-22T18:11:16Z")
[Here](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/peanut-butter-cheese-fudge-recipe/index.html)’s a good one from [FootNetwork.com](http://FootNetwork.com), with these ingredients : - 1/2 pound sliced easy-melt cheese (recommended: Velveeta) - 1 cup (2 sticks) butter - 1 cup creamy peanut butter - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 cup chopped nuts - 2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioners’ sugar ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/54 "2010-03-22T18:17:53Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > [Here](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/peanut-butter-cheese-fudge-recipe/index.html)’s a good one from [FootNetwork.com](http://FootNetwork.com), with these ingredients : > > - 1/2 pound sliced easy-melt cheese (recommended: Velveeta) > - 1 cup (2 sticks) butter > - 1 cup creamy peanut butter > - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract > - 1 cup chopped nuts > - 2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioners’ sugar Yeah, but we’re talking about Paula Deen, here. This is the woman who deep-fried **butter**. (OK, so there’s [a little cream cheese mixed in](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/paulas-fried-butter-balls-recipe/index.html), but they’re still called “Fried Butter Balls,” for heaven’s sake.) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/55 "2010-03-22T18:18:35Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > [Here](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/peanut-butter-cheese-fudge-recipe/index.html)’s a good one from [FootNetwork.com](http://FootNetwork.com), with these ingredients : > > - 1/2 pound sliced easy-melt cheese (recommended: Velveeta) > - 1 cup (2 sticks) butter > - 1 cup creamy peanut butter > - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract > - 1 cup chopped nuts > - 2 (16-ounce) boxes confectioners’ sugar Well, that’s what you get for looking to the Foot Network for your recipe needs. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/56 "2010-03-22T18:30:01Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Well, that’s what you get for looking to the Foot Network for your recipe needs. Don’t be dissin’ Alton Brown now. Elie Kreiger’s not bad either. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/57 "2010-03-22T18:39:42Z")
I actually have a GOOD Ritz cracker recipe. It’s basically fried fish sticks using the crackers and egg as breading. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/58 "2010-03-22T19:03:42Z")
I’m astonished that you people were able to find several [cooks.com](http://cooks.com) recipes that don’t include ketchup! BTW, to exclude [cooks.com](http://cooks.com) from your googling, make -site:cooks.com one of your search terms. E.g. “chili recipe -site:cooks.com” ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/59 "2010-03-22T19:11:32Z")
> [@Contrapuntal](#): > > Don’t be dissin’ Alton Brown now. Elie Kreiger’s not bad either. Foot, dude. Foot. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164/60 "2010-03-22T19:18:51Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Foot, dude. Foot. Y o u - m u s t - s p e l l - t h i n g s - o u t - f o r - m e - i f - y o u - w a n t - m e - t o - u n d e r s t a n d. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-worse-recipe-site-than-cooks-com/533164.md?page=4)