Worth the Search

Apricots from Turkey, beef from Japan — are the harder-to-track-down, usually imported ingredients any better than the more widely available versions?

The Kitsch Value of Jimmy Dean

This week’s mission: frozen sweet-and-sour Thai food, and mini breakfast sausages wrapped in pancakes.

Cheesy Italian-esque Hot Pocket

This week’s mission: doughy calzone-type treats and a desperate cranberry move.

Another Excuse to Eat Chocolate

This week’s mission: single-origin candy bars.

Soy Cheese That Isn't Hateful

This week’s mission: shelf-stable chili and fake cheese fragments.

Another Secretly High-Calorie Salad

This week’s mission: Cold meets hot on a lettuce bed, and a new fast-food breakfast.

Oven Ready Turkey and Tofurky Roast

This week’s mission: way-too-quick-cooking real turkey, and a gussied-up vegetarian protein.

What's an Angus Burger Anyhow?

This week’s mission: stylistic departures from fast-food chains.

Mysteries of Tempeh Revealed

This week’s mission: a seasoned meat substitute, and fancified potato buds.

Bad Expensive Tea

This week’s mission: a fruit-flavored party drink and classy tea bags.

Toaster Pastries Fit for a Monk

This week’s mission: ready-made meals for gluten allergy sufferers and a healthier alternative to Pop-Tarts.

Make Your Own Chinese Takeout

This week’s mission: Chinese chicken kits, and a breakfast croissant with apples and hash browns.

McSkillet Burrito and International Delight Coffee Creamer

This week’s mission: McDonald’s new breakfast offering, and holiday flavored nondairy creamers.

Injectable Marinades and 100-Calorie Snacks

This week’s mission: marinade you squirt into meat with a syringe, and tinier snack cakes.

Green Your Hangover

This week’s mission: An ecofriendly vodka gift pack and some meatless taco and burger mixes.