America's Test Kitchen From Cook's Illustrated Season 23, Episode 9: French Pastries

Ultimate Yule Log

Hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison make the ultimate Caramel-Espresso Yule Log. Lisa reviews mini muffin tins.

27 min

Porchetta-Style Turkey and Fennel

Test cook Dan Souza makes host Julia Collin Davison Porchetta-Style Turkey Breast. Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews smart ovens. Test cook Keith Dresser makes host Bridget Lancaster Roasted Fennel with Orange-Honey Dressing.

Breakfast of Champions

Test cook Lan Lam and host Julia Collin Davison make Omelets with Cheddar and Chives. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Julia and Bridget Lancaster to a head-to-head tasting of bottled cold brew. Test cook Erin McMurrer makes Bridget Breakfast Sausage Patties.

Two Simple Pastas

Test cook Keith Dresser makes host Julia Collin Davison Pasta Cacio e Uova. Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews chef's knives under $75. Test cook Dan Souza makes host Bridget Lancaster Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage.

Beef Wellington

Hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster make a show-stopping Beef Wellington. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget to a tasting of domestic caviar.

Italian Sweets

Test cook Erin McMurrer makes host Bridget Lancaster Struffoli. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Bridget and Julia Collin Davidson to a head-to-head tasting of single origin chocolate. Test cook Becky Hays makes Julia Pistachio-Spice Biscotti.

Stir-Fry and Congee

Test cook Lan Lam makes host Bridget Lancaster Stir-Fried Beef and Gai Lan. Equipment expert Adam Ried reveals his top picks for bamboo steamers. Test cook Dan Souza makes host Julia Collin Davison Congee.

Hearty Alpine Fare

Test cook Becky Hays makes host Bridget Lancaster a hearty Tartiflette. Tasting expert Jack Bishop talks all about mushrooms. Host Bridget Lancaster makes a deeply-flavored Paniscia (Red Wine Risotto with Beans) with host Julia Collin Davison.

Eggs Around the World

Test cook Dan Souza makes host Julia Collin Davison Cılbır (Turkish Poached Eggs with Yogurt and Spiced Butter). Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews sponge holders. Test cook Becky Hays makes host Bridget Lancaster Xihongshi Chao Jidan (Chinese Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggs). Test cook Keith Dresser and Julia cook Matzo Brei.

Chocolate Tart and Ice Cream

Test cook Elle Simone Scott bakes host Julia Collin Davison a decadent Milk Chocolate Cremeux Tart. Tasting expert Jack Bishop talks all about coconut products. Test cook Dan Souza makes host Bridget Lancaster the ultimate Sweet Cream Ice Cream.

Chicken Two Ways

Test cook Becky Hays cooks host Julia Collin Davison fail-proof Chicken Francese. Equipment expert Adam Ried reveals his top picks for air fryers and science expert Dan Souza demonstrates the science of persistent firmness. Finally, hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia make Roasted and Glazed Chicken Wings.

Thanksgiving for a Small Group

Test cook Erin McMurrer makes host Bridget Lancaster Roast Whole Turkey Breast with Gravy. Gadget critic Lisa McManus shares her favorite mops. Test cook Dan Souza and host Julia Collin Davison unlock the secrets to perfect Oatmeal Dinner Rolls.

Pork Chops and Maple Cake

Test cook Elle Simone Scott cooks host Julia Collin Davison Pan-Seared Thick-Cut, Bone-In Pork Chops. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges hosts Julia and Bridget Lancaster to a head-to-head tasting of bone broth, and gadget critic Lisa McManus reviews apple corers. Test cook Keith Dresser makes host Bridget Lancaster a magical Pouding Chomeur.

Scandinavian Brunch

Hosts Bridget Lancaster and Julia Collin Davison bake perfectly spiced Kanelbullar (Swedish Cinnamon Buns). Gadget critic Lisa McManus reviews robot vacuums. Julia shows Bridget how to make Gravlax.'

23 min

Parathas and Pakoras

Test cook Erin McMurrer makes host Julia Collin Davison Alu Parathas (Punjabi Potato-Stuffed Griddle Breads). Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews ladles. Test cook Keith Dresser and host Bridget Lancaster fry up Pakoras (South Asian Spiced Vegetable Fritters).

23 min

Seafood Feast

Hosts Julia Collin Davison and Bridget Lancaster make Cataplana (Portuguese Seafood Stew). Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges Julia and Bridget to a head-to-head tasting of fish sticks, and science expert Dan Souza delves into the science of blanching. Test cook Elle Simone Scott makes Julia Garlicky Broiled Shrimp.

23 min

Spring Chicken Dinner

Test cook Lan Lam makes host Julia Collin Davison Roast Chicken with Couscous, Roasted Red Peppers, and Basil. Tasting expert Jack Bishop talks all about grains, and science expert Dan Souza reveals the magical potential of chocolate. Test cook Erin McMurrer bakes host Bridget Lancaster a showstopping Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake.

22 min

Sweet and Savory Choux

Classic choux au craquelin; piping sets; gnocchi a la Parisienne with arugula, tomatoes and olives.

23 min

Hearty Soup and Salad

New England fish chowder; Nakiri knives; tiny tools; hearty green salad with chickpeas, pickled cauliflower and seared halloumi.

23 min

Grilled Short Ribs and Vegetable Casserole

Grilled boneless beef short ribs with preserved lemon and almond sauce; goat cheese; the science behind Thai jelly beer; briam.

23 min

Light Summer Meal

Test cook Keith Dresser makes host Julia Collin Davison Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts with Red Pepper-Almond Sauce. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges hosts Julia and Bridget Lancaster to a head-to-head tasting of Whole Dill Pickles, and equipment expert Adam Ried reviews flatware sets. Test cook Elle Simone Scott makes Bridget refreshing Berry Granita.

23 min

Blackened Chicken and Roasted Okra

Test cook Dan Souza makes host Bridget Lancaster the ultimate Blackened Chicken. Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews spice storage solutions, and tasting expert Jack Bishop talks all about corn products. Test cook Becky Hays and host Julia Collin Davison cook Roasted Okra with Spicy Red Pepper Mayonnaise.

23 min

Cherry and Berry Desserts

Test cook Lan Lam and host Julia Collin Davison make nostalgic Cherry Hand Pies. Equipment expert Adam Ried reviews electric juicers. Test cook Elle Simone Scott makes host Bridget Lancaster a comforting Apple-Blackberry Betty.

23 min

Spanish Summer Supper

Pinchos morunos, Spanish grilled pork kebabs; dried chiles; melting points; Catalan tomato bread; rose' sangria.

23 min

Puerto Rican Cookout

Test cook Lan Lam cooks host Julia Collin Davison Grilled Chicken with Adobo and Sazón. Tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges hosts Julia and Bridget Lancaster to a head-to-head tasting of medium jarred salsa. Test cook Dan Souza makes host Bridget Lancaster Pastelón (Puerto Rican Sweet Plantain and Picadillo Casserole).

23 min