The Truth About McDonald's Meal Bundles, And Other Top Food News

Before this week, you might not have known that you can bake brownies in a slow cooker, or that Guy Fieri's restaurant, Chicken Guy, allegedly hasn't paid its rent in quite some time. But those are just the sort of revelations that a wild week in food news has brought us. Read on for more of the top stories of the week.

Soup, stew, and chili have all had their moment to shine, and just about everyone knows these as quintessential slow cooker recipes. But the slow cooker can be your secret weapon in all kinds of situations, whether you'd like some assistance with breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert. Here are 13 surprising ways you can put your slow cooker to work, recipes included. - Oona O'Brien Read More

A TikTok video posted by user @xolovelei went viral last week after she documented herself and her family going through a McDonald's drive-thru and ordering something called a Dinner Box. In moments, she receives a special box and takes it home to reveal its contents: two Big Macs, two cheeseburgers, a 10-piece order of Chicken McNuggets, and four servings of small fries, all for the surprisingly low price of $12. Is there really such a thing as a McDonald's Dinner Box? - Dennis Lee Read More

Back in 2018, Guy Fieri opened a restaurant called Chicken Guy! (exclamation point and all) with business partner Robert Earl, founder of both the Planet Hollywood and Earl of Sandwich restaurants. Since then, the chain has grown to 12 locations with seven more on the way. However, one outpost is currently in legal hot water and might be on the fast track to eviction. - Dennis Lee Read More

Being considered a good cook is a blessing and a curse. Friends and family are eager to come over for dinner, but those same folks often suggest going out to a restaurant when it's their turn to host. I make a habit of explaining that I don't expect anything beyond good fellowship. And the stakes only feel higher when the dinner guest is a professional chef—but it turns out that chefs are the least snooty people you can host at your dinner table. - Stacey Ballis Read More

As the world becomes more mindful of the way livestock production affects the environment, researchers and farmers are on the lookout for the next potential source of animal-based protein that's not only sustainable but able to feed a growing global population. A recent study at two Southeast Asian commercial farms suggests that snakes might have serious protein potential. - Dennis Lee Read More

Girl Scout cookies have been sold in the United States for generations, and throughout that storied history we've seen cookie varieties come and go. But why is that? What makes Thin Mints worthy of a permanent position while past beloved flavors like Savannah Smiles, a half-moon-shaped lemon cookie sold from 2011 to 2019, get sunsetted? - Angela L. Pagán Read More

Keurig is one of the most well known brands of home coffee machines, most notably because of the brand's single-serve K-Cup pod system. But equally well known is the fact that those plastic pods aren't exactly the most eco-friendly option, and they add up to a lot of waste. Now, Keurig is finally addressing these concerns by launching 100% plastic-free compostable pods. - Angela L. Pagán Read More

The race for plant-based seafood substitutes keeps getting more intense, with new products announced seemingly every month. But one company is looking beyond fish and has set its sight on a different kind of marine animal replacement altogether: vegan octopus. - Dennis Lee Read More

It's hard not to be fascinated by unusually large produce. Who could forget the drama of the record-setting pumpkin that got disqualified for one tiny crack? Today, we're delighted to show you the newest entrant into the Big Fruit Hall of Fame—and it's a variety that's typically known for its diminutive size. Guinness World Records has confirmed that the heaviest blueberry ever recorded was recently grown in Australia. This thing weighed in at nearly 70 times the heft of your average wild blueberry. - Dennis Lee Read More

Subway is known for its large network of franchised locations, but now the sandwich chain is expanding its brand outward to grocery store shelves. In a partnership with specialty food manufacturer T. Marzetti Company, Subway will be introducing three of its most popular sauces to grocery stores nationwide, plus a fourth variety not sold at restaurants. - Angela L. Pagán Read More