Show cover for America's Test Kitchen

The Best Episodes of America's Test Kitchen Season 12

Every episode of America's Test Kitchen Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of America's Test Kitchen Season 12!

Equipment reviews, taste tests, and recipes from the test kitchen to the home cook. A team of test cooks that viewers have come to love...
Genre:Documentary
Network:PBS

Season 12 Ratings Summary

"Simply Chicken" is the best rated episode of "America's Test Kitchen" season 12. It scored N/A/10 based on 0 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 1/7/2012. This episode is rated NaN points higher than the second-best, "Fall Classics".

  • Simply Chicken
    NaN/100 votes

    #1 - Simply Chicken

    Season 12 Episode 1 - Aired 1/7/2012

    Chicken fricassee is a classic French dish that could benefit from a modern makeover. We turn it into a weeknight meal with a bright, complex sauce and still have time to share the secrets to our Best Simple Roast Chicken.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Fall Classics
    NaN/100 votes

    #2 - Fall Classics

    Season 12 Episode 2 - Aired 1/14/2012

    This episode features two fall favorites. First, we eke out juicy, tender, savory results from a bland roast in our Pot-Roasted Pork Loin recipe. Then we prepare our moist Classic Gingerbread recipe, which uses a surprising technique to get the perfect texture.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Rise and Shine Breakfast
    NaN/100 votes

    #3 - Rise and Shine Breakfast

    Season 12 Episode 3 - Aired 1/21/2012

    Scrambled eggs are easy to cook but hard to cook well. We nail down an approach that guarantees fluffy, tender scrambled eggs every time. Then we serve them alongside our foolproof Cranberry Nut Muffins for a breakfast worth waking up for.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Chocolate Torte
    NaN/100 votes

    #4 - Chocolate Torte

    Season 12 Episode 4 - Aired 1/28/2012

    To learn more about the rich, multilayered cakes known as tortes, we went straight to the source: the Hotel Sacher Vienna, home of the world-famous Sachertorte. Then we brought what we learned back to the test kitchen, where we created our elegant Chocolate-Raspberry Torte.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Pasta, Please
    NaN/100 votes

    #5 - Pasta, Please

    Season 12 Episode 5 - Aired 2/4/2012

    Join us as we make over two Italian classics. First, we minimize the fuss and the mess of cooking spaghetti and meatballs for a crowd. Then we use a few thoughtfully chosen vegetables and a light but full-bodied sauce to make our modern Spring Vegetable Pasta.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Slow and Easy Thanksgiving
    NaN/100 votes

    #6 - A Slow and Easy Thanksgiving

    Season 12 Episode 6 - Aired 2/11/2012

    We take unconventional approaches to two traditional Thanksgiving staples: super-moist and tender Braised Turkey with Gravy and our crowd-pleasing Bread Stuffing with Sausage, Dried Cherries, and Pecans, which is cooked outside of the bird—but doesn’t taste like it.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Latin Celebration
    NaN/100 votes

    #7 - A Latin Celebration

    Season 12 Episode 7 - Aired 2/18/2012

    Peruvian chicken joints are becoming popular in the United States, thanks in part to their roast chicken with garlic and lime. We use supermarket staples and a vertical roaster to replicate this phenomenal dish and then show you how to make our perfect Black Beans and Rice to serve with it.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • New York-Style Pizza at Home
    NaN/100 votes

    #8 - New York-Style Pizza at Home

    Season 12 Episode 8 - Aired 2/25/2012

    After venturing to Brooklyn for the real deal, we return to the test kitchen to develop our own Thin-Crust Pizza recipe. We’d gladly pit it against that of any New York pizza joint.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Shake and Bake Reinvented
    NaN/100 votes

    #9 - Shake and Bake Reinvented

    Season 12 Episode 9 - Aired 3/3/2012

    First, we reveal how using fewer nuts actually brought out the almonds’ flavor in our Nut-Crusted Chicken Cutlets. Then we demonstrate our foolproof method for the ultimate Crisp Pan-Fried Pork Chops.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Here's the Beef
    NaN/100 votes

    #10 - Here's the Beef

    Season 12 Episode 10 - Aired 3/10/2012

    We researched the fanatical world of chili devotees and used the best of what we learned to develop a recipe for Our Favorite Chili. Then we demonstrate another beefy favorite: Juicy Pub-Style Burgers.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Crepes and Croissants
    NaN/100 votes

    #11 - Crepes and Croissants

    Season 12 Episode 11 - Aired 3/17/2012

    To learn how the French make their croissants so delicate and rich, we traveled to Paris. Then we came back to the test kitchen and used what we learned to develop our own foolproof recipe. We also introduce our flawless version of another brunch favorite: crêpes.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Salmon and Sole
    NaN/100 votes

    #12 - Salmon and Sole

    Season 12 Episode 12 - Aired 3/24/2012

    Fish dishes make the perfect weeknight meal—if you can avoid cooking them improperly and losing their crust in the process. We manage to dodge both problems in our recipes for Glazed Salmon and Baked Sole Fillets.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Soup and Bread From Scratch
    NaN/100 votes

    #13 - Soup and Bread From Scratch

    Season 12 Episode 13 - Aired 3/31/2012

    Most of the time, whole-wheat sandwich bread and broccoli-cheese soup recipes don’t taste enough like the ingredients they advertise. Our versions really taste like wheat and broccoli, respectively—and are better than anything you can buy at a supermarket.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • A Moroccan Feast
    NaN/100 votes

    #14 - A Moroccan Feast

    Season 12 Episode 14 - Aired 4/7/2012

    Fussy techniques and esoteric ingredients make cooking authentic Moroccan chicken a daunting proposition. Our simple Chicken Tagine and foolproof couscous take the anxiety out of preparing a Moroccan meal.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Vegetarian Pasta Night
    NaN/100 votes

    #15 - Vegetarian Pasta Night

    Season 12 Episode 15 - Aired 4/14/2012

    Even the most fervent meat eaters will love our versions of these two vegetarian favorites: full-flavored Vegetable Lasagna and bright, citrusy Spaghetti al Limone.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Cool and Creamy Desserts
    NaN/100 votes

    #16 - Cool and Creamy Desserts

    Season 12 Episode 16 - Aired 4/21/2012

    Grab your spoons and join us as we demonstrate fail-safe methods for making our perfect Chocolate Pudding and our Homemade Ice Cream, which could rival even the best in your supermarket’s freezer section.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Backyard Chicken Dinner
    NaN/100 votes

    #17 - Backyard Chicken Dinner

    Season 12 Episode 17 - Aired 4/28/2012

    First, we move the test kitchen outdoors to reveal the secrets to our Grill-Smoked Chicken, which has tender, juicy meat and clean, full-bodied smoke flavor. Then we go back inside to produce the ultimate Salt-Baked Potatoes.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Slow-Cooker Revolution
    NaN/100 votes

    #18 - Slow-Cooker Revolution

    Season 12 Episode 18 - Aired 5/5/2012

    We demonstrate the slow cooker’s versatility by using it to prepare three of our favorites: Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup, Pork Loin with Cranberries and Orange, and Chocolate-Hazelnut Bread Pudding.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Mediterranean Specials
    NaN/100 votes

    #19 - Mediterranean Specials

    Season 12 Episode 19 - Aired 5/12/2012

    Our Beef Kebabs and Greek Spinach and Feta Pie recipes take two often lackluster Mediterranean staples and elevate them to the mealtime favorites they once were.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Cold-Weather Comfort
    NaN/100 votes

    #20 - Cold-Weather Comfort

    Season 12 Episode 20 - Aired 5/19/2012

    Join us as we share two recipes that will heat up any cold day: our Split Pea and Ham Soup, which features a rich broth studded with sweet-smoky meat, and our Easy Caramel Cake, whose foolproof caramel icing is sure to reclaim its place in every baker’s repertoire.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Gnocchi and Panzanella
    NaN/100 votes

    #21 - Gnocchi and Panzanella

    Season 12 Episode 21 - Aired 5/26/2012

    Think that all potato and bread recipes have to be heavy? We prove otherwise with our light-as-air Potato Gnocchi and our bread and tomato Panzanella salad.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Time to Grill
    NaN/100 votes

    #22 - Time to Grill

    Season 12 Episode 22 - Aired 6/2/2012

    In the summer, it’s easy to get into a grilled-burgers-and-chicken rut. Our flavor-packed Grilled Bone-In Pork Roast and tender Grilled Scallops provide the perfect change of pace.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Sweet Summer Endings
    NaN/100 votes

    #23 - Sweet Summer Endings

    Season 12 Episode 23 - Aired 6/9/2012

    When they’re good, summer pies and cakes are a great way to highlight fresh produce. But when they’re bad, they’re a great way to waste it. Our Strawberry Pie and Summer Peach Cake are the former.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Southeast Asian Favorites
    NaN/100 votes

    #24 - Southeast Asian Favorites

    Season 12 Episode 24 - Aired 6/16/2012

    Join us as we travel to New York City to learn the secrets of Thai cooking. We return to the test kitchen to use our newfound knowledge in two Southeast Asian classics: Thai Grilled Beef Salad and Indonesian-Style Fried Rice.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A

  • Summertime Supper
    NaN/100 votes

    #25 - Summertime Supper

    Season 12 Episode 25 - Aired 6/23/2012

    A foolproof cooking method ensures that our Grilled Stuffed Pork Tenderloin stays tender and moist, while a rich-tasting filling gives the mild cut big flavor. Our Lighter Corn Chowder, which actually tastes like crisp, sweet corn, rounds out the meal.

    Director: N/A

    Writer: N/A