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Tag: Kitchn Love Letters

  • This 2-Ingredient “Master Sauce” Is So Good, I'm Finding Excuses to Put It on Everything

    This 2-Ingredient “Master Sauce” Is So Good, I'm Finding Excuses to Put It on Everything

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    One of my first EVER TikTok follows was the author of this recipe I’m about to rave over: Chef Jon Kung. He’s a Chinese American chef who appeared on my FYP making different condiments like chili oil, explaining spices, trying different cooking techniques, and talking about food and its place in society and culture. 

    He also introduced me to third-culture cooking, where people blend their unique makeup of food traditions, ingredients, and flavors into their food. As someone who’s learning about their heritage culture (I was adopted from China) and continuing to embrace their adopted culture of Jewish American cuisine, TikTok really said for you (IYKYK).

    All that to say, when I heard he was releasing his debut cookbook, Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from a Third Culture Kitchen, and was offered the opportunity to get an early look, the answer was an immediate yes! I went straight to the noodle section and immediately found his ginger scallion noodles. The hardest part, I thought, was going to be making the ginger scallion oil. Spoiler: It was not hard. 

    Ginger Scallion Oil Is Liquid Gold (or Something Green)

    Before reading his recipe, I really didn’t know much about this condiment. I tend to stray towards heartier umami flavors like chili crisp as a go-to topping. To me, this recipe is giving light umami. It is an oil, but it’s light, bright, a little salty, and a little savory.

    I decided to make the cooked oil, not the raw version, because it’s less pungent and also because it has a longer shelf life and I will not be rushed.

    Most importantly, it’s easy to make! Any effort is well worth it. You thinly slice scallions (a good reminder to read the recipe first), mince some ginger, mix them with salt, heat up oil, then pour it over the ginger scallion mixture. Wait for it to cool and ta-da! 

    Now for the moment I was so excited about! I love finding new ways to eat noodles. Much like spreadsheets, it really brings me joy. For this recipe, you can choose any noodle you want. Our Culinary Producer James introduced me to these knife-sliced noodles and I immediately wanted to use them for this. They’re long, bouncy, and have rippled edges that hold sauce well. 

    All you do is cook the noodles according to package directions, drain, and mix with ginger scallion oil. The point of this recipe is to emphasize the oil, so the suggested toppings keep it minimal. And so I did. 

    After I scraped my bowl clean, I immediately wanted more. They had a deliciously subtle flavor that’s neutral enough to go with anything. The ginger and scallions balance each other out perfectly. The ginger makes it feel a little zesty and light, but it’s not at all overpowering. 

    What to Serve with These Noodles

    Other Ways to Use the Ginger Scallion Oil 

    Here at The Kitchn we’re very dedicated to introducing you to new ways to fry eggs. Naturally, this oil is supposed to go with everything, so why not eggs? I fried eggs in some of the ginger scallion oil and it was savory, light, and had a hint of ginger. 10/10 recommend. 

    Andrea Kaufman

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  • Our Most Popular Recipe from 2023 (by Far) — Everyone Cooked It!

    Our Most Popular Recipe from 2023 (by Far) — Everyone Cooked It!

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    For many, including myself, pancakes are a weekend ritual. I’ve been whipping up a batch at my kids’ request every weekend for what feels like forever. And just like everyone else, I have my go-to recipe: It’s unfussy, one-bowl, and delivers the fluffiest pancakes without fail. While my kids will happily go to town on those pancakes each and every time, I sometimes like to mix it up by trying out another recipe. 

    That’s where Kelli Foster’s brilliant and super-delicious German apple pancake comes in. It was our most popular recipe of 2023. After reading all the rave reviews, I just had to make it myself — and the result was incredible. The pancake calls for basic pantry staples, comes together in about 30 minutes, and bakes in the oven — no flipped required! I’ll be making this on repeat and I’m absolutely positive that you will be too. 

    What Makes This Recipe So Amazing

    For starters, the recipe calls for ingredients you likely have on hand: eggs, milk, butter, sugar, and an apple, just to name a few. Most of the hands-on time revolves around caramelizing apple slices with some spices in a cast iron skillet. The batter, which comes together quickly in a high-speed blender, gets poured over the apples, and then the whole thing is slid into a hot oven. That’s it! Your kitchen will also smell amazing — trust me. 

    I’m not the only one who raved about this pancake as soon as I tasted it. Our cross-tester said it was “super easy and delicious.” Many of you wrote reviews, mentioning how “truly delicious,” “so delicious,” and “really good” it was. You even took photos and shared them with us! And, several commented on how easy it was to make and that they’ll definitely be making it again. With so many great reviews, this recipe is truly a keeper. 

    Ways to Riff on German Apple Pancake

    Kristina Razon

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  • This “Legendary” Hot Chocolate Is 100x Better than Boxed Mix

    This “Legendary” Hot Chocolate Is 100x Better than Boxed Mix

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    A good mug of hot cocoa is about balance. It should be sweet, but not headache-inducing. It should be thicker than a glass of milk, but not so thick that you feel like you should be eating it with a spoon. Its chocolate flavor should be deep and rich, not one-dimensional.

    How to Make Jacques Torres’ Hot Cocoa

    To make Jacques Torres’ Legendary Hot Chocolate, start by bringing milk to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When the milk is just boiling, lower the heat to medium and whisk in 60% dark chocolate. When the chocolate has melted, add cornstarch and milk powder to the mixture and continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth and thick.

    That’s it! Divide the cocoa into mugs and garnish with whipped cream or marshmallows if you like.

    My Honest Review Jacques Torres’ Hot Cocoa

    This is the best hot cocoa I’ve had in years. It’s a simple recipe that uses unconventional ingredients to achieve an elevated take on a classic winter treat. Cornstarch thickens the mixture to achieve a silky smooth texture and milk powder adds extra creamy flavor without relying on half-and-half or heavy cream for either. 

    I tested six hot cocoa recipes for our showdown and despite many different combinations of ingredients and flavor profiles, this un-fussy recipe came out on top.

    If You’re Making Jacques Torres’ Hot Cocoa, a Few Tips 

    Andrea Rivera Wawrzyn

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  • The $2 “Perfect” Boxed Cake Mix My Aunt Swears By for All Of Her Holiday Baking

    The $2 “Perfect” Boxed Cake Mix My Aunt Swears By for All Of Her Holiday Baking

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    Boxed cake mix is the unsung hero of the dessert world. A fixture on supermarket shelves, its versatility makes it a game changer for home bakers. Beyond cake (an obvious use, no doubt), I use these mixes in some of my most memorable, cookies, quickbreads, and breakfast baked goods.

    I’m no stranger to a good semi-homemade hack. I typically opt for traditional flavors like Funfetti or devil’s food, but, this year, I’m taking inspo from my husband’s aunt, who used the same boxed mix a few Christmas’ ago. Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix contains all the coziness of the holiday season, featuring notable warming spices — cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.

    What’s So Great About Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix?

    For less than $2 per box, the mix easily comes together with a few other kitchen staples (oil, eggs, water) to create a perfect moist and fluffy cake that’s as good for dessert as it is for breakfast. It’s formulated to yield consistent results every time, and doesn’t require the complexity of ingredients or technique that other (from-scratch) spice cakes do.

    What’s more, it’s available all-year round, so no need to worry about it flying off the shelves during the height of the holidays. The long shelf life of boxed cake mix makes it perfect to keep around for when the mood strikes.

    What’s the Best Way to Use Duncan Hines Spice Cake Mix?

    While enjoyable on its own, I was surprised to discover the unique flavor profile of this spice cake mix makes it a versatile canvas for many different treats. I recently stocked up on several boxes to last me throughout the holiday season and made what is perhaps my favorite pairing for a warm, wintry beverage: biscotti. 

    These spice cake mix biscotti make for a crunchy, dippable afternoon snack or accompaniment for morning coffee. Prepare the mix according to boxed instructions — swapping the oil for unsalted butter, and adding flour in place of water to create a dough. I shape and bake as I would with most any biscotti, and once cooled, drizzle mine with a layer of white chocolate. You could also mix some pecans, dried cranberries, or candied ginger into the batter for some extra pizzazz. 

    If you’re looking to branch out from biscotti, spice cake mix can become the basis for a variety of minimal-effort treats. Paired with a can of pumpkin, you can whip up the easiest 2-ingredient muffins — then, stuff said muffins with a spread of cream cheese frosting for the easiest pumpkin spice whoopie pies. Speaking of pumpkin, for easy entertaining, the cake portion of this pumpkin roll could easily be swapped for the boxed mix to create a dessert that’s bound to impress.

    The mix also creates the perfect foundation for different flavor profiles. Add molasses and cloves for gingerbread, applesauce for apple cake, or, a personal favorite, carrots, raisins, and walnuts for carrot cake. 

    After discovering all of the simple, straightforward, and customizable possibilities, I’ll be baking through my boxes for sweet, spiced treats the rest of the season. 

    What’s your go-to baking mix for the holidays? Tell us about it in the comments below.

    Rachel Reiss

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  • The Amazing $11 Cleaning Find That Keeps My Glass Stovetop Looking Like New

    The Amazing $11 Cleaning Find That Keeps My Glass Stovetop Looking Like New

    And it’s so easy to use!
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    Cindy Brzostowski

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  • This “Amazing” Budget Bubbly Is the Only Bottle I’m Popping for the Holidays

    This “Amazing” Budget Bubbly Is the Only Bottle I’m Popping for the Holidays

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    If anything can bring about decision fatigue, it’s the holidays. This is why I recommend choosing a “signature wine” for the season that you use for neighborhood parties, last-minute gifts, New Year’s Eve mingling, and drinking out of a reindeer mug at 1 a.m. on Christmas Eve while wrapping all the gifts you procrastinated for weeks. This year my go-to has been Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé, a fun, punchy pink bubbly from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region.

    What’s So Great About Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé?

    When people shop for wine, they often feel under informed, intimidated, and pressed for time (51% of Americans open a bottle of wine within three days of purchasing it). This leads people to grab something that looks familiar, like Champagne or Prosecco from a famous brand. So lesser-known regions and styles of wine that don’t have that immediate shelf appeal are often amazing values.

    The wine-growing regions in Emilia-Romagna that make Lambrusco are one such area — especially because even people who do know about Lambrusco often have a negative association with it. (This region became known for sweet, one-note sparkling reds in the early 1980s.) But these regions and their signature grape varieties (there are a few different Lambrusco varieties) make a whole range of delicious sparkling wines, from bone-dry to sweet and from dark purple-red to rosé or even white. 

    Cleto Chiarli is one of the oldest and most established Lambrusco producers in Modena, the commune in Emilia-Romagna famous for its balsamic vinegar, and its Brut de Noir Rosé is full of zingy fruit flavors like tart cherry, raspberry, and watermelon. The texture is almost a bit creamy, and the finish is clean and mouthwatering. 

    Like Prosecco, it’s made using the charmat method, which tends to bring out bright, fresh, crowd-pleasing flavors. It’s made with 85% Lambrusco Grasparossa, the boldest of the Lambrusco varieties, so just a short amount of skin contact is enough to give the wine a bright pink color and lots of flavor, while the balance is Pinot Noir that brings a little acidity and aromatic intrigue to the party — and at under $20, you can afford to stock up! (Maybe just don’t mention the Lambrusco bit to older relatives unless you want that Riunite jingle stuck in your head until New Year’s.)

    What’s the Best Way to Drink Cleto Chiarli’s Brut de Noir Rosé?

    While this sparkling rosé is great on its own, like other wines from this part of Italy, it shines with food as well. (Emilia-Romagna is known for cured meats, Parmigiano Reggiano, and rich pasta dishes.) It’s got a little more body and tang than a lot of other sparkling rosés I’ve tried, so it’s great as an aperitif or stand-alone glass of bubbly; it would also be amazing with a charcuterie board or any of those delicious cheese-heavy appetizers we tend to make around this time of year (think: Aunt Kim’s port wine cheese ball or sweet and savory baked Brie).

    Buy: Cleto Chiarli Brut de Noir Rosé, $16.99 for 750 mL at Drizly

    What are some of your favorite sparkling wines for the holiday season? Tell us about it in the comments below.

    Diane McMartin

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  • The “Gorgeous” Store-Bought Frozen Pie I Bring to Every Holiday Party

    The “Gorgeous” Store-Bought Frozen Pie I Bring to Every Holiday Party

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    Ever since I was a child, pie has been our family’s go-to dessert. My mom would stop by Marie Callender’s Restaurant & Bakery, and we’d select a pie from the endless list of options and bring it over to my grandma’s house to share. 

    Now, years later, finding a pie that rivals those memories can be tricky for me — especially because I’ve been eating a gluten-free diet. Truthfully, it’s pretty hard to find a crust that can hold up to its buttery, non-gluten-free counterpart. On a handful of occasions, I’ve tried recreating a flaky and juicy gluten-free pie myself, but rolling out the crust and mixing up a delicious filling takes more time than I often have, and I can never seem to get my pie to taste as good as the ones from my local specialty bakery. 

    I’ve plunked down a hefty sum to find a solid pie, and over the years I’ve built a list of must-order bakery staples. So I was surprised to find that my new favorite pie was waiting for me at my local Sprouts Farmers Market — no advanced orders needed!

    What’s So Great About The Maine Pie Co. Gluten-Free Apple Pie?

    Jill Miller, who runs The Maine Pie Co. (based in Maine, naturally), once owned The Runcible Spoon in Nyack, New York, where she was famous for her tasty pastries. She later chose to specialize in gluten-free pies for one very simple reason: “My husband has celiac disease, and we could not find a gluten-free pie on the market that tasted and looked homemade,” she says. “Anyone can make a good pie, but not a good gluten-free pie.” 

    Miller creates lab-certified, frozen, gluten-free pies made with brown and white rice flours and ships them off to grocery stores, like Sprouts, Kroger, Harris Teeter, and Whole Foods Market, to name a few. (You can also buy them directly on the company’s website.) Maine Pie Co. currently has nine pie flavors, including classics like pumpkin, blueberry, sour cherry, and apple (my favorite, so far!). You can also spot its best-selling 9-inch pie shells, a handful of tarts, and a couple of mini pies, on shelves too. 

    I’m here for the full-size pies and, believe me, these pastries are really, really good. The sweet and tart apples are sourced locally in Maine and made into pies the same day. Miller says she learned this trick while running The Runcible Spoon. Back then, to ensure an always fresh baked pie, her team “would assemble, freeze, and bake off as needed,” she explains.  

    Because you’re baking these pies at home, they taste just-out-the-oven fresh and look gorgeous. 

    What’s the Best Way to Eat The Maine Pie Co. Gluten-Free Apple Pie?

    When I first tried the company’s classic apple pie, I was in dessert heaven! It’s a cinch to bake — I opened up the box, unsealed the frozen pie, and placed it in a preheated oven. Following the directions to a T, I baked the pie for 20 minutes, reduced the heat (from 425°F to 350°F), and continued to bake for another 50 minutes until the lattice crust turned a lovely golden-brown and the apple cinnamon filling was bubbling. The scent of butter and warming spices filled my kitchen.

    After carefully taking the picture-perfect pie out of the oven to let it cool and spending a good portion of time admiring my efforts, I got out a carton of vanilla ice cream and served each warm slice with a dollop. The crust is flaky, and balances nicely with the sweet apples mixed with just the right amount of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. 

    It’s now become my go-to dessert for holiday parties — and guests can’t even tell it’s gluten-free!

    What store-bought desserts are you buying for your next holiday party? Tell us in the comments below.

    Michelle Lau

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  • This Multifunctional Spoon Has Become a Mainstay in My Kitchen — And It’s Less than $20 on Amazon

    This Multifunctional Spoon Has Become a Mainstay in My Kitchen — And It’s Less than $20 on Amazon

    “It’s not too often I get to say that about something small and light enough to be stashed in any drawer!”
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    Aly Walansky

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  • The $4 Store-Bought Dessert My Grandma Has Been Serving for 30 Years

    The $4 Store-Bought Dessert My Grandma Has Been Serving for 30 Years

    She always keeps one in the freezer.
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    Kate Oczypok

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  • This $17 Sam’s Club Find Is Why My Mom Will Never Cancel Her Membership

    This $17 Sam’s Club Find Is Why My Mom Will Never Cancel Her Membership

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    As someone who recently moved back to her hometown, I’ve been looking into all the warehouses near me and comparing membership options. I knew my mom shopped at Sam’s Club when we were growing up, so I asked her if she was still a card-carrying member. Her answer? Yes! But I’ll admit that what came after surprised me.

    She only goes to Sam’s Club a few times a year, and keeps her membership for one very specific and timely reason: It practically pays for itself in poinsettias alone.

    What’s So Great About the Sam’s Club Poinsettia Planter?

    My mom loves to decorate for the holidays, so it’s not unusual for her to buy over a dozen large poinsettia plants to display up the front steps and in the entryway. At Sam’s Club, you can get a 10-inch poinsettia plant for about $17, while most other places I’ve seen charge at least $20. If she gets around 15 poinsettias each year (she really does go all out), that saves her a minimum of $45 over the other competitors, close to the $50 yearly Club membership.

    The quality is also a huge draw. My mom emphasized how BIG the poinsettias are at Sam’s Club, and that they last throughout the holiday season with basic care. (Poinsettias bloom in the winter and are fairly easy to care for — they thrive in a sunny location and just need to be watered when the soil feels dry.)

    Hollis Miller

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  • The Secret to Better Desserts? This $3 French Pantry Staple

    The Secret to Better Desserts? This $3 French Pantry Staple

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    So many wonderful fall ingredients have made their way into my tiny kitchen. While pumpkin spice everything and caramel apple anything is all the rage across the U.S., in Europe it is all about chestnuts — more specifically, desserts made with chestnut purée. 

    This time of year, you’ll find them in every high-end patisserie in France. Top pastry chefs go hunting in the woods for chestnuts, which they then turn into a sweet and sticky purée. It’s used in decadent, indulgent desserts like Mont Blanc, where it’s piled on top of a buttery tart shell (along with whipped cream). 

    In all honesty, this might be my favorite French dessert. But like many great French desserts, it involves a lot of components and time spent in the kitchen — something I’m not fond of, despite being an avid baker. As much as I like to think about making everything from scratch, I have to admit that when it comes to this dessert, I take several shortcuts. I buy buttery tart shells, whipped cream (or mouse), and ready-made chestnut purée.

    The chestnut purée is so beloved in France and the alpine regions of Switzerland that you can find ready-made chestnut purée (named “marron purée”) in jars and even tubes next to the jams and honey in the supermarket aisle. These days, you can also order both online. How doubly convenient!

    What’s So Great About Clement Faugier Chestnut Spread?

    One of the best and most common, readily available tubes of chestnut purée is the one by Clement Faugier. It’s my go-to choice when making any dessert with chestnut purée. It’s made in the company’s factory in Ardeche, a region in France known for growing chestnuts.

    I like that it comes in a tube, too: In Europe, most chestnut desserts like the Mont Blanc require the chestnut purée to be squeezed out of a piping bag and in tiny little noodle-like strips. For less-experienced bakers, you don’t need to mess around with any other tools; you just simply squeeze it straight from the tube!

    The chestnut purée also comes in cans (and in bulk!), which makes it perfect for desserts that call for more of the deliciously sticky-sweet paste.

    What’s the Best Way to Use Clement Faugier Chestnut Spread?

    In Switzerland, the sweet ingredient is commonly found in ski resorts (alongside fondue), which is where I get my inspiration from. Rather than being too precious, I take a cue from the Swiss slopes and embrace simplicity: I place hard meringues at the bottom of a glass jar, dollop lots of whipped cream over the meringue, and then squeeze the entire tube of chestnut purée on top — et voila! Dessert made in a flash.

    Rather than using cream, try spooning the chestnut purée as the filling in your next Swiss roll or Yule log cake. After having two epic desserts, featuring chestnut ice cream (at Le Vieux Chalet in Switzerland and Petri in Stockholm), I went home to recreate the from-scratch sweet with Clement Faugier’s spread. It might not be “Michelin-worthy,” but it was certainly my own culinary masterpiece.

    What budget-friendly baking staples are you stocking up on right now? Tell us about it in the comments.

    Michelle Tchea

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  • This $1 Bakery Find Is the Reason I Keep Shopping at Lidl

    This $1 Bakery Find Is the Reason I Keep Shopping at Lidl

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    I’m a pretty loyal grocery shopper, in that I rarely stray from my (basically two) usual haunts. I’m not in the habit of hopping from store to store for the end-all, be-all lowest prices. I essentially have a Myspace Top 2. That is, until I discovered a new Lidl location was opening up near me; then, of course, I had to throw my whole roster out the window.

    What started as casually flirting with the idea of just stopping by a Lidl ended up with me consistently with a sale flier in hand, reusable bags at the ready, and nearly getting a “I heart Lidl” tattoo on my forearm. I never looked back once I tried just one item in particular: the butter croissants. 

    Not only are they only $.79 a pop, but they’re also basically better than the freshly baked ones I get from my local bakery (that often go for at least six to eight times the price). How does Lidl do this witchcraft? I may never know, but I’m finally ready to stop gatekeeping this bakery gem. 

    What’s So Great About Lidl’s Butter Croissants?

    Okay, so once you pick up your jaw off the ground from spotting that low, low price, you can get to eating one of these puppies. What you’ll soon discover is that these are the platonic ideal of a croissant: buttery, light, flaky, and airy in the middle and ready for slicing into crois-sandwiches or stuffing with something sweet and dreamy, like chocolate hazelnut spread.

    Plus, they freeze up like a dream, so they’re a great thing to stock up on when they’re actually in stock because, as you’ll find, they’re pretty popular to those in-the-know. It was nearly an occupational hazard just to take a picture of these croissants over all the frenzy of other customers trying to get their share. 

    What’s the Best Way to Use Lidl’s Butter Croissants?

    While eating them all on their own is a valid and worthy endeavor (I personally like to rip the flaky layers and dunk them straight in a milky coffee), why stop there? Anytime I can, I try to use these croissants to bring me back to my Italian vacations of yore. If that sounds just as delectable to you, do yourself a big favor and stuff your croissants Italian cornetto-style with a dollop of crunchy pistachio cream, apricot jam, or fresh whipped cream and berries.

    Feeling more savory in your future? It goes without saying that these are the ideal vehicle for all sorts of sandwich fillings, like chicken salad, ham and cheese, or the best BLT you’ve had in recent memory. If you did yourself the aforementioned favor of stocking up on these croissants, you’ll be so glad you did; those croissants are going to be so happy in a savory breakfast casserole (or even a sweet one, for that matter). 

    Find it in stores: Butter Croissants, $.79 per croissant at Lidl

    Do you have a Lidl gem more people should know about? Tell us about it in the comments below.

    Mackenzie Filson

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  • Cheesy “Potato Puffs” Are the Only Way I Eat Leftover Mashed Potatoes

    Cheesy “Potato Puffs” Are the Only Way I Eat Leftover Mashed Potatoes

    My whole family looks forward to these more than the big meal.
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    Faith Durand

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  • I Tried the Nonstick Pan That’s Supposed to Last Up to 37 Times Longer than Ceramic (It’s on Sale!)

    I Tried the Nonstick Pan That’s Supposed to Last Up to 37 Times Longer than Ceramic (It’s on Sale!)

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    The quest for a nonstick pan that can actually stay nonstick for the long haul can feel, well, kind of futile. Get a new pan, then fall in love as your eggs go slipping and sliding onto your plate — but give it just a few months and you’re back to chiseling bits off the bottom again. Of course, failing to care for the pans properly is a big reason why they just don’t last that long (back away from the metal utensils!), but it’s just a matter of fact that, eventually, the coatings will get stickier over time. In addition, concerns about chemicals in PTFE (aka Teflon) coatings getting vaporized into the air at high temperatures has lured many shoppers away from traditional nonstick. Although these coatings are deemed safe and have been free of harmful PFOAs since around 2015, consumers are still wary.

    Ceramic cookware has emerged as one of the most popular alternatives, but it’s known to lose its nonstick properties after just a few months of use. So when Material Kitchen, one of the many Kitchn favorite direct-to-consumer cookware brands, launched a nonstick a Teflon-free pan purported to last 37 times longer than ceramic last year, well I just had to try it out. And guess what? It’s just as good as new, after a year plus of daily use. But the good news doesn’t stop there! You can get ahold of this MVP pan for 20 percent off on Material’s site right now from now until November 29. All you need to do is add the essential to your cart (along with maybe the brand’s fan-favorite reBoard and our editor-loved knives, they shouldn’t be missed) and score the discount, easy!

    When I unboxed it all those months ago, I also couldn’t help noticing how pretty it is, with its shiny stainless-steel bottom and emerald green surface. In a sea of black and gray, this 10.5-inch sauté pan is quite fetching.

    What Is the Coated Pan by Material Kitchen? 

    The first time I held the essential, I noticed it’s decently heavy for a nonstick pan. At 2.78 pounds, it’s just a little lighter than an All-Clad skillet of the same size (by comparison the 10-inch nonstick skillets I already had in my cabinets were closer to 2 pounds 4 ounces). It makes sense considering the pan is built similarly — 5-ply construction with a copper core for even heating. (For what it’s worth, Material’s Coated Pan is decently more expensive than cheap-o nonstick pans but at least half the price of an All-Clad.) If you like a super lightweight nonstick pan this might not be the one for you, but I loved how substantial it felt and figured its heft meant there’s less chance this pan is going to warp.

    The company calls the coating “mineral nonstick,” fume-free, as well as PFOA-free (again, all nonstick pans are now), Teflon-free, lead-free, and cadmium-free. It’s reinforced with stainless steel, which is why it lasts so much longer than ceramic. And don’t forget, it has that copper core. I’ve used it every day for a year and a half and it’s still as slippery as the day I took it out of the box. 

    My Review of Material Kitchen’s Coated Pan

    The pan heats up fast. In a test of how quickly it heated a cup of water compared to other nonstick and ceramic pans, using the same burner and same flame level for all, the Coated Pan clocked in at less than a minute, while the others took about 30 seconds longer to get the water simmering. It was also noticeably more even in its heat. The water began simmering evenly all around the edges almost at the same time. The other pans started in one area and it took longer for the heat to spread. 

    I cooked pancakes without any oil or butter in the pan and they cooked perfectly golden and even, with no sticking. Even when I added sliced bananas and chocolate chips there was no sticking. I also fried up a bunch of eggs and made omelettes and crepes and they all slid out perfectly. When frying tofu not a single cube stuck and they cooked up crisp and evenly golden from the center to the very edge of the pan. And because the pan is oven safe to 500 degrees, I was able to cook up a frittata and let it get a finishing stint in the oven.

    Supremely even heat, a truly nonstick surface, and a beauty to look at. All in all, I’m very impressed with the Coated Pan. In fact, it might just be my favorite piece of cookware I’ve owned to date.

    Do you have a favorite nonstick pan? Tell us about it in the comments below.

    Danielle Centoni

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  • My $7 Secret to the Most Decadent No-Bake Desserts

    My $7 Secret to the Most Decadent No-Bake Desserts

    No graham crackers necessary.
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    Lizzy Briskin

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  • Shoppers Drive 200 Miles to Trader Joe’s for This $5 Freezer Find

    Shoppers Drive 200 Miles to Trader Joe’s for This $5 Freezer Find

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    No matter how you feel about it, there’s no denying that the most popular item sold at Trader Joe’s is its Mandarin Orange Chicken. I used to work for Trader Joe’s, so I know firsthand how wild the frenzy can get about this frozen delight. In the South, where my particular store is, some folks would travel up to 200 miles just to stock up for the month on all of their frozen standbys (cooler bags and ice packs in tow!), which often meant bags upon bags of Mandarin Orange Chicken.

    As for me, there are certain Trader Joe’s items that hold such specific taste memories for me — and Mandarin Orange Chicken is one of the most vivid. It was my college standby meal, for when the devil on my shoulder said, “We could just get Panda Express, couldn’t we?” and the angel on my shoulder said, “Saving money is also really cool, you know.” In this case, the Mandarin Orange Chicken was the perfect compromise, although I think my post-grad spin on this frozen item just might be even better. 

    What’s So Great About Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken?

    Much like the Chinese American takeout classic it emulates, the Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken has breaded nuggets of dark meat chicken that crisp up to a golden-brown in the oven (or, better yet, air fryer) for eight to 10 minutes. When tossed with the accompanying sweet-spicy-sticky orange sauce, it’s a great break-in-case-of-emergency meal to keep on hand when your DoorDash/Uber Eats/Postmates apps start sending you the siren song of coupons and alerts. Served with fluffy rice, roasted broccoli (which you can even roast alongside your chicken), and a sprinkling of green onions and chili crunch for a meal that’ll have you go, “Takeout, who?”

    Full disclaimer: Trader Joe’s serving sizes are sort of a punchline all their own. This bag says it serves five, but for me it solidly serves my hunger levels at a solid 2.5 servings (two entrées plus a little cheeky bowl for when midnight snack time comes around), so proceed with those portions in mind if you’re looking to serve the whole fam. 

    What’s the Best Way to Use Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken?

    On their own, the nuggets are flavored pretty neutrally, so they are a great open-access protein for all kinds of riffing, which I love doing when I want a sauce that’s less on the sweet side (and it is pretty sweet!). I often use it as a shortcut for fried and breaded chicken dishes, like brushing it with a Nashville chicken-style spicy oil for mini sliders and mimicking other takeout favorites by mixing up a Korean-inspired gochujang BBQ sauce to coat it and serve alongside plenty of banchan.

    If I really want to put dinner on easy mode, I’ll toss it with another sauce like Buffalo, honey mustard, or a sticky BBQ (like Sweet Baby Ray’s) for throwing into a wrap or topping an easy workday-friendly lunch salad that my college self would be very impressed by. 

    Find it in stores: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken, $4.99 for 22 ounces

    Have you tried Trader Joe’s iconic Mandarin Orange Chicken? Tell us about it in the comments below.

    Mackenzie Filson

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  • The $1 Aldi Grocery I’m Bringing to Thanksgiving This Year

    The $1 Aldi Grocery I’m Bringing to Thanksgiving This Year

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    The platters of family favorites that fill the Thanksgiving table every year all have one thing in common: Many of the most beloved (and delicious) recipes — mashed potatoes, fluffy dinner rolls, savory gravy, and the pièce de résistance, roasted turkey — are all shades of brown. Tasty as the traditional menu might be, I’m always on the lookout for low-lift ways to add color to my plate, beyond the cranberry sauce. 

    On a recent visit to Aldi, I spotted the key to a more colorful holiday dinner in the freezer aisle — Season’s Choice Colorful Carrots — and for about $1 per bag. 

    What’s So Great About Season’s Choice Colorful Carrots?

    Aldi’s Season’s Choice frozen carrot coins aren’t what you’d expect. Instead of slices of orange carrots, this bag contains a medley of hues, including yellow, purple, and white. The carrots come packaged in a 12-ounce bag. That translates to about four (3/4-cup) servings, although with so many other sides available, you can probably stretch this package to serve a few more folks. 

    If you can’t get enough of prepped colorful vegetables, pick up a package of colorful cauliflower to pair with the rainbow medley of carrots. That 12-ounce bag contains purple, orange, green, and white cauliflower florets for the same price.

    What’s the Best Way to Serve Season’s Choice Colorful Carrots?

    Aldi’s Season’s Choice colorful carrots come in steam-in-bag packaging. If your oven is packed and the stovetop is occupied, go ahead and steam the carrots according to package directions. The key to making this frozen vegetable holiday-worthy is in how you serve them. Dress the colorful carrot coins with homemade honey butter or this flavor-packed cowboy butter.

    In many cases, the oven has a brief respite once the turkey is removed to the counter to rest. Use that time to roast the carrots directly from frozen. Follow the technique for this roasted frozen broccoli and be shocked at how simple and delicious a frozen veggie can be. If you’re looking for a way to prep the carrots on the stovetop, look no further than glazed carrots. While this recipe starts with fresh carrots, you can add the carrots straight from the freezer; once they are mostly thawed, move onto the glazing step. 

    Find it in stores: Season’s Choice Colorful Carrots, $1.37 for 12 ounces

    What Aldi groceries are you bringing to Thanksgiving this year? Tell us about it in the comments below.

    Patty Catalano

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  • This $9 Costco Snack Is My Best Impulse Buy of All Time

    This $9 Costco Snack Is My Best Impulse Buy of All Time

    We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

    On most of my trips to Costco I’m accompanied by a four-year-old shopping buddy. This means, in addition to making our way to the far reaches of the warehouse to see the forklifts (hopefully in action), I am as efficient as possible. I go in with a list (organized by store layout, of course), get what I need, and get out. There’s rarely any strolling the aisles to scout out new-to-me items.

    On the rare occasion I do get to Costco solo, I take my time looking for fun finds, groceries my fellow editors have raved about (hello, Mini Caramel Apple Cakes). Basically, it’s inevitable there’s at least one — though, more likely several — impulse buys in my cart. 

    On my last solo trip, I was so excited about my latest impulse buy — Muddy Bites, which are basically bite-size milk chocolate-filled waffle cones — I tossed them in the front seat so I could try them immediately. There was no way I could wait until I got home to tear open the bag. What a great decision because they were even better than I expected.  

    What’s So Great About Muddy Bites Milk Chocolate Waffle Cone Snacks?

    The thing that immediately drew me to these mini cones is that they reminded me of Trader Joe’s Hold the Cone Mini Ice Cream Cones — minus the ice cream, of course. My favorite part of Hold the Cone is the chocolate lining the inside of the cone. Muddy Bites are just that, but better. Because instead of just a chocolate lining on the cones, the two-inch cone is filled with solid milk chocolate.

    These tiny cones are crisp and taste just like you’d expect a waffle cone to taste, with a hint of vanilla and just-sweet-enough flavor. The solid chocolate filling is smooth, creamy, and delicious. It is the perfect two-bite treat.

    What’s the Best Way to Serve Muddy Bites Milk Chocolate Waffle Cone Snacks?

    You absolutely can’t go wrong popping these in your mouth and eating them as-is. If you want to follow my lead, open up that bag as soon as you load your Costco haul in the car. They also make a great lunchbox snack and after-school snack. 

    I highly recommend putting out a bowl when you have friends over (they will get gobbled up). They’re a fun treat to bring to potlucks, a great choice for road trips (if it happens to be super hot, just keep the bag in a cooler), and a solid addition to dessert boards and spreads. And of course, they make a great ice cream topping.

    Find it in stores: Muddy Bites Milk Chocolate Waffle Cone Snacks, $8.99 for 12.5 ounces

    What’s your best grocery impulse buy of all time? Tell us in the comments below.

    Kelli Foster

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  • I Own a Lot of Cast Iron Skillets. This Is My Favorite One.

    I Own a Lot of Cast Iron Skillets. This Is My Favorite One.

    You might not have heard of this brand before.
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    Rochelle Bilow

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  • This $5 Trader Joe’s Bakery Find Is a Total Dupe for a Costco Favorite

    This $5 Trader Joe’s Bakery Find Is a Total Dupe for a Costco Favorite

    I eat them for breakfast, dessert, and even a late-night snack.
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    Christina Knueven

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