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Melissa Gaman is a recipe developer, editor, and food writer living in Jersey City, New Jersey. She loves to bake, especially bread, cookies, and anything chocolatey. Her sourdough starter came from Alaska and is rumored to date back to the Gold Rush. Outside of the kitchen, she loves to grill, smoke, and cook over live fire. Potatoes are her desert island food.
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Melissa Gaman
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Sarah writes about all things shopping for Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, and Cubby helping you find the best deals and the best products for you and your home. A Brooklyn-born Jersey Girl, she loves a good playlist, a good bagel, and her family (but not necessarily in that order).
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Sarah M. Vazquez
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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!
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.
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.
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Michelle Lau
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Kitchen counters are important real estate, so whatever makes it out for display has to be worth it — especially in a small apartment! Thankfully, we know of one appliance that does the job of 10, and it’s on sale right now. Meet the Vitamix One, the dream appliance of every small kitchen. It works as your go-to blender, whole food juicer, frozen drink magician, ice cream sorcerer, hand mixer, cheese-grating whiz, veggie chopper, meat grinder, stick blender, and food processor—all packed into a sleek, lightweight package. *Takes deep breath.* And, it does it all with just a spin of a dial.
No more dealing with the chaos of stuffing a handful of appliances in your already cramped cabinets, this one appliance will fit all your needs. It’s not just about blending; it’s about adding a dash of simplicity to your kitchen. Does a hazelnut coffee shake on a cold winter day sound good to you? With the Vitamix One, it’s just a dial away.
The Vitamix One is a dream come true for those who enjoy delicious smoothies, dips, and fresh-made dressings, all while searching for something that won’t dominate their kitchen countertop. In an attractive, lightweight package, this blender transforms into 10 appliances with a single twist of a dial. From blending and juicing to making frozen drinks, ice cream, and even acting as a hand mixer, cheese grater, chopper, meat grinder, stick blender, and food processor, the Vitamix One is your kitchen sous chef (at an incredible cost!).
The Vitamix one isn’t just a blender; it’s a whole slew of kitchen appliances in one package. From smoothies to chopping veggies, it’s got your back — all with a twist of a dial. No fuss, no clutter, just a stress-free kitchen. Get it now while it’s on sale!
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Haley Lyndes
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With the holiday season in full swing, planning out a dinner party or figuring out what you’re going to bring to a potluck can be daunting tasks. However, we’ve got plenty of great recipes for you to check out that can make narrowing down your dishes a breeze. Once you know what you’re cooking or baking, all that’s left to worry about is how you’ll be presenting it. For that, look no further than a trusty serving platter. Serving trays and display platters are must-have pieces in your holiday hosting toolkit, but for many people, the holiday season is the only time they break them out all year. That’s why it’s such a great idea to invest in a serving dish or platter that you’ll use multiple times a year — at least. That’s where this Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid from editor-favorite heritage brand Le Cresuest comes in. Its innovative two-in-one design lets you bake and serve with just one piece of cookware. Plus, it won’t spend all year gathering dust in the back of a cabinet, and it’s on sale right now!
Le Creuset designed the Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid specifically to look amazing and function even better. It’s perfect for bringing from the oven straight to the table, and you can even use the two dishes separately. The platter lid makes a perfect lid for the baking dish, serving tray, cheeseboard, and display piece. The baking dish is great for everything from baking cakes and roasting vegetables to cooking casseroles, braising beef, and much more. Plus, the tight-fitting lid makes it a snap to keep leftovers. The Rhone colorway is also perfect for the holiday season, though there are plenty of shades to choose from to match any and all kitchen aesthetics.
Average Rating: 4.1 / 5
So, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for the host in your life, or you’re hoping to upgrade your holiday serving and baking gear with a piece that you’ll (actually) use more than just a few times per year, you can’t go wrong with the Rectangular Dish with Platter Lid from Le Creuset — especially while it’s still on sale!
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Ian Burke
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Get ready to wrap up 2023 in style with Tupperware’s incredible end-of-year sale! The renowned food storage brand is slashing prices on a wide range of must-haves, including water bottles, bowls, lunch boxes, commuter mugs, food storage, and more — essentially, everything you need to start the new year on a high note. Now’s your chance to stock up on extra water bottles for your daily commute, bowls for efficient meal prep, and lunch boxes that liberate you from the takeout trap. It’s the perfect moment to replenish your kitchen essentials: Trust me, your future self will be grateful!
Whether you’re seeking a holiday gift idea or simply looking to upgrade your food storage, Tupperware has got you covered. Let’s make 2024 an organized year and shop our top picks from the sale ahead. After all, everyone can use new storage containers, am I right?
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Haley Lyndes
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It totally transformed how I organize my staples.
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Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal
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While you may head to Costco for the fixings of a giant holiday feast, it may not be your first stop when shopping for a charcuterie board. There’s no need to buy a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano or 10 pounds of prosciutto, to assemble a bountiful — and affordable — charcuterie board from items you can buy at Costco.
There is no season that makes having a Costco membership more valuable than the holidays. With over a decade of bulk shopping and holiday hosting experience I’ve figured out how to fill my cart strategically so that I’m not hit with sticker shock at the register or too many leftovers once the party is over. I’m convinced that there is no better place to shop than Costco for your holiday charcuterie board. Here’s how to do it.
The selection of gourmet cheeses and charcuterie at Costco remains awe-inspiring, even to longtime members. The warehouse wonder has found the sweet spot of cost and quality, but it usually entails purchasing oversized cheese wedges or poster-size packages of salami. When variety, not quantity, is the main objective, look for multipacks. Although you won’t have as much control over every meat and cheese you serve, your platter will be full and you may discover a new favorite.
Use the same strategy when it comes to nuts and dried fruit. You’ll save some money by buying a mixture rather than individual nuts, dried fruits, and seeds. That said, you’re sure to have some leftovers from a Costco charcuterie board, so make sure to choose foods you won’t mind snacking on in the coming days.
Here’s what I picked to serve a party of 12 and why.
Total: $68.83; $5.74 per person
Unless you’re hosting the party of the decade with a guest list to match (and in that case, I expect an invitation), you’ll probably be snacking on the leftovers in the days to come. Thankfully, all of the elements of this charcuterie board can be enjoyed throughout the holiday season, so there’ll be no holiday Miss Havisham vibes here. Plus, you’ll always have something to offer unexpected guests that happen to drop in.
What are your favorite Costco charcuterie board additions? Tell us in the comments below.
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Patty Catalano
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I dream of the day that I have a kitchen (and, let’s be honest, the funds) to renovate exactly the way I want. The cabinet color, fixture style, and flooring are all decided as of now, but there are so many other hypothetical decisions to make. As kitchen trends come and go, interior designers and homeowners have been taking more risks in recent years, and it’s clear that the kitchen isn’t strictly about function anymore — the possibilities for its style and design are truly endless.
We talked to kitchen experts and interior designers, and these are the hottest 15 kitchen remodeling ideas top of mind for the pros these days. Make sure to take notes, because you’ll want to try them in your space ASAP!
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Quincy Bulin
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Cory is a New York City–based associate editor at The Kitchn, who covers food trends, lifestyle, wine, liquor, spirits, food-related travel, and food features. Before working at The Kitchn, he worked as an editor at Food Network Magazine and was a contributor to The Pioneer Woman Magazine. Cory also occasionally develops recipes, tests products, and contributes SEO content for The Kitchn.
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Cory Fernandez
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“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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If you’re an avid reader of The Kitchn, you probably already know that knives and knife gear are some of my favorite products to test and review. I have my preferred sharpeners, cutting boards, holders, and blocks — pretty much any knife-related gadget you could think of, I’ve tried out. There’s just something about having a bunch of cool-looking, wicked-sharp knives hanging from your wall that makes a kitchen look (pardon the pun) metal. Over the years, I’ve added so many blades to my collection that my girlfriend has made me I’ve chosen to give some to friends and family, especially my parents — though that’s mostly a gift to myself because whenever I’m back home cooking in their kitchen I have a sharp knife to use.
And, after testing all of these knives, they can sometimes blend together, but every so often I get to try one that sets itself apart from the pack. In today’s case, it’s the Sekkin Signature Chef’s Knife. This incredibly sharp blade — combined with its distinguished look and ergonomic feel — makes my meal prep so effortless, that it’s worth the splurge. (And, with the holiday season in full swing, it also makes a great gift for the home chef in your life!)
The Sekkin Signature Chef’s Knife is made from Japanese Damascus Steel and 67 layers of high-carbon stainless steel. With a Pakkawood handle and a water buffalo horn bolster, it’s lightweight, ultra-sharp, and effortlessly chic. It also comes with a sleek Magnolia wood sheath, which (if you’re not storing your knife on a magnetic strip) is a great way to protect it — and your fingers — when it’s in a drawer. There’s also a 14-day return policy if you’re not satisfied with your purchase.
Like I said, I have a bunch of knives, but this one seems to be more comfortable in the hand than even the most “ergonomically designed” knives in my drawer. I’m not sure if it’s the octagonal handle or the balance, but whatever it is, it makes cutting, dicing, and chopping a blast. Be careful when you take this out of the box though, people, since when they say it comes sharp, they’re not kidding. I was able to shave a good patch of hair off my arm on day one (kind of a weird sharpness test, but effective nonetheless!), so pay attention when you’re working with this thing.
The sharp tapered point also makes it ideal for more intricate work — like breaking down a chicken — and the dimpled sides help stop pieces of potato and carrot from sticking to the knife as you work. Of course, my favorite part of the knife (besides its performance) is just how cool it looks hanging from my knife strip. Plus, I’m not the only one who’s been won over by the Sekkin Signature Chef’s Knife, either. “It’s a game-changer,” one reviewer wrote. “Its unique design adds flair to my kitchen, while its unparalleled sharpness makes slicing a breeze. I’m confident it’ll bring pleasure to my cooking for years. A fantastic gift for culinary enthusiasts who appreciate both style and functionality. Highly recommended!”
Now, at $220, this isn’t exactly the cheapest knife in the drawer — though it’s certainly on the “affordable” side when it comes to high-end blades! — but the top-quality construction and elevated look will help it pay for itself in the long run. Plus, whether you’re getting this for yourself or gifting it to a loved one, nothing beats making meal prep just a little easier.
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Ian Burke
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When people complain about having to live in small spaces, there are a few select issues they often tend to bring up: a lack of storage, having to share a bathroom with roommates, no in-unit laundry — you know the deal. These are, of course, all valid points of concern. But as a small space dweller myself, there’s a different problem that bothers me unlike any other, and it’s the fact that my apartment frequently smells like food. And it’s not just the kitchen! When your home lacks a range hood and quarters are confined, grease, smoke, and other unpleasant scents tend to quickly penetrate your clothes, curtains, carpets, hair, and even your bedding. Simply put, it’s the worst.
Now, there’s really no way to get around food smells if you or your roommates cook at home, but there are products you can invest in to make up for the lack of a proper exhaust system in the kitchen. We’ve listed some great alternatives below that’ll help clear the air around your culinary workstation; plus, they don’t take up a lot of space!
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Nikol Slatinska
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If you’ve been waiting to enhance your coffee setup, do so with the Breville Barista Espresso Machine (it’s on sale right now!). This gorgeous small appliance isn’t just about brewing; it’s about creating a daily ritual that feels like a small luxury. Our editors, who are avid coffee enthusiasts themselves, rave about Breville machines for consistently delivering barista-quality espresso to the comfort of their homes.
But it’s not just about the caffeine fix — this machine transforms your daily coffee routine into a refined experience. With a keen focus on quality and craftsmanship, this sale is your ticket to delicious coffee each and every morning. Don’t let this opportunity slide! Bring the Breville Barista Espresso Machine home and watch as each sip turns into a celebration of top-notch brewing. Act now to make your mornings a friendlier, more flavorful affair. If you’re not a morning person now, you will be soon!
The Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is a kitchen workhorse: It pulls espresso shots like a total pro, while the steam wand (it does a 360-degree swivel!) heats and froths milk for delicious cappuccinos, lattes, and more. It has a built-in water heater, too, so you can top your espresso shot with piping hot water for an americano or make a cup of tea without using a kettle. During hot days, swap hot water for tap and ice cubes for a refreshing cold brew. It truly does it all.
This machine comes with everything you need, including a bean hopper and grinder, a tamper, four filter baskets, a steel milk jug, a coffee scoop, a razor dose trimming tool, and even cleaning supplies for when it’s time to descale the machine. “Although I was worried the coffee maker would take up too much counter space in my tiny kitchen, it has a very compact footprint. And my favorite feature? The top portion works like a mug warmer. Let me tell you, nothing beats the joy of wrapping my fingers around a warm mug before the start of a hectic workday,” says Commerce Writer Sholeen Damarwala, who owns the machine herself.
Our Managing Editor, Lauren, also bought this espresso maker during quarantine and is still equally smitten. “My husband and I are new parents, so our espresso machine is our most beloved appliance right now,” she says. “When we’re groggy-eyed and sleep-deprived, we know we can have a perfect shot of espresso with basically a push of a button. Also, being able to have an oat milk latte without leaving our house now is such a treat!” Agreed!
Even on sale at $559.95, the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine is definitely a significant investment — but think of all the money you’ll save creating all your favorite café-style drinks at home! Plus, if you’re looking for the perfect way to spoil the coffee lover in your life this holiday season, I can guarantee this pick will put a smile on their face — it’s still putting one on mine!
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Haley Lyndes
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Before online DTC brands were a thing, did you ever think you’d buy groceries and pantry staples anywhere other than your local supermarket? Probably not, but brands like Fly By Jing make us happy that the food shopping scene has changed so much. Instead of hitting up the same grocery stores and only having access to a select few hot sauces and condiments, you can head directly to Fly By Jing’s site and discover new favorites that’ll elevate just about any meal, from stir fried noodles and veggies to eggs, ice cream, and more. Our own editors are huge fans of the brand’s jarred sauces, especially the fan-favorite Sichuan Chili Crisp. You can imagine, then, how excited we were to learn that FBJ is hosting a holiday sale on all of their gift sets!
Now through December 20, you can save up to 40 percent on condiment trios, their best-selling hot pot starter set, and other highly coveted bundles. Although they’d all make wonderful gifts, we’re sure you’ll want to purchase a sauce trio or two for your own condiment cabinet. Stock up now, before the deals end!
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Nikol Slatinska
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As you’ll find, the connection between these two grocers reveals a history and a family tree that’ll briefly have you looking like that one mathematical equation meme, but is essentially centered on one German family that, separately (the key word here!), owns both Aldi and Trader Joe’s.
Let’s set the scene with the family in question: the Albrecht Family (namely, brothers Theo and Karl Albrecht). Together, they largely ran and expanded Aldi (which is a combination of “Albrecht” + “Diskont” [the German word for “discount”]) in 1946, taking over their mother Anna’s original store and growing it into their own grocery empire.
Much like you might expect with siblings, the two brothers decided to split their companies in two in 1961 after they allegedly had a dispute over whether they should sell cigarettes (seriously!). Karl, who was against selling cigarettes (he thought it would attract shoplifters) then went on to run Aldi Süd in the southern half of Germany, while Theo (who disagreed) would run Aldi Nord in the northern half of Germany. Both Aldis have been financially and legally separate since 1966.
It’s all a bit Shakespearean (or an episode of Succession), and I’m not even going to get into how Theo was kidnapped and held for ransom in the ‘70s. But wait, there’s more!
While these two Aldi branches are both Aldi in name, only one is the operator of the U.S.-based Aldi locations you know and love (as well as Winn-Dixie), which would be Aldi Süd. We can also thank Karl and Aldi Süd for their Aldi locations in southern Germany, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and China.
As for Aldi Nord (which runs the Aldi locations in countries such as Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain), it most importantly is the company we can thank for Trader Joe’s; Aldi Nord bought the grocer from the original, eponymous Trader Joe himself (Joe Coulombe) in 1979.
Since the two brothers’ passing, the ownership has stayed within the larger Albrecht family, which makes it all a bit more blurry at the edges. But at the end of the day, the companies are run completely separately, with both companies now more under the influence of their respective executives than the family itself.
Like some brothers, Karl and Theo shared a lot in common — most notably their frugality. Fun fact: Theo, for one, always wore cheap, ill-fitting suits, used pencils down all the way to the stub, and preferred plain meals, with lots of potatoes. He even haggled with his kidnappers.
This same frugality is something that was key to their success, and a big reason why both Trader Joe’s and Aldi have consistently low prices to this day. So, we’ll be thanking them both for helping us keep a few more clams in our wallet during our grocery runs.
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Mackenzie Filson
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