11 Soul-Gratifying Must Haves For the Kitchen This January

"When it comes to cleanses, I'm apt to gravitate toward Giada De Laurentiis's Whole Food Cleanse. 'Dairy, sugar, and alcohol are strictly off-limits. . . . For the first couple of days, I limit myself to soup for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,' Giada explains. The rules seem simple enough, and she includes some easy recipe ideas, like her famous detox soup." — Anna Monette Roberts, editor, Food

"When I saw these Slow & Low 84 Proof Cans ($4), I was instantly smitten. A proper cocktail in a can? What more could one ask for? They've literally taken the cocktail game to a whole new level with these easy, portable, and convenient cans that are sure to be a fixture at any BBQ, picnic, tailgate, concert, outdoor party, whatever! Now I have to say, I'm a pretty serious cocktail drinker and not only do these cans deliver on the alcoholic punch, but they also absolutely deliver on the flavor as well. I know we'll probably see the market flood with more canned craft cocktails as these make the rounds, but I'm happy that this is the first one making its mark." — Nicole Iizuka, senior producer and director

"I had never heard of Chatbooks until Tyler Florence started sharing recipe videos on Instagram, saying that he released a new cookbook series called Family, Friends and Weekends from Chatbooks ($60 for four cookbooks plus a cookbook stand). It's four cookbooks by the chef delivered to your door every season, and I'm sold. I know how awesome Tyler Florence's recipes are — particularly his mashed potatoes — and since one of my New Year's resolutions is to cook at home more, I'm game to try any of Tyler's recipes, like cauliflower soup, mushroom peppercorn sauce, and California Rancho Chili." — Erin Cullum, assistant editor, Food

"Hampton Creek, maker of eggless mayo and Scramble, is also responsible for Just Cookie Dough ($4), one of my favorite guilty pleasures, conveniently available at Target. While chocolate chip is my favorite, Just Cookie Dough also comes in peanut butter and birthday cake (with sprinkles!). It's made without butter or eggs, so it feels practically guilt-free. The dough is safe to eat raw and bakes up into perfectly chewy cookies. I also noticed the brand released Just Chocolate Chunk Cookies (box of cookies) that I can't wait to try at home." — AMR

"The cast of Hamilton stopped by the Chopped set, and I'm not quite sure what's in the works, but I'm keeping my eyes peeled. An episode with Hamilton guest judges, perhaps? What's clear is that Food Network was happy to host the cast, sharing a photo on Instagram Stories that read 'Food Network Kitchen welcomes Hamilton,' with an impressive menu including grilled oysters, Winter squash crostini, herb-stuffed arctic char, and Moroccan carrots." — EC

"Go back to the classics at your next party with a good old game of poker, gin rummy, or king's cup! These stunning playing cards ($10), designed by Neil Patrick Harris, are the perfect addition to my bar cart and cocktail party. Not only are they easily the most beautiful deck of cards I've ever seen, but I also like knowing that each deck sold helps support the fight against AIDS with (RED), and there's even a secret hidden in the layers of the cards. If you want to know what it is, you'll have to get a deck yourself! And then let me know, because I still have yet to solve the riddle." — NI

"I tried the Martha & Marley Spoon Thanksgiving menu, so I am absolutely on board to try its game-day menu as well for the Super Bowl (Feb. 5). Available to order Jan. 2 through 26 to be shipped the week of Jan. 30, Martha & Marley Spoon is offering "finger foods and hearty dishes" both in two-person and family-size portions. Customers can order up to four dishes from the game-day menu, including pepper and onion cheese pizza, buffalo cauliflower salad, healthy nachos, oven-fried fish and chips, roasted sausages and peppers, chili and chips, and teriyaki chicken wings." — AMR

"I've just been introduced to Alter Eco chocolates, and I'm officially obsessed, particularly with the Organic Sea Salt Truffles ($8). I can't resist the combination of ultradark chocolate and sea salt, and a silky-smooth ganache filling takes these over the edge. What I love most is that they're made of a short list of eight natural ingredients, unlike many other truffles that have questionable additives and ingredients I can't pronounce." — EC

"Forget celebrating the holidays. I like to celebrate the next year ahead of me, and one of my absolute favorite indulgences is luxurious caviar. Enjoying caviar is like enjoying fine wine, and each variety, each ocean will give subtle variations that make all the difference. But what about sustainability and locality? Enter Roe Caviar ($99), a beautiful white sturgeon caviar that's straight from California! This is everything I could wish for in a decadent treat, and if I could, I'd eat it on pretty much anything." — NI

"The news of a S'mores Girl Scout cookies broke in August, and the glorious time has finally come. As soon as cookie season starts near me, I plan on buying an embarrassing number of boxes of each new cookie (yes there are two kinds!). It’ll be a battle between the stuffed graham cracker s'mores cookie and the double-dipped chocolate s'mores cookie." — EC

"I have been obsessed with Ancho Reyes since it hit the market with its sultry, smoky, spicy notes that drive my cocktails wild. But those crazy spice kids have added a new liquor to play with called Ancho Reyes Verde ($36). This companion piece is flavored with green poblano chiles very commonly used in Southwestern cuisine, and I have to say it's certainly a welcome addition to the spiced liquor mix. I know I'm going to have fun crafting cocktails with this." — NI