9 Ultracozy Food Picks For November
Rather than lament the loss of daylight, we're taking it as an excuse to spend more nights cozied up at home. Whether this means hosting a slew of dinner parties, curling up with a mug of tea and a good book, or baking up a storm (or all three), we've found plenty of goodies to get excited about.
Best Food Writing 2014
Each year I look forward to the release of Holly Hughes's Best Food Writing, and this year's volume ($16) is just as good as ever. Even as a dedicated reader of this genre, much of the content within its pages is new to me, as Hughes scours regional newspapers, nonfiction books, niche publications, and pretty much every corner of the Internet to deliver the very best content.
— Nicole Perry, assistant editor
Not Without Salt Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Not Without Salt Salted Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix ($13), sold through Many Kitchens, might be the best cookie mix on the market. First off, we love that these cookies use the highest-quality ingredients, including unbleached wheat flour, dried vanilla bean, turbinado sugar (more molasses means chewier cookies), 72-percent bittersweet chocolate coins, and flaky salt (which always enhances a baked good). Another major plus? All the ingredients are stored in separate containers, meaning you can properly cream the butter and sugar.
— Anna Monette Roberts, assistant editor
Birch Lane Serving Set
Instantly upgrade your dinner-party swag by investing in a matching serving set, like this classic Birch Lane option ($31, originally $39). Polished but not overly formal (and dishwasher-safe!), it will get plenty of use and sure beats serving up your kitchen masterpieces with a pair of tongs or a battered wooden mixing spoon.
— NP
Dominique Ansel: The Secret Recipes
After much anticipation, Dominique Ansel: The Secret Recipes ($35) is finally out. That means we can make Cronuts at home! If you're a Must Have subscriber, you'll receive a copy in this month's box.
— AMR
Samovar Turmeric Spice Tea
File Samovar's Turmeric Spice Tea ($27) under the "sounds weird, but tastes absolutely great" category. A bright blend of turmeric, ginger, orange peel, and lemongrass, it's perfect for those times when you want to cozy up with a hot drink but could pass on the caffeine buzz.
— NP
Andrew Zimmern Olive Wood Kitchen Utensil Set
Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods has released a new set of kitchen tools that will make you feel like you're cooking halfway around the world. His Olive Wood Kitchen Utensil Set ($40) is particularly stunning. We plan to use ours for any stovetop stew or stir-fry as well as to serve salads.
— AMR
Le Creuset Dual-Purpose Dip and Cheese Platter
At first glance, this Le Creuset platter ($100) looks like an ordinary chip-and-dip platter, but it's so much more clever than that. Included in the set is a round wooden cutting board that nests inside the dip, so it can double as a cheese and charcuterie platter; a boon for space-starved city dwellers who still want to entertain in style.
— NP
Mast Brothers Black Truffle Chocolate
Mast Brothers Chocolate has a new Fall flavor, Black Truffle Chocolate ($13), that is worthy of sharing with friends. Black truffle and sea salt enhance the tannic dark chocolate. All that's needed now is a generous pour of red wine . . .
— AMRPhoto: Anna Monette Roberts
Rose & Ivy Journal
If Rose & Ivy Journal's inaugural Autumn issue is any indicator, this quarterly lifestyle journal is one to watch. Available for free online as an emagazine, its pages are filled with beautifully shot features like "The Golden Hour," a collection of Fall-picnic recipes and tips meant for embracing these shorter, brisker days.
— NP