Best New Food Products | April 2015
Freshen Up Your Kitchen With These New Cookbooks, Pantry Staples, and More
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We Spring clean just about everything in our lives — so why not extend it to the kitchen? Try growing some fresh herbs on your countertop or liven up your table setting with lettuce dinnerware. As for the recipes, we're turning to Food52 for its latest Genius Recipes cookbook. Even breakfast can taste brand new with Pereg's Vanilla Puffed Quinoa Cereal. These and many more inspiring ways will help you clean up your kitchen routine this month.
Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook
I look forward to Kristen Miglore's Genius Recipes column on Food52 each week both for the recipes themselves — the ones I've tried have truly lived up to their name — as well as Miglore's explanation for what makes them exemplary dishes. So to say that the cookbook version, Food52 Genius Recipes: 100 Recipes That Will Change the Way You Cook ($35), is the cookbook I've most eagerly awaited this year is a major understatement. I can't wait to pore through its pages and cook from it.
— Nicole Perry, assistant editor
Tory Burch Lettuce Ware
Tory Burch's new Lettuce Ware tabletop collection (starting at $68), a collaboration with potter Dodie Thayer, is a throwback to a retro era, and it's done in such an elegant way. It's the type of dinnerware that ought to be displayed proudly, whether stored on a shelf or presented at the table.
— Anna Monette Roberts, associate editor
Soludos Burger and French Fry Espadrilles
I'm already gearing up for Summer with these Soludos espadrilles ($65) featuring adorable embroidered drawings of burgers and fries. My first job was at Shake Shack, and had these shoes been around way back then, they would have been a staple of my everyday attire.
— Nicole Iizuka, producer
Adagio Teas Magic Potions Sampler
Wizards, witches, and hardcore Harry Potter fans will adore this sampler set of loose-leaf teas ($19). Inspired by draughts from the book series, the aromatic blends are perfect for enjoying during an HP movie marathon . . . or reading tea leaves in divination class.
— Brinton Parker, editorial assistant
Kitchit Tonight
I love hosting dinner parties, but the amount of work required makes this a less-frequent occurrence than I'd like. Enter Kitchit Tonight, a service that brings a chef to your kitchen to cook a three-course dinner, plate and serve the meal, and even do the dishes afterward so that you can enjoy your evening, stress-free. Three rotating seasonal menus are available at a given time, and reservations can be made as late as the same day (availability pending), all for the reasonable cost of $39 per person.
— NP
Chef's Table
The directors of Jiro Dreams of Sushi return for a new Netflix series called Chef's Table, available on April 26. The series takes an exhilarating look inside the kitchens of the world's most renowned international chefs. Based on the preview alone, it seems to have as many compelling close-ups as Jiro and will inspire its viewers to travel far and wide for a Michelin-starred meal.
— AMR
Pereg Vanilla Quinoa Pops Cereal
Pereg Vanilla Quinoa Pops Cereal ($6) tastes like Rice Krispies treats in cereal form. I've been enjoying bowls of the pops with a sprinkling of marbits mixed in for dessert, because sometimes more is more, but for a more restrained breakfast, pair the pops with sliced berries.
— NP
Chef's Essences
When it comes to taste, we all know it goes hand in hand with scent. So leave it to a perfumer to create your new go-to weapon in the kitchen, vibrantly flavored essential oils that are designed to not only bring robust flavor to a dish but to also create an all-around enjoyable experience. These Chef's Essences ($12-$28) come in a ton of flavors, some of my favorites being juniper berry, lemongrass, and shiso.
— NI
Basil in a Bag
If you'd like to start growing fresh herbs but don't know quite where to start, Basil Garden in a Bag ($10) is for you. It includes everything you need to get going, from planting medium to seeds and even a container to grow it in (the bag itself), making your foray into gardening easy as can be.
— NP
Thug Kitchen's Big Ass Mug
Vegan recipe blog Thug Kitchen is doing its fans a solid by introducing apparel and other shoppable goods on its website. This Big Ass Mug ($15) is something I want to give as a gift to myself and everyone I know. Why? The description sums it up best: "We know you're too damn busy for refills. This is why we only f*ck with big ass mugs and you should too. Upgrade your cup's capacity and seize the goddamn day."
— AMR
Vital Farms Pasture Raised Eggs
What separates Vital Farms Pasture Raised Eggs ($6) from the rest? With the largest areas of outdoor feeding grounds that are free from herbicides, pesticides, and other artificial fertilizers, you'll clearly see and taste the difference from the first crack. We dare you to find more vibrantly colored yolks!
— NI
Soma Family Pitcher
"Wow, that's a good-looking water filter," said no one ever. That is until Soma ($40) hit the scene. Design-conscious and practical (pro tip: subscribe to have a fresh filter delivered to your doorstep every other month), it makes having fresh-tasting water on hand at all times a breeze.
— NP
Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Caramelized Oat Ice Cream
Häagen-Dazs has teamed up with various artisan makers to create a special line of ice creams. Our favorite (and most anticipated) of the collection is the Chocolate Caramelized Oat Ice Cream ($5), crafted with Clairesquares Flapjacks. It starts with an ultrarich caramel ice cream. With each bite, you'll discover chocolate-coated oat pieces, which add a nice crunch and flavor contrast. Admittedly, I ate half a pint the first time I tried it! The collection is available nationwide starting April 1.
— AMR
Alessi "Bulla" Bottle Opener
Step up your bar game with this stunning bottle opener ($40) from Alessi. Handcrafted from polished stainless steel, the unusual and sleek design is a modern art piece that's just as functional as it is beautiful.
— NI
A Bird in the Hand: Chicken Recipes For Every Day and Every Mood
I've never met a Diana Henry cookbook I didn't like, from A Change of Appetite to Crazy Water Pickled Lemons. Her latest, A Bird in the Hand: Chicken Recipes For Every Day and Every Mood ($30), is perfect for the cook who nearly always ends up with chicken in their shopping cart. The recipes take you on a global tour of poultry and range from simple weeknight affairs to Sunday dinners.
— NP
