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.
Despite all of the good things about city living, there are a few downsides: pollution, traffic, crowds, and — of course — not having a dishwasher. Now, if you also have a small kitchen, having a compact dish rack is a must, but you can’t always fit all of your freshly washed dishes on the rack at once. So, instead of leaving them in the sink to, uh, “soak,” I usually whip out a dish cloth, lay it out on the counter, and use it as a makeshift drying mat for the pots and pans that don’t fit into my dish rack. Unfortunately, I then have to hang dry the dish cloth afterwards, and I can only use it a few times before it gets gross and needs to be tossed in the wash. Thankfully, I found the perfect solution to my dish-drying dilemma: the OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat — and, it has a surprise extra feature that makes it a double-duty kitchen workhorse.
For more content like this follow
Suffice to say, this isn’t your ordinary drying mat. It’s designed to fit large items including frying pans, serving platters, salad bowls, and more, and the ribbed bottom helps everything dry by increasing airflow underneath. It’s also made from soft, food-safe silicone, which prevents scratches and chips if a wet dish or wine glass slips when you’re putting it on the mat. You can also store it pretty much anywhere, since it has a removable hanging hook and can be rolled up and tucked away in a cabinet or drawer when not in use. (It’s roughly the size of an average placemat, so it’s not too intrusive on your storage space.) However, its best feature is that it also doubles as a heat-resistant trivet to hold hot dishes and pans fresh off the burner or out of the oven.
I love using the OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat as an extension of my dish rack, since the little ridges on the bottom allow for solid airflow that actually gets the dishes, pots, and pans dry instead of just turning them into miniature, humid terrariums. And, though I have a little cork trivet on my dining table for serving, since this two-in-one beast is heat-safe up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, I find myself constantly reaching for it to pop fresh-out-of-the-oven sheet pans on (it’s the perfect size) when my stovetop is crowded with skillets, or while I assemble weeknight meals and sheet-pan dinners. Plus, cleanup is a total breeze — I find that as long as I give it a good rinse with hot water after every other use, it really doesn’t get too dirty. (To be honest, if I didn’t live with my girlfriend, I’d probably never wash it, but since I’m trying to stay on the up-and-up these days, I just lay it on a cutting board in the sink and scrub it down with a sponge every so often.)
So, if you’re in need of a little more real estate while drying dishes, or an extra place to put hot pots and pans without scorching your countertops, snag the easy and affordable OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Drying Mat ASAP.
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 can chart my progress as a cook by the growth of my spice collection. I started out with just a couple of spices, like granulated garlic and ground cinnamon, but then slowly added others like cumin, coriander, chili powder, curry powder, two kinds of paprika, everything bagel spice, Aleppo chili pepper, garam masala, and turmeric (plus whole spices like cloves, nutmeg, and star anise).
Suffice it to say, my spice drawer has exploded. I know that showing my spices the proper appreciation means storing them away from heat and light, which can degrade them and make them lose potency. So I was delighted when my newest kitchen had a roll-out spice rack, and more thrilled when my spice containers — these chic, round stainless steel capsules — fit inside perfectly.
For more content like this follow
But I grew less thrilled as time went on and I actually tried cooking with them. Although I had spent years searching for a spice storage solution that was just the right combination of functional and aesthetically pleasing, and genuinely thought I had found it, the powdery rainbow mess in the bottom of my spice cabinet told me otherwise. No matter how careful I was to line up the stainless steel lids to cover the holes on the side of the containers after I was done using them, I couldn’t seem to avoid inadvertently dumping spices everywhere. And wasting perfectly good spices was worse than the mess. (If you’re wondering why I don’t just use the jars the spices come in, I usually bulk-buy my spices, which means they come in bags and need to be re-homed!)
Begrudgingly, I started the search again. I admit I’m pretty particular. Screw caps and tins aren’t easy to open in the heat of the moment. Kilner glass jars are cute, but too narrow to fit my fingers in for a pinch of what was inside — plus, breakable, a likely possibility in my kitchen. I wanted something minimal, and needed something that fit my spice rack.
I finally found it almost unexpectedly, while looking at the organizational wares of a Japanese company called Yamazaki Home. The bottles are sleek and square, but with rounded edges. Outside of the metal rack they come in, they fit perfectly two-by-two in my spice drawer. Which means I can finally get my entire spice collection in the upper rack — no more kneeling to hunt for cayenne. If you don’t have built-in spice storage and want to display your collection in the included rack, it’s a striking countertop display. Even if you don’t have the same sort of drawer that I have, what is key to know here is that the jars line up perfectly, without wasting any space at all.
These containers are also see-through, which helps with spice identification until I get labels on, and made of resin, so they’re not breakable. But the key is really the lid. It toggles one way to reveal holes for sprinkling, and the other way for a slot you can use to measure larger amounts of spices. I can literally do this one handed using only my thumb.
The only downside of this spice rack that I can see is the price. Forty bucks is steep for six jars, and I need about four times that amount. But it’s a price I’m willing to pay for the convenience and finally having a spill-free spice rack. And these were clearly built to last, so I can make the investment now and enjoy the containers for years to come.
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.
It’s time to clear the holiday clutter from the entire house, and that includes the kitchen. I love the thrill of discovering new products, but right now I am focused on restocking my pantry with dinnertime staples for every night of the week.
As an avid Aldi shopper, I know I can count on the discount market to have high-quality groceries under its many private-label brands and a few big name brands too. The best part is that I know when I slide that quarter into the cart, my pantry (and fridge! And freezer!) will be full without bursting my budget. These are the 10 dinner items I’m adding to my shopping list.
For more content like this follow
1. Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets, $7.99 for 24 ounces
2. Earth Grown Extra Firm Organic Tofu, $1.69 for 14 ounces
3. Pueblo Lindo Queso Fresco, $2.39 for 10 ounces
No list of dinner staples is complete without cheese. Queso fresco is what my homemade tacos, tostadas, and corn on the cob have been missing. In lieu of adding mild and melty Mexican-blend cheese, queso fresco has a crumbly texture and salty, tangy flavor.
4. Simply Nature Organic Chicken Broth or Less-Sodium Chicken Broth, $1.75 for 32 ounces
I usually have a stash of homemade chicken stock in the freezer. But when I need a splash of flavorful liquid for soups and sauces, a good-quality broth is indispensable. A box of broth also makes quick work of dinner — especially when one of my family’s favorite one-pot pastas is on the menu.
5. Specially Selected Italian Bread, $3.49 for 16 ounces
Much of Aldi’s fanfare focuses on the store’s limited-edition Aldi Finds. Mine is on the bread aisle. I will not pass by without adding a loaf (or two!) of the crusty Italian bread to my cart. I use it through the week for sandwiches and French toast, and as a garlicky side for soups
Buying good-quality beef is important to me, so I stock up on these one-pound packages from Aldi. The beef is in recipe-ready portions, plus it’s organic and 100% grass-fed. Pick up one pack for this week, and stash another in the freezer to keep on hand.
10. Priano Herb Chicken or Three Cheese Tortellini, $6.29 for 20 ounces
When a 30-minute meal is more time than I have to put dinner on the table, I reach for refrigerated tortellini. These fresh, filled pastas require a short swim in boiling water before they are ready to serve. Toss them with steamed frozen veggies and a shower of salty cheese, serve them in a soup, or tossed with a creamy sauce.
What are your favorite dinner staples to buy at Aldi? Tell us in the comments below!
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 have this theory that part of the appeal of Trader Joe’s is that blink-and-you-miss-it experience with new products. Come on a Tuesday afternoon and the shelves might have sprouted with Valentine’s Day chocolate, fresh bags of ground coffee, and new dog treats. Two days later? Gone! But then you spot a new hummus, a cheeky little tulip bulb, and can’t forget to pick up the cookie butter …
Shopping at Trader Joe’s is definitely all about that IYKYK (if you know you know) feeling. Which is why we make it a weekly routine to scour the shelves for all the new items that have hit stores before they become a thing of the past. So what is new this week? I spied with my little eyes a new salad topper, a couple of snack options, as well as my dinner tonight, and I think you’ll definitely want to check them all out this week.
For more content like this follow
1. Sweet Picanté Peppers, $4.99 for 10.75 ounces
When I can’t manage a transatlantic vacation, dinnertime is where I engage most of my wanderlust. And serving up these Sweet Picanté Peppers makes me feel like it’s tapas hour in Spain.
Also known as peppadew peppers, these Picanté peppers are delightfully crisp and perfectly briny, with a subtle burn of heat. The creamy cheese cuts through the sweet heat of the peppers, and has me daydreaming about loading these onto my next pizza or even skewering them onto my next cocktail.
2. Apple Chip Duo, $2.49 for 2 ounces
Have you ever noticed that some of the best-kept secrets at Trader Joe’s are hidden in the dried fruit and nut section? It’s often my first stop on my weekly shops, so I was beyond jazzed to find a new addition to the shelves: the Apple Chip Duo. Containing crinkle cuts of both red and green apples, the Apple Chip Duo has a surprise in each sweet (or tart!) bite.
While I’ve loved dipping these into Trader Joe’s cannoli dip and fleur de sel caramel sauce, I have some savory ideas in store for my bag of apple chips, too. Don’t you think they’d be pretty damn good pressed into a melty turkey-Brie sandwich, too? These apple chips just might be the ticket for my long-standing quest of recreating the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad from Panera Bread, so wish me luck!
3. Squiggly Knife Cut Style Noodles, 4.99 for 13.4 ounces
This box had me at the words “squiggly” and “noodles.” Say no more! In the cart you go, squiggly noodles! When my weekly meals start feeling a bit stale, the first thing I do is introduce a new noodle shape into my rotation, and these squiggly noodles are quite the day-brightener.
Supremely ruffly and air-fried, these noodles are chewy and hefty, and even come with their own little pack of soy and sesame sauce for tossing with your favorite toppings (I like a jammy soy-sauce egg, edamame, and plenty of green onions). These squiggly dinnertime heroes are also ideal for riffing, too. Tonight will find me dressing up these noodles carbonara-style, topped with a fried egg.
4. Hot Cocoa Heart Melts, $3.99 for 5.64 ounces
I’m a sucker for anything heart-shaped. Heart-shaped panettone? It’s a need, not a want. Heart-shaped donuts? I’ll take a baker’s dozen. So you know I’m going to be vehemently slam-dunking a bag of these heart-shaped hot cocoa melts in my hand basket on my next run. One of the newest Valentine’s Day products to hit TJ’s shelves this year, these Hot Cocoa Heart Melts are studded with mini marshmallows, and have a caramel cream center that’s enrobed in milk chocolate.
Full disclosure: I have yet to track them down at my local store, but how can you go wrong with that combo? I see many, many mocha coffees and hot chocolates in my near future (or just many handfuls eaten straight from the bag). And apparently it just takes three melts per hot drink to do the trick (and will likely make your heart grow a few sizes bigger).
Spot anything you’re excited about at Trader Joe’s recently? Tell us in the comments below!
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.
KitchenAid is one of our editors’ favorite sources of top-of-the-line kitchen appliances for many, many reasons. A lot of them are practical reasons, such as high-powered motors that help blenders crush ice and help stand mixers knead sticky bread dough. But we’d be lying if we said those are the only reasons we’re such big fans. On top of being hardworking, their gear always looks amazing, and to perk up our spirits at a time of the year when we really need a boost, KitchenAid is adding a new color to their stunning palette.
For more content like this follow
Meet Hibiscus, a bright and rosy hue that KitchenAid is calling their color of the year for 2023. This ruby shade of pink borders on being neon (without actually being fluorescent) to add a pop of color and a little flair to your kitchen. Right now you can add this cheerful color to your space by picking up either of KitchenAid’s Artisan Stand Mixer or K400 Blender.
Compared to KitchenAid’s 2022 color of the year, a moody magenta they called Beetroot, this year’s hue is more vibrant and, dare I say, uplifting. (I invite you to imbue this color with as much positivity and good fortune as I’m choosing to do, but you’re free to just enjoy it for what it is, too!) I wish my stand mixer had as exciting a color as this bold pink shade, and I would probably be inclined to make a permanent spot for it on my counter if I had something this pretty to look at.
According to KitchenAid, they added Hibiscus this year to give their lineup a new eye-catching color that will encourage you to mix up more breads and fluffy desserts and blend up more sauces and smoothies. They also partnered with a globally-recognized designer, Marta Del Rio, to launch some appliance-inspired clothing pieces (!) in Hibiscus pink at New York Fashion Week. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing which other appliances get the Hibiscus treatment (and crossing my fingers that their Mini Food Chopper is on that list).
If you’re not familiar with everything KitchenAid’s stand mixer can do, you’re in for a treat. This is one of the most powerful kitchen tools on its own — it’s excellent at beating eggs and frosting, mixing cookie dough, and kneading bread dough — but once you start adding attachments, such as the pasta roller and meat grinder, there really is no limit. At the same time, their K400 blender blitzes frozen foods with no problem and purees ingredients into smooth soups and sauces in mere seconds. Plenty of home cooks have fallen in love with the stylish look of KitchenAid’s machines, but they keep using them because they simply work so well.
Ready to add a bit of color to your kitchen? Grab either of these bestsellers from KitchenAid and enjoy the vibrancy — and cooking capabilities — they bring to your space.
