The Kitchn Archive: Oct 2017

Who Has the Guts to Renovate After Martha Stewart? This Guy.

(Image credit: s_bukley) shutterstock From Apartment Therapy → Who Has The Guts To Renovate After Martha Stewart? This Guy. null

The Kitchn

Oct 31, 2017

These Cleaning Supplies Make Cleaning Seem Like Way Less of a Chore

I’ve spent the last few years culling down my cleaning supplies to just the essentials and switching over to natural cleaners where I could. Despite a brief stint making our own laundry detergent (this was before we had two small children), I never had enough time or motivation to make my own cleaners. I enviously pined away at beautiful glass bottles of homemade cleaners on Pinterest and resolved to hiding even my favorite cleaners under the sink.

Meghan Splawn

Oct 31, 2017

IKEA Came Up with Yet Another Clever Use for Their Magnetic Knife Holders

(Image credit: Marie-Lyne Quirion) From Apartment Therapy → IKEA Came Up With Yet Another Clever Use For Their Magnetic Knife Holders null

The Kitchn

Oct 31, 2017

These Spinach & Artichoke Stuffed Chicken Thighs Are Amazing

Spinach-artichoke dip is a classic for a reason. You can’t beat the combination of warm cheese, spinach, and artichokes — unless, of course, you add sun-dried tomatoes to the mix and stuff it inside crispy chicken thighs. These stuffed chicken thighs might look and sound impressive, but they’re actually super easy to pull together in about 30 minutes.

Lauren Kodiak

Oct 31, 2017

One Starbucks Barista Reveals the Worst Drinks He’s Ever Made

At Starbucks, there are two types of people: those who stick to the menu and keep their orders super simple, and those who doctor up their drinks with all kinds of so-called “hacks.” These complicated orders no doubt drive baristas bonkers and hold up the line for coffee, but they’re also wildly unhealthy. Unless you’ve witnessed these orders first hand, it’s hard to imagine something as sinister as 20 pumps of pumpkin syrup in one cup.

Rheanna O'Neil Bellomo

Oct 30, 2017

A Flight Attendant Reveals the Easy Trick for First-Class Service in Economy

No matter the journey, in-flight service can vary wildly. In my experience alone, I’ve encountered flight attendants who are delighted to bend over backwards for their passengers and others who are more stern and tight-lipped. But apparently there is an insanely easy tip for getting on any cabin crew’s good side to receive first-class service at your economy seat — and you don’t even have to do any superficial schmoozing.

Rheanna O'Neil Bellomo

Oct 30, 2017

Twitter Is Freaking Out Over This Clear Pumpkin Pie

Just when we thought the world had hit its pumpkin spice peak, a baffling new fall treat has sent the internet into a frenzy. Enter: clear pumpkin pie, a madcap creation from the chefs at Alinea What looks like gelatin poured into a pie crust is actually pumpkin pie that has been distilled into a totally transparent jello-like confection. Allegedly it tastes like real pumpkin and not pumpkin spice or pumpkin-flavored gelatin. (Yes, we’re still wrapping our minds around this one, too.

Rheanna O'Neil Bellomo

Oct 30, 2017

This Is the Most Horrifying Turkey We’ve Ever Seen

Looking for something spooky to serve at your upcoming Halloween shindig? We’ve seen all sorts of spooky creations over the years. Most of them look like a “cute Pinterest” take on something that’s truly a scary thought. If you’re looking to — for lack of better words — kick it up a notch, check out this wild creation we’re pretty sure you’ll only make once!

Sarah Rae Smith

Oct 30, 2017

5 Ways to Make Your Guests Wash Their Hands

We’ve all been there: You have friends over for dinner, you notice your dining companion about to dig in, and, for whatever reason, you also know they haven’t washed their hands. Powerless, you look on in horror as their hand reaches, as if in slo-mo, arching through the air, ultimately making contact with a pita chip. Which is then dragged through the delightful pesto you made with the last of your summer basil, dripping germs and who knows what else. And now?

Anne Wolfe Postic

Oct 29, 2017

8 Easy Ways to Create Storage in a Small Kitchen You Own

Apartment Therapy

Oct 27, 2017

Good News! This Top-of-the-Line Instant Pot Is on Sale Right Now.

It’s been a long week. It’s finally Friday, and it’s the last hour of the standard work week, which means you’re probably catching up with your coworkers, tidying up your desk, and daydreaming about the weekend ahead. You might think the best part of your week has already arrived, but you’d be wrong. So wrong. Because your day is about to get better. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to buy an Instant Pot, it has finally arrived.

Lisa Freedman

Oct 27, 2017

The One Thing You’re Forgetting to Clean During Cold Season

(Image credit: Impact Photography) shutterstock From Apartment Therapy → The One Thing You’re Forgetting to Clean During Cold Season null

The Kitchn

Oct 27, 2017

Sorry, Silicon Valley. A Smart Kitchen Will Never Replace a Smart Cook.

Some people dream of the latest newfangled appliances, and Silicon Valley is happy to oblige. There’s the fridge that knows your shopping habits, and the stove that knows when you walk in the door. But not me. Can smart appliances really replace the rhythms and instincts of a cook? I’m not so sure.

Anne Wolfe Postic

Oct 27, 2017

The Uber-Easy “Always and Never” Guide to Making Hardwood Floors Last Forever

(Image credit: Anna Spaller) From Apartment Therapy → The Uber-Easy “Always and Never” Guide to Making Hardwood Floors Last Forever null

The Kitchn

Oct 27, 2017

These Chocolate Cups Have a Seasonal Surprise Inside

Growing up, my favorite Halloween candy was Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I’d eagerly dump out my pillowcase of sugary loot and sort through the sea of sweets, sectioning off all the Reese’s into one precious area. But now that I’m a grown-up (for the most part), I’ve been in the habit of whipping up my own peanut butter cups.

Lauren Kodiak

Oct 27, 2017

As a single parent, there are very few foods that I make just for myself. Cooking is, more often than not, about making sure my three kiddos have something homemade in their bellies. If they don’t like it, they probably won’t eat it (or they’ll eat it, but grumble about it). This is why I almost never make cheesecake. I love it, but my kids do not. I know that if I made one, I’d be responsible for eating the whole thing and that’s a lot of pressure!

Katie Bingham-Smith

Oct 26, 2017

This Japanese Tool Majorly Upped My Ginger Game

I can’t live without ginger paste. It’s the base for my cilantro chutney, a key element in one of my favorite cups of chai, and a staple ingredient in my potstickers and strawberry-rhubarb jam. So when a simple kitchen task like grating ginger on a microplane results in gashed fingers, I get a little annoyed. For one, it really hurts, and it also ruins a perfectly good pile of grated ginger. The odds are stacked against me.

Leena Trivedi-Grenier

Oct 26, 2017

How the 20/10 Rule Will Change the Way You Clean and Help You Rise Above Your Mess

(Image credit: Marisa Vitale) From Apartment Therapy → How The 20/10 Rule Will Change the Way You Clean and Help You Rise Above Your Mess null

The Kitchn

Oct 26, 2017

Amy Sedaris’ New Cooking Show Is Delightfully Weird

Are you tired of watching lifestyle shows that don’t feature raccoon accountants and advice on how to stab a baked potato “like a hairdresser who gave you bad bangs”? Have you been looking for a spa-related use for an old stocking full of oatmeal, or wonderd how to transform a stool into a spinach strainer? If standard cooking and lifestyle shows aren’t cutting it for your particular needs, Amy Sedaris is the domestic goddess for you.

Claire Margine

Oct 26, 2017

Slow Cooker Pumpkin & Chicken Chili for Cozy Fall Nights

Chili is the ultimate cold-weather comfort food. This version is just as hearty and filling as you’d expect chili to be, but it’s got a wholesome, protein-packed slant, thanks to pumpkin purée, quinoa, black beans, and boneless, skinless chicken thighs. The best part? Your slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you! This is a mostly hands-off recipe, but you do need to quickly sauté some garlic, onion, jalapeño, and red bell pepper on the stovetop first.

Lauren Kodiak

Oct 26, 2017

The Best Ways to Clean an Oven, According to Kitchn Readers

Apartment Therapy

Oct 25, 2017

Butcher-Block Countertops Are the Undisputed King of Beauty on a Budget

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Butcherblock Countertops Are the Undisputed King of Beauty on a Budget null

The Kitchn

Oct 25, 2017

This Brilliant Hack Will Save Your Avocados from Browning

Avocados are essentially a gift from the heavens. Slice one onto toast with a squeeze of lime and a shower of red pepper flakes for a sublime breakfast, mash it into totally irresistible guacamole — the options are endless. And delicious. Everything is all nice and heavenly until you only need half to top off your tacos and don’t know how to store the rest of that avocado without letting it turn into a brown, mushy mess.

Rheanna O'Neil Bellomo

Oct 25, 2017

Everything We Know About Chrissy Teigen’s New Cookbook

Last week Chrissy TeigenCravings So far, the project is nameless, prompting Chrissy to ask her 14 million Instagram followers for suggestions on her latest release’s title. (That #Cravings2 hashtag is just a tracker for her updates on the book’s progress.) So if you have a brilliant idea, share it in the comments — she might just pick it.

Rheanna O'Neil Bellomo

Oct 25, 2017

This Is Why You Should Cut a Corner Off Your Sponge

(Image credit: The Kitchn) From Apartment Therapy → Why You Should Cut a Corner Off Your Sponge null

The Kitchn

Oct 25, 2017

This Cashew Chicken and Broccoli Is Better than Takeout

If you have a favorite Chinese takeout spot, you’ve probably ordered cashew chicken before. And while it’s convenient to call in an order when you really don’t have time or energy to cook, this homemade version is definitely worth a try. Why make your own? For one, it comes together in less than 30 minutes. (Your delivery order might take up to an hour on a busy night — one point for homemade!) You also save a little money.

Lauren Kodiak

Oct 25, 2017

The Coolest Thing I Saw at the Smart Kitchen Summit

I’ve been reviewing kitchen equipment for more than 30 years and I’ve seen it all, from potato-peeling mitts (fuhgettabout ’em) to cooking robots (for those who don’t actually like making dinner). It takes a lot to impress me, and yet this month at the Smart Kitchen Summit in Seattle, I saw something that made me think, I want that in my own kitchen!

Sharon Franke

Oct 24, 2017

10 Surprising Uses for Kitchen Items Around the Rest of Your House

Apartment Therapy

Oct 24, 2017

8 Ways to Create Storage in a Small Kitchen You Own

Break out the toolbox! The great thing about owning your place is that you can put holes in the walls, reconfigure the cabinets, and totally customize every square inch to your needs — even if you don’t actually have a lot of space to work with or a giant renovation budget. Here are a few fun ways to create storage in a small kitchen you own. Often in older homes (read: ones without apron-front sinks) there’s a panel in front of the sink that’s purely decorative.

Ayn-Monique Klahre

Oct 24, 2017

Chocolate Wine Is Here Because Dreams Really Do Come True

I love spreading good news and cheer, especially to all you busy moms out there who make everything magical for everyone else during this frantic time of year. Today is the perfect day to do some table dancing because you can now get your hands on chocolate wine. Aldi added Rubis Chocolate Wine to their yearly wine advent calendar. This luscious wine is described as being, “velvety, smooth dark chocolate complemented by rich, puckering fruit and hints of dried fig.” Yes please.

Katie Bingham-Smith

Oct 24, 2017

Science Has Figured Out the Best Length Our Vacations Should Be

The Kitchn Editors

Oct 24, 2017

The Best Ways to Make Roasted Marshmallows Without a Campfire

Come on. This isn't hard.

Faith Durand

Oct 24, 2017

5 Halloween Costume Ideas That Test Your IQ with Puns

Halloween is right around the corner. If you don’t have a costume yet, we have a few ideas. The only catch? There’s a trick before you get to the treat. Can you figure out what these punny costumes are? They’re all things you can sip, nibble, or chew! Hint: This idea is perfect for trick-or-treating on cold nights — and staying awake on hot, summer days. Hint: This costume will keep you warm and could even spice things up. Hint: Just don’t give away all your gum!

Anna Goldfarb

Oct 23, 2017

Why Shallow Pantry Shelves Are the Best Shelves

Apartment Therapy

Oct 23, 2017

Creative Ways to Add Plants to Even a Tiny Kitchen

(Image credit: Nancy Mitchell) From Apartment Therapy → Creative Ways to Add Plants to Even a Tiny Kitchen null

The Kitchn

Oct 23, 2017

5 One-Pot Dinners to Make with Ground Beef

If you’re stumped about what to make for dinner, having a pound of ground beef in the fridge or freezer will most definitely help you to figure it out. The affordable protein is a pantry staple for us since it can be transformed into so many simple, crowd-pleasing meals. These five recipes are proof of ground beef’s power. Even better, these recipes only require one pot or pan, so cleanup is sure to be a breeze.

Sheela Prakash

Oct 23, 2017

These Are the Best and Worst Cities for Trick-or-Treating, Ranked

When it comes to doing Halloween right, some cities are just better than others. I mean, if you’re going door to door dressed up in a sweet homemade costume, then you deserve something better than a single Tootsie Roll. Want to know where your city ranks in terms of best candy for trick-or-treaters? We’ve got the list. Grocery delivery website Instacart ranked the best and worst U.S. cities for trick-or-treating, based on candy quality.

Elizabeth Licata

Oct 23, 2017

This Pantry Scrap Is the Secret to Better Soup, Says Giada

Giada De Laurentiis has a not-very-well-kept secret stashed in her culinary arsenal that will transform some of your favorite recipes. And as we launch into soup season, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for this big reveal. Take it from Giada De Laurentis: The best thing you can do for this upcoming season of hearty soups and stews is to become a Parmesan rind hoarder. Parmesan rinds are a kind of waxy culinary gold that could be accidentally hanging out in your garbage.

Claire Margine

Oct 23, 2017

Why Shallow Pantry Shelves Are the Best Shelves

I have had many pantries in the past. Pantries I thought I liked, but that actually frustrated me on a daily basis; pantries I was always trying to straighten up, or reorganize to make finding things easier; pantries with big, deep shelves that held a ton of boxes and jars and bags that I could somehow never seem to find. It is said you have to kiss many frogs to find your prince: I built many pantries with luxuriously deep shelves before I learned two valuable lessons.

Marge Perry

Oct 23, 2017

Why Shallow Pantry Shelves Are the Best Shelves

Marge Perry

Oct 23, 2017

This Halloween Menu Is for Chocolate-Lovers

Sometimes the front porch is the best place for a laid-back Halloween celebration. As you gather with friends and neighbors to welcome trick-or-treaters, this easy menu makes the evening even more festive with a cozy red wine hot chocolate perfect for the adults and family-friendly s’mores bars everyone can munch on. Here’s how to make it happen.

Kelli Foster

Oct 21, 2017

The Best Ways to Clean an Oven, According to Our Readers

We once asked Kitchn’s Facebook friends to tell us the best way to clean an oven. Many of you suggested the self-cleaning button, which is an option we’re not always fans of. (See: Why You Should (Almost) Never Use Your Oven’s Self-Cleaning Function.) Even more of you suggested either not using your oven at all or getting someone else to do it for you. But those aren’t super-realistic suggestions because we like to cook and we don’t live at Downton Abbey.

Lisa Freedman

Oct 21, 2017

7 Brilliant Kitchen Storage Ideas to Steal from Real-Life Tiny Houses

Apartment Therapy

Oct 20, 2017

Before & After: An Unbelievable DIY Rental Kitchen Makeover

The Kitchn Editors

Oct 20, 2017

What Everyone’s Missing About That Gross Mac & Cheese on Twitter Today

I think it’s safe to say that most people would consider waking up to mac and cheese to be a very good thing. I know I certainly fall into that camp (regardless of the fact that it isn’t exactly a traditional breakfast food) because, I mean, come on: It’s mac and cheese. That said, waking up to mac and cheese this morning in particular was an unpleasant surprise. When I opened my phone, the offensive image you see above crossed my screen.

Kaitlin Flannery

Oct 20, 2017

Partner

Recipe: Crispy Pork Cutlets with Tuscan Salad

Chef Matt Abdoo has all of New York flipping out over pork. He's about to do the same for your dinner table.

Creative Studio

Oct 20, 2017

Partner

What’s Your Grocery Personality?

People call New Yorkers opinionated, but we just know what we like — and we’d like what we like as fast as possible, please. If we can also get it without changing out of our sweatpants or pausing Netflix? Even better. Enter FoodKick: Powered by FreshDirect, FoodKick is on a mission to bring New Yorkers fresh food fast — crazy fast.