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As people who write about food and test kitchen gadgets for a living, Bon Appétit editors are constantly surrounded by a wide range of products. Between our own purchases and the endless stream of samples sent our way, it means there’s always something new coming across our desks and into our homes. Every month, we’re rounding up the standouts we’ve tested or bought ourselves that changed the way we cook and eat.
This month, a zesty hot sauce to brighten winter cooking, a mini vacuum for small kitchen messes, and the cozy slippers and sets we’ll be wearing all winter.
Read on for all of the products we’ve been obsessing over this December.
MK Free Board
I’ve been a longtime fan of Material Kitchen’s cutting boards—they’re sturdy, easy to clean, and come in a fun color palette—so I was very excited to try their new MK Free Board, a 100% plant-based cutting board that’s free of permanent microplastics. The MK Free Board came into my life at a good time, considering I see something almost every day about the dangers of ingesting microplastics from everyday items like tea bags and cutting boards. After a month of using the MK Free Board, I see almost no wear and tear or knife groove marks on the surface. Plus, unlike a wooden cutting board, I can throw this one in the dishwasher for very easy clean-up. My favorite feature, though, is the groove that catches any runaway liquids and juices. —Kate Kassin, editorial operations manager
Olivieri Panettone
Eating panettone on Christmas morning has been a tradition in my family ever since I can remember. We’ve always been partial to that brand that comes in a red box, for no particular reason other than it’s what we’re used to, and it’s readily available in grocery stores come December. But this year, I’ve got a trick up my sleeve: I’ll be bringing a panettone from Veneto-based bakery Olivieri 1882 for my family to enjoy. I’ve opted for a chocolate orange variety, but after eating my way through several panettoni at the office throughout the past couple of months, I can attest that each flavor the company makes is truly delightful. The supple crumb, and rich-but-delicate flavor gives my usual grocery store panettone a run for its money. —Alaina Chou, commerce writer
Brami Protein Pasta
As an Italian American, I don’t mess around with pasta. I want to love chickpea- and lentil-based pastas for their protein and fiber, but the texture has never really worked for me. So when Brami came out with another high-protein, bean-based pasta, I wasn’t expecting much—until I read the fine print.
Instead of being entirely legume-based, Brami blends Italian semolina durum wheat (the same stuff used in regular pasta) with lupini beans, which have way more protein and fiber than chickpeas. The result is a pasta that tastes and feels shockingly close to the real thing, especially thanks to the bronze-cut texture that gives it those sauce-grabbing rough edges. I made pasta alla vodka for my very discerning dad over the holidays without telling him it was “healthier,” and he couldn’t taste the difference. (I’m choosing not to tell him.)—Olivia Tarantino, senior commerce editor
OMA Seaweed Soup
I am somewhat of a seaweed evangelist and am no stranger to singing its praises on this site. In a recent issue of Bon Appétit, I wrote about one of my favorite products: OMA’s “instant” miyeokguk, a Korean seaweed soup with a beef bone broth base. Hearty and warming, I was hooked by both its nutritive qualities and obvious ease for immediate consumption. Well, how happy was I to learn that OMA recently came out with a vegan version? This broth is vegetable-based, relying on onion, garlic, and shitake mushrooms to give its oomph. It is different from the original in obvious ways, but from a pure flavor perspective, I may even prefer the vegan one more. It delivers a clean, saline taste where the seaweed flavor is even more clearly at the forefront. During busy days, I pop a dehydrated block in a large mug, fill it with hot water, and enjoy it with slow sips. (You can have it along with rice for a more full meal, of course.) I love this convenient product so much, it’s hard for me to justify making a homemade version when the craving strikes! I like keeping these individual packs near my coffee and tea as a warming beverage option during these cooler, darker months. —Hana Asbrink, deputy food editor
Bombas Sunday Slippers
My colleagues and I have tested a lot of kitchen shoes in our time, and we’d generally tell you to opt for something that’s easy to wipe down in case of the inevitable sauce spill or oil spatter. But I have a confession: The shoes I wear most often in the kitchen are these fuzzy cream slippers from Bombas. You see, they’re my go-to house shoes, and while I have plenty of clogs designed for the kitchen, I never seem to remember to switch into them when it comes time to make dinner. Are my Bombas the most practical material or color for use while cooking? No. But they keep my feet nice and toasty and have a touch more support than some flimsier house slippers I’ve seen—a major plus as someone whose lower back starts to scream at her if she stands for too long. They come in a few other less stain-revealing colors, which might be a better bet than the cream if you’re planning on wearing them to cook in like I do. —A.C.
Alaina Chou
Shuug Zhoug Sauce
The more I cook at home, the more I’m on the hunt for the next exciting sauce that’ll take my simply prepared weeknight dinners to the next level. This month, that has been Shuug. The brand’s herby, punchy zhoug hot sauce is good on pretty much everything, from eggs to crispy potatoes to roasted chicken thighs. It’s packed with the heat of a mix of poblano, scotch bonnet, and jalapeño peppers, plus Chipotle extract and ghost pepper powder. It’s not all heat though—it’s herby from cilantro and citrusy from added lemon juice, all of which makes for very well-rounded, hot sauce that’s greener-tasting than most of the others I keep stocked in my fridge. I can’t wait to use it when grilling next summer, but for now it’s bringing some vibrancy to my winter cooking. —K.K.
Mini KitchenAid Vacuum
KitchenAid
Go® Cordless Kitchen Vacuum
I’m not really in the market for more gadgets to store in my small NYC apartment (which has exactly one closet), but this mini KitchenAid vacuum has earned its spot—particularly because it’s small enough to fit in a drawer. Dragging out my big vacuum for tiny kitchen messes feels like overkill, and those little spills and crumbs are exactly what this mini handheld vacuum is perfect for. I brought it out for the salt avalanche that happened after opening a new box of Diamond Crystal, and to suck up the crumbs that have been living inside my toaster oven for years because I never had the right tool (or motivation) to deal with them. The suction is strong and focused, the attachments snap on easily, and the dirtiest parts can go straight into the dishwasher for a deep clean. —O.T.
Olivia Tarantino
Grüns Superfoods Greens Gummies
Grüns Superfoods Greens Gummies
My love affair with Grüns didn’t begin this month, but it only seems right that I document it before 2025 is up, considering the staple it’s become in my life this year. As I said in my (glowing) review of the product: “In eight years of testing wellness powders, pills, and potions, Grüns is the only one that I liked enough to then spend my own money on.” Meant to replace a greens powder like AG1, Grüns packs a full day’s worth of vitamins A, C, D, E, and B12 and a healthy dose of nutrients like iron and zinc into eight gummy bears. But honestly, I like them because they taste great. —Abbey Stone, senior commerce director
Athleta Tranquil Waffle Set
Athleta
Tranquil Waffle Hoodie
Tranquil Mid Rise Waffle Jogger
It’s not food, but hear me out: The best thing to pair with a warm chocolate chip cookie or a glass of mulled wine is a snuggly set. Since I received this waffle-textured quarter-zip and joggers from Athleta, I’ve been living in it. The material is cozy-soft, but still breathable enough that I don’t get sweaty if I’m wearing the set while wrapped in a blanket with a cuppa something hot in my hand. Here’s an idea: upgrade your family’s usual matching Christmas jammies by getting these for the whole family. —A.S.
Dona Latte Kit
Speaking of a soothing cup of something warm and homey… Brooklyn-based tea brand Dona has a masala chai gift set available for the holidays, which includes the brand’s just-sweet-enough chai concentrate; a comforting blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger (called Spice Dust) to top your drink with; and a battery-operated Bodum milk frother to whip your beverage to dreamy, foamy perfection. Not gonna lie, I originally got this kit to gift it to my sister—but then I decided to keep it for myself. —A.S.
