Cooking Tips & Trends: Create Healthy & Modern Dishes https://www.sheknows.com All Things Parenting Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:01:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.2 https://www.sheknows.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-sk-fav-icon.png?w=32 Cooking Tips & Trends: Create Healthy & Modern Dishes https://www.sheknows.com 32 32 149804645 The Best Online Baking Classes to Whip Up Gourmet Treats at Home https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2180822/online-baking-classes/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2180822/online-baking-classes/#respond Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:01:42 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?p=2180822 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

Baking has become one of the most popular hobbies—at least it seems to be from all of the bread and cakes you’re probably seeing on your social media. How did these people all become all-star bakers and chefs overnight? Well, the answer probably lies in one of the internet’s best online cooking classes. You can take everything from online cooking classes to online interior design classes, and we love them because they’re easy, convenient, super affordable, a great family activity, and you don’t even need to get dressed up to attend them. They’re also a fun last-minute holiday gift idea for people who like to cook, but want to learn more. 

Baking and cooking are one of those hobbies that can seem overwhelming until you dive in and actually start doing it. Yes, you will make mistakes, but that’s half the fun, and you’ll learn a lot from those mistakes along the way. Luckily, tons of chefs and bakers’ best tips and tricks are available to us with just one click. Just look at all of the online schools offering online baking and cooking classes right now:

Because navigating this new world of online baking and cooking classes can seem daunting, we’ve highlighted the best classes the internet has to offer below — whether you’re looking for something to do over the holiday or need an instant holiday gift.

Online Cooking Classes

Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking

$10/mo+
Buy Now

Learning how to cook from Gordon Ramsay might seem kind of terrifying, but the truth is that he’s a gentle, informative, and kind teacher, not always the hot-tempered chef you see on TV. This class covers his essential methods, ingredients, and recipes, so you can work your way toward becoming a Master Chef.


Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

Gabriela Cámara Teaches Mexican Cooking

$10/mo+
Buy Now

Are you tired of suffering through another boxed taco night, all while craving the tender tortillas, moist tamales, and fresh salsas you get at your favorite Mexican restaurant? Then try out this Mexican cooking class from celebrated chef Gabriela Cámara.


Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

Lynnette Marrero and Ryan Chetiyawardana Teach Mixology

We all know that one person who constantly talks about quitting their job to become a bartender instead. Give them a leg up on their dream with a gift subscription to MasterClass, so they can take this mixology primer from world-class bartenders Lynnette Marrero and Ryan Chetiyawardana.


Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

Mashama Bailey Teaches Southern Cooking

$10/mo+
Buy Now

From a cozy plate of creamy grits to the spicy kick in a bowl of robust gumbo, James Beard Award-winner Mashama Bailey’s Southern cooking class will teach aspiring chefs how to make their favorite dishes.


Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

Niki Nakayama Teaches Modern Japanese Cooking

$10/mo+
Buy Now

You may have seen Niki Nakayama of the two-Michelin-starred n/naka on the Netflix show Chef’s Table, and now, aspiring cooks can learn the essential techniques, ingredients, and recipes of modern Japanese Cooking from the chef herself in this MasterClass.


Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

Madhur Jaffrey Teaches Indian Cooking

$10/mo+
Buy Now

Madhur Jaffrey has more James Beard Awards to her name than we can count, and for good reason. She’s been teaching the masses the secrets of Indian cooking for decades in her much-lauded cookbooks, and now, you can learn how to make 30 South Asian recipes from her on MasterClass.


Online Baking Classes

Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

Sophisticated Baking & Cake Design

$9.99/mo
Buy Now

You don’t have to be a top pastry chef to whip up some wow-worthy cakes. International Open Academy serves up a bunch of fun online baking classes, including this fun cake class that’ll make you feel like a pro. Through five easy-to-follow modules, you’ll learn all the basics pros know—from how to make buttercream to how to choose between icing or fondant. You can even get certified if you score at least a 55% on the exam at the end of the course!


Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

Fundamentals of Pastry with Dominique Ansel

$10/mo+
Buy Now

Dominique Ansel, also known as the creator of the Cronut, is one of the finest pastry chefs in the world. In this class offered on MasterClass, he will teach you the fundamentals of pastry and before you know it, you’ll be serving up fruit tarts, mini madeleines and croissants right in your own kitchen.


Woman kneading bread dough. Close up of her hands touching the dough.

Udemy Sourdough Bread Baking 101

$16.58/mo+
Buy Now

Bread making is one of those hobbies lots of people want to try, but don’t really have the time to really get into. While we’re all staying indoors during winter, there’s no better time than now to delve into the wonderful world of artisanal bread with Teresa, baking instructor and author.


Midsection of woman icing cupcakes at kitchen counter

The Perfect Cupcake Class

$34.99
Buy Now

This 7-episode series will teach you the basics of cupcake making and offer fun tips to take your decorating skills to the next level. You’ll learn everything from piping techniques to working with fondant.


Freshly home-baked milk chocolate  chip cookies

All About Cookies Class: The Soft and Indulgent

$69.99
Buy Now

Le Cordon Bleu-trained professional pastry chef Meytal Limony guides you through the basics of cookie making in this easy-to-follow class. Ropke’s class covers basic measuring and equipment information as well as twelve cookie recipe tutorials.


Best Online Baking Classes: Learn to Make Cookies, Cakes & More

The Ultimate Cake-Baking Toolbox

$11/mo
Buy Now

This class covers how to bake delicious cakes and how to decorate them. Instructor and pastry chef James Rosselle provides you with everything you need to start making Instagram-worthy cakes in no time.


Before you go, check out these Ina Garten-Approved holiday gift ideas:

Watch: How to Make Reindeer Feed With Elizabeth Chambers

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Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1974873/best-christmas-cookies-ranked/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1974873/best-christmas-cookies-ranked/#respond Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:53:17 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?p=1974873 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

There’s nothing we love more than baking up dozens of Christmas cookies during the holiday season, and they seem to find their way into our carts at the grocery store of their own volition. They’re one of the easiest holiday desserts your kids can help make, and a lot of the store-bought ones are genuinely delicious. But we can all agree that some are definitely better than others, right? There are those we simply make do with and others we want to eat raw because the dough is so good before it’s cooked — even though the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says no to raw dough (killjoys!). This very scientific, not-at-all-biased ranking will help you decide which cookies to enjoy this holiday season.

11. Biscotti

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

L'Oro del Sud Pistachio and Cedron Biscotti


The truth of the matter is that there’s no such thing as a “bad” cookies, but biscotti is at the end of our list because you pretty much have to have a warm cup of cocoa, coffee, or tea on hand in order to dunk and enjoy. 

10. Pignoli Cookies

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

Ferrara Bakery Soft Pignoli Cookies

$42.95
Buy Now


These Sicilian pignoli cookies may seem simple, but thanks to the price of pine nuts these days, they’ve been upgraded to holiday treat in many houses. The combination of buttery, sweet, almond-flavored cookie and slighly toasted, fragrant pine nuts is popular for a reason. 

9. Snickerdoodles

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

Betty Crocker Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix

$2.99
Buy Now


Snickerdoodles are the most vanilla of the Christmas cookies. Cinnamon and sugar are pretty basic (especially compared to something like gingerbread), and these cookies just get rolled up and baked. However, we still love and crave their chewy texture and mild, sweet flavor every year! 

8. Butter cookies

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies


Butter cookies on their own could be kind of boring, but (!) they come in a variety of fun shapes, and they come in a tin that your family will use for the next 40 years to store sewing supplies, so they’re kind of an essential purchase during the holiday season.

7. Spritz cookies

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

OXO Good Grips Spritz Cookie Press Set


Spritz cookies are buttery, sweet and a total pain to make. But there’s something magical about smooshing the soft cookie dough out of the cookie press and watching it turn into pretty pastries, and they get bonus points for being a vintage recipe classic.

6. Linzer cookies

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

Pepperidge Farm Linzer Raspberry Cookies

$4.29
Buy Now


Linzer cookies are the fancy version of thumbprint cookies. Put them in a decorative tin, and you can definitely give them away as a gift. We also like how you can customize them based on which jam or spread you decide to use. 

5. Molasses cookies

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

Archway Classic Soft Old-Fashioned Molasses Cookies


Chewy molasses cookies, redolent with spices and topped with crunchy demerara sugar, are a holiday classic. Served with tea or coffee, they’re the fuel you need to finish wrapping those presents.

3. Russian tea cakes

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

David's Cookies Gourmet Butter Pecan Meltaway Cookies


Crumbly, nutty, buttery and covered in powdered sugar, Russian tea cakes (or Mexican wedding cookies, meltaways, or snowball cookies) are an old-fashioned sweet that stands up to the test of time. They’re buttery, nutty, and practically melt in your mouth. Just be careful with the powdered sugar — if you eat them too fast, you’ll inhale it and end up coughing throughout your family’s Christmas dinner.

2. Gingerbread man cookies

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix

$2.99
Buy Now


Almost nothing is as classic a treat as cutout gingerbread man cookies decorated with white royal icing with raisins for eyes. They’re usually a little crisp on the edges; a little soft inside; mildly spiced with ginger, cloves and nutmeg; and sweetened with molasses. Serve them with hot cocoa, and you’ll be in holiday bliss.

1. Cutout sugar cookies

Traditional Holiday Cookies Ranked From Worst to Best

Annie's Sugar Fix Co Christmas Sugar Cookies

$55.00
Buy Now


All hail the Christmas cutout sugar cookie! These classic treats are the ultimate family cooking project. Adults and kids alike can work together to roll and cut out cookies, and once they’re baked, everyone can have a turn decorating. If you manage not to eat them all in one day, you can send them to friends and family far and wide. They’re sturdy enough to survive shipping, and their low moisture content means they last for weeks.

A version of this article was originally published December 2018. 

Before you go, check out our top foolproof holiday gifts for absolutely everyone on your list:

Watch: How to Make Reindeer Feed With Elizabeth Chambers

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The Best Online Cooking Classes That Are Perfect For Aspiring Chefs of Every Level https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1079046/best-online-cooking-classes/ Fri, 08 Dec 2023 16:48:49 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1079046/best-online-cooking-classes/ If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

You don’t need to leave your home to learn how to cook — the best online cooking classes can teach you everything you need to know while you stand in your own kitchen. Whether you don’t know how to chop vegetables or you’re trying to become the next contestant on Netflix’s Sugar Rush, you can learn both basic and advanced skills online. Even peeling garlic can be intimidating, but these online cooking classes break it down for you in the safety of your own kitchen. If you mess up, no one will know. That’s the best part about online learning vs. going in-person to a class. An extra perk? They also make great last-minute holiday gifts.

These online cooking classes use videos or step-by-step written instructions and photos to help you master recipes and techniques. We found 20 different options for the best online cooking classes that offer comprehensive cooking lessons, from learning how to poach eggs to creating an awe-inspiring cake that even the Cake Boss would be envious of. Speaking of professional and celebrity chefs, you can even be taught by a Michelin-starred master, like Gordon Ramsay, your Food Network faves, or a professional from Top Chef. If you’ve got food allergies or prefer to cook as healthily as possible, don’t fret. We have plenty of classes that accommodate gluten allergies, people who prefer to bake without sugar, and even plant-based options.

The cooking classes are all priced differently. Some have low monthly fees, while others have you pay per class. A couple of classes are intensive, meaning you focus on one skill, like learning how to bake bread in four weeks. Some of the classes on this list don’t cost a thing, either. Get ready to pull out your apron, organize your cookware or baking supplies and get ready for a crash course in cooking, or to give a gift that will keep your loved ones’ bellies full and happy for a long time to come once they master the skills learned in their online cooking lesson. 

Best Online Cooking Classes for Japanese Cuisine: Niki Nakayama’s MasterClass

Niki Nakayama's MasterClass

Niki Nakayama, the owner of the two-Michelin-starred, Los Angeles-based n/naka restaurant teaches you how to make fresh ingredients the star of the show while sharing her her innovative takes on Japanese home cooking techniques in this MasterClass.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Plant-Based Cooking: International Open Academy

international open academy plant-based cooking class
Plant-Based Cooking

Finding cooking classes based on your dietary needs has never been easier thanks to International Open Academy’s unique online cooking courses. The plant-based class takes you through 13 delicious recipes that are just as easy to make as they are tasty. From vegan banana bread to dairy-free pasta carbonara (yes, really!), you’ve never tasted plant-based recipes as mouthwatering as these. You can even get certified if you get at least a 55% on the exam at the end, so you’ll truly feel like a pro.

Plant Based Cooking Class
$19.99 $99.99 80% Off

Best Online Cooking Classes for Novice Chefs: Gordon Ramsay’s Masterclass

Gordon Ramsay Masterclass
Gordon Ramsay

Chef and Hell’s Kitchen star Gordon Ramsay takes you into his kitchen and guides you through 20 exclusive video lessons. He starts with basics like knife skills and then teaches you how to make intricate dishes like beef wellington. He’s much different in these videos than he is on his show, don’t worry.

Gordon Ramsay Cooking Class
$15/month

Best Online Cooking Classes for Creative Cooks: Wolfgang Puck’s Masterclass

Masterclass - Wolfgang Puck
Wolfgang Puck

If Gordon Ramsay isn’t your style, maybe you would prefer to learn from the chef to the stars, Wolfgang Puck. Learn how to make tuna sashimi, roasted branzino and even cocktails. The course features 16 classes and Puck offers simple, practical step-by-step instructions you can recreate at home.

Wolfgang Puck Cooking Class
$15/month

Best Online Cooking Classes for Curious Cooks: Udemy classes

Udemy offers 65,000 online courses, including plenty of food-related and culinary courses. For instance, you can learn the essentials, take a healthy living with “no oil” recipes course or learn how to make Thai specialities.

Udemy Cooking Classes
$10.99+

Best Online Cooking Classes for Trendy Chefs: Goldbelly Live!

Goldbelly delivers gourmet meals and treats from around the country to your doorstep, but the site also offers online cooking and baking classes from top-notch chefs. The classes change often, but some previous examples include a hot chicken dip class with Hattie B’s Kitchen, Detroit-style pizza class with Emmy Squared, and a macaron event with Ladureé.

Goldbelly Live! Cook-Alongs
$109+

Best Online Cooking Classes for Wannabe Top Chefs: Top Chef University

This interactive course is created by professional chefs and taught by 11 former Top Chef contestants. The app gives you access to 28 hand-picked lesson videos with more than three hours of instruction. Make the best cobb salad of your life and master your knife skills from some of the most talented chefs.

Top Chef University
$19.99

Best Online Cooking Classes for Bakers: Gluten-Free Baking Academy

Gluten-Free Baking Academy
Gluten-Free Bagels

This bake-it-at-home course offers 18 video lessons and six start-to-finish baking videos organized into four weekly modules. This course allows you to work at your own pace, and you’ll learn how to master making gluten-free bread. You’ll get the tools, recipes and know-how to bake right in your own kitchen.

Gluten-Free Baking Academy
$Prices vary

Best Online Cooking Classes for Aspiring Cake Bosses: CakeFlix

CakeFlix Classes
Cake

If you’re as obsessed with Cake Boss and The Holiday Baking Championship as we are, then you need to sign yourself up for CakeFlix. Their cake-making and decorating tutorials are delivered right to your inbox and there are over 800 online courses you can sign up for.

CakeFlix
$9.95+ (after 7-day free trial)

Best Online Cooking Classes for Detail-Oriented Learners: America’s Test Kitchen

America’s Test Kitchen classes are a lot like Good Eats without the silliness (unfortunately), but they’re very detailed and teach you the perfect way to make anything as tested (sometimes several hundred times) by the America’s Test Kitchen chefs. There are a whopping 320 courses to take, ranging from dumplings and potstickers to advanced cookie baking.

America's Test Kitchen
$20/month

Best Online Cooking Classes for Crafty Cooks: Craftsy Cake Decorating and Food and Cooking Classes

Craftsy Classic Croissants, Modern Techniques
Croissants

Craftsy is an online learning site where students can buy classes in a variety of fun disciplines, including cake decorating and cooking classes. There are even classes that focus on specific appliances, like slow cookers and air fryers, so you can learn how to get your money’s worth out of them.

Craftsy
$14.99+

Best Online Cooking Classes for Hands-On Learners: Rouxbe Cooking School

Rouxbe Cooking Classes
Rouxbe Meal

Rouxbe provides courses in which students get lessons and practice recipes, exercises and more to help them learn to cook.  There are a total of 75 lessons and 12 courses. If you need help with something, you can ask professional chefs questions. Plus, when you’re all finished, you get a certification congratulating you for completing the course.

Rouxbe
$9.99+

Best Online Cooking Classes for Marathoners: Foodist Kitchen

Motivated by challenges? Then learn to cook in a month-long cooking boot camp. This is literally a class for beginners, starting with classes in developing the habit of cooking, keeping the kitchen stocked and grocery shopping. This is taught by Foodist author Darya Rose who used to be intimidated by cooking.

Foodist Kitchen
$99

Best Online Cooking Classes for Cooks with Food Allergies: Healthy Baking Bootcamp (gluten-, soy-, dairy- and sugar-free)

If you have a food allergy but don’t want to live life without your baked favorites, check out this healthy online cooking class. You’ll learn how to recreate your favorite holiday treats from your childhood. The course will even give you a shopping list, so you can prepare.

Healthy Baking Bootcamp
$29

Best Free Online Cooking Classes

Best Online Cooking Classes for Learning Basics: The Kitchn’s Cooking School

If your repertoire is just pasta and frozen meals, then this bootcamp is for you. The Kitchn’s Cooking School is a 20-day, 20-lesson program where students tackle an essential cooking topic each day. Learn all the ways to prepare an egg and how to braise something. You’ll even have homework.

Free to join at The Kitchn.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Mastering Cooking Skills: Food Techniques

BBC Cooking Skills
Courtesy of the BBC.

BBC has a nice selection of cooking videos for people with a variety of skill levels. Don’t know how to cut an onion? What about baking a potato? There’s are classes for that. But there are also classes on advanced techniques, like gutting a fish and making pasta dough.

Free at BBC.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Practical Recipes: Cooking with The New York Times

One of America’s most popular newspapers, The New York Times, has an online cooking school with video lessons. You can hop on the sourdough craze, make some mouth-watering ice cream or even learn how to make baby food for your little one. There are so many different techniques and recipes to try.

Free at The New York Times.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Student Chefs: Dinner Tonight

If you’re a college student (or you eat like one), this is the course for you. Texas A&M has a variety of classes to teach students to make quick and healthy dinners. It also features some fun Texas recipes, so get ready to ingest a little bit of spice.

Free at Texas A&M.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Science Fans: Kitchen Chemistry

Most people associate MIT with building those intense robots that rip each other apart in a ring, but MIT also posts online versions of real classes, including one called Kitchen Chemistry. This course argues that cooking is one of the oldest forms of chemistry out there, so put on your science goggles and learn the science that goes into sautéing and baking.

Free at MIT.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Classic Cooking: Delia Online Cookery School

If you want to learn the art of European or American cooking, this Delia Online features a host of cooking technique articles of varying levels of difficulty. The sections are separated by eggs, chicken and other birds, sauces and more. Each lesson has step-by-step instructions with photos.

Free at Delia Online.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Beginners: Better Homes and Gardens How to Cook

Learn the basics in the cooking classes at Better Homes and Gardens. This guide breaks everything down, from freezing fresh beans from your garden to figuring our herb substitutes. It has an answer to nearly all of your questions and solutions to most of your problems. 

Free at Better Homes and Gardens.

A version of this article was originally published in May 2015.

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1079046
Carla Hall is Here to Make Holiday Hosting Easier Than Ever With These Genius Tips https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/videos/2905412/carla-hall-holiday-tips/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/videos/2905412/carla-hall-holiday-tips/#respond Thu, 30 Nov 2023 13:24:57 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?post_type=pmc_top_video&p=2905412 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

The holiday season is upon us, and while we are tingling from our fingers to our toes with non-stop joy and wonder, some of the tingle is probably stress. That’s because hosting for the holidays can actually be a lot of pressure, even though it’s a ton of fun. Not only is it kind of a challenge to keep everyone in the family happy when they all have their own individual ideas about what makes the holiday season special, but there are all sorts of logistical concerns to keep in mind, too, like how you’re going to fit everything in the oven at the same time, or how to pare down your menu to something that you can reasonably make but that still includes everyone’s favorite foods. Are you sweating just thinking about it? Well take a few deep breaths and sip on some hot cocoa, because Carla Hall is here to help.

Carla Hall, the frequent Food Network star, former Top Chef contestant, and author of Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration, was kind enough to take some time from her own busy schedule to sit down to share her best advice for keeping your holidays cool, calm, and collected, while still being infused with magic. From the ’emotional memories’ conjured by favorite family dishes, to her top three tips for making holiday entertaining easier, Hall’s advice to us all is itself like a little gift. And for all you cooks out there, Hall has some helpful tips about which dishes you can make ahead of time, and advice about how to make classic dishes a little easier. “I recommend that people do not try to make that Norman Rockwell turkey, I think you should break your turkey down,” shared Hall, which also means you can make your turkey gravy ahead of time using the bones. As for the mashed potatoes, “it’s a celebration day, you need the butter.” This is the kind of advice we can definitely get behind.

From breakfast to dinner, Hall has some smart tips for all of your holiday cooking. Maybe hosting this year won’t be so stressful after all!

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Genius Cooking Essentials to Help You Get Your Holiday Cooking Done Faster https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2373395/best-cookware-essentials-for-holiday-cooking/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2373395/best-cookware-essentials-for-holiday-cooking/#respond Tue, 28 Nov 2023 15:15:03 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?post_type=pmc-gallery&p=2373395 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

If we’ve learned anything about cooking (thanks to our friend Ina Garten), not all cookware is made the same. What you choose to mix, fry, or chop with can make or break your recipe — and you — so it’s important to choose wisely. With the holidays right around the corner, you’ll be spending more time in the kitchen real soon. Now is the perfect time to take stock of the tools you have, throw out anything that no longer works, and upgrade your kitchen with genius products that will make cooking and baking a breeze this holiday season.

Ahead, you’ll find 15 genius kitchen tools that will save you time and energy so you can spend more valuable holiday time with friends and family and not working away in the kitchen.

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Valerie Bertinelli’s Kitchen Video Shows Her Using This $15 Zester With Over 36K 5-Star Reviews, Which She Uses ‘Every Day’ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2677082/microplane-zester/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2677082/microplane-zester/#respond Fri, 24 Nov 2023 17:40:00 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?p=2677082 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

Let’s just say, when something is Valerie Bertinelli-approved, we’re ready to buy multiple.

Back in June 2020, the Hot in Cleveland alum shared a video with Shop Today that shows her go-to gadgets in the kitchen. They shared the video with the caption, “Valerie Bertinelli shares 5 gadgets everyone should have in their kitchen Have you become a quarantine cook? Check out Valerie Bertinelli’s top five kitchen essentials.”

While we know she adores some of Rachael Ray’s kitchen tools and select Le Creuset pots; but our interests were piqued when she showed a tool she says she uses “every day.” Now, you may think this tool comes with a hefty price tag, but you’d be wrong because it’s less than $20 on Amazon right now.

Microplane.
Buy: Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester Grater $15.29, originally $16.99

The Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester Grater is a versatile and essential kitchen tool to have handy. As Bertinelli said in the video, she uses this to zest anything she can to add flavor to her dishes. You can use this tool to add flavor to anything you think needs it, from vinaigrettes, salads, pasta, and baked goods, to name a few. Speaking of versatility, this razor-sharp tool can cut through anything, from ground spices to hard fruits (and if you’re a bit weary, don’t forget to invest in some cut-resistant gloves!)

Per the brand, all you have to do to use this dishwasher-safe tool is hold onto the gripped handle and go back and forth on whatever you’re scraping for that zest!

Now, Bertinelli isn’t the only one who adores this tool. With over 37,000 reviews (and over 36,000 five-star reviews), this has become a staple in many shoppers’ households. One shopper also said they’ve used this every day, saying, “Love my microplane. Use it every day. I have tried many other brands. None compare to micro plane. I have a microplane cheese grater that I have had for several years and it is still very sharp and grates like it’s brand new.”

Another shopper added, “I don’t know how I lived before, without it. I use it almost every day. Very nice product.”

Before you go, check out our gallery below:

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Sam's Club Products Costco Fans Will Love https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2223476/best-sams-club-products/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2223476/best-sams-club-products/#respond Thu, 23 Nov 2023 14:20:24 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?post_type=pmc-gallery&p=2223476 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

Sam’s Club versus Costco: Which camp are you a member of? Why choose?

As two of the most popular wholesale retail chains in the U.S., it’s no wonder the feud runs deep and long between die-hard Costco and Sam’s Club shoppers. Which retailer has better prices and deals? Which retailer has better products? While both stores have their strengths and weaknesses, we still can’t help but rave about a certain handful of Sam’s Club products that we bet money Costco shoppers will love, too.

Ahead, we’ve handpicked everything from pantry staples to frozen favorites found at Sam’s Club that Costco shoppers should absolutely give a try.

]]> https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2223476/best-sams-club-products/feed/ 0 2223476 If You're Not Adding This To Your Popcorn, You're Eating It Wrong https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2216769/best-popcorn-seasonings/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2216769/best-popcorn-seasonings/#respond Tue, 14 Nov 2023 18:54:08 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?post_type=pmc-gallery&p=2216769 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

It’s almost time for new shows to hit your favorite viewing platforms, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be popping lots of popcorn to nosh on while you binge. But what good is popcorn without popcorn seasonings? Nothing, that’s what. Lucky for you, we spent hours researching the heck out of popcorn seasonings so that we could bring you the tastiest blends on the internet. And you’re only a few clicks away from ordering some straight to your door step.

From classic flavors, like cheddar cheese and ballpark salt, to sweet and savory flavors like birthday cake and creamy ranch, take a peek at the best popcorn seasonings we found online.

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Wildly Organic is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

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‘Impatient’ Shoppers Can’t Get Enough of This $18 Cooker With Over 9K 5-Star Reviews That Makes Pasta in ‘Minutes' https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2542570/fasta-pasta-microwave-pasta-cooker-tiktok/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2542570/fasta-pasta-microwave-pasta-cooker-tiktok/#respond Sat, 21 Oct 2023 18:25:00 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?p=2542570 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

As we’ve said repeatedly, if there’s a kitchen tool that’ll make our lives easier — we’re getting it. TikTok just showed us once again what product we need next, and this one is perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle. All of TikTok — specifically the subgroup foodtiktok — has been marveling over an ingenious hack of cooking pasta without the mess. It started circulating in a slew of videos, with one video by an account called @iamsamsamlim getting well over 40,000 views. The video showed how she used a special container to cook her spaghetti in the microwave.

And it’s only $18 right now!

Fasta Pasta Microwave Pasta Cooker.

Courtesy of Fasta Pasta

Buy: Fasta Pasta Microwave Pasta Cooker $17.99, originally $22.99

The product she and many others used is the Fasta Pasta Microwave Pasta Cooker, also known as an amazing tool for college kids and busy moms alike. All you have to do is measure the pasta to make sure it fits in the container, add water as instructed, heat it without the lid in the microwave for up to 13 minutes, and then BAM! After 13 minutes, you get perfect al dente pasta every time, with the only clean-up being to dump the water in the sink with the help of the strainer lid.

For a limited time, this kitchen staple is 26 percent off, so snag it while it’s less than $20.

With over 12,000 reviews at almost five stars, it’s a well-kept secret full of admirers. One happy customer started their Amazon review by saying, “This is an excellent, easy way to make pasta, taking just 12 minutes in the microwave for a serving. It’s true that 12 minutes seems longer on microwave time than it does when you’re busy making the pasta the traditional way, but in reality, the time is cut in at least half when you take into account waiting for the water to boil.”

Another shopper added, “But I’m lazy and impatient and don’t like things that take a long time to make, with a bunch of steps, and a big clean up afterwards. The Fasta Pasta is perfect for me. I get the exact amount of correctly-measured spaghetti; it’s faster than boiling water in a big pot then having to watch and stir the pasta; the pasta comes out perfectly cooked every time; and the cleanup is a snap.”

“7 minutes seems to do the trick for me,” another shopper added.

Before you go, check out these chic cookware brands that give Le Creuset a run for its money:

Cookware brands Le Creuset

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What Chef Pati Jinich Wants You to Know About Mexican Food https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2845350/pati-jinich-mexican-food-culture/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2845350/pati-jinich-mexican-food-culture/#respond Wed, 04 Oct 2023 14:04:17 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?p=2845350 ]]> https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2845350/pati-jinich-mexican-food-culture/feed/ 0 2845350