And a little list to help you get ready for the holiday season
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Two years ago, my husband and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner in our new Manhattan condo for the first time. Three days before the main event, while choosing serving dishes for everything on our menu, I realized that we didn’t have a carving board that could contain the juices of the heritage bird I’d soon pick up. I signed on to my local Facebook Buy Nothing group, asked if anyone had a board I could borrow, and a kind neighbor loaned me one. The attractive, hefty object made the meal all the more elegant, and I felt real gratitude for the kindness of strangers.
I always seem to forget how much there is to do before T Day. Sniff the spices for potency. Stock up on good olive oil. Clean any errant wax out of the vintage crystal candlesticks. Replenish my supply of beeswax tapers. Order reusable bamboo “paper” towels for last-minute messes. Sharpen the knives. Press the linens. Polish the silver. And, a new part of the routine — get extra Covid tests and make sure we all use them — so that one bad gathering early in the season doesn’t spoil the rest. Not to mention, plan the menu!
It’s all a bit hectic, but these preparations help me feel ready to take on the holidays. I thrive when the things around me sparkle and shine. It’s not about hosting Thanksgiving. It’s about maximizing the joy of home during the last months of the year: something we all deserve.
Happy celebrating and happy shopping,
–Elizabeth Weinstein
Material Kitchen Cutting Boards
People want to help you! Make it easier for everyone by buying a couple of Material Kitchen’s $35 eco-friendly reBoard cutting boards. The recycled plastic and sugarcane boards are lightweight and easy to clean.
Le Creuset Dutch Ovens
After a decade of weekly use, I continue to admire my Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven’s even, consistent cooking, and I remain delighted by how easy it is to clean. I also think Le Creuset makes the best silicone spatulas around.
Caraway Cookware
Caraway makes gorgeous, non-toxic cookware that works on all stovetops. Their ceramic non-stick pans withstand temperatures of up to 550°F, so I can feel safe popping the pan under the broiler and adding a lush layer of melty cheese to dinner.
Zwilling Pro Knives
It’s said that poor craftsfolks blame their tools, but I think that good knives — or at least one really good chef’s knife — are essential. The right knife makes cooking faster and safer. Zwilling’s Pro line is Certified Carbon Neutral, and feels great in the hand.
Breville Smart Oven
Our founder and Dear Dot both love the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. The countertop appliance can make toast, bake a quarter-sheet tray of cookies, and even roast a 14-pound turkey — jobs it does well — all while using much less electricity than a wall oven.
Healthier, More Efficient Stoves
My gas stove is 50–75% functional depending on its mood, and my husband and I are about to make the big switch to induction. I won’t lie; we’re a bit nervous. But induction is better for the Earth, and everyone I know who has one loves it.
