Everything BA Editors Tried, Tasted, and Loved in June
As people who write about food and 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, all-in-one green curry blocks, elevated everyday glassware, and a summer sweet treat fixation.
Read on for all of the products we’ve been obsessing over this June.
Quince European Tablecloth and Bamboo Placemats
Quince
European Tablecloth
Quince
Chilewich
Bamboo Easy-Care Rectangular Placemats
Quince
There's a lovely summer soiree hosted in Brooklyn's Prospect Park every year. They provide the table and chairs, and you provide everything else. People go big here, with full-on dinner-party energy, sitting al fresco lakeside. I opted for an English garden party vibe, which I set with Quince's European Linen Tablecloth in a pencil stripe pattern. I layered it with Chilewich's bamboo placemats (conveniently sold by Quince as well), which were so easy to wipe clean for easy transport. Both have earned a permanent spot on my dining room table, waiting for my next dinner party. —Olivia Tarantino, senior commerce editor
REI Campwell Folding Cooler
REI Co-op
Campwell Folding Cooler
REI Co-op
Another essential piece of gear for hosting outdoor dining parties in the park is a great cooler.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen Verre Glasses
Sophie Lou Jacobsen
Verre Glasses
Big Night
I’ve been on a mission to replace all of the chipped, cloudy glassware taking up space in my cupboard, and these glasses from Sophie Lou Jacobsen are my latest obsession. They’re sturdy, stackable, and dishwasher-safe, making them practical enough for everyday use, but the tapered silhouette, petal-like ridges, and scalloped rim give them an elevated look that’s fit for any dinner party. I’ve been using them for my iced matchas, and they’ve helped make my morning caffeine ritual feel that much more luxurious. —Alaina Chou, commerce writer
Uncle's Thai Food Big Green Curry
Uncle's Thai Food
Big Green Curry
Uncle's Thai Food
I love Thai food. But I make my beloved green curry a whole lot less at home than I crave it because it usually requires a trip to the store to make sure I have coconut milk, curry paste, and a few other ingredients on hand. That’s where Uncle’s Thai Food has made my life infinitely easier. The brand’s freeze-dried block is complete with both curry and coconut milk, so all you have to do is stir fry together your meat or veggies of choice, add water, and plop in the block. It comes together quicker than I could open a can of coconut milk and is delightfully flavorful, with just the right amount of spice. I love using these blocks to bring together all the bits and bobs I have left over in my fridge, but next, I want to try using the curry as a marinade on fish or skewers before throwing them on the grill. —Kate Kassin, editorial operations manager
New York Knicks White Hardwood Classics Coffee T-Shirt
New York Knicks
White Hardwood Classics Coffee T-Shirt
Mitchell and Ness
What a time to be a New Yorker! The Knicks' post-season run had the whole city in a chokehold, reinvigorating its residents (current and past) with a jolt of hope, joy, and adrenaline I've never experienced before. As the Knicks advanced through the series, I couldn't help but keep several carts open as more creative fan gear began to reveal itself. This tee depicting a 90s-era Knicks logo with a basketball dunking into the iconic NYC paper coffee cup hit me straight in my feels, and it was an immediate add-to-cart on my part. Between the NBA Finals and the World Cup, I am delirious with spirit and fandom! —Hana Asbrink, deputy food editor
Current Model G2 Electric Grill
Current
Model G2 Electric Grill
Current
One day I will have an expansive "outdoor kitchen" that I will use every single day that East Coast weather allows. For now, the reality is that we have a skinny rowhouse with dozens of neighbors and very limited outdoor space in Philadelphia. Grilling there has been a nonstarter, up until now. The Current G2 electric grill has just rolled into my outdoor life in time for summer. Sleek and minimal, with an intuitive interface and compact size that is still ample for most occasions, it is just the kind of unobtrusive solution I have been looking for for years.
Given the proximity of our neighbors, smoky charcoal would most likely be an invitation for a visit from the Fire Department, while smaller gas grills usually lack the performance and quality I look for. The Current simply plugs into a regular outlet and preheats to whatever temperature you set it to, making it an easy transition for anyone whose grilling dreams are bigger than their backyard. —Chris Morocco, food director
Chris made these Korean-Style Hasselback Short Ribs on the Current grill.
Pink House Alchemy Blackberry Syrup
Pink House Alchemy
Blackberry Syrup
Pink House Alchemy
I make myself an iced cortado every morning to enjoy while I get ready for work, and lately, I’ve been enjoying adding a splash of something sweet. Pink House Alchemy already makes a favorite syrup of mine, pHDelight, a vanilla-honey-cinnamon concoction that is warmly spiced and makes my coffee taste just a bit like cinnamon toast. I added two of their seasonal flavors, Strawberry and Blackberry, to my most recent order, and am already considering buying back-ups before the limited drops end. The Strawberry is jammy, with a still-bright but decidedly cooked berry flavor (almost like pie). The Blackberry tastes both richer and a touch more acidic to me; all in all, another delight. All of their fruit is sourced from local-to-them McGarrah Farms in Northwest Arkansas, and the syrups faithfully capture that “sun-dappled berry from the market” joy. I’ve been adding glugs to lemonade, iced tea, mocktails, and cocktails alike. —Kelsey Jane Youngman, senior cooking editor
Ladies Who Lunch Serving Set
Lazy Jamie
Ladies Who Lunch Serving Set
Lazy Jamie
I’d buy this swirled serving set for the gift box alone. But what’s inside—a stainless steel serving fork and spoon with the brand’s signature spiral handle—is equally as luxe. The utensils are weighted to feel substantial in your hands as you toss your at-home or takeout lunch salad, and I appreciate that they double as both a design item and a functional dining tool. They’re practically made to be the star of your gathering table, but also make work-from-home lunch feel that much more elevated. Another plus? The set is dishwasher-safe. —K.K.
Sfizi Taralli
Sfizi
Taralli
Big Night
Sfizi
I’ve long been a fan of taralli, the Italian cracker often served alongside drinks or meats and cheeses, so I was particularly excited to try Sfizi’s pizza-flavored version. Infused with tomato, oregano, and garlic, they’re incredibly moreish, and I’ve been reaching for them daily when I’m in need of a savory desk snack—despite promising myself I’d save the rest of the box to share with company the next time I have people over. They’re excellent on their own, and even better alongside a cold beer or glass of wine. —A.C.
Earlywood spoons
Earlywood
Wooden Tasting Spoons
Earlywood
Moving in with my boyfriend meant a ruthless kitchen audit. I hadn't used my Earlywood tasting spoon yet, so it originally landed in the "store for later" pile, but it didn't stay there for more than two hours. That night, I made a comfy carrot soup after a long day of hauling boxes, and when I went to reach for a metal spoon to check for seasoning, it all clicked: this is what the Earlywood spoon was for. Wood doesn't transfer heat the way metal does, so no scorched tongue, and it was long enough to reach into a gurgling purée. After our final seasoning check, we looked at each other and agreed it earned a cherished spot in the utensil crock. —O.T.
Monte’s Fine Foods Arrabbiatta Spicy Tomato Sauce
Monte’s Fine Foods
Arrabiatta Spicy Tomato Sauce
Instacart
Monte's Fine Foods
I'm not usually a jarred tomato sauce person, but Monte's has converted me. Whether I'm making eggplant parm or a pizza galette (or a regular pizza, for that matter), I'll pick their original vibrant tomato sauce over every other jar at the store. I'm also partial to the spicy version, which made a truly expedient base for Clams Arrabbiata. (And while I'm personally unlikely to put jarred sauce on pasta, I will say that the brand's Durum wheat Rotolini and Buchi are worth investing in—even if you plan to make your own sauce for those.) —Rebecca Firkser, food editor
Taos Guru Shoes
Taos
Guru Shoes
Taos
I do a ton of walking on weekends—specifically to and from my local farmers market—so naturally the shoes I wear are of great import. Regrettably, I’m also a member of My Feet Hurt All the Time Club, which means I’ve increasingly had to avert my eyes from the parade of gorgeous kicks that target me on social media in favor of, shudder, orthopedically appropriate footwear. Imagine my delight when I found the Taos Guru Shoes, which are both chic and accommodating of my poor toesies. Critically, they have a wide toe box and plenty of arch support, plus the woven leather construction very much works with the Earth Mama vibe I strive to cultivate with my farmers market fits. I have a feeling I’ll be wearing these all summer. —Rachel Tepper Paley, site director
Bubbies Passion Fruit Mochi Ice Cream
Bubbies
Passion Fruit Mochi Ice Cream
Bubbies
I love two-bite frozen treats, especially during the summer, when the idea of something ice cold and sweet helps propel me from the depths of a hot subway station to my walk-up apartment. Bubbies’ sweet mochi-wrapped ice cream is my current fixation. The mochi itself is soft and plush (never stale or tacky), and the ice cream is lusciously dense and creamy. My absolute favorite variety is the hard-to-find passion fruit (tart, tangy, and fresh), but my bodega reliably carries Alphonso mango (a very close 2nd place with a honeyed-peach taste). —K.J.Y.
Heath Ceramics Café Bowl
Heath Ceramics
Café Bowl
Heath Ceramics
I purchased the Chez Panisse café bowl completely by chance after wandering into the Heath Ceramics showroom during a visit to the Tartine Manufactory while I was living in San Francisco. It turned out to be the perfect vessel for my morning yogurt and the bowl I reached for whenever I needed a sweet treat in the form of ice cream. The sides slope downward in such a way that your spoon is suited to scoop just the right amount of whatever’s in it, while the bowl feels heavy and luxe. Plus, it comes in several colors to fit your mood.
I’ve slowly built out a small collection since acquiring my first bowl, and will happily scour eBay or Heath Ceramics’ own vintage marketplace for more. —Lillian Syme, research fellow
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