New & Now – FoodWatcher

These 10 Gifts Under $50 All Feel Like Little Luxuries

White elephant gifts often get a bad rap for being last-minute buys or regifts from parties past—but they don’t have to be. This year, don’t settle for something that will end up at the bottom of a drawer. Instead, bring a gift that everyone will act…

To help, we’ve rounded up our best gifts under $50 that are practical, chic, and guaranteed to spark a few “I wish I had gotten that!” moments. Whether you’re swapping at the office or with friends, these thoughtful finds will make your gift the one everyone talks about. From gourmet pantry picks to handmade table decor, discover delightful (and delightfully-priced) gifts for your coworkers, friends, cousins, and everyone else you’re gifting this season.

This Vegan Thanksgiving Side Dish Stole the Show at Our Cookbook Club

Last Thursday, Food52’s Cookbook Club community members gathered for a potluck-style event celebrating our Cookbook of the Year, Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon. And while a asking a cookbook author to choose a favorite dish is like asking a mother t…

Last Thursday, Food52's Cookbook Club community members gathered for a potluck-style event celebrating our Cookbook of the Year, Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon. And while a asking a cookbook author to choose a favorite dish is like asking a mother to choose a favorite child, there always is one (it just depends on the day). So on this particular evening, Hetty picked a favorite: Hazelnut Hassleback Potato Gratin. Turns out, it everyone else’s go-to, as well. (Truth: Our editorial director went in for seconds.)

Hazelnut Hasselback Potato Gratin From Hetty Lui McKinnon

“It is the most delicious potato gratin you are ever going to have,” shared McKinnon. “There isn’t any cream—it’s the hazelnut milk that makes the cream which has so much flavor in it.” The recipe is simple: a leek base layered with a hazelnut, rosemary, and nutmeg béchamel-like sauce topped with thinly sliced potatoes and, of course, more sauce. But flavor is anything but. It’s equal parts nutty and aromatic with a light and fluffy feel that won’t leave you with post-feast discomfort.

Molly Baz’s New Mayo Launch Is About To Take Your Sandwiches to the Next Level

Food personality Molly Baz has always been a fan of mayonnaise. It’s the base of her favorite salad dressing, Caesar (or as she calls it, Cae Sal), and it’s a staple in some of her favorite sandwiches. So it all makes sense that she just launched Ayoh,…

The four flavors include Dill Pickle Mayo, Hot Giardinayo, Tangy Dijonayo and Original Mayo, and they come in four easy-to-squeeze bottles—no more digging into a wide-mouth glass bottle with a knife. And while they’re meant to be added to your favorite sandwiches, Baz said they can easily be combined for other applications: “Mixing the Dill Pickle Mayo with the Dijonayo and stirring it into canned tuna is a tuna sando lover's dream.”

Three Things We Were Grateful For At Our Cookbook Club Event with Hetty Lui McKinnon

Last night, we set our ovens to 350°F and opened the doors of the Food52 HQ to welcome our community of cooks in celebration of friends, food, and Hetty Lui McKinnon’s Tenderheart, our Food 52 Cookbook Club’s cookbook of the year. The cityscape in the …

Last night, we set our ovens to 350°F and opened the doors of the Food52 HQ to welcome our community of cooks in celebration of friends, food, and Hetty Lui McKinnon’s Tenderheart, our Food 52 Cookbook Club’s cookbook of the year. The cityscape in the background, the dripping candles, the vibrant chatter, and “This Charming Man” by The Smiths softly playing—it all painted a picture of gratitude. Here are three more gifts we’re appreciating from Thursday night:

1. Food as a Connector

Food isn’t just about sustenance—it’s a catalyst for thoughtful conversation, deeper connections, and an uplifting community. Friendships blossomed over plates of Tenderheart’s recipes for Mapo Eggplant, Tomato and Gruyère Clafoutis, and Hazelnut Hasselback Potato Gratin (her Thanksgiving must-have).

How to Fight Pre-Party Stress, And More Hosting Advice From Our Editor

Welcome to the latest edition of Come On Over, Food52 editorial director Julie Vadnal’s newsletter that’s all about hosting gatherings big and small—without losing your cool. Got company? Sign up here for her emails.

When I first starting having peo…

Welcome to the latest edition of Come On Over, Food52 editorial director Julie Vadnal's newsletter that's all about hosting gatherings big and small—without losing your cool. Got company? Sign up here for her emails.

When I first starting having people over in my 20s, my biggest fear was always: Will there be enough food? As a result, I’d make so many dishes that I wouldn’t have time to shower, and guests would arrive to a home filled with entirely too many appetizers—and a frazzled, cranky host. Since then, I’ve learned that, as the person hosting, you set the tone. The better prepared you are, the more relaxed everyone will be, including yourself.

The 10 Best Gifts For The Friend Who Has Everything

We all know those people who seem to have everything—they treat themselves often, constantly rotate in new home decor, and somehow always find the most unique vintage pieces. They have impeccable taste, obviously, so come holiday time, it can feel im…

This year, stay ahead of the curve and surprise them with something truly one-of-a-kind. To help, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite antique, artisanal, and handmade gifts that are sure to impress. Old souls and picky partners alike will appreciate the limited-edition nature of these finds, each carrying their own story.

Amanda’s Download on the New Martha Stewart Doc

Welcome to the latest edition of Food52 Founder Amanda Hesser’s weekly newsletter, Hey there, it’s Amanda, packed with food, travel, and shopping tips, Food52 doings, and other matters that catch her eye. Get inspired—sign up here for her emails.

…

Welcome to the latest edition of Food52 Founder Amanda Hesser’s weekly newsletter, Hey there, it’s Amanda, packed with food, travel, and shopping tips, Food52 doings, and other matters that catch her eye. Get inspired—sign up here for her emails.

I tend to have two cooking modes: I either get caught up in nostalgia, and want to cook recipes I haven’t made in ages, or I thirst for the new. Last week, I had Danielle Oron’s Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies from 2016, which isn’t ages ago, technically, but which somehow feels like a past life. I plan to keep them in my current life. The tahini, salt, and chocolate work like magic together. The tahini forms the base of the cookie, and there’s just enough flour to hold the dough together, so it’s a nutty, chewy cookie, without the heft of one made with peanut butter. Or as Aly S., a Food52er commented, “Truly genius heaven. Tasted like the creamiest halva with chocolate in a cookie form. To die for!”

8 Thanksgiving Pies We Love That Aren’t Pumpkin

If you’re in charge of dessert this Thanksgiving—arguably one of the most important responsibilities—and are feeling the pressure to make something memorable, we’ve got you covered. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Thanksgiving pie recipes, from timeless classics to unexpected new favorites, that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re looking for an elevated pecan pie, a fresh take on apple, or a new spin on sweet potato, these recipes are sure to wow your guests and leave them wishing they had saved more room for dessert.

Plus, the best part about pie is that you can prep it in advance—we recommend our fool-proof pie crust recipe, or for even fewer dishes, our stand-mixer pie dough. And, if you do run into any pie problems on the big day, check out our expert tips for all the quick fixes.

The 10 Best Gifts For Hosts Who Have (Almost) Everything

Buying a gift for the person who always hosts the hangs can be a tough order. After all, most people who are comfortable with having people over are the types to curate their housewares and have thoughts about silverware and glassware.

But the good ne…

But the good news is—and I can confirm this, as someone who hosts about once a week—there is literally no end to the amount of serving trays, bowls, and surprise-and-delight items that a host can fit in their lives (and cabinets). Here’s some that the host in your life will joyfully add to their collection.

Stanley Tucci’s Holiday Appetizer Idea Is Made for Lazy Hosts

If it seems like everyone’s favorite food-fluencer Stanley Tucci has something new going on each month, that’s because he does. In September, the actor launched a collection of luxury nonstick cookware with the popular brand GreenPan. Then, in October, he released his second memoir, What I Ate in One Year: (and related thoughts), a follow up to his 2021 New York Times bestseller. Which brings us to his latest venture: Showing us all a fun way to display cheese this holiday season.

Starting today, Tucci is launching a limited edition cheese cake tower in collaboration with New York City-based cheese store, Murray’s Cheese and S. Pellegrino. The “cake” features four layers of artisanal cheese from Murray’s and weighs in at nearly 3 pounds. And thankfully for hosting season, it serves 8-10 people and can easily anchor a dinner party charcuterie spread.