The winter holidays are rapidly approaching, and that means we’re going into hosting mode. From giving the house a deep-clean to stocking the fridge with our favorite mocktail ingredients, there’s a lot to do, which is why we like to keep the food we prepare for guests as simple as possible, while still delivering on flavor. That’s where Aldi comes in. Not only do they usually have a delicious array of frozen appetizers in stock pretty much year-round, but they also just shared a cute holiday appetizer idea that utilizes the variety of affordable cheeses, meats, and snackable items they have in stock year round.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ALDI USA (@aldiusa)

Aldi took to Instagram to share this fun and easy appetizer idea: Jar-cuterie. It’s basically a jar layered with olives, cheese, cured meats, and crackers, ready to be gobbled up by your party guests. We can see a few different benefits to opting for Jarcuterie appetizers instead of a charcuterie board. For one thing, individual jars are a lot more sanitary than a board everyone is grabbing their food from. They’re also customizable, so you can make jars that are vegetarian, or dairy-free, or gluten-free, without having to worry about the cross-contamination on the board.

If you have a case of mason jars lying around, this is the perfect use for them. Layer in your charcuterie board items, starting with those that have a higher moisture content (like olives, cornichon, and fresh mozzarella), then adding in your cured meats, dried fruits, nuts, and crispy crackers.

Here are some combos we’d love to try using our fave Aldi ingredients:

Park Street Deli Antipasti, Cabot Aged Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Simms Thick Sliced Pepperoni, Savoritz Rosemary Olive Oil Woven Whole Wheat Crackers

Tuscan Garden Quartered Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Emporium Selection Italian Parmesan Cheese, Lunch Mate Uncured Honey Ham

Specially Selected Grilled Olives, Not Your Average Cheddar + Gruyere, Appleton Farms Bite Size Dry Salami Specially Selected Parmesan, Garlic & Herb Pita Chips

Appleton Farms Prosciutto, Emporium Selection Cranberry White Cheddar Cheese, Dried Apricots, Specially Selected Artisan Crisps Fig & Black Sesame

Kalamata Olives, Emporium Selection Dill Havarti, Chopped Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, Priano Salame Italiano, Savoritz Sea Salt Pita Crackers

As you can tell, there are basically an unlimited number of combinations you can make from Aldi’s affordable selection of cheeses, meats, crackers, and snackable items, and you can make these totally kid-friendly, too. If you’ve got a lot of holiday entertaining coming up but are feeling overwhelmed, just head to Aldi and pick up everything you need to make some simple, delicious Jar-cuterie appetizers.

Before you go, check out our gallery:

If you’re as obsessed with Anthropologie’s eclectic and whimsical style as we are, then you’re in for a treat this holiday season. Known for their dreamy, bohemian designs and unique finds, Anthropologie has a way of turning everyday home items into works of art, and their latest holiday drop is no exception. The brand has just brought back its iconic 12 Days of Christmas Dinnerware Collection, and this year’s reimagined pieces are more beautiful than ever. Whether you’re hosting a holiday dinner or just want to add a touch of festive elegance to your home, these pieces are sure to make your Christmas celebrations feel extra special.

The 12 Days of Christmas Dinnerware Collection has been a beloved staple for holiday hosts since its debut, and it’s easy to see why. The intricate illustrations, paired with a playful take on the classic holiday song, bring a sense of nostalgia and whimsy to the table. This year, Anthropologie has collaborated with artist Phannapast Taychamaythakool to create a fresh interpretation of the collection. Her whimsical, storybook-style illustrations make each piece feel like a mini work of art, capturing the magic and charm of the holiday season in every detail.

Phannapast Taychamaythakool x Anthropologie Twelve Days of Christmas Stoneware Dessert Plate, Set of 12

$216

Buy Now

Inspired by the classic carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” Phannapast Taychamaythakool’s set of 12 dessert plates are a vibrant portal to a whimsical world of animals dressed in Renaissance and Victorian-inspired attire who bring the beloved song to life.

---

Some standout pieces from this year’s collection include the Twelve Days of Christmas Stoneware Dessert Plates, Set of 12, featuring individually designed plates that represent each day of the beloved song. From the elegant “Partridge in a Pear Tree” to the fun “Five Golden Rings,” each glazed stoneware plate with handpainted decals is a conversation starter and a festive way to serve up desserts or holiday treats. (Each plate is also sold separately.)

The matching Twelve Days of Christmas Ceramic Stoneware Platter is perfect for displaying appetizers, while the Twelve Days of Christmas Cotton Napkins adds an extra layer of charm to your holiday table setting.

Phannapast Taychamaythakool x Anthropologie Twelve Days of Christmas Ceramic Stoneware Platter

$68

Buy Now

Designed by Phannapast Taychamaythakool, an artist and designer born and raised in Bangkok, this ceramic stoneware platter is a gorgeous heirloom piece to add to your holiday dinnerware collection.

---

Phannapast Taychamaythakool x Anthropologie Twelve Days of Christmas Cotton Napkins, Set of 12

$88

Buy Now

This set of printed cotton napkins are machine washable, making them easy to care for when your holiday entertaining is done.

---

For those looking to infuse even more festive cheer into their daily routine, the Twelve Days of Christmas Ceramic Stoneware Tea for One Set is the perfect cozy companion for a quiet moment during the holiday rush. Its charming design makes tea time feel extra special, whether you’re sipping solo or sharing a moment with a loved one.

Twelve Days of Christmas Ceramic Stoneware Tea for One Set

$68

Buy Now

This 12 Days of Christmas set of teapot and teacup also makes a great holiday gift.

---

With these stunning pieces from Anthropologie’s 12 Days of Christmas Collection, your holiday table will be dressed to impress — and the best part is, they’ll bring joy year after year.

Picture this: a deliciously eerie array of treats laid out in a hauntingly beautiful display that’s almost too pretty to eat (keyword: almost). These spooky charcuterie boards are the perfect way to serve up a variety of nibbles for your costumed guests, whether you’re hosting a full-blown monster mash or just a small gathering of your favorite witches and warlocks.

The best part? Halloween charcuterie boards are incredibly versatile. You can go sweet, savory, or wickedly combine both for a taste bud adventure that’ll have your guests howling with delight. For those with a sweet tooth, imagine a board overflowing with candy corn, chocolate eyeballs, and ghost-shaped marshmallows. If savory is more your style, think orange and black tortilla chips with pumpkin-shaped cheese balls, “finger” sandwiches, and deviled egg “eyeballs.”

But wait, that’s not all. We’ve got recipes for boards that are downright spooky – think coffin-shaped cheeses and witch’s fingers made from pretzel rods. And let’s not forget about the little monsters in your life – we’ve got kid-friendly candy boards that’ll make them forget all about trick-or-treating (okay, maybe not, but they’ll love it anyway).

Whether you’re a culinary wizard or a kitchen novice, we’ve found a Halloween charcuterie board for everyone. So grab your broomstick (or, you know, a serving platter), and let’s get ready to create some spellbinding Halloween charcuterie boards that’ll have your guests asking, “Who ya gonna call? The host with the most!”

The holidays are rapidly approaching, and for a lot of us, that means we’re about to start hosting lots of parties, sending lots of gifts, and having zero time to actually craft elaborate spreads of food and customized gift baskets. And hey, if “store-bought is fine” for Ina Garten, then we should be able to cut ourselves a little slack now and then, which is where online charcuterie board orders come in.

Now, we get as excited to make an elaborate Halloween grazing board as the next person, but when time is tight, it turns out you can order some pretty amazing charcuterie boards online. Loaded with artisan cured meats, mouthwatering selections of cheese, and paired with crackers, nuts, and dried fruits, the charcuterie boards you can order online are just as good as what you’d make yourself, but are a whole lot simpler to get on the table during a busy time of year. They’re also great for gifting, whether you need a crowd-pleasing corporate gift, or something to send to your foodie friend who lives too far way to attend your holiday party.

Take a look below for some of the best online charcuterie board options out there. And don’t forget to call around to your local businesses, like delis, gourmet shops, and cheese stores, to see if they can create something for you too!

Boarderie

Boarderie Ciccetti Cheese & Charcuterie Board

$129.99

Buy Now

Boarderie specializes in one thing: artisan cheese and charcuterie boards. They have birthday boards, holiday-themed boards, sympathy boards, and customizable boards, all of which are made fresh daily and shipped overnight to your (or your gift recipient’s) door. And did we mention that Oprah’s a fan? The Small Classic Board for 2-3 people is loaded with a combination of 17 items including cheeses, meats, dried fruits, nuts, and other accompaniments, along with a box of crackers, an acacia wood serving board, and a bamboo cutlery kit.

---

Goldbelly

Rogue Creamery The Perfect Cheese Board

$144.95

Buy Now

Search for charcuterie boards on Goldbelly, and you’ll be greeted with a variety of options from around the country. Try the house-made charcuterie from Eli Zabar (cornichon and crackers included), or a selection of fine cheeses from Oregon’s celebrated Rogue Creamery. The options are pretty much endless.

---

Harry & David

Harry & David Deluxe Charcuterie and Cheese Assortment

$89.99

Buy Now

Harry & David is one of our go-tos for edible gifts, so it should come as no surprise that they have several different charcuterie and cheese assortments to choose from. We can’t help but drool over the Deluxe Charcuterie and Cheese Assortment, which includes two types of artisan salami and two cheeses, along with crackers and mini toasts. Or, send the Classic Epicurean Charcuterie and Cheese Collection, which includes meats, cheese, and extras like fig spread, olives, roasted red peppers, and more, as a memorable gift.

---

D’Artagnan

D'Artagnan Grande Charcuterie Gift Collection

$149.99

Buy Now

D’Artagnan has been a purveyor or artisan meats for decades, and their Grande Charcuterie Gift Collection includes a variety of house-made items that will wow even the most discerning gourmands. We’re talking Duck Saucisson Sec, Mousse Truffee, French Garlic Sausage, and more, along with two variety of crackers and some crunchy Marcona almonds. You can add on some cheeses, mustard, and other accompaniments to create your dream board. This is so much better than what you could cobble together at a random grocery store!

---

Before you go, check out our gallery:

If you grew up with a holiday advent calendar, then you know nothing helps build the suspense and magical feeling of the Christmas season quite like opening up a little box with a piece of candy in it every day of the month. But if we look back on it honestly, most of the “chocolate” that filled the advent calendars of our youth was waxy, flavorless, and uninspired. Well, we’re adults now, and thankfully, it seems like the advent calendar industry has kept up with our maturing tastes.

The best edible advent calendars of 2024 are all about high-quality ingredients. You can find Sichuan chili crisp advent calendars for those who prefer savory to sweet, gourmet chocolate advent calendars from some of the most elite brands, and cozy tea advent calendars to help keep away winter’s chill. Many of these advent calendars are kid-friendly, too, but the kids might want to hide them so the grown-ups in the house don’t try to sneak a treat. And if you’re looking for holiday gift ideas, edible advent calendars are a great option. Send one to a co-worker, to your long-distance bestie, or to the family members you wish you could spend the holidays with this year — but don’t forget to pick out an edible advent calendar for yourself, too!

When I sat down with Stewart for SheKnows, I felt the warmth radiating off the screen. She was in a stylish, cotton sweater, lounging on a chair in her gorgeous home. (And as we were speaking, there was “a beautiful chicken soup simmering [on the stove], because the vegetables in the garden right now are so lush.”)

Once again, Stewart is partnering with Pure Leaf in their new digital campaign. There are refreshing bottles of Pure Leaf’s Real Brewed Unsweetened Iced Tea, aka “Martha’s Little Helper,” hidden around her estate. And now, you can get your own limited edition “Martha’s Little Helper” bottle with Pure Leaf’s National Giveaway, which is running from today, Sept 18, until Oct 16. (Fans can enter the sweepstakes on PureLeaf.com/PureLeafPromotion.)

You can see the video below:

As you can imagine, Stewart’s wit and expertise came through with every answer. She beamed when talking about all things Halloween and her grandson, truly warming our hearts.

Not only did we learn how she goes all out for trick-or-treaters, but also the adorable thing she did with her grandson at the US Open and how she feels about influencers entering the lifestyle space.

You can find the answers to all of that and more below:

SheKnows: Can you tell me a bit about this new campaign and Pure Leaf’s “Martha’s Little Helper” National Giveaway?

Martha Stewart: Okay, well, Pure Leaf is a drink of choice and it is delicious. This one that I particularly like is no sugar and just a little tiny bit of citric acid, which is lemon for me, and a very nice blend of tea. I’ve been drinking it for a long time and it’s a perfectly legitimate and well-thought-out campaign.

SK: I love that. In this campaign, too, it said the bottles are hidden around your estate. Is there anything else cool hidden around your estate?

MS: Oh, yeah. There’s a peacock here and there. There’s a turkey here and there. There’s maybe a fox who shouldn’t be there, but is there. Some coyotes. I live on a farm, so there are lots and lots of animals. Right now we have an influx of red-tailed hawks. All the babies seem to have become adults, and they’re everywhere. I love all the animals, and I photograph them all the time.

SK: That’s so awesome. How many animals do you have, by the way?

MS: Oh, a few hundred. Oh my goodness. Yeah, it includes lots of chickens, lots of poultry, lots of guinea fowl. I raise those for eggs. I have horses, donkeys, cats, and dogs, so there are quite a few animals.

SK: Transitioning a bit to fall and Halloween, since it’s getting cold out, which I love, do you have any Halloween traditions with your friends or your grandkids?

MS: Well, yeah. We usually have some very fabulous costumes, and I like to decorate my front entrance to my farm with spooky, scary objects and lots of spooky, scary sounds. A long time ago, I did a DVD of spooky, scary sounds, and we put that on loud, and that’s playing, so when kids come by to trick-or-treat, they have to get through the scary sounds. And I like to give out kind of lavish treats, so there’ll be a little bit of money in a treat, there’ll be a lot of good candies, not out of their wrappers. There might be a delicious apple or a pear in addition to the other stuff. So I like Halloween. I always have.

SK: That’s awesome! Is there any decoration activity, food, or piece of clothing that gets you in the fall mood, or is it just as soon as fall hits, you’re in Halloween mode?

MS: Oh no, I’m not in Halloween mode all the time. No, I mean, I love sweaters. I just got this beautiful new sweater, which is a really pretty color, and this is perfect for this kind of 50-degree day.

SK: What is a common misconception people have about you? Do you do anything to address it, or do you ignore it?

MS: Well, yesterday I went to the U.S. Open, and I was with my grandson, who was quite taken by the number of celebrities that were surrounding us, and so I started to take pictures. My camera is a little better than his camera, so I started to take pictures for him, and I snapped Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Mahomes was there, and Jon Hamm was sitting in front of us. So I gave him all the pictures so he could send them to his friends, and that was fun.

SK: That is so cute!

MS: People don’t know that I’m a paparazzi at heart.

SK: I love that. That must have been so much fun, though, to be there with your grandson. Was that the first time he’s ever been to the U.S. Open?

MS: Yeah, he watches. I mean, he knows everything about tennis, but this was the first time he actually asked to go to the U.S. Open. I have to wait for him to ask to go to something. He now goes to the Super Bowl, and he likes to go to the Celtics games and the Knicks games, so it’s fun to accommodate him when I can.

SK: How do you stay inspired and motivated after achieving so much in your career?

MS: Well, there’s always something else to do. I never limit myself to, oh, I’ve done it all, because I have not done it all at all. There’s so much more to do, so much more to learn. I’m very curious about everything, so I’m anxious to continue with my career and do as much as I can.

SK: I figured you would say something like that, but I still wanted to ask! Another question: How do you feel about the rise of social media influencers and actors entering the lifestyle space?

MS: Great! Let’s see who succeeds and who doesn’t. It’s very interesting. I get requests from so many young, aspiring lifestyle entrepreneurs who are always asking for advice. It’s interesting to see who is going to make it in this exclusive area.

SK: In the past, I know you’ve described yourself as more of a teacher than an entertainer. If you could teach everyone one life lesson, what would it be?

MS: That’s very hard. One thing I do encourage people to do is follow their passions. If you have a passion for something, try to develop that passion and make something of it. That gives you a lot of confidence and a lot of rewards.

To learn more about Pure Leaf, please visit their website, or their social media profiles on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.

Before you go, click here to see Martha Stewart’s life and career in photos. 

Trying to figure out what to make for dinner night after night is a challenge no matter how you slice it, but things can get even more complicated if you’re trying to eat nutritious, healthy food. A seemingly simple recipe can turn out to have an ingredients list longer than a CVS receipt, and after all that work, the flavors can still seem bland. But it doesn’t have to be that way, as we’re reminded every time we make a recipe by Feel Good Foodie blogger Yumna Jawad, whose recently-released The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook: 125 Recipes Enhanced with Mediterranean Flavors is packed with entrees, side dishes, appetizers, and more that knock your usual “health” food out of the water in 10 ingredients or less. Her Lebanese and Mediterranean-inspired recipes lock in on special ingredients that can immediately take a dish of vegetables or lean proteins to the next level, so you never get bored.

So, what are some of the ingredients Jawad keeps on hand to make such tasty, nutritious meals? We got an exclusive look at the contents of her fridge, which was loaded with colorful veggies and flavor-boosting ingredients like briny olives and savory cheese. Paired with some delicious techniques (why have we never pan-fried our feta before?), Jawad’s ingredients come together to make a top-notch salad, just one of the recipes from The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook we know we’ll be adding to our weekly menu.

Get your copy of The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook: 125 Recipes Enhanced with Mediterranean Flavors today, and planning healthy meals for the fam will suddenly feel a whole lot easier.

The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook: 125 Recipes Enhanced with Mediterranean Flavors

$20.49 $32.50 37% off

Buy Now On Amazon

---

In search of more summer recipes? Giada De Laurentiis has plenty:

Is it just us, or are canned cocktails totally a thing now? For the longest time it seemed like everyone looked down on canned drinks, but slowly, they took over. First, fancy craft beers returned to cans over bottles, and then, we started seeing more and more canned wines come onto the market. Next thing we know, a full-blown canned cocktail boom was on our hands!

Canned cocktails are perfect for summer. We’re always off adventuring when the weather gets warm, and the last thing we want to have to drag to the beach with us is all of the ingredients and supplies needed to shake up a few drinks.

That’s where the new generation of tasty canned cocktails comes in. Fizzy and fruity, tart and tangy, classic and creative, there’s a canned cocktail out their for every palate. Interested in tasting a few for yourself? Here are some of our favorite canned cocktails to try.

One of our favorite parts about summer (besides the nice weather and relaxation, of course) is all of the delicious and refreshing treats we nosh on to cool ourselves down on those scorching hot days. Ice cream, smoothies, sparkling waters — they more than make up for the scorshing temperatures outside. And naturally, when we need to stock up on summery treats we head to our favorite store: Costco.

Costco is basically our one-stop summer shop (the air conditioning in-store is pretty amazing, too). Between their great patio furniture deals and all of the enticing summer treats we’re about to show you, there’s really not much of a reason to shop anywhere else. If you don’t have a membership yet, what are you waiting for? The benefits are endless. Just take a look at these irresistible summer treats and try telling us they’re not worth the price of a membership.

]]> https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2272980/summer-treats-costco/feed/ 0 2272980 https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2539993/countertop-ice-maker-sale/ https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/2539993/countertop-ice-maker-sale/#respond Tue, 09 Jul 2024 14:41:01 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/?p=2539993 If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

We’re a little bit obsessed with staying hydrated at all times — our water bottle collection can attest to that (although at least now it’s nice and organized). So when warm weather rolls around and we’re sweating profusely more often than not, we always like to have a massive bottle of ice water on hand. But our puny ice trays can’t always keep up with the task. That’s why it’s time to invest in a countertop ice maker.

Though they’re usually a bit pricey, this bestselling countertop ice maker on Amazon is currently on sale for under $90. If you love ice, it’s totally worth it.

This Silonn Countertop Ice Maker is usually $110, but it’s currently marked down to just $89. It makes nine cubes in just six minutes if you’re ever truly desperate, but more impressively, it can make 26 pounds of ice in a 24 hour period. It comes with an ice scoop so you can keep everything nice and clean while chilling your beverages, and you can choose from two different sizes of ice pellets.

Silonn Countertop Ice Maker

$89 $110 19% off

Buy Now

It’s not just great for those who prefer their water icy. It’s also helpful for people who like to entertain. You’ll never have to assign a friend to the dreaded task of bringing a bag of ice to your party again.

---

Likewise, if you love to make blended drinks like margaritas or strawberry daiquiris, it will be a relief to be able to be able to mix up a batch without depleting your ice stash for the next few days or having to head to the store.

If you’re skeptical, just look at the over 19,500 five-star reviews. “We have this little ice machine for our office,” one five-star reviewer wrote. “Produces ice SUPER fast.”

“This little icemaker is great,” another person added. “Icemaker in the refrigerator went on the blink, over a week to get part, etc. This icemaker came to the rescue! Even though it only makes nine bullets of ice at a time, it makes it quickly and you have a tray of ice in no time. Very quiet and efficient. Would definitely recommend!”

The Silonn Countertop Ice Maker is something you didn’t even realize you needed until just now…it’ll be hard to look those cracked, stained ice cube trays over without wishing you had a clean and shiny countertop ice maker to do the deed instead.

Before you go, check out our roundup of summer cocktails below: