And the art of the perfect PB&J
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My husband loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Woe befall the person who makes one in front of him (let alone for him) using improper technique. The most important detail: always lift up the slice of bread that’s been peanut-buttered to meet the slice of bread that’s been jammed. Never do it the other way around, because the jam, slippery creature that it is, will slide down the bread during its short journey, skewing the very careful ratios. Got that? Good! Knowing that my husband was eating several midnight PB&Js every week led me down a deep rabbit hole from which I never emerged: home-canning.
After some trial and error, and with the expert guidance of my mentor and then boss, James Beard Award-winner Anne Willan, I developed confidence and a formula. (Mix one part fruit with 60 percent sugar, some lemon juice, and occasionally a bit of powder-fine white pepper, let it hang in the fridge for a day or two, cook, and can.) My next job was with a specialty produce company, where I could wander the warehouse and take home whatever I pleased. My jam-making flourished. The L.A. County Fair Preserved Foods judges snubbed my all-time favorite, Apricot-Tamarillo jam. But I did win ribbons in Pie Fillings (for my Key Lime Curd) and Dessert Toppings (for my Variegated Pink Lemon Curd).
I do a lot of cooking, preserving, and (obviously) shopping, including at the farmers market and the grocery store. So, I’ve got plenty of opinions about how to keep all that food in check. I adore endlessly useful Mason jars, regardless of how cool or dated they happen to be at any given time. OXO’s POP system makes my dry goods look chic and keeps me organized. I also rely on their well-designed Smart Seal Glass Containers for leftovers. These compostable zip-top baggies free me from guilt-inducing plastic. And that’s only half of what I’ve got to share with you today. You’ll need to read on for the rest.
Happy cooking, and happy shopping!
–Elizabeth Weinstein, Marketplace Editor
Stasher Reusable Bags
“Of all the reusable bags out there, these are the best,” raves one Bluedotter. Indeed, Stasher’s silicone bags do it all. They store anything with a seriously leak-proof zip seal, and they can go in the microwave, sous-vide pot, and the all-important dishwasher.
Ecozoi
Whether you pack lunches or just need to store leftovers in the fridge or pantry, Ecozoi has you covered. Made of food-grade stainless steel with silicone seals and lids, the brand's containers are unbreakable, 100% leak-proof, and available in sizes for a variety of needs.
S’well Bottles and Canisters
Swell’s gorgeous, easy-to-drink-from water bottles rank highest of the half-dozen I’ve tried. I also recommend their canisters for taking hot soups to school or the office; they’re pricey, but they really work, and food always tastes better hot from the stove than the microwave.
Responsible Products Compostable Bags
Perhaps you have kids who keep accidentally throwing away or losing your pricey, reusable silicone bags. Or maybe you just really hate washing and drying those bags. If that’s you, let us direct you toward Responsible Products’ plant-based, plastic-free, Compostable Resealable Bags with easy-to-use zippers.
Bee’s Wrap
Plastic cling wrap may look flimsy and insubstantial, but it has a devastating effect on the environment. Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: Bee’s Wrap is made from pliable organic cotton sheets coated in beeswax, plant oil, and tree resin. These clever wraps are perfect for covering leftovers, swaddling cheeses, packing sandwiches, and much more.
OXO Housewares
With a mission to “Make everyday better, every day,” OXO (pronounced ahk-so) offers simple sustainable housewares that have been designed and tested with painstaking care. The company’s first revolutionary product, a vegetable peeler, included a rubber grip that made peeling safer and easier.
Out of the Woods Coolers and Bags
Out of the Woods offers an attractive and well-curated collection of coolers, totes, tech accessories, and lunch bags made from their washable, water-wise Supernatural Paper material. It's all very affordable, with the priciest item (as of May, 2023) costing a mere $40. Get an even better deal: Save 15% when you enter code BLUEDOT at checkout.
Ball and Kerr Mason Jars
Mason jars, those handy glass containers with the two-part lids, were first created in 1858 by a New Jersey tinsmith named Mason. With clever, airtight, and now BPA-free lids, they excel in the long-term storage of home-made delights like jams, jellies, pie fillings, and ragus. But their uses extend to pretty much anything.
