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Now more than ever, the sous vide I use to cook proteins has kept me from leaning too heavily on frozen meals. I’ve been setting the temperature and dropping the bags while my toddler takes his afternoon nap. Doing so and then walking away, knowing the seasoned meat will be perfectly cooked and still juicy in a couple hours is one less thing to worry about. –Kevin A. Roberts, staff photographer
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My electric kettle is getting heavy usage. I’ve always relied on it to make tea, but now that I’m cooking at home more often, I use it to preheat any water that I need to boil on the stove. Reduces cook time. –Nicholas Phillips, senior editor
During the stay-at-home mandate, we upgraded to a smart TV in the kitchen so we could binge-watch shows even in the morning if we wanted to. We’ve even joked about watching Tiger King while eating grrreat big bowls of Frosted Flakes. –George Mahe, dining editor
Last year I received a Keurig for Christmas. Every morning it makes the perfect cup of coffee on the fly…and with a third kiddo now—a baby girl!—I need my morning jolt to be quick, easy, and no-hassle. –Tom White, design director
I use an 8-quart Dutch oven on Saturdays to bake a loaf of [food journalist] Mark Bittman’s no-knead bread. Then, on Sunday, I use it to make a huge batch of soup. My husband and I eat both throughout the week because they’re easy to reheat and enjoy. Plus, it’s about all we really have time for, juggling work and childcare. Everyone needs at least one piece that can go from oven to stovetop. My red Le Creuset is incredibly versatile. –Amanda Woytus, deputy editor
For years, my husband’s been suggesting we buy a robot vacuum cleaner, but I’d been skeptical. Lately, though, I’ve started to feel like I have a broom and dust pan attached to my hands, so we invested in the Eufy RoboVac 11S. At night, it runs in the kitchen, and during the day it picks up everything under the beds. How did I ever live without it? –Veronica Theodoro, editor-in-chief
On a whim, I decided to purchase a silicone microwave popcorn bowl for less than $10. It’s easy to use. You simply add popcorn kernels and a little butter and salt, and you’ve got a gourmet snack in three minutes. Hands down, it’s the best purchase I’ve made in the last few months. You really can’t beat the joy that comes from plopping down on the sofa with a bowl of popcorn after a long day of not leaving the house. –Emily Cramsey, art director
