Cooking network
Kohl’s new Food Network line includes more than 250 items: cookware, gadgets, serving pieces, tableware and even cookbooks from the cable network’s stars (such as Rachael Ray, Ina Garten and Mario Batali). Prices range from $4 to $400 (for a petite storage container to a set of 10 stainless-steel pans, respectively) and includes this sturdy, comfortable silicone spatula ($11), 9-inch non-stick cake pan ($20) and set of three stainless, nesting mixing bowls with non-skid rubber bases ($50). At Kohl’s stores and kohls.com.
Luxury ice cream
Choctal premium ice creams, made with (and named for) chocolate from Ghana, the Dominican Republic, Kalimantan (Borneo) and Costa Rica, and vanilla from Madagascar, earned praise from tasters for its deep flavors and dense texture. A pint costs $6-$6.50 at Treasure Island, Sunset Foods and Garden Fresh in Northbrook.
Oil savvy
We tasted Crisco’s new extra-virgin olive oil against pricier brands in a blind tasting and were impressed with its flavor. It’s sold in 16.9- and 33.8-ounce bottles for $5-$12, respectively, at Jewel, Meijer, Sunset Foods and Treasure Island.
