Ciara Murray Jordan

Jan 21, 2025 | nytimes.com | Ciara Murray Jordan

As receptacles for everything gross and grimy, your trash can and compost bin need regular cleaning. Spills happen, bags break. Over time, all those stray drips, stinky food wrappers, and forgotten leftovers will leave their mark. If your trash can or compost bin is due for a deep clean—and it probably is—we’re here to help. AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTWhat you needVinegar- or bleach-based cleaner: We like using a mild yet effective vinegar-based solution for dealing with stubborn odors.

Nov 1, 2024 | nytimes.com | Lesley Stockton |Ciara Murray Jordan

Smooth as butter. Butter up. Bread and butter. Butter is as much a staple in our language as it is on our tables. And it’s no wonder—butter is the not-so-secret culinary trick to making everything taste better. It’s the foundation of patisserie, the cornerstone of a roux, and the saving grace of restaurant bread baskets. We took on the task of testing butter with all the gravitas it deserves. We tasted 17 salted butters and baked with 11 unsalted butters to make our recommendations.

Oct 20, 2024 | nytimes.com | Nick Guy |Ganda Suthivarakom |Ciara Murray Jordan

Novelty ice cube trays are cool (forgive the pun). But a decent basic ice cube tray—the kind that doesn’t dribble, crack, or cling to the ice—can improve your daily life in a small but meaningful way. For a good ice cube tray that allows you to make plenty of ice without worrying about freezer burn, we recommend the OXO Good Grips Ice Cube Tray, which comes with a rigid, sliding plastic lid for clean stacking. Each tray makes 14 half-moon-shaped cubes, which can be pushed out of the tray easily.

Jun 21, 2024 | nytimes.com | Ciara Murray Jordan

Frothed milk is one of those little luxuries that can make your day feel special. When a barista hands you a steaming cappuccino or a fragrant London fog, everything gets a little bit brighter. Good milk frothers bring this indulgence home, giving you a foolproof way to prepare velvety milk foam whenever you want (or need) it. They’re also handy for mixing up a protein shake, a matcha latte, or a rich cup of hot chocolate.

Apr 30, 2024 | nytimes.com | Ciara Murray Jordan

It’s early in the morning, still dark outside, and you’re rubbing the sleep out of your eyes as you turn on your Nespresso machine. You reach for the box of pods that you keep close by. It’s empty. Likely you had seen it coming, watched as your stash of pods dwindled to a few. But having the foresight to order refills on time is not a fair expectation for the groggy and espresso-dependent.