What’s New in My Kitchen? Clever Finds, Flavourful Discoveries and Festive Treats.
From clever kitchen gadgets and globally inspired cooking pastes to beautiful Welsh sea salt and indulgent Christmas popcorn, I’ve been discovering some lovely new additions for my kitchen. They’re a mix of practical finds and little luxuries, and I can see a place for all of them in my home.
I’m always happy to discover something new for the kitchen. Whether it makes cooking easier, adds extra flavour to a meal or provides a little treat to enjoy with family and friends, I like products that have a genuine purpose. I’ve recently been sent a varied selection of new lines, and here’s what’s caught my attention.
Potts Air Fryer and Grilling Pastes
With air fryers now firmly established in so many kitchens, I was interested to discover the new range of Potts Air Fryer and Grilling Pastes.
Designed to bridge the gap between cooking from scratch and reaching for a ready-made sauce, these pastes offer a convenient way to introduce plenty of flavour without needing a cupboard full of ingredients. Simply squeeze them from the tube for air frying, grilling, marinades or scratch cooking.
There are five globally inspired varieties: Japanese Miso, Tamari & Ginger Teriyaki; South Indian Chilli, Kerala Masala Tandoori; Mexican Honey & Chipotle; Lebanese Za’atar Spice; and Korean Gochujang & Rice Wine.
I like the idea of having these to hand when I want to make an everyday meal a little more interesting without spending ages in the kitchen. Four varieties are vegan, and the pastes come in 100% recyclable aluminium tubes designed to minimise waste.
They’re a useful option for anyone who enjoys experimenting with flavours but appreciates a shortcut when preparing dinner.
Cookut Miam Easy Pancake Shaker
I love a clever kitchen gadget, especially when it means less washing up. The Cookut Miam Easy Pancake Shaker promises just that.
Simply add your ingredients to the glass shaker and shake. A steel spiral helps combine the batter, while an integrated grid catches lumps before you pour directly into the pan. There’s no need for scales, mixing bowls or a separate ladle.
It’s suitable for everything from delicate French crêpes to fluffy American-style pancakes and comes with a spatula and a 16-page recipe book. Recipes are also printed on the shaker, so you can get started straight away.
Leftover batter can be stored in the fridge in the same container, which is another practical touch. Cookut is a French cookware brand focused on enjoyable cooking and lower environmental impact, and it also supports bee reintroduction and endangered-species protection projects.
I can see this being particularly useful for weekend breakfasts and a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys making pancakes with the family.
Halen Môn Pure Sea Salt in a Watercolour Ceramic Jar
Some kitchen essentials are beautiful enough to leave on display, and the Halen Môn Pure Sea Salt in a Watercolour Ceramic Jar is one of them.
Decorated with coastal illustrations, the ceramic jar comes with a handy wooden scoop and can be refilled when the salt runs out. Inside are crunchy sea salt flakes with a distinctive oceanic flavour, perfect for everyday cooking or finishing simple ingredients such as fresh tomatoes and radishes.
Halen Môn was founded in Anglesey in 1997 by David and Alison Lea-Wilson. Their salt is made from charcoal-filtered seawater drawn from the Menai Strait, with the crystals harvested by hand.
It has even been used in Michelin-starred restaurants, including The Fat Duck, and was served at the London 2012 Olympics.
I think this is a lovely example of an everyday ingredient being given a little extra attention. It would make a thoughtful gift for a keen home cook, although I’d be very happy to keep this one on my own worktop.
Dreamfarm Nospilla Ice Cube Tray
If, like me, you appreciate a clever solution to an everyday kitchen annoyance, the Dreamfarm Nospilla Ice Cube Tray is worth a look.
Its stretchy silicone lid seals all 14 ice cube compartments, allowing you to carry the tray without spilling water or store it on its side in a crowded freezer. A special filling pad helps direct water into the compartments, while a flip-over dispensing chute makes it easy to drop ice straight into a glass, jug or water bottle.
The lid also helps keep freezer odours away from the ice, and the food-safe tray is dishwasher-safe.
It’s a simple idea that solves a familiar problem. I particularly like the ability to store it sideways, as freezer space always seems to be at a premium in my home.
Simple Modern Mesa Loop Water Bottle
Keeping water close at hand is much easier when you have a bottle you enjoy using. The Simple Modern Mesa Loop 30oz bottle has several thoughtful features that make it suitable for everyday life.
The straw design allows you to drink without tilting the bottle, while the locking, covered lid provides extra convenience when you’re on the move. I also like the folding loop handle, which makes it easy to grab and carry, and the silicone base helps soften the landing when you put it down.
Both the 30oz and 24oz sizes are designed to fit most car cupholders, making them handy for journeys as well as keeping hydrated at home or at your desk.
It’s a practical choice for anyone trying to drink more water throughout the day, with little design details that make a difference.
Popcorn Kitchen Double Choc & Caramel Cookie Popcorn
With Christmas approaching, it’s time to think about festive treats, and the Popcorn Kitchen Double Choc & Caramel Cookie Christmas Box certainly caught my eye.
Hand-popped gourmet popcorn is coated in double chocolate and caramel, then finished with cookie crumb for extra crunch. It sounds wonderfully indulgent and offers something a little different from the usual box of chocolates.
Presented in a Christmas gift box, it’s ready to add to a hamper or give as a Secret Santa present. I can also imagine opening it when friends and family visit over the festive period — although sharing might be the difficult part!
Popcorn Kitchen Gingerbread Popcorn
The second festive treat is Popcorn Kitchen Gingerbread Popcorn, which combines crunchy popcorn with a sweet, cakey gingerbread coating.
Gingerbread is one of those flavours that immediately makes me think of Christmas, cosy evenings and festive baking. This is a fun way to enjoy those familiar seasonal flavours without having to turn on the oven.
It comes in a ready-to-gift Christmas box, making it ideal for stocking fillers, festive hampers or Secret Santa gifts. I think the two Popcorn Kitchen varieties would work particularly well together for anyone who enjoys sweet treats.
Little additions that make a difference
What I like about this selection is the variety. Not every new product needs to revolutionise the way we cook. Sometimes it’s about saving time, making an everyday task easier or simply enjoying something a little different.
For me, the best kitchen finds are the ones you can genuinely see yourself using and enjoying long after the novelty has worn off.
Poppy Watt