HSNAlex Guarnaschelli just saved your Thanksgiving dinner. In an exclusive interview with E!, the Iron Chef revealed her ultimate hack for stress-free holiday cooking—and to help you achieve a perfect oven-roasted turkey.
TLDR: it’s the humble thermometer.
“I think the thermometer is great and overlooked,” shared Alex. “People are like, ‘Oh, you’re a chef. You don’t need to use a thermometer’…You know what? I always use a thermometer.”
The tool is her secret to achieving the perfect temperature on your holiday turkey, ham, or post roast every time, eliminating the panic of trying to figure out if your protein is over or underbaked.
Chef Alex Guarnaschelli Battery-Free Kinetic Meat Thermometer in Gift Box
Alex called out this rechargeable thermometer’s handy on/off switch, Fahrenheit and Celsius toggles, and the cheat sheet on the back that helps you decide when your protein is ready to come out.
The thermometer comes pre-wrapped, which is why Alex calls it out as a great gift for home chefs and grill masters alike. “It comes to you and it looks like it’s going to be a solution. And I think a great gift is something that…feels like an investment in somebody’s quality of life.”
Similarly, Alex shared more helpful hacks thatkeep holiday cooking stress-free.
Low on time but still want to impress? “Fake it with store-bought stuff,” says Alex. “Yes, we all do it,” she admits, “there’s no crime in buying some store bought stuff to mix with the scratch made stuff to lessen the load.”
And in terms of gadgets, she raves about her multi-purpose chopper.
“When you have a mixer and a chopper and a whipper all in one, I mean, it’s like having a minivan and a sports car, depending on what you need, all in one.” It’ll save you time, or at the very least, minimize the amount of dishes you’ll have to wash.
Chef Alex Guarnaschelli Cordless 4-cup Chopper with (2) Bowls
Need a cordless tool that helps you with chopping, whipping, and prepping sauces, dips, seasonings, and veggies? This electronic glass chopper does just that, while being cute, countertop-convenient, and dishwasher-safe.
Speaking of multi-purpose gadgets, Alex insists you don’t need a million different things to host the perfect holiday dinner. The right knife, pot, and pan can help get “97% of what you are going to achieve done.”
“The HSN line is more designed to take a little bit off cook’s plates and let the equipment do the work for you,” Alex said of the inspiration behind her line.
Chef Alex Guarnaschelli Stainless Steel 5-inch Cleaver with Sheath
Alex said everyone needs, “the right knife that you can use for pretty much everything.” This affordable cleaver is made with durable stainless steel, a smooth edge, and a broad blade that works as a traditional cleaver, an all-purpose prep knife, and for scooping up ingredients from the cutting board to your pan.
Chef Alex Guarnaschelli 5qt Zero-Coat™ Nonstick 11″ Saute Pan
Available in gray and red colorways, this 11″ sauté pan features a glass lid, a stainless steel construction, and a nonstick design without any PFAS chemicals. It’s also safe to use with metal utensils, in the dishwasher, and up to 450°F heat.
Looking for a simple way to elevate the look of your dish? Use a hand grater for a low-effort, high-impact finish to mains, appetizers, and desserts.
“It can really change the texture, the taste,” Alex said. “And also most importantly, I think for the holidays, the appearance of your food.”
Chef Alex Guarnaschelli 3-pack Fine, Medium, & Coarse Hand Graters
From grating fresh nutmeg onto your eggnog or finishing a tiramisu with chocolate savings, a simple grater will completely elevate the finished look of your dish. This set of three includes fine, medium, and coarse graters.
