Otoshibuta Adjustable Stainless Steel Drop Lid
In Japan, cooks have a clever tool for ensuring that simmering foods stay below the liquid instead of bobbing along the surface. They use an otoshibuta, or drop lid. Though drop lids are traditionally made of wood, we like this new and adjustable stainless steel version, designed to fit a variety of pot sizes. It also doesn’t absorb flavors the way wood can. To use, simply set the otoshibuta over food in simmering liquid, which weighs those items down just enough to keep them below the surface. The drop lid also forces liquid to circulate (so food is evenly covered with no stirring required), holds ingredients in place to prevent breakage and promotes faster cooking. We like to use them when blanching kale or chard, which can puff above boiling water, or when simmering black-eyed peas, lentils and other legumes to keep them fully submerged.
Milk Street Non-Slip Cutting Board Mat (Flex Mat)
There’s nothing more unsettling than your cutting board sliding around while you chop or watching your stand mixer wobble across the countertop while kneading elastic bread dough. That’s why we developed this dishwasher-safe, heatproof and nonslip cutting mat to keep things stable, safe and secure. It’s large enough to accommodate a full-sized cutting board, but can also be cut to size for more specialized shapes. Unlike flimsy, thin foam mats, wet paper towels or dishtowels, this cutting mat actually locks tools into place, thanks to its grippy, heatproof and dishwasher-safe silicone construction. It’ll keep things where you need them.
de Buyer Choc Intense Round Frypans
Field Company Lightweight Cast-Iron Skillets
Field's cast-iron skillets work just as well as other brands but are so much more lightweight—the 10-inch model weighs just 4 pounds, at least 20% less than other models. The inside of the pans are also well burnished so they're smooth, not rough, for low-stick cooking, especially if you've seasoned your skillet properly. The Field skillets come pre-seasoned and are available in a range of sizes to suit the needs of any home cook. Choose between the No. 4, a compact 6-inch pan that's perfect for morning eggs and personal grilled cheese; the medium-sized 10-inch No. 8 or 12-inch No. 10; or the No. 12, a generous 14-inch skillet that is our favorite for big batches and campfire cooking. You can purchase the custom Field Company cast iron lids here.
Milk Street Cast Iron Grill Plate with Detachable Handle
Here at Milk Street, we’re big proponents of cooking with cast iron to get a good sear on food—which is why we designed our Cast Iron Sizzling Plate. The thin yet sturdy construction heats up quickly—over any burner or grill—and holds its heat well. The cast iron surface, when taken care of, prevents foodstuffs from sticking, so you can get an excellent sear on scallops, fish, jumbo shrimp, chicken, pork, steak, vegetables and more. With its sturdy birch wood base and detachable handle, the griddle can also easily be brought to the table and used as much as a hot plate as a cooking pan. Heat it in the oven and fill it with appetizers like warm, spiced nuts or baked feta drizzled with fruity olive oil, herbs and pepper flakes. Or use it to serve sizzling fajitas or stir-fried noodles. Plus, the ingenious handle removes easily for serving and storage.
Milk Street Cast Iron Furusato
Here at Milk Street, we’re big proponents of cooking with cast iron because it heats evenly and retains that heat—which is why we designed our own pot for the ideal solution for soups and stews. Our Cast Iron Furusato is modeled after the traditional pot used for Japanese nabe (hot pot), but its durable cast-iron craftsmanship and stunning wooden lid carved from Japanese cedar make it a candidate for everyday use. Sturdy yet light enough to use often, it’s equipped with a swinging handle for easy maneuvering. Plus, unlike some furusato pots, this one is compatible with any stovetop, and it comes with a small silicone pot holder.
Fiero Forni Italian Pizza Stone
From an Italian maker famous for their wood-fired pizza ovens, this pizza stone is the real deal. Thanks to its refractory material with a high ratio of alumina, this pizza stone will heat up quickly and produce a crisp crust with every use. Its porous, very thin surface helps produce steam—moving moisture away from the pie, ensuring it doesn’t reabsorb into the crust—while also preventing burning. The refractory stone diffuses heat at the same rate over its entire surface, for an even bake every time. Plus, it has high heat resistance, so sudden changes in temperature (as might arise when using a grill) are much less likely to compromise an evenly cooked pie. The stone sits in a handy steel frame complete with handles and is quite lightweight, so it’s easier and safer to transport than a typical flat stone (with oven mitts, of course). Also, the “pizza backsplash” prevents your pie from sliding off the stone during cooking and while maneuvering it in and out of the oven. The Italian-made refractory stone (composed from natural raw materials) is incredibly thick and durable, so it can be used not only in the oven but also on the grill, which would burn other pizza cookware. The stone also comes beautifully wrapped in artisanal, traditional Florentine paper, making it a stunning gift for the pizza lover in your life.
Milk Street Cast Iron Stovetop Korean BBQ
Inspired by the communal style of grilling thinly sliced meats, our Cast Iron Stovetop Korean Barbecue brings the experience of Korean barbecue to your table. Simply place thinly sliced meat on the ridged, domed center—the juices will slide down into a reservoir, where vegetables pick up that flavor as they cook. The cast-iron construction means the grill heats evenly and retains that heat well even after it’s removed from the source. It fits well over any type of burner or cooktop, including portable stoves, so you can use it just about anywhere. And besides grilling sliced meats, it’s also great for thin fish filets, sliced vegetables, flatbreads, tortillas and more—perfect for entertaining groups. Plus, two side handles make for easy maneuvering.
