Most pepper mills (this model also grinds spices) take forever to grind just one tablespoon. This new design—which we developed with Kuhn Rikon—is easy to use and produces all the spice you can use quickly and easily. Its innovative back-and-forth ratchet action is easier than a twist-style mill, especially for those with hand issues. The precision ceramic grinder is effective and durable, and the front-loading hopper is far easier than top-loading grinders, where half the spices inevitably spill during filling. Perhaps our favorite feature is the removable bottom container, which makes it easy to measure and transport spices to a stovetop pot or mixing bowl.

Unlike grocery-store teriyaki sauces that include artificial preservatives or sweeteners, Bachan's uses only fresh, natural ingredients in its Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce. Authentic Japanese shoyu—soy sauce made with wheat—provides an umami flavor base, while cane sugar and mirin add the signature complementary sweetness. Bachan's also layers green onion, ginger and garlic, which add aromatic complexity and ground the sauce in earthy, savory notes. In a nod to Western barbecue sauce, the secret recipe also includes tomato paste, which adds a nuanced, natural fruitiness and thickens the sauce. Unlike grocery-store teriyaki sauces that include artificial preservatives or sweeteners, Bachan's uses only fresh, natural ingredients in its Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce. Authentic Japanese shoyu—soy sauce made with wheat—provides an umami flavor base, while cane sugar and mirin add the signature complementary sweetness. Bachan's also layers green onion, ginger and garlic, which add aromatic complexity and ground the sauce in earthy, savory notes. In a nod to Western barbecue sauce, the secret recipe also includes tomato paste, which adds a nuanced, natural fruitiness and thickens the sauce.

I sat down with Zwilling J.A. Henckels to produce three everyday knives that meet the needs of every home cook. Manufactured in Albacete, Spain—where Henckels has been making knives since the 18th century—these knives feature comfortable, midsize polymer handles and tough high-carbon stainless steel that will hold an edge and resist rust. They are constructed from German stainless steel with a forged one-piece design and triple-rivets in the handle. The set includes a 7-Inch Chef's Knife inspired by the lightweight Japanese santoku knife; 5-Inch Utility Knife with a microserrated edge; and 4-Inch Paring Knife with a Japanese-style, acutely pointed kiritsuke tip. — Christopher Kimball

The Milk Street Season 4 Cookbook is your definitive guide to simpler, bolder home cooking. Our latest 688-page edition has every recipe from all 4 seasons of Milk Street TV, airing from September 2017 through August 2021.  Discover your new favorite dishes, from Authentic Lasagna Bolognese and Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini and Lemon, to Indian Butter Chicken, Flourless Chocolate Torte, or more than 360 additional recipes.  All of our recipes are displayed in oversized color photography with beautiful detail. With extended chapters on pantry products (what to buy and how to use them) as well as staples, sauces and seasonings, this cookbook will be your go-to guide for changing the way you cook.

Our pop-up colander is great for draining pasta or rinsing produce, and it will take up less space than traditional colanders when collapsed—no more wasted cupboard space. Made from heat-safe silicone, it functions double-duty as a steamer basket and easily nestles into larger sauce pots. For a fun Milk Street-inspired design element, we partnered with Kuhn Rikon to create the subtle bowtie design, which extends all the way up the sides of the colander and allows for quicker draining.

Purchasing a Milk Street Store gift card creates a unique code. This is a digital gift card which will be sent to either you or your gift recipient.

Your gift card recipient can enter this code at checkout to subtract the gift card value from their order total. This gift card is nonrefundable.

Milk Street Store gift cards are only valid for orders in the Milk Street Store and cannot be applied to classes or events at the Milk Street Cooking School.

These shears have a heavy-duty build and comfortable rubber-edged handles, so they are a pleasure to use—I can spatchcock a chicken in mere seconds and don’t feel as if I just had my hand put through the wringer! The 3.5-inch cutting edge is relatively short compared to the weight and length of the rest of the scissors, which means you can exert a lot of force without a lot of effort (much like having a long, heavy crowbar to turn over a rock). And they easily come apart for cleaning but will not fall apart during use, unlike some models. You can also use these shears for cutting up a chicken or trimming off fat or bones. Hands down, this is my favorite pair of poultry shears. — Christopher Kimball

GIR's Flip spatulas have broad, angled blades designed for lifting and—you guessed it—flipping foods. Their sturdy construction can handle your heaviest steaks, while the edge is finely tapered and flexible enough to slide under delicate foods like fish or eggs. The spatulas are made with pharmaceutical-grade, BPA-free silicone that is heat-resistant up to a whopping 550 degrees Fahrenheit, so they won't melt or warp over time. We also love their unibody design: A seamless layer of silicone covers a fiberglass core, making it easier to clean. The materials also have low heat retention, so you don't have to worry about burning yourself every time you leave your spatula resting on the edge of a pan. It's gentle on your nonstick pans yet durable enough that you can even use it over an outdoor grill on medium-high heat (about 400 degrees). Choose between the Mini size for your morning eggs, the Ultimate for whole chicken thighs, or even the Lefty version.

Why don’t home cooks use wooden scrapers for cooking more than wooden spoons? A scraper has a wide flat edge that is perfect for, that’s right, scraping the bottom of a pot or skillet. The problem with most scrapers is the wood deteriorates over time, damaged by repeated washings and use. That’s why we love this set. The long flat-edge scraper is made from Brazilian cherry, which is so strong and durable that it’s often used for tool handles and even railroad ties. The smaller scraper is fashioned from Mexican ebony, one of the hardest woods in the world that is, for all intents and purposes, waterproof. Finally, the spreader is made from hard maple (hard enough to be used for bowling alleys) and big enough for a big schmear of cream cheese or softened butter.

This mortar and pestle set from German company Zassenhaus is durable, efficient and easy to use, with ergonomic handles and convenient pour spouts for less mess. The nearly indestructible cast iron is ideal for grinding foods, as its coarse surface creates more friction to release aromatic compounds from spices and herbs and achieve a finer texture. And because the mortar is made from a single piece of metal, it can be cleaned more easily and thoroughly than stone models. We also like that it's lightweight and more practical for daily use than cumbersome granite. And because it's thinner, both the sides and edge of the mortar are easier to grip while in use, for quicker, more effective grinding.

Maffé, a savory peanut stew, is the national dish of Gambia and a staple dish in West Africa overall, with many variations within the region. It's the perfect introduction to African cuisine, layering natural peanut butter with savory garlic, bright ginger, fresh lime juice and a touch of sugar for a robust, balanced sauce. Mushrooms and tomato paste give this sauce deep, umami-rich flavor, so that it can easily be used for vegetarian or vegan meals without sacrificing robust meatiness. Use Maffé Peanut Simmer Sauce as a stand-alone sauce for peanut stew with your protein and vegetables of choice (for a thinner soup, add chicken or vegetable broth). Serve with fresh garnishes such as cilantro, lime and fresh tomato over a bed of rice or couscous. You can even use it to make an easy, delicious dip: Mix with mayonnaise or sour cream, a squeeze of lime juice and a dash of hot sauce.

Jainaba Jeng was born and raised in The Gambia, a small country on the west African coast bordered on three sides by Senegal. When she moved to North Carolina in 1997, she noticed that she could find ready-made sauces for some international cuisines, but none from her native country—or, in fact, from Africa. So she took matters into her own hands, creating a line of small-batch simmer sauces that draw on flavors from West Africa to Jamaica. “When you taste our foods, I hope you will feel the warmth, love and soul of all women of Africa to whom I pay tribute on our packaging,” says Jeng. “They are responsible for most of the cooking in Africa.”

• Net Weight: 12 ounces
• Ingredients: Water, peanut butter, tomato paste, lime juice, cider vinegar, cane sugar, ginger, garlic, onion, salt, mushroom powder (mushroom, salt, mushroom extract), habanero pepper, paprika, spices, xanthan gum
• Place of Origin: United States

This Mango Ginger BBQ Sauce has a perfectly balanced flavor between tangy-sweet American barbecue sauce and warming Thai curry. Real mango and zesty ginger add a bright accent to a classic base of earthy-sweet tomato paste, brown sugar and molasses. Thai Fusions rounds out the sauce with a savory, complex combination of herbs and aromatics, including garlic, onion, shallots and lemon grass.

• Net Weight: 14 ounces
• Ingredients: Water, brown sugar, mango chunks, tomato paste, onions, molasses (unsulphured molasses), garlic, red curry paste, (dried red chili, garlic, lemongrass, salt, shallot, galangal, shrimp psate (shrimp, salt), makrut lime peel, pepper), salt, vinegar, ginger, tapioca starch, black pepper, coriander, chili pepper powder, ginger powder.ater, brown sugar, mango chunks, tomato paste, onions, molasses (unsulphured molasses), garlic, red curry paste, (dried red chili, garlic, lemongrass, salt, shallot, galangal, shrimp psate (shrimp, salt), makrut lime peel, pepper), salt, vinegar, ginger, tapioca starch, black pepper, coriander, chili pepper powder, ginger powder.
• Place of Origin: Seattle, WA

A solid ladle is essential for both cooking and serving soups, stews and sauces. This 6-ounce stainless steel ladle has a perfectly angled handle and a deep, well-proportioned bowl, which makes for accurate, spill-proof pouring.

This sturdy, fine-wired balloon whisk is broad enough for whipping eggs, yet small enough to fit into any utensil drawer. It’ll easily whip stiff peaks and the thickest pancake batter.

It's essential to keep an open container of salt next to the stove, since you're (ideally) seasoning to taste throughout the cooking process. Port Living Co.'s concrete pinch bowl has a solid square base that prevents accidental spillage, and the clean lines are attractive but unobtrusive—and because they come in a set of two, they're perfect for using tableside instead of salt and pepper shakers. Each bowl is treated with a food-grade sealant that is easy to wipe clean, so you can use them interchangeably for salt, spices or sugar.

There is no better investment than the Newlywood set for those who want an instant, all-around upgrade to their kitchen tools. With its minimalist concrete holder and attractive array of wood colors, it is truly a stove-side work of art and all you need to prepare and serve multi-course meals. The Newlywood includes the flat-saute spatula, medium scraper and small spreader of the Trifecta set plus an extra flat-saute (use as a pair in place of salad tongs); a medium classic ladle for your soups and stews; an all-purpose, sleekly designed serving spoon that is especially comfortable to handle; and four elegant long-handled tasting spoons. Earlywood Designs combines engineering and design principles to make simple, beautiful and utilitarian products from some of the most durable hardwoods in the world, such as Mexican ebony, Brazilian cherry, and hard maple. All products are resistant to damage; hand wash and dry well to ensure long-term durability.

Italian design firm Artelegno uses sustainably sourced wood to make these beautiful, individually crafted knife blocks, which combine the safety of magnetic knife bars with the attractiveness of wooden knife blocks. Store, protect and display your kitchen knives in style: Hidden, built-in magnets that firmly hold blades in place without making them difficult to remove, Artelegno's open design gives it a contemporary, sculptural look. The design also allows you to see the entire knife, not just its handle, making it much easier to differentiate between knives with similar handles. Plus, the relatively wide space between panels is great for showing off design details on your knives such as etched or hammered blade finishes. There's also an extra convenience factor: Rather than different sized slots for different knives, any knife can be placed in any magnetized position—so long as the blade is not longer than the length of the holder.

• Dimensions: Length: 9.25 inches, Width: 4.9 inches, Height: 8.46 inches
• Material: Beechwood
• Use: Holds up to 6 knives with a maximum blade length of 11.4 inches
• Care: Wipe clean
• Place of Origin: Italy

This three-piece set of heavy-gauge stainless steel mixing bowls has a more durable construction than others. Each bowl has a black silicone lining on its bottom, which prevents the bowls from shifting and slipping during prep work. They are fairly tall-sided, rather than widening further from the base toward the rim; this means less food spilling out and a generous capacity to prepare large batches of food at a time. We also appreciate how the non-slip linings are tightly adhered to the bowls; on poorly made models, this rubberized base may detach and fall off over time.