Rancho Gordo Midnight Black Bean
These black beans from Napa, California, have a rich flavor and creamy center, while still holding their shape after cooking. They cook up quickly, soaked or unsoaked, and have a lovely dark purple-black color. Try using the savory bean broth as a base for all kinds of soups or bean dishes. These beans can be eaten as a simple accompaniment to rice, or as an essential part of salads, soups, dips and side dishes. We especially like Rancho Gordo as a purveyor, as they’ve made it a priority to preserve culinary traditions and re-introduce indigenous beans from the Americas to the U.S. marketplace.
Sukoyaka Brown Genmai Rice
If you are tired of tasteless white rice, let me introduce you to Genmai Rice. When I first tasted genmai two years ago, my first thought was that this rice was a miracle—it cooks quickly, just like white rice, but has the rich, earthy flavor and satisfying chewiness of great brown rice. Once you taste Sukoyaka Genmai, you will never go back. How is this possible? It is an American-grown short-grain brown rice that has had a portion of the outer bran layer is scrubbed away, allowing the grains to hydrate faster while retaining most of their nutritional properties. The nutty, earthy-tasting grains are distinct and just a touch sticky, making the rice perfect for accompanying stir-fries, curries, soups and stews, although I make it two or three times a week as a starter, for any sort of topping from steamed vegetables to quickly grilled chicken or steak. Matt, Card, our food editor, also swears by it for fried rice. He keeps a batch frozen in the freezer for a quick batch: Just defrost on the countertop, and it's ready to go for a virtually instant meal. Buy as much as you can afford, since genmai will become your go-to rice after the first bite.
Rancho Gordo Domingo Rojo Beans
More diminutive than common kidney beans, these small to medium size red beans from Napa, California, have a soft and silky texture and deep, sweetish bean flavor. They’re a great choice for New Orleans Red Beans and Rice and a staple for many Caribbean cuisines. Domingo Rojo Beans really hold their shape when cooked, and the thick bean broth they give off enriches any sauce that coats rice and noodles. All of Rancho Gordo’s beans stand out due to their high quality, as they are sold fresher than most dried beans that can sit on the supermarket shelf for years. We especially like Rancho Gordo, as they’ve made it a priority to preserve culinary traditions and re-introduce indigenous beans from the Americas to the U.S. marketplace.
Rancho Gordo Yellow Eye Beans
A favorite in Maine, and hard to find outside the state, yellow eye beans are a must-have for New Englanders in the know. These sweet and silky beans make the absolute best baked beans, and they’re perfect for soups, stews and braises. Similar in appearance to black-eyed peas, these beans are creamy white with a molasses-colored eye and cook up round and full. As Rancho Gordo says on their website, “The flavor and texture make regular Navy beans seem sad.” They stand out due to their high quality, as they are sold fresher than most dried beans that can sit on the supermarket shelf for years. We especially like Rancho Gordo as a purveyor, as they’ve made it a priority to preserve culinary traditions and re-introduce indigenous beans from the Americas to the U.S. marketplace.
Rancho Gordo Pinto Beans
This heirloom variety of pinto bean is fast-cooking, creamy and versatile. With their soft skins and smooth texture, these California-grown beans are so much better than typical supermarket varieties. All of Rancho Gordo’s beans stand out due to their high quality, as they are sold fresher than most dried beans that can sit on the supermarket shelf for years. We especially like Rancho Gordo as a purveyor, as they’ve made it a priority to preserve culinary traditions and re-introduce indigenous beans from the Americas to the U.S. marketplace.
Rancho Gordo Marcella Beans
Grown in California and named after Italian culinary icon Marcella Hazan, these creamy white beans are from Italian Sorana seedstock. Sorana is a cannellini bean with incredibly thin skin and super-creamy texture. They cook up buttery soft and silky without falling apart. Their superior texture and quality make them a definite favorite for us. We especially like Rancho Gordo as a purveyor, as they’ve made it a priority to preserve culinary traditions and re-introduce indigenous beans from the Americas to the U.S. marketplace.
Masienda Blue Masa Harina
This finely ground, masa blue (corn) flour yields a more intense corn flavor than others we’ve tried, which truly sets it apart from lesser brands. It’s earthy and slightly sweet, with a bit more of a robust nuttiness than its white corn counterpart. Originally established to assist restaurants in creating their own in-house masa production programs, Masienda developed their sourcing and production methods with professional chefs in mind, so you know their focus is on flavor over just volume and speed. The primary purpose of masa is to make homemade tortillas and Masienda makes it easy—simply add warm water and mix for the perfect tortilla dough, no grinding or mortar and pestle necessary. When cooked, the tortillas will be pliable with a pleasant chew and, of course, packed with traditional corn flavor.
Tartana Bomba Rice
An essential in making great paella, pearl-shaped bomba rice absorbs both broth and flavor easily without risk of turning to mush. This bomba rice by Tartana, made in Spain, cooks up tender yet firm, with a sweet, rich flavor that pairs beautifully with aromatic saffron, heavier proteins and bright vegetables. And though less creamy than other paella rice varieties, it’s a great beginner paella grain, thanks to the short grain and starchy structure—which makes it much harder to overcook.
Masienda White Masa Harina
This finely ground, masa (corn) flour yields a more intense corn flavor than others we’ve tried, which truly sets it apart from lesser brands. It’s earthy and slightly sweet. Originally established to assist restaurants in creating their own in-house masa production programs, Masienda developed their sourcing and production methods with professional chefs in mind, so you know their focus is on flavor over just volume and speed. The primary purpose of masa is to make homemade tortillas and Masienda makes it easy—simply add warm water and mix for the perfect tortilla dough, no grinding or mortar and pestle necessary. When cooked, the tortillas will be pliable with a pleasant chew and, of course, packed with traditional corn flavor.