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.
Milk Street Rice Washer with Silicone Bottom and Handle
Rinsing your rice is a crucial step in most recipes to prevent a gluey, sticky result, but most traditional colanders aren’t designed for small grains. That’s where Milk Street’s Rice Washer comes in. With small holes and a perforated pouring spout at the top, this colander keeps rice inside and lets the cloudy water drain out easily. The colander works just as well to rinse fruits and vegetables, and raised bumps on the bottom add a bit of friction to help wash especially dirty produce like turnip greens or bok choy. And the silicone base and handle allows for extra grip during even the most slippery task.
Suncraft Silicone Serving Spoon
Our very own Matthew Card (our creative director of recipes and products) loves this functional spoon that’s stylish enough to use at the table: “This silicone serving spoon is interesting in that it’s short with a rounded, really comfortable wood handle. The broad, concave paddle is stiffer than other silicone tools and features steep sides ideal for scooping rice, stews, etc. It's stiff enough to actually scrape up stuck-on bits, making it really the perfect tool for nonstick cookware. All the Suncraft material is really well thought out, beautifully made and durable, crafted for long-term use.” Use this for serving pasta, paella, roasted veggies and more.
Miya Company Navy Blue Ombre Chopstick Set
Made in Japan, this set of chopsticks—two pairs per set—combine a classic, minimalist silhouette with a modern colorway. Navy blue fades to a stunning sky color toward the bottom of each chopstick, with a dark wood tip that adds a touch of elegance. These chopsticks pair perfectly with Miya Company’s gorgeous blue and white ceramic tablewares.
Miya Company Monyou Assorted Blue Bowls - set of 4
Made in Japan, these four assorted ceramic bowls come in complementary, traditional blue and white patterns. With their mid-sized diameter and elegant, slightly flared rim, these bowls are perfect for rice or soup. The bowls are safe for the microwave and the dishwasher.
Miya Company Pacific Forest Matte Bowls - set of 4
Made from Japanese stoneware, this set of four minimalist bowls are deep enough for a side of rice, noodles or soup. Finished with a matte glaze, the bowls come in four complementary tones of green and brown; hints of the stoneware’s brown color peek pleasantly through the glaze.
Pars 5-Cup Persian Rice Cooker
We’ll be the first to admit that tahdig, the traditional Persian rice dish with a crispy top, can be intimidating to make at home. The combination of fluffy rice in the middle and a crunchy top layer is challenging to achieve and requires a treacherous pot flip. So we were thrilled to try out the Pars Rice Cooker, designed specifically to take the complexity out of crispy rice dishes like tahdig. Featuring a customizable timer, measuring lines for better precision, a nonstick pot and an easy to follow manual, this appliance takes all of the guesswork out of rice-cooking. Just add your rice, water and spices, then let the Pars do the rest. Plus, it’s easy to clean and stores away compactly when not in use.
Kikka Blue Donabe 10-Inch Casserole
Made in central Japan, this striking blue casserole is a rarity: a ceramic donabe that’s electric-stovetop friendly and doesn’t require seasoning before first use. The donabe is made of banko ware, a traditional stoneware that’s become increasingly rare because of the high skill required to manipulate it. Often fired by direct flame, banko ware is valued for its durability and high heat tolerance. Lightweight and fast-heating, the donabe holds heat longer than other models we’ve tried, even after the heat is turned off, and easy-grip handles make transferring the pot to the table safer. Use the donabe to cook rice, soups, stews, braised dishes or even as a hot pot. The donabe can go on a gas or electric stovetop, as well as in the oven and microwave—and it’s beautiful enough to go from stove to tabletop.