Masseria Mirogallo Hand-Peeled Tomatoes
Produced by the Belfiore family in the province of Matera (one of Italy’s oldest towns), these hand-peeled tomatoes are stunningly packaged and taste terrific—sweet, fruity, bright and bold.
Maalouf Pomegranate Molasses
Pomegranate molasses, an indispensable ingredient in many cuisines from the Eastern Mediterranean to Central Asia, is the result of boiling pomegranate juice until it condenses to a concentrated sweet-tart powerhouse. Each bottle of producer Chafic Maalouf’s small-batch version, exclusively sold at Milk Street, is made from the juice of 5 kilos of Lebanese pomegranates using methods that have been practiced for generations. Unlike more common thicker versions, this molasses has a thinner viscosity that spreads rather than sticks when poured, combined with the perfect balance of sugars and acidity. It carries multiple layers of complex aromas and flavors ranging from smoke, tobacco, balsamic, citrus and berries, all engulfed in a subtle, well-rounded sweetness.
Dao Vua Leaf Spring Small Cleaver
It’s no secret we love cleavers in all their many forms. The tall blade and bit of weight behind the blade makes chopping most anything easy, and its height means it’s perfect for scooping up prepped foods to transfer to the skillet or mixing bowl. And cleavers are safer than a European-style chef’s knife: fingers remain shielded behind all that steel. At 200mm (roughly 7.8 inches), the Dao Vua is slightly smaller and lighter than a typical Chinese cleaver, though it packs some weight to enhance the chopping experience. It’s excellent for working through piles of vegetables for soups and stews, or chopping up chicken for a stir-fry. It’s a sturdy blade for taking on most anything. We love the rustic charm of Dao Vua’s handles and finish work. These aren’t perfect, showing the marks of the blacksmith on the blade. The darkened finish is a traditional approach to protecting the steel from oxidation. And its subtly nonstick too, meaning foods won’t cling once sliced.
NOTE: Because of the handmade nature of the knives, expect imperfections and texture on each blade’s surface. We think it enhances the character and uniqueness of each knife. The exposed portion of the cutting surface is susceptible to moisture and acid and will develop a patina over time. The knives should not be left wet and should be wiped down after slicing acidic foods. To minimize coloring, they can be treated with camellia oil and cleaned with a rust eraser.
We strongly recommend buying the camellia oil with this knife.
Marchesi di San Giuliano Orange Slices in Syrup
We can't get enough of the warm, vibrant flavor of these orange slices in syrup, which our food editor, Matt Card, liken to deconstructed marmalade. To make them, organic blood oranges are hand-picked from the producer's own orchards, sliced finely with the rind still on, then briefly blanched to remove some of their bitterness and carefully layered in jars. The orange slices are covered with a reduction of orange juice, sugar and a touch of brandy—no pectin or artificial sweeteners—which contributes a vanilla-like roundness as well as sugary depth and richness. In addition to their rich flavor, we love the amazing texture of these orange slices, with a wonderful contrast between the silky pulp and surprisingly tender rind, which can be cut through with a fork.
Staub 14.5-Inch Oval Oven Dish
Staub's durable enameled cast iron cooks evenly at a broad range of temperatures and has low-stick properties for easy, no-fuss cooking—for best results, use low or medium heat. The company thickly glazes the outside of its cookware and lines the interiors with a matte-black enamel, so it's impervious to chipping. Whether you're braising browning or roasting, there’s very little you can’t cook in this dish, and we consider it an absolute kitchen essential. Staub's handsome designs and rich colors will look great on any table, and the pieces are durable enough to be passed on to the next generation.
Bona Furtuna Nepitella (Tuscan Mint)
An herb that grows wild across Italy and rarely grown by farmers, nepitella (also known as calamint) recalls the aromatic freshness of mint with a touch of basil and oregano. It’s been incredibly popular in Tuscany for adding to food and drinks for centuries—particularly in soups and pasta sauces and dishes with meaty, earthy mushrooms. This one, though, is cultivated in small amounts in sun-dappled Sicily by a master botanist using traditional practices. The gently dried leaves have a bold, minty taste with very noticeable earthy herbal undertones: oregano, thyme, lavender basil and licorice. Compared to standard dried mint, it’s stronger and more earthy and herbal. Where mint can be sweet, this is savory. Where mint is bracing, this is earthy.
Dao Vua Leaf Spring Honesuki Knife
Honesuki knives are a Japanese blade style designed for butchering poultry. Their fine tip, acutely angled triangular blade and medium length are perfectly designed for breaking down chickens. Dao Vua’s inspired version adds a touch of curve to the belly to make it much more versatile. Beyond butchering, it’s good for prepping veggies, slicing garlic, trimming meat and slicing sandwiches. The relatively long handle offers added leverage for cutting through denser veggies like sweet potatoes, too. If you’re looking for a do-everything knife for the smaller jobs, we highly recommend this one.
NOTE: Because of the handmade nature of the knives, expect imperfections and texture on each blade’s surface. We think it enhances the character and uniqueness of each knife. The exposed portion of the cutting surface is susceptible to moisture and acid and will develop a patina over time. The knives should not be left wet and should be wiped down after slicing acidic foods. To minimize coloring, they can be treated with camellia oil and cleaned with a rust eraser.
We strongly recommend buying the camellia oil with this knife.
2019 Milk Street Annual
2020 Milk Street Annual
This handsome hardbound edition of Milk Street Magazine includes all six issues published in 2020. Every recipe from 2020 is included, from Pour-in-the-Pan Pizza with Tomatoes and Mozzarella, Vietnamese Caramel Chicken, and Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Scallions, to Zucchini Salad with Lemon, Herbs and Ricotta, Patatas Bravas, and Swedish "Sticky" Chocolate Cake. Using high quality embossed cloth binding, the annual edition will keep your issues of Milk Street in perfect condition for years to come. The annual edition also includes a full-year master index, so you can find any recipe, article, review or other magazine content in just a few moments. Our 2020 Milk Street Annual preserves our entire year of publication in a permanent, handsome, practical reference book for your cookbook library.
2018 Milk Street Annual
MegaChef Kecap Manis
After years of searching for the right one, we finally found a version of this Indonesian staple condiment we are proud to sell. Kecap manis, or “sweet dark soy sauce,” is an Indonesian secret for depth, umami and complexity. Megachef’s version—the best one we’ve tried—is virtually impossible to find in the United States. Of the handful of brands sold here, most are packed with thickeners, additives and flavorings; apart from a nominal amount of starch for consistency, Megachef adds no preservatives, artificial coloring or MSG, and its flavor is significantly bolder and richer than the other versions we’ve tried. Soy sauce from non-GMO soybeans and high-quality palm sugar are simmered until the sauce becomes thick and glossy, with a deep dark color and consistency similar to hoisin. The resulting sauce isn’t as salty as soy or as sweet as hoisin, the two most comparable condiments—but it has a funky malty, umami soy flavor, almost akin to molasses. Use it for Indonesian or Asian cooking or anywhere you might like a funky, barbecue sauce-like glaze.
Suehiro Double Brewed Soy Sauce
Since 1879, Suehiro has used the same traditional methods to make their small-batch soy sauces in Japan’s Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture. We were especially wowed by their Double-Brewed Soy Sauce, or Saishikomi, which is deeply layered in comparison to any run-of-the-mill grocery version. Unlike most on the market, this soy is brewed not once but twice, first delicately with soybeans, wheat, salt, water and koji. Then, the mixture is brewed again, this time without salt or water, yielding an earthy, rich and viscous soy sauce that stands apart. It’s salty, but less so than other brands, with funky, coffee-like notes that round out into a dark, almost burnt caramelly sweetness. Use it anywhere you would soy sauce, but we love it most served simply with dishes that have few ingredients, like hand rolls and sashimi.
Il Colle Del Gusto Arachidella Peanut Spread
Not to be confused with your run-of-the-mill peanut butter, Il Colle del Gusto’s Arachidella Peanut Spread is decadently sweet—elevating the beloved taste of the childhood favorite with the molasses-y depth of caramelized brown sugar. Petite flecks of candied peanut add a toffee-like crunch to every spoonful, while a silken base of extra-virgin olive oil yields a luscious, caramel-like texture. And as we learned from the ever-popular “Nutella,” the Italian suffix “ella” is tacked onto a word to show affection, so there’s no question why it’s used in the name of this divine spread.
Professional Secrets Chef Fork
This durable, stainless steel fork from Professional Secrets stands out among the rest because its food and pasta-friendly prongs grip food properly without slippage or damage. This sturdy fork consists of a single, solid, continuous piece, making it less likely to break, unlike lesser quality varieties. We love the great design offered here along with the solid weight and the feel of it in our hands.
Aux Co. Ltd. Manaita Cutting Board Protectors
Coming in a set of 36, these cutting board sheets protect your board from stains, odors and the troubles of cross-contamination. Thick and waxy, the sheets stay in place during prep and eliminating the need to dirty several cutting boards. You can use these sheets to slice raw meat, chop vegetables with staining colors or mince garlic without worrying about lingering odors. Plus, each one is lined with one centimeter markings to help you cut each sheet to size to fit on top of your board.
Mexico by Hand Terra Cotta Bowl
These lovely little bowls are handmade by artisans in Capula, Michoacán. We love the traditional touch these give a tabletop when filled with herby garnishes, dipping sauces and small snacks like olives or nuts. Available in blue or green. Purchase includes one 4 ounce bowl.
DISCLAIMER: We only carry the larger size bowl, not the extra-small size depicted in the photos.
Bona Furtuna Erbe di Sicilia
Bona Furtuna’s Erbe di Sicilia is a fragrant combination of rosemary, thyme, oregano and mint—all cultivated in sun-dappled Sicily by a master botanist on the family’s organic farm. The aromatic notes of rosemary and thyme pair gently with earthy oregano and sweet mint, flexible flavors that complement chicken, white fish, pork and vegetables, just as well as soups, stews, flatbreads and dips like whipped feta. Though just a few basic ingredients, the freshness of each herb really sets this blend apart from others like it.
Bona Furtuna Pinzimonio Herb Blend
Pinzimonio is a common Italian staple that blends a pinch of spices into olive oil for dipping bread or crudités. With Bona Furtuna’s masterful spice blend, all you have to do is add the oil. A mix of herbs, spices, garlic, mint and chilies—all cultivated in sun-dappled Sicily by a master botanist on the family’s organic farm—it’s a bright and bold combination for seasoning olive oil or sprinkling over grilled vegetables or meat. The secret of the blend, Bona Furtuna says, lies in the mint grown on the property, which lightens the garlic, black pepper and chili in the mixture with balance and fresh sweetness.