The molcajete is an iconic and essential part of the Mexican kitchen, and this one by Ancient Cookware is made with that same centuries-old tradition in mind. Hand-crafted from volcanic basalt, the rough, textured surface is ideal for blending, grinding and breaking apart chilies, tomatoes, whole spices and other ingredients when making salsa, guacamole or even mole. We also appreciate it for its size—light enough to maneuver easily while large enough to hold a good amount without bits of ingredients falling out of the bowl. The gently curved shape also makes grinding easier than with the steeper sides of many mortar and pestle sets.

The molcajete is an iconic and essential part of the Mexican kitchen, and this one by Ancient Cookware is made with that same centuries-old tradition in mind. In a whimsical twist, this one is shaped like a pig. Hand-crafted from volcanic basalt, the rough, textured surface is ideal for blending, grinding and breaking apart chilies, tomatoes, whole spices and other ingredients when making salsa, guacamole or even mole. We also appreciate it for its size—light enough to maneuver easily while large enough to hold a good amount without pieces falling out of the bowl. The gently curved shape also makes grinding easier than with the steeper sides of many mortars and pestles.

Named for its place of origin, La Chamba clay cookware from Colombia is crafted completely by hand using centuries-old methods. Made from local river clay, this stunning matte-black comal can be used directly on the stovetop for everything from toasting spices and charring vegetables to frying eggs or warming tortillas. It is perfect for use on the grill when cooking delicate vegetables or fish that benefit from the smoky heat of the grill but could stick or fall apart if cooked directly on the grate. Use the La Chamba comal to char vegetables for our Oaxacan Green Mole with Chicken. Making La Chamba cookware is quite literally a community effort, and every piece passes through the hands of various skilled artisans in one village in Colombia. The three types of clay used in the dishes’ construction make them strong enough to use in the oven, microwave or on your stove—but as with all clay cookware, La Chamba pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. Instead, heat your comal over low flame, or put it in the oven before preheating.

Named for its place of origin, La Chamba cookware is crafted completely by hand in one village in Colombia using centuries-old methods. The stunning matte-black finish of this sauté pan, made with local river clay, works as well as cast iron but is much more lightweight and easier to handle, with exceptional heat retention for quick, even frying and browning. It is the ideal size for dinner for two; we placed it on the stove over low heat until it was searing hot, then found it perfect for searing shrimp, white fish and other delicate meats. Making La Chamba cookware is quite literally a community effort, and every piece passes through the hands of various skilled artisans in one village in Colombia. The three types of clay used in the dishes’ construction make them strong enough to use in the oven, microwave or on your stove—but as with all clay cookware, La Chamba pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. Rinsing a hot pan under cold water, for instance, may cause it to crack.

Named for its place of origin, La Chamba clay cookware from Colombia is crafted completely by hand using centuries-old methods. Made from local river clay, the stunning matte-black surface of this salsa dish looks similar to cast iron but is much more lightweight and easier to handle. It also adds a beautiful authentic accent to your table. The handcrafted lid is perfect for keeping your condiments covered until the moment you need them, especially when cooking outdoors—we love the look of La Chamba as part of an outdoor barbecue spread. Use it to serve our Colombian Avocado Salsa (Áji de Aguacate) or our Green Chili and Tomatillo Hot Sauce. Making La Chamba cookware is quite literally a community effort, and every piece passes through the hands of various skilled artisans in one village in Colombia. The three types of clay used in the dishes’ construction make them strong enough to use in the oven, microwave or on your stove—but as with all clay cookware, La Chamba pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock.

Named for its place of origin, La Chamba clay cookware from Colombia is crafted completely by hand using centuries-old methods. Made from local river clay, this stunning matte-black comal can be used directly on the stovetop for everything from toasting spices and charring vegetables to frying eggs or warming tortillas. It is perfect for use on the grill when cooking delicate vegetables or fish that benefit from the smoky heat of the grill but could stick or fall apart if cooked directly on the grate. Use the La Chamba comal to char vegetables for our Oaxacan Green Mole with Chicken. Making La Chamba cookware is quite literally a community effort, and every piece passes through the hands of various skilled artisans in one village in Colombia. The three types of clay used in the dishes’ construction make them strong enough to use in the oven, microwave or on your stove—but as with all clay cookware, La Chamba pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. Instead, heat your comal over low flame, or put it in the oven before preheating.

Named for its place of origin, La Chamba clay cookware from Colombia is crafted completely by hand using centuries-old methods. Made from local river clay, the stunning matte-black surface of this casserole dish—which is actually a soup pot—works as well as cast iron but is much more lightweight and easier to handle, with great heat retention. The sturdy bottom of this pot is perfect for slow stovetop cooking, and you can feel free to simmer stews and soups without the risk of burnt-on food at the bottom of your cookware. And because La Chamba cookware is hand-polished using semi-precious stones, its surface is exceptionally easy to clean and has nonstick properties. The pot itself and its lid are hand-molded to fit each other, providing a tight seal when in the proper position. The three types of clay used in the dishes’ construction make them strong enough to use in the oven, microwave or on your stove—but as with all clay cookware, La Chamba pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock.

These clay bowls from Hidalgo, Mexico, are made from traditional terra cotta that has a beautiful rustic look. Each piece is handcrafted by specialized artisans, who use local clay and hand-polish the dishes using volcanic rock. With a capacity of roughly 2 ounces, they're not only great for serving sauces and dressings but also useful in the kitchen when measuring out ingredients during prep work. We like to take advantage of the microwave-safe material to melt butter for recipes. Keep a bowl handy near the stove for a pinch of salt while you're cooking, or keep your set at the table as a neat alternative to salt and pepper shakers. Not only will they add an attractive, authentic touch to your table, the cazuelas are also certified food-safe, whereas many other brands of clay cookware are made with lead.

These traditional clay cazuelas from Hidalgo, Mexico, are more lightweight than Pyrex, more attractive than either glass or metal cookware, and have nonstick properties thanks to their beautiful glazed finish—which also makes them easy to clean. They're perfectly sized for everyday use; try using them to make individual gratins or pot pies. Or warm up dips in the oven or over low heat on the stovetop right before serving. The clay is even microwave-safe for quickly reheating small portions. Each cazuela is individually handcrafted and takes between 15 and 20 days to produce, from mining local clay to polishing the dishes using volcanic rock. And not only will they add an attractive, authentic touch to your table, the dishes are also certified food-safe, whereas many other brands of clay cookware are made with lead. Because the artisans finely grind their clay, this terra cotta piece requires very little seasoning before first use—bring water to a boil in the cookware, and it's good to go. As with all clay cookware, the pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. For instance, let a hot pot cool to room temperature before running under cold water to avoid cracking.

Made from traditional terra cotta in Hidalgo, Mexico, this serving dish is more lightweight than Pyrex, more attractive than either glass or metal cookware, and easy to clean thanks to its beautiful glazed finish. The triple-bowl design is perfect for serving multiple appetizers, including your favorite salsas and dips. Use it for your next taco night to serve a trifecta of Pico de Gallo, Central Mexican Guacamole and Pickled Red Onions. The small center bowl is perfect for a few wedges of lime, or you can use it to hold toothpicks, which makes the dish great for serving snacks such as cheese or olives. Each piece is handcrafted by specialized artisans and takes between 15 and 20 days to produce, from mining local clay to polishing the dishes using volcanic rock. And not only will they add an attractive, authentic touch to your table, the cazuelas are also certified food-safe, whereas many other brands of clay cookware are made with lead.

This traditional clay cazuela from Hidalgo, Mexico, is more lightweight than Pyrex, more attractive than either glass or metal cookware, and has nonstick properties thanks to its beautiful glazed finish—which also makes it easy to clean. Use this 3.5-quart pot as you would a Dutch oven, especially for recipes that require cooking in the oven, such as our Roman Braised Beef with Tomato and Cloves—the gradual, steady heat of the terra cotta will help with even cooking. We also like the subtle ventilation holes in the lid, which are flawlessly disguised by the painted floral pattern. They allow moderate evaporation so you can reduce soups and stews without worrying about food sticking or scorching to the bottom of your pot. Each piece is handcrafted by specialized artisans and takes between 15 and 20 days to produce, from mining local clay to polishing the dishes using volcanic rock. And not only will it add an attractive, authentic touch to your table, the cazuela is also certified food-safe, whereas many other brands of earthenware are made with lead. Because the clay is finely ground, the pot requires very little seasoning before first use—simply bring water to a boil in the cookware. As with all clay cookware, the pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. For instance, let a hot pot cool to room temperature before running under cold water to avoid cracking.

This traditional clay cazuela from Hidalgo, Mexico, is more lightweight than Pyrex, more attractive than either glass or metal cookware, and has nonstick properties thanks to its beautiful glazed finish—which also makes it easy to clean. Its height and generous capacity make the cookware great for making large batches of rice or paella. Use it as a stunning serving piece for Arroz Verde, a Mexican rice dish that gets its vibrant green hue from fresh herbs and looks extra appetizing against the terra cotta hue. The cazuela easily holds four chicken breasts or six thighs and is ideal for recipes that require oven-safe skillets, such as our Mustard-Braised Chicken with Tarragon. Each piece is handcrafted by specialized artisans and takes between 15 and 20 days to produce, from mining local clay to polishing the dishes using volcanic rock. And not only will it add an attractive, authentic touch to your table, the cazuela is also certified food-safe, whereas many other brands of earthenware are made with lead. Because the clay is finely ground, the dish requires very little seasoning before first use—simply bring water to a boil in the cookware. As with all clay cookware, the pieces should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. For instance, let a hot pot cool to room temperature before running under cold water to avoid cracking.

When it comes to making the best beans, we go for low and slow. This traditional handmade Mexican glazed clay bean pot, with its narrow top and wide bottom, provides equal heat distribution so all the beans cook evenly over a nice, low heat. The beans can be pre-soaked, cooked and brought to table in this decorative Ancient Cookware vessel, called a frijolera (or, maker of “frijoles”). Each time we tried this pot, the beans cooked up moist, tender and perfect. We love how the lid fits snugly when turned to get an exact fit, even though it is not uniformly round, as it is handmade pottery. This pot can be used in the oven, microwave and stovetop over direct flame (if using with an electric stove, a heat diffuser must be used, and if using with an induction cooktop, you’ll need an induction cookware interface disk).