Milk Street Közmatik
When a recipe calls for charring vegetables, what do you do? Well, you can fire up the grill but that is a lot of work for just one eggplant or two bell peppers. In Turkey, however, they have a better solution called the Közmatik, a metal disk that fits perfectly over the burner of a gas stove. Evenly spaced holes allow heat to circulate around the vegetables, so you are truly roasting, rather than searing as you would on a skillet. The holes are close enough to hold even small veggies, like slender spring onions, and the disk is large enough to keep several bulbous eggplants from rolling off. It’s also less messy than charring directly on the burner: The Közmatik catches nearly all of the bits of charred vegetable skin and juices that would leak onto the surface of the stove. And, once cooled, it can be thrown in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
Cheese Grotto Classico
Inspired by the caves used for centuries by cheesemakers to store their wheels and wares, this cheese grotto is aptly designed to preserve the food’s freshness, aroma and taste using natural materials and careful climate control. It’s handmade from breathable bamboo wood to prevent premature molding and contains a clay brick humidifier on the bottom that, when soaked in water regularly, regulates moisture (no more crumbly cheese!). A vaulted ceiling makes for ideal airflow and condensation control, while an adjustable back panel promotes extra breathability. Plus, you won’t waste any more plastic wrap on cheese that’ll only make it slimy. The Grotto Classico is the most similar to a cheese cave out of the grotto collection; it can hold up to 8 pounds of cheese and will fit well in a medium-large-sized refrigerator. Its two removable shelves help to accommodate wheels and wedges of all sizes, while the plexiglass windows and pull-down door let you easily access and keep an eye on your cheese. And for budding cheese makers, this grotto can also be used to age homemade cheeses thanks to its air channels. Includes a 2oz bottle of mineral oil to help care for the wood.
Aux Co. Ltd. Oroshi Spoon
Made in Japan, this unique tool is designed to grate and zest easily without clogging up, thanks to its sharp blades set at a 60-degree angle. It cuts through ginger and other tougher foods well, while preventing waste thanks to its spoon shape. Simply grate directly onto the spoon and use it to stir your ingredient directly into whatever you’re making—the solid bottom also ensures all of the gratings are kept on the spoon. And the angle of the blades make it easy to clean.
Grand Noodle Five Colored Noodles
Handcrafted by a master noodle maker, these multicolored guksu, or Korean noodles, are infused with clean vegetable flavor. Guksu Master Kim Hyun Kyu started his noodle operation in 1987, wanting to add flavor to basic, bland wheat noodles that only supplemented other recipe components. After years of experimenting with ratios, recipes and aging, Kyu developed vibrant, vegetable-forward twists on the classic noodle. These guksu get their distinctive color-true hues and flavor from garlic chives, sweet pumpkin, beets, and white and black rice. And the ingredients are more than natural food coloring; when cooked, the aromatic noodles impart a subtle but noticeable flavor to dishes and retain a pleasant chew. Try them in pasta dishes, Korean preparations—like bibim-guksu, a spicy noodle stir-fry, or kong-guksu, a cold soy milk soup—or boiled and tossed with oil and sea salt.
Haci Bekir Turkish Delight - Assorted Fruit Flavors
From the company that made Turkish delight famous, Haci Bekir, this Turkish delight (lokum) comes in an assortment of fruity flavors. We found these in Istanbul, and they’re the most authentic version of traditional Turkish lokum we’ve been able to get in the States. The jellies are tangy with mellow fruit flavors—the sour cherry, strawberry, apricot and orange reminded us of high-end gummy bears or jelly beans. But their pleasant sweetness isn’t overpowering, unlike American fruit candies or sugary-sweet mass-produced versions of this Turkish classic. You’ll love sinking your teeth into their chewy, supple texture.
Casablanca Market Unglazed Natural Tagine
In Morocco, you can't go two steps without seeing—and smelling—tagine, which refers to both a broad variety of flavorful, slow-simmered stews and the conical cooking vessel in which they are prepared. While you don't need the pot to make the stew, the cookware's pyramid-shaped lid does most of the work for you and produces consistently moist results, condensing and redirecting steam back into food. We love these beautiful unglazed tagines from Casablanca Market: Each one-of-a-kind piece is made of terra cotta, which is porous so it absorbs flavors from every batch and infuses it into food, much like seasoned cast iron. Some tagines will have color variations or small indents in the sides. These aren't defects but rather a result of their traditional production method: Multiple pots in the kiln side by side that are then separated by hand, so each tagine is unique in character. To season before first use, submerge both the pot and lid in water for six hours and let them air-dry completely. Rub the interior of the base and lid with a few tablespoons of cooking oil, then place the tagine in a cold oven. Set the oven to 350°F, bake for 2 hours, and leave the tagine to cool completely in the turned-off oven. As with all clay cookware, your tagine should not be exposed to extreme temperature shock. Rinsing a hot pot under cold water, for instance, may cause it to crack.
Haci Bekir Turkish Delight—Assorted Date and Nut
From the company that made Turkish delight famous, Haci Bekir, these Turkish delights (lokum) come in an assortment of date and nut flavors. We found these in Istanbul, and they’re the most authentic version of traditional Turkish lokum we’ve been able to get in the States. The confection has a pleasant sweetness from dates and sugar that doesn’t overpower—unlike some sugary-sweet, mass-produced versions of this classic Turkish treat. Sink your teeth into its chewy, supple texture—hazelnuts and pistachios add a light crunchiness and clean, simple flavor.
Anything Co. Maekake Japanese Traditional Apron
Don’t be fooled by this apron’s stunning design—it’s actually been used as a functional piece of workwear for centuries in Japan. They’re produced in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture (the last remaining area of production in Japan) and made from durable cotton that’ll stand up to frequent use. These aprons from Anything Co. are made on century-old Toyota shuttle looms (yes, the car company, which originally started out as a loom manufacturer). They’re colored with a rich indigo using resist-dyeing techniques, which allows the original white shade of the fabric to come through in the design and not bleed or fade over time. We love how the color fades a bit with use—typically, this is a sign in Japan of well-worn beauty. The thick belts are also colored with white and red, both considered lucky colors, and are sturdy enough to offer lower back support when tied in a traditional fashion.
Hasegawa Wood Core Soft Rubber Cutting Board
This cutting board is not only durable, but it also will prolong the life of your knife blade. The “pull and slice” technique is the common way to slice food in Japanese cooking, which can often lead to chipped edges if using a hard cutting board. But this one is coated in layers of soft plastic that provides much better protection for your knives and protection for your fingers, since it’s non-slip. Plus, the material has strong antimicrobial properties—one of the highest standards in Japan—so it won’t hold germs as much as a standard cutting board would between uses. It’s wood core keeps the cutting board from warping from use and high-temperature dishwashing. And since it’s not entirely made of wood, it much more light weight to use.
La Chamba® Comal
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.
ITALO Acetaia Pedroni Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena D.O.P.
One of the oldest artisan balsamic makers in the world, Acetaia Pedroni has been in the business since 1862. They make their Italo balsamic vinegar from start to finish in Modena, which earns the bottle the “Protected Designation of Origin” mark—a verification that it’s as high quality as it gets. Made only from pure, juicy trebbiano wine grapes, the vinegar is aged for a minimum of 12 years in oak and chestnut wood barrels, moving into smaller and smaller barrels as it ages to concentrate the flavor. The finished result is filled with complexity: rich, heady, sweet, earthy and tart with notes of raisins and umami. It’s thick and syrupy from years of evaporation and a natural sugar content, so it’s perfect for finishing the most special dishes, like risotto and meats, or drizzled over strawberries and cheese.
Haci Bekir Turkish Coriander Sweets
Guelaguetza Designs Multicolor Otomi Table Runner
Handcrafted by artisans in Hidalgo, Mexico, this stunning table runner is embroidered with colorful flowers and birds. This style of embroidery has been passed down for generations among women, and each piece takes weeks to complete, finished with care and skill.
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.
JIA Inc. Kkini Bowl & Chopsticks — Set of 2
Inspired by Korean stoneware dolsot bowls, traditionally used for bibimbap, these warmly colored, matte-grey porcelain bowls are just the right size for a bowl of rice, miso soup or even late-night ice cream. The snugly fitting bamboo cover keeps food warm and prevents spills during transport, as well as providing elegant visual contrast. We especially love how the lid’s simple handle serves double duty a chopstick rest when placed on the table (it’s considered rude in Chinese culture to stick chopsticks upright into your bowl). The Kkini bowls and chopstick set are produced by JIA, an importer of fine Chinese ceramics and tableware. The company, whose name means “home”, works with international designers to put a modern spin on classic Chinese designs. Try this set for your next dinner for two, with dishes like our Taiwanese Five-Spice Pork with Rice or Chicken Teriyaki Donburi.
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.
Tastëlanghe Hazelnut Caramel
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. In their Hazelnut (Nocciola) Caramel, those renowned hazelnuts turn into a creamy, rich, sweet caramelly spread with a hint of salt. Light in texture but deep in flavor, this spread is full of caramel flavor from a mixture of caramelized hazelnuts and milk that is cooked down to perfection. It’s like dulce de leche, but less dense and far more flavorful. Spoon it onto ice cream, cakes, cookies, or any baked good, spread on toast or eat straight from the jar!
Tastëlanghe IGP Piedmont Hazelnuts
Incredibly hard to find in the U.S., Tonda Gentile hazelnuts are considered some of the best in the world. Sweet, nutty and satisfyingly crunchy, these shelled, whole toasted ones are perfectly browned with a clean taste on the finish. Grown exclusively in the Langhe area of Piedmont, Italy, Tastëlanghe has been producing them since 1891. These hazelnuts will shine in dishes from sweet cakes, creams and cookies to savory salads. Or just snack on them whole.