Easy, On-the-Go Raclette
Raclette is a creamy, salty, slightly nutty cheese that typically is served melted and poured over potatoes, bread, vegetables or meat. It’s a classic après-ski meal that often calls for a special electric heated pan. But now Swiss company Boska (who’ve been making cheese tools since 1896) has designed a portable Partyclette to be used anywhere, from picnics and camping trips to patio dining. Simply heat the cast-iron pan with the included tea lights to melt the raclette—or Gruyère, Emmental, fontina or any mixture of melting cheeses—in minutes, then use the included spatula to scrape every last bit of it onto your plate. For an even quicker melt, the pan also can go directly onto the grill. Available for $32.99 at 177milkstreet.com/ja22-raclette.
The Best Portable Grill We’ve Tried
Most small grills are a letdown, delivering anemic flames that make great grilling impossible. Chef Heston Blumenthal’s solution was to design his own. The result is the small-but-mighty Everdure Cube. It’s easily portable, thanks to its lightweight, durable steel construction and chrome handles that stay cool to the touch. And its square shape allows for even charcoal distribution and an optimal grilling surface area, so you can squeeze on more steaks. The firebox promotes enough airflow to start the charcoal, while the chimney-like shape protects it from wind as it lights. Throw it in the car for camping and beach days, or bring it to the park. Available for $219 at 177milkstreet.com/ja22-grill.
Glasses for Souk-Style Sipping
In Berber tradition, meals in Morocco begin with a glass of tea—typically a mixture of Chinese green tea steeped with mint and sugar. And as iconic as the tea itself is the delicate glassware it usually is served in. These exquisite Moroccan tea glasses offer a connection to this daily ritual. Produced by Casablanca Market (one of our favorite sources for Moroccan wares), each 8-ounce glass features a different jewel-toned color and is intricately hand-detailed in gold. While these glasses are ideal for serving tea and other beverages, we also think they make charming candle holders or decorative centerpieces. Available as a set of six for $48 at 177milkstreet.com/ja22-glass.
The Secret to Better Flatbread
In southwest Colorado, the Cortez Milling Co. crafts its Blue Bird Flour with respect and recognition for the indigenous people who first used it—and still do. Of the 15 million pounds of ultra-fine, high-protein Blue Bird Flour produced each year, most is sold to the Navajo people in and around the reservation. The flour is ideal for making soft, tender, chewy tortillas and flatbreads, including Navajo fry bread. Cortez Milling Co. sources its red winter wheat from local dryland farmers. This careful sourcing pays off, producing flour with an especially high gluten content to ensure pliable, elastic doughs that resist tearing and cook up beautifully. Available for $12.95 at 177milkstreet.com/ja22-flour.
Bold Japanese Tenugui Linens
Beautifully designed to tackle tasks of all sorts, bandanna-like tenugui are considered an indispensable linen in most Japanese homes—and they have nearly a thousand years of history to back up that reputation. They originated in the Heian era (794–1185 A.D.), when they were considered a luxury item. Traditionally, they were worn for summer festivals or kendo practice and even used as props for storytellers. Today, these versatile linens are used for anything from wrapping food, presents or lunch to wiping up spills, but they haven’t lost their luxurious appeal. Made from pure cotton, the tenugui from Atelier Miyabi are quick-drying and soften with every wash. Sets of two in either blue or red are available for $25.95 at 177milkstreet.com/ja22-tenugui.
Transform Your Cocktails
Want a simple and delicious way to elevate your cocktail game? Just add these dehydrated lemon and orange slices. Yes Cocktail Co. owners Lauren Butler and Brandon Alpert make them in small batches and love to use them as garnishes. Dropping these citrus wheels into a cocktail adds dramatic visual flair. Better still, they can be used as a surprise secret ingredient. Grind them in a spice mill with sugar to release powerful citrus flavor and a hint of bitterness, then simply wet the rim of your serving glass and overturn it into the mixture for a beautiful and tasty rim. Available for $14 at 177milkstreet.com/ja22-cocktail.
