Rethinking the Everyday Bench Scraper
Most bench scrapers are poorly designed, with blunt edges and awkward handles. So we worked with our friends at New England Knives to redesign this kitchen workhorse. The resulting Massachusetts-made Milk Street Bench Scraper is built with a comfortable walnut handle and high-quality stainless steel blade. The sharp beveled edge slides neatly under ingredients, even finely chopped herbs and stuck-on bits, like garlic scraps or pesky pepper seeds. It also cuts cleanly through dough. We love the engraved measurements on the blade, which makes rolling and portioning dough evenly a breeze. It also comes with a rubber blade guard, which protects the edge from damage in a crowded drawer. Available for $39.95 at 177milkstreet.com/ma25-scraper.
Toss Your Dirty Sponge!
Our go-to solution for removing stuck-on food from pans, skillets, Dutch ovens, cutting boards and more, Knapp’s Chainmail Combo Scrubber with Silicone Core is a cleaning game changer. The tightly woven stainless steel mesh has a rough enough texture to take on the most stubborn stuck-on bits. Bonus: It won’t damage your cast-iron seasoning. The anti-bacterial silicone center is easy to grip and the double-sided scrubber offers two textures—fine and coarse. The scrubber has a larger chainmail link in one corner so you can hang it to dry. Available for $29.95 at 177milkstreet.com/ma25-sponge.
A Scoop Worth Saving
Crafted by hand in Maine, this heirloom-quality scoop from Soma Metalwork is made to measure exactly ¼ cup. Each bowl, shaped and sanded from hand-hammered brass, is riveted to a forged stainless steel handle. Use it to measure liquids, keep it in a bin of rice or flour, or show it off on the counter. Handmade by a skilled blacksmith trained in traditional metalworking, the Soma Hand-Forged Quarter-Cup Scoop is built to last. Available for $85 at 177milkstreet.com/ma25-scoop.
Enticed by Rice
On a recent trip to Thailand, we became fascinated by riceberry rice, a delicious cross between long-grain jasmine rice and a purple-hued Thai variety called Jao Hom Nin. It boasts incredible nutrient density and a subtly sweet, nutty flavor. Its texture is also uniquely soft for a long, whole-grain rice. We played around with various cooking techniques, but found the best bet to be preparing the rice according to its package instructions, which vary by brand. Available on Amazon starting at $14.99.
A More Delicious Way to Potato Chip
During a trip to Indonesia, we fell in love with a local potato chip-like snack made from tempeh, a fermented soy product similar to (but firmer than) tofu. Sold in large bags by market vendors, the chips—called keripik tempe—are crunchy, salty and just as addictive as potato or tortilla chips. Back home, we found that Woh Tempeh Chips—imported from Indonesia by Exotique Foods—were just as delicious and available in a variety of flavors, including original, barbecue, honey butter and black pepper. Available for $6 a bag from thehealthychips.com.
Stone-Milled to Order
Schwerter Senfmühle purchased its historic mustard mill in 1923. Today, their operation is one of the oldest in Germany. For more than 100 years, their recipe has remained top secret. Miller Frank Peisert grinds yellow and brown mustard seeds the old-fashioned way—cold-processed between stones. The resulting mustard is creamy and smooth with medium heat. Try it smeared onto roasted meats or simple sandwiches, or stirred into sauces and dressings. Our Milk Street exclusive line is milled fresh to order, then packed in crocks made specially for us. Available for $24 at 177milkstreet.com/ma25-mustard.
Join Us for a Taste of Italy’s Forgotten Recipes
From perfectly crisp-tender focaccia to a forgotten pasta sauce known only to the nonnas of Naples, Milk Street Backroads Italy offers you a seat at the table as we explore the country’s most delicious recipes. We traveled across Italy to learn from home cooks and chefs, and along the way we found fresh takes on classics, as well as plenty of little-known regional favorites. It’s a collection not just of Italy’s best recipes, but also the stories of the people and places behind them. Order your copy now at 177milkstreet.com/italy.
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