The Cook's Marketplace

A new item in my kitchen about which I cannot speak highly enough is a simple one. It is a stylish piece of stainless steel, unassuming and aesthetically pleasing. Its purpose is to crush garlic. It requires the palms of one’s hands and a rocking motion. That is all. For me, the most appealing aspect […]

The tamarind tree native to Africa and now cultivated in India and Mexico, is used in Indian, Thai, and Mexican cuisines. Its long pods contain large hard seeds surrounded by a sticky, edible, very tart paste. Its flavor adds piquancy to curries, chutneys, marinades, and barbecue sauces — anywhere that a sour, slightly citrusy, accent […]

If you think that chocolate milk is for kids, you’ll likely change your mind after tasting Ecos chocolate drink infused with coconut water and coconut milk. With less than half the sugar of traditional chocolate milk, Ecos is rich, very lightly sweet, and lacks the cloying viscosity that chocolate milk can sometimes have. Dairy-free, but […]

This refreshing thirst quencher from Italy employs the citron’s tannic note for a slightly adult take on lemon soda. Made with sugar and all natural flavors, it has the clear yellow color and fragrance of the citron fruit. Stylishly bottled in a rough textured glass bottle (like the citron’s skin), Cedrata Tassoni Soda has been […]

Saffron has a distinct aroma and flavor, which, if it doesn’t dominate a dish, complements the flavor of whatever it is paired with. Saffron comes in different grades. Be sure to buy thread or filament saffron since it’s too easy for the ground to be adulterated with paprika or other ground spices. [amazon_link asins=’B005UQX43Y’ template=’ProductAd’ […]

Ceramic knives are lightweight and very sharp, great for slicing boneless meats, fish, poultry, and vegetables. Kyocera Advanced Ceramic Premier Elite Series, made in Japan, is in the upper strata of ceramic knives, a pleasure to the eye as well as in the hand. Etched black blades and satiny pakka wood handles are not the […]

One of the easiest and most refreshing drinks to make during hot weather is roasted barley tea, popular in Korean and Japanese cuisines. Known as mugicha in Japan, the tea is made by steeping roasted barley seeds—usually whole but sometimes ground–in cold water overnight. The resulting infusion is caffeine-free, calorie-free, and has a slightly nutty, […]

In the harried world we live in, finding time to do the things we want to do – and sometimes even the things we need to do – can be a struggle. When our days start before the rooster crows so we are up early enough to fit in excercise time before work, 8 hours […]

None of the tricks we’ve heard about peeling eggs has ever worked consistently except for this brilliant little tool that pierces a fine hole into the air pocket in the blunt end of an egg. We’ve used it for dozens of eggs and it has never failed us yet. Easy to store in a drawer, […]

This cute little guy is a sweet house gift for anyone who has occasion to put out a platter of nibbles. He doesn’t hold a lot of toothpicks, but he’ll draw attention to where the rest of the toothpicks are stashed and he’s sure to bring a few smiles. [amazon_link asins=’B01N39QTSA’ template=’ProductAd’ store=’thec0b6-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’160cc06b-0f73-11e8-8346-871f124e119a’]

Help your child can gain some independence – and along with it, confidence – by giving them their own cupcake maker. Your little one will be eager to plan tea parties or help make treats for a family party or school event. This item comes with a a bow mold and a set of liners. [amazon_link […]

Picked by
Selma Brown Morrow

For me, one of the most inspiring and memorable cookbooks is The Cooking of Southwest France by Paula Wolfert. It is filled with her lively interest in the origin of dishes, ingredients, the different ways and various chefs who make them. It’s a fascinating, profound treatise; a foodie must have. [amazon_link asins=’0385274637′ template=’ProductAd’ store=’thec0b6-20′ marketplace=’US’ […]