Best Food Products | August 2013
August's Finest Foodie Finds
Summer may be winding down, but that doesn't mean that our enthusiasm for warm-weather treats has waned. This month we'll be savoring ultraluxe Kobe beef hot dogs, snacking on addictive chocolate-covered banana slices, and making the most of picnic weather by digging into cheese, fruit, and charcuterie with an ingenious folding knife. Click through for those and more must-have product picks for the month of August.
In a sea of online recipes, sometimes nothing beats the feel of a physical cookbook or magazine. The up-and-coming company Short Stack decided the world needs more beautifully designed, hand-bound, and expertly authored recipe booklets, each of which highlight one ingredient like eggs, strawberries, or tomatoes. After receiving overwhelming support on Kickstarter, the publication company will ship installments by the end of the month. While you may have missed the window for the first three editions, you can still go to the website and sign up to receive more information about future Short Stacks.
— Anna Monette Roberts, assistant editor
Ever since Food52 announced the impending launch of Provisions, an online home goods shop, I've been eagerly checking my email for the news that it had opened. While still in a soft-open phase, sign up now for a $10 credit to the shop, which will come in handy given the glut of tempting goods on offer. A few of my top picks: a canning set ($32) that includes vintage blue glass Ball jars, savory spice blends like La Boite's Cancale ($15), classic copper Moscow mule mugs ($30 each), and a pared-down, elegant cake stand ($69).
— Nicole Perry, assistant editor
I'll be honest: I can't afford most things Kobe beef. But for the rest of grilling season, I can — and will — splurge on these American-style Kobe beef gourmet frankfurters ($10) from Snake River Farms. I'll skim over the part about them being 100-percent natural and fed a hormone-free sustainable diet to tell you that, simply put, they're the richest, most unctuous hot dogs I've ever had in my life. Enough said.
— Susannah Chen, editor
Oakland, CA, is home to the famed Homeroom Mac + Cheese, an entire restaurant devoted to the cheesy American favorite. But if you can't dine at the Cali locale, you can make its recipes at home with The Mac + Cheese Cookbook: 50 Simple Recipes From Homeroom, America's Favorite Mac and Cheese Restaurant ($17), out Aug. 20. You can't go wrong with its recipe for Classic Mac, but the book aims to please your palate with other riffs like Breakfast Mac, Truffle Mac, and Vegan Mac.
— AMR
I'm flat-out obsessed with Trader Joe's Gone Bananas ($2). The concept is dead simple — heck, it's not hard to make chocolate-covered bananas at home — but their presliced nature gives these a major leg up. This means that the ratio of chocolate to banana is higher than in a whole chocolate-dipped banana, and it also allows for snacking on just a slice or two. I know what I'll be having for dessert tonight . . .
— NP
Coffee snobs, add the Hamptons Lane tasting box to your wish list; it's a java connoisseur's dream come true. Take the company's tasting quiz (wherein you'll answer questions about when you drink coffee, how you like your s'mores, and what your favorite fruit is), and be rewarded with custom recommendations on what blends will perfectly match your taste. Customize them into a tasting box (from $29), and four blends catered to your taste buds will arrive shortly. The only thing we wish the website had? A button that says "subscribe"!
— SC
Now that it's picnic season, don't forget to tuck an Opinel folding knife ($16) in amongst the cheese, charcuterie, and whatever else you plan to feast on. Not only does it win in the looks department with its clean-lined design, but it also boasts a razor-sharp blade that folds into the handle when not in use, making it perfectly portable.
— NP
Bring a bottle of wine to any party, and it'll surely be appreciated. Toss in a wedge of fine cheese, and you're sure to boost your popularity. But throw in Max McCalman's Wine and Cheese Pairing Swatchbook: 50 Pairings to Delight Your Palate
— SC