What to Cook Now: Trendsetting Products
Italian craft beer, healthy chips, old-school gins and more.
Healthy Chips
© Gregor Halenda
Thanks to vacuum-frying—which uses less oil—chips made of carrot, banana, pineapple and other produce from Boston-based company Danielle are airily crisp ($38 for twelve 2-oz bags; amazon.com). Joseph Banks cassava (also known as yuca) chips have a great salty crunch ($4 for a 4-oz bag; glutenfreemall.com).
Plus: More Side Dishes for Sandwiches
Vintage Glassware
© Gregor Halenda
Bartenders are now collecting vintage barware for serving classic cocktails. Boston mixologist John Gertsen spent many years hunting for pieces like this 1950s set, which he uses at Barbara Lynch’s Drink.
Plus: Dishwasher-Friendly Wine Glasses
Old-School Gins
© Gregor Halenda
History-minded mixologists love the new artisanal gins made from 19th-century recipes. Two favorites: the earthy Bols Genever ($39) and the herbal Hayman’s Old Tom ($26).
Plus: Gin Cocktail Recipes
Innovative Italian Craft Beer
Without the constraints of tradition, Italian brewers are able to be more inventive—and now they’re exporting some of their most creative beers to the U.S. Birreria Baladin’s Nora Ale, which is made with myrrh instead of hops, is on the all-Italian beer list at New York City’s terrific Convivio.
Plus: Cooking with Beer
Wines from Caipirinha Land
Could Brazil be South America’s next wine superpower? Pizzato’s peppery Concentus Merlot blend ($26) and Miolo’s fragrant 2007 Pinot Noir ($14) from the Vale dos Vinhedos region certainly help make the case.