Five things we're loving this week
Note from our sister Souk team: We’re a team of dedicated (okay, addicted) hunters of cool products, who finally have an excuse to do what we love best, which is to spend tons of time window-browsing for the good stuff & sharing it with everyone we know.
Each week we pick five new things we absolutely love. Some of these are practical. Some are delightful. Most sit somewhere in between. What they all have in common is that they’re not obvious, and that’s exactly why we love them. At least one of them will make you think: I didn’t even know this existed… but now I want it.
PS: There are a ton of more shopping recs over at Souk. Check them out already!
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Ecru was founded by two women who grew up together in Kuwait, in Arab homes, with a childhood filled with morning coffee chats, friendly gossip, long lunches, abundant food, ritual-filled evenings, candle lighting, music, bukhoor and storytelling. This is reflected in their products, which are a unique fusion of Indian craftsmanship and Middle Eastern design. We love this almost 3 ft long wooden grazing board with brass-inlaid calligraphy that's perfect for entertaining. The inscription, بركة و خير من مأكول, or 'barakat w khayr min makul' is a culturally significant Arabic phrase or blessing used to praise a meal and wish for continued abundance.
Shiitake mushrooms bring deep savoury richness to this chilli crisp that's perfect for spooning over rice, noodles or eggs, layering onto toast, sandwiches or wraps, or even mixing into stir-fries. Brown Koji Boy (BKB) is a Goa-based culinary brand founded by Prachet Sancheti that focuses on redefining Indian cuisine by fusing traditional Japanese fermentation techniques with local Indian ingredients. The brand is known for its "no-fuss" approach, using no preservatives or additives to create deep umami flavours and is recognized for experimenting with "as local as it gets" ingredients, including chana dal, Goan red rice, and even Feni. They frequently collaborate with restaurants and chefs across India to develop limited-edition menus and unique flavor profiles, such as Hatcho Miso Ice Cream or Miso Mithai.
Medjoul dates are often known as the 'King of Dates' for their large size, succulent texture, and natural caramel-like sweetness. Jumbo varieties are considered the highest premium grade, which makes them great for gifting, and their larger size also makes them the preferred choice for stuffing with nuts (like walnuts or almonds), cheese, or peanut butter.
This hot sauce features two of the most famous and indigenous flavours of Kerala—white Kanthari chillies (Birds's Eye Chilli) and green peppercorns—along with the signature Ishka capers. It's a versatile sauce that can be used on sandwiches, eaten with fried snacks, added to stews or pastas and used as a base for a salad dressing. Ishka Farms has a 'Recipes' section on their website with a number of recipes like Bruschetta, Spicy Corn Fritters, Summer Special Dipping Sauce etc. that use the Kerala hot sauce as an ingredient, and this recipe for a Kerala Hot Sauce Fried Rice—by award-winning food stylist and author Swayampurna Mishra—particularly caught our eye (and interest!) as one to add to our 'Must-Make' recipes list.
This pretty made-in-Vietnam stoneware carafe features lush hand-painted motifs of a swaying palm, flitting dragonflies, and twinkling stars but even better—it comes with an in-built infuser that makes it ideal for all kinds of hydrating beverages, be it water, iced tea, juice, or any other everyday infusion (cold or at room temperature). It's dishwasher safe, and we think it'd make a great house-warming gift, especially paired with these kulhars in the same design.
souk picks