The Best Things We Ate In July: Date Chutney, A Great Vinegar And More

Forbes

4 days ago

Welcome to The Best Things We Ate, a monthly column from Forbes Vetted where our home and kitchen editors recall the most memorable snacks, drinks and pantry staples they tried and loved over the past month.
July may have flown by in a flurry of barbecues and double-booked weekends, but amid the frenzy, we were scoping out the standout snacks, pantry staples and desserts that helped us savor the month to the fullest. These little food moments anchored us (and cooled us down), and now, we're sharing the best of what we ate with you.
The best things we ate in July include snacks, condiments and sweet treats. ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
We taste a lot of things in any given month, of course, but these items stood out. Some were new-to-us gems, others were longtime staples we found ourselves using even more for whatever reason. Either way, they made our meals easier, more delicious or just plain better. From a seasonal vinegar that brightened up our salads to cold brew that kept us going through sweltering days, here's everything we couldn't stop eating (or drinking) this July:
There's already a lot to love about Mediterranean olive oil brand Kosterina, from its cold-pressed olive oils and crushed fruit vinegars to its innovative extra-virgin olive oil skincare products. This summer, though, our singular obsession has been the company's seasonal cucumber lemon balsamic vinegar. Crafted from Meyer lemons, fresh cucumber and white wine vinegar, it has a wonderfully sweet finish (despite having no added sugar). And its fragrant balance of flavors tastes just as good drizzled on summer salads as it is swirled into cocktails.
Summer dinner parties and barbecues are one of the best times to impress guests with unique sauces and condiments. We suggest keeping Brooklyn Delhi on your radar: The brand excels at producing unique, Indian-inspired condiments designed to elevate everyday dishes. Their Date Tamarind Chutney is our current favorite; it's just as good in an Indian curry as it is in a grilled cheese, thanks to a combination of brown sugar and tangy tamarind. We recommend serving it on a cheese board with a mild brie or Asiago, and reveling in your guests' inevitable oohs and ahhs.
Wildgrain is known for shipping frozen artisanal baked goods directly to your door, requiring virtually no effort before your home is filled with the welcoming smells of fresh pastries and breads. Recently, the brand expanded its offerings to include several gluten-free options—and we're glad to report that these options do not disappoint. From tender loaves of bread with a just-right crumb to fresh pasta, Wildgrain's gluten-free offerings are good enough to satisfy wheat lovers and avoiders alike. (We particularly loved their chocolate chip cookies.) What's more, a subscription comes with free gluten-free cookies for life (really—subscribers get an extra pack of 6 gluten-free cookies in each shipment).
Cold brew needs no introduction—it's the go-to summer caffeine fix for those who prefer a fuss-free, heat-free brew. But despite its popularity, it can be polarizing, often leaving a tangy or acidic aftertaste. That's why we loved this bottled, ready-to-drink option so much: It offers a smooth, full-bodied flavor that's bold yet balanced. The subtle hint of vanilla isn't sweet, but still feels like a treat, and it's just as satisfying black as it is with added flavors or creamers. Bonus: The coffee is organic and partially sourced from female-led farm cooperatives.
Pickles are everywhere this summer—from viral pickle martini recipes to a Sonic and Grillo's collaboration featuring a Picklerita Slush drink (yes, really). So we weren't too surprised to spot these dill pickle almonds at our local grocery store, nor were we surprised that we ended up bringing them home. Turns out, they make an excellent snack: The flavor is unmistakably pickle-forward, with savory dill, garlic and vinegar notes that are seriously addictive. They're also surprisingly wholesome, made with a mix of sprouted almonds and pumpkin seeds that deliver protein, healthy fats and beneficial vitamins in every serving.
Dairy-free alternatives are often more disappointing than satisfying, especially when it comes to ice cream. But Jeni's is the exception. The Texas Sheet Cake flavor is made with a coconut base that has a surprisingly dairy-like creaminess rather than being icy or thin. And this flavor in particular is addictively indulgent, with fair trade cocoa, dollops of semisweet fudge and generous chunks of chocolate cake. It's enough to make you want to schedule a date night with yourself.
Right now, this is our go-to spice blend for dippable olive oil; it really comes in handy this time of year. We've used it to add extra flavor to tuna and tomato salads, season meat or fish before it hits the grill and zhuzh up just about anything that needs a savory boost. The blend combines garlic, pepper, rosemary, paprika and other herbs for a versatile flavor we've found ourselves reaching for multiple times a week.