Alessi's Little Treasures

For Alessi there is no piece too small to be treated as a design object. Even items that have a prosaic function are like little jewels. The aptly named Objets-Bijoux Collection, created in collaboration with some of the world's best designers, is quintessential Alessi. Pairing design and function, these useful household items are poetic in design, beautifully executed during manufacturing, and effective at performing the task at hand. Alessi's small treasures make great gifts for any occasion. 

SUMMER COCKTAILS & VALERIO: Having a citrus reamer and muddler is essential for creating summer cocktails. May we suggest the multi-purpose Valerio, designed by Guido Venturini for the Objets-Bijoux Collection. Invited for a drinks party? Your hosts will love this piece.

Create the ultimate Mojito:

• use Valerio to squeeze 1/2 oz. lime juice 
• muddle 1/2 to 1 tsp. superfine sugar with the lime juice
• add a few mint leaves to your glass and muddle them against the side of the glass
• fill the glass 2/3 full with cracked ice and pour in 2 oz. white rum
• throw in the squeezed out lime shell and top it all off with Club soda or seltzer

SCOOP IN STYLE WITH KOKI: Summer requires ice cream. And ice cream requires a utensil for scooping. Designer Valerio Sommella has designed the ultimate ice cream scoop, Koki, perfect for ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or sherbet.

Churn this refreshing summer treat, Lemon Sherbet:

• squeeze 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice (use Valerio for this task!)
• give 2 cups of buttermilk a good shake
• measure 3/4 cup of corn syrup and 1/4 cup of sugar
• add all of the ingredients to a leakproof container and shake to combine 
• cool in your refrigerator until you're ready to churn in your ice cream maker
• in about 20 minutes you'll have rich, smooth sherbet
• Serve with Koki

POP OPEN A BOTTLE WITH VIRGULA DIVINA AND BBQ: How many bottles do you open every summer? Why use a dull, boring opener when you could use designer Frédéric Gooris' gleaming Virgula Divina? His use of the pitched shape of a dowser, a tool used to find water, is a clever visual pun. 

Open your favourite brew and use it in this mouthwatering marinade:

• measure 1/2 cup of soy sauce, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, 1/2 tsp. of sesame oil, 1/4 tsp. of hot pepper sauce, 6 cloves of minced garlic, 1 Tblsp. of grated fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. of mustard powder
• open a bottle of beer with Virgula Divina, measure out 1/2 cup, add to the other ingredients, and mix well
• prepare 4 rib eye steaks by piercing them front and back with a fork and scoring any fatty areas around the edges
• marinate the steaks for at least 1 hour or overnight
• fire up the grill and sear the steaks on one side on high heat for 15 seconds, turn and cook for 5 minutes, turn again and cook for 5 minutes
• remove from heat and let the steaks rest for 10 minutes
• open another bottle of beer and enjoy your meal!