I just stumbled upon what may be my new favorite online cookware shop: Bram. Bram is a business based in Sonoma, California, where they have a storefront, but they also sell their wares online. And their wares are the kind of thing I have been hunting for in bits and pieces, now collected all in one place. Clay pots, bakers, and tians. Heaven!
Bram is owned by Ashrf and Shelly Almasri. Ashrf is originally from Alexandria, Egypt, where clay pot cooking is a staple of the kitchen. Shelly fell in love with the clay pots she found while on trips back to Egypt, and so eventually they opened up this shop.
Clay pots provide a vessel for very old and traditional methods of cooking, like slow braising of meats and beans. They are lovely to look at, especially those black Chamba pots, which I really love. They are less expensive than the enameled cast iron Dutch ovens, which are very similar in size and function. They can also go from stove to oven to table.
Their only drawbacks are that they really don't work for searing or browning foods, and they also need to not be exposed to huge swings in temperature.
The clay pots and other beautiful things at Bram are collected from the Middle East, South America, France, and other places we would love to go. They are practical and also beautiful. Along with the abovementioned Chamba there are Spanish cazuelas and traditional bean pots. They also have the rare French tians, which I have been searching for.
We also love these terra cotta mixing bowls and these painted platters, as well little kitchen basics like these mini bowls.
Overall, Bram is a fabulous resource if you love clay pots and bakers, as well as this simple, rustic form of cooking. Prices are quite reasonable, with most large pots being under $100.
Have you ever shopped at Bram, online or in their Sonoma store?
(Images: Bram)
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Elizabeth Apron fro...
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Could someone give examples of what you've made in your clay pot?
When I was little, my mother used to bake the most moist whole chicken ever. And she used it to make ratatoui in the oven as well.
It's also the best pot for a batch of beans (which are really stellar when baked in the oven, btw). Clay pots are also wonderful for soups, stews, braised meats and vegetables, baked puddings, and rice.
I LOVE these! One of these would make a great gift along with beans from Rancho Gordo.
Food and Wine's October issue had an article about clay pot cooking and you can also search the site for recipes: http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/the-secret-to-real-mediterranean-flavor
they cook in a similar kind of clay pot in Southern Italy. I love them. Things just sort of beautifully fall apart when roasted in a clay pot and they are great for pot lucks or entertaining because they retain heat for a while once out of the oven.
mmmmm, these a great examples. Thank you!
thank you! we were gifted one at our engagement party and have been at a loss for what to do with it.
thank you for the link!
I just got the midnight blue soup pot for Christmas and am seasoning it right now. I can't wait to use it!
I know this is an older post, but could you tell me what size (and shape) pot you would recommend for making 1 or 1-1/2 pounds of beans at a time? Thanks!!