19 Dec Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide
Christmas is less than a week away. Have you finished your shopping?
It’s okay, we haven’t either.
We know how hard it can be to shop for the cook who has everything, the gadget hoarder, the pro wannabe and all the other cooking personalities our friends and family embody. This year Jennifer, Kalle, Amanda and I got together and compiled some of our favorite products that we think would make fabulous gifts for your favorite cook. As an added bonus, we also included those things that might be better left on the store shelf. Happy shopping!
Madeline Recommends:
The best “non-recipe” cookbook based on (you guessed it), RATIOS. A must have for anyone who doesn’t like following a recipe (ahem, me).
This seems unnecessary and large, right? It’s not, if you’re a fellow popcorn addict like myself. With this, there’s no more burning seasoning to the bottom of your pots. No more standing over the stove waiting for the popcorn to pop. No more scrubbing the stock pot. It does it all.
You probably wouldn’t have expected us to suggest this one, right? Well, I love this thing. It isn’t practical for everything (or things like, say, seafood), but it’s an essential if you’re cooking for one. It makes deliciously juicy chicken, and doubles as a panini press (or whatever else you put in these things)
While this doesn’t make coffee by the gallon, it’s really exquisite if you just want one cup. I also don’t know any other way to make quick iced coffee.
Amanda Recommends:
Hot smokes all sorts of foods – salmon, chicken, ribs – right on the stovetop – I have one and it’s amazing.
Super fun food trivia – categories include food science, celebrity chefs/food in literature and movie, table etiquette, cooking techniques, etc. Great for kids and adults, and it’s especially fun as a dinner party game.
Step-by-step guide to bread baking – everything from beginner to advanced recipes – if you only have one bread book, this is it.
This is the ultimate gift for the serious home cook. It will last a lifetime, can do nearly anything and goes from stove to table with amazing ease. Le Creuset is the grand dame of this class of cookware, but there are so many other great options on the market as well if you have Mercedes dreams on a Cadillac budget.
These are fabulous tabletop grills that are great for parties – we use ours for informal get togethers or quick and fun weeknight dinners. They are heated with readily available Sterno gel fuels, and produce enough heat to grill thinly sliced meats, shrimp and vegetables. Paired with a fondue set for dessert, you can have an interactive dinner party any time!
Kalle Recommends:
If you don’t have the budget to go to France and have fresh crepes on the street corner, put the professional crepe-maker in your kitchen! Ok, this might be a little frivolous, I mean, why not just buy a crepe pan? But if you miss France on a daily basis like I do, go for it. Santa likes dreamers.
I have two amazing knives that are my best friends in the kitchen. My two favorites are the Miyabi Morimoto Edition 7” Santoku and the Shun Classic 8” Chef’s Knife With Scallops. They make prep jobs an absolute joy. Make sure to purchase a sharpening steel to sharpen after every use.
The Kyocera Revolution Series Ceramic 3-1/7-inch paring knife stays super sharp which is the beauty of ceramic. It is great for small paring jobs around the kitchen. Just don’t drop it or it can chip.
Who doesn’t like grill stripes on their steak? Now you can cook steaks indoors in the dead of winter like the pros do. Mark your meat and finish in the oven. It’s also great for grilled vegetables.
This is one of my favorite books to browse through when thinking about ideas for new dishes. It categorizes foods alphabetically and lists other foods, spices, and herbs that match well. Invaluable and inspirational.
- A salt server or salt box
Do you want to take your cooking to a whole new level with one simple action? Cut out iodized salt and use kosher salt or sea salt. Keep kosher salt handy in the kitchen with a salt box or sometimes called a “salt pig”. Speaking of salt, Matiz Mediterraneo Smoked Sea Salt is absolutely delicious.
Jennifer Recommends:
Though I’ve learned a ton about gluten-free this year, it’s always a good idea to revisit the basics.
These are my gluten-free never-leave-home-without-em treats. The coconut almond ones taste like macaroons. Swoon.
Certified gluten-free, these are a perfect gift for someone who needs to revamp their kitchen safely.
Who wouldn’t like one of these? Full of safe treats for your favorite gluten-intolerant love bug.
Sometimes it’s nice to *smell* like the food. Right now I smell like a Christmas cookie
I’m all about the senses, and any time I can fill my space with the scents of my favorite aromatics I get a little bit giddy.
This is non-food. Because my life is about food AND deliciousness, so I want my body to feel as good as a truffle tastes.
A no-brainer.
For those moments when I just need a little something.
My goal for 2011 is not to have slash scars from my oven’s baking racks. I think these will help.
For people with fibromyalgia or arthritis, these tools are heaven sent. The tongs in particular are a marvel.
Now, here’s what I (Madeline) suggest NOT to buy:
- The quesadilla maker
Seriously, don’t buy this. I know they’re on sale at every bed & bath store right now (I received one as a gift a few years ago), but you don’t need it. They press the quesadilla too thin and are a pain to clean.
- The Slap Chop
I love Vince, but this product makes no sense. The blades aren’t very sharp, and you’re left with a lot of uneven pieces.
- The box grater
I know it looks shiny and sounds like a great idea, but it’s a pain in the ass to store and an even bigger pain in the ass to clean. My college roommate and I always used to leave it in the sink for the other to wash.
- Babycakes Cupcake maker
Another pain in the ass to keep clean, and with the closed top, you’re not going to get that lovely top crust on your cupcakes or muffins. A gimmicky waste of space that will end up unused in the back of the closet.
- Nostalgia Electrics Donut Hole Maker
Same concept as the Babycakes Cupcakes maker, with all the same flaws. Your oven (or a stockpot of oil for real-deal doughnuts) can do it better!
- The avocado slicer
This really makes no sense and makes more of a mess than just using a knife.
- A battery powered pepper grinder or battery powered corkscrew.
This takes laziness to a whole new level.