Have a food lover or cook on your list? Here's my annual collection of good things to give or receive!
This 20" French rolling pin by Earlywood is hand made -- each is unique, made of wonderful wood (your choice of Jatoba, hard maple or a Jatoba - ebony- maple combo) and you can feel the difference. It's the result of a collaboration with Chris Kimball from America's Test Kitchen and Milk Street, and is hand crafted in America with a lifetime warranty. Tapered for max control and maneuverability, giving bakers and wanna be's the closest experience to creating things like a true Parisian patisserie would! $46-50 on Earlywood.
Speaking of baking, everyone has the time to experiment now - making bread or trying recipes they never had the time to do. This 3.5 Qt mixer comes in several really cool colors and is just right for minimalist kitchens, cabins, second homes and apartments... or any job that doesn't require triple recipe size! Now on sale on Amazon for $50! How excited will they be to open this!!!
The pandemic also has many people canning or growing veggies in the yard... Mason jars are a sell out and seeds are even going fast. So this might hit the mark if the person on your list has expressed interest in making things like pickled veggies, Kimchi or sauerkraut. From the trusted Mason brand, the lids have a convenient way to set the dates you made them and a device that sucks all the excess air out in 3 pumps. Check out the video and see what it's all about. On sale at Amazon for $35 for a 6 pack and pump!
The beautiful BBQ set below costs a shiny chrome penny but would be well received by the person who loves to BBQ and is secretly a little fancy. This is a 4 piece set in a convenient black case and comes with 4 substantial skewers to boot, all for $175 at William Sonoma. Love it but it's a little over budget? The same set without the skewers is $125 found HERE. If you want all stainless and no black on the case or handles, find that HERE for $129.
Or, go for the whole enchilada - a 36 piece tool set - at half the price ($69) from Cuisinart.
This is a fantastic little product. I've tried several and this is by far the best. The ORG aluminum Drying Rack from Bed Bath and Beyond, for $15.99. Normally to let veggies or plates drip drover the sink, in these days when we have to wash everything more due to the pandemic, it's come in really handy for food cleaning PLUS a safe drip dry zone for anything else you wash as well. I also use this on the counter to elevate hot dishes. Cleans well and doesn't come apart like other models.
This is small but makes big promises. By using this stainless steel soap shaped bar, it removes the scent of onions and garlic from hands after a mega-cooking sesh. The AMCO Rub*Away bar is $5.39 on Amazon.
Many are increasingly striving to do everything they can in a healthier way. Cooking with non-stick that scrapes away with use can be toxic. What to substitute that really works? This is one good choice: Caraway makes a set of pans in five colors (some can be delivered before Xmas, some in January - in which case, put the photo in a box and wrap it! Too good to not get it at this price just because there might be a short wait!). The set comes with low profile lids, a lid hanger and a magnetic storage case that you can put on they inside of the cabinet (or elsewhere I assume). TIP: As of publication get it for $395 ($100 off) at Caraway!
Learn more about clean cookware choices in this article from Organicauthority.com.
What's all this about Wagyu steak? It's super expensive and considered a the Rolls Royce of taste and quality. What's so different about them? The fat content. The animals are raised in Japan (and now in Australia and America), and to quote one chef I know, it's said they are treated better than people. And that produces ambrosia on your plate. This can make a perfect gift for the Foodie who knows what's what and might not treat themselves to it. You can spend close to $350 on one steak (click through the site to see it), but they have options for every budget: On sale for only $30 right now from Holy Grail Steak Co.-- their 8 oz. Habachi strip steak $30, their 16 oz. Wagyu strip steak for $99, or something great for a big client, a newly married couple, or a super celebratory New Years family dinner at home: the Gift Flight, two 9 oz. Wagyu filets and two 16 oz. strips for $249.
My pick? the 16 oz Tijama Strip Steak for $69. Here's what they say about it:
"Hand selected at harvest and perfectly aged, these steaks are the pinnacle of the American-raised Wagyu world. A perfect cut for those of you who want an experience that falls somewhere in-between A4 and A5 Japanese Wagyu, about 7-8 BMS on the Japanese marbling scale. Like fois gras, a little goes a long way here and this steak is likely to satisfy two people."
Sabatier knives are high end and would please any cook. If the array is boggling, this might be one place a gift certificate would be thoughtful, enabling your recipient to choose by blade size, use, kind of handle for their own needs. My choice is the 8" all purpose Cooks Knife with air pockets for easy slicing, dicing, mincing or chopping, priced at $90.
For those who love cocktails, and who also like making them, many recipes call for them to be served in a coupe glass. And this one, the Schott Zwiesel Air Coupe is just gorgeous. You can get them in singles for $18 (get them a pair) or a set of 6 for $108. At Sur la Table.
We know the mix of style and quality from Corksicle... and now their 16 oz wine canteen comes in this beautiful copper color! $34.00 at Macy's.
Here's a really nice gift for just about anyone. Making the transition from working at home to ending the work day special, or for use while cocktail Zooming with friends, or for movie night (which may be every night right now), this bamboo charcuterie board with partitions that swivel and a hidden drawer to hold 3 cheese tools is available from Uncommon Goods for $85. Great for tapas too!
I'm not sure this is a way I'd like to cook but so many people I know are talking about Sous Vide all of the sudden. So it might just be that the Foodie on your list will be very interested in this. It is a way to cook food by heating water and putting the food in a plastic bag. Even meat! You work with an app that shows you exactly how the food should come out and they claim it's perfect every time. Hmmmm. The Breville is smaller and sleeker than most, and it's for $149 - The lowest price I've found. on Amazon.
Tis the season to use this deep green and very fine Staub cast iron 4 qt. dutch oven. So many uses for the cozy season of making soups, stews and so much more. Their eyes will light up when they open this! From Bespoke on sale for over $150 off at $150.
Oooh La La! This 4 piece set of Olivewood kitchen tools costs a pretty penny but is gorgeous and lasting and will make a truly beautiful gift to just that right someone. $79 exclusively at William Sonoma. TIP: You might wait for their sales for the next few days to see if they apply. Just check the WM site daily, or give them your email for their updates.
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