I really love kitchen tools and what you’ll find in my kitchen is a good mix of super-specific items and general use. I don’t tend to get a lot of one use items, but when I do, I think long and hard before I purchase. This is my ultimate kitchen gadget-y wish list – a mix of high-end and affordable products. To make these products even more affordable, you might be able to find some voucher codes! I would love to receive any of these items this holiday season and I’m sure the cook in your life would too!
Ever since I tried rigging up a ghetto-sous vide machine to make Momofuku’s 48 hour short ribs, I’ve been wanting a sous vide machine. Nomiku just came out with a new wifi home sous vide machine and I backed it because I was so impressed with their past incarnation. Essentially, a sous vide machine lets you cook food (usually in a vacuum sealed bag) in water bath set at an extremely low temperature. The sous vide machine both heats and circulates water and your food is gently cooked to scientific precision.
If you’re going to ask for a sous-vide machine, the next thing you might want to add to your wish list is a Searzall. I don’t have one of these (they just finished their kickstarter and are gearing up to sell on Amazon), but it’s definitely on my radar. It’s basically a portable salamander – use to sear sous vide steaks, melt cheese, or finish dishes off with a blast of heat.
The above two items are things that I think I’ll love, but they’re definitely more things I wish I had rather than things I need. These spatulas on the other hand, I have in my drawer right now and reach for all the time. I’ve talked about my love for silicone spatulas previously and I’m still a big fan of them. These colorful guys from Get It Right make me happy every time I reach for them. They make a perfect little gift. They’re unibody (which means no grotty parts to clean), hold up to heat well, and are dishwasher safe.
One of my favourite kitchen tools is a garlic press. I actually like mincing garlic (I’m weird, I know) but I don’t really like my fingers smelling like garlic every time I do it. Garlic presses take that problem away. This press from Savora is both pretty and functional. It’s an excellent gift for a garlic lover.
I wish I could send everyone a holiday present but since I can’t, I’m doing the next best thing and hosting a little Le Creuset Giveaway!
Giveaway: I’m giving away a Le Creuset Cherry Wok, a Le Creuset Balti Dish and a cute little Le Creuset Condiment Pot. They’re cherry red and perfect for the holiday season – thank you Le Crueset!
Enter: Leave a comment letting me know what the best gift you received was and why and then use the widget to enter. Open to US residents only. Winner will be selected at random and contacted by email. Good luck!
Update: Congrats Vicky! Get ready to start cooking! :D Look for an email from me shortly.
The best gift I ever received was a mushroom tote bag my mom gave to me when I graduated from school. I love mushrooms so it fits me perfectly!
It would have to be an immersion blender because it saved a ton of time and trouble…no more gingerly pouring hot soups into the blender!
A handmade blanket was the best because it was so beautiful and special.
It sounds silly, but my parents got me an air mattress when I moved into my first apartment a few years ago. It’s been far and away the best present I’ve received, because I’ve gotten so much use out of it! Now my friends don’t have to sleep on the floor when they visit :)
Oh what I could make!
I am a gadget geek for sure…but my cuisinart food processor is a star! best gift ever!
I honestly can’t pick one, but my amazingly sweet dog Tater was definitely the best get well gift from my Mom and Dad. I had to take a semester off from college to deal with health issues as well as PTSD from an abusive relationship and my Mom took me to look at foster puppies one day when I was really down. Long story short, she surprised me by putting my name on the adoption list and one week later we brought home my sweet little girl. She has definitely helped me through tough times and continues to keep me company as I battle a very rare disease.
Best gift ever? Probably the hot air balloon ride my husband got me – can’t beat an experience like that! Thanks! :)
KitchenAid stand mixer… not sure what I’d do without it now that I have it.
the best gift i’ve received was a box full of sweets, cosmetics, and trinkets from my best friend’s trip to france! it’s the closest i will get to pierre herme and it felt amazing knowing that she sent them halfway across the world just for me!