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.
My boyfriend isn’t always the greatest gift giver, but one Christmas he surprised me with my first le Creuset dutch oven. I about died.
I like experience gifts. The best holiday gifts have been trips! The anticipation is half of the fun.
The best gift I gotten was from my husband was the Kenwood personal chef mixer. I’ve been wanting that mixer for awhile. I bake a lot of cakes and although my 14 years old Kitchenaid mixer was terrific, this personal chef mixer took it to a whole new level. It can actually cook (like risotto) with a constant stiring so that I don’t have to stand over the stove for hours.
Best gift ever is probably the leather boots my parents gave me a couple winters ago. They are beautiful, and I wear them pretty much every day each winter so super useful as well.
A KitchenAid mixer! I love to bake and the mixer greatly expanded my repertoire!
The best gift I’ve gotten is my Golden Retriever, Sophie. She is an amazing companion that makes my life complete!
the best gift I have ever recieved was a plane ticket to Paris. I was able to eat delicious food and have experiences I will forever rememeber!
The best holiday gift I ever received was the glass Chemex that my wife got me several years ago. I had no idea I wanted it so badly. That one gift spiraled into a love of craft coffee that has become one of my favorite hobbies.
My calphalon pans love them and use them every day
My kitchenaid mixer, because I use it all the time.