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’ve ever received was a pair of slippers shaped like otters. Random, I know, but my parents always stick pretty close to whatever I’ve asked for, and I’d never even seen these before. I love otters, and had been talking a lot about a story my friend and I were writing about a super hero otter, but never would have guessed that my mother was paying attention. I still love those slippers.
After having shoulder surgery, my boyfriend brought me home a Le Creuset French oven to cheer me up. It had been on my wish list for a very long time. That beautiful gift inspired me to get up, get moving, and to create. It’s definitely my favorite possession. The way it cooks delights me!
I received a blank cookbook that you fill in with your own recipes, I love it and cant wait to hand it down to my kids!
Best gift I received was a unique necklace from my mom that she had searched all around town for, and was my good luck charm for my SAT exam :) It’s been over a decade but I still have the necklace with me always
One of the best gifts I received is my cast iron dutch oven; it’s fantastically versatile and I’ve used it about a gazillion times since I got it a few years ago. And it’s a horrific orange color which I love. :)
Best gift ever was my mint Kitchen Aid mixer! It had been on my wish list for years!
The best gift I’ve gotten is my Kitchenaid stand mixer! I use it for everything – even made mashed potatoes this year with it :)
The best holiday gift I received was my nativity set one year after a very hard time with my child’s illness. My mom and husband surprised me early with an expensive set I had been wanting. I think about it every year as I put it on display!
Steph
One of the best gifts I ever got was a crochet blanket that my great grandmother made.
Kitchenaide mixer! Use it all the time.