Here are a few of my favorite tried-and-true gift ideas. I own every single one of them, and I'd buy them ALL over again.
Looking for a little last minute stocking stuffer for the creative cook in your life? A hostess gift? You really needn't look further than this handy set of recipe dice from Leafcutter Designs, an amazing little company that makes really cool stuff from eco-friendly materials. These adorable dice feature over 70 ingredients that can be used in recipes.
Just roll the dice, pick up the fresh products at the grocery store or farmer's market, and get to cooking. It's just $16 and it also comes in a vegetarian version. If you ask us, that's some of the cheapest cooking inspiration you can find! Check them out.
THE LIFE SAVER
You wouldn't think a cherry and olive pitter would make such a huge difference in a cook's life. But, a good one really does. The OXO Good Grips pitter works like an absolute charm.
We're linking out to web sites where you can get more information (or order) these items. But, please remember -- whenever possible -- buy your gifts from local, independently owned shops! It really makes a difference for those businesses. AND it keeps money in your local economy.
©BURP!
UNEXPECTED INDULGENCE
On the other hand, a not-so-cheap, but oh-so-worth-it find is the Thermapen. It's the perfect gift -- because who wants to spend almost $100 on a thermometer for themselves?
If you have ever sat -- impatiently -- with your meat thermometer poking out of a roast while waiting for it to register the temperature, only to find that it never seems to give you an appropriate reading, this is for you.
If you frequently burn yourself trying to take a temperature reading on foods that are cooking on your grill, this is the perfect solution.
The fact is, Thermapen is hot stuff. Originally designed for commercial kitchens and labs, this little work-horse gives you an accurate temperature reading in 3 seconds flat. It doubles as a candy thermometer (so you don't need two types hanging around). It's also water resistent, it comes in pretty colors, and it's super easy to use. Oh -- and the battery life is 1500+ hours. So, unless you're poking meat for a living, it should last you a good long time!
I got one of these fancy little buggers for Peef last year on his birthday, and I can't tell you the sort of happy dances he's been doing ever since. So, this is also the perfect "man gift." Well worth the $96.
You wouldn't think a cherry and olive pitter would make such a huge difference in a cook's life. But, a good one really does. The OXO Good Grips pitter works like an absolute charm.
It plows through pounds of Door County cherries in no time, and it does its best to keep hand-fatigue at a minimum. It also features a splatter guard to keep juice from spraying everywhere.
As for olives, you can thank your lucky stars that you'll never have to buy those mushy pre-pitted Mediteranean olives again.
For just $13, you really can't go wrong.
We're linking out to web sites where you can get more information (or order) these items. But, please remember -- whenever possible -- buy your gifts from local, independently owned shops! It really makes a difference for those businesses. AND it keeps money in your local economy.
©BURP!
I actually just got the Thermapen this week (my Christmas gift to myself, hah) and love it. Totally worth the money, rather than constantly buying cheaper food thermometers that aren't as reliable and have much smaller temperature ranges.
ReplyDeleteTotally agreed. I think we've gone through more cheap thermometers that never actually gave us accurate readings... it's good to have one that reads so accurately and so fast!
DeleteI'm putting that therma pen on my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteMy friend who loves to cook is dying for a therma pen. In fact, she is bugging me to give it as a gift. lol
ReplyDelete