Can you believe we are in December already? It’s crazy! Where did the year go? Every year around the beginning of December, my phone starts to ring. It’s not because I’m exceptionally popular and I’m getting invitations to lots of parties (well, that’s part of the reason), but because my friends want to ask me “What should I buy for…?”.
I like to joke around and say that, during the month of December, I should answer the phone “Holiday gift hotline, how can I help you”?! Truth be told, I like to help people and I like to suggest special things that will make their loved ones happy. These kitchen cooking gift ideas will also make their lives easier.
With this in mind, I decided to write a post on things that I love and that I use in my kitchen. In no particular order, here are my suggestions for holiday gifts if you’re buying for someone who likes to cook or is learning how to cook. I consider these kitchen cooking essentials.
In no particular order, here are some suggestions for the cooks in your life.
Immersion blender – So useful for making soup! Plug it in, blitz it up! Some immersion blenders have attachments that allow them to do double or triple duty as a mini chopper or whisk. Soup it up! Check out the Soup menu for some super soup recipes!
Mandolin – Shredding Brussels sprouts? Fennel? Potatoes? Pickles? Guarantee yourself speed and even slices, but watch your fingers! Mandolins vary in price. The one I use (here and in Italy) packs up nicely (for smaller spaces) and has 2 blades, 2 graters, and a safety guard.
Zester/grater – I use this for everything from finely shredding Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and zesting lemons or limes to grating ginger, chocolate or even garlic. This makes a great stocking stuffer! Some mandolins also have a grating blade. [ELIN’s TIP: on a budget? You can find zester/graters at the Dollar Store!]
Garlic press – This makes life so much easier. Crushes garlic quickly and, bonus, you don’t even have to remove the skins first. I was told about this IKEA garlic press from two of the chefs that taught my culinary courses at George Brown.
Juicers – I have different types, and I have to admit, I’m fond of the antique glass juicer we found a while ago at the St. Lawrence Antique Market. The Mexican press (green) keeps your seeds at bay while you squeeze away. Perfect for cooking and cocktails!
Slow cooker – What?! You don’t have a slow cooker?! You’ve got to be kidding?! How long have you been reading Travel*Food*Cool? A slow cooker is one of the best ways to have dinner ready when you come home. It’s a huge timesaver and, once you start using it, you can’t imagine getting dinner on the table without it. There are different types you can buy. I like the ones with the programmable timer. You can also get the “skip a step” feature that does double duty on the stovetop as well as a cooking base. [PETE’s TIP: Make sure you know which kind you have. If you use a ceramic base (for use on slow cooker base only) on the oven, you will crack it!] Recipes? Check out the “Dinner While You Work” section for slow cooker recipes.
Enamelled Cast Iron 5L Dutch Oven – Just like a slow cooker, a heavy duty ceramic pot will go from stovetop to oven. This is extremely useful when you want to slow cook or for braising meats (see Moroccan lamb or Moroccan chickpeas) while you work! For easy clean-up, they are surprisingly non-stick. Preserving or pickling or cooking acidic foods? Enamelled cast iron pots do not leach, so there is no worry about the iron leaching into your acidic foods or solutions. These pots are not cheap, but with proper care, will last you a lifetime. While Le Creuset is probably the best-known line, Staub also makes incredibly good cast iron pots. You can even get super cute pots, like this Staub pumpkin! [ELIN’s TIP: on a budget? Check out the sales seconds at Staub or Le Creuset Also check outlet stores or keep your eyes open for HBC sales]
KitchenAid Stand Mixer – Okay, I know, that this is a splurge, heavy as heck and a bit of a space hog. However, there is nothing that makes mixing dough easier. Period. I use this to make homemade focaccia and pizza dough. You can also use it to whip cream, mash potatoes and mix cakes and cookies.
Instant Pot – When I first saw this, I thought it was a bit of a gimmick, but after using one for a year, I have to admit, it has become one of my cooking staples. I use it to rehydrate dried beans, make perfect quinoa, hard boil eggs and whip up dinners in a flash (see some Instant Pot recipes here).
Happy holiday shopping! I hope the gift suggestions helped! Let me know what are your favourite kitchen items gifts!
Cast Iron Skillet!
I will have to ask you to write a post on how to season them!
Yes!!! I have been obsessed with getting an immersion blender lately! Also a waffle iron!
I love the immersion blender. Brilliant creation! Let me know if you get the waffle iron if you use it for other things!