Once in a while, I get a call or email from the hubs of a friend who wants a gift idea for the little woman in his life. Cooking related gift ideas. If you are offended by receiving gifts with a domestic theme, (like the girl in Father of the Bride) skip over this post.
If you love cooking, or love to appear to love cooking, or want to add to your current collection of essential kitchen items- keep reading, and/or pass this post along to the gift giving person in your life. If you are the gift giver to a cook, and want to be the favorite child/hubs/boyfriend pay attention. Here's my list of ten of the best, useful, essential, basic and not so basic items every cook wants and/or needs in their kitchen. A few of the items are not really essential, but nice to have if you love to cook/entertain.
The items fit into almost any budget, ranging from $10-$600 (depending on retailer).
Click on the item name for a link to online shopping.
1. Microplane Grater- $12 -$15
If Mom doesn't have one of these, get her one NOW. Makes a great gift with a block of fresh Parmesan cheese, if you can afford it. Useful for hard cheese, lemon, orange and and lime zest.
2. Salad Spinner about $25
No more washing lettuce and blotting it with paper towels. And you're saving the earth. Go green.
3. Kitchen Aid $280-350 depending on color and model
What can I say, I've had one for almost 20 years. Don't know how I survived without one for the first 10 years of marriage/cooking. I suggest the Professional Series, more power= a happy cook. Lots of fun colors now. Back in the stone ages, we had two choices: white, or white. If you are really loaded, get her an extra mixing bowl.
4. Apron $12-$40 depending on retailer.
I love aprons. Finally, aprons are "in"! They're everywhere. I love to buy at boutiques.
In SLC, I love the aprons at Mrs. Backers Bakery on South Temple or Sweet Tooth Fairy. These are a few of my favorite aprons.
5. Immersion Blender $30
I already bore my testimony of immersion blenders here. Another one of those "how did I live without this??" Not sure if they are still sold at Costco, but last year these were $29 including a small whisk and chopping bowl attachment...
6. 12" Steel Balloon Whisk $12
Good quality whisks are never sold attached to a piece of cardboard. Just sayin.
7. All Clad Pans. $400-600 for a 7-8 piece set, depending on finish.
I love the basic stainless steel set. An investment. If you have the $, well worth it. You'll never buy another set in your lifetime. Lifetime guarantee. Often on sale at trusted retailers such as Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table. Also found online. If buying online, carefully look at the size of pans before ordering, or you may end up with a set of all small pans. Right now, Bed Bath and Beyond has a clearance sale- $425
8. Old Town Imports-serving pieces $10 and up
Beautiful serving pieces, affordable prices. Mail order, in store shopping and gift certificates available.
9. Le Creuset Cookware. Sale price $240 for the 5.5 Quart pot, my favorite size.
Another investment piece. Wonderful for stews, roasts, sauces, soups. Beautiful oven to table pieces. Lifetime warranty. Can find these in assorted colors at kitchen specialty stores and also occasionally, pieces with slight defects at my fave store, TJMaxx, I bought a braiser suggested retail $285 for $100 at TJ's.
10. One good quality knife $29-139
Most cooks agree a good knife is essential in the kitchen. A 10" chef knife is a great place to start. A paring knife is also a great option and a lot less $. The Victorinox 10" chef knife won the "best value" knife with Cook's Illustrated testers buy it here for only $29. I bought two of these recently. LOVE.
Happy shopping.
crap, can I have one of each please???
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