All the holiday gift guides have me salivating over various things in my life I have decided I just HAVE to have. I don’t think you need to hear about my new obsession with jumbo hot rollers (how old school of me!) and how I may die if I don’t procure myself a set, so I will stick with foodie stuff. A lot of the items below I own, some of it I wish I did, all of it makes good gifts for the foodie/chef/impossible person to buy for in your life.
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain: Yes, it is a few years old, but it is still one of the best books I have ever read on cooking, restaurants and on life. “Tony Bourdain is a huge asshole”, my beloved friend B once pointed out to me. “You know I love assholes”, was my response. A fantastic read, even for those non-foodies in your life.
Jessie Steele French Hostess Apron: Because everyone should feel a bit naughty in the kitchen. I have one covered in cherries; enough said.
How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman: He is self taught and smart. His recipes are easy to follow, even for a novice. Everything under the sun is in here, from bread and muffins, to pheasant. He is, in one word, awesome.
Digital meat thermometer: When you care enough to say, “I don’t want you to get dysentery from undercooked chicken”.
Immersion Blender: I could not love mine more. Making soups has never been easier. I am not one for hundreds of gadgets, but this is worth every inch of space it takes up.
Penzey’s Spices: These gift sets are a great idea. The 8-piece herb set and the Indian curry set speak to me, but there is something there for everyone.
Henckle’s 6″ Chef Knife, Wide Blade: I heart this knife more than my boobs. Almost. It fits in your hand perfectly, doesn’t weigh too much, and has a clean, sharp cut. This and a bread knife are the only knives I use in the kitchen.
Le Creuset 5 1/2 Quart Dutch Oven: This is classic and I covet it so. It is the one thing I think is truly missing from my kitchen, but sadly, I do not want to harvest my eggs to buy it. I bet your Mom would love it, though!
KitchenAid Stand Mixer: Everyone who gets married gets one of these. I am considering taking in an illegal and helping them get their greencard for the sole purpose of obtaining this. Getting married is such a freaking racket. I deserve nice things, too!
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And this entire time I thought that a dutch oven was something completely different.
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I like that naughty apron. You should post some pics of you cooking in it
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I am totally getting myself one of her aprons, just in time for the Great Baking Extravaganza of 2007! Thanks for the tip!
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BB: You are a bad kitty!
HIN: I think some people may have something to say about that.
Dagny: The apron is even better in person. Enjoy!
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The Le Creuset Dutch Oven will change your life. Do what you have to do to procure one…aforementioned apron might help…
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My Dad turned me on to Penzeys spices… good stuff! I cook in a cherry patterned retro apron too! All great gift ideas.
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I have the Le Creuset on my list too, but the 7 quart version! I figure if I’m asking for something silly and expensive, might as well go all the way.
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The Princess wants that mixer. In red. Why? I have no idea.
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Cameron: Dang, we have a persistent crowd with this apron.
CH: Your dad is a smart man. And isn’t cooking more fun covered in cherries?
EJ: Ooooh, I may need to upgrade.
Arjewtino: Propose and then you will get the mixer.
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Good. I didn’t figure you for a Rachael Ray girl anyway.
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Sigh. I looked at that mixer yesterday in Bed Bath & Beyond though I would have chosen one of the retro colors…I need a new mixer. My hand mixer is out of control. The lowest speed is insane enough to send the bowl and all its contents across the kitchen. Something ain’t right.
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I-66: I most definitely am not.
Velvet: I agree, the retro colors are great. My hand mixer is the same–I recently showered the kitchen in whipped cream. I have taken to whisking by hand.
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You know just how to get me to come groveling back to your blog – a shout-out. Thanks. And everyone else, please know that I called A.B. an asshole in the most endearing of ways – I’m sort of obsessed with him, but I respect him enough to know that he sadly would never respect me for that very reason. Also, that knife is pimp – I love my Henckies (yes, that’s what I call them privately) but don’t have the Chef’s … I can’t rationalize the expenditure while I still have a very nice (but inferior) one that’s in great shape. Boo – damn fiscal responsibility …
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B: Only you would have a pet name for your knife.. xo
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We didn’t even register for a Kitchen Aid stand mixer at first when we got married because we thought it would look greedy, but we had an aunt request we pick one out so she could get it for us. There must be some sort of law. But anyway, it’s awesome – just be sure you don’t move into a counter-space deprived kitchen like I just did. Now it lives in a closet, and the thing is so g-d heavy I’m sure I’ll be mostly using the sorry little hand mixer again.
The immersion soup blender is also fantastic. And like the others here, I’m going to get me an apron.
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