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Holiday shopping is in full swing and, whether you shop in stores, online or leaf through the ever-growing number of catalogs that jam our mailboxes, finding the perfect gift for the cook on your list should not be drudgery. It should be fun.
Friends have often asked me what type of equipment I use in my kitchen. Every item I own would make a fine gift for those who love to cook.
I have never been an appliance junkie. The only "helpers" in the kitchen I constantly use are my Cuisinart, electric kettle and electric can opener. My Cuisinart is 25 years old. The lid has warped and, although it can be fixed, I am buying a new one.
The Cuisinart now comes in a variety of colors and sizes. I particularly like the two-toned red or blue with gleaming stainless steel. Edward and I should be back in our home, which is being renovated, within a month or so. I am buying a red and stainless steel Cuisinart because all my of new appliances are stainless steel. I also recommend the smaller version, which sells for about $40, since it minces and chops more efficiently than the larger processor.
Electric kettles are common in England and Canada. I recommend this handy appliance because it saves electricity and automatically shuts off when the water is at full boil. The tea lover on your list would adore this gift along with a caddie of favorite teas.
A serious cook needs cookware. Many years ago, the good people at Fante’s gave me some sage advice: "Never buy a set of anything." With a set, you often get a piece or two that’s too small or duplicates a pot or sauté pan you already own.
All-Clad produces the finest cookware available. Made outside of Harrisburg, their products have gained in popularity in the past few years. At first, All-Clad was only for professionals. The pots, pans, skillets and roasting pans are made of heavy stainless steel, they produce even heat and are easy to clean. All-Clad is expensive when compared to flimsy pans, so check for sales.
Regular readers know I adore my Le Creuset pots. I have owned mine for 20 years and they are the only vessels I use when making soups, stews or braised or roasted dishes. Le Creuset uses cast iron and is covered in colorful enamel. You can choose from red, blue, white, yellow, celery green and flame, which is a reddish-orange. They come in a variety of shapes, but the round and oval Dutch ovens are what I use most. They are heavy and come with a lifetime guarantee. Buy at least 5-1/2 quarts and the cook on your list will find it to be a fine kitchen helper.
Cocktails have made a big comeback in the past decade. Shakers come in all sizes and materials and any fine bartender will tell you to buy ones made of stainless steel. They keep the drink cold while you shake or stir. I’ve seen smaller, individual shakers, which are fun when you have guests who like to "mix their own." Add a long stainless steel spoon for mixing to create a welcome gift.
Edward and I collect Champagne flutes from around the world. When we have a dinner party and serve Champagne, each guest receives a different glass. They are good conversation pieces. Champagne flutes run the gamut from expensive handmade crystal to inexpensive, but pretty, glass. A pair of flutes and a bottle of bubbly could be a great hostess gift.
The crock pot made its debut in the 1970s. My sister Sandy still has hers from that era. Today’s pots are bigger and more efficient with a removable insert for easy cleaning. They became popular again two years ago when busy cooks realized they could make soups, stews or roasts while at work. The only catch is you cannot sear in a crock pot. You have to sear in a pan and transfer. Still, it saves time.
Accessories such as pure cotton kitchen towels, oven mitts and aprons make what my mom would call "sensible" gifts. Trivets are a necessity when you want to place a hot dish on the table. They come in a variety of colors and metals including enamel on cast iron, brass, pewter and silver.
The baker is a different breed of culinary cat and the serious kind needs a KitchenAid. The most famous free-standing electric mixer in the country comes in a variety of colors. Check around for sales for this item, too. A hand-held electric mixer is another good tool, as is the electric knife. Shiny new cookie sheets, Silpats, those marvelous liners that prevent cookies from sticking, spatulas, wooden spoons and cake pans are musts for those who love to bake.
Foodies would love a fine bottle of deep green extra-virgin olive oil from Tuscany, a small bottle of authentic balsamic vinegar from Modena, an assortment of cheeses from around the world with a set of cheese knives, a gift basket that includes fruit, cookies, crackers, jams and imported mustards and anything lovingly made in your own kitchen. Belgian chocolates are the finest in the world, but you can make chocolate truffles in a snap.
The manufacturers I’ve mentioned have Web sites. Le Creuset has an outlet in Flemington, N.J. Browse at Fante’s, Williams-Sonoma, Kitchen Kapers and Sur La Table. Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s are known for their cookware and giftware departments, too.
Happy shopping, relax and have fun.
