Kitchen Gift Ideas

It took me years to convince my husband that he should, in fact, buy me a blender as a present. I love to cook and it is only natural that the items I most long for can be used in the kitchen. So if you have a foodie in your life, here are some of my favorite kitchen gift ideas, some big, some small.

Mandoline, $150 - $200
I think every home chef should have a mandoline. Will you use it everyday? No. Will you love it when you need it? Yes. Yes. Yes. Mandolines are similar in concept to graters, but have a single cutting plane and can produce a variety of cuts. Most models can make slices, crinkle and waffle cuts, dice and julienne. Once you get the hang of it, they are simple to operate and clean, and allow you to make dozens of uniform slices in a matter of minutes. This cuts down on the time it takes to make gratins, stir-frys, homemade potato chips and french fries, apple pies and many other dishes. Using a mandoline ensures even cooking time and beautiful presentations.  I think my favorite thing is how accurate and fast you can be without the necessary skill that would be required if you were using a knife. I prefer the traditional Bron Professional because of its versatility and durability.

Bench Knife/Scraper, $5-$10
Oh the cheap and humble bench scraper. This is a tool I cannot do without. I think I have three of them; not because I am some crazy hoarder, but because they are so darn useful. It can help you scrape scraps from your counters, lift sticky dough, scrape clean a rolling pin, move sliced or chopped vegetables to a sauté pan, divide cookie and pastry dough, cube cold butter for pie crust and more.

Microplane zester, $13
This little item would make an incredible gift for anyone, even the most casual cook. Need fresh grated nutmeg for holiday eggnog? Not a problem. Pith free citrus zest for your cookies? Done in seconds! The small, sharp, rasp-like blade makes quick work of chocolate, cheese, nutmeg, ginger, garlic and citrus zest. It is easy to use and easy to clean; I just throw mine in the dishwasher.

Heat Resistant Spatula, $10
You may be asking, do I really need a heat resistant spatula? The answer is, of course, yes. Why? Because people tend to burn and melt normal spatulas. Haven't you ever noticed how they slowly shrink and misshape over time? In fact, I do not even keep other spatulas in my house. These work great and are more functional. Just remember I said heat resistant not heat proof.

Bowl Scraper $3-$10
Boring and innocuous seeming, the bowl scraper is something I use everyday. I reach for this flexible tool instead of a spatula to scrape every last bit of batter or cookie dough out of a bowl or to fold whipped cream or egg whites into a dessert. It it soft enough to follow the contours of a bowl perfectly and stiff enough to scrape, well, frost off your car windshield. Yes, I have done this in a pinch. Some use CD cases, but I have more of these in my car.

Swissmar Peelers 3 Pack, $18
I picked up this set of peelers on a lark. I had some money left on a gift card and thought, "I can always use another vegetable peeler." These have become indispensable; they are lightweight, sharp and easy to use. The serrated peeler is great for things like kiwi and tomatoes. I use the julienne peeler to create fine strips for my salads, springs rolls, rice noodle dishes, etc. Think carrots, cucumbers, mangos, jicama... In addition, all the peelers have side cutters for removing potato eyes or blemishes.

Waring Juicer, $150
Don't be nervous, this is not a fruit and vegetable juice extractor. Think of this like a reamer with a motor. This kitchen essential keeps me in fresh lime juice during the margarita season. Oh sure, you can also use fresh citrus juice for marinades, vinaigrettes, to sip with your morning coffee, etc. It is small, easy to use and easy to clean. I have and love the commercial line, but there are cheaper alternatives.

La Chamba Black Clay Cookware, $40 and up
It is apropos to recommend this item as a gift since I received my first piece of Chamba cookware from a friend. I was instantly in love. La Chamba is handmade clay pottery from Columbia that is as beautiful as it is functional. The cookware can be used in the oven and microwave, on the stovetop and grill, and even in wood fires or ovens. Best of all, it can go straight to the table and be used as the serving vessel. Truly one pot cooking!

Molcajete, $35-$50
Pronounced mol-cah-hay-tay, this is a traditional Mexican version of a mortar and pestle. It should be a heavy, three-legged bowl carved from a single piece of basalt rock. The rough interior texture of the bowl makes quick work of grinding fresh spices, pulverizing garlic for a quick dressing, mashing avocados for guacamole, etc. I also use mine as a serving dish for hot and bubbly appetizers. The thick rock stays hot long after coming out of the oven.

Potato Ricer, $20-$30
Most people don't know what they are missing when it comes to mashed potatoes. They are accustomed to lumpy, gluey, overworked mush. Not so if you use a potato ricer. This tool resembles a garlic press on steroids. It quickly and easily produces light and fluffy potato granules that become silky mashed potatoes. Don't stop at potatoes though! Feel free to mash other cooked root vegetables for perfect purees. A ricer can also be used to remove excess water from foods such as grated potatoes to improve the quality of your hash browns. And, can I just say, you cannot make homemade gnocchi without one. Word of caution, don't buy cheap models. You will be disappointed.

Kick Ass Kitchen Scissors, $30
I have Joyce Chen Original Unlimited scissors. Love them. Mean it! They are the only pair of scissors I keep in my kitchen. They are lightweight, eternally sharp and can be used for right and left hands. I use mine to make quick work of butterflying a chicken, cutting the fins off whole fish, snipping fresh chives for a garnish...I could go on.     

Stovetop Smoker, $40-$50
You need this even if you have an outdoor smoker. We all love the primal quality of a smoked whole chicken or pork shoulder; but, sometimes the process needs to be fast, easy and tailored for small amounts and doable indoors. Voila!