holiday gift guide
I often get asked about my favourite kitchen gadgets, go-to cookbooks and items in my kitchen I just cannot live without. With the holidays around the corner, I thought why not share some of these with you - for the cook, food lover, or procurer of beautiful things in your life. Or let’s be real, for yourself! Many items are under $50 and there are a lot of great investment items included. Happy shopping!
Cookware/Cooking Accessories
Microplane: This was a game-changing gadget for me. From zesting citrus, to shredded parmesan or grating ginger (with the peel), it’s perfection and a great price point!
Le Creuset Dutch Over: I have had this in my kitchen for five years and have made many meals in it. It’s perfect for dishes that serve 3-4, and I’ve made everything ranging from curries, stews, and soups to roasts and casseroles. It’s versatile, easy to clean and the perfect heavy bottomed pot! It is definitely a pot that, I find, gets better with age.
Zwilling J.A. Henckel knives: We were lucky enough to have been gifted this set for our first Christmas after the wedding from Doug’s mum. Don’t worry; she gifted it on the condition we give her $1, for all you superstitious out there. The knives are incredible, and a staple for someone who cooks a lot.
Cuisinart Mini-Prep Processor: I have a large food processor that has been sitting in our storage unit for three years because it takes up too much space. This mini food processor is amazing for chopping onions, ginger garlic, making quick vinaigrettes, pulsing graham crackers for key lime pies and much more. If it is a bigger job, I will usually do it in batches, but between this and my blender, it’s all I need.
Sur la table measuring cups: These are a recent addition to my kitchen and LOVE that there is a 1.5 and 2-cup measuring cups. Makes everything a whole lot easier, let me tell you! If you currently have a mish-mash of measuring cups in your drawer, I highly recommend these.
Vitamix: Ah, my beloved. Doug and I didn’t have a registry for our wedding but picked up a few pieces after, and this was one of them. And I will never regret it. I’m likely being a bit dramatic, but it changed my life. We have smoothies for breakfast three out of five weekday mornings, and I was getting tired of the chunky kale that was coming in my mouth. Now I guess I could make smoothies without kale (yes, Doug, I hear you) but I need those greens. I have made smoothies, soups, chutneys and can’t wait to experiment more with this thing of beauty. It’s absolutely a splurge, but 110% worth it, I promise.
Kitchen Accessories
Peugeot Pepper Mill: Doug and I received this mill as a Christmas gift a few years ago, and it will be a piece we have forever. I will never be able to go back from freshly ground pepper. We have it in the Paris finish, and it’s a nice pop to our very white kitchen.
Teak Salt Cellar: I have never been a huge fan of salt and pepper shakers, but between this item and the pepper mill from above, I have found my match. I usually keep a coarser salt in here, so it’s easier to pinch with my fingers. The one I have didn’t come with a spoon, but it would be handy!
Aesop soap: Even though I am washing and rinsing my hands constantly while cooking, it’s nice once I am done to get in a nice and fragrant wash with this soap. It is hydrating and helps with the strong smells that may linger on my fingers (looking at you garlic).
iPad/Cookbook holder: You’ve probably seen either the Friends or Office playing in my Instastories on this cookbook holder. Admittedly, I don’t think a cookbook has ever been mine, but it doubles as an incredible iPad holder. Whether, like me, you like to re-watch shows while you cook or want it to hold your cookbook, it’s a great addition to the kitchen.
Simple serving ware: Dishware can be very personal from home to home, but simple serving dishes, i.e. serving platter or small dip/olive bowls can be a nice addition to any kitchen. I love these H&M pieces that have matching bowls; they accent my white dish set nicely.
Skagerak Dishtowels: Our kitchen is pretty white and simple by design, and I am always looking for ways to ‘dress it up,’ and I find dish towels draped on the oven handle adds a nice touch. These Skagerak dish towels are subtle but are a nice pop of colour without being too dramatic. They also dry dishes well, because really who wants dish towels that don’t.
Technivorm Moccamaster Coffee Maker: This is probably one of Doug’s most prized kitchen possessions. We drink a lot of coffee and while we enjoy a french press, Aeropress, Chemex, single coffee dripper, you name it!- there is nothing like the convenience of a coffee maker. We invested, yes invested, in this coffee maker about six years ago and we wanted a piece that wasn’t clunky and that would look nice in the kitchen, but more importantly, brewed a stellar pot and kept the coffee nice and hot. Well let me tell you, the Moccamaster has not disappointed, so much so that we’ve gifted it to our parents and people likely think we are low key sales reps for the company. We use a Bodum grinder and usually buy Pilot, Detour or Cut Coffee beans for the house.
Cookbooks
Dining In- You should know I am low-key obsessed with anyone that has any affiliation with Bon Appetit. Alison Roman is no different. Her newish cookbook is a stunning, and while I have yet to cook my way through her entire book, her mantra rings true for me- enjoying dining in as much as eating out! The pictures are gorgeous, the writing witty and the recipes fantastic.
Cravings: Hungry for More- This is Chrissy’s second book, and it does not disappoint! It was a recent housewarming gift, and I can’t wait to start cooking through it. It’s filled with decadent recipes that are also very easy to follow. It’s hard to believe, but in a way, it tops her first! Her sassiness certainly comes through the pages; it’s a funny read!
What’s Gaby Cooking: Everyday California Food- I sadly do not have this book yet (hint: Doug), but have been following Gaby’s blog for years. Her recipes are simple to follow and absolutely delicious.
Mastering the Art of French Cooking: This is a forever classic and a must in any cook’s kitchen. I used to get stressed that I wasn’t Julie Powell and didn’t cook my way through the book in a year, but I have allowed myself patience with this one and realize it will be a life-long adventure.
Extras
When all else fails the food lover in your life will likely appreciate a nice bottle of wine or a bunch of fresh eucalyptus to freshen up their kitchen.
