Within the last week or so (or pretty much since US Thanksgiving rolled around) it seems that everyone and their dog has been compiling lists of gift ideas for the foodies in our lives.
But instead of telling you about great things to buy for everyone else, I thought I’d turn the idea on its head and do a round up of the various bits and bobs that I’m hoping to get this year. You are welcome to provide your own gadget-y suggestions in the comments, of course.
However, before you start thinking that the publishing of this list is nothing more than a poorly veiled series of hints for the Everyman (or various other people in my life) I will assure you, it is not. You see, I’ve made kitchen stuff off limits as a gifting inspiration for the Everyman. A few years ago he bought me a gorgeous Peugeot red pepper mill as part of a Christmas gift (which I loved), but then for a birthday he bought me one of those ginormous chocolate fountains (which I was a little less stoked about). To be fair, he had at one point heard me say that I wanted a chocolate fountain, but I’m very particular about the larger appliances that I allow into my kitchen, if for no other reason than the premium on our space.
Plus, to me a loved one should never give practical presents; that’s what my parents, friends and acquaintances are for. Presents from loved ones should be frivolous extravagances that you are deserving of, but would probably never bother buying yourself, which in my case would be stuff like jewelry or spa days. And there’s always that phantom ring that everyone’s been asking about and keeps hovering over our heads, because you know, shacking up is like so 2007… so put a ring on it already, right?
But no.
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Tags: 'nduja, Ad Hoc At Home, Boccalone, Chris Cosentino, Christmas, David Chang, dough press, gifts, Ginette Mathiot, Golda's Kitchen, I Know How To Cook, Italian Academy Of Cuisine, Jamie Oliver, Julia Child, Kitchenaid, La Cucina, Le Creuset, Lists, magnetic knife rack, Mario Batali, Mastering The Art Of French Cooking, Momofuku, pasta, Peugeot, rolling pin, Ron Popeil, scraping beater, Silpat, The Foodie 13, The Rodale Whole Foods Cookbook, Thomas Keller, wood oven
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Being that I was ruminating over my dream kitchen yesterday, I thought it would be wholly appropriate to delve into the various gadgetry that I find essential for any well equipped kitchen. I tend to subscribe to the Alton Brown school of thought; meaning I try not to clutter my kitchen with single-use tools, because in most cases, less is more.
However, that philosophy hasn’t stopped me from the occasional impulse buy (really, who needs an ice cream scoop in the shape of a cow, anyway?)
So, without further adieu…
1 – Tongs – Ah, tongs. Tongs are like the duct tape of the kitchen world; exceptionally versatile and always innovative in their usage. I can use tongs to cook (clearly), but they also make great tools for holding oily pieces of paper towel when wiping down a BBQ grill, they’re key for retrieving foods from narrow-mouthed jars, and if you place half a lemon between the arms, the lever action makes a pretty bitchin’ impromptu juicer.
2 – A Santoku or other really sharp chef’s knife – My preference leans toward an Asian-style knife, and Santoku’s are notable for their comfort, reliability and precision. A Santoku is a Japanese knife that is typically shorter, stouter and easier to handle in my dainty hand than a traditional 8 or 10 inch chef’s knife. They occasionally have scalloped “divets” on the sides of the blade to prevent food from sticking to the knife, but Wikipedia informs me that these might not be entirely traditional. As a rule of thumb, every kitchen should have one really solid, sturdy knife, and for my money, the Santoku does it in my kitchen.
3 – Salad Spinner – Even if you only occasionally eat your greens, it makes good sense to have one of these around because nothing deflates a salad faster than limp, water-logged leaves. The internal bowl in the spinner can also double as a colander, and the whole thing can also be used (gently) for washing cherry tomatoes or delicate summer berries.
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Tags: Alton Brown, baking stone, ceramic rasp, dutch oven, gadgets, griddler, kitchen, Kitchenaid, Le Creuset, Lists, mandoline, microplane, mortar and pestle, offset spatula, salad spinner, santoku, saute pan, Silpat, skillet, slow cooker, The Foodie 13, tongs
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