What do they say: better late than never? Per usual, I have gotten this gift guide out well later than I had hoped, but should you need any last-minute inspiration, here you go.
As always, I am happy to send along a free inscribed “toast” bookplate and a “toaster” notecard to anyone you wish to send Bread Toast Crumbs to. Email me the inscription and where you would like the bookplate sent: alexandra@alexandracooks.com.
In the future, this guide will live here, up in the main navigation.
Below are links to some of my favorite gadgets, pots, pans, appliances, knives, foods, and more. Many but not all are affiliate links. Thank you for the support.
Stocking Stuffers:
Toast Book Plate
(FREE!) Inscribed toast bookplate and toaster notecard with purchase of Bread Toast Crumbs. Email me your inscription and where you would like the card+bookplate sent: alexandra@alexandracooks.com.
Opinel Nº6 Pocket Knife
The lovely women (Olaiya Land and Yossy Arefi), who ran the photography workshop I attended in Paris this past September, gave each attendee a little goodie bag. This Opinel pocket knife was included, and I absolutely love it.
Thermapen
Never thought I would invest in a fancy thermometer, but now I can't imagine not having one around. Unlike any other thermometer I have owned, this one is instant read, so there's no waiting around for the gadget to give its reading. Also, unlike any other thermometer I have owned, this one is accurate. I use this for testing meats, of course, but also baked goods.
Wooden Reamer
So handy and effective, wooden reamers are my tool of choice for juicing citrus. Easy to store, too.
Flat-Bottomed Whisk
For whisking dressings and sauces or anything in a saucepan — this little flat-bottomed whisk is so handy. I use it all the time.
Oven Thermometer
An oven thermometer is essential for knowing if your oven is hot enough or too hot. Even my fancy new ovens are not properly calibrated. I have one of these oven thermometers in each oven so I know how to adjust the dials of my oven to get the temperature I'm looking for.
Bench Scraper
I use this for dividing dough, transferring items from my cutting board to a pot, and clearing my board of scraps.
Starry Night Cookie Stamp Set
Saw an image of a stamped cookie in The Cookie Book and immediately bought a stamp set to make these cookies.
Sharp Kitchen Shears
Having a pair of sharp kitchen shears on hand is a real gift. I bought these at Marshall's on a whim one day and couldn't be more pleasantly surprised: they are so sharp; they make spatchcocking a bird a real breeze; they make me happy.
Opinel Steak Knife
I discovered the Opinel brand when I was in Paris this past September and fell in love. Bought six of these to replace my steak knife set. Love them.
Opinel Butter Spreader
Another Opinel utensil I love. When I see this on the table lodged into a block of butter, I smile.
For Bread Baking:
Bread Toast Crumbs
It's not too late to order a copy of Bread Toast Crumbs and to include with it a "toast" bookplate and "toaster" notecard. Email me your inscription and where you would like the card+bookplate sent: alexandra@alexandracooks.com.
4-QT Mixing Bowl
I use this bowl every day, often for making a batch of my mother's peasant bread, but also for mixing salads, tossing steamed broccoli with butter, and combining various ingredients for my favorite muesli.
King Arthur All-Purpose Flour
King Arthur Flour is so reliable. I use their all-purpose flour more than any other, but I love their sprouted wheat flour, too, when I'm looking to add some whole grain goodness to my baked goods.
SAF Instant Yeast
My favorite yeast. One of these packages of yeast will fit into a plastic quart container and will keep for months in the fridge or freezer.
GIR Spatula
My favorite — this spatula really makes the bread mixing process more enjoyable. I promise.
Digital Scale
Once you start baking by weight, it's impossible to go back. It's faster and more accurate. If you want consistent results with your baked goods, bread especially, a scale is essential.
1-qt Pyrex Bowl (Set of 2)
Nearly every recipe in Bread Toast Crumbs calls for two 1-qt Pyrex bowls. These bowls create an irresistible golden crust and clean up beautifully in the dishwasher.
Dot And Army Cloth Bowl Covers
NOT a shower cap! These cloth bowl covers are the best. For keeping bowls of rising dough nice and cozy, nothing is better.
Knives & Slicers:
Wusthof 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
This is the knife I use more than any other — it's a nice size, it has a nice weight, it's sharp. I've had it for over a decade. Love it.
Opinel Nº6 Pocket Knife
The lovely women (Olaiya Land and Yossy Arefi), who ran the photography workshop I attended in Paris this past September, gave each attendee a little goodie bag. This Opinel pocket knife was included, and I absolutely love it.
Bread Knife
A good bread knife is essential to prevent mangling loaves of bread, especially freshly baked loaves. This one is sharp, affordable, and attactive.
Wusthof Knife Sharpener
A sharp knife is a safe knife and an efficient knife. I use this sharpener every few weeks to keep the edge on my most-used knives nice and sharp.
Flexible Boning Knife
If you like to filet fish or cut paper thin slices of home-cured lox, you need something like this knife — it has to have some flexibility and it has to be razor sharp.
Benriner Mandoline
I use my Benriner mandoline all the time: for potatoes, beets, radishes, carrots, cucumbers ... you name it.
Spiralizer
Who doesn't love a zoodle? For anyone who finds a mandoline terrifying, this is a great option. Plus the spiral shape is fun.
14-Cup Cuisinart
I don't know what I would do without my food processor. This the 14-Cup Cuisinart. I've had it for over a decade.
Opinel Steak Knife
I discovered the Opinel brand when I was in Paris this past September and fell in love. Bought six of these to replace my steak knife set. Love them.
Opinel Butter Spreader
Another Opinel utensil I love. When I see this on the table lodged into a block of butter, I smile.
Kitchen Appliances:
Kuhn Rikon Duromatic
If you're not quite ready to embrace the wonderful world of electric pressure cookers, the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic stovetop pressure cooker is a great option. It's sleek and easier to store than the Instant Pot. For me, too, it's more intuitive to use, as it's a stovetop device. I love using it to cook black beans — no soaking necessary.
Instant Pot
For soft-boiled eggs that peel like a dream, perfectly cooked rice, one-pot spaghetti and meat sauce (recipe soon!), butternut squash-coconut soup (recipe soon!), and so much more, the Instant Pot has become an often-reached for gadget.
Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
For beating butter and whipping eggs, there is no easier way than to use a stand mixer.
Spiralizer
Who doesn't love a zoodle? For anyone who finds a mandoline terrifying, this is a great option. Plus the spiral shape is fun.
14-Cup Cuisinart
I don't know what I would do without my food processor. This the 14-Cup Cuisinart. I've had it for over a decade.
Pots and Pans:
Le Creuset 5-qt Braiser
I use this pan all the time, both stovetop and in the oven. It heats evenly and cleans beautifully.
All-Clad 8-qt Stock Pot
It's nice to have one (or two) large pots on hand to make stock and large batches of soup. I love this one as much as my Le Creuset Dutch oven.
All-Clad 4-Qt
Another often-used pot—I like this one for smaller batches of soup, for making tacos, chili, etc.
Toulouse Tart Pans (Set of 2)
Bought these tart pans this summer because I realized I didn't have a proper clafouti pan, but I use them for all sorts of dishes, both sweet and savory. Take the pans right from oven to table. So pretty.
Zwilling 8-inch Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan
In early September I bought a Zwilling two-pan set of ceramic nonstick fry pans: 8-inch and 10-inch. I love them both. I've linked to the set, but there are options on Amazon for buying the pans individually as well as for buying larger-sized pans. These pans are amazing for eggs — no sticking, as promised — and they clean beautifully. Keep in mind they are not oven safe.
Zwilling 10-inch Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan
In early September I bought a Zwilling two-pan set of ceramic nonstick fry pans: 8-inch and 10-inch. I love them both. I've linked to the set, but there are options on Amazon for buying the pans individually as well as for buying larger-sized pans. These pans are amazing for eggs — no sticking, as promised — and they clean beautifully. Keep in mind they are not oven safe.
Extra-Large Sheet Pan
If you roast a lot of vegetables, this extra large sheet pan is a game changer. It's also great for baking more cookies at once or a double batch of granola, etc.
Quarter Sheet Pans
As handy as having extra-large sheet pans for roasting heaps of vegetables is having quarter sheet pans for toasting nuts or warming smaller portions of leftovers (such as lasagna) or for heating up bread, etc.
Food & Drink:
Saratoga Chocolate Company
I am addicted to this Fleur de Sel chocolate from the Saratoga Chocolate Co. I also really love the 70%— it's velvety and smooth ... so good.
Evergreen Olive Oil Company
Evergreen Olive Oil Company is a local shop selling high-quality extra-virgin olive oils and vinegars, including a number of "fused" olive oils, which means the "flavoring agent" — whether it's lemon or blood orange — is crushed along with the olives. These are my favorites. I love using the blood orange in this orange and olive oil cake.
California Olive Ranch Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Last fall I had the chance to visit California for the olive harvest with California Olive Ranch, a brand I have long admired. I use their "everyday" olive oil — wait for it — every day and have given it as a gift. Their "limited reserve" is especially tasty and would make an extra-special gift. Here its pictured with homemade dukkah, an Egyptian spice blend I find irresistible.
Villa Manodori Balsamic Vinegar
I discovered this vinegar years ago while living in Philadelphia. It is syrupy and delicious, good on anything from Parmigiano Reggiano to vanilla ice cream to roasted cabbage.
Lesley Elizabeth White Balsamic Vinegar
A friend introduced me to this white balsamic vinegar. I used it first with these Roasted Brussels sprouts with Manchego and Almonds from Franny's, and I've used it with so many roasted vegetables — it's a nice "finishing" vinegar.
Great Flats Beer
For local friends, a growler from Great Flats for any beer lover in your life would make a perfect gift. A gift certificate would be nice, too. Love this place so much.
Cypress Grove Cheese
Cheese. Who doesn't need cheese around the holidays? A selection of Cypress Grove cheeses makes a wonderful gift.
Tara Kitchen Ras-El-Hanout
Tara Kitchen, a wonderful Moroccan restaurant with locations in Schenectady and Troy, sells a number of sauces and spice rubs, namely ras-el-hanout, which I love. With this blend on hand, any number of Moroccan dishes could come together in a flash.
Soom Tahini
Discovered this via Christopher Kimball's Milk Street podcast. Love it. This would make a great stocking stuffer, too.
King Arthur All-Purpose Flour
King Arthur Flour is so reliable. I use their all-purpose flour more than any other, but I love their sprouted wheat flour, too, when I'm looking to add some whole grain goodness to my baked goods.
SAF Instant Yeast
My favorite yeast. One of these packages of yeast will fit into a plastic quart container and will keep for months in the fridge or freezer.
Prosecco
Prosecco: my favorite holiday (anytime?) spirit. How delicious? How light and refreshing? How amenable to mixing with all sorts of spirits? And, how gentle on the head, too?
Other Fun Things:
17″ Handcrafted Wooden Bowl
I am very particular about salad bowls — the shape is very important to me as is the size. It must be large enough. For me, this one is perfect.
The Original Baking Steel
The Baking Steel — for anyone who wants to up their pizza-making game. In short, steel is more conductive than stone, so when the dough hits the steel, it springs faster and better than it would on stone. For crisp bottoms and ballooned and blistered edges, look no further than the Baking Steel. If you want to read more about it, here's my Baking Steel discovery post.
Airscape Coffee (and food) Storage Container
Keep your coffee beans super fresh with this Airscape container.
Kombucha Starter Kit
I bought this kombucha starter kit for Ben for Father's Day, and he's been on a roll ever since. Note: The above photo is NOT what is in the starter kit. Ben has moved onto a continuous brew system, but I highly recommend starting—wait for it—with the starter kit.
Oven Mitts
My children gave me these oven mitts for Mother's Day, and my arms have since been burn free. Yours could be, too!
Extra-Large Stainless Steel Bowl
I bought this extra-large bowl one summer when my CSA was abounding with greens. I find it so handy for soaking a lot of greens, for mixing double batches of muesli or granola, etc.
Salt Cellar
Love this salt cellar so much. The opening is at the perfect angle. Cute, too. Right?
Pie Box
It's hard not to smile upon seeing a pie in a pie box. Though the box itself is pretty uplifting, too.
The post 2018 Gift Guide appeared first on Alexandra's Kitchen.
Click here for more...
from #Bangladesh #News aka Bangladesh News Now!!!
No comments