The holidays are coming! Here is our list of "MUST HAVE" kitchen tools and accessories for any budget and skill level. If the gift's recipient is cooking for the holiday, you may want to deliver these gifts a little early to make their holiday cooking a little easier. That will be, after all, the best gift of all!
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"Plane" and Simple
The Microplane is one of those great inventions that infuriates you in a "why didn't I think of that" sort of way. Sightly modified from a woodworker's rasp, this zester is hitting kitchens across the world. Finally, a quick zester that doesn't cut into the bitter white pith of citrus! It also tackles hard cheese, chocolate, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, ginger, lemongrass and garlic. If that's not enough, we are always searching for new ways to utilize it. So, stick around. This is a gift that any cook will love....and it's easy on the pocketbook. ($14.95) Buy Now.
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You Spin Me Right 'Round
Several times a week we ask ourselves, "How did we ever live without a salad spinner". If it could only be used for salad greens, it would be a little hard to justify the $30 you'll spend. But, with a little imagination, this can be an extremely diverse piece of kitchen equipment. Not only can it be used for drying, but it can also be utilized as a washing vessel. Try it with grapes, berries, mushrooms, herbs, pasta, french fries, leeks and any small vegetables. Maybe OXO should have called it the "everything spinner". ($29.95) Buy Now.
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We call her Tammy
This tamis (pronounced: tammy) from WearEver is an all-in-one colander, sifter and food mill. It is truly a kitchen essential. The tamis is the secret helper behind the silky smooth soups and perfect mashed potatoes at 5-star restaurants. You can lay it across a bowl and push your cooked items through the screen with a spoon or spatula. You can use the same setup to sift flour right into your mixing bowl. The riveted design holds up much longer than less expensive versions. ($89.95) Buy Now
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The Ground RulesHere's a tool that we use for everything...but coffee! In a lot of our recipes we call for ground red chile flakes. The easiest way to grind them is in a coffee grinder. It is great for peppercorns, whole spices, seeds, nuts and even whole dried chiles. We keep two Krups coffee grinders around - one for coffee, one for spices. But, it can be cleaned by grinding some dried white rice in between uses. ($19.95) Buy Now
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Aiding and Abetting It should be illegal for a kitchen tool to be so useful! This KitchenAid Immersion Hand Blender is perfect for making pureed soups and sauces right in the pot. It also makes perfect vinaigrette and mixed cocktails. This model comes with chopper and whisk attachments. Features a long cord and blending stick that easily fit into tall pots and drink pitchers. All accessories are dishwasher safe. ($99.95) Buy Now
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Hot Enough For You?
Talk to any cook and they'll tell you that meat is one of the most challenging things to cook. The best way to eliminate all of the guesswork in meat cookery is with a simple, inexpensive thermometer. Cooking meat to the right temperature ensures peak quality in the meat and safety from foodborne illness. This CDN instant-read thermometer features a heat resistant dial and a temperature chart right on the probe sleeve. This is the perfect stocking stuffer for the cook who is ready to tackle that holiday dinner! ($8.99) Buy Now.
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Play Me a Tune
A few years back, I asked for a mandoline for Christmas. I was told that I was going to have to choose between that slicer thing I wanted or this musical instrument I would never play. Well, you may not find this at a Bluegrass show, but this Chef'n Sleek Slice mandoline slicer will tackle just about any vegetable for thin, uniform slices. From potatoes for gratin and potato chips to cabbage for sauerkraut and coleslaw, it will having you racing through tedious prep in seconds! The finger guard folds flat and attaches to the slicer for storage. ($19.95) Buy Now
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Imperia, Molto Bene!
There are few things as satisfying as making your own pasta. And, chances are, the foodie who has everything doesn't have this. Making the dough is easy, but using this machine is easier. The pasta roller features an adjustable dial for different thicknesses and a cutting mechanism that cuts spaghetti and fettucine. ($69.95) Buy Now
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Can't Beat This!Throw everything you know about making doughs and batters in a stand mixer out the window! Scraping down the bowl in between additions of wet and dry ingredients is no longer necessary! This silicone-lined beater mixes batter and scrapes the bowl at the same time! Plus, it cuts mixing time in half. The Beater Blade will make using a stand mixer enjoyable for novice cooks and be the missing link for professionals. ($24.95-39.95 depending on which mixer you are fitting) Buy Now
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