Holiday Gift Guide 2014

For the grill: a grill basket for veggies of all sizes. Look for a shallow one to prevent steaming and preserve grill flavor.


For reading and learning new cuisine: North by Gunnar Karl Gislason & Jody Eddy.  This book features gorgeous photography and stories of the nordic way.

For their hands and their wine glasses: Turkish towels are a beautiful addition to any kitchen or bathroom.

For those in need of a little glam: Gilded Stemware will brighten anyone's table.

Holiday Gift Guide 2013

I apologize that this is a little late this year. I just returned from 2 weeks in Ecuador (recipes and stories to follow).  Merry Christmas and Happy Gifting!

Handmade: Page Pottery's Large Pitcher would be a beautiful addition to any kitchen.



Stocking Stuffer: Bright and sharp Pure Komachi paring knives slip easy into any stocking.





For the Bar: This set of copper Mugs will keep your Moscow Mules traditional.


Timeless: This All Clad Stainless Steel Fry Pan is hands down the most used item in my kitchen, along with my 8 inch chef's knife.  It is a workhorse: tough and versatile.  A great gift for new cooks or for those in need of an upgrade.

Reading: For those with a logical brain, The Science of Good Cooking written by our friends over at Cook's Illustrated will explain away many common errors, and enlighten on the science behind the intuition.

Holiday Gift Guide 2012

We are taking a break from the regularly scheduled Friday Links to talk about gifts for your favorite chefs and foodie loved ones.  There are a few qualities that I think make a wonderful gift: thoughtfulness, utility, and creativity.  Give gifts that will become treasured pieces, and learn to understand what your friend or family member would want and use. Be thoughtful, not hasty, this Christmas.

The Handcrafted: Rustic Natural Edge Bread Boards from this one man Etsy shop are a unique but useful kitchen tool.
















The Stocking Stuffer: the Microplane Grater/Zester is a perfect tool for new and seasoned cooks.  The sharp, well designed blades make easy work of citrus, ginger, and anything else.

The Delicate: these Peony Measuring Cups go far beyond the typical stainless set meshing utility with beauty.  They nest for easy storage, and are so pretty you will want to put them out on display.

The Splurge: the Staub Oval Coccette is a tool built to last a lifetime.  This cast iron twist on a traditional dutch oven is a true workhorse in the kitchen. The enamel makes a beautiful dish that is also non-stick, non-toxic, and easy to clean.  

The Cookbook: The Sprouted Kitchen, by star blogger Sara Forte has wonderful recipes focused on whole foods that nourish the body.  With beautiful photography and spot-on recipes, this gift will thrill cooks of all abilities.













Need more ideas?  Check out 2011's gift guide.

Friday Links: Homemade Gifts

Happy (black) Friday!  I try my hardest to steer clear of the consumerism that plagues today, and I appreciate the organizations encouraging people to donate to charity.  For me, today is about spending time with family and friends and enjoying time outside to lessen the turkey belly.  If you insist on getting a head start on gifts, take today to start some homemade ones to give your loved ones at Christmas. Cheers!

For the Baker: Homemade Vanilla Bean Extract
For the Mixologist: Cranberry Liqueur or Apricot Ginger Fizz Mixer
For the Hostess: Rosemary Roasted Almonds
For the Sweet Tooth: SG's Cranberry Orange Bark with Almonds or Hazelnut Truffles
For Everyone's Breakfast: Honey Nut Granola

Homemade Gifts: Cranberry Orange Bark with Almonds

Gifts from the kitchen are delightful.  They are appreciated by many and filled with love and patience.  Most of my homespun gifts must wait until I return to Washington, since traveling with fragile edibles is not worth the level of stress. I decided last weekend that peppermint bark would not be too much of a travel undertaking, since it is supposed to be broken! Perfect.  So I picked up some good chocolate and made a batch of peppermint bark that rivals Williams-Sonoma.  Then I was really inspired, and got a bit inventive.  The true gem turned out to be the Cranberry Orange Bark with Almonds.  The key to this candy is to use good quality dark or semisweet chocolate.  Here are the recipes for both types:

Cranberry Orange Bark with Almonds

• 12 ounces high quality dark or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1 teaspoon orange essence
• 1/2 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

1. Melt chocolate in a double boiler, until liquid*

2. Stir in orange essence until oil combines with chocolate (~1minute)

3. Pour chocolate onto baking sheet lined with silicone mat or waxed paper

4. Sprinkle almonds and cranberries evenly over the surface, and lightly press into chocolate with palms

5. Place in refrigerator until very firm, at least 1 hour

6. Break into various sized pieces and package for gifts or enjoy with friends

Peppermint Bark

• 6 ounces high quality dark or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 6 ounces high quality white chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 4 candy canes

1. Unwrap candy canes and place in freezer bag, wrap the bag with a towel, and hit with a rolling pin or heavy pan until broken into small pieces.

2. Melt dark chocolate in double boiler*

3. Pour chocolate onto baking sheet lined with silicone mat or waxed paper, and place in refrigerator for 1 hour

4. Melt white chocolate in double boiler*

5. Gently spread on top of dark chocolate, you will likely get a little marbling (just embrace it)

6. Sprinkle peppermint pieces onto white chocolate and gently press in with palms

7. Return to refrigerator for at least 1 hour

8. Break into various sized pieces and package for gifts or enjoy with friends

*To make a double boiler: find a heatproof bowl that will sit atop one of your saucepans.  Pour 1 1/2 inches of water in the bottom of the saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.  Place bowl on top, ensuring that the bottom does not touch the water.  

Five Gifts for Food Lovers

Oh December.  I love this month so much, but yet I always seem to become uncontrollably stressed out.  Today marks two weeks until Christmas, and I am amazingly about halfway through my Christmas shopping. This might be a record.  Starting early has allowed me some creativity and increased thoughtfulness with my gift finding strategies. Some of the best gifts for a food lover are those that will live in the kitchen for a lifetime, and will better as they age.  Here are some ideas for unique gifts:

The Artist: Block Prints from Rigel Stuhmiller's Etsy Shop.  I actually ordered this calender or my mom's birthday in November, and she loved it.  He also has lovely prints and notecards, many with a food-oriented theme.

The Feminine: Anthropologie aprons are delightful gifts. They are flirty, fun and functional.  This is my personal favorite.

The Rustic: Handmade, recycled kitchen signage "savor" "eat" or "cook" are some good options.  Keep in mind your loved ones' kitchen spaces to make sure the sign will fit.


The Practical: Stoneware never goes out of style, cooks beautifully, and looks fantastic in any kitchen.  This oval enameled dish would make a great addition to many cooks' tools.



The Splurge: The beloved Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer; a must have for many cooks, especially those who are passionate about baking.  Not only are they useful, they are beautiful too, and can add a splash of color to any countertop.  In our tiny studio kitchen, I despise appliances that live on the counter.  The only exception is my stand mixer.