Gifts for the Cook

Emile Henry is my go-to gourmet favorite when it comes to cooking. If I could completely stock my kitchen with all of their incredible products, I most definitely would. New to Emile Henry this season is the Round Dutch Oven/Stew Pot in the Sublime collection. This gorgeous ceramic Indigo colored pot is amazingly versatile. Make soups, saute, fry, bake bread in it, or even make caramel in it. It has you covered for everything you would want to try. It sustains high temperatures, is 35% lighter than other dutch ovens on the market. It cooks food so evenly, everything I have tried in it turns out beautifully. If you cook frequently, this is a product you definitely want to have in your kitchen.

For a gorgeous presentation for family meals, special bakes and breads, I adore the Emile Henry crown bread baker. I am not an expert at bread making, but you would have no idea if you were to try breads I have made in this specialty French ceramic baker. It is incredibly easy to use and turns out amazing. Check out just how simple it is by watching how to make this Chocolate Chip Brioche. Tell me after watching if you don’t see yourself competing on the The Great British Baking Show (or at least pretending to in your own kitchen.) Yum!

Not only do I love Emile Henry’s bakeware and cookware, I adore their accessories, too. Olive oil dispensers, salt pigs, mixing bowls, and spoon rests round out must-have items for my kitchen and yours from this amazing company.

When visiting Barcelona a couple of years ago, I was introduced to the most delicious treat–the Spanish Omelette or Spanish Tortilla. Not to be confused with the flat bread of the same name, a Spanish tortilla is a thick omelette filled with amazing goodness. I tried it with eggs and potatoes, but the variations are virtually endless. I loved it so much, I knew I would want to replicate it at home. The Lékué Spanish Omelette maker is the perfect way to do it! No oil and extra grease necessary, using this silicone microwavable product produces the best tasting omelette I’ve been able to make at home. Wait. I know. Microwaving eggs seems less than appetizing. I was hesitant at first, too, believe me. But, I decided to try it and I am so glad I did. Lékué silicone products make absolutely delicious eggs in the microwave. You really have to try them to believe it. But once you try, there is no turning back. The possibilities are endless.

Lékué has a wide array of amazing products that would impress you with their capabilities. Being a busy mom, making nutritious, but fast, meals and snacks are really important to me. I am able to do so much with Lékué. I’ve been so impressed, in fact, that when my son went off to college, I sent him with his own collection of Lékué to make his life simpler. He can cook all sorts of things with high quality silicone products. Need to make rice? No worries, their rice cooker is where it’s at! He can even make homemade bread very simply with the Home Bread Essentials Kit. I love that Lékué has products that produce delicious meals, are simple to use, and are very easy to store. These products make incredible gifts!

For those that want to consolidate their cooking gear, Our Place’s Always Pan is a very popular choice. This all in one pan can virtually replace your fry pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, non-stick pan, spatula, and spoon rest. Imagine the space you could save having everything in one item! I think this is a perfect gift for college students and newly weds, especially. I love the bright colors that can match any decor and the ease and cooking consistency in which the pan performs. Pair it with the brand new Perfect Pot and you have an entire pots and pan set with a minimal footprint. A great gift idea!

I love carbonated drinks (I am Coke Zero addict, I will admit). I don’t love to drink water as much as I know I should, but if it’s carbonated, I enjoy it so much more. I love the Drinkmate, as we can create our own sodas and flavored seltzers at home. My kids love to add a light flavoring and just make their own flavored sparkling waters, which is far healthier than sugary soda. I love that it comes in fun, vibrant colors, like the new Arctic Blue, too. Great for entertaining, family movie nights, and parties and makes a wonderful gift!

For all the holiday cooking preparations that take place this month, it’s essential to have great tools at your disposal. Nothing is more frustrating than attempting to cook a huge meal or bake lots of goodies without having what you need on hand. To me, having a set of great mixing bowls is high up on that list. I think every kitchen needs a set of these Pyrex mixing bowls. Packed into this set are four various sizes and coordinating and labeled lids. They are perfect for everyday use, and you will be certain to get lots of use out of these! These are the nicest quality and are a must-have!

For storing leftovers or cute gifting, we can’t get enough of the fantastical Harry Potter inspired Pyrex 8 piece storage set. Doesn’t every kitchen need some magic? As we are huge Harry Potter fans, we are absolutely loving them!

We are loving the great gifts you can find at Well Told. This hip retailer specializes in drinkware and other gifts, customized with etchings of your favorite U.S. city’s map. We especially love anything with New York City on it, but you can find your favorite city or college town on their website. For any special gathering, the slate server is our favorite. A perfect backdrop for delicious appetizers and snacks, these make fantastic gifts!

When it comes to holiday baking and cooking, there are certain tools it would be hard to live without. I love my Vitamix Immersion Blender for so many reasons. I can make whipped cream, blend soups, and create desserts. All without making a huge mess. You can put it in any container and it’s so easy to use. They have added to the greatness of the Immersion Blender by creating some very useful accessories for it and I love them all! Blending jars, mini choppers, a blender whisk, a base station and a storage case for it all makes me a very happy camper. I highly recommend the blender and accessories as a great gift for anyone that spends time in the kitchen.

We are loving the Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook Air Fryer this holiday season and know we will year round, as well. This multi-function small appliance is mighty in capabilities. That is a must if something is going to take up counter space. This wonderful kitchen necessity can do so much–air fry, roast, bake, broil, reheat, and dehydrate. Everything we have tried has turned out perfectly. I love using the air fryer mode to get delicious appetizers without the extra calories a deep fryer would bring. But, you can reheat a slice of pizza, too, and it takes fresh and delicious. It’s fun to experiment with this miraculous machine and a great tool for teens!