How to Find Cooking Gifts for First-Time Foodies
Christmas Shopping Ideas for Small Apartments and Young Chefs
Nov 26, 2008
Gifts for food lovers needn't be expensive - one simple item can make a world of difference in an under-stocked kitchen. These kitchen gifts are ideal for beginners.
With the rise of Food Network, followed by the foodblog craze, many teens and twenty-somethings are embarking on cooking adventures in a first apartment or even a dorm room. For those just starting out, especially those on a budget, one of these recommended Christmas gifts for foodies can transform the cooking experience. Beyond fancy cookie cutters and fun but essentially unusable gadgets, these are five items that the home cook will use time and time again.
- Food Processor: A food processor is a time-saving device for chopping or making doughs, and essential for purees, pestos, soups, or applesauce. Cuisinart’s 7-cup model is available for $100 on Amazon, but the 3-cup model is only $50. Since most things can easily be processed in batches, and food processors are often used to grind a small quantity of nuts or chop some veggies, three cups is enough for most casual cooks.
- Toaster Oven: For someone who has a little bit of counter space to spare, especially those living alone, the toaster oven is a great gift. It’s ideal for toasting sandwiches or heating frozen French fries, but also works to make small quantities of anything that can be done in the oven, from roasted peppers to cookies. It’s also a big energy-saver and doesn’t heat up the kitchen like an oven.
- Large Non-Stick Skillet: Though some swear against it, non-stick is a lifesaver for students and young professionals who don’t have time to spend ten minutes scrubbing the gunk off a pan. The best option is something wide, but not so wide it won’t fit in the sink if the recipient doesn’t have a dishwasher. A lid is a plus, as well.
- Knives and Sharpener: Nothing is more frustrating in the kitchen than a dull knife, and many young cooks try to get by with something cheap without realizing how important a decent knife is to the experience. One chef’s knife, or better yet a set that comes with three sizes, is a great gift for any foodie. The J.A. Henckels Classic 3-piece Starter Set is a good option, running about $100, and stands the test of time. Even better, throw in a sharpening stone or steel – it will keep the knife sharp and make the chef feel like a real pro.
- Large Utensils Set: This is another item that isn’t very expensive, but many people tend to skimp on. A set that includes at the least a large serving/mixing spoon, a ladle, a pasta fork, and a spatula is indispensible. One that comes with its own canister is even better for cluttered drawers. The Pinzon 8-piece stainless steel set is recommended, and last year Amazon offered it very cheap for Black Friday, so it's not a bad idea to keep an eye out for similar deals this year.
Next: Christmas Shopping Ideas for Beginning Bakers
The copyright of the article How to Find Cooking Gifts for First-Time Foodies in Kitchen Gadgets is owned by Judith Faucette. Permission to republish How to Find Cooking Gifts for First-Time Foodies in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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