Christmas Gift Ideas for Foodies

Also, Linens and Things in Shelbyville Rd Plaza is going out of business...

Kitchen tool goldmine right there.

If you desperately need something, HURRY.
I think all kitchen large and small-wares are 15%-30 off.

The only pricy component is the caviar maker

Is that like ummmm... a herring or a sturgeon?[

quote="Kris Billiter"]And isn't really even necessary unless you are doing some serious volume caviar making. I've always used squeeze bottles for service.[/quote]

I'm not really sure I even want to ask about this.

The only pricy component is the caviar maker

Is that like ummmm... a herring or a sturgeon?[

And isn't really even necessary unless you are doing some serious volume caviar making. I've always used squeeze bottles for service.

I'm not really sure I even want to ask about this.

I supposed you could just squeeze a bunch of fish if you want... but I'm not sure it'll taste like anything other than sea salt and fish.

ChefRubber: Caviar Maker Tool


An edit on my previous post needs to be made...
Since the last time i looked some months ago, they've dropped the price from $50 to $37.

If you caught Todd and Duane's episode of Iron Chef America: Battle Carrots vs. Cat Cora, that's what she used to make her (attempt) at carrot caviar.

Marsha- I threw mine away after I ripped my finger open twice with the Zyliss- it just didn't fit my big paws. I have the scars to prove it.

Marsha- I threw mine away after I ripped my finger open twice with the Zyliss- it just didn't fit my big paws. I have the scars to prove it.

I have a scar from one I borrowed before I owned mine. On the other hand - no scars on the ripe tomato I peeled with it last night. Seriously, could any other peeler peel a soft peach or tomato? But, yes. It's a dangerous little tool. My enemies would do well to stock up on Neosporin.

[Robin Garr]

Zyliss. I have already had one given to me as a gift this season, and it's amazing. You can even peel soft peaches and tomatoes perfectly with this thing (the blade is serrated, and SHARP - watch out!)

Also, Linens and Things in Shelbyville Rd Plaza is going out of business and they carry them. You'll never buy any other kind of peeler. Mine's red

Great minds and all that ... my Xyliss is red, too! And I have never (YET!) cut myself with it. <preen>

I agree with Marsha and Robin. I much prefer the Zyliss peeler to the "Y" peeler. You're right, Marsha, the Zyliss peeler takes of the tomato peel and peach skins like a breeze. I find that peeler much preferred to dipping the tomato or peach in boiling water to remove the peel.

Hi, all. I'm one of the co-owners of onegoodie.com/foodie and saw we were mentioned here during the day we were having some technical difficulties (urgh). I am a local Louisvillian (born and raised, although I did leave for the big city years ago and came back). Just wanted you to know we are up and running through 12/19 (then we'll be on "winter break" - is that allowed for grown-ups? - til 1/2/09). We've got lots of goodies coming your way this week with a coupon of HOLIDAY08F for 10% off any one foodie goodie. We've got gifts for the wine lovers, cheese lovers, marshmallow lovers. Please come by.

Oh - and strictly foodie speaking - have you ever tasted Lotsa Pasta's Marinara Sauce? As someone who used to live and eat in Chicago and NYC, it's the best in town. I buy it by the truckload! I pass that on to everyone I know.

What kitchen gadget or food find do you have or use that you cannot live without and would be a perfect gift for a foodie and costs under $50? (How's that for a run-on sentence!)

Christmas is coming, people ... start throwing out suggestions!

Hmmmmmm...Well you could get me a rotisserie for my gas grill or (something I'm really longing for) a new 22 inch Weber Smokey Mountain Smoker. In lieu of those two items a gift card to Bed Bath and Beyond will do just fine.

If they don't have these already, a stick blender and a digital kitchen scale are both kitchen toys, er, tools that I didn't realize were essential until I got them for myself. If your friends don't have these, either would be a no-brainer in your general price range.

I agree with Robin on both of these. Here are some additional items I love, love in my kitchen:

Microplane zester/fine grater
Microplane Box Grater
Silicone Basting Brushes
Silicon Spoonulas
Duncan's Kitchen oven Mitts
Digital Instant-read thermometer

DEb

Any recommendations on a stick blender? SOmthing I've been thinking about getting for awhile now.

Kris,

I used to have a small "stick" blender years ago( can't remember the brand), but Ist wasn't very powerful and just seemed to move things around not really blend/whisk anything. But last year I got an immersion blender, and I absolutely love it. Mine is a "Wolfgang Puck" brand, and it was purchased at Costco. Don't know if they still have them though...

DEb

[Robin Garr]

Microplane Box Grater

Oooh! I got one of those at ... well, you know where ...

I am absolutely loving all these ideas! I would have never thought of several of them. Keep ' em coming ... only 13 more days to Christmas (as of this post)!

If they don't have these already, a stick blender and a digital kitchen scale are both kitchen toys, er, tools that I didn't realize were essential until I got them for myself. If your friends don't have these, either would be a no-brainer in your general price range.

I second these ideas, and also suggest a good quality, medium size mandolin slicer. Great for deconstructing various veggies, potatoes, etc.

Also, if they do a lot of cooking, you can't go wrong picking the giftee up one good quality 8" or 10" forged (not stamped) chef's knife. Unfortunately, this will likely run you $100+. Along the "knife" lines, If they have medium to good quality knives but are negligent in having them sharpened, (and I don't mean straightening the edge on the steel knife straightener), there are a few companies that you can mail order your knives to (they provide protective sleeves for shipping, etc.) that will sharpen/balance the knives. This is also a little pricey as well.

BTW - if anyone knows of anywhere in town that sharpens knives, please advise. Thanks.

Heimerdinger's on Shelbyville Road.

http://www.heimerdingercutlery.com/