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Christmas Gift Guide 2016: Gift Ideas for Cooks & Foodies

When putting together the following pages of gift ideas, I took two things into consideration:

  1. What do I have that I know other cooks and foodies would love?
  2. What would I love to open on Christmas morning, myself?!

Merry Christmas from my family to your family! ~ Joi ("Joy")

Monin Flavored Syrups with Pumps (So Many Delicious Options!)

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One of my daughters (brilliant girl that she is) had a Monin Peppermint Syrup (Amazon link) on her Amazon Wish List, along with a set of pumps to use with it.  Another daughter… her sister… saw the syrup and pump and (brilliant girl that she is) added the Monin Lavender Syrup (Amazon link) with pump to her own Amazon Wish List!

Their mother (that would be me) just informed their youngest sister… and, thereby, my youngest daughter…. that she has (at last count) found 7 different flavored syrups she wants!

Pretty clear where they got their brilliance from, am I right? Of course I’m right.

These fun, creative syrups make being your own barista insanely fun – PLUS it can save you trips (and money in the long run) to the coffeehouse.

I have my eye on the lavender (perfect with so many different teas, as well as great for flavoring whipped toppings), raspberry, coconut, toasted marshmallow (!!!), peach, blackberry, and strawberry.

After seeing the recipe for the Peppermint Shake, I’m also pretty interested in the Peppermint Syrup that began the whole obsession. At least that brings it to an even 8 that I have my heart set on. I do appreciate balance in life.

Click through any of the links to take a closer look at these wonderful syrups. These would make absolutely phenomenal gift ideas for the tea, coffee, smoothie (oh my gosh, this just opened up a whole new world to me), or milkshake lovers in your life.


The Deviled Egg Tray of My Dreams… (Great Gift Idea for Cooks Too)

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One of the foods we have every single holiday is deviled eggs… except we call them “Kangaroo eggs” because one of my daughters gave them this nickname when she was 4 and, by gosh, it was so cute, it stuck!

Speaking of stick (nice, unexpected segue here), my beautiful glass heirloom tray looks fantastic on the table, but in the fridge is a whole other situation – the plastic wrap I have to use always sticks to the eggs, messing up the paprika sprinkled on top while smooshing the nice little mounds completely.

This is the year I am finally investing in a set of great looking Deviled Egg Trays with Lids (Amazon link). Not sure where this set has been all my life but now that it’s in my sights, a whole new world just opened up.

This wonderful set includes three trays with lids, which means you can make enough Kangaroo eggs for everyone to take plenty home with them!

From Amazon:

  • Lightweight plastic is great for toting from kitchen to party without being too flimsy to ruin your wonderful deviled eggs.
  • Not only do you get high quality but comes in a great 3 pack for extra eggs at your big event.
  •  Keeps your eggs exactly where you need them to be so they aren’t sliding all over the place and making a mess.
  • Easily stack these handy deviled egg trays one on top of another for easy storage in the fridge before the big party.
  • Strong and sturdy foodsafe BPA free plastic makes for a high quality deviled egg carrier that you can use again and again.

One of the reviews left on Amazon pointed out that these are very easy to store also – another plus!

Take a closer look: Deviled Egg Tray with a Lid (Amazon link)

 

The Nightmare Before Christmas Dish Set (LOVE THIS!)

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While this gorgeous, unexpected, and FUN 16 Piece The Nightmare Before Christmas Dish Set (Amazon link) is frighteningly perfect for Halloween, I can’t help thinking that it’d make a perfect gift idea for some lucky movie fan.

My youngest daughter and son-in-law love and collect this particular film, so their names are all over it.

Well.. so to speak.

Product Description from Amazon:

  • Trendy dinnerware: This spellbinding kitchen dish set is a must-have for fans of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.
  • Spooky style: The entire dinnerware set features designs inspired by Disney’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, including a spider web border that ties all the pieces together in a cohesive style.
  • Quality construction: Made of a durable ceramic material, this Nightmare Before Christmas kitchen dinnerware set is both microwave and dishwasher safe.
  • Complete dinnerware set contains: 16 pieces, including 4 complete place settings. The entire dish set comes with a total of 4 dinner plates (10.5 inches), 4 salad plates (8 inches), 4 bowls (7 inches), and 4 mugs (10.5 ounces).
  • Fun & functional: Featuring amazing designs and practical for everyday use, this dinnerware set is crafted with true Nightmare Before Christmas fans in mind. This ceramic dish set is a perfect gift for fans of Tim Burton and the iconic Disney movie.

See 16 Piece The Nightmare Before Christmas Dish Set (Amazon link) for more information. I can’t tell you how much I need this for Halloween!

Gorgeous Soup Bowl and Sandwich Plate Combo (Great Gift Idea for Cooks)

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Mentally and emotionally I have turned the corner…. I’ve left summer behind and have launched myself right into Autumn’s crisp leaves and gentle breeze!

The house is already decked out with creepers, happy ghosts, pumpkins, and bears dressed up for Halloween. We’re all ready for fall.. now all it has to do is show up!

I’m also making the summer to fall transition in the kitchen as soup and chili begin to replace salads and grilled burgers. In fact, today marked the first day that a pot of chili returns to the home. I served it with pimento cheese sandwiches and it was fantastic.

As I thought about the number of times (during fall and winter) that we take our soup or chili and hot dogs/sandwiches into the den to watch football (Go UK Wildcats! and Go Broncos!) or October baseball (Go Cardinals!), it occurred to me that I needed to find handy coup and plate trays. Truth be told, I wasn’t even 100 percent sure such a thing existed, I just knew what would be extraordinarily cool.

I went directly to Amazon to see if the coolness existed and badabing!… of course Amazon had just what I was looking for.

They always do.

The Artena Bowl and Sandwich Plate Combo (Amazon link) is EXACTLY what I need. I love that it’s available in different colors (I honestly had no idea I’d find any this gorgeous).

  • Available in teal blue, lake blue, mint green, and soft pink.
  • Ideal size – perfect for fitting a sandwich or chili dog on in addition to the generous mug of soup or chili.
  • I also love the options these would provide for breakfast food – grits or oatmeal with French toast or biscuits yum!
  • When you click through and take a closer look at the colors, be sure to check out the video that’s available – you’ll get a better idea of just how gorgeous, well-made, and roomy these are.


Gifts from the Kitchen: 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion

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Gifts from the Kitchen: 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion
Inevitably, after months of shopping and planning, my best-received gifts are the cookies and candies I’ve made for my loved ones. That’s why, in the days leading up to Christmas, you can only find me if you look in my kitchen. I’m the one covered in powdered sugar, chocolate, and corn syrup – dancing around to Christmas music.

Man, I love this time of year!

If you love giving gifts you’ve made in your own kitchen, too, here’s a cookbook you’ll want to add to your library right away.  Gifts from the Kitchen: 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion, by Annie Rigg (Amazon link) is an uncommonly beautiful book. As a cookbook collector, one of the first things I notice about a cookbook is how good it feels about itself –  the cover, artwork, and photographs let you know, right off the bat, if the cookbook feels really good about itself or if its heart is only half in it.

Gifts from the Kitchen (Amazon link) feels amazingly good about itself – we’re talking “supermodel” confidence, here.

Naturally, for a book to be a great book – there has to be more than just great looks going for it. Thankfully, Gifts from the Kitchen comes through in the personality department, too  – it’s not just a pretty face.

{Continued Below…}

Gifts from the Kitchen: 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion
The book covers all celebrations and all seasons. Not only can you use the beautiful delicacies for gift-giving, you can also use them to celebrate special occasions.

Special Occasion Recipes Include

  • Fortune Cookies (Chinese New Year)
  • Chocolate Valentine’s Cakes (Valentine’s Day or Anniversaries)
  • Love Heart Sugar Cubes (Valentine’s Day)
  • Double Dark Chocolate, Pecan and Ginger Cookies (Father’s Day)
  • Easter Nest Cupcakes (Easter)
  • Rugelach (Jewish Celebrations)
  • Baby Shower Cakes
  • Wedding Cake
  • Stained Glass Snowflake Cookies (Christmas)
  • And More…

Recipes for Gifts That Fit Any Occasion Include

  • Chocolate Truffles
  • Peanut or Macadamia Brittle
  • Creamy Vanilla Fudge with Chocolate and Nuts
  • Pickled Beets
  • Pickled Shallots
  • Spiced Cranberry Jelly
  • Florentines
  • Chocolate-Coated Candied Almonds
  • Mango Chutney with Chili Pepper and Ginger
  • English Muffins
  • Cherry Jam
  • Strawberry and Vanilla Preserves
  • Chocolate and Hazelnut Spread
  • Honeycomb (look especially perfect for Halloween)
  • Pesto
  • And Many more….

In addition to the clear and simple recipes, Gifts from the Kitchen (Amazon link) provides beautiful examples of ways to present many of these food gifts to your lucky foodie.

This is not a “gluten free” cookbook, but many of the candies and other recipes are, in and of themselves, gluten free. I have not tested any of the other recipes with gluten free flours, so I can’t say how well they’d take to substitutions. It is, however, in my opinion, more than worth having in your collection. The candies, spreads, jellies, etc. outnumber the cakes and cupcakes… and even they provide inspiration and ideas for the gluten free cook.

I’m especially excited about a recipe for “Wholegrain Honey Mustard.” Wholegrain mustard is an obsession of mine – I add it to more recipes than you can imagine (potato salad, BBQ sauce, deviled eggs, egg salad sandwiches, salad dressings…). I can only imagine how amazing this homemade Wholegrain Honey Mustard will be!

See Gifts from the Kitchen (Amazon link) for more information.

While you’re on Amazon, check out the other beautiful cookbooks by Annie Rigg!

Gifts from the Kitchen: 100 Irresistible Homemade Presents for Every Occasion

Possibly the Most Beautiful and Elegant Tableware Set EVER Created…

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This Tableware Set (Amazon link) is BEYOND gorgeous! I mean, come on, I’d consider it an honor to eat with these beauties. Pretty sure I’d feel like a modern day, Kentucky version of Cleopatra… you know… without murder and snakes.

I was originally thinking of this set for my own use (there’s that Cleopatra mindset again).. of how much better this set would look  on the kitchen counter for a Thanksgiving or Christmas buffet (than a splattering of forks and knives spread out like weapons of war). But, after thinking about it and looking at them a little more closely, I realize they’d also make wonderful gift ideas.

As your family admires them at your holiday get together, opening their own set would be even sweeter.

Mind you, I still simply must have my own set – and the sooner, the better – but I also have my eye on these for gift ideas. After all, don’t we all enjoy surrounding ourselves with as much beauty as possible??

This beautiful set is…. here come the six magic words… safe to use in the dishwasher!

More Features of the Tableware Set: 

  • Each stainless steel silverware set contains 6 steak knives, 6 dinner forks, 6 dinner spoons, 6 teaspoons and a flatware holder.
  • Each piece of tableware has been carefully designed to meet the ergonomically appropriate size and weight, so that you can use it with ease and comfort, forget the silverware and enjoy dinners.
  • This flatware set is made of high quality food grade 410 stainless steel, Compared with 304 stainless steel has better strength, as well as hardness. It will not bend, break or be damaged by heat. Its sturdiness ensures that it will not bend easily, providing you with long term use. 
  • The whole set of cutlery comes with a stainless steel sideboard, which has the function of storing and properly sorting the cutlery, breaking the disordered drawer, and providing good protection for your cutlery. Beautiful and gorgeous appearance, let you put it in any place in the house is like the existence of art (oh, yeah, that part really resonates with Joi-patra).
  • Highly mirror finish followed by an electroplating finish that gives it a more lustrous finish than normal tableware, with a smooth edge that ensures safety and no scratches. Elegant design and exceptional quality make this silver set ideal for kitchens, restaurants, hotels, banquet events and daily meals, as well as a great gift choice.

See Tableware Set (Amazon link) for a closer look.

Also See: More Christmas 2021 Gift Ideas for Cooks and Foodies!

Gorgeous 4-Slice Toaster with Extra Wide Slots (This color makes me want to redecorate my entire life…)

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I’m not sure any family uses their toaster any more than we do in this household. Toast, English muffins, bagels, waffles… in one way or another, it’s used on a daily basis. I love my toaster but have always wished it were a 4-slot instead of a 2-slot.

Earlier when I was pricing 4-slice toasters, I came across this beauty, the BUYDEEM Retro 4-Slice Toaster (Amazon link). It’s shown in Cozy Greenish, which I am WILD about… but it’s also available in a gorgeous yellow that I’m equally smitten with.

For those who like their appliances with less color, a great looking stainless steel is also available.

I love the retro look to this beauty, as well as the fact there are 4 extra wide slots – no more smushed bagels in this kitchen by gosh.

Product Features

  • Bagel & Muffin Expert – True bagel toasting function, heats up both sides of the bagel initially, then only toasts the cutting side of the bagel. Enjoy your crispy cutting side bagel!
  • Extra Wide Slots – 4 wide (1.4”) slots with self-centering guides, perfect for different kinds of slices.
  • 7 Toast Shade Settings – 7 browning controls for 5 basic functions with LED indicators. Satisfies all your daily toasting needs.
  • 4 Slice Dual Independent Control Panels – Less time, more choices; solid high lift lever, fulfill different tastes at the same time. Enjoy your morning with the ultimate breakfast.
  • Save your Space – With its compact and retro design, this stylish toaster can save space on your countertop, cord storage on the bottom to neatly store away your toaster.

Click through BUYDEEM Retro 4-Slice Toaster (Amazon link) for a much closer look at these beauties… you’re going to flip over the colors… and a lot more information. Any one of these three amazing colors would make a GREAT gift idea but, let’s be honest, one would look especially gorgeous in YOUR kitchen,

 

No Kitchen Should Be Without a Food Processor: I’m Willing to Die on that Hill (though I’d prefer it not come to that)

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I’ve been putting together gift ideas for cooks and foodies for the 2021 Gift Guide, so my mind has been entirely on showing you the best gift ideas for the cooks, bakers, and foodies on your list and in your life. I was deep in thought about this very thing while making chicken salad this afternoon when the two worlds of cooking and blogging collided.

As I added my almonds, celery, scallions, and chicken – and processed each, one at a time, in my Hamilton Beach Food Processor (Amazon link)…  one exactly like the one pictured, here… it occurred to me, a food processor makes the IDEAL gift!

I use mine almost daily…

  • chicken salad
  • homemade peanut butter
  • bacon butter
  • egg salad
  • tuna fish
  • chopped salads
  • guacamole
  • nuts for baking
  • flour and butter for pie crusts
  • etc..

It makes kitchen work and meal prep quick, painless, and keeps everything beautifully uniform.

About this particular Food Processor (from Amazon):

  • Bowl scraper attachment: Special attachment scrapes the sides of the bowl to keep ingredients close to the blades for more even results and to save you time when chopping or pureeing — no need to stop and remove the lid to use a spatula
  • 10 cup capacity: The generous 10 cup bowl can handle large volumes of foods without having to stop to empty it
  • Large feed chute: Can fit large foods like a whole block of cheese for quick, easy processing and less prep time
  • Versatility of a food processor, food chopper and vegetable chopper: Reversible stainless steel disc slices and shreds, while the stainless steel s-blade chops, mixes and purees
  • 2 speeds plus pulse and 450 watts of power: Food processor’s low and high speeds plus pulse gives you the control you need for a variety of recipes
  • Included Components: S-Blade for Chopping

There are, of course, MANY different brands and varieties of food processors on the market – I decided to link you to the exact one I  have simply because it’s the best one I’ve ever used, it has never let me down, and it’s a great deal – less expensive than most I’ve seen, yet easily as good. I also love the brand Hamilton Beach a great deal.

See Hamilton Beach Food Processor (Amazon link) for more information, pictures, and a video.

Guacamole and Chips

Guacamole: Just One of the Reasons a Food Processor is a MUST Have


Gift Ideas for Cooks and Foodies for Christmas 2021

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Christmas Gift Ideas for Cooks 2021

Christmas Gift Ideas for Cooks and Foodies 2021

I’m a bit late getting the Christmas gift idea guide published on the food blog this year. What can I say… life has thrown me lots of challenges the past few weeks. I guess it added a new level of difficulty to keep things interesting!

It’s all good, though. As long as God is just a prayer away (and He always is), I can handle the difficult days as long as they can handle me. Woof!

Below are links to reviews or descriptions of wonderful gift ideas for the cook or foodie in your life – as well as some ideas to make your life easier and sweeter in the kitchen during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s celebrations. The list will grow daily, so bookmark the page and check back often!

Best wishes for a healthy, safe, and happy holiday season – one filled with great love and great laughter. ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Perfectly Delicious Gift Idea for Cooks, Grill Masters, and Men Who are DIFFICULT to Shop For!

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We all have them – men who are almost impossible to think of gift ideas for. Whether it’s because they buy everything they want or need for themselves or because they’re as picky as any teenager shopping for clothes… some men are simply VERY difficult to shop for.

Fortunately, if he grills or cooks, the door to opportunities and gift ideas swings right open.

This gorgeous and perfect set of Smokehouse Grilling Spices and Seasonings (Amazon Link) only presents me with one problem… I not only want one for every male above 20 on my Christmas list, I want one for myself as well!

About this Gift Idea:

  • UNIQUE GIFT IDEA – Included are 20 unique BBQ rubs and spices to make cooking even more fun and flavorful.
  • FUN FLAVORS- Lime Chipotle, Chili Rosemary, Jalapeno, Black Cajun and Chili Parsley seasoning lend creativity AND fun.
  • CLASSIC FLAVORS- Classics such as Memphis, Cayenne, Garlic Salt, Italian, and Thyme Salt are always needed.
  • EXOTIC Flavors-  Jamaican, Caribbean, Southwest, Mexican, and Montreal seasonings add adventure and bragging rights!
  • OLD FAVORITES – Chili Onion, Cajun, Chili Salt, Chili Garlic and Rosemary & Herb Salt seasonings are also included which can be used with any meat or vegetable being made.

See Smokehouse Grilling Spices and Seasonings (Amazon Link) for more information – but, be warned, you’re going to want a set for your own kitchen and that of any other cook on your list, male or female. This is a very, very, very impressive set and it is packaged beautifully.