Gift Ideas for Cooks

Beautiful Drink Lids for Keeping Critters Out of Your Drinks this Summer…

April 28, 2023 By Joi Sigers

Marilyn Monroe Mug with a Beautiful Lid

I’m one of those people who always (and I do mean always) has a couple of drinks with her. Whether I’m in the den watching old movies or baseball, in the flower garden, playing outdoors with grandbabies, going to the store, working on my blogs, or cooking supper.. there is always a glass of tea and a mug of hot tea or coffee within reach. I may be the most hydrated human in the history of the world.

The only problem is, during the warm months, I have to watch out for flies, gnats, and other critters who think my drinks look too good NOT to dive into. In the past, I always just covered the precious drink with a double-folded paper towel, magazine subscription card, or whatever happens to be handy.

Not very glamorous for someone who adores old movies like I do.

I jumped on Amazon to see what attractive alternatives I could find and life will never be the same. There are so many options! (Amazon link) I chose a set of gorgeous silicone drink lids (Amazon link) with little diamond-looking knobs on top because, come on, I’m a Marilyn Monroe fan, I’m all about girly and glitzy.

The set I chose had one each of the following colors: Purple (my favorite color), pink, yellow, and blue. I gave one to each of my three daughters and kept one for myself.

Bet you’ll never guess which color I kept. Oh, that’s right, the proof is in the pictures.

The silicone drink lids were even more beautiful in person – very high quality. They’re perfect for covering iced drinks as well as hot drinks – in fact, something I didn’t expect was the fact they help keep your hot tea or coffee warm longer.

Love that!

(Continued Below…)

Features:

From Amazon….

Keep Hot: Keweilian Silicone Cup Covers are ideal for keeping your tea at the perfect sipping temperature while you attend to other things.
Material: high quality food grade silicone, environmental protection, safety, non-toxic.
Keweilian Silicone Cup Covers Fits Most Cups & Mugs (3.94 INCH DIAMETER): Our Silicone Mug Covers are perfectly designed to keep your delicious beverage.
High Temperature Resistant: -40~250 F,Silicone can handle extreme temperatures，safe.
Health: Protect your precious drink from dust.

These come in many varieties and colors – with “handles” on top and without. They’re very inexpensive and extremely sturdy and well-made.

See the many silicone drink lids (Amazon link) options!

The Bride of Frankenstein Rocking Her Lid

GORGEOUS Acacia Wood Spoon Rest

April 20, 2023 By Joi Sigers

I ran across this handsome Acacia Wood Spoon Rest (Amazon link) a few minutes ago and fell head over heels in love with it. It’s a heckuva lot more attractive than draping a spoon over the side of a mug or pan, isn’t it?!

I actually found it because I was shopping in the Folkulture shop on Amazon. Their kitchen towels are something of an obsession to me, but I had never bothered to check to see if they had other items as well.

Lesson learned… always check!

Acacia Wood Spoon Rest:

(Description below is from Amazon)

This spatula rest or cooking spoon holder is handcrafted in acacia wood and measures 4.7 Inches in diameter. The ladle holder is a must-have kitchen essential which can hold spoons, spatulas, ladle or tongs.
These rustic spoon rests make for the perfect wooden kitchen accessories. The kitchen spoon rest for stove top comes with a rubber grip and is anti-slip unlike other ceramic or silicon spoon rest.
This boho spoon rest for stove looks extremely premium and will add elegance to your kitchen decor. This tea spoon holders can even be used to store coffee or tea spoons after use.
The wooden spoon rest or kitchen utensil holder has an easy circular design with a natural finish. It is easy to wipe and clean with wet cloth making it absolutely fuss-free.
This kitchen utensil rest will be a perfect gift for friends and family. This boho kitchen accessory makes for a perfect housewarming gift in this cooking spoon rest.

I collect wooden spoons (never met one yet I didn’t want to buy) and can’t wait to see how beautiful they’ll look resting on this great spoon rest.

Disposable Air Fryer Liners: Perfect for Fast Cleanups!

December 2, 2022 By Joi Sigers

One of my newest obsessions in the kitchen is our air fryer (Amazon link). For some reason, I never really thought I’d use one but, here I am, using it almost daily! It’s MUCH healthier to use than frying foods and, quite frankly, most things get so much crispier in the air fryer.. WITHOUT any greasy feel or taste.

I even use our air fryer for frozen fries and tater tots, simply put in frozen and they’re ready a lot sooner than they are in an oven – to tell the truth, they’re ready to eat in the time it takes some ovens to preheat! What’s more, they’re much better in the air fryer – especially tater tots… much crispier.

I have always used parchment paper to line the air fryer basket, but cutting and fitting is a pain in the backside… even when you buy the pre-cut parchment sheets (which I love for baking), they have to be awkwardly folded to fit the basket.

I just saw a couple of different disposable air fryer liners on Amazon and I think you’ll be as intrigued by them as I am.

The one shown on the right is the GOAUS Air Fryer 100 Pcs Round Paper Liners (Amazon link).

Product Description from Amazon:

Make clean up a breeze: Tired of cleanup after baking and roasting? It’s never too late to settle a GOAUS disposable paper liner inside your air fryer basket. Once you’re done cooking simply toss the liner away, and pop in another liner and continue cooking without cleanup between different foods.
Eco-friendly and Oven Safe: Food-grade premium material and excellent craftsmanship by GOAUS make paper liners waterproof and greaseproof and catch crumbs and grease. With heat resistance up to 428℉, no effect on food tastes itself and no sticky mess. Things you cooked still turn out crispy!
For 5 to 8 Qt Round Baskets: Find out correct capacity of air fryer. GOAUS parchment paper of 7.9-inch bottom diameter is intended for round air fryers whose basket capacity is between 5 and 8 quarts. Moreover, the disposable paper even fits microwaves, ovens, steamer, cookers, roasters, etc.
Avoid Burning: Read the instructions first before use. Do not place cooking paper without food during preheating. Hot air blowing the lightweight paper onto the heating duct will easily cause the paper to burn. Thus, place paper on bottom and weigh down with enough food.
Easy to Use&Tips: GOAUS disposable liners have made life so much simpler as they’re precut and “with sides” design. No mess, no fuss with these liners whether you’re baking, roasting or frying. In a case where you’re cooking something far messy and greasy, doubling the liner would be advised. Definitely worth the minimal cost for such a time saver!

Amazon also has the beauties shown on the left, the Palksky 100Pcs Air Fryer Baking Paper Square Liners (Amazon link).

Like the GOAUS liners pictured above, these come in a variety of sizes. Simply measure your air fryer’s basket and order accordingly!

Naturally, there are a lot of other liners available, these are simply the two that caught my eye. Click through either link or image for more information about these particular liners or to search for others. These are wonderful for everyone, but for those of us who have to eat gluten-free, they can cut down on your chances of getting cross-contaminated.

If you’re giving an air fryer to someone as a gift, these would be an excellent, very thoughtful addition!

Vegan and Gluten-Free Salad Dressings, Mayo & Butter from Plant Perfect (Exciting New Products!)

November 17, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Plant Perfect Vegan Ranch Dressing

Quite a while back, I devoured and reviewed Parma!, a Plant-Based Parmesan Cheese Alternative and, frankly, I’ve never forgotten the extraordinary, downright addictive flavor. It often comes to mind when I see other plant-based food, which is why I never, ever brush off the idea… I know better. I only wish Parma! was available in stores. It is available online and is absolutely worth seeking it out… positively addictive, I tell you.

I recently saw the following press release for a new rapidly-growing brand from Pivotal Foods called Plant Perfect. After reading the release, I found myself extremely anxious to try quite a few of the products – especially the one you see pictured above, a Vegan Ranch Dressing. See the “No Palm Oil” on the front of the bottle? LOVE that!

I’ve found a few of their delicious-sounding products on Amazon and have linked to them in photos an/or content below.

As soon as I try these exciting plant-based products, I will write reviews on the food blog and link to them here.

Ready To Pivot To A Better Class Of Vegan Salad Dressings, Mayo & Butter?

STATELINE, NEVADA – For years, countless people following a vegan diet for moral or dietary reasons have been asking the same rhetorical question: why isn’t there a dairy-free brand that actually frees us from our lifelong craving for dairy?

Happily, one company decided to answer that question by developing a line of dairy-free products so authentic in flavor and texture that even non-vegans are singing their praises.

Introducing Pivotal Foods (www.pivotalfoods.com) and its signature Plant Perfect brand, creators of a rapidly-growing line of dressings, mayo and – soon – butter that seamlessly blend mouth-watering flavor, authentic texture and wholesome nutrition in each and every bottle and jar.

Treating consumers to a literal and figurative taste of the future, Pivotal Foods is currently experiencing its most significant period of growth to date since the introduction of Plant Perfect Vegan Mayo in 2020. Indeed, largely due to word of mouth rather than the sort of massive marketing blitz usually needed to break into the crowded vegan marketplace, Pivotal Foods has already expanded its retail presence to over 2500 mainstream and health food stores around the country – most recently adding 1200 Safeway stores in six regions around the country.

Today, consumers can find Plant Perfect vegan salad dressings and mayo in such chains as Whole Foods, Sprouts, Raley’s, Lucky, and Safeway as well as on Amazon.com.. For a complete list of store locations, please visit www.eatplantperfect.com/find-us.

The Name Says It All

Living up to its name, Plant Perfect products represent a perfect fusion of great taste and important nutrition, utilizing wholesome ingredients sure to please even the most discerning vegan and non-vegan palates. The brand’s growing family of products include six distinct salad dressings that are all vegan, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, non-GMO, EDTA-free (EDTA is a chemical that is added to certain foods and beverages to help them keep their color and flavor), palm oil-free and Certified Kosher.

Now Plant-Based Certified, Plant Perfect dressings are available in 8-ounce bottles in these delectable flavors:

Ranch
Green Goddess
Creamy Italian
Caesar (Amazon link)
Chipotle Ranch
Cilantro Lime

Like Plant Perfect’s Vegan Mayo, the brand’s salad dressings are 12-month shelf stable. Plant Perfect salad dressings can be found on the dry goods shelf next to conventional dressings.

Vegan Mayo Comes Of Age

Representing a deliciously nutritious dairy-free version of a classic condiment, Plant Perfect’s Vegan Mayo is every bit as tasty, rich, versatile and satisfying as its traditional counterpart. Like the brand’s salad dressings, Plant Perfect Mayo is all vegan, gluten-free, cholesterol-free, non-GMO, EDTA-free, palm oil-free and Certified Kosher.

Offered in 12-ounce bottles, Plant Perfect Vegan Mayo enhances any dish and represents an ideal alternative to traditional mayonnaise when preparing meals, snacks and desserts (great news for vegan or health-conscious home cooks and bakers during the holiday season!).

Next on the menu for Pivotal Foods will be Plant Perfect Vegan Butter, slated to be introduced next year. Performing just like dairy European butter in every way – but without the cows! – the new line will initially consist of two irresistibly satisfying varieties: Original and Buttery.

A Pivotal Time In The Vegan Food Industry

Committed to developing high quality vegan food products that taste great, are healthy and minimize the environmental impact on the planet, Pivotal Foods is not only attracting a diverse range of new retail and foodservice partners, but is winning over both committed vegans as well as mainstream consumers ready to incorporate healthier dairy-free products into their diet so long as they don’t have to sacrifice flavor in the process.

Commenting on his company’s fast-track expansion, Pivotal Foods’ CEO Mark Garrison said, “Every Plant Perfect item is developed with one overriding goal in mind – to create the most nutritious and delicious vegan alternative product possible. Giving up dairy for ethical or dietary reasons is never easy, so we went to great lengths to make sure our Plant Perfect Mayo, Salad Dressings and Butter not only live up to, but exceed, customer expectations. We’re heartened by the overwhelmingly positive response we’ve received from full-time and part-time vegans alike and look forward to introducing many more vegan products over the years to come.”

For more information, please visit www.eatplantperfect.com and www.pivotalfoods.com.

Goodful Non-Stick All-In-One Pot: It Has all the Good and None of the Bad (Seriously, I Love This One!)

November 13, 2022 By Joi Sigers

The great looking Goodful Non-Stick All-In-One Pot (Amazon link), pictured above, is pretty darn special and would make a great addition to your kitchen as well as a perfect gift idea for any cook in your life.

The gorgeous Aluminum Dutch oven comes in a terracotta color that I’m pretty wild about if we’re being honest. While I tend to buy almost everything in my kitchen in the colors of purple or red, I’m totally feeling the terracotta.

Fortunately, it will go beautifully with the vibrant colors my psyche is so drawn to.

Features:

One of the best things about this all-in-one pot is that it can (and will) cut down on the clutter in your kitchen. It can serve as a Dutch oven, stock pot, deep fryer, sauce pot, roasting rack, steamer, braiser, saute pan and then some.
The pan comes with a matching lid, roasting rack, and beechwood turner.
Features a durable, high-performance, long-lasting multilayer non-stick coating that allows food to easily slide out of the pot for easy everyday cooking and effortless cleaning.
Made without PFOA, lead, cadmium, toxic metals, or nanoparticles.
Although the Dutch oven is heavy-duty, the anti-warp, thick cast aluminum is light enough to maneuver in the kitchen. Given that I have the strength of an anemic songbird, I love this to distraction. It’s said to be much lighter than a cast iron skillet or your typical Dutch oven.
Oven safe up to 400°F
This All Star does it all: Steam, sauté, sear, boil, simmer, blanche, braise, flambe, poach, deep fry, stew… then lets you serve your deliciousness in style!
Compatible with all cooktops: electric, gas, glass, or induction.
Last but absolutely NOT least, The Goodful Non-Stick All-In-One Pot (Amazon link), lid and roasting rack are dishwasher safe. Those two words are magical in my hyper-busy kitchen.

See Goodful Non-Stick All-In-One Pot (Amazon link) for a closer look at this beauty.

Christmas Gnomes: Dishes, Bowls, Salt & Pepper Shakers, Candy Bowls, Cookie Jars…

October 22, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Gnome Sweet Gnome

Over the past three years, I have fallen head over heels in love with gnomes. I love them, I collect them.. quite frankly, they have my undying devotion, whether they know what to do with it or not.

I honestly have no idea where this infatuation started – after all, when it comes to Christmas collections, I’ve always been ALL about snowmen, Christmas bears, and gingerbread men… somewhere along the way, gnomes just joined the party.

The snowmen don’t seem to mind, so it’s all good.

When it came time to make the image for the food blog’s Christmas Gift Guide 2022, there was very little doubt who the guest-star would be. I also thought it perfectly fitting to start the whole shebang off with a post about Christmas Gnomes in the kitchen, so I’ve rounded up a great assortment of gift ideas for the kitchen – after all, there are a LOT of other gnome collectors out there.

You may even be one, yourself! If so… like me… you’ll want as many of these as you can get your mitts on for your Christmas table.

Click through any image or link for more information and a closer view. These are absolutely gorgeous and would surely bring a lot of joy and smiles to your gnome home. All of the links below are Amazon links. ~ Joi (“Joi”)

Bico Christmas Gnomes 11 inch Dinner Plates (Set of 4)

Bico Red Gnome Candy Bowl

Bico Red Christmas Gnome Cookie Jar

Bico Christmas Gnome Salt and Pepper Shaker Set

Bico Christmas Gnomes Ceramic Spoon Rest

Holiday Gnomes Doormat

More Christmas Gnomes are on Amazon (click through any of the Amazon links above or in the Amazon graphic below). I love all of them and am crazy about the fact that most (like the doormat above) can be used all winter.

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds Make Fancy Pies Possible… Just in Time for Pie Baking Season!

October 15, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Pumpkin Pie

It’s here… Holy cats, it’s finally here! Pie season is upon us and I couldn’t be more excited. Making, baking, and eating pies is one of my favorite things in the world and this is basically my Super Bowl. Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, Chess, Pecan (my favorite!), chocolate, apple… never met a pie yet I didn’t adore.

Having to eat gluten-free poses a bit of a challenge in most areas in the kitchen, but never more so than when it comes to bread and pastries. Gluten-free flours simply behave differently, period. Fortunately, I’m almost always up for a challenge, so I’ve stuck with them until I’ve mastered the situation.

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds (Amazon link)

Making a Fancy Pie Crust

When it comes to making a pretty pie presentation, let’s fact it, most of us just don’t have the time or energy for all the fuss. The old-fashioned (and, let’s face it, pretty darn impressive) fork tines pressed around the edge serves most of us well. Yet, we often yearn for a real show-stopper pie on our table.

One of the most-respected names in the business, Wilton, has come to our rescue. I’m, by nature, a very brand-loyal person and this brand is one of the ones I have an unwavering devotion to.

Something about never being let down has something to do with it. Another thing I love about them is pictured right here in this post… they never stop or rest on their laurels. The creativity keeps flowing and they keep coming up with new tools to help home cooks and bakers make their dreams come true.

They make us look good and, by gosh, I love them for it.

These Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds are among their newest products and I absolutely love them. They’re incredibly easy to use (and reuse and reuse and reuse…), VERY well made and durable, and work like an absolute charm.

Back of a Pie Crust Mold Package

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Mold Features:

Create impressive pie crust designs with this silicone mold
Color: Red
Material: Silicone
10.5 x 5 in. (26.6 x 12.7 cm)
Top-rack dishwasher safe; however for best results, hand wash in warm soapy water before first and after each use; rinse and dry thoroughly

I was sent two of these wonderful pie crust molds in exchange for telling my food blog readers about them and I recently put them to use with my first pie of the season, a delicious pumpkin pie.

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds

I made a double batch of pie crust, one for the pumpkin pie and one batch for “playing” with the molds! The photo of the pumpkin pie shows the fluted edge and a few of the cut outs I placed on top. For those of you who don’t have to eat gluten-free, you have it made in the shade… you can use store-bought pie crust dough and play all day! Those of us who have to make our own gluten-free dough have to be very judicious with our dough lmao!

Fortunately, these molds are so easy (and outrageously fun) to use that anyone can do it. Heck, I did it with my 4 year old and 3 year old grandbabies playing King Kong vs Godzilla all around me! I was even told at one point, “Be a Skull Crawler, MiMi!” so I did my best. I’m guessing skull crawlers roar and chomp their teeth?

Back of Pie Crust Mold Package

As you can see from the directions on the backs, the instructions are incredibly clear and straightforward – so easy a skull crawler can follow them.

I 100 percent recommend these molds for the best and most beautiful pies this Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re very thick, sturdy, and do an outstanding job. The dough doesn’t stick to the molds and you can let your creative juices really flow.

Please click through for more information:

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Molds (Amazon link) – This link goes to the Pie Crust Mold pictured first, the one with a gorgeous apple pie on the front.

Wilton Silicone Pie Crust Mold – This link goes to Wilton’s website where you can find the mold set with the leaves (the one pictured second!) – This one doesn’t appear to be on Amazon, unfortunately.

I hope you’ll click through either link and give these a try. I just love them so much! ~ Joi (“Joy”)

Pumpkin Pie

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

September 29, 2022 By Joi Sigers

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.

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

August 21, 2022 By Joi Sigers

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.

Ingenious Over the Sink Drying Rack: Perfect for Dishes and Produce

August 18, 2022 By Joi Sigers

Amazon has a GENIUS for showing me things they know I’ll love. I mean, I will venture onto their website (honest session, here… the Amazon window is always open on my desktop computer) and BADABING! Right there is something I don’t just want, but need.

Case in point: Earlier I breezed onto Amazon to buy some Halloween decorations for the yard. With two daughters who are OBSESSED with Halloween and three grandbabies (two 2 year olds and a 4 year old), I always do Halloween up BIG. Long story, short (too late??), they showed me a couple of kitchen items I honestly have no idea how I’ve lived without.

One was the dish drying rack pictured here (available in many sizes). While most of my dishes go directly into the dishwasher, there are plenty of special coffee mugs and sippy cups for the littles that I do by hand. This is exactly what I need for them to dry without taking up precious counter space.

I also love the idea of washing produce and leaving them to airdry on the rack. Genius. Absolutely genius.

Click through for more information and to see the sizes available.

Oh… and the second thing I saw that I absolutely need may or may not have been Gluten-Free Macaroons (Amazon link).

Narrator: “It absolutely WAS macaroons.”