Cook Smarts’ Holiday Gift Guide for 2015: Gift Ideas for Every Home Cook
Here at Cook Smarts, we believe that everyone can have fun and be productive in the kitchen. So, whether you’re shopping for a novice cook, a pro chef or a little helper, we’ve got you covered with these great gift ideas. (And, don’t forget that our meal plans make a perfect gift for anyone on your list!)
Novice Cook
1. NEOPRENE KITCHEN ESSENTIALS SET
Oven mitts and potholders are a must-have in any kitchen, and the fun colors and prints make this high-quality set a great gift for any home cook.
2. KITCHEN TOWELS
These sturdy, versatile towels are great for keeping a kitchen in tip-top shape. They’re lint-free, so you can use them to clean and dry pretty much anything – from countertops to glassware.
3. CAST IRON SKILLET
Everyone needs a cast iron skillet in their kitchen! This cooking staple is a real workhorse, going from the stovetop to oven with ease. We like the 10.25 inch version because it’s big enough for everyday recipes without being too heavy to handle.
4. SALT AND PEPPER MILL
There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh ground pepper on top of your favorite soup or salad. This 2 in 1 grinder looks sleek and saves space.
5. CUTTING MATS
These mats are easy to use and easy to clean (dishwasher safe). Just slip a damp folded kitchen towel underneath, and you’ve got a sturdy cutting surface that barely takes up any room when stored away.
6. HOW TO COOK EVERYTHING
This cookbook is the perfect kitchen companion for people just getting started. Mark Bittman does a phenomenal job teaching fundamental kitchen skills, in addition to providing fantastic recipes to build a budding cook’s repertoire.
Pro Chef
1. MANDOLINE SLICER
When a recipe calls for thin, even slices, nothing beats a quality mandoline slicer. This versatile tool can perfectly cut, shred and julienne fruits and veggies, and help you cut prep time in the kitchen.
2. SALaDZINGER DRESSING INFUSER
We love this clever kitchen device that helps you create fresh salad dressings and marinades. Put your favorite aromatics, herbs and spices in the bottom, then add oil and vinegar, and voila! An easy and tasty way to dress salads or flavor proteins.
3. AEROGARDEN
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can still have fresh herbs at your fingertips with this easy-to-use hydroponic indoor garden.
4. STORYPEOPLE PRINT
This colorful, whimsical artwork would brighten up any chef’s workspace.
5. AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN COOKING SCHOOL COOKBOOK
Nothing beats a cookbook that teaches techniques and not just recipes. This is one of our favorites because it’s super-comprehensive, and has tons of gorgeous photos.
6. SPICE SUBSCRIPTION
RawSpiceBar’s subscription is perfect for adventurous chefs open to experimenting with new flavors. Each monthly box includes three spice blends, along with recipe ideas to put them to great use.
Young Helpers
1. POPSICLE MOLDS
Help young eaters get a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables with these fun popsicle molds! Whip up a favorite smoothie, and then freeze the leftovers for a tasty, healthy treat.
2. FRUIT & VEGGIE PREP KIT
Great tools are important for every chef – even pint-sized ones! This set includes a variety of knives, peelers and slicers designed to help kids build skills and confidence in the kitchen.
3. KITCHEN HELPER
This brilliant contraption makes it easy for kids to safely help in the kitchen, by giving them an enclosed platform to reach the countertop. It’s adjustable for different heights, and it folds for easy storage.
4. SUBSCRIPTION TO RADDISH
We agree wholeheartedly with the creators of Raddish: kids who make their own food are much more likely to eat it! This service provides monthly kits for families to explore new kitchen skills with a variety of recipes and lessons.
5. CRUNCH A COLOR GAME
While not exactly playing with their food, kids will be enticed to try a variety of balanced and colorful foods to earn points in this fun game. We love that it also includes “bonus points” for using good manners.
6. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS COOKBOOK
Leave it to NatGeo to create a fun and engaging cookbook for kids! It reads more like a magazine than a cookbook, with tons of interesting sidebars and tidbits to help kids learn about the food they eat.
Remember, if you’re still looking for the perfect gift for someone – or even for yourself! – all subscriptions and gifts are 25% off through Dec. 8 with the code THANKSGIVEEAT2015!
Holiday Gift Guide 2015
Our favorite kitchen tools will make great gifts for every home cook.
A little note: We’ve chosen these products completely on our own and are not paid sponsors. However, links to products on Amazon are affiliate links, which means we earn a small percentage from those sales. We use this affiliate revenue to support the continued growth of Cook Smarts.
