All We Want for Christmas is Food: A Behind the Burner Gift Guide
We've decked the halls with boughs of holly, but now we're on to decking out our kitchens in an array of culinary gadgetry. This season, the Behind the Burner staff is waiting excitedly for Christmas Day, when we can unwrap some creative foodie gifts...and maybe a few pieces of salted caramel. Here's what we're craving this X-mas:
Divya: Now that the mercury is dropping and the flu seems to be spreading like wildfire, good health is at the very top of my wish list this year. I've heard great things about Kusmi Teas that come in detox and immune-boosting blends as well as in bold flavors like Chocolate Spice and Orange Almond. Not only does tea keep me feeling warm and cozy on days when the office radiator is being temperamental, but tea is loaded with antioxidants and has been proven to have slimming effects, which comes in handy after days of holiday feasting! And since loose tea can be tricky to steep, I'm asking for the Smart Tea Maker-- a two-part tea filter that makes for the perfect cup.
Alix: All I want for Christmas is...a bubble scrubber? It's true! I love to clean up after dinner so why not scrub and blow bubbles? If that's not fun, I don't know what is...and World Wide Fred doesn't stop at that. Another favorite I'm looking for is a silicone topper seal because sometimes you just need to "Put A Lid On It". Keep your food and drinks hot, fresh and odorless with these airtight (and adorable) can-like lids. Too freakin' cute!
Lisa: Now that I've mastered making my own pizza dough, I'm getting more ambitious and have recently had my sights set on homemade bread. According to mastermind baker Jim Lahey, making your own bread is actually a lot easier to make than most people imagine and doesn't require complicated ingredients or a custom-made baker's oven. He swears by using good bread flour, a scale for consistent measurements and says that an old-fashioned cast-iron pot is all you need to produce a tender, crispy crust. I've got the flour and scale covered, so all I need is a classic Dutch oven...although some recipes would be nice as well.
Joanna: All I want for Christmas is a panini! After living in Florence for 6 months, I became used to the daily 2 o'clock panini run. Now that I'm back in the States, I make do with boring bread and deli meats. My 2011 would be complete with this Le Creuset Panini Press from Williams-Sonoma to make sandwiches extra special, extra warm, and so much more appealing. This gourmet gadget also works well for searing and cooking steaks, burgers, and the ultimate favorite: the classic grilled cheese! I wouldn't be surprised if Santa snagged one for himself this year!
Alex: For Christmas, I would love the Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender. The winter months are perfect for making soups and this tool not only purees, but serves as a prep tool as well. The chopper attachment does all the veggie prep for you while eliminating extra dishes and clean-up, and we all know that spending time with loved ones far outweighs dishes in the sink!
Kaitlin:
I'm a chocolate freak and since I live in New York, there's no shortage of possible noshables to throw into my stocking or under the tree. I adore locally crafted chocolates, especially those from the Mast Brothers. Made exclusively in Brooklyn, hand-wrapped in delicate papers and sold throughout NYC, they're a clever gift for a chocolate fiend. If I'm not chomping down on chocolate, I'm looking to bake bake bake! Silpats from Sur La Table are a baker's dream, perfect for easy clean up. I always want to please my guests with morning treats, so I've purchased for myself a set of Wilton Donut Pans to bring good cheer to those I love.
— Written by Kaitlin A. Lipe
Photo credit: numistories.com
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