OMG, It's December Already?

In the words of Charlie Brown, good grief it's December 1.  Where has this year gone?  I know I say that every year around this time, but 2012 seemed to go by at warp speed.   For those of you who are in the gift giving mood this holiday season, here are a few of my favorite gifts for cooks.

Flavors

A finishing salt; especially nice with caramel

Superior Vanilla flavor in any dish

Scharffenberger Chocolates

If you can't go to Modena, this 25 year old is pretty darned good

For the Wine Lover

Electric Wine Opener with foil cutter

Vinturi Wine Aerator

The right glass allows the wine to breathe; these Riedel glasses are my faves

This silicone stick, when frozen will chill a bottle of room temperature wine in about 10 minutes---the "it" gift this year

 Books for Food Lovers

 Tools for Cooks

New Cuisinart Slow Cooker--insert can be used on the stove top and it has a warm setting!

Silicone spoons, heat proof, don't absorb odors or colors from foods the way wooden spoons do

These wonderful gravity operated pepper mill is still the best

Buy quality knives; you only have to buy them once---leave the Ginsu on TV

 

Great all purpose pan

For Bakers

 

 

Silicone rolling pin

A large silicone rolling mat

 

 

portion scoops--perfect size cookies, muffins, meatballs

Baking Sheets

Silicone baking liners

Off-set Spatulas--indispensable

I'll be back with some more ideas later, but for now enjoy your weekend.