560195 Thu Sep 25 11:04:40 -0700 2008 15 41 Cookware 0 4061101 Hello All, I need help from the community with developing a gift list for myself. I've been described as the hardest person to shop for and I want to make a list with some stand-by gift ideas for my friends and family. I've been cooking for 2-3 years now and I am starting to build my culinary tool collection. I already have a Cuisinart Food Processor and a Kitchen-Aid Artisan Mixer. I have begun building my knife collection; I am favoring the Wusthof Classic Ikon at this time. Other than these few items I am going off of cheap cookware that I picked up over the years. It becomes difficult to know exactly what I need since there seems to be a new gadget every week. I would like to know what people think are some "vital" tools that I should have in my kitchen. Rec's on pots/pans that aren't super expensive would be helpful (I don't trust my roommates to use them right when I'm not home). In sum, I enjoy cooking: California, healthy, Mexican, stir-fry, and I want to start working with Middle Eastern/Med and Thai cuisine. Additionally, I do a lot of baking: cookies, cakes, & pies. Thanks in advance! Thu Sep 25 11:04:40 -0700 2008 166921 gmk1322 1 4061303 You may not know you need a Le Creuset cast-iron enamel wear covered dish until you own one. But you do! Ask for the largest 'Dutch Oven' you think you will ever need. A digital meat thermometer: takes the worry out of roasting. A cast iron fry pan or two. Enough really good linen towels and cotton dishcloths to last a life time: they won't...but it is so nice when your whole kitchen matches-enjoy, it is one brief moment (sigh). Thu Sep 25 11:59:36 -0700 2008 4061101 24738 LJS 1 4061494 Chicago Metallic half- and quarter-sheet pans. Good for everything from baking cookies, sheets of cakes and brownies, to roasting vegetables and croutons. I use them nearly every day. Duralex or other glass prep bowls in several sizes, many of each size. Lots of heat-resistant spatulas. Inexpensive coffee grinder (like Capresso) for grinding spices. When All-clad has the the 8" frypan, small pot, or saucier at greatly reduced price (at least once a year), a couple of those. Flat, slotted wooden stirring instruments with flat edge for scraping up fond, making risotto, or general sauteing. Pyrex glass measuring cups and strong metal measuring cups and spoons. Thu Sep 25 12:57:30 -0700 2008 4061101 30090 maxie 1 4061520 Oh, yes, I forgot, a mortar and pestle...very handy and you will feel like Julia Child...forget Jamie Oliver's silly little ball for the purpose of spice grinding by the way...it is his only sin so far, though. Thu Sep 25 13:04:05 -0700 2008 4061101 24738 LJS 1 4061546 - Le Creuset cast-iron enamel wear covered dish - small for smaller meals - Cast iron fry pan - All-Clad saucepans (or heavy copper) and a stock pot - A cheap non-stick pan for omelettes - Rice cooker (only because all rices come out perfectly without my watching them) - Chef's, paring, bread, boning knives (be sure to try them, each knife has a different balance/handle that suit different hands) - Stick blender - Mortar and pestle Personally, I'm a fair cook who cooks and bakes daily - but don't use a food processer or a mixer - I like to 'get my hands dirty'. I think it's the ingrediants, technique and love that makes the food! Thu Sep 25 13:10:09 -0700 2008 4061101 155034 alwayscooking 1 4061556 A good blender - I like it for blending soups, and prefer it to a FP for that purpose. Thu Sep 25 13:12:17 -0700 2008 4061101 10985 MMRuth 2 4064041 Yes, but the hand-held kind is best as you can use it directly in hot liquids-very handy! Fri Sep 26 12:02:24 -0700 2008 4061556 24738 LJS 3 4067250 You know, I have one of those too, and I don't know if it's just that I'm impatient when using it, but it doesn't give me the same puree as the blender does, and I often end up using the stick one, and then pulling out the blender anyway. Sun Sep 28 06:29:14 -0700 2008 4064041 10985 MMRuth 4 4069527 I hear you...it may be that you are impatient...but, then, I am too. I do like that little immersible blender, though: used it this weekend to trun leftover sweet potato, apple sauce, stock and a hint of curry into a delicious soup. Isn't it intriguing how many of the same things are showing up on this list Mon Sep 29 08:17:08 -0700 2008 4067250 24738 LJS 1 4061667 Cutting boards - all sizes. Large for carving the Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas rib roast, small for a quick mincing of the shallot for that special sauce and medium for the cheese and fruit tray. I love wood, particularly for service, but it's expensive and the nylon (?) ones are as functional and easier to clean and maintain. In any case, you can never have too many. I have 6 and use them all. Thu Sep 25 13:44:04 -0700 2008 4061101 216999 CocoaNut 2 4069533 Yes, to this...I love wood, but not the very high end ones. I like the nylon too and you can always stick them in the dishwasher or a sinkful of hot water and baking soda, if they look dreary. Mon Sep 29 08:18:54 -0700 2008 4061667 24738 LJS 1 4062873 A gift that I recently came across that I think is great is the Bialetti stove top espresso machine, It's not something a lot of people buy for themselves, but a great addition to any kitchen. They also recently reduced the Mukka Express for cappucccino and lattes. Fri Sep 26 01:48:35 -0700 2008 4061101 130746 bworp 2 4069550 This Bialetti 'system' would be my husband's favourite kitchen item. It does make the best cappucino with one of those batttery-operated little milk frothers...BTW, get your inspiration for these items at William Sonoma, but then see if you can actually purchase them just about anywhere else...I just tried to replace that aforementioned little frother there this weekend and it was twice the price of Sears. Mon Sep 29 08:22:18 -0700 2008 4062873 24738 LJS 1 4064700 For good inexpensive pans, try the Cuisinart pans and saucepans. All-Clad and Le Creuset are for when your roomate's not around anymore. Also a very versatile must have for baking is the 'Silpat' non-stick baking liner. Fri Sep 26 16:26:08 -0700 2008 4061101 183966 trvlcrzy 1 4070527 It's not a gadget or cookware but the absolute best "Kitchen Helper" I've ever purchased is a book, "The Flavor Bible" by Dorenberg and Page. It doesn't matter if you've got the best cookware or gadget, if you don't know what to throw in the pan. It's not really a cookbook per se but it's the best $35.00 I've ever spent on cooking stuff. You can see what you've got to eat, look in the book and see what you need to bring out the best most impressive taste. It truly is a" Flavor Bible". Mon Sep 29 14:15:06 -0700 2008 4061101 215379 Grillncook 2 4080844 I just got back from Borders tonight and I got a chance to look through "The Flavor Bible," it looks like an amazing reference! I had placed it on my list already and based on the recommendation and browsing through the book I know it will be useful. Thanks for all the recommendations so far, my list is starting to look a little better. Fri Oct 03 23:02:07 -0700 2008 4070527 166921 gmk1322