Stuff the Stockings With Kitchen Gear!
We're getting very close to Christmas and I know that some of you are looking for awesome stocking stuffers. Here are 10 of my favorites that just might make Christmas a little more merry for the cook in your household! And here's the bonus: they're all under $15!
Number 1: My book, of course! "Love Letters from My Kitchen"
is a wonderful gift for anyone in your family, or in your
life who bakes, or wants to bake, for someone with food
allergies. Cookies, breads, cakes, waffles, brownies, and
more, it's all in here!
Number 2: Unique measuring spoons! Add some charm or color to
the baking experience. This double-sided, rainbow-
colored set nests and clicks together, so I'm never
searching through the drawer for the elusive 1/4
teaspoon. The elongated bowl of the narrow end is
perfect for fitting into spice jars!
Number 3: Microplane! I adore my microplane. I use it most often
for zesting citrus, grating nutmeg, and grating fresh
ginger.
Number 4: Silicone baking mats! These are a must for a budding
or serious baker. Cookies slide off easily no matter how
sticky or delicate. Eliminate the need for parchment
paper, and make clean-up easier with these mats. The
mini-marshmallows in my "Mega-Mash-Up
Cookies" (page 42 "Love Letters from My
Kitchen") stay perfectly gooey and manageable when I
bake them using my silicone mat!
Number 5: Curious Chef products! Do you have a young chef-in-
the-making in your home? Curious Chef products are
durable and perfectly sized for little helpful hands. The
line includes mixing spoons, spatulas, knives, aprons,
measuring spoons and cups, peelers, whisks, cookie
cutters, oven mitts, and more! My kids love to help me
cook dinner and make dessert, they each have their own
little knife and spoon set of Curious Chef tools. Kids
with food allergies need to know how to cook, so get
them in the kitchen with you!
Number 6: Non-stick spatulas! Choose a set that has one larger and
one smaller spatula. You'll use both for different
applications in baking and cooking. I like that these
sturdy red spatulas are one piece construction, because I
have been known to snap the tops off of cheaper ones
with my vigorous stirring!
Number 7: Glass bottles with rubber stoppers! These beauties are
perfect for making and storing homemade salad
dressings, and making your own extracts.
Number 8: Cookie scoops! My kids love these scoops almost as
much as I do. My favorite sizes are 3 Tablespoon (size
20) for muffins and cupcakes, and 2 teaspoon (size 60)
for any manner of drop cookie. Ensure consistent
results by using scoops for uniform baked goods!
Number 9: Off-set spatula! Get a few in a variety of sizes! Perfect
for smoothing frosting, or gently moving rolled out
dough to a baking sheet.
Number 10: Organic Vanilla beans! I always try to have a few high
quality, organic vanilla beans on hand for making
"Honey Vanilla Spread" or just boosting vanilla flavor
in my baked goods. Buy a glass bottle and some
vanilla beans, then package as set for
making homemade vanilla extract. (You can find a
recipe for both "Honey Vanilla Spread" and vanilla
extract in my cookbook, "Love Letters from
Happy Shopping! Now, go fill some stockings!
As always, from The Allergy Safe Kitchen, I wish you "Good Cooking, and Safe Eating"!
