Last updated on December 7th, 2020
Need some gift-ideas for the cook in your life? Maybe I can help. Here are the culinary workhorses in my own kitchen, all saddled up for you:
Kevin’s Gift Guide for Cooks and Bakers
Note: Most of these items can be purchased from local kitchen-supply stores. I’ve included Amazon links for those of you who prefer to shop from home.
Digital Scale. Have you noticed that modern recipes (especially those developed by European chefs) list ingredient measurements by weight not volume? That’s because accuracy matters, particularly for baked goods. There are tons of kitchen scales on the market. Pictured above is the Levin Food Scale that costs just $15.99 on Amazon. (My Oneida scale, which I use and love, is no longer made.)
Microplane zester. You’ve seen me use this gadget hundreds of times. It grates only the fragrant peel — not the bitter pith — of lemons, limes, and oranges. I also use it to grate ginger. Cost: $14.95 from Amazon.
Serrated Peeler. Use it to peel peaches, tomatoes, and other soft-skinned fruits. No blanching required! Cost: $7.95 from Amazon.
Offset spatula. You can’t frost a cake without this clever device. It’s also terrific for spreading the ricotta cheese on this pizza blanco, and the whipped cream on this elegant Victoria Cake. The 7.5-inch version is what you want. Order from Amazon, and you can have the spatula for just $7.00.
Lemon/Lime Juicer. Another kitchen must-have. I ordered this one for $14.00.
6-Cup Souffle Dish. The perfect-size baking dish for soufflés of all kinds, including this Pumpkin Soufflé and this Strawberry Soufflé. I use the same dish for small casseroles and for holding mashed potatoes. Freezer/oven/microwave safe. $23 from Amazon.
Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons. Baking enthusiasts (I am one) can never have too many measuring spoons on hand! I like the deep, elongated spoons that easily fit into the narrow openings of spice jars. A set of 8 costs just $10.29 at Amazon.
Pullman Pan. You’ve seen me make perfectly rectangular bread loaves in this pan. The pan has a nifty lid that stops the loaf from forming a crown as it bakes. A must-have for every serious bread baker. The 13x4x4 model — the size that I use — costs $38.49 on Amazon.
Electric Skillet. Sure, I love my cast-iron skillets. But for browning large quantities of beef for stew, or for frying pancakes or baking English muffins, I rely on a 16-inch non-stick electric skillet. I purchased this workhorse for about $29.99 from Amazon.
English Muffin Rings. Yes, you can make your own English muffins, just as I do. All you need is this recipe and these English muffin rings, which you can buy as a set of 12 at Amazon for $19.67.
The English muffins in question. Yum!
Egg Piercer. This might seem like a silly gadget to you, but it’s essential for easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs. I I use the same piercer for perfectly poached eggs. My piercer came from a kitchen-supply store in Vermont. You can buy the same from Amazon for less than $6.00.
Removable-Bottom Tart Pan. Every serious baker needs this item. The removable base will turn any ordinary tart…
Into a fabulous work of art. My sturdy, French-made, 9-inch removable-bottom tart pan is available from Amazon for about 18 bucks.
Pastry Cloth and Frame. I described this item in an earlier post. The cloth/frame is the pastry-maker’s dream, because nothing sticks to it! It’s washable, too. Cost: $19.99 from you-know-who.
French Rolling Pin. Wanna make perfect circles of dough? Then do what I did several years ago, and toss out your huge, unweildy, 2-handled “American” pin. The sleek, tapered French version presses out pastry with the grace of Fred Astaire. Cost: about $10 from Amazon.
Javelin Instant-Read Digital Thermometer. For perfectly cooked turkey, chicken, beef (prime rib, anyone?) and even breads, I rely on this lightning-fast thermometer, $20 from Amazon.
Bench Scraper. If you’ve watched my bread-making videos, then you’ve seen me use this scraper/cutter/chopper myriad times. It’s great for lifting up sticky yeast dough so you can keep one hand clean while kneading. A true baking essential. Cost is just $6.99 from Amazon.
Stick Blender. One of the best inventions ever. I use it to puree cooked veggies for elegant first-course soups. The blender is a cinch to clean. Cost: $49.99 at Amazon.
Julienne Peeler. I use this small gadget to make Yoodles and Zoodles — thin, noodle-like strips of zucchini and yellow squash (recipe here). You can find such a peeler at any kitchen supply store for less than $10. (I couldn’t find my trusty model at Amazon, so no link.)
Good Knives! High-quality knives ain’t cheap, but they are essential to almost every kitchen task. My collection includes a paring knife, a 6-inch utility knife, an 8-inch “cook’s” knife, a 10-inch slicing knife, and an 8-inch bread knife, all made in Germany by Wustof. The most versatile knife, if you can have (or give) only one, is the 8-inch cook’s subject, available from kitchen supply shops and Amazon for $149.
Instant Pot. I don’t use this multi-function cooker as much as some of my friends do. Still, I absolutely LOVE it for pressure-cooking roasts. (My Chuck Roast in the Instant Pot recipe has been viewed more than 17,000 times on YouTube.) The pot comes in all kinds of sizes and models. My 8-quart “Duo” (pictured above) is now available with extra features. It sells for $119 on Amazon.
Food Processor. Every kitchen needs a good-quality, large-capacity food processor. I have two models made by Cuisinart. The better one is the 12-cup “Elite” model, which currently sells for $188 at Amazon.
Heavy Duty (Standing) Mixer. Standing mixers are as essential as food processors. The machine whips cream, beats egg whites, kneads bread dough, and blends batters. I absolutely love my KitchenAid “Artisan” mixer ($259. from Amazon). It’s not only built to last, but it comes in lots of fab colors.
VitaMix Blender. This is a powerful gadget! I use mine to make powdered sugar, to grind coffee beans, and to make nut butters of all kinds. Of course it will blend your milkshakes and fruit smoothies too. It’s magnificence is reflected in its price: $479. from Amazon.
Dutch Oven. These come in various colors and sizes. My 5-quart oven is great for soups and stews. I use a 7-quart dutch oven for turning rustic bread into super-crusty rustic bread. Dutch ovens made in France by Le Creuset are pricey indeed, but with minimal care they last forever. Click here prices, sizes, and reviews at Amazon.
Need more gift-ideas? Consider whisks, mixing bowls, colorful silicone spatulas, wire-mesh strainers, and attractive kitchen towels. And if I’ve left something out, then by all means speak up in the comments section below!
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Judy Brown says
I was pleased to note that I have many of these items. However, those elongated measuring spoons are being ordered right now!
Judy
Kristin says
I have almost everything on this list in one form or another. I have bought some of them for my young adult children, and will be buying them more as they move into larger apartments or houses! Great list for real cooks and bakers Kevin!
Patt Reid says
OK, got my wish list done as well as a few gifting ideas. T/Y as always.
Linda says
Kevin, I think of you every time I use my pastry cloth! I never would have purchased one otherwise and it makes rolling out a pie crust such a breeze. I also purchased myself a food processor simply because I wanted to make your garlic scape pesto! Of course I use it for all kinds of other things now, but that’s what got me to break down a buy one. I hope you have a swift recovery with your foot issue.
Glen dona says
Okie dokie, just let me win one of each please. Be well,Cheers!
Sunni says
Thanks for the annual “wish list”. This guide is so helpful. I find little strainers with handles come in handy for rinsing a few berries or what have you. Nice to have in the kitchen. Are you listening, Santa?
Sandy Martinez says
Hi Kevin,
Please recommend wine glasses. Thanks! Sandy
Claire Sullivan says
Look after yourself first. We will be here when you’re ready. Every bit of your newsletter is a pleasure. Thanks for the inspirations.
Michele says
I love everything you recommended but sadly own few. My budget is not friendly to a would be lover of these gadgets. My dream gift would be the knives and the Dutch oven and a food processor. I think I will start small and get a zester, lemon press, rolling pin, elongated measuring spoons, and the pastry cloth. I also want the pullmans pan. Oh dear! I’ve clearly dreamed of too much!!! I will have to pare down my wish list and buy a couple at a time. Thanks for the wonderful selection!
Kristi says
Two things that I love and use almost weekly are my silicone Roule-pat. It makes clean up after breadmaking almost effortless.
I also love the my dough whisk from King Arthur. It so speeds up incorporating flour into the liquid.
Thanks for your suggestions. And, may I suggest that you heal quickly my friend!
John Root says
i have two of these. Absolutely, wonderful. Heavy, but wonderful. I make the BEST ribs ever ( or so I have been told many times) in these pots
.
Barbara says
Can you tell me the brands of the stick blender and the micro plane zested you recommend? Thank you!
Barbara says
Can you tell me the brands of the stick blender and the micro plane zested you recommend? Thank you!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Barbara! To see brand name and more details, click the highlighted text after each description.
Chris says
Each time I click on the bench scraper, the vita mix blender appears. Faulty link….or me??
Sally says
I know it sounds old fashioned by my go-to-never-without kitchen item is a double boiler. It is perfect for reheating foods slowly. As someone who winds up with a lot of leftovers, I can set it on a low simmer when I get home and then go about my business for however long I need. Things don’t burn if I lose track of time, proteins don’t get tough, and even fish in cream sauces will reheat nicely. Better–if slower–than a microwave and takes up less space. I pick them up at vintage shops.
LucySue says
Kevin, wishing you a very happy birthday with hopes for continued healing. I know that Binky and Avery will take good care of you although they may not be much help with the birthday cake.
Happy, happy, happy
Valerie says
So happy you’re feeling better!
Happy Birthday!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Chris – Thanks for the heads up regarding faulty link. All fixed now!
Barbara says
I should have figured out that the highlighted text leads you to the product, duh!
However, when I click on the stick blender it takes me to one that is $99 and not purple.
Can you help, please?
Thank you!
Dee says
I guess my kitchen is pretty well equipped. Just lacking the time & inclination to create as much as you do. And with such attention to detail! But I love reading about it! Just FYI, I want that $10 French rolling pin but it’s now $25 on Amazon.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Barbara – Amazon changed the link to the cordless (and more expensive!) immersion blender. I’ve fixed the link to reveal the same model that I have, which, as of today, costs $49.99.