As a minimalist, it can be hard when people buy me kitchen tools. My kitchen is tiny, so I try to keep gadgets to a bare minimum. That means no countertop appliances that take up valuable real estate. I’m looking at you toaster oven! As much as I’d love to have an air fryer, I simply can’t. It’s just too big! This year I’ve created a list of gifts for the cooks in your life that they will actually use. These are absolute must haves for me (I do own most of these things). As a reader, I couldn’t skip over adding a cookbook section. This is really a short list of the cookbooks that I find most important. I positively couldn’t live without Tartine Bread. There’s something for everyone here.
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Under $30
Pepper Grinder – Beautiful and simple and very necessary.
Bento Box – I love this IKEA bento box. When I worked in an office, I used it to take my lunch to work every day. It has two spacious compartments, silverware, and it stacks.
Microplane Grater – This is a must have at my house. From zesting lemons to grating parmesan or mincing garlic, it’s the perfect kitchen accessory.
Aeropress – Welcome to the best coffee you’ve ever had. Ever.
Flour Sack Towels – These towels are some of my favorites to use. They’re huge, and I love that about them.
Measuring Spoons – that actually fit in the spice jar.
Crunchy Chili Garlic – For topping avocado toast. I’m obsessed.
Cookbook Stand – What a great space saver, and something I don’t actually have. This one even breaks down.
Dutch Art Tea Towel – I have a specific friend in mind who will love these. You know who you are!
Salt Cellar – Every home cook needs one because nobody has time to use a salt shaker! Cooking calls for lots of pinches of flaky salt.
Kitchen Gadgets
Crossback Apron – Channel the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen chefs with this classic and beautifully made apron.
Swedish Dish Towels – These are a beautiful paper towel alternative that make your kitchen beautiful! I love all these adorable prints.
Mortar and Pestle – What a lovely and inexpensive gift! This is perfect to grind spices or make pesto, and surprisingly I don’t have one. It’s one of those things you never buy yourself.
Victornox Chef’s Knife – This is the first really nice knife I bought myself, and I’m hooked. I love the beautiful rosewood handle, but most importantly, this thin blade stays super sharp. It’s the perfect everyday knife and I use it for everything.
Instant Pot Duo 8 qt – I can’t say enough how much I love my Instant Pot. Though it probably seems like an experienced cook may not want a timesaving gadget like this, you would be surprised how much I use it.
Dutch Oven – This less expensive dutch oven from Lodge is a gift that will last. Or for a splurge, this Staub Cooker is one I’ve got my eyes on.
Spoon Rest – This beautiful spoon rest is a great gift that will keep their kitchen counter clean.
Mandoline – For the finest slices.
Linen Bread Bags – For the sourdough maker! This is a perfect way to store bread and cut back on pesky plastic.
Cookbooks
Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman – This beautiful book is all about entertaining in an unfussy way. Because having people over doesn’t have to be a dinner party.
Where Cooking Begins by Carla Lalli Music – Carla is the best. And she explains every process of cooking and how to cook a million things in the simplest terms. I love this book.
Food52 Genius Recipes – This classic cookbook is one I use all the time. It’s filled with some of my favorites like Julia Child’s Zucchini Gratin and Marcella Hazan’s tomato sauce.
Smitten Kitchen Every Day by Deb Perelman – Deb’s blog has long been one of my favorites, and her recipes are always comforting and trustworthy.
Family by Hetty McKinnon – This beautiful book is filled with vegetarian comfort food. Something I need to eat more of!
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat – I love Samin and the way she cooks and eats. Let’s all be more like her.
Tartine Bread by Chad Robertson – This is the sourdough bible. Chad Robertson, owner of San Francisco’s famed Tartine shows the home cook how to make beautiful sourdough at home.
Tabletop
Linen Napkins – I love making cloth napkins at dinner a nightly tradition. Every night should be a celebration, and I love these gorgeous linen napkins. How pretty are these blush ones?
Italian Flatware – The most gorgeous and colorful flatware. I love these.
Candlestick Holders – These are beautiful and modern.
Fun Candlesticks – Such pretty colored tapered candlesticks.
Dinner Bowls – I use dinner bowls rather than plates all the time. Not only do they photograph well, but it works well for saucier or soupier curries or stews.
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