Did Santa bring any good kitchen goodies??

[lindrusso]

Seeing the Le Creuset Dutch oven thread made me wonder what kitchen gadgets you all received for Christmas. Not that anyone on this board would want or need anything like that....... ;) ......

As you might guess, since I started this thread, Santa did indeed bring some nice kitchen gadgets! I got a stainless steel AllClad fry pan and the William-Sonoma fondue pot. Yeah! My mom claims that these are boring gifts and that my Christmas list should include some items that are not so practical, but this is stuff that I will truly enjoy and would not get around to treating myself to! Sounds like a good gift to me! :)

[luv2cook]

I don't have any more room for my cookware, but I did receive a digital kitchen scale, a clay pot & a Good Grips slotted spoon and a kitty cat pot holder...but nothing can top the KA 670 FP I got last year!:D

[Grace]

Seeing as I have almost every cooking gadget/tool known to man, this is the first year I didn't win the kitchen stuff lotto at Xmas! I got an over the sink cutting board that's wood, with an oval shaped built in strainer off to one side. I had it on my list, as my family knows better than to try to "surprise" me with any kitchen stuff - there's a 90% chance I already own it... :rolleyes:

But I did get a groovy new digital camera that I am having a hard time putting down!!! :D

But I'm anxious to hear what everyone else got! I LOVE kitchen stuff, and don't think it's a dumb gift at all!

[Little Bit]

My sister got me a DrinkMaster mixer!! :cool: :cool: :cool:
You know, soda fountains use them to make malteds and milkshakes? It won't crush ice, darn the luck, or grind berries, so you have to prepare those ingredients ahead of time, but will make short work of ice cream, frozen yogurt and other add-ins.
Funnily enough, I've ALWAYS wanted one, but never bought one for myself. My sister was worried after she got it, that I already had one. Whew! Yippee!!
I've been making use of my blender lately, for smoothies, so this will be fun.
My nieces have already requested that I plan a milkshake party and SOON! :D

[beccathebaker]

Well I got a King Arthur Sourdough Crock from a friend, which I am going to have to return because it isn't big enough to hold my starter and I am nervous about the loose top. I just prefer to keep my starter in a tupperware with a sealed top-it's lasted about five years that way.
A present that I absolutely loved was a bread warmer. I can't believe that I have never owned one! You just heat it in the oven and stick it in the bread basket for warm bread all throughout the meal! Yum.
With the money that I'll have from the crock return at KA, I have decided to get their special kneading mat. It is a Silpat and you can knead dough on it and then just rinse off with water for easy cleanup! I can't wait. My poor counters are always needed to be washed down.

Merry Christmas everyone

Becca

[BlueMoose]

But I couldn't think of any I needed, so I didn't ask for anything. Besides, I'm saving up my "asking" for laminate flooring :rolleyes: :D . And I guess I hope to get new vinyl in the kitchen soon, so that will be a major kitchen goodie! I'm anxious to hear what everyone else got!

[Melman]

I got a few new kitchen goodies!!

My son bought me a beautiful set of Wusthof cutlery!! I'm very very pleased!! I've been wanting to buy a set for a long time. Yippee! I can pack my antique knives toward the back of the drawer. ;-)

I also got a small All-Clad Master Chef fry pan. Oh! And a gift certificate to Williams Sonoma.

Yep. A very nice year for the kitchen! :D

[JJeannette]

:D I really did get a kitchen "gadget" or "toy"!! Son got me a chef's torch---one of those little butane powered ones! Hehehe, can't wait to try it on the twice-baked potatoes for dinner this evening!!

[Holly in KC]

Santa was good to my kitchen again this year! New goodies include: flour sack dish towels, a new fondue pot & cookbook, a beautiful Williams Sonoma Tuscany cookbook, odd size measuring spoons & cups (i.e.: 2/3 cup, etc.), a HUGE bread machine cookbook (I believe it was ordered through King Arthur), cookie press & cookie sheet. Whew!!

Oops - gosh, how could I forget? And, The New Moosewood Restaurant Classics Cookbook.
Oops again (edit #2) - an assortment of a dozen or so new Penzey's spices.

[Dewey]

DH did a good job of finding kitchen gadgets for me this year: a coold "Perfect Beaker" that looks like it belongs in a lab, a pushup/plunger measuring cup, probe thermometer, some cool spoon rests (which I'm hoping he'll also use when making his mochas!;) ), adjustable measuring spoons, a non-slip mat for under my cutting board.

And from my mom, a great bread machine! Also a honey dispenser for sweetening my tea.

Overall, a very good group of gifts.

[Beth]

I got the pasta rollers for my KA mixer and gave DH a conical burr coffee grinder. This thread reminds me that there was a set of measuring spoons that I thought would be in a stocking this morning. Hmmm. Lost another one. ;)

I also gave myself some lollipop molds before the holidays and hope to test them out while the kids are out of school.

[AzAnne]

I really made out like a bandit this year. A kitchen aid mixer, and a food processor, ( my food processor died last Aug. after many years and my 21 yr. old kenmore mixer followed it in Oct.) I also received a deep fryer, measuring cups, a lg. colander and a shinwa (sp?)

Oh, I almost forgot! MC CL software :D Been exploring it for the past 2 hrs. trying to figure it out. I have plans to get all my favorites inputted during my vacation this week, DH thinks I'm very optimistic :eek:

Wishing everyone a great christmas :)

[green1]

Let's see...Le Creuset 6 piece set from Williams-Sonoma in red, B&N gift certificates and the Williams-Sonoma Best of Taste magazine cookbook. Already used one of the le creuset pieces to make Christmas dinner.

Merry Christmas!

[KelLeg]

I got a Silpat. What do I use this for?? I asked for it b/c people on the BB like it! Also, my first Penzey's order. I'm excited to dig into that. And, a spice grinder. Nothing huge, but good little stuff.

[Varaile]

Oo! Oo! I received some kitchen goodies too!

My mom was so pleased that I was hosted thanksgiving this year she gave me a Cuisinart Foodprocessor/Blender! Wheee!

From my sister I received a kitchen timer, a counter-top meat thermometer (the kind with the cable that just stays in the meat) and a couple of really great whisks!

From my SIL we also received some really, really nice knives (forgot the brand...I think they're Wusthof also). I used them today and they were wonderful!!

I was hoping for some Indian cookbooks, but no such luck. Oh well! :rolleyes: I have a B-day coming up soonly so maybe I get those then.

[Lynn B]

Originally posted by Holly in KC
Oops - gosh, how could I forget? And, The New Moosewood Restaurant Classics Cookbook.


Holly,

Could you please tell me a little about this book?! I haven't seen it in person yet. I am a Moosewood fan -- is this a MUST-HAVE?!! (Also, are the recipes [fairly] light?!) THANKS!

Lynn

[SweetTooth]

Hi all! I got a clay pot (last year) and had not ever used it. I am looking for recipes to cook in it . Any ideas? I did see the recipes in the CL this past year, and was interested in one or two of them, but would love to have more!

Thanks!

[jjsooner73]

was a pressure cooker, and I got it! It's a 6 quart stainless steel one by Presto. I need to sit down with the instruction book, but I can't wait to put it to use!

I also got some knitted potholders, made by my aunt's 80-something year old mother. She's a sweetie!!

[lisas3575]

I got a 4-cup measuring cup-- that was the "must-have" on the list this year! Santa also brought me another Silpat, 2 jellyroll type pans that I may return for the no-sided cookie sheets that everyone here raves about, and a cookbook, The Meat Lover's Vegetarian Cookbook. :rolleyes: That one's going back to Amazon, unfortunately, bless his heart.

My main gift was non-kitchen, but I just have to tell ya about it-- a graphics tablet for my computer. :D Way cool! Please excuse any weird typos until I get used to it! I think I'm going to like it, but it's a big learning curve.

http://wacom.com/productinfo/images/intuos2_4x5.jpg

[Peggy]

I am so excited! My DH gave me a Kitchen-Aid Mixer. My old mixer has been threatening to break down for a long time. I am also expecting a pressure cooker from my Mom. I'm headed down to the Bay Area tomorrow to celebrate with my family so we'll see if that is what she bought.

Peggy

[Peggy C.]

Originally posted by AzAnne
and a shinwa (sp?)



I'm curious, what is this?

I got a fondue pot from my sister, I was very excited about it, it was on my list.

A couple of days before Christmas DH= told me he was having such a hard time shopping for me this year he needed suggestions. I said I'd really like a cast iron skillet or a rolling pin, he didn't get either, I think he sees these items as weapons not cooking essentials! Way to many cartoons in his youth! LOL!

[Angela]

My wonderful BF bought me a chef's jacket!! That was a huge surprise for me. I've never mentioned wanting one, so he did it all on his own :)

I also got a Christmas cookie cookbook and Christmas cookie cutters. I've been wanting Christmas shapes, but now I have to wait a whole year to make them.

Mom got me my first Penzey's items!! That was a huge surprise too! It was a pack of four that included vanilla extract, baking spices, cinnamon (can't remember which one), and... can't remember the last item. And she renewed my CL subscription once again--yippy :)

Overall--a great Christmas!! :)

[Mamasue]

I got the Professional 6 qt. KA in black. I have outgrown my 4 qt. one and put it in the box to save for DD. Its a beauty! Also received a Casio Label maker. Now I can label all my mason jars in the cabinet that have been foodsaved. Two cookbooks, one Lidia's Italian American Kitchen Cookbook which compliments her program on PBS. I love to watch that woman cook! The other cookbook is called Soup by Debra Mayhew. The pictures are good enough to eat!

Oh, and also a Tele Zapper and a Gizmo!

lisas3575....what does the graphics tablet do? Curious :D

[daner94]

Originally posted by AzAnne
Iand a shinwa (sp?)




Hi, do you mean a chinois? It is also called a china cap. It is a strainer, shaped like a cone. Very fancy!!! :)

[valchemist]

Mom (maizeyoats) got me four cookbooks, a collection of Penzey's spices, a subscription to Bon Appetit and to Taste of Home magazines, a large glazed ceramic casserole dish and a useful scooping/serving spoon.

No real "gadgets" to report. But lots of good stuff for the kitchen. Thanks, mom!

valchemist

[Chefzhat]

Am I the only one that got a George Foreman Grill????

I have NO idea what DH was thinking - but I'm breaking open the box as we speak (type) and am going to try it out tonight!!!

Oh, and a Crock Pot Cookbook (with no pictures to drool over). Ah, well . . . .


Debie

[KelLeg]

I got the Foreman grill for my dad. I wish I had gotten one for myself. I think it looks pretty handy!

[SusanT]

In addition to my Le Creuset, I got a Williams Sonoma apron - which I had actually asked for - I'm a messy cook!

I also got some gift certificates from my boss (who is incredibly generous!) and bought myself a second pressure cooker. I now have a 4 qt and 6 qt Fagor pressure cooker!

I told DH that for the first time in ages, I can't think of a single kitchen thing that I need or want and don't have. He predicted that this won't last long! :D

[SusanT]

Oh and I also got some great pieces of Fiesta ware!

[JHolcomb]

My Santas were way, way too good to me this year. I must have been VERY nice. MIL and FIL gave me this year's Southern Living cookbook, a Weber grill, a Fagor 6 quart pressure cooker, and a few little gadgets (wooden spoons and the like). DH gave me over 2 dozen Penzey's spices, and good ol' mom and dad gave me the 11 cup Cuisinart prep plus, a blender (the cat killed mine earlier this year-don't ask), a rice cooker, and a gift certificate to WIlliams-Sonoma. OK, mom had to tell me (because I started crying because she gave me waaaay too much stuff) that she got the food processor, normally $230, for $130 at Kohl's. She thinks they had it mislabelled, but if any of you have some Christmas cash burning a hole in your pockets, it might be worth checking out.

[slknight]

Originally posted by Chefzhat
Am I the only one that got a George Foreman Grill????


We got 2 (returned one) last year! You can actually make great quesadillas in it. We use it frequently on the weekends.

I really didn't get a whole lot of fun kitchen stuff this year (although I bought some for my husband). He did get me the Food Lover's Companion dictionary which is quite handy. We didn't get too much for each other since we splurged on snowshoes and a top-of-the-line digital camera earlier in the month.

The one big thing that we got from my BIL and SIL was a Christmas-Eve dinner at The White Barn Inn. It's one of the best restaurants in the country and it's a mile up the street from me. It was an absolutely fabulous meal, and I shudder to think how much it cost. The waiter just told us it was "taken care of" so we never even had to see the total. It must have been at least $300. But definitely worth the experience!

-Susan

[Binny]

I got the XXL Foreman Grill with temp. control from my SIL. Plan to try it out this week with chicken. She also gave us money to purchase Omaha Steaks to put on the grill. Can't wait to try it.

[Terrytx]

I got a KA 11-cup food process, and some OXO gadgets and the DH got a Hinckel (sp?) carving knife. Pretty good I thought.

[lisas3575]

Originally posted by Mamasue
lisas3575....what does the graphics tablet do? Curious :D

Hmmm... let's see if I can explain it coherently! It's a tablet with a pressure-sensitive pen that works like a mouse. It's for drawing thick or thin lines based on pressure, etc., but a lot of people use them to avoid or alleviate carpal tunnel. I'm a graphic designer, so I'll use it for both! ;) Does that make sense?

Now it's your turn: what's a Tele Zapper and a Gizmo? :confused:

[Elisabeth]

Several good cookbooks: the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook and the new Moosewood, which I haven't looked at yet; The Good Enough to Eat Breakfast Cookbook, which I spent all day yesterday reading and today baked banana bread from (smells good!)--loads of recipes I want to try; and the Cake Mix Doctor Chocolate Cookbook, which I also read yesterday. A lot of the recipes look kind of gross, but I'm willing to give it a try. I love the cake mix doctored chocolate-cherry cake (devil's food cake mix; a can of cherry pie filling; eggs; and almond extract), so I guess I shouldn't be conemning cakes that call for things like a can of coconut-pecan frosting mixed in!

Not too much kitchen stuff this year, which is good, as I really have no more room: an 8-quart mixing bowl, which I'm going to return for a 6-qt; individual souffle dishes which I'm hoping to use to make Creme Brulee (only I didn't get the little butane torch like I was hoping to!!)

And a bunch of gourmet food to nibble on! That was the best!!

[Bailey]

It was an excellent year for kitchen stuff. I now have a 4.5 qt. KA Stand Mixer in white, a great John Boos, Co. meat carving board, a set of 3 different sized spring-form pans ( I'm going to learn to make cheesecake!), muffin pan, microplane zester and last but NOT least, "The Complete Cooking Light." I am so psyched about all of it. Thanks to this board, I realized that I needed these things. Thanks all!

[AzAnne]

Originally posted by daner94


Hi, do you mean a chinois? It is also called a china cap. It is a strainer, shaped like a cone. Very fancy!!! :)



Yep that's it! Thanks for the correct spelling :D

[seathyme]

DH gave me a George Foreman grill for my bday a couple of weeks ago and I've decided it's worth the storage space. It cooks quickly and everything so far has been juicy and delicious. I did coat swordfish with a spice rub once and the rub almost burned before the fish was done, but the flavor was still good.

So do you think Mohammad Ali uses a Foreman grill? :p

Stephanie

[Barrie]

DF and I got the Food Saver 550 from his parents. Yay! We had been wanting one. It comes with a canister, a dozen or so bags, a how-to video and two rolls of plastic to make more bags. I can't believe I'm the first person so far to post that they got one! Is that the better of the two models out there? (Or are there more than two models?) I haven't shopped for them at all and I'm not sure what, if any, difference there is between them.

I also got two silpats and two huge nonstick cushionaire cookie sheets - can't wait to use them this weekend to make those wonderful Rolo cookies! :D

[sneezles]

Santa and his helpers were very generous to me as well this year...a new rice cooker (the old one still works but isn't large enough so DS #1 will take it home), a cute little tainless sauce warmer, oven mitts, blue & white checked kitchen towels, those cute little rooster plates in the Wm-S catalog, a Sony under-the-counter radio/CD player, the set of Wm-S American cookbooks, a pizzelle maker (those round little cookies you can roll up for ice cream), gold chargers for my Christmas table, new cutters for my hand-held shredder, a wonderful little book that helps you keep track of all those recipes that are in all those different books, an adorable snowman cookie jar and I also got a cool new digital camera!

[SweetSueDonym]

I'm venturing into sourdough for the first time -- DH got me the sourdough starter set from King Arthur. (That reminds me, I need to go feed my starter. I think we'll call it "Seymour", since it seems to be like having a pet!)
DH also got me several other gadgets from King Arthur: a pie chain, crust protector, a nifty fridge magnet with every measuring conversion you could think of, and the push/pull measuring cup, like the one Alton Brown uses for gooey things.

DH and my parents both got me the new Moosewood cookbook, and a friend in Seattle sent me a cookbook from there. Can't think of the chef's name as I type this, though.

And I was very good -- I spent my xmas cash on the winter coat that I needed, not on the ice cream freezer I merely wanted!

[JanetJ]

Before I tell you all how good Santa was to me this year in the kitchen department, please keep in mind that I definitely had some big gaping holes in what many of you consider necessities for the kitchen. I've lived with a friend who has EVERYTHING for the last 6 years and have moved in with my boyfriend who has NOTHING. My very generous family and friends got me: a pizza stone, cutting boards, Williams Sonoma Taste cookbook, steamer, crock pot, muffin tins, springform pan, cookie sheets, pie plates, loaf pans, varous utensils, glasses, pyrex measuring cup, and probably some other things I can't remember. The award for best gift though goes to my boyfriend who got me a KA food processor, a spa gift certifcate and a treadmill. I love that guy!!

[Mamasue]

lisas3575....thanks...I never heard of that item and it sounds interesting.

Tele Zapper is a new electronic item that has been televised on TV which is hooked up to your telephone and is suppose to delete your telephone number from the telemarketer's database. It eventually eliminates all the calls. I hope it works!

The Gizmo is a new item this year too and is made by Black and Decker. It is a cordless can opener that automaticaly goes around the can and opens it. Sort of like a "look Ma no hands" type thing. It has a charger so that it should run for about a month before charging it again. I will let you guys know how it works once I get the hang of it....no pun intended. :D Of course I will still hold on to my manual crank can opener! :)

[Lchiles]

Santa brought me a new cookbook "Roy's Hawaiian Feasts". We have a "Roy's" Restaurant in the area and we just love it. Some very interesting recipes, but will probably have to make several substitutions. Also received a kitchen torch, which I'm still trying to figure out what to do other than Creme Brulee (which isn't one of my favorites). Any suggestions appreciated. Also a cookbook holder which looks neat. Might keep my CL magazines from getting splashed with food. Thanks Santa!!! LaurieC

[Veronica]

Originally posted by KelLeg
I got a Silpat. What do I use this for?? I asked for it b/c people on the BB like it!
I asked for a Silpat, too, but didn't get it. :( On the bright side, I got a pizza stone & tea kettle!! :)

The question about what a silpat is has come up before. Here's a thread with more info(http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/showthread.php?threadid=17994&highlight=silpat), and I've copied lindrusso's response here cuz it was so informative.

Don't feel silly Peggy! Lots of people have asked the same question. Silpats are just now becoming readily available in the stores, so you probably have not seen them yet.

I think they are gaining in popularity almost entirely due to Martha Stewart - she's the only one I've seen use them.

Anyway, these are silicone mats used by professional bakers. They are a bit pricey - ranging from $19.99 to $24.99 - but you can use them over and over. Nothing sticks to these babies! They work much like parchment paper, but they are thicker (so help prevent burning) and don't have to be cut to size and can be reused.

I have two and I love them. I made Florentines (they are a very fragile, lace cookie) and they came off with no problem at all. I remember a recipe in the past that called for doing these on aluminum foil - what a nightmare! Parchment really does a great job as well - which one I use depends on whether I feel more like cutting (parchment) or more like washing (Silpats)! :D

[clairea]

Santa brought me a Silpat, Mastercook 6.0, and a subscription to Bon Appetit. Nothing big, but some nice little goodies :)

[lhall]

None:(

I asked for the CL version of Mastercook, but didn't get it. I just got back from Target and they had ONE. They don't anymore:D Since this is my last chance I bought it for myself.

The only other kitchen think I asked for was another pizza stone, but DH got be 3lbs of coffee beans for my grind & brew coffee pot instead. So, no complaints there.

I am going to treat myself to a Penzey's order after the beginning of the year. My poor catalog is all marked up and has had several drinks spilled on it.

Leigh

[gobluem82]

I got a second Silpat (so now I can get a batch of cookies ready while the other one is in the oven!) and a glass-bottom springform pan with handles. Oh, and a new salad spinner to replace the one I dropped on the floor last year.

[Gina O]

Well, despite asking for a WS gift certificate which I did not receive, I did get one kitchen goodie I was hoping for. My sister got me the odd sizes measuring cups and spoons from WS, so now I have the complete set.

I learned that I need to be more specific with SO when it comes to gift shopping. His comment about the gift certificate was that he went to WS, looked around and felt like I had everything already (not even CLOSE!!!) so he got a Pottery Barn gift certificate instead. I do not dislike PB, I just really had my heart set on a few things from WS.

The thrilling news I just learned is that you can use PB gift certificates at WS!!!!!!:D A friend told me, and I just called to confirm this magical fact! So, I am happily on my way. :) Gina

[vbak]

I got a pizza peel and rocker, electric rotisserie, and a WW cookbook. Yes, good toys. Vicky

[Peggy C.]

DH= wasn't feeling well on Christmas day so we skipped going to his Aunt's house. We went there last night for ham sandwiches and to exchange gifts. They got us a Fajita kit that includes the oval shaped cast iron skillet and some marinades...yummy! And his cousin got us a GC to World Market! We can't wait to go shopping!

[BethH]

We just celebrated last night and I ended up getting some fun gadgets too. My mom got me an apple peeler/corer/slicer from PC (she recently went to a party, so I knew to expect a new toy!) I also received a vacumn wine sealer, several jars of different pestos and a new and very glamourous salad bowl and serving pieces from Nambe -- sooo cute! I'm very happy! Oh, I almost forgot...a gift certificate to Trader Joes! Yippee! :p Happy holidays to all.

[phantomcg]

My darling Mother, who does not do much cooking, TOTALLY, surprised me with a 4.5 Quart KA stand mixer!! I also got a big box of FoodSaver bags (the cut to size ones), a new pepper grinder with a matching salt shaker and a Mr. Coffee expresso machine. It's not a cooking item, but DH bought me a 90 gallon salt-water aquarium set up! We had it delivered the Friday before Christmas and put the first installment of "live" rock in it last night. This morning I discovered a small star fish and another "critter" came along with the rocks! I'm hoping to be able to put the first fish (some Damsels) in over the weekend!

Cheryl

[Jewel]

DH got me the Fagor 6 qt pressure cooker that I begged for, and that was really the only kitchen gadget I asked for! My MIL sent me a Rival 2-speed immersion blender. I already have a Braun with only one speed that does just fine, so I'm wondering whether the hi-low two speed will come in handy? MIL also got me some Bordeaux Ketchup. Will someone explain that one to me?? :confused:

On a unique note, my grandmother was out of the hospital in time to spend Christmas with us, and she usually gives everyone cash. This year, I got a box! I was wondering what she was able to do, since she's 86 years old, doesn't drive, and is recovering from a heart attack! I opened it to find 4 HUGE bags of perfectly shelled walnuts! :eek: Dad said she gave them to all the grandkids this year, and she sat in front of the TV and shelled all of those things this year! I have (4) quart size Ziploc bags stuffed with walnuts...now I need RECIPES!!! :p

[heatherfeather]

Well - I got a bunch of cooking stuff this year - quite a few cookbooks (2 special holiday issues of Martha Stewart books, 2 books from Allrecipes.com, 1 Community cookbook from Roswell, 1 Mr. Food cookbook, 1 Williams Sonoma cookbook, and CrazyPlates - whew - that's a lot of cookbooks!) I also got some great little gadgets - two different sets of nice chopsticks, a porcelain ginger grater from Japan, a microplane grater,a bottle of whole nutmegs with a nutmeg grater, and a splatter shield for my KI. I also bought myself a gravy separator cup, a ham stand, and a pineapple corer for cooking for this year's feast. (Which by the way was so easy to use and I probably won't be buying canned pineapple very often from now on!)

[DanaSD]

I got spoiled this year!

I got 2 sets of All-clad pans!!! duplicate gifts - never guessed that would be an item that would be duplicated. My Dad sent me the ltd set (I asked for stainless and he later told me he sent me stainless) and my SO also got me a set of stainless (11 piece set - that inlcudes of course the lids and a vegetable steamer). I am jsut so excited!!!!! I returned the ltd set for a Macys credit and will be using it to buy more pieces - have to give it some thought to figure out what pieces would be best (I may go for the roaster and some large saute pans nad the very cute 1 qt saucier). The only thing is now I have to move - there is no way the pans will fit in my small apartment kitchen. But we are hoping to buy a house in the next few months.

The pans are soooo beautiful! and they clean up so nicely - SO was happy about this because thats his job.

I also got spatulas, a really nice pepper mill (sold by all-clad but actually made by antoher co), glass dessert dishes from Crate and Barrel and a really neat gravy boat and ladle from Crate and Barrel - the ladle is very cute.

I feel like a little kid - I haven't been this excited about gifts in a long time. We're traveling right now and staying in a nice resort but I just want to go home and cook.

[Meg O'C]

A freezer for the basement! I had asked for this months ago and DH came through! This was my big gift from DH and I love it - already put some leftover fudge and cranberry sauce in it and also moved some pork loin and filet mignon out of the overflowing freezer in the kitchen.

Oh, also got some Pyrex storage containers so I can fill them up with soups and chili and stash in the new freezer!

[Julia1Pin]

Originally posted by Jewel

On a unique note, my grandmother was out of the hospital in time to spend Christmas with us, and she usually gives everyone cash. This year, I got a box! I was wondering what she was able to do, since she's 86 years old, doesn't drive, and is recovering from a heart attack! I opened it to find 4 HUGE bags of perfectly shelled walnuts! :eek: Dad said she gave them to all the grandkids this year, and she sat in front of the TV and shelled all of those things this year!

What an amazing present your grandmother gave to you. That is really something, to get a gift that someone took time and care to do all year. You are really lucky to have such a great grandma.

[Jacque O]

I was also lucky enough to be gifted with several fun kitchen items this Christmas! A mortar and pestle (fresh spices here I come!), a pizza stone, new age fondue set plus tons of recipes that my brother pulled off the web and translated (from English but that's another story) for me, assorted spatulas and tools, a new cuisinart non-stick frying pan, two more microplane zesters (I had the fine, now I have the medium and the coarse), and two cookbooks, a Spanish one that I can't remember the name of, and Chez Panisse Vegetables (which I haven't gotten very far into but is just fabulous). My love of cooking is so well-known that my SO's sister whom I met for the first time at Christmas gave me a gift basket filled with bath/lotion type personal products all with a kitchen theme (Thyme bubble bath, sage lotion, etc.).

All in all, a very yummy Christmas!

Jacque O

[d_ferrero]

My post-Christmas gift to myself this year is the kitchen of my dreams; if things go as planned, construction will start the week before the Super Bowl... so some of my Santa-goodies will have to wait until spring to see their first use.

In helping to outfit my new kitchen, my "santas" gave me: a super-sized mortar and pestle, the CL and MS Annual cookbooks, a lemon-zester, and a gift certificate to Williams Sonoma! Yippee!!

[boisewinesnob]

I got the Hoffritz baking pan set from Costco from DH. This was no surprise, thought, because I told him if he didn't get them for me I was going to get them myself :p . I also got a set of wine gadgets from my SIL.
Our big non-kitchen gift this year was a digital video camera from my parents!!!:cool: We were so surprised because usually gifts from my folks to myself or DH are around the $10-$20 price range. Boy, were we shocked and happy!
I also wanted some canisters from Harry and David, but those will have to wait until my birthday ;) .

Suzy

[Safari Girl]

The only kitchen stuff I got was 6 white porcelain egg cups that we wanted and Jamie Oliver's 'Naked Chef Takes Off' book and a Two Fat Ladies book for laughs. I'm really picky about my kitchen stuff, same as DH, and we felt it would have been too hard to describe what we wanted to non-foodie/kitchen gadget oriented family. How do you explain to someone that doesn't cook that you want a bunch of those little glass dishes that you put ingredients in when prepping recipes - there's no way they'd know what I'm talking about!

[Jacque O]

Not only are the explanations hard, if someone is a total non-cook, they are often ignored. My SO's mother has the worst track record of taking a very specific wish list from him "Microplane zester, fine" or "All-Clad Non-stick Skillet" and getting him a different brand entirely or not paying attention to the "medium/fine/coarse" description. This is not due to finances (they are more than generous about gifts to everyone), nor to convenience (there's a discount WS right by her). I truly think that because she does not share our love of cooking, she just does not appreciate any distinction between one brand and another and would be surprised to find out that what she purchased was not what he wanted. Then because the item is so close, it seems ungrateful to say anything.

[msbeehavn]

Originally posted by Jewel
On a unique note, my grandmother was out of the hospital in time to spend Christmas with us, and she usually gives everyone cash. This year, I got a box! I was wondering what she was able to do, since she's 86 years old, doesn't drive, and is recovering from a heart attack! I opened it to find 4 HUGE bags of perfectly shelled walnuts! :eek: Dad said she gave them to all the grandkids this year, and she sat in front of the TV and shelled all of those things this year! I have (4) quart size Ziploc bags stuffed with walnuts...now I need RECIPES!!! :p


When you posted this it reminded me that my grandma used to do the same thing for my mother at Xmas. She lived in CA and would send these up, as well as some homemade mincemeat. You would think she had sent us a box of gold. Now that I'm older I totally understand the excitement...:)

For Christmas, one of the things I received, kitchen wise, is a KA 4.5 qt. mixer. This is something I, not toooo subtly, kept pointing out before Christmas hoping maybe Santa would bring it for me. And he did...:D :D :D yipppeeeee! Now I need the time to start using it...:(

[RebeccaT]

Santa baby was good to me this year! :P

I received:

* FULL (!) set of Wustof Classic Knives
* 4.5 qt. Le Creuset Dutch Oven
* OXO Salad Spinner
* Braun immersion blender
* some of my good china (I don't have a complete set yet)


I can't wait to go home! I am still in not-very-hot-Lanta at the moment, and all of my toys are patiently awaiting the drive back to Houston so I can try them out!

Happy New Year everyone!

[Molli526]

Santa got me some cooking stuff as well- although I got pretty much everything off my wedding registry.

I got :

* a subscription to Bon Appetit
* a subscription to Taste of Home
* a microplane grater
* a LeCruset high heat spatula
* $100 GC to Williams Sonoma!

[beejayw1]

The Berlin series, nice and fat-bladed, just the right size for small chopping and such. Maybe I'll use it tonight! (Just returned this afternoon!)

[KellyD]

A HUMONGOUS (5.5 qt) All-Clad saucier pan. Both DH & I had been coveting one we kept seeing Emeril with - so we gave one to ourselves! Also got a beautiful Emile Henry bowl (my goal is to have one of everything!) and some Riedel wine glasses that are spectacular. Good year!

[Linda in MO]

My dad gave me money for Christmas, so I bought a 7 piece 4 Star Henckel's knife set!! I have been wanting these for a long time and I LOVE them! I also got 5 cookbooks...Baking with Julia, How to Bake by Nick Malgieri, Barfoot Contessa Parties, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, and BH&G Treasured Recipes! I got these by joining the Good Cook cookbook club. :D Oh, and I also got an 11 inch Wilton tart pan. Now I need recipes for it. ;) I've been dying to have the stainless steel "odd" measuring spoons and cups from King Arthur! Maybe I'll ask for them for my birthday.

[Laura B]

Santa was VERY good to me this year. :D


Five All-Clad Stainless pans (1 quart saucier, 2 quart saucepan, 7 inch fry pan, 8 inch nonstick fry pan, 10 inch nonstick fry pan)
Extra work bowl for my Kitchen Aid Mixer
Oxo Good Grips Uplift Tea Kettle
A beautiful bottle of bread dipping oil
Some cute little swizzle sticks and hors d'ouevres picks for entertaining.


The only non-kitchen items were some DVDs. I also had an All-Clad Stainless 3 Quart Saucepan on my list, but didn't get it (I cannot believe that there is only one left on the list - I never expected to get five as it is!). DH says he will consider it as a combination Valentine's and Anniversary present. :) We frequently do this if the other wants something a little more pricey than we can afford for one occasion. Last year I got an All-Clad Stainless 3 Quart Saute Pan in this manner.

[JenZen]

Mom and Dad were very good to me this year. I received:

1. a 10-piece set of Anolon cookware
2. flour sifter
3. glassware
4. salt and pepper shakers
5. new toaster from my little brother

[SueK]

Well, I've bought so much stuff for myself over the past year that I didn't ask for much kitchen stuff.

I did get some silpats, a Pampered Chef stoneware dish that bakes 4 mini loaves at once, and my mom gave me an IOU for the 2002 CL cookbook, which I see is out in the stores now.

Everyone here got such great stuff! Wow!

[Curleytop]

I didn't get cookware but better than that the sons installed
Windows XP! Great! My three passions are computers, baking and cooking!
I think I own every piece of cookware and appliances known to man!

[beckms]

I GOT A CUISINART!!!

11 cups of slicing and dicing goodness...it even makes dough in about 10 seconds! :D

[SandyM]

Dear, sweet, wonderful DH got me The Global Encyclopedia of Wine. I've been wanting to study the history and culture of wine, winemaking processes, and how to really read a wine label.

This encyclopedia also comes with a CD Rom, so I'm going to put that bad boy in right now and get a look.

My dream is a wine tour of Italy - namely, Tuscany. We hope to get there in the next two years.

In conjunction with this, I got a gift certificate to a new place in the town - where we can make our own wine! I'm too excited about this. It isn't going to win any awards, but I still can't wait. I can only choose one type (pinot noir, cab, chardonnay, etc.). I'm going to take my two sisters-in-law with me, so we need to decide what type of wine to make that we all like (cause I'm gonna share).

[Gramma_D]

I received the Pampered Chef 15" round baking stone from my son and daughter-in-law. I am anxious to try it.....any suggestions or advice on using this would be greatly appreciated! TIA!!

[Alisa]

Originally posted by SandyM
In conjunction with this, I got a gift certificate to a new place in the town - where we can make our own wine! I'm too excited about this. It isn't going to win any awards, but I still can't wait. I can only choose one type (pinot noir, cab, chardonnay, etc.). I'm going to take my two sisters-in-law with me, so we need to decide what type of wine to make that we all like (cause I'm gonna share).

Very Cool SandyM - will you be working with fresh grapes or the pre-squished kind? I've been making my own wine for years and it's a wonderful "hobby";) ;)

[SandyM]

Oh gosh Alisa, I really don't know - I'm hoping they're fresh grapes.

I spoke to a woman in our neighborhood who did this last summer. She was disappointed in her wine choice (she did a beaujolais) - said it "didn't have enough body, but is good for wine spritzers or for cooking". As I suspected, I'm going into this as a learning experience, not to make an award-winning wine.

I'm looking forward to coming up with a cool, funky name for my wine though!! ;)

[Jasmine-Rose]

Not a machine or a gadget, but what a wonderful gift!

My sweetheart saw me spending much time deliberating over what window treatments to put up in the kitchen now that I've finished wallpapering. He got me the most extravagant gift - a certificate to have the curtains custom-made! He wanted to give me something I'd never get myself - and he sure did! I stopped in at the store just to see what fabrics they have and was overwhelmed. Along with the gift certificate he gave me a book full of design ideas to help me decide. So many choices... What a wonderful man!

At the end of the month I'm off to weaving school to learn to weave on a floor loom. Perhaps at the end of the classes I'll be able to whip up some placemats worthy of the new curtains!

I spend so much time in the kitchen (by choice) and it's nice to make all these changes to the decor after many years of looking at the same stuff!

[mmanddf]

A Foodsaver! Got this from my son and have had a ball vacuum sealing all the leftover cheese from Christmas. Also did some English Muffins...bad idea...smashed them to simthereens! Oh well:o