Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Home Cook

Need a few last minute holiday gift ideas for the home cook in your life? Here are 5 of my favorite items to have in my kitchen and why…

1. One Tablespoon size ice cream scoop – Because I have a small kitchen, I need my gadgets to do double-duty. My ice cream scoop gets used for adding a dollop of ice cream or frozen fruit sorbet to a dessert, to scoop cookie dough onto a baking sheet or dig into a melon. It’s easy to clean and makes a nice gift either wrapped with a kitchen towel or simply add a ribbon.

2. Mortar and pestle – Yes, a little heavy to put into a box and ship but a mortar and pestle is a kitchen gadget that I use almost every day. (Don’t know how to use one? Follow these easy instructions.) With a garlic clove or two and 1-teaspoon of Kosher salt, you have the start of salad dressing, marinade or sauce. With a minute of mashing, the garlic is transformed into a paste that can add major flavor to any dish without adding fat, sugar or in most cases, additional salt.

3. Whisk – Every home cook needs a whisk – it’s essential for making egg dishes for a holiday brunch or for a quick scramble on the weekend. It’s also an easy way to mix dry ingredients together for making a batch of chocolate chip cookies or homemade granola. Whisks aren’t just for wet ingredients.

4. Cast iron skillet – Virtually indestructible and inexpensive – cast iron is a wonderful gift because it can be used for generations. Once seasoned (Don’t know how to season a cast iron skillet? Follow these easy instructions.), they’re easy to maintain, retain heat, and easily go from stove top to oven.

5. Gingham tablecloth – (Really – are you surprised? You know this site is called Go Gingham, right?) Yes, I do love gingham but it is so versatile, cheerful, modern, and yet old fashioned. Red and white gingham works with Christmas themed decorations but it can also be used for a picnic in the summer, camping  or at Valentine’s Day. A small gingham tablecloth can be used as a pretty layering piece over a plain white tablecloth to add interest. Near a fabric store? A simple square of gingham fabric can fill in if you can’t find a pre-made tablecloth. Use very sharp scissors to trim the edges and you won’t even have to sew them.

What’s your favorite kitchen item? What do you like to give a home cook?

Go Gingham related links:

Displaying holiday cards – don’t put them away, just leave them out to enjoy
Homemade Christmas gift tradition: family calendar
Tree topper tale: a Christmas tree topper that’s so easy to make
Quick and easy holiday decorating: very easy
Green holiday living: generate less waste this holiday season