Gifts for the Cook in Your Life
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here are hundreds of machines out there that can save you time when cooking. Some are manual, some electronic, but all are devoted to helping you create a wonderful culinary masterpiece. One of our current favs is the Instant Pot (see our story "An Instant Pot in Every Kitchen").
Even though you can make a spaghetti dish complete with sauce and pasta in the Instant Pot, there’s no way that any noodle you can buy in a box can compare with the taste of home-made. Making your own pasta takes time, but these days, you even have a choice of machines that can not only save you time, but also have attachments that can produce various thicknesses and shapes of pasta — from fettuccini to macaroni. There are also hybrid models that attach to a stand mixer with the additional capabilities of an electric pasta maker. Many cooks have both a manual (similar to the product below) and a hybrid pasta maker that they can attach to their KitchenAid mixer.
If there is a budding chef in your life, consider presenting them with one of the following — you won't be sorry, and you'll definitely be well fed.
Consider buying this model if you have a pasta freak in the family. Made In Italy, this traditional pasta maker is consistently rated as one of the best hand-cranked machines and creates the perfect pasta every time. It is not very expensive (there are some cheaper knock-offs) and has ten thickness settings. A motor and cutting accessories are also available. Canada: amazon.ca and USA: amazon.com
Learn how to make homemade pasta here: www.ricardocuisine.com
If you love the flavor that smoking gives to meats, fish and vegetables, this gift is perfect for entertaining and creating gourmet foods in your own home. The outdoor electric smoker is easy to clean and has full digital controls. It provides 8 hours of controlled cool smoke, up to 320°F. amazon.ca and more Bradley products at amazon.com
For info about smokers and a boatload of recipes visit: bradleysmoker.com
Trying to eat healthier? Improve your diet by purchasing a dehydrator. They are perfect for people who want to start eating more raw foods and it's also an excellent way to preserve produce that would otherwise spoil before you get around to using it. Snacks such as dried fruit and crackers will cost much less (and be more nutritious) if you make them at home. You can even use the dehydrator to proof bread dough. The Excalibur Dehydrator is one of the best appliances out there and they have many models and sizes to choose from. This one has a 26-hour timer and an automatic shut-off. Canada: amazon.ca and amazon.com
Any vegetable or fruit with a tough inner core can be spiralized into noodles. A spiralizer is great for people on gluten-free or keto diets and those who want to get their children to eat more veggies (don't tell them they are really eating zucchini)! Tell the kids the "pasta" is from the planet Krypton (green).
Abou ten years ago, spiralizers were nowhere to be found in the stores (in Canada), so people had to order them from Japan — now they are everywhere!
4 Interchangeable Blades: Create a variety of cuts, from thin slices to curly fries. Ultra-Sharp Blades: Ensures precision and efficiency in every cut. Effortless Operation: Simply insert food and turn for quick and easy slicing. Stable and Secure: Suction-grip feet provide stability during use. Safe and Convenient: Integrated blade storage and detachable parts for easy cleaning.
amazon.ca and amazon.com
Which juicer is best for you? It just depends on whether you’re a pulp type or a smooth "don't want to pick that stuff out of my teeth" kind of person. Both have their health benefits.
With its cold spin technology, the Breville Juice Fountain Cold-Juicer spins through all kinds of fruits and vegetables, including stalks of celery which can be a problem. Someone wanting to get started with juicing would do well with this brand and model as it's super easy to use and not difficult to clean. Canada: amazon.ca and USA: amazon.com
This is the latest craze — cooking "sous-vide". Food to be cooked is placed in a plastic pouch and cooked in a water bath at a controlled temperature much lower than is usually used when cooking (55 to 60°C for meat). You can't overcook your steak because the water is set at the temperature you want the food to reach. Because of the lower temperature, a longer than usual cooking time is needed. Vitamins and minerals are not lost during the cooking process unlike boiling or steaming. This method of cooking is used in many restaurants.
This model from Anova connects to your phone to cook remotely. You can leave the house and not worry about your dinner. The cooker will alert your phone when dinner is ready. Canada: amazon.ca and USA: amazon.com
Learn more about sous vide cooking here: anovaculinary.com
How many blenders to you have? Can you blend ice cubes into your smoothie without hearing that grinding noise? Lots of cheap blenders burn out that way. Unfortunately, when it comes to these machines, you get what you pay for. The low-cost blenders have a difficult time pureeing hard items (you really have to cut those into tiny pieces and even then, it's a struggle). Stop taking up counter space with the cheap stuff and do yourself a favor.
This machine not only blends, it also juices, makes hot soup (without a stove), grates veggies and hard cheeses, and churns nut butters and more. This is a monster of a blender and is not even in the same ball park as any of the other competing brands. Any home chef would benefit from having this machine. There are many models and prices to choose from and most have a 7 year warranty (25 year old models are still commanding $100 to $150 on eBay). amazon.ca and amazon.com for more models.
Lastly, you need something to cook in. Our top choice is Le Creuset. The brand's products are durable, last a lifetime, and are super versatile — from cooking pasta water to simmering soups and stews, frying chicken, braising or even for cooking bread in it. The five-quart Dutch oven seems to be very popular. amazon.ca and amazon.com
Copy these prompts. Paste them into your favorite AI application. Get more information.
For General Cooking Appliances & Trends
: “What are the benefits of cooking sous vide compared to traditional methods, and what types of food is it best for?”
“What should I look for when buying a high-quality blender for home use?”
“How does a dehydrator work and what are some creative ways to use it besides making dried fruit?”
“What is the difference between a juicer and a blender, and which is better for smoothies?"
“Why are Dutch ovens like Le Creuset so popular, and what makes them different from regular pots?"
For Specific Products Mentioned
“What are the key features of the Marcato Atlas pasta machine, and how does it compare to electric pasta makers?"
“How does the Bradley Digital Smoker work, and what types of wood chips are best for different meats?"
“What are the advantages of the Excalibur dehydrator over other brands?"
“Can you recommend good beginner recipes for the Anova Precision Cooker?"
“What attachments are available for the Starfrit Spiralizer, and what vegetables work best with it?"
For Cooking Techniques & Tips
“How do I make homemade pasta from scratch, and what’s the best flour to use?"
“What are some healthy snacks I can make with a dehydrator?"
“How do I clean and maintain a smoker for long-term use?"
“What’s the best way to store homemade pasta?"
“How can I get kids to eat more vegetables using a spiralizer?"
For Gifting & Recommendations
“What’s a good kitchen gift for someone who loves making healthy meals at home?"
“Which is better for a beginner cook: a manual pasta maker or an electric one?"
“What’s the most versatile kitchen appliance for small spaces?"
“Are there any good sous vide cookbooks or online resources for recipes?"
“What’s a good alternative to a Vitamix blender for someone on a budget?"
For Comparisons & Reviews Social Skills & Cooperative Play
“How does the Breville Juice Fountain compare to other cold press juicers?"
“What are the main differences between manual and hybrid pasta makers?"
“Is a standalone dehydrator better than an oven with a dehydrator setting?"
“What are the most common mistakes people make when using a smoker?"
“How does Le Creuset compare to other Dutch oven brands like Staub?"
Some suggested AI sites are: ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Perplexity.ai, Deepseek and others.
By D Revelins
Photo Credits: See Acknowledgements