A lame ( the razor used to slash the surface)— there are some w handcrafted covers. Proofing baskets. Rice flour (to keep dough from sticking as it rises). Cambro containers w lids for bulk ferment and flour storage (Amazon). Scoops. A metric scale. Quality flour from local granary.
these are great suggestions. Webstaurant store has great deals on Cambro containers. There are great small flour mills all over the U.S., so you might want to get one from near your friend, but I am a fan of Castle Valley Mills in PA, who kept me in flour during Covid. And there stuff is great. Lots of interesting flours, too. https://castlevalleymill.com/Store.html
87 yr old mom with limited mobility who’s tired of puzzles, plays bingo with her lady friends and reads on her Kindle. Picky eater. Any suggestions appreciated 😊
Brooklyn based younger brother. 31, gay, wears chic simple clothes with no logos and only in black and grey. Loves to cook for his friends, row crew, bike and learn about the history of NY. (Let me know if you know any NJBs in NY who would be good for him too! 🙏)
This is always on my list of good things for foodies: Abokichi is from Canada and make the yummiest miso-chili (and many other types) of condiments that are fun for adding to foods. Also: Great Jones makes good pans and cool looking Dutch ovens and the like. And they often have super good deals this time of year. Also, this is an older book, but great, and right up your brother's alley: The Historical Atlas of New York (You can find it on Thrift Books among other places)
Mine is a request for what you give to an elderly couple in poor health who do not get out much. They are very hard to buy for or even to prepare food for as their tastes are quite narrow. Sweet works but nuts are dicey. Any suggestions for something holiday themed? Many thanks.
My usual gift for people like that (my in-laws, for instance), is to send them some sweeties I know they like, including the old time gift that I know my parents loved to get...Fruit of the Month from Harry and David. Even if you just send them a box of their pears...My other favorite gift, one that my mom loved, was the pre-decorated small Christmas trees. I would send my mom one from LLBean. Yes, LL Bean. Their prices and quality are really good and they bring instant holiday cheer. And they aren't a fuss to take care of.
And what about some old-time holiday candies, like a box of ribbon candy?
Thank you do much. The ribbon candy strikes a chord. I’ll also make some of your cookies. The pumpkin snickerdoodles were a hit with these folks. I’ll make a basket with homemade and other goodies. I appreciate your personalized response.
Very dear friend, travels extensively and frequently, hikes with her dog , cooks like a dream, almost vegetarian, but makes exceptions , intimidates the bejeezus out of me on a regular basis. Does not eat sweets.😢
She sounds amazing! What about something nice for her hiking dog? Like their own backpack? You can find all sorts of cute kit for dogs to have for hiking, including great harnesses and leashes, but, this backpack is esp great. and useful! https://www.wilderdog.com/products/dog-backpack
I think a great gift for gardeners that they may not already have for themselves is a Japanese 'hori-hori' knife, which makes digging through difficult earth, etc., really nice. Garrett and Wade sells a good one at an ok price. I'm also a big fan of what's called a Korean hand plow. Kinsman sells one. They are great for vegetable gardeners. And it's only 24.95. (I don't rec buying them off Amazon). https://www.kinsmangarden.com/product/Korean-Hand-Plow
She also grows her own vegetables, some of which I’ve never heard of before. She excels at everything! And she is still one of the kindest, most thoughtful, and compassionate people I know…
Maybe I'm just projecting, but the best hostess gifts are the ones that after everyone's left, I'm like, omg, this is so nice and indulgent. Even Trader Joe's, if you're near one, has a great selection of stuff, from their Lavender Body Scrub, to a package of lip balms and adorable gingham tea cloths to cute (affordable) olive wood trays and bowls...which you could, of course, fill up with some nice treats, also available at TJ's. If you're not near a TJ's, I always think that these felted ball trivets are super cute and fun. https://www.etsy.com/market/felt_trivet
My dear friend R, who is lovely & kind. She cooks/bakes only when she must, so no kitchen stuff. Her passions are travel and high-end clothes, purses and shoes (sadly not my area of expertise, lol!).
Golly. Since you are probably unlikely to splurge on a Prada bag for her...what about buying her mysteries that take place in the places she likes to travel to? Any nice local bookstore would be able to help figure out a stack of escapist mysteries for when she can't actually escape!
I'm trying to reduce my plastic in the kitchen, beginning with my cooking utensils like a spaghetti scoop. I won't throw out my bamboo stir-fry, but wonder about good ideas for utensils that can be used in non-scrape pans but is not plastic. Thanks.
I recommend good old-fashioned wooden utensils or bamboo ones for pans that need scraping, and silicon spatulas for other things. And make sure you get yourself a good pair of locking tongs that don't have plastic tips....and you can use that for everything. They are like second hands in the kitchen.
My dishwasher is leaking rusty water and stove intermittently is making loud "boom" noises and baking my goodies to a nice black color so went out and ordered a new dishwasher and an slide-in induction stove! (both Bosch) Won't be delivered til early Jan. My quandary is what kind of pots/pans would you recommend for induction cooking. My current ones came from Walmart ( nothing wrong with that) but won't work with induction. Any suggestions?
Congrats on your new appliances! I think you are really going to be happy with your induction stove. Caraway is a well-recommended brand that are non-stick and great for induction hobs. They also look sleek, and don't have any of the yucky chemicals that some non-stick have. I'm not a big one for shopping on Amazon, but Caraway did just open a big "store" on there, so take a look.
If someone likes cheese and fun gifts, I heard about this cheese on the Washington Post years ago. I don’t know anyone now who will eat 2 lbs of cheese and I wish I did as it’s a great gift for a group: https://cougarcheese.wsu.edu.
Please, the recipe for those cardamom coffee chocolate chip cookies!
Can you do my shopping for me?
No seriously, I need something for a guy who likes to make sourdough and prides himself on being a really good, innovative chef.
A lame ( the razor used to slash the surface)— there are some w handcrafted covers. Proofing baskets. Rice flour (to keep dough from sticking as it rises). Cambro containers w lids for bulk ferment and flour storage (Amazon). Scoops. A metric scale. Quality flour from local granary.
these are great suggestions. Webstaurant store has great deals on Cambro containers. There are great small flour mills all over the U.S., so you might want to get one from near your friend, but I am a fan of Castle Valley Mills in PA, who kept me in flour during Covid. And there stuff is great. Lots of interesting flours, too. https://castlevalleymill.com/Store.html
Love the return of kitchen gadgetry reviews! So excited about your cookbook, too.
Thank you!
87 yr old mom with limited mobility who’s tired of puzzles, plays bingo with her lady friends and reads on her Kindle. Picky eater. Any suggestions appreciated 😊
Maybe a Jacquie Lawson Paris advent calendar? May need help installing it on a computer or iPad if she has one.
That would be neat. I’ve loved the Jacquie Lawson cards that I’ve received. Thanks!
Does she already have a subscription to Kindle Unlimited?
Good question. I’ll definitely check. Thanks
Great suggestion.
Can’t wait for your list. Need to know if a rechargeable glue gun is a good gift for a dear friend. She loves to do arts and crafts.
That sounds like a perfect gift, esp if you include a whole bunch of glue sticks that fit! I might get one for my kid (don't read this, Cate)
I'm looking forward to the list.
Brooklyn based younger brother. 31, gay, wears chic simple clothes with no logos and only in black and grey. Loves to cook for his friends, row crew, bike and learn about the history of NY. (Let me know if you know any NJBs in NY who would be good for him too! 🙏)
This is always on my list of good things for foodies: Abokichi is from Canada and make the yummiest miso-chili (and many other types) of condiments that are fun for adding to foods. Also: Great Jones makes good pans and cool looking Dutch ovens and the like. And they often have super good deals this time of year. Also, this is an older book, but great, and right up your brother's alley: The Historical Atlas of New York (You can find it on Thrift Books among other places)
Awesome ideas!! Thank you so much!
Why are there so many gift guides in Sub-stack. Their arrival has confused me.
Me too. Because substackers want to help their readers, but also, hope to prove to brands that they should become brand ambassadors.....
My son, 24, no hobbies, doesn’t like to receive clothes, doesn’t like to receive food. Sigh
I often gift our adult children large packages of toilet paper. Guaranteed to be used. This works best once they have moved out of the house.
LOL
I’d like to introduce him to my daughter, 25.
if they get married, I'll make the wedding cake.
Heads up — it will be chocolate.
Although at this point, we’d be happy with a first date.
I knew i was worried this wouldn't work out. He always wanted vanilla cake for birthdays
Well, it’s a preference but not a dealbreaker. ¿Porqúe no los dos?
If they watch a lot of TV, what about paying for their streaming subscription services? That always pleases my kids. Do they need new headphones?
Nintendo E-Cards? Ps my daughter says she doesn’t mind vanilla cake.
Mine is a request for what you give to an elderly couple in poor health who do not get out much. They are very hard to buy for or even to prepare food for as their tastes are quite narrow. Sweet works but nuts are dicey. Any suggestions for something holiday themed? Many thanks.
My usual gift for people like that (my in-laws, for instance), is to send them some sweeties I know they like, including the old time gift that I know my parents loved to get...Fruit of the Month from Harry and David. Even if you just send them a box of their pears...My other favorite gift, one that my mom loved, was the pre-decorated small Christmas trees. I would send my mom one from LLBean. Yes, LL Bean. Their prices and quality are really good and they bring instant holiday cheer. And they aren't a fuss to take care of.
And what about some old-time holiday candies, like a box of ribbon candy?
Thank you do much. The ribbon candy strikes a chord. I’ll also make some of your cookies. The pumpkin snickerdoodles were a hit with these folks. I’ll make a basket with homemade and other goodies. I appreciate your personalized response.
Gluten free baking ideas.
Very dear friend, travels extensively and frequently, hikes with her dog , cooks like a dream, almost vegetarian, but makes exceptions , intimidates the bejeezus out of me on a regular basis. Does not eat sweets.😢
She sounds amazing! What about something nice for her hiking dog? Like their own backpack? You can find all sorts of cute kit for dogs to have for hiking, including great harnesses and leashes, but, this backpack is esp great. and useful! https://www.wilderdog.com/products/dog-backpack
REI also has a great selection of dog gear.
https://www.rei.com/c/dog-gear
That’s a great idea! Thanks!
I have a friend like than but not a vegetarian.
I think a great gift for gardeners that they may not already have for themselves is a Japanese 'hori-hori' knife, which makes digging through difficult earth, etc., really nice. Garrett and Wade sells a good one at an ok price. I'm also a big fan of what's called a Korean hand plow. Kinsman sells one. They are great for vegetable gardeners. And it's only 24.95. (I don't rec buying them off Amazon). https://www.kinsmangarden.com/product/Korean-Hand-Plow
She also grows her own vegetables, some of which I’ve never heard of before. She excels at everything! And she is still one of the kindest, most thoughtful, and compassionate people I know…
Would love hostess gifts ideas.
Maybe I'm just projecting, but the best hostess gifts are the ones that after everyone's left, I'm like, omg, this is so nice and indulgent. Even Trader Joe's, if you're near one, has a great selection of stuff, from their Lavender Body Scrub, to a package of lip balms and adorable gingham tea cloths to cute (affordable) olive wood trays and bowls...which you could, of course, fill up with some nice treats, also available at TJ's. If you're not near a TJ's, I always think that these felted ball trivets are super cute and fun. https://www.etsy.com/market/felt_trivet
My dear friend R, who is lovely & kind. She cooks/bakes only when she must, so no kitchen stuff. Her passions are travel and high-end clothes, purses and shoes (sadly not my area of expertise, lol!).
Golly. Since you are probably unlikely to splurge on a Prada bag for her...what about buying her mysteries that take place in the places she likes to travel to? Any nice local bookstore would be able to help figure out a stack of escapist mysteries for when she can't actually escape!
Thank you!
I'm trying to reduce my plastic in the kitchen, beginning with my cooking utensils like a spaghetti scoop. I won't throw out my bamboo stir-fry, but wonder about good ideas for utensils that can be used in non-scrape pans but is not plastic. Thanks.
I recommend good old-fashioned wooden utensils or bamboo ones for pans that need scraping, and silicon spatulas for other things. And make sure you get yourself a good pair of locking tongs that don't have plastic tips....and you can use that for everything. They are like second hands in the kitchen.
Found the locking tongs, seems good.
But the bamboo spatulas seem to be shaped for right-handed people. I’ll keep looking. Thanks.
Look here! They make left-handed spatulas. https://www.bambuhome.com/products/left-handed-bamboo-spatula?variant=40403751469123¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=19425527995&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAj9m7BhD1ARIsANsIIvDPMjNQt5ZvkvDQH3r-DE_GgPPijgNzxy2zdzgvSuib8QqZ2ReXti8aAt9uEALw_wcB
My dishwasher is leaking rusty water and stove intermittently is making loud "boom" noises and baking my goodies to a nice black color so went out and ordered a new dishwasher and an slide-in induction stove! (both Bosch) Won't be delivered til early Jan. My quandary is what kind of pots/pans would you recommend for induction cooking. My current ones came from Walmart ( nothing wrong with that) but won't work with induction. Any suggestions?
Congrats on your new appliances! I think you are really going to be happy with your induction stove. Caraway is a well-recommended brand that are non-stick and great for induction hobs. They also look sleek, and don't have any of the yucky chemicals that some non-stick have. I'm not a big one for shopping on Amazon, but Caraway did just open a big "store" on there, so take a look.
I’m in CT and heard this place does nice cheese etc food gifts: https://www.catocornerfarm.com/.
If someone likes cheese and fun gifts, I heard about this cheese on the Washington Post years ago. I don’t know anyone now who will eat 2 lbs of cheese and I wish I did as it’s a great gift for a group: https://cougarcheese.wsu.edu.