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Seriously Simple: Holiday gifts for home cooks and food lovers

By Diane Rossen Worthington, Tribune Content Agency on

Every year, I look for items that would be fitting for the cooks and food and wine lovers on your list. This year, I have some great ideas that I hope will make your shopping a little bit easier. Many of these are on Amazon, so you can easily shop from the comfort of your home.

LiFu Stainless Steel Electric Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter

This is a conversation starter as well as a great way to open bottles of wine. It's also easy to use. The electric opener removes a wine bottle cork with the gentle push of a button. It includes the foil cutter. Unlike other electric wine openers, it features a transparent corkscrew shell that makes the cork removal process completely visible. If you want to make it a bigger gift, select a bottle of wine to go along with it. Amazon, $29.99

Instant Pot DUO Plus

This multi-cooker has become the hottest gadget of the year because it can do so many different things. A great meal starts with a press of a button, with 15 controlled programs taking the guesswork out of cooking. You can achieve perfect results every time. It's a great gift for anyone who loves to cook and try different recipes, and also for hardworking friends who want a delicious meal after a long day at the office. There are a number of Instant Pot cookbooks that have just come out and would be a nice addition to this gift. Amazon, $119.95

Work Sharp Culinary E5 Electric Kitchen Knife Sharpener

The premier electric kitchen knife sharpener from Work Sharp Culinary uses sharpening belts to create a razor-sharp edge - the same way manufacturers sharpen their knives. This is the gift to give the serious home chef on your list because it has one-touch programming that selects the sharpening cycle to shape, sharpen or refine the cutting edge. Amazon, $180

Cuisinart TOA-60 Convection Toaster Oven Air Fryer

This premium, full-size toaster oven features a built-in air fryer that not only bakes, broils and toasts but also lets users air-fry right inside the oven. The adjustable thermostat and toast shade selector-timer allow food preparation to be easy and healthy. Bed, Bath and Beyond, Amazon, $179.99 and up

Nespresso CitiZ & Milk Espresso Machine

I have used an older version of this model for a number of years. The updated design has an integrated milk frother that sits separately on the counter. It has two programmable buttons for espresso and lungo preparations. The Aerocicino will froth and heat milk effortlessly. Amazon, Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma and Nespresso, $299

Lattissima+

I sampled two machines for this article. I liked them both, but you can see that the "plus" model has a few more bells and whistles. This one is a bit more costly, but you can fill your milk tank and keep it in the fridge ready to go. I liked that feature. It makes espresso perfectly.

The machine features fully automatic brewing, milk frothing and blending in one self-contained unit. It automatically prepares espressos, cappuccinos or lattes with the touch of a button. It has an Illuminated control panel with buttons that allow you to choose your favorite drink with ease, with 3 milk and 2 coffee options. Amazon, Sur La Table, Williams Sonoma and Nespresso, $299

ALLDOCK

 

This is for the friend on your list who has a kitchen full of charging wires for all of their electronics. This could be the answer for the food techie on your list. ALLDOCK is a good-looking wooden cabinet-like box that holds the wires inside so it looks like a small piece of furniture. You can select different finishes, and it comes in two sizes. It is perfect in the kitchen, where recipes can be read on a tablet while it's charging. This can be customized to one's personal needs. Alldock.com, Starting at $129

Anolon Pantryware Bread Board and Dipping Dish Set

I love to present this attractive bread board on my dining table along with the dish filled with soft butter. This stylish teak wood cutting board and stoneware dipping cup features non-skid feet for stability and protection of countertops and tabletops. Dipping cup is oven safe to 500 F. Amazon, $80

Stocking Stuffers for the Cook

Tovolo 1 Cup Scoop & Sift

This multi-purpose tool effortlessly removes lumps and aerates flour for batters. With a 1-cup capacity, flour can be measured and sifted directly into a mixing bowl, eliminating the need for multiple baking tools. Amazon, $9

Tovolo Magnetic Nested Measuring System

Never lose measuring cups and spoons again with Tovolo's magnetic measuring system. This complete measuring set was designed with strong magnets that keep the pieces secure, and to stack neatly for compact storage. The set includes 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, 2 tablespoons, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, 1 cup and 3 cup measuring pieces. Ideal for wet or dry ingredients, the measuring system also features easy-to-read, etched measurement markings that won't fade. Amazon, $20

Tovolo Silicone Wine Caps

No need to worry when you lose the wine cork. Use these to keep your wine fresh longer. Amazon, $8.62

Microplane Grip n' Strip Straight Peeler

This is my new favorite tool in the kitchen. It makes peeling so easy it features a unique multi positional round shape that makes it possible to grip in many ways ideal for right and left handed cooks alike. The twin blades also swivel and self-adjust to the outer layers of produce for optimum results. This has been a life saver in my kitchen prep. Microplane.com, $7.95

(Diane Rossen Worthington is an authority on new American cooking. She is the author of 18 cookbooks, including "Seriously Simple Parties," and a James Beard Award-winning radio show host. You can contact her at www.seriouslysimple.com.)


 

 

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