Serious Eats
Serious Eats Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers, $10 and Under
It's hard to shop for food lovers and cooks, especially if you don't happen to be one. Obviously, a stand mixer or a cast-iron skillet are exquisite gifts, but they're expensive or heavy investments, and if the foodies on your list are serious, chances are they already own one. It's usually the little, unexpected items they may have overlooked, never heard of, or decided not indulge in that form the holes in their Swiss cheese of a culinary arsenal. I looked around two national stores, Williams-Sonoma and Crate and Barrel, to unearth these little stocking stuffers, things all foodies want but would never buy for themselves. They are not novelty; they are niche—and nationally available. Whether she adores winter roasted chestnuts or he indulges in extravagant bottles of vintage red, there is something for everyone on your list here. Today, we're bringing you the most affordable (but still desireable) stocking stuffers we could find. Throughout the week, we'll present a little pricier stocking stuffers.
Cake Tester: Save the baker in your life from having to rummage through kitchen drawers searching for a toothpick or wasting bamboo skewers testing if her muffins are ready. This reusable little implement is much more likely to be found, used, and remembered. $3.95, from Crate and Barrel.
Garlic Roaster: This vessel transports raw, pungent garlic heads into sweet, soft, and succulent cloves, perfect for wiping on bread or whipping into potatoes. $25, from Williams-Sonoma and $8.95, from Crate and Barrel.
Egg Perfect Timer: Stop complaining to your parent or spouse about how she never cooks your eggs just right. Boil this along with the eggs, and the plastic yolk changes color as the real yolks change texture. $4.95, from Crate and Barrel.
Grapefruit Knife: Citrus is in season in winter, and once you zip through a grapefruit half with this tool, that segments and separates without a trace of pith, you’ll be literally and figuratively hooked. $5.95, from Crate and Barrel.
Egg Separator: It is surprising how many people out there are not sure how to separate an egg. For the neophyte baker on your list, this gadget takes the guesswork, and the yolk, out of the egg. $16, from Williams-Sonoma and $2.95, from Crate and Barrel.
Coming Soon
Tuesday: Stocking Stuffers, $20 and Under
Wednesday: Stocking Stuffers, $30 and Under
Thursday: Stocking Stuffers, $40 and Under