There"s Something For Every Budget On This Mother"s Day Gift Guide.
When I was a child, my father worked for the esteemed Marshall Field's department store in Chicago (now owned by Macy's). Much to my mother's chagrin, he had the dubious honor of bringing home damaged merchandise, including kitchen gadgets. One of them, the Slice-O-Matic I think, nearly took her finger off. But for me, those kitchen doohickeys were like solid gold. I guess I had chef tendencies as young as age 5.
Many women would be offended by a kitchen-themed gift for Mother's Day but not me and not most of my readers who are foodies par excellence. If you're stumped for gift ideas, consider these. They run from the sublime to the ridiculously cute, the healthy to the decadent, and the affordable to the when-I-win-the-lotto expensive. Still, it's nice to dream and know what's out there.
You might also want to check out Mother's Day Gift Guide 2010 and Mother's Day Gift Guide 2011, and Mother's Day Gift Guide 2012 for more ideas.
If mom has a sensitivity to wheat but loves her Eastern European dumplings and you don't feel like making gluten-free pierogi from scratch, enter Conte's Gluten-Free Pierogi in potato-onion and potato-cheese-onion flavors. Conte's, long known for its excellent line of Italian pastas, has come up with gluten-free products, including pierogi that actually taste great! Check out the nutrition information -- four potato-onion pierogi have only 180 calories, 10 from fat, and four potato-cheese-onion have only 210 calories with 30 calories from fat. Now Eastern European moms with Celiac and other trouble digesting wheat gluten can enjoy a treat they grew up with. And, as everyone knows, you don't have to be Eastern European to love pierogi.More »
If mom's a bit of a gourmet cook (and even if she's not), this butane-powered kitchen torch from Bella Tavola will make quick work of caramelizing the sugar on a crème brûlée, browning marshamallows on a sweet-potato casserole, roasting peppers and much more. Most small kitchen torches don't measure up, but Bella Tavola has you covered. This model has an adjustable flame-control level, non-tip wide base, child-resistant safety lever, automatic ignition, 2400-degree high-output flame, and continuous-use locking.More »
When it comes to kitchen tools, Oster is a trusted brand and this 6-speed hand mixer lives up to its hype. This baby is one powerful machine for a hand-held. It boasts a 250-watt motor, six speeds, a Burst of Power button, retractable cord, and includes chrome beaters, whisks, drink rod and dough hooks. And, yes, the dough hooks can handle small batches of stiff bread dough with ease. So if you don't plan on getting a stand mixer anytime soon, this hand-held model is definitely the way to go. The only downside? It's a little heavy, but that's because it's so powerful. I can forgive anything if you give me power!More »
The Shark Sonic Duo cleans carpets, wood and other hard floors. This is such a boon in my kitchen where flour invariably lands on my ceramic kitchen tile and then is tracked onto the wood floors and carpeted areas of my home by my family and pets. This powerful, lightweight cleaner makes quick work of dirt on all these surfaces. Shark touts this product as "the first total home floor cleaning system that removes what vacuums leave behind." The slim profile of this machine offers 180-degree swivel for better maneuverability around fixed objects. You can even polish floors. One caveat, only Shark cleaning solutions are recommended.More »
Now I can make paczki and chrusciki and all the other Eastern European fried foods with less guilt. The Ninja Professional Frying System fries food 40% faster in less oil and with 30% less fat absorption than other fryers. The result? Crispier, healthier fried foods that don't have to be flipped over in the immersion basket because all sides cook at once thanks to the fryer basket lid. And the exterior of the unit stays cool even when frying at high temperatures. The website features how-to videos.More »
Double boilers used to be a dime a dozen, but just try to find one these days. Well, Rose Levy Beranbaum, better known as the Diva of Desserts, has come out with a line of bakeware, including a double boiler that knocks my socks off. Beranbaum says, "This ... double-walled pot, with an internal water chamber for safely heating and keeping water at a gentle simmer without steam, is my pot of choice for making lemon curd, cream sauces, and even for melting chocolate." Made of polished stainless steel inside and out, the 1.75-quart-capacity pot has a flared rim for drip-free pouring, inner-wall measurement markings, is suitable for all cooking surfaces including induction, and is dishwasher safe. Hooray -- no more burning, scorching or boiling over!More »
I love my stand mixer but adding flour and other ingredients to the bowl is always so cumbersome. Usually, I'll measure my flour onto a piece of waxed paper and then lift it and pour it into the mixer. Invariably, no matter how careful I am, I have some spillage. Enter the FlexPour from CuizineToolz. This silicone container is flexible and can be squeezed together to transfer ingredients from one bowl to another. It comes in 3-cup and 5-cup sizes, is microwaveable to 600 degrees, and is dishwasher safe.More »
I love my stand mixer but cleaning off the beater blades has always been the bane of my existence until now. Chef's Planet Better Spatula makes quick work of getting every drop of delicious batter into the baking pan instead of down the drain. In addition to all the usual tasks a spatula does -- stirring, scraping, spreading -- the two slots in the Better Spatula's silicone head (with a steel core for strength) fit between the blades of a flat beater making cleanup a breeze. It's dishwasher safe, works on both stand mixers and hand-held models, and is eminently affordable.More »
I am absolutely in love with Arctic Zero's frozen desserts that come in bars and pints and is available at many supermarkets (check the store locator on the website). I guess it technically can't be considered ice cream because of the fat content, but that's how I treat it. What's so great about this stuff? A half-cup contains 37 calories with 0 calories from fat, 6 grams total carbohydrate and 5 grams of sugar. And no artificial sweeteners! The bar numbers are little higher with 85 calories per bar and 50 calories from fat, but still only 7 grams total carbohydrate and 5 grams of sugar. Anyone would love this cooling dessert but moms who are watching their weight or diabetic will really appreciate it. Flavors include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, orange cream, vanilla maple, coffee, chocolate peanut butter, mint chocolate cookie. Be prepared for a not-so-sweet taste that is still satisfying.More »
Many women would be offended by a kitchen-themed gift for Mother's Day but not me and not most of my readers who are foodies par excellence. If you're stumped for gift ideas, consider these. They run from the sublime to the ridiculously cute, the healthy to the decadent, and the affordable to the when-I-win-the-lotto expensive. Still, it's nice to dream and know what's out there.
You might also want to check out Mother's Day Gift Guide 2010 and Mother's Day Gift Guide 2011, and Mother's Day Gift Guide 2012 for more ideas.
1. Conte's Gluten-Free Pierogi
If mom has a sensitivity to wheat but loves her Eastern European dumplings and you don't feel like making gluten-free pierogi from scratch, enter Conte's Gluten-Free Pierogi in potato-onion and potato-cheese-onion flavors. Conte's, long known for its excellent line of Italian pastas, has come up with gluten-free products, including pierogi that actually taste great! Check out the nutrition information -- four potato-onion pierogi have only 180 calories, 10 from fat, and four potato-cheese-onion have only 210 calories with 30 calories from fat. Now Eastern European moms with Celiac and other trouble digesting wheat gluten can enjoy a treat they grew up with. And, as everyone knows, you don't have to be Eastern European to love pierogi.More »
2. Bella Tavola Kitchen Torch
If mom's a bit of a gourmet cook (and even if she's not), this butane-powered kitchen torch from Bella Tavola will make quick work of caramelizing the sugar on a crème brûlée, browning marshamallows on a sweet-potato casserole, roasting peppers and much more. Most small kitchen torches don't measure up, but Bella Tavola has you covered. This model has an adjustable flame-control level, non-tip wide base, child-resistant safety lever, automatic ignition, 2400-degree high-output flame, and continuous-use locking.More »
3. Oster 6-Speed Retractable Cord Inspire Hand Mixer
When it comes to kitchen tools, Oster is a trusted brand and this 6-speed hand mixer lives up to its hype. This baby is one powerful machine for a hand-held. It boasts a 250-watt motor, six speeds, a Burst of Power button, retractable cord, and includes chrome beaters, whisks, drink rod and dough hooks. And, yes, the dough hooks can handle small batches of stiff bread dough with ease. So if you don't plan on getting a stand mixer anytime soon, this hand-held model is definitely the way to go. The only downside? It's a little heavy, but that's because it's so powerful. I can forgive anything if you give me power!More »
4. Shark Sonic Duo Carpet, Wood & Hard Floor Cleaner
The Shark Sonic Duo cleans carpets, wood and other hard floors. This is such a boon in my kitchen where flour invariably lands on my ceramic kitchen tile and then is tracked onto the wood floors and carpeted areas of my home by my family and pets. This powerful, lightweight cleaner makes quick work of dirt on all these surfaces. Shark touts this product as "the first total home floor cleaning system that removes what vacuums leave behind." The slim profile of this machine offers 180-degree swivel for better maneuverability around fixed objects. You can even polish floors. One caveat, only Shark cleaning solutions are recommended.More »
5. Ninja Professional Frying System
Now I can make paczki and chrusciki and all the other Eastern European fried foods with less guilt. The Ninja Professional Frying System fries food 40% faster in less oil and with 30% less fat absorption than other fryers. The result? Crispier, healthier fried foods that don't have to be flipped over in the immersion basket because all sides cook at once thanks to the fryer basket lid. And the exterior of the unit stays cool even when frying at high temperatures. The website features how-to videos.More »
6. Rose Levy Beranbaum Double Boiler
Double boilers used to be a dime a dozen, but just try to find one these days. Well, Rose Levy Beranbaum, better known as the Diva of Desserts, has come out with a line of bakeware, including a double boiler that knocks my socks off. Beranbaum says, "This ... double-walled pot, with an internal water chamber for safely heating and keeping water at a gentle simmer without steam, is my pot of choice for making lemon curd, cream sauces, and even for melting chocolate." Made of polished stainless steel inside and out, the 1.75-quart-capacity pot has a flared rim for drip-free pouring, inner-wall measurement markings, is suitable for all cooking surfaces including induction, and is dishwasher safe. Hooray -- no more burning, scorching or boiling over!More »
7. NewMetro Design Vacuum Canisters and Dome Savers
NewMetro Design Vacuum Canisters and Dome Savers are battery powered to vacuum seal with the push of a button. No more stale chips, pretzels, coffee, cakes, breads, cheeses, fruit and vegetables! You've got to see this line to believe it. The domes are really neat because they will create a vacuum seal on any work surface, so a layer cake on a pretty serving plate can be covered with the dome and it stays fresh in a vacuum-sealed environment until you press the button to release the vacuum and lift the lid. Storage canisters and dome with bases and lids also can be placed in a refrigerator for perishable items.More »8. FlexPour from CuizineToolz
I love my stand mixer but adding flour and other ingredients to the bowl is always so cumbersome. Usually, I'll measure my flour onto a piece of waxed paper and then lift it and pour it into the mixer. Invariably, no matter how careful I am, I have some spillage. Enter the FlexPour from CuizineToolz. This silicone container is flexible and can be squeezed together to transfer ingredients from one bowl to another. It comes in 3-cup and 5-cup sizes, is microwaveable to 600 degrees, and is dishwasher safe.More »
9. Better Spatula from Chef's Planet
I love my stand mixer but cleaning off the beater blades has always been the bane of my existence until now. Chef's Planet Better Spatula makes quick work of getting every drop of delicious batter into the baking pan instead of down the drain. In addition to all the usual tasks a spatula does -- stirring, scraping, spreading -- the two slots in the Better Spatula's silicone head (with a steel core for strength) fit between the blades of a flat beater making cleanup a breeze. It's dishwasher safe, works on both stand mixers and hand-held models, and is eminently affordable.More »
10. Arctic Zero Frozen Desserts
I am absolutely in love with Arctic Zero's frozen desserts that come in bars and pints and is available at many supermarkets (check the store locator on the website). I guess it technically can't be considered ice cream because of the fat content, but that's how I treat it. What's so great about this stuff? A half-cup contains 37 calories with 0 calories from fat, 6 grams total carbohydrate and 5 grams of sugar. And no artificial sweeteners! The bar numbers are little higher with 85 calories per bar and 50 calories from fat, but still only 7 grams total carbohydrate and 5 grams of sugar. Anyone would love this cooling dessert but moms who are watching their weight or diabetic will really appreciate it. Flavors include chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, orange cream, vanilla maple, coffee, chocolate peanut butter, mint chocolate cookie. Be prepared for a not-so-sweet taste that is still satisfying.More »
