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Gift-giving season is here and no matter what you celebrate, December seems to the month of sending friends and family gifts to let them know you’re thinking of them.
If you have a home cook in your life, then you’ll want to check out this list. I’ve compiled 10 gifts for home cooks, some simple, some extravagant, but all useful when it comes to making magic in the kitchen.
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10 Gifts Your Favorite Home Cooks Will Love
Beautiful Pots & Pans
If you want to wow someone, give them a pot or pan from Ruffoni. These gorgeous copper pots are hand-made in the Italian Alps. Buy individually or build your own set.
Baking Dishes
Baking dishes can be used for more than baked goods. Use them for dinner recipes: throw in some vegetables, top with chicken or fish, add in some wine and herbs (and perhaps some zest) and bake for an easy-peasy and tasty dinner.
Torch
I was resistant to buy a torch because it seemed scary to use one at home, but it’s actually easy. Now you can can make creme brûlée, sear meats, melt cheese and toast breadcrumbs in seconds. Try this one from Sondiko.
Knives
Good knives are key for slicing, dicing, and chopping My favorites are WUSTHOF and Korin, which sells Japanese brands in their store in NYC’s Tribeca. Korin is known as the place where chefs buy their knives so you know it’s top quality. Both of these options are pricey but these knives will last forever. Be sure to keep them sharpened!
Mandolin
While you can slice thinly with a good knife, you can get an even thinner slice with the help of a mandolin. Think: nearly see-through slices of fennel, onion, carrots, potatoes, and cucumber for elegant salads and vegetable dishes.
Hand-Powered Chopper
This small hand-powered chopper is one of my favorite kitchen tools. I use it frequently for quickly chopping lots of garlic—and sometimes, onions, too—at once.
Spices
I cook with spices often and would happily accept any spice that someone wants me to taste. Which is why I believe a spice set is a great gift for your favorite home cook. Some options: this all-women owned chef-curated gift box from Gourmet Diva, gift boxes from Penzey’s, these sets handmade in Greenwich Village at Sullivan Street Tea & Spice Company, or these spice collections from Spicewalla.
Mortar & Pestle
I’m always touting the benefits of a mortar & pestle; it’s great for mashing things like nuts and spices that you can add to recipes and toss on top of salads or vegetables. I’ve also used it for mashing butter with herbs to slather on chicken as shown above. I use this one from Emile Henry but this granite version is a good one, too.
Wine Subscription
I can’t attest for all home cooks, but I love cooking with wine (and drinking some while cooking a la Julia Child). A wine subscription is always a welcome gift. That way the recipient can taste new wines they may not have known previously. I recommend International Wine of the Month Club, somMailier (French wine), Vinebox, FirstLeaf, plus the holiday sets from Hall Wines make a nice gift.
Table Linens
Cloth napkins and table runners can make dinner an elegant occasion. I love the beautiful hand-printed cotton textiles from Saffron Marigold. Other options I recommend are these print sets from The Met, Scully & Scully, a NYC institution since 1934, and the eclectic kitchen linens from Wolf & Badger.
Disclaimer: I may be compensated if you buy something from some, though not all, of the links in this article. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_cta h2=”Find my favorite kitchen items and more!” txt_align=”center” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Click here” btn_color=”inverse” btn_align=”center” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fshop%2Fthenyckitchen|target:_blank”]
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Baking for the holidays? Try these desserts:
Classic Chocolate Cake with Maple Buttercream
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When visitors come to New York, the Museum of Modern Art is often on their list of places to visit. MoMa, as its known, is home to many renowned works of art, including The Starry Night by Van Gogh, Girl Before a Mirror by Picasso and The Persistence of Memory by Dali,
The building itself is also a site to behold: modern and airy with a courtyard that’s great for people watching during the warmer months.
After spending several hours admiring paintings by Magritte, Matisse, Kahlo, Pollock, and other masters, one might wonder where to eat for lunch or dinner.
As a local and a frequent visitor to MoMa, one of my favorite museums, I have some places in mind for you.
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When you want to splurge: The Modern
For a luxurious dining experience, you don’t even need to leave the museum. The Modern is a Michelin-starred dining experience perfect for a special occasion—or if you feel like splurging on the exquisite tasting menu prepared by Chef Thomas Allen. The menu changes seasonally but one of the signature dishes, Egg on Egg on Egg is absolutely divine. Try to get a seat by the window where you can look at MoMa’s outdoor garden.
The Modern: 9 West 53rd St between 5th and 6th Avenues
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When you crave upscale Italian: Il Gattopardo
Across the street from MoMa’s back entrance on 54th Street sits Il Gattopardo, one of New York City’s most elegant Italian restaurants. Housed in what is known as The Rockefeller Townhouses, since John D. Rockefeller lived there 40 years, Il Gattppardo serves refined Southern Italian cuisine made with fresh ingredients along with a very robust wine list.
Il Gattopardo: 13-15 West 54th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues
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When you crave French: Le Grand Boucherie
Located in a grand Art Nouveau-style atrium, you’ll feel you’ve been swept away far from New York City to a bustling Parisian brasserie. there’s a grand bar, sweeping trees, and Come here for breakfast, lunch or dinner and enjoy classic French cuisine such as oysters, steak frites, filet mignon au poivre, soup a l’oignon, lobster bisque and many other French classics. There’s a full wine list and specialty cocktails, plus sandwiches including Croque Monsieur for you or the children.
Le Grand Boucherie: 145 West 53rd St between 6th and 7th Avenues
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When you crave Mediterranean: Fig & Olive
Fig & Olive is just around the corner from MoMa, on Fifth Avenue. The Mediterranean menu includes mezze, small plates, and entrées including baba ghanoush with Aleppo chili, octopus a la plancha, Moroccan-spiced salmon, paella and the signature burger served with rosemary Parmesan fries as well as classical and seasonal cocktails, like the Spicy Paloma, which includes El Tequileno Blanco Tequila, Chipotle, Fever Tree Pink Grapefruit Soda.
Fig & Olive: 10 East 52nd St between 5th and 6th Avenues
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When you want a special sushi experience: Hoseki
For a special experience, head to At Saks Fifth Avenue, take the elevator downstairs to the jewelry vault, then open the curtains to enter Hoseki, which means jewel in Japanese. Grab one of the 6 seats to enjoy a 12-course omakase experience of sushi, caviar and Japanese teas. Tables book up quickly and only lunch is served but it’s a wonderful way to escape the hustle and bustle of Fifth Avenue.
Hoseki: 611 Fifth Avenue at West 50th in the basement at Saks Fifth Avenue
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When you crave Indian cuisine: Chola
NYC is home to a multitude of Indian restaurants but I want to tell you about a special one Chola , an award-winning restaurant founded by chef/restaurateur Shiva Natarajan, who’s been dedicated to preserving traditional Indian culinary practices. Chola, now helmed by Min Bhujel, is a place where attention to detail is paramount, from mixing spice blends to creating homemade chutneys and sauces. And, the team embraces the Indian value of “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning, “the guest is god.”
Chola: 232 East 58th St between 2nd and 3rd Avenues
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When you want Dim Sum in an Art Deco atmosphere: Hutong
For a glamorous dining experience consider Hutong, which serves Northern Chinese fare and innovative dim sum in a 1920s New York and Shanghai-inspired Art Deco. Enjoy such specialties as crispy soft shell crab, flaming Peking duck, Wagyu beef millefeuille and lobster dumplings along with creative cocktails from the restaurant’s lounge.
Hutong: 731 Lexington Avenue at East 59th Street
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When you’d love a 10-course Chinese dinner: Chef Guo
Chinese Master Chef Guo Wenjun recently launched a new 10-course menu at his eponymous restaurant where you can be transported in the beautifully-appointed dining room. Dishes range from traditional to innovative but definitely get the show-stopping Eternal Bliss of QianKun Pot, which originated from Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di. This dish is served in a handmade Cloisonne pot and contains more than 20 ingredients including: sea cucumber, Chinese prawn, scallops, shiitake mushrooms, and other ingredients. For dessert, get the Honey Glazed Golden Nest BaBao Sweet Rice Pudding. Overall, this is a special dining experience.
Chef Guo: 135 East 50th St between 3rd & Lexington Avenues
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