Help! Present for a cook

[niccig]

I need desperate help for a birthday present for my mother on the 12th December - yes, I left it late.

She is a real cook/foodie. She was making Thai, Moroccan food before anyone I know. The woman has her own Tagine!

For Christmas I was going to give her the Baker's Crate from Penzy's Spices - she love the different vanillas and cinnamons. Now, I'm trying to figure out something for her birthday. Is getting a range of specialty bundt pans etc from Sur La Table, too lame. She won't get the idea until she gets her Christmas gift though.

Added difficulty is that she's visiting from Australia, and will be here in 3 days - I haven't seen her Kitchen in 2 years, so I have no idea what she's added to it. And Dad wouldn't know a bundt pan from a sprinform pan so he's no help.

Eek...what do I do.

[Neatfreak]

If your friend likes to bake, a fancy bundt pan wouldn't be lame. My sister actually has this really cool brownie pan: http://www.bakersedge.com/

and I must admit I'm envious!

[lmwbasye]

That pan is AWESOME!!

[Bean606]

Don't know if you are looking for kitchen supplies only, or anything food-related, but the books by Ruth Reichl about her relationship with food and her career as a restaurant critic are awesome, and probably less bulky to bring back to australia than the bundt pans.

[Jen841]

A few years ago DH got me, at my request, new measuring cups, spatulas, measuring spoons etc. I loved it b/c I had random cheap stuff from the beginning of my cooking days.

I did see a cute idea of putting handprints on an apron for a gift, sounds like a very appropriate thing for your Mom from the kids.

[kcimato]

I must have that brownie pan!!!!!!

[urquie]

these are all pretty small for packing and should be available in local stores. i've seen the chef'n brand stuff in a local "natural" grocery store and i think sur la table carries it too (even though the chef'n website store locator doens't show any stores near me that carry their product).

Silicone Basting Brush by Oxo:
love it - it’s dishwasher safe and comes out clean no matter how oily/dirty it gets and the bristles don’t melt when i oil the waffle iron

"Considered by Cook's Illustrated (and America’s Test Kitchen) as the best silicone pastry brush in the market. This new oxo design comes with a ingenious idea: flap traps that trap liquid until the brush hits the food."
http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Silicone-Basting-Pastry/dp/B000HD7FJ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1197090629&sr=8-1


Chef'n DiscGo Magnetic Pot Holder/Trivet:
love it – i can quickly open a tight jar lid, grab a hot pan from the oven, set hot stuff safely on the counter/table and i don’t have to dig through a messy drawer since it’s easily hanging on my fridge (no hook to bother with!)
http://www.amazon.com/Chefn-DiscGo-Magnetic-Holder-Huckleberry/dp/B000EO19FW/ref=sr_1_43?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1197092044&sr=1-43


Chef'n Switchit Dual-Ended Long Spatula:
want it – dishwasher safe and won’t melt if i leave it resting in a hot pot
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BF0YWS/ref=noref?ie=UTF8&s=kitchen

[tamie]

Have to say the Ruth Reichl books are excellent!

[niccig]

Thanks so much.
With all your suggestions I've got great ideas.
I'm going to hit Sur La Table up this afternoon. I think a combination of the books, apron/pot holder that DS will decorate, the spatula, basting brush etc will do nicely. And I'll check if they have any specialty pans/something different. Space is not such a concern. Mum and Dad are coming with 1 bag of clothes and 3 empty bags, they always stock up on things that are cheaper here.

Once again the BBB has saved my behind, no lame presents from me anymore!

Nicci

[fauve01]

i seriously LOVE my microplane grater. i think they are available a lot of places now. is has to say "microplane" though. they are super sharp!
http://www.amazon.com/Microplane-35002-Fine-Grater/dp/B00004S7VK/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1197157321&sr=8-10

also LOVE my collapsible silicon strainer. i got mine at bed bath beyond. mine is this shape and i like it best. goes in the dishwasher flat!!
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14707620


HTH~
anne

[ThreeofUs]

Oh, go to Sur La Table and get her Rosle tools! They're the absolute best and cooks who know will sell their soul (or at least apple flan recipe) for them.

[urquie]

i seriously LOVE my microplane grater. i think they are available a lot of places now. is has to say "microplane" though. they are super sharp!
http://www.amazon.com/Microplane-35002-Fine-Grater/dp/B00004S7VK/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1197157321&sr=8-10

also LOVE my collapsible silicon strainer. i got mine at bed bath beyond. mine is this shape and i like it best. goes in the dishwasher flat!!
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14707620


HTH~
anne


oh yes - definitely a microplane zester! it's great for zesting fruits and other stuff... like garlic, ginger, nutmeg, chocolate and hard cheeses.

i love this one
http://www.amazon.com/Microplane-40020-Grater-Zester/dp/B00004S7V8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1197174704&sr=1-1