Christmas gifts for the cook (2010)

[andiesenji]

Someone let slip that I will be receiving a Smoking Gun for Christmas. Glad I learned, as I have been considering buying one. I do have a smoker but it's difficult to justify firing the thing up for just one small item.

I am also getting the Brevill Pie baker from someone who thinks I spend too much time in the kitchen. Ha!

I had been warned to not buy ANY appliances after Thanksgiving. Still wondering about what anyone could possibly find that I don't already have or don't really need.

I'm holding off on the pasta maker because there have also been hints it might also be in my "stocking" - - -

Not too worried about gaining weight. I prepare a fair amount of pasta on a regular basis.

and by the way, I have cut a bunch of dowels that just fit into my Excalibur dehydrator and can fit 6 filled with long pasta into it and dry it perfectly in about 20 minutes.

Much better than having my old pasta dryer standing on the counter for a couple of hours.

Edited December 12, 2010 by andiesenji (log)

[Chris Amirault]

I cannot justify it, but I'm hoping that the hints I keep dropping about Thermapens will take root somewhere....

[robirdstx]

A Zojirushi Fuzzy Logic 3 cup Rice Cooker is destined to arrive under my tree. Can't wait to play with it!

[Chris Amirault]

Your life is about to change for the better.

[robirdstx]

I think so too. I have a small covered pot that I have been using for making rice and it works most of the time. When it doesn't, its due to operator error. I've read all of the rice cooker threads on this forum and decided this model is going to be just right for the two of us.

[andiesenji]

One you get the Zo and begin playing with it, you will wonder why you waited so long.

I don't think that model comes with a steaming plate but you can get one of the collapsible ones with little feet that hold the food out of the water and it works great as a steamer, and you can line the steamer with parchment for things such as potstickers etc.

I steam artichokes in my rice cooker and they turn out perfect every time.

[abooja]

I already received a Technivorm Moccamaster for Christmas this year. It's a great machine, and it looks splendid on my counter, but I've yet to make the perfect cup of coffee, as only preground Dunkin' Donuts coffee has graced its basket. I'm also used to Folger's Singles and the occasional cup of Starbucks mocha, so "real" coffee is sort of new to me.

I'd also love to get a burr grinder, a Sous Vide Supreme, an Ultra Pride wet-dry grinder, a curing chamber, a proper sausage stuffer, a steam injection setup for baking bread, and one of those apple peeler/corer/slicer gadgets. Not happening this year.

[Octaveman]

I'd like Anthony Bourdains Les Halles cookbook. A couple more clay cooking pots/pans like Emile Henry or La Chamba. A few more Falk copper pans to augment the ones I have. Can't think of anything else I'd need really.

[Chris Amirault]

I'll trade you my copy of Les Halles for a Falk copper pan or two.

[Octaveman]

I do have a Falk pan that I could possibly trade. Peter signed it himself.

I'll trade you my copy of Les Halles for a Falk copper pan or two.

[robirdstx]

One you get the Zo and begin playing with it, you will wonder why you waited so long.

I don't think that model comes with a steaming plate but you can get one of the collapsible ones with little feet that hold the food out of the water and it works great as a steamer, and you can line the steamer with parchment for things such as potstickers etc.

I steam artichokes in my rice cooker and they turn out perfect every time.

Andiesenji - Thanks for the tip. What setting do you use when you want to use the cooker as a steamer?

[codheadred]

I want a bourgeat frying pan and a knife sharpening kit

[Crouton]

Your life is about to change for the better.

Just curious why you say this? I don't own a rice cooker of this caliber, just a cheap Wallyword $25 non-stick version. Since I'm assuming it's just for cooking rice, what makes the Zojirushi so "life changing"?

[Chris Amirault]

The Zojirushi makes perfect rice (and oatmeal, and...), every time. Perfect. Every. Time. If you've rarely had perfect rice -- and if you're like I was, it was a rare occurrence indeed -- and you eat it regularly, well....

[Crouton]

The Zojirushi makes perfect rice (and oatmeal, and...), every time. Perfect. Every. Time. If you've rarely had perfect rice -- and if you're like I was, it was a rare occurrence indeed -- and you eat it regularly, well....

Interesting... I do love rice. Do you have an Amazon link to the model you own?

[Chris Amirault]

Here's the one I have. Click around the others shown using that (eGullet Society friendly!) Amazon link and you can compare. Seriously. Change your life stuff there.

[andiesenji]

One you get the Zo and begin playing with it, you will wonder why you waited so long.

I don't think that model comes with a steaming plate but you can get one of the collapsible ones with little feet that hold the food out of the water and it works great as a steamer, and you can line the steamer with parchment for things such as potstickers etc.

I steam artichokes in my rice cooker and they turn out perfect every time.

Andiesenji - Thanks for the tip. What setting do you use when you want to use the cooker as a steamer?

I use the regular rice setting. I put about half an inch of water in the pan which in my 10 cup gives me 15 minutes of steam. Some things require less time so I just open the pot and check on how it is - with filled dumplings, etc., I use a probe thermometer to make sure the center has reached at least 165 degrees. For artichokes or potatoes, I use a skewer to see if it penetrates easily, indicating they are done.

I had to do a bit of experimenting but I have been cooking with steam for a long, long time so had a pretty good idea of how much time was needed.

[robirdstx]

One of Santa's helpers, aka the UPS man, deliverd my rice cooker yesterday. I was going to wait until after Christmas but what the heck, we made jasmine rice to go with our sausage and lentil soup last night. The rice was perfect and I love the songs the cooker plays!

[Darienne]

One of Santa's helpers, aka the UPS man, deliverd my rice cooker yesterday. I was going to wait until after Christmas but what the heck, we made jasmine rice to go with our sausage and lentil soup last night. The rice was perfect and I love the songs the cooker plays!

I'll probably be sorry I asked... ..."but what do you mean...the songs the cooker plays!"

[robirdstx]

You won't be sorry! The default sound signal for when cooking begins and when the timer is set is "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and when cooking has completed it signals by playing "Amaryllis". These sound signals can be changed to beeps but I think I'll leave the melodies for now.

[mrsadm]

<snip> A vacuum sealer (don't know what I'd do with it, but looks like fun to experiment!)

EVERYONE, get a vacuum sealer. I cannot believe how great they are. I have saved so much money in bulk purchases, and we no longer have freezer-burned meat. The taste of the meat is so much better as well. The only down side is they tend to break in a year or two if you use them a lot, but my husband futzes around with it and keeps it running for me.

[Darienne]

EVERYONE, get a vacuum sealer. I cannot believe how great they are. I have saved so much money in bulk purchases, and we no longer have freezer-burned meat. The taste of the meat is so much better as well. The only down side is they tend to break in a year or two if you use them a lot, but my husband futzes around with it and keeps it running for me.

And what kind do you recommend?

[Okanagancook]

I have a Food Saver V2490 and a VacPro 2300 (http://www.vacsealers.com/index.html). The former gets fatigued and stops working when you have a lot of sealing to do but the later is a work horse. I would highly recommend the 2300.

[Marlene]

One of Santa's helpers, aka the UPS man, deliverd my rice cooker yesterday. I was going to wait until after Christmas but what the heck, we made jasmine rice to go with our sausage and lentil soup last night. The rice was perfect and I love the songs the cooker plays!

I'll probably be sorry I asked... ..."but what do you mean...the songs the cooker plays!"

Mine plays Mary had a little lamb when it starts up I think. It does play a song when it starts up and when it finishes, but I'm so used to it, I can't remember the actual songs.

Edited December 24, 2010 by Marlene (log)

[Marlene]

One of Santa's helpers, aka the UPS man, deliverd my rice cooker yesterday. I was going to wait until after Christmas but what the heck, we made jasmine rice to go with our sausage and lentil soup last night. The rice was perfect and I love the songs the cooker plays!

I have a book I think You'll love. The Ultimate Rice Cooker by Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann. Great book.