Gift guide: Kitchen items made to last
Some personal faves; some I wish I owned
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of The Bell!
Have you seen my three gift guides so far?
Today: my fourth of five holiday gift guides: kitchen items made to last a lifetime, and even to pass on to the next generation. Pretty self-explanatory! From one enthusiastic home cook and baker to another, your recipient will be thrilled to receive any of the below.
Take advantage of the amazing sales this week to pick this stuff up!
Lodge cast iron skillet *heritage brand
My brother gave me this skillet for my college graduation, so if you need gift ideas for next spring, file that away!
Cast iron skillets are inexpensive, they’re versatile, and they literally last forever. 12” is the classic size, but a smaller one is fun to have in the collection, too. Tie the handles together with a big red bow and give as a pair!
KitchenAid stand mixer
My stand mixer is secondhand from my aunt, who received it as a wedding gift in the 80s. Still functions like a dream. I love to bake, so it gets lots of use in my house. I also think it’s so beautiful sitting out on the counter.
Buying new is very expensive, but KitchenAid always has a selection of certified refurbished models on their website at a great price. The most popular colors are usually in stock.
Marble mortar and pestle *small family-owned business
In honor of my visit to Norwich, Vermont the other weekend, I wanted to share something from hand-blown glass and kitchenware brand Simon Pearce. This mortar and pestle is perfect for crushing spices, smashing garlic, or making crushed herb sauces. I firmly believe in doing some things in the kitchen by hand even when you can do them mechanically, and a mortar and pestle is one of the most satisfying tools you can use.
All Clad stainless steel cookware
For stainless cookware, I haven’t found an option that improves upon All Clad in the quality, durability, washability, and performance departments. If you know of one, please alert me!
A 3-qt saucepan is a really useful size, a deep skillet with a lid comes in handy all the time, and your baker friend will love the darling little butter warmer. If your recipient loves to make big batches of stews and homemade broths, give the 12-qt pasta pot!
Staub enameled cast iron dutch oven *made in France
I love the oval shape of this 7-qt dutch oven for roasting chickens, though I use it just as often to make soup. My only preference for Staub over Le Creuset is aesthetic; Staub offers solid colors while the new Le Creuset cookware is typically ombré. Shrug!
Wooden cutting board *heritage brand
People think for some reason that wood is less hygienic than plastic for cutting boards. That could not be less accurate. Wood has natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, and wood is one of the healthiest materials you can cook with/on. It will never leach micro plastics into your food, and never shed little threads of fiber the way plastic cutting boards sometimes do.
A well-cared-for wood cutting board or breadboard will last forever; there’s a reason you often see them at flea markets and antique stores. For best results, oil it and apply food-safe wood cream monthly. If you’re gifting, add in the John Boos maintenance kit so your recipient is set up to care for their new board. (You can also use these products on wooden utensils, countertops, etc.)
Wooden cooking utensils *small business
Everything I just said about wood cutting boards, but for cooking utensils! Wood is also heat-resistant. This set from a Canadian small business is stunningly beautiful. Love this set, too.
A stainless steel colander *heritage brand
Most home cooks use their strainers/colanders constantly! This sleek, modern one from German brand Rösle was designed to solve drainage problems with a conical shape and evenly distributed perforations. Plus, it’s a thing of beauty.
Copper mixing bowls *small business, artisan-made
Sertodo designed their copper bowls based on the French omelette house, Madame Poulard's, that has been serving omelettes for over 100 years to travelers on their pilgrimage to Mont Saint-Michel, France. Whip up omelets, bread, or baked goods and pass this beauty on to the next generation.
Sturdy cookie sheets
I love this sheet pan!! I have owned many other brands over the years, and the Fat Daddio’s sheet pan is the sturdiest and best by far. It doesn’t rust and doesn’t warp or bend in the oven. If you’re gifting, add in a reusable silicone baking mat or two for your recipient. It’ll reduce their foil and parchment use by a lot!
Honorable mention: Duralex glassware
Glassware is never guaranteed to be forever because it can, of course, break. But Duralex Picardie glasses have been in my life for, well, my entire life—and I’ve hardly known one to break, even when dropped on a hardwood floor. They’re surprisingly hardy. Read all about (and shop) my Duralex glassware wardrobe here.
Stay tuned for next week’s gift guide: children’s! Until then, I’ll talk to you Friday with this week’s recs.
xx Jane
This newsletter includes a few affiliate links. I like to shop small and don’t exclusively feature brands that are part of an affiliate program, so not all links will earn me a commission. But some will! If you plan to buy something featured in this newsletter, using my link will help support the time and love I put into writing these for you. I appreciate your support so much!