Putting a Christmas basket of goodies together for a newbie

D

desertjean

Well-known member
to cooking. She's just started experimenting thanks to Rachael Ray.

Any suggestions on must-haves for a newbie? I'm looking at small tools and staples. I'm including greek olive oil and TJ's roasted garlic for starters. I'll be using Rachael's "garbage bowl" as the basket. (Yes, they REALLY do sell those...)

 
one of RR's cookbooks? silicone scrapers/brushes, wooden spoon with the point for the pot "corners",

pepper grinder and peppercorns, good vanilla and cinnamon.

 
Pepper mill with fresh peppercorns, Dijon mustard, balsamic or other vinegar, assorted spices,

microplane, colorful silicone spatula, ....

 
Microplane rasp, small mandoline, the 2 oz. measure indicating Tbsp, oz & ml., a ripple-edged knife

for slicing fancy, small nonstick rack for roasting chickens and meats, a stick blender.

 
How about a list of equivalent measurements? Gallons to quarts and so on.

I have a couple of fridge magnets that list these and they've been very useful over the years.

 
My friend was newly married and I got her a starter spice kit and the salad dressing

kit from Penzey's. She said it was one of her most favorite gifts.

I can relate...I remember trying to put together a collection of spices and had no idea what to buy. I'm sure it was a lot of random stuff. In fact, my friend used to own a spice store and I asked him for some mace. He's like, "Mace? What are you making?" Dim wit I was, I said, "I don't know...I've seen it in recipes..." He tried to talk me out of it. Wouldn't you know, I just threw out the mace...and never touched it. LOL!

http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/c-Gift_Boxes.html?id=BqVpxAA9

 
A couple of decent knives....a must!

Don't especially need to be expensive for a newbie, but should be good. You can sometimes get a set of 2 at Macy's or JC Penney for about $10.00

 
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