Christmas gifts for cooks under $30
If you've got a cook on your Christmas shopping list, here are some fun gift ideas. All of these are things that I personally own, or that are on my own wish list this year.
Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet
($23) A cast iron skillet is so versatile that I don't know how a cook would live without one. This one will be good as new long after you've gone through half a dozen non-stick skillets. And seasoning is easy-- simply avoid soap when washing, and dab a bit of shortening on it every 3rd or 4th wash.
Zyliss Susi DeLuxe Garlic Press
($15) I've had this awesome garlic press for at least a decade and have every expectation it will last for many more years. Kids under 12 or very small-handed women may have trouble exerting enough pressure to make this press do its thing, but for most adults it works beautifully.
EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale
($25) This scale is a great help for portion control and for more precision in measuring flour when baking. You can zero it out with a bowl on it, thus making it easy to measure ingredients as you add them to the bowl.
($14) This style of peeler works beautifully for training young children to help with veggie peeling. My 6 and 8 year old daughters routinely help me peel carrots and potatoes. They enjoy it, and with a great gadget like this, they can also do it quite safely.
($14) This rolling pin is on my wish list. My current one has ball bearings that are going out, and this one looks like the ultimate in simplicity and elegant function.
Helen's Asian Kitchen 5-Inch Spider Skimmer
($7) I love simple kitchen gadgets that have stood the test of time. Whether you're scooping wontons and broccoli out of boiling water, or retrieving donuts from a pan of oil, this elegant skimmer will do the job.
Kikkerland Polar Bear Kitchen Timer
($5) This little timer made it onto my list purely on the basis of its adorableness. Wouldn't it make a great affordable gift for a cook or a school teacher? I can picture a small child taking great pleasure in giving this cute little polar bear to a grandma or a Sunday school teacher....
What about you? Have you found any great little goodies that would make an interesting gift for a foodie on your list?