So Christmas is around the corner and you dread getting presents you don't want, especially from relatives or friends who don't know you well enough. Luckily for us, we have gone past this and tell our parents and friends what we like. Some might think that this misses the point. I don't agree. I am always much happier to get what I want and the giver is still happy as they are feel like they have given us something that we appreciate.

However if you would like to surprise your love ones who is a foodie with presents this holiday, here are some items you can consider.

1) Cold Press Juicer
This is one of those items that I would never have bought for myself. It is significantly more expensive compared to other juicers, and I wondered if I was going to use it enough to justify the cost. Once you have it, however, you will never buy another bottled juice from the supermarket again. This new technology of juicing retains more nutrients than the traditional centrifugal types. The pulp is collected via an outlet while the juicing happens, making it also easier to clean. For more details on the health benefits of a cold press juicer, you can read it here.

There are many brands out there offering this technology with its growing popularity. Find one that fits the size and budget.

2) Pans that can be used with almost any heat source
Our new place has an induction stove top. However, the pans that C & I both brought to our relationship were not induction ready. Also, they have plastic handles so I can't use them in the oven. I took the opportunity to splurge on a set of Le Creuset aluminum core series but they are worth it. Searing a filet mignon on the stove and straight into the oven to finish off to medium is much simpler now, saving me on the hassle to transfer it to a baking tray. You could probably find something less expensive but it is good to get something that you know can be used with almost any heat source.


3) Joseph Joseph set of chopping boards
After my culinary course, I now understand the importance of cross contamination. Most people get food poisoning from home cooking without even realizing. How often have you chopped your veg and use the same chopping board to dice up your chicken without giving it a good wash. Well, luckily for us, Joseph Joseph has come up with a stack of chopping board with clear labels for the home chefs to use without consuming too much space. With anti-slip rubber corners, it also prevents the board from moving about when chopping. The only downside is that it is just a little too small. So if anyone from Joseph Joseph is reading my blog, please make a bigger version.

http://www.josephjoseph.com/product/index-chopping-boards



4) A pair of kitchen scissors that comes apart
Something that every avid home chef should own is a good set of knives. However the tool which often gets forgotten is the scissors. Prior to my culinary course, I never gave much thought to scissors. A good pair of scissors can help you cut off fat from bones to render. What annoys me is that scissors are difficult to clean. As part of my school kit, there was a pair of Wusthof scissors. It's everything you expect a scissors to be and it comes apart for easy washing. There are no screws whatsoever. Just a really simple design that clicks into place once you are done cleaning and drying.


5) An experience gift
If they have it all, why not give them an experience gift such as learning to cook a new cuisine. There are many culinary schools that offers short classes in various types of cuisine. Anything from a day to five days, you would be able to find classes for thai, indian, traditional french or italian cuisine. Of course if you wish to splurge, you can always send them to the country to learn from the masters and have a little holiday while they are there.

So Christmas is approaching soon. I am off to do some shopping of my own.

Images from JosephJoseph and Amazon