12 must-have gift ideas for the foodie in your life
1. Anova sous vide immersion circulator
Save the flavour by poaching your food in a water bath with Anova’s immersion circulator. Add spices or seasonings, or even sear meat before sealing it in a water-tight bag and dropping it in water to cook for no-fail good meals. Available online at anovaculinary.com; $199.
2. Family Meals by chef Michael Smith
PEI’s chef Michael Smith’s new cookbook is packed with 100 recipes for the whole family. Covering all the meal bases, including breakfast lunch, dinner and, of course, snacks, Family Meals includes tips for getting everyone involved in meal prep. If your family enjoys cooking together and eating delicious, healthy food, this book is for you. Penguin Canada; $32.
3. Shucker Paddy oyster knife
Created by world-champion oyster shucker, Patrick McMurray, this top-notch oyster knife, ergonomically designed for both righties and lefties, helps shuckers open shells with ease. Available online at swissmar.com; $30.
4. FoodSaver vacuum sealer
Keep leftovers up to three times longer in the fridge and freezer with this handy vacuum sealer. Use the FoodSaver on meat and vegetables, cheese or even dried goods. Available at Canadian Tire; $119.
5. Joseph Joseph rotary peeler
This functional and sturdy three-in-one peeler fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to use. Simply twist to select the desired blade type. The unit comes apart for easy cleaning. Available at Paderno stores; $14.
6. Graviti +plus mill
This sleek battery-operated peppermill is great to look at and easy to use: just pick it up and turn it over. It starts dispensing as soon as it’s inverted so you can keep stirring. It also comes equipped with an LED light to show exactly how much pepper you’ve used. Available at Stokes stores or online at trudeaucorp.com; $50.
7. Omega juicer
This masticating juicer gently squeezes pure juice out of fruits and vegetables, preserving their nutrients for up to 72 hours. The Omega is easy to clean, compact and looks amazing on the countertop. Available online through amazon.ca; $299.
8. Bash ‘n Chop
Use this stainless steel kitchen workhorse to cut and lift sticky dough, scrape work surfaces, smash garlic or to measure ingredients along its etched edge ruler. Throw it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning when you’re done. Available at most kitchen retailers and Bed Bath and Beyond locations; $7.99.
9. AdHoc spice bomb
Made of stainless steel and silicone, the spice bomb can handle temperatures up to 240°C. Simply open it up, place some fresh herbs inside and put it in your dishwasher for a cycle; aromas from the herbs will infuse your dishes. Available at Cucina Moderna stores; $25.
10. Eurodib induction burner
This free-standing induction burner is fast, easy to use and portable. To conduct heat, induction technology uses magnets in the burner in conjuntion with magnetic-grade stainless steel cookware. To see if your cookware is compatible, simply place a magnet at the bottom of a pot or pan. If it sticks, the pot is induction ready. Available at most restaurant supply stores or amazon.ca; $200.
11. AdHoc chilli mill
Add a little spice to your life with AdHoc’s chilli mill. Simply fill the cylinder with dried whole chillies and grind as you would with a peppermill. This gadget is perfect for adding a bit of heat to savoury dishes. Or keep it tableside so guests can add just the right amount of chilli to their plates. Available at Cucina Moderna stores; $30.
12. AdHoc icebar
Use this cooling stick to quickly chill a glass of wine without watering it down. Store the stainless steel stick in the freezer so it’s always ready to go. Available at Cucina Moderna stores; $35.