Here’s what’s on my shopping this year list:

Citrus Juicer
When a recipe calls for freshly squeezed citrus juice, I don’t want to haul out my big juicer. Instead, I use a die-cast aluminum squeezer. Simply cut your citrus fruit in half, put it cut side down in the tool and squeeze. The pulp and seeds stay behind while you get fresh juice. Choose one for limes, lemons or oranges. Makes a great stocking stuffer!

Cookbook
Know someone who wants to cook healthy in the coming year? Check out The Best Light Recipes from Cook’s Illustrated. This book is chock-full of recipes such as guacamole and decadent chocolate brownies that have been transformed into healthier versions.

Wine Glasses
I love beautiful wine glasses, but unfortunately I’m clumsy. Whenever I get some new ones, I manage to break them all. And then I discovered Schott Zwiesel. They replaced the lead with titanium, which makes the glasses extremely durable, not to mention dishwasher safe. As an added bonus, they’re half the price of their fancy counterparts!

Soup Pot
Winter is a perfect time for slow cooked soups and stews. That’s why I’m giving the Le Crueset soup pot to several people on my list. Made in France, this durable cast iron pot has a hard enamel coating that makes for easy clean up. It can go from the refrigerator to the stove top, to the oven, and comes in a great variety of colors.

Meat Thermometer
Have you ever overcooked your roast or steak? Next time try using a digital thermometer. Insert the probe into your meat and put the digital display near your oven. Set the desired temperature and an alarm will tell you when it’s done. Now there’s no guessing if your meat is cooked or not.

Maldon Salt
Have a salt lover on your holiday list? Get them some Maldon sea salt. This hand-harvested salt from England enhances the flavors of vegetables, meats, and salads. It has a clean flavor that tastes like the sea and flaky

Mandoline
In several of my videos, you’ve probably seen me use a mandoline. It cuts slicing time in half, making quick work of most vegetables. My favorite brand is OXO because it’s easy to use and has a large cutting guard to protect my fingers. The stainless steel blade adjusts from paper-thin to thick and two extra blades turn potatoes into French fries and carrots into julienne. Plus I throw it into the dishwasher when I’m done.

Prep Bowls
To make cooking faster, always have your mis en place ready to go. This means chopping and measuring all your ingredients in advance before you start cooking. Simply place one ingredient in each prep bowl and line them up on your counter. You’ll be organized and more efficient in the kitchen.

Chocolate
Who doesn’t love a little chocolate in their stocking? Even though I’ve tried several incredible chocolates from around the world, I keep coming back to Christopher Elbow. Each small chocolate is a work of art made from the finest ingredients such as fresh lime, fleur de sel, and passion fruit puree. His subtle flavorings and crisp outer shell make these a treasured gift.

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