Anything Goes for Food Lovers

The countdown is on. Just nine days until Christmas.

Since I don't mean to send you into a state of panic, but to ease your last-minute, holiday frenzy, I will be sharing some favorite gift ideas, most -- if not all -- you can order online and have shipped directly to your door. All food related, but appealing to all, from the gadget-loving foodie to the fine-dining wine connoisseur to the simple housewife.

Because, c'mon, who doesn't love to eat.

Try your hand at brewing your own IPA ~ Beer Making Kit ~ Sharper Image

The funky-looking contraption quickly prepares apples for cooking and baking, saving loads of time and energy (the spirals are the best way to munch apples too!) ~ Apple Corer/Slicer/Peeler ~ The Pampered Chef

A gift that keeps giving: a different cheese delivered to the door every month ~ Cowgirl Creamery Cheese Club ~ Cowgirl Creamery

Great for the city-folk who want to keep compost ~ Bamboo Counter Compost Pail ~ Planet Natural

Fresh eggs every morning, straight from your own backyard (chickens not included - although they do sell them too) ~ Chicken Coop ~ Eglu

Cultivate a variety of fresh herbs right on your kitchen counter ~ Indoor Culinary Herb Kit ~ Herbkits.com

Yes, a tap right. on. your. fridge. ~ Brewmaster Draft System for your Refrigerator ~ Elmira Stove Works

Keeps tea warm for hours with a mighty awesome design ~ Imperial Dragon Cast Iron Teapot ~ Teavana

Create a bit of extra kitchen space, both portable and easy to clean ~ Kitchen Cart ~ Ikea

Transport your lunch in style ~ Collapsible Insulated Picnic Tote ~ Fresh Picnic

 

Stocking Stuffers for Food Lovers

The countdown is on. Just ten days until Christmas.

Since I don't mean to send you into a state of panic, but to ease your last-minute, holiday frenzy, I will be sharing some favorite gift ideas, most -- if not all -- you can order online and have shipped directly to your door. All food related, but appealing to all, from the gadget-loving foodie to the fine-dining wine connoisseur to the simple housewife.

Because, c'mon, who doesn't love to eat.

Easily fill your cupcakes with sweet fillings ~ Cuisipro Cupcake Corer  ~ Sur La Table

For bakers with limited drawer space ~ Adjusting Measuring Tablespoon ~ Williams-Sonoma

Effortless passing of the salt and pepper -- they will walk themselves to your tablemates ~ Wind-Up Salt and Pepper Robots ~ Uncommon Goods

 

Easy roll-up storage (and stocking stuffing!), these non-stick baking mats come many shapes and sizes ~ Silpat Baking Mat ~ Silpat

 

Your coffee-loving friend will love this for the kitchen ~ French Press Kitchen Towel ~ Etsy

Practical and decorative, these come in a variety of themes ~ Ganz Collectible Measuring Spoon Set ~ Linens 'N Things

 

To ensure maximum flavor, drink your wine at the perfect temperature ~ Infrared Wine Thermometer ~ Sharper Image

 

One of THE most essential kitchen instruments ~ Microplane Zester ~ Microplane

 

Retro style, makes it easy to pop those tops ~ Coca Cola Bottle Opener ~ Retro Planet

Handmade with love (and many other designs if watermelons isn't your thing) ~ Quilted Watermelon Potholders ~ Etsy

Kitchen Appliances and Accessories for Food Lovers

The countdown is on. Just eleven days until Christmas.

Since I don't mean to send you into a state of panic, but to ease your last-minute, holiday frenzy, I will be sharing some favorite gift ideas, most -- if not all -- you can order online and have shipped directly to your door. All food related, but appealing to all, from the gadget-loving foodie to the fine-dining wine connoisseur to the simple housewife.

Because, c'mon, who doesn't love to eat.

Rustic kitchen love ~ Blacksmith Pot Rack ~ Pottery Barn

Join the minature food movement ~ Mini Pie Maker ~ Williams-Sonoma

Celebrate your French heritage ~ Fleur-de-Lis Trivet ~ Copper Gifts

The classy way to pass the peas ~ Red Wine Barrel Lazy Susan ~ Uncommon Goods

Fried food without all the added cholesterol ~ Healthy Deep Fryer ~ Sharper Image

Perfectly chilled wine to just the right temperature ~ Adjustable Temperature Control Wine Cooler ~ Sharper Image

Finally, a machine that doesn't cost the amount of a small car ~ Budget Espresso Machine ~ DeLonghi

Bakes your cookies evenly every time ~ Rectangle Stone Baking Sheet ~ The Pampered Chef

Spices and dinner menu all together in one, convenient location ~ Fridge Chalkboard Spice Rack ~ Etsy

Make your own soda at home ~ Soda Carbonation Machine ~ Sodastream

Table Top Gifts for Food Lovers

The countdown is on. Just twelve days until Christmas.

Since I don't mean to send you into a state of panic, but to ease your last-minute, holiday frenzy, I will be sharing some favorite gift ideas, most -- if not all -- you can order online and have shipped directly to your door. All food related, but appealing to all, from the gadget-loving foodie to the fine-dining wine connoisseur to the simple housewife.

Because, c'mon, who doesn't love to eat.

Table Top Gifts For Food Lovers

A little tabletop flair ~ Nifty Napkins ~ Anthropologie

For a wintery, afternoon tea party ~ Winterberry Tea Set  ~ Pfaltzgraff

To hydrate when they're not riding ~ Bicycle Glasses ~ Uncommon Goods

For that 'special' couple ~ Redneck Wine Glasses ~ Etsy

A "whale"y special serving platter ~ Whale Serving Platter ~ Jonathan Adler

Elegant for every day use ~ Pimpernel Vintage Toile Placemats ~ Linens 'N Things

Keeps butter handy and softened for easy spreading ~ French Butter Dish ~ Etsy

Eye-popping color for decorating in a jiffy ~ Vibrant Victorian Table Runner ~ Pier 1

Fiestaware lovers unite! ~ Fiesta Masquerade Flatware ~ JCPenney

Perfect for drinking hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream ~ Nutcracker Mugs ~ World Market



Literary Gifts for Food Lovers

The countdown is on. Just thirteen days until Christmas.

Since I don't mean to send you into a state of panic, but to ease your last-minute, holiday frenzy, I will be sharing some favorite gift ideas, most -- if not all -- you can order online and have shipped directly to your door. All food related, but appealing to all, from the gadget-loving foodie to the fine-dining wine connoisseur to the simple housewife.

Because, c'mon, who doesn't love to eat.

The Food Lover's Literary Gift Guide

Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin
I recently happened across this memoir of culinary domesticity. It is engagingly written and easily relatable, as the author chronicles her experiences cooking for vegetarian friends, feeding a multitude, and the best way to fry chicken -- all vital to a home cooks repertoire.

The Art and Soul of Baking by Sur La Table and Cindy Mushet
This book teaches you literally all you need to know about baking. With easy-to-follow recipes and fantastic tips in the margins, this is perfect for any aspiring baker who wants to learn more techniques and perfect those already acquired. (Bonus: Chock full of photos that make your mouth drool and want to eat the pages right out of the book.)

Food: A Taste of the Road by Travellers' Tales Guides
A friend of mine who knows my love for food and travel, lent this to me. A melange of styles and places, you are transported to a picnic held in a tent in Tibet as the wind roars outside, introduced to Chinese soup etiquette, and regaled with a tale of monkey stew in Africa -- just to name a few. A culinary adventure without leaving the comfort of your home.

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway
In customary Hemingway form, he tells his tale of encounters with food in France. His dry wit and descriptions quickly transport you to the Roaring Twenties in Paris. A literary version of 'Midnight in Paris.'

Celtic Teas with Friends by Elizabeth Knight
This delightful read brings together two of my favorite pasttimes: Celtic culture and tea parties. In addition to yummy recipes, it gives seasonal party ideas themes which include music, party favor, decoration, and entertainment ideas. Perfect for those who like a well-planned tea party.

Sugar Cookies: Sweet Little Lessons on Love by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
This is sweet for the youngin' in your life. It gives a beautiful lesson on love and provides a recipe for sugar cookies in the back to make with your son, daughter, niece or nephew. A great, simple act of love.

A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenburg
I discovered this author from her blog Orangette. (A great inspiration for my own blog.) I love her 'homemade' stories accompanied by familial recipes. She brings to life the fact that all dishes have a story to tell.

The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg

This is an absolute must on any creative cook's bookshelf. Alphabetically organized by ingredient, one is able to flip to, say, 'pears,' and discover that they go especially well with almonds, cinnamon, honey, mascarpone and oranges, to name a few. It helps you to mix and match when you're out of an ingredient called for in a recipe or when you're feeling adventurous in creating your own. (Also, don't miss What to Drink with What You Eat by the same authors if you are fond of preparing appropriate food and drink pairings.)

Bubby's Homemade Pies by Ronald M. Silver
I've made at least half a dozen of the pies in this book and I'm aiming to re-create them all. Sweet and savory alike, there is a pie in here for every occasion.

Laurel's Kitchen by Laurel Robertson 

When I'm looking to cook vegetarian (and even when I'm not), this is an oldie-but-a-goodie for delicious dishes from breakfast to lunch to dinner and every snack in between.