My Grown-Up Cooks Wish List

We have bought the house that we live in, but the kitchen is still it's original 1969. It's hard to even fathom doing anything like a remodel with it, and harder to even imagine putting something brand spanking new into the kitchen.  But I do it every year.  I lust over things I see in catalogs, online, and in magazines, and I dream, just dream about the kitchen I could have in my imagination.

And if it is only a dream, it doesn't stop me from thinking about all the things I want to ADD to this dream. kitchen.  Some of these things I just want to add right now!  So here is this year's recommended list of things to buy for your loved ones, or anyone who loves to cook.

Pizzelle Maker
Okay - since I got the ice cream maker a while back, I've been thinking about adding one of these so that I can really rock some ice cream.  With a thin crispy pizzelle.  It's definitely a one use piece, so not practical when my kitchen is bursting, but it seems like it'd be loads of fun to have and it's on my list for something I want in the future. :)


Kitchen Aid 6 Quart Stand Mixer
I tried to double a batch of cupcakes this past weekend and ran into several technical problems.  My mixer bowl was too small and so I ended up not being able to properly mix the cupcakes.  I ended up making less than my greatest cupcakes.  Of course I can make cupcakes in my current 16 year old mixer, but the thought of this newer, more powerful, larger one makes me excited, perhaps in the same way a man might be about a car.

Cuisinart Food Processor
I know...more big ticket powerful kitchen tools.  And I have one of these.  And so I don't need one.  But if you don't have one, or you know someone who doesn't have one, this is a great gift.  I don't use it as often as my mixer for sure, but for big chopping jobs, or big pastry making jobs, this is definitely my friend.

Kitchenaid Immersion Blender
I burn through these things often.  I've also not had so much great luck with the cuisinart version.  This one, I'm incredibly happy with, but it looks like it might not be as easy to find as a cuisinart.  Definitely better as you can control speeds from 1 to 8.  I have black, but the red looks sassy as well.


Brother Label Maker
Admittedly you can't cook with this thing, nor does it make your food taste much better, but in my mind, I'd label everything and everything in my kitchen would LOOK better.  Maybe enough labels could hide the fact that my kitchen is from 1969?  A handy tool no matter what room I use it in.

Emile Henry Pie Dish 
I have one of these, given to me by a friend as a hostess gift.  LOVE IT.  I want another, so I can have a whole row of pies and crisps when the time comes.  They look great, you can serve from it, and the crust just bakes up gorgeously in it.



All Clad Tools
I have these, and I love them.  They make a great gift for anyone who loves to cook.  Not for use on non-stick but on anything else, you need to use these.  After you try these, you can't go back to lesser quality.


All Clad Mixing Bowls
I know what you're thinking - what kind of mixing bowls cost this much?  These do.  And they are worth every single cent.  I've had mine for a decade and they are my still most used thing in the kitchen.  I'm thinking about another set, but I technically have no room, so I'm holding off.  But the handle, the dripless edge and the shape, construction and size are all perfect for anyone's kitchen.  I mix muffins, pancakes in them, marinate meats in them, mix up fried chicken flour in them, and I use them every single day.  Great gift for someone who has mis-matched mixing bowls.


Popover Pan
Y'all know my obsession with my dude Tyler.  Well, it's at his restaurant where I became obsessed with popovers.  I said regularly that I'm going to make them, and friend SH gifted me with my own set of popovers.  Time to bust some of these out is what I'm thinking!!!!  It's definitely a gift I would have never bought for myself, but love that someone else bought it for me. :)


GREAT spatulas
One can never have enough of these.  I love the six that I have, and I'm thinking that this set in blue is gorgeous.


New Telephoto Camera Lens
not really the best for taking pics of the food, but maybe I can shoot food that is from afar.   Luckily for me, someone already gave this to me, and I just can't wait.  I'll find a use for it in the kitchen.  I'm gonna try.