Photo by Drazen Zigic / freepik
Microwave appliances can be a godsend for those who don’t like to cook, but there are many people in the world who adore cooking for friends and family. These at-home chefs couldn’t get by without their most cherished tools that turn cooking into an art form. Besides making each dish extra special, these innovative kitchen gadgets are great gift ideas for people who love to cook.
Gift Ideas for the At-Home Chef
1. Sou Vide
The sou vide machine was once only found at the highest-end restaurants, but now it is affordable and practical for home use. The name itself means “under vacuum,” and it works simmering food in a vacuum-sealed bag, sometimes for hours. Eventually, the entire steak or fillet or leg or breast or thigh is the same temperature as the water, and no part of it is under or overcooked.
As you buy a sou vide machine, this means that you are a veritable meat lover. Still, if you want to get the best out of your meat, you also need a performant meat thermometer. It’s so easy to obtain mouthwatering meals and minimize guesswork when it comes to cooking meat.
The sou vide does this by placing an element in the water that not only brings it to and keeps it at a precise temperature but keeps the water circulating. This obviates any spots in the water that are cooler or hotter than they should be.
When the piece of meat is removed from the sou vide bath, it is perfectly tender, juicy, and delicious. However, it may not look very appetizing to some people if it doesn’t have a sear or char on it. The solution is to simply cook both sides of the meat in a screaming hot pan for about a minute a side. This sears the meat while not raising the interior temperature.
2. Copper Saucepan
Copper saucepans can be pricey, but there’s a reason for this. Copper is an amazing conductor of heat, and a copper pan or pot is able to distribute the heat evenly. This cuts down on the risk of food that has areas that are burnt or undercooked. Because copper heats up and cools down quickly, it is the best metal for making sauces. Copper also has antibacterial properties and is simply beautiful. A chef who is given a copper saucepan or indeed a set of copper cookware will no doubt want to display it.
3. Mandolin
There are different types of mandolins. The plastic Japanese type is handheld while the stainless steel French type is heftier and may have a compartment that holds the different types of blades. Both are capable of slicing vegetables such as potatoes and zucchini so thin that they are translucent. Mandolins also make flawless julienne and waffle cuts.
With these three amazing gifts, the home chef can whip up the beautiful, healthy, and delicious meals of their dreams. The people who partake in these meals will find them unforgettable.
