We’re a little on the later side with our gift guide this year, but if you’re anything like some (most) of us, you still have people you’re hoping to get some sweet gifts for. Very few things on this year’s list are pricey, but everything, in our opinion, would make most food lovers happy. (A handful of non-food gifts made their way on here, too. We can never resist.)
It would feel crazy to not thank you for being here with us – we appreciate your readership and support. We literally couldn’t be here without you. If you’d like to gift The Bittman Project (thank you!), you can do that here, and we’ll even send a corny and adorable tote bag to the recipient – just email us (members@bittmanproject.com) your receipt and the address where you’d like the bag sent.
What have you bought or are you considering buying for people? Comment below and let us know.
Books
Farm Life: A Collection of Animal Portraits
If you’re looking for a coffee table book, look no further. This one got me at first glance. (There’s also a calendar.)
Martini: The Ultimate Guide to a Cocktail Icon
If you have a martini lover in your life (I am one), this book really is a (digestible) look at that potent drink, with 60 recipes – like the Reverse Martini, the Fitty-Fitty Martini (we have that recipe for you, here), and the Obituary (absinthe-rinsed).
East Village Cookbook
This book is designed to look old-school, and is such a happy (and useful, with more than 100 recipes from East Village locals like Superiority Burger, Katz’s, Veselka) gift. Proceeds benefit Trinity Lower East Side Services and Food for the Homeless (SAFH) on Ninth Street and Avenue B.
How to Cook Everything Kids
The latest book in the HTCE series is featured here, naturally, but also makes an appearance in this year’s New York Times gift guide. Let the pats on the back commence.
Italian Snacking: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Every Hour of the Day
I have to admit that the title of this book drew me in immediately, and it doesn’t disappoint. It would be hard for me to find something in here I wouldn’t make or eat; the Affogato Mug Cake and Sour Cherry Cheese Crostata are just two standouts, and we’ve got the Frico Morbido (cheese-stuffed potato pancakes!!) for you to try, here.
Bodega Bakes: Recipes for Sweets and Treats Inspired by My Corner Store
Holly and I love this joyful baking book; part of what I like about it is the huge variety of fruit incorporated into the recipes: guava, avocado, pineapple, passionfruit. The author, Paola Velez, is a James Beard-nominated chef and cofounder of the grassroots social action network Bakers Against Racism. (Get the recipe for Plantain Tarte Tatin here.)
Julia Child: A Little Golden Book Biography and Jacques Pépin: A Little Golden Book Biography
Two icons of the food world have gotten the Golden Book treatment, and it’s as cute as you’d imagine. Get the kids started on their culinary journeys early with these sweet odes to Julia and Jacques.
Things that will brighten up a kitchen
Mill
Don’t even get me started. I love Joshua just as much as I did the day he arrived. Our kitchen trash fills up so slowly now, because all our food scraps are being recycled. (Mill also has a rental option!)
Mark’s apron
You may have seen MB wearing this ridiculousness in any number of videos, and people are always asking us where he got it. (For the record: from my sister.)
Mark’s other apron
Like everyone else, we love the Hedley & Bennett aprons. I have the smock in eggshell blue (no waist tie! I love wearing it) and Mark has the big apron in char gray. The Dinner Party Bundle – apron, pot holders, chef’s towels, and oven mitts, with color/style options to choose from — would make a great gift, too, and is (for now) 20% off.
Happy cups
I love these cheerful coffee “mugs,” and would use them for other beverages, too.
Colorful dishtowels
These are my new favorite dish towels, from our pals at Dusen Dusen. The print is so fun, and the colors are fantastic, and they actually, you know, dry things well. Today’s the last day for 20% off sitewide.
No-thinking-required kitchen thermometer
The Thermapen One — accurate readings in one second or less — is currently 30% off, and comes in a really good range of colors – mine is yellow.
The whole enchilada
If you want to help someone outfit a new kitchen, Made In’s 13-piece set (frying pans, saucepans, sauciers, and more) is currently 25% off and comes with a free Dutch Oven (a $299 value).
Edible gifts
I always love the idea of putting together a bundle of some of the best eats I’ve had throughout the year. Here’s this year’s assortment:
- Virtually anything on the Jacobsen site – I really like their salt (plus, the packaging is pretty). Holly is a fan of their salt tins; she keeps them in her purse (why do restaurants insist on making us ask for salt?). If you’re going for the flavored salt, try the black garlic on pasta, the lemon zest on vegetables or ice cream, the habanero on pizza, and the rosemary on bread. And Jacobsen’s Starter Kit is super nerdy and would be a great gift for a budding chef.
- I recently had the pleasure of meeting Holly Arbuckle, the CEO/co-founder of Singing Pastures, a family farm that is committed to raising animals with the care and respect they deserve, and their pasture-raised “roam sticks” are an addictive treat. Try the variety pack – the pineapple surprised me, in a good way.
- Claire Marin started (queer and female-led) Catskill Provisions in 2010, after her passion for beekeeping became more than a hobby. I love their raw wildflower honey and maple syrup.
- Wouldn’t be a Bittman Project gift guide without Dandelion Chocolate. You know we love it all, but major shout out to the House Hot Chocolate (I enjoyed it more than once over Thanksgiving) and the (seasonal exclusive, of course) Nutcracker Bonbon Collection and Twelve Days of Christmas Collection (I’m jonesing to try the Canelé-Egg Nog Caramel).
- I am also loving this vegan gift box from Andre’s Chocolates – especially the orange peels and marzipan sticks.
I also want to mention how much I’m loving my Sitka Seafood Market subscription this year; they offer an every-other-month option, which is way easier for us to manage, quantity and budget-wise. And their add-ons are fantastic — we recently got some hard-smoked salmon “candy.”
Our little handful of non-food-related items
One neck pillow to rule them all
Go ahead, tell me you don’t want this “infinity pillow” for yourself.
Babies, made cuter
If you have a little one in your life, please buy this immediately.
A personalized tote
If you see me a year from now and I don’t yet have this tote, be shocked. I am a sucker for a) olive green and b) monogramming.
For your favorite gardener
How great are these shoes? And what excuse does a NYC gal need to get them for herself?
That’s all, folks — and remember, we’d love to hear what you’re buying or have bought — comment below.
2 Comments