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It is that wonderful time of year when we are inundated with lists: Best Of, Top Ten, Gifts for Him/Her/Them. Every time a new one pops up in by inbox I think surely, what could I possibly find on this list that I haven’t already seen somewhere throughout the year? Yet open and read I do. More often than not, I find something I didn’t know about, a perfect gift for my husband, a book to put in my (very long) reading queue, a restaurant to bookmark for the next time I’m in Santa Fe/Portland/Oakland.
So, I give you my small contribution to the end of year lists: a short guide to things I have been given or gifted this year that might bring a little more joy to your life or someone you love.
A Perfect Teapot
I have my older brother, Paul, to thank for more than a few of my interests. I’m on the list of cult Pinot Noir producer Sea Smoke thanks to his keen early eye. He was an early adopter of the craft beer movement and was exposing me to fine Burgundy long before either of us could reasonably afford it. Drinking less alcohol these days, he has thrown his beverage enthusiasm into tea. I wanted to find the perfect teapot for his birthday this year. Knowing his preference for full leaf teas that can take multiple infusions, I settled on the Horyu Black Tokoname Japanese Teapot from Musubi Kiln. The large inset strainer allows full leaf tea to bloom properly, extracting maximum flavor. Its black design with horizontal stripes has a feeling of both craftsmanship and contemporary flair.
Horyu Black Tokoname Japanese Teapot $67 + shipping from Japan
To buy tea: I load up on tea from Ki Chan Tea when I’m in Hong Kong, excellent source for Pu’erh and Ti Kuan Yin. They ship to the US. My brother recently gifted me some fine Dragon’s Well from Song Tea.
The Mortar and Pestle Your Pesto Dreams are Made Of
If I’m honest, this was a gift to myself masquerading as a gift to my husband. I’ve tried out a few mortars and pestles over the years. Disappointed, they end up in the giveaway pile each time we move. I keep thinking I will discover the perfect one while traveling, just to find myself barely able to close a suitcase by the end of a trip, let alone have baggage allowance enough for a giant stone vessel. After a bumper crop of basil in our garden this year, it was time to get serious. A bit of research indicated that marble is the best for pesto. An investment, yes, but one that will last a lifetime and ships direct. Did I mention it also looks beautiful sitting on the counter?
Carrara Marble Mortar and Wooden Pestle from $117 + shipping from Italy
Slice, Slice, Baby – Kyocera Mandoline
‘Tis the season of gratins. If you are looking for a single tool to cut the time you are spending slicing in the kitchen, it is time to get a mandoline. The good news is that you do not need to spend a fortune on a chef-grade contraption in order to achieve paper-thin perfection. I’ve had my Kyocera Adjustable Mandoline for ages. Sure, you don’t get a fancy stand or as many settings as those metal ones, but the zirconium oxide blade on this baby slices just the same, plus it’s light and easy to store away for the other 364 days a year you are not slicing potatoes. At $25, this is the perfect price, and size, for slipping in a stocking or gifting a hostess.
From $25 at Sur La Table and others
A Bag of Meyer Lemons (or any special citrus)
How many times have you asked a host what you can bring and they reply, “Just bring yourself!” I’ve been that host. When a friend showed up for dinner one night this year with a bag of Meyer lemons from her tree, we immediately put them to use in cocktails and finishing up a dish with a squeeze of juice. Luckily you don’t need a tree in your yard to bring these as a gift. In season from now until May, this thin-skinned fruit is less bitter than more common varieties of lemons. You can roast them with chicken thighs and eat the fruit skin and all or add to any recipe that calls for lemon. Alternatively, any other special citrus would be a delight. Finger limes, Yuzu oranges, Makrut limes, giant Pomelos – it is a fresh take on gifting that will brighten the kitchen of any cook.
Prices vary. Look online in specialty grocery stores for Meyer lemons or buy online here. Check out Japanese markets for yuzu (I spotted them at Mitsuwa in San Diego this week). Pomelos are widely available at H-Mart, 99 Ranch and others. For makrut lime in the United States, look for these at Thai markets.
Molinillo Whisk
When my dad announced he wanted to make champurrado, a Mexican drink of hot chocolate thickened with masa harina, to go with tamales for Christmas Eve this year, the first thing I asked was if he had any idea how much work that was. Then I got online and bought him a molinillo. He would need time to practice. Essential for Mexican hot chocolate or any traditional atole, this also doubles a lovely muddler for cocktails and mocktails galore.
I’ve bought them as gifts from SoLo in Solana Beach, CA for $24. This one from Verve Culture is very similar. From $20.
The Best Pepper in the World
If you’ve ever stood in one of those bulk food shops, opened the spice jars and stuck your nose in to take a good whiff, there is nothing like the smell of fresh spices, especially whole peppercorns. Even in the bulk aisles I was having a hard time finding white peppercorns – the already ground variety just isn’t the same. I was giddy that a quick internet search brought me to Kampot Pepper USA. They import a variety of peppers from multiple producers in Kampot, Cambodia - in my opinion, the source of the best peppercorns in the world. Gift a four-pack to pepper lovers in your life for a full taste experience. The salted, fresh green pepper is a delight added to pan sauces for steak or pork. I grind the red long pepper and use it for a different kind of flavour in my favorite sourdough bread recipe.
From $18 for a single packet.
To grind… There was a 3-year period where I went through as many peppermills. This Cole & Mason peppermill ended the churn. I keep two at the ready: one for black and one for white peppercorns.
One Cool Apron
I have lots of aprons. Funny ones with hippos drinking wine, witty ones about kissing my asparagus, and practical ones with heavy fabric that can take the wear and tear of lots of use. When my fashionable friend have me this Railroad Stripe Apron from Brixton for my birthday this year, I knew it would immediately move to the top of the pack. The medium weight fabric can handle the heat of the barbecue or a weekend afternoon covered in flour. The classic design is just that, classic. Bonus points for the Californiavore personalization on the leather strap (anyone can get personalization by popping into a Brixton store).
On sale for $48.30 from Brixton.
Cute Rice Triangles
When we lived in Hong Kong, my husband and I got in the habit of picking up an onigiri, triangle shaped Japanese rice balls, anytime we were hankering for a snack. You could find them everywhere – 7-Eleven, the grocery store, or onigiri exclusive grab-and-gos in the train station. Not as easy to find in the US (yet), we’ve made the micro investment in a mold to make onigiri possible at home. We picked ours up from a Japanese market in LA’s Little Tokyo but this one from Amazon would do the trick. Pair with this Yuzu Furikake to sprinkle over the rice for an extra special touch.
From $7 for the onigiri press.
Coming in a few days… books to eat and drink. The best cookbooks and books on food and drink I’ve read this year.