Gingerbread Ninjas

I spotted these adorable Ninjabread Men cookie cutters on A Cup of Jo this morning and want them, bad. (Never mind that they're part of a gift guide for toddlers.)

I usually bake gingerbread and sugar cookie men (and women and dogs and stars and such) to hang on my tree, a tradition that has gone by the wayside thanks to a little giant puppy who eats ornaments, edible or not.

Maybe I'll make a gingerbread ninja garland instead (to be hung very high on a wall, of course), or make a batch to bring to Stacey's Annual Latkes and Cookies Party. I'd love to try this gingerbread recipe from Gesine Bullock-Prado.

Holiday Gift Guide: Ten Stocking Stuffer Ideas

When I was a kid, in addition to whatever little toys and trinkets Santa placed in my stocking, on Christmas morning I'd always find a Tobler dark chocolate orange (now sold under the brand name Terry's), a Toblerone bar, mini candy canes, unshelled peanuts and an orange.

The orange would always work its way to the bottom of my stocking, and I'd dig it out to peel and eat while the whole family took turns opening presents. Then I'd get to work on my Toblerone bar, letting each triangle dissolve on my tongue until the chocolate was gone and the crunchy nougat bits remained. I continue this tradition today, because it's just not Christmas without these little pleasures.

Here are some more ideas for stuffing the stockings of people who like to cook, bake, eat and even talk about and photograph food.

1. Porcelain Measuring Spoons, $15

These blue rimmed spoons are one of my favorite and most used kitchen tools.

 2. Zester, Grater or Peeler, $4 to $8

I love my citrus zester ($8) for removing fine ribbons of citrus peel for garnishing, cooking and baking. And do you see that brilliant practice of putting zest in ice cubes pictured below? Do it.

I firmly believe in world peace, being nice and grating my own nutmeg. The potency and flavor are unbeatable, and a few grates stirred into mashed potatoes is the bomb. This Microplane Premium Spice Grater ($10) does the job perfectly.

Kuhn Rikon Swiss Peelers are my favorite because they're only $4, fit in the palm of my hand and stay sharp for a very long time. They're also great for lefties and come in a variety of colors.

3. Microplane Cut Resistant Glove, $15

Long ago I lost track of how many times I've grated and cut my fingers. This cut resistant glove from Microplane is exactly what I need (hint, hint).

4. Cookie Dough Scoop, $13

A cookie dough scoop is the secret to making uniform cookies. Every baker should have one.

5. Thermometers, $8 to $13

An oven thermometer ($8) is essential for ensuring you're baking at the right temperature. You'd be surprised  by how inaccurate oven temperature gauges can be. 

An InstaRead Meat and Poultry Thermometer ($10) is a must for anyone who prepares meat and poultry, because nobody likes Salmonella poisoning.

And a Candy and Deep Fry Thermometer ($13) comes in handy for tempering chocolate, making popcorn balls and frying up apple cider doughnuts.

6. Biscuit, Doughnut, Pie and Cookie Cutters, $1 to $15

I use my Biscuit and Doughnut Cutter set ($15) for the obvious, and also for cutting scones and venting pie crusts.

Speaking of pie, a set of mini cutters in festive shapes ($4 for 6) is just the thing for decorating pie crusts.

Not only are cookie cutters great stocking stuffers, they're also perfect for adorning wrapped presents and homemade gifts. 

7. Fran's Gray and Smoked Sea Salt Caramels, $12.50

I don't have words for how delicious these caramels are. Creamy with a bit of crunch, they're the perfect combination of salty and sweet. My in-laws are seriously addicted, and apparently I do in fact have words for how good these are.

 8. Bacon Jam, $14, or Blaak Onion Jam, $10 

This delicious caramelized onion and bacon spread from Skillet Street Food is fantastic on burgers, sandwiches (especially grilled cheese) and, well, everything.

For vegetarians, Blaak Onion Jam from Beekman 1802 is a perfect savory-sweet blend of onions, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.

9. Foodie Flashcards, $10

I hate/love these. I hate the term foodie but I love that these flashcards allow anyone to poke good natured fun at pretentious foodie terminology.

10. Camera Air Freshener, $4

A fun stocking stuffer for food bloggers and anyone who snaps photos of their food.

 If you celebrate Christmas, what are your favorite stocking stuffers and traditions?

Holiday Gift Guide: Ten Great Gifts for Cooks

Has anyone out there finished their holiday shopping? If you have, please don't tell me. The only thing I've purchased so far is a graffiti cocktail shaker for my office "bad Santa" gift exchange next week. (Shh.) So if you're still searching for the perfect gift for someone who likes to cook, look no further than the list below. You're sure to find something for novices and experts alike.

As with all products featured on Flour Child, I have not received compensation or consideration from manufacturers or retailers. These are all things I own and love.

1. Le Creuset 6 3/4 Quart Oval French Oven, $275

I know, I know. $275 for a piece of cookware? Well, let me tell you, it's worth it. A few years ago a few of my friends got together and bought me this beauty in Caribbean Blue, and I'm completely smitten. It's large enough to accommodate a whole chicken, but not so unwieldy that I don't use it to make soups, stews and weekly vats of turkey bolognese. It really shines with dishes such as short ribs because it goes from stovetop to oven to table without missing a beat. (Note: Through December 11, Williams-Sonoma Cookware is offering 10% off orders of $100 or more, 20% off orders of $250 or more, 25% off orders of $500 or more and 30% off orders of $1,000 or more with code SAVENOW. )

2. Lodge Cast Iron Skillets, $11 to $34

Taking the price point way down without compromising quality or performance, let me tell you: no kitchen is complete without a seasoned cast iron skillet from Lodge. Two, actually: a 6 1/2 inch small skillet ($11) for eggs and small portions of meat and vegetables, and a 10 1/4 or 12 inch large skillet with assist handle ($23 and $34, respectively) for baking cornbread and frying up buttermilk brined chicken. These skillets go from stovetop to oven to campfire and are the perfect weight for making chicken under a brick skillet. Plus, they last for decades.

3. Calphalon Nonstick Griddle, $40

I use the round version of this griddle for everything from pancakes and crepes to seared tuna and skirt steak. It's definitely a kitchen essential.

 4. Olive Wood Salt Keeper, $50, and Maldon Sea Salt, $11

This handsome olive wood salt keeper, with its swiveling magnetized lid, is just the thing for keeping Maldon sea salt within reach of your favorite cook, and can be monogrammed with one or three initials.

5. OXO Adjustable Potato Ricer, $30

I'm not into kitchen gadgets at all, but this is an exception. One of the best things I ever did was buy a potato ricer much like this one from OXO. It makes all the difference in mashed potatoes (think light and fluffy as opposed to gummy), and I should know -- I make mashed potatoes at least once a week. I love that it fits in a drawer and can be run through the dishwasher.

6. Cuisinart SmartStick Hand Blender, $30
Forget Vitamix, an immersion blender is all you need for pureeing soups, applesauce and baby food -- without having to transfer it from pot to blender. I've had mine for nearly 20 years and it's still going strong. Feeling spendy? Get the cordless version for $80.

7. Multipurpose Stainless Steel Kitchen Shears, $40, and Wusthof Poultry Shears, $60
No kitchen is complete without good kitchen shears -- I use mine for cutting everything from herbs to salmon skin to twine -- and this one works overtime as a nutcracker, bottle opener and screwdriver. And for those who cook chicken, I love Wusthof 's sharp, sturdy poultry shears.

 8. Trio of La Tourangelle Artisan Oils, $18
I'm a major fan of La Tourangelle oils, which are produced in central California in partnership with a respected French mill. I use the avocado oil instead of olive oil for cooking because of its 500° F smoke point, and the roasted walnut oil adds extra flavor to baked goods when substituted for canola or grapeseed oil (it's also fantastic for salad dressings). Visit La Tourangelle's website to select a trio of 250ml oils in a gift box and save 10%.

9. Pretty Potholders, $14
A while ago I picked up a set of two Rosetta Print Potholders, now marked down from $24 to $14, from Terrain. They're made from vintage upholstery fabric and are almost too pretty to use for anything but serving. Almost.

10. Cookbooks
If someone else hadn't already done it, I could write an entire blog about cookbooks. I'm a bona fide hoarder collector. Here are some of my favorites, old and new.

Super Natural Every Day (2011) by Heidi Swanson, $13.50

Heidi does it again. Beautiful photography and simple, satisfying recipes.

New Food Fast (2003) by Donna Hay, $16.50

I go nuts about everything Ms. Hay does. She is, hands down, the most brilliant food stylist ever.

Baked Explorations: Classic American Desserts Reinvented (2008) by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito, $17

I love the masculine styling and outrageous recipes. I made the Bourbon Chocolate Pecan Pie for Thanksgiving this year and people are still talking about it.

Saveur Cooks Authentic American (1998) by The Editors of Saveur Magazine, $30

I'm constantly reaching for this book for the stories, inspiration and Georgene's Fluffy Rolls.

Ottolenghi: The Cookbook (2010) by Yotam Ottolenghi, $23

I want to eat Ottolenghi's food every day.

Tartine (2006) by Elizabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson, $23

This book never lets me down, and provides the best recipes for lemon desserts ever.

The Art of Simple Food (2007) by Alice Waters, $21

This cookbook is dear to my heart, as I had the privilege of accompanying Alice on the first leg of her book tour, which kicked off via private jet to the  Southern Foodways Alliance and Viking Range Corporation in Mississippi. Amazing and totally brag worthy.

The New Best Recipe (2004) by the Editors of Cook's Illustrated Magazine, $21

I have the 1999 edition of this book and am guessing the 2004 edition is even better.

Holiday Gift Guide: Top Ten Baking Essentials

Every baker has his or her favorite tools and equipment, and in this holiday gift guide installment I'm sharing mine. Some I've bought for myself, some I've received (very gratefully) as gifts, and every one I consider essential. Whether you're shopping for a baker or wondering what to put on your own wish list, these picks are sure to please.

1. Chicago Metallic Jelly Roll Pans, $16

Probably the best thing anyone can do to improve their baking is make a small investment in commercial-grade jelly roll pans from Chicago Metallic. Half sheet pans (aka "large," measuring 17 3/4"L x 12 3/4"W x 1"D) are perfect for baking anything and everything, are easy to clean, and last forever.

Tip: never, ever use dark (usually Teflon-coated "nonstick") baking sheets, and don't bother with the "air insulated" variety. The former causes uneven cooking (think overly browned undersides), and I don't find the latter to be effective for the money.

2. Silpat Baking Sheet Liner, $25 

Silicone baking sheet liners are one of the best gifts I've ever received. They make any surface nonstick, have an insulating effect thanks to a fiberglass mesh interior, and make clean-up a breeze.

3. Cooling Rack, $16

An often overlooked essential for cooling and decorating baked goods and candies.

4. Escali Arti Digital Kitchen Scale, $50

Precise measurements are fundamental to baking success, and weighing ingredients (especially flour, which varies greatly by type and brand) makes all the difference in the world. I love my Escali Arti scale because it measures liquid and dry ingredients, has a large display, is easy to clean, and can be stowed in a drawer when not in use. It's a great gift for bakers who have been meaning to buy a kitchen scale for a while but either haven't gotten around to it or can't decide which one to get (i.e., me, prior to last year).

5. Pastry Board, $44

Another gift I've received that I absolutely love. Made of sustainable North American birch, this board features standard and metric measurements for a variety of pie sizes.

6. Herriott Grace Maple Rolling Pin, $80

I'm not great at rolling out dough with French rolling pins, but who wouldn't want to practice their skills with this gorgeous hand carved maple wood pin from Herriot Grace?

7. Ceramic Pie Weights, $14

You can absolutely use beans or rice for blind baking pie shells, which I in fact did until I received these Williams Sonoma ceramic pie weights as a gift. They're great because they withstand high temperatures without burning or cracking (i.e., they don't have to be replaced after a few uses) and they come in a handy jar for storage.

8. Stainless Steel Spatula with Removable Silicone Head, $10

I feel a bit sheepish recommending yet another Williams Sonoma product when retailers such as Chefs Catalog and Target offer the same or comparable items for less, but I haven't seen these clever spatulas elsewhere. I've had mine for more than five years and I love them because the removable head and stainless steel handle are easy to clean, dishwasher safe and virtually indestructible.

9. Flow Mixing Bowls, $19 to $29

These distinctive bowls from West Elm are sturdy, beautiful and suitable for prep as well as serving.

10. KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Tilt Head Stand Mixer, $299

This is the end all be all gift for a baker. Several years ago I received a gently used black Artisan mixer from a beloved relative and I can't thank her enough. It's invaluable for mixing cookie and cake batter, cutting butter into flour for pastry, whipping cream and frostings, and kneading bread dough. With optional attachments it even grinds, juices and rolls pasta dough.

Tip: KitchenAid sells refurbished Artisan mixers in a wide range of colors for nearly 50% off.

P.S. As someone who collected comic books and often dressed up as Wonder Woman as a kid, I just adore the Wonder Woman mixer from KitchenAid Brasil.

Bonus picks: Self-scraping beater blades make awesome gifts for bakers who already have KitchenAid mixers. I use the BeaterBlade ($25 at Sur La Table), but I hear the KitchenAid Flex Edge Beater ($32 at Sur La Table) allows you to mix in chocolate chips and nuts without causing the mixer head to jump. I'm definitely putting the latter on my wish list.

BeaterBlade

KitchenAid Flex Edge