Gifts for New Cooks

Newlyweds, college grads, and beginning cooks have to start from scratch on furnishing their kitchens. This list of the 10 best gifts for new cooks are my recommendations for some of the things they'll need to have but might not necessarily get for themselves. I've tried to provide different options for different budgets because, let's face it, outfitting a kitchen is expensive!

Shall we begin? Just click on the image to see the product.

Best Gifts for Beginning Cooks

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You know, most people know that they are going to need a sharp knife, a pan, and maybe a mixing bowl in order to cook - that's the easy part.

What they don't always know about are the other things like immersion blenders, high quality knives, and other things that make cooking easier and more fun.

For much of my adult life I did't have a very large budget for kitchen things and I chopped and diced with the knives I got for a wedding present for 30 years. By the end of it all I swear, the ex didn't have to worry about me stabbing him - the knives wouldn't have cut potato soup.

I would have LOVED a new set of knives - especially the good ones I couldn't afford.

So, while you are checking out the list keep in mind that there are some things we just won't buy ourselves. Who knows, you might find something you love in this list of the best gifts for beginning cooks!

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Cast Iron Skillet

I love my cast iron skillet SO much. If cleaned correctly (just wipe out and rinse with hot water. Scrub with salt if necessary) it will last for centuries and nothing will ever stick to it. Lodge is my preferred brand and they are not paying me to say that. It is a high quality product that lasts. Definitely something every cook should have.

Pretty Mixing Bowls

I like pretty things. I think that when I have pretty kitchen tools to use then life just looks better. These mixing bowls are melamine - they won't break. Plus just look at them - they make me smile. They're red so you know they will make the BEST cookies ever.

Rice Cooker

Ok.. you don't have to get red if you don't want to. BUT a rice cooker doesn't have to be expensive and it makes perfect rice every single time. It's a simple appliance that lasts forever and really works. I'd shy away from the bells and whistles and the $100.00 rice cookers - you just want it to cook rice NOT play a shakuhachi while it's doing it!

KitchenAid

The KitchenAid is a workhorse! It does everything and they keep coming out with cool attachments to help it do even more!

Mezzaluna

There is absolutely NO better way to cut and mince fresh herbs quickly and easily. You put the herbs down in the bowl part and just rock the mezzaluna. Minces garlic better than anything. Seriously, buy two. You'll want one for yourself. This is probably one of the best gifts for beginning cooks!

Punch Bowl

It's a southern thing. Everyone needs a punch bowl set. Crystal, copper, plain glass - it doesn't matter. It goes right next to the monogrammed napkins.

Seriously, I like this one because it is simple and would fit any occasion. Plus it won't be easily broken like a footed or stemmed punch bowl set.

Copper Mixing Bowl

Copper helps stabilize egg whites. Whisking egg whites in a good copper bowl makes them fluffier, lighter, and easier to do. Plus, seriously... copper looks perfect in the kitchen. Caution - do not add acidic ingredients to the copper bowl.

Cookbooks

This is an all around basic cookbook that's easy to follow and... :::drumroll::: engineered for two people. You don't have to do an hour of math to make dinner! You won't have tons of leftovers. Includes sections on how to store leftovers/extra unprepared food, food/emergency substitutions, how to put leftover ingredients into other meals, essential kitchen tools, and ingredient prep. There are recipes for everything from main dishes to cakes and pies. AND it's America's Test Kitchen. Love this!

French Press

French Pressed Coffee is the best, hands down. You make just a little at a time and the flavor is perfect. I like the stainless steel presses because they don't break.

Insta-Read Thermometer

I couldn't cook without one. They are perfect for checking the doneness of meats and poultry (no more dry chicken) but also for testing the temperature of liquids when you're making bread. I even use them to test the doneness of cake (210F)!

And that's it! How many of the things on the 10 Best Gifts for Beginning Cooks list do you have? How many do you want, now?