The Cooking Bride’s Christmas Wish List 2011

Nov 25, 2011 by The Cooking Bride

It’s Black Friday – the most uber-hyped shopping day of the year! Call me crazy, but I’m braving the crowds with my mother today. If you’re smart, you’re sitting in your sweats and comfy slippers infront of a laptop doing your Christmas shopping from the comfort of your couch.

Ah well, ‘tis the season and if you’re in the shopping mood like I am, I thought I would share with you a few items on my wish list. Dear Santa, I promise I’ve been good this year:

1. Thermoworks Thermapen™ $89

Meat thermometers infuriate me. I’ve gone through several and I have yet to find one that can give me an accurate reading. This is supposedly the most accurate one you can buy and according to the Thermoworks website “ favorite among restaurant chains, health inspectors and quality managers worldwide.” I totally believe this is one of those instances where you get what you pay for.

2. Lodge 5-qt. Cast-Iron Covered Dutch Oven, $35

If you can’t afford the not-so-pretty price tag on a piece of LeCruset (like me), Lodge is the way to go. They’ve been making cast iron cookware for 100 years, so they’ve had a lot of time to perfect their craft. I currently own a Lodge 10-inch cast iron skillet and now that I know how to properly care for it, it’s one of my favorite pieces of cookware.

3. Emile Henry Pizza Stone, $49.95

Pizza stones are a must if you enjoy making homemade pizzas or baking cookies. I was first introduced to French manufacturer Emile Henry (pronouced “A-meal,” not “Emily”) while working at The Everyday Gourmet here in Jackson. Their ceramic bakeware is made of Burgundy clay, which provides superior heat retention. Their pizza stone has received all kinds of accolades, including a nod from Good Houskeeping.

4. The Glorious Pasta of Italy by Domenica Marchetti $30

I love carbohydrates. It’s a cookbook about pasta. Do I need to explain anymore? Plus, it’s got some amazing pictures.

5. Frank Stitt’s Bottega Favorita: A Southern Chef’s Love Affair with Italian Food by Frank Stitt $40

I know. It’s another cookbook about Italian food. I can’t help it.

6. Lowell E1-92 Ego Two Light Set $214

Jaden Hair at Steamy Kitchen did a review of these lights a few years ago and I have wanted a pair ever since. Right now I have to reserve all my picture taking to the hours of 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday when Little Tot takes a nap and I’ve got decent natural light coming in through my living room windows. Which means anything made during the week either doesn’t get blogged or I have to set some aside some for later (which makes The Husband very cranky, especially if it was a good meal). With a set of these, I could photograph some in the evening after Little Tot is in bed and The Husband is engrossed with The Outdoor Channel.