Create. Explore. Experience. Savor.
Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb with Mint Chimichurri Sauce is perfect for your special meal.
Meltingly tender leg of lamb that been slow roasted to fall apart, tender perfection with wine, garlic, and onion. A simple pan gravy with the bright notes of a mint chimichurri elevate the lamb to elegant sophistication while being incredibly fool proof and simple.
…Fresh Cranberry Orange Scones – Perfect for Breakfast, Brunch, or Tea.
I simply love scones, especially flavored with fresh cranberries and orange zest. They are incredibly tender and flaky with the perfect balance of sweet and tart. The fresh cranberries are bright and juicy and the orange zest and juice in the scone and in the dizzly icing is the perfect complement.
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Red Pork Chili is rich and earthy, the perfect hearty meal for a cold winter day.
Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Red Pork Chili has meltingly, tender pieces of pork shoulder with mixed beans and vegetables, in a smokey, roasted earthy flavored sauce infused with beer, garlic and a little bite of jalapeno.
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My Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Chef is inspired by the gifts I’ve received and loved.
It’s that time of year! All of the feel-good smells, sights, and sounds of the Holidays are here!
The house is filled with the aroma of fresh, baked cookies, we are driving the kiddos around and admiring all the twinkling lights, and Christmas carols fill the radio.
Along with all of the enjoyable parts of the holidays is the sometimes challenging goal to find just the right gift. You know the one. The gift that makes that special person’s eyes just light up with what YOU gave them. Or they come back to you a month down the road and gush over how much they LOVE your gift.
Below is a list of all of my favorite kitchen toys and tools. Not the ones that collect dust in the back of the pantry, but the items that I use ALL the time. And let me tell you, narrowing it down to 10 was tough! My birthday is December 20th, so just before Christmas. Almost without fail, when asked what I would like for either, it’s a new kitchen toy or gadget. I hope this list of gifts that I have received will inspire you for your special someone.
Please note: Some of the links in this post are Amazon affiliate links – which means if you buy the product, Savor with Jennifer receives a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Savor with Jennifer running.
1. The Perfect Knife
This is the knife that fits perfectly in my hand and that I use 90% of the time. It’s not the most expensive one out there, but it’s rated really well for a reason. It sharpens well, is dishwasher safe, holds an edge, and is lightweight. I received this set several years ago for Christmas and couldn’t be happier with it. Ever heard of a Swiss Army Knife? Victorinox is that company, so you know they have been around the block for a while. (Corny pun intended:)
2. Microplane Grater
I use this so, so frequently. I can hardly remember what I did before I got it. It’s perfect for grating Parmesan cheese, zesting a lemon, or grating a nutmeg or cinnamon stick. My Dad gave this to me one year for a birthday. Especially considering it’s $10-12 price tag, it’s been one of my favorite and most frequently used gifts. I, literally, bring this and my favorite knife with me when I vacation if there is any chance I might do any cooking.
3. Cutting Boards
Couldn’t do anything without them. Having a variety of sizes for anything from slicing an apple to Thanksgiving dinner is a definite plus. These are durable and easy on your knives, which is a must in my book. They are also attractive enough for a great presentation if you choose to serve off of them.
4. Cast Iron
It just gives the best sear! And the best sear is where the flavor is at. Another advantage is being able to go from stove top to oven and back. I sear steak or salmon in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop and finish in the oven all the time for a nice weeknight meal. My dutch oven has an almost permanent place on the back corner of the stove so it’s ready and waiting for a soup, stew, or a roasted chicken. It was actually handed down to me from my husband’s grandmother, so that speaks for the longevity of cast iron. I have $200 All Clad that, while fabulous, doesn’t see near as much cook time as my cast iron.
5. Immersion Hand Blender
This guy is crazy convenient. There are times when you just don’t want to clean up a large bowl out of the stand mixer or the blender. This is quick and easy with only a small piece to rinse when finished. Quickly mash potatoes, whip cream, puree vegetables in a soup and so much more! This has been one of my favorite gifts to give as a wedding or shower present. It’s so handy to have and you don’t realize how much until you have one.
6. Flake Sea Salt
Flake or finishing salt is just delicious and is the perfect finishing touch on almost any dish. It’s light and pretty and makes the flavors pop. It’s the ultimate in a gourmet touch without a big price tag. I’ve found it surprisingly hard to find. In Europe, every small grocer had it super inexpensively. Here, it seems like it’s only in specialty stores or Amazon.
7. Thermometer
Possibly the most important tool in any kitchen. Knowing your prime rib is a perfect medium rare or the turkey breast is not cooked to sawdust is what will make or break a meal. I have several kinds and use them all. But my favorite is probably this little guy. The probe can be in the meat and the digital reader is on the outside of the oven or grill. Very convenient.
8. Pressure Cooker
Everyone has heard of the Instant Pot or multi cookers at this point. They are a combination pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker and much more. I was gifted with mine less then a year ago and LOVE it! Americas Test Kitchen liked my lesser known model the best for a variety of reasons. While I know there are great reviews on many brands, I’ll just say that I love mine and wouldn’t choose another. Also, for a family, the 8 quart is a definite must. If you want slow cooked favorites ready in 20 minutes of cook time, this is a fantastic present.
9. Stand Mixer
My Kitchaid has a place of pride on a corner counter in my kitchen I adore her to the moon and back. After receiving my Kitchenaid, I actually got rid of my hand beaters. I love the heavy duty construction and large bowl. Quadruple batches of Christmas cookies are a breeze. Letting it handle all of the kneading of homemade bread is amazing. Whipping egg whites into stiff perfection is a snap. All of the attachment options like a pasta roller, meat grinder and sausage stuffer, and food processor provide additional gift ideas for years come. It’s pricey but irreplaceable in my book. Bonus: during the holidays, they run them on sale!
10. Vitamix Blender
A kitchen classic for a reason. A blender might be the most versatile tool in the kitchen from savory to sweet. Make a smoothie for breakfast, roasted butternut squash soup for lunch, and a frozen strawberry margarita for dinner. I’ve had inexpensive blenders over the years and I’ve had this. Where I’ve noticed the biggest difference is anytime I want to blend ice. Think daiquiri or smoothie. A less expensive blender might crunch the ice at the bottom, but not the whole blender full, or even get stuck. A Vitamix doesn’t even flinch.
If you have a favorite cook in your life that you are looking for just the right, perfect, eye widening gift, I hope my Holiday Gift Guide for the Home Chef helped!
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All the best,
Jen
Brined and Herb Butter Roasted Turkey Breast with the Best Easy Gravy – For when you want the juiciest and most flavorful Main Course for your special meal.
A Roasted Turkey Breast is one of those special meals usually reserved for a holiday or company so it needs to be Perfect every time.
If what you desire is a golden-crisp, herb-flavored skin with a juicy, incredibly moist interior as the star of your meal, this is the recipe for you.
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Spicy Shrimp Toasts with Lemon Garlic Butter – Is it an Appetizer or an Entree…You decide!
Succulent, quick sauteed Shrimp with a light Cajun Spice served on toasted French Bread with a luxurious drizzle of Lemon Garlic Butter are seriously delicious.
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Does 40 cloves of garlic seem excessive? Not when you roast it! Crispy Roasted Chicken Thighs with 40 Cloves of Garlic is a One-Pan Meal that is bursting with incredible flavor.
Crispy skinned, always-juicy, chicken thighs are roasted in the oven with mouth watering, sweet roasted garlic cloves and dry white wine with fresh herbs that infuse the chicken with amazing flavor and create a truly decadent cream sauce. Serve it with pasta if you wish, but definitely don’t forget a loaf of crusty, french bread to smear with the roasted garlic cloves and to soak up all the luscious sauce.
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The first couple of coolish, fall-like days roll around, and I’m all about ‘Bring on the pumpkin, baby!’ Cream Cheese Stuffed Pumpkin Bread is the answer to that craving!
To be honest, I’ll use any excuse to make something pumpkin. It is definitely one of my favorite flavors/vegetables/fruits? You’ve heard one of the many jokes about girls and pumpkin spice, right? Yep, that’s me. ANYTHING pumpkin has my name written all over it. I’m that person.
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Summer is slowly shifting to Fall, and as the weather cools off, it’s a great time to fire up the grill and cook Grilled Teriyaki Steak!
Although almost any kind of meat tastes amazing marinated in a teriyaki marinade, one of my favorites is definitely Grilled Teriyaki Steak.
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Thai Style Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry is full of flavor and is so quick and easy!
I absolutely love stir-fry. It’s great for during the week because it comes together so quickly. Spend a few minutes with the knife and cutting board to slice and dice your meat and veggies. Stir together a sauce and cook everything over a high heat. Dinner is served in under 30 minutes and it’s going to be so much tastier and healthier then carry out.
My Thai Style Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry is one of my husband’s favorites. Juicy strips of chicken breast mixed with tender-crisp sweet red peppers, green and yellow onions, mushrooms, and toasted cashews all combine with a slightly sweet and savory sauce infused with ginger and garlic….
