Holiday Gift Guide
December 13, 2012
Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet
We love grill fanatics and foodies of every flavor here at Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, so we have pulled together a list of some of our favorite gift items to brighten your favorite cook's day.
The Ultimate Thermometer
You've just put on a perfect filet, but how do you know when it's done? You don't dare cut into it, releasing all the juices, and the "thumb test" takes a lot of practice. We suggest using the Thermapen by Thermoworks for near-instant readings and its water resistance.
The Most Revolutionary Cookbook
Adam Perry Lang shares his innovative ideas about grilling in his book, Charred & Scruffed. From tempering meat and “high and slow” cooking to board dressings, the techniques in this book might be game changers for you and your grill.
The Best Barbecue Brushes
The basting brush is a must-have outdoor kitchen/barbecue tool and a nice stocking stuffer. We like the 15” Barbecue Brush by Le Ceuset because it just works. A long handle keeps hands away from flames; its silicone head resists flavor absorption, stands up to heat and does a great job holding and spreading sauces. We also use the shorter versions for brushing olive oil on just about everything before it goes on the grill.
The Most Philosophical Towels
Do the dishes tomorrow Count the memories, not the calories. These are just a few of the sayings you’ll find on the Food Philosophy series of flour sack towels by Nourishing Notes. Hand-printed in Chicago, we think they are a fun(ny),casual and stylish addition to any kitchen, inside or out.
The Gift of Great Pizza
Calore. It’s Italian for heat. And that’s what’s at the heart of the Artisan Fire Pizza Oven – two independently adjustable burners that can generate 800 degrees of pizza-blasting heat. You can cook a Neapolitan-style pizza in about 2 minutes. Adjust the burners and you can bake breads, or roast fish, vegetables and other dishes. Easy to add to any existing outdoor cooking space, it sits on a countertop and uses either natural gas or liquid propane.
The Coolest Utensil Rack
Help your favorite griller announce their passion for outdoor cooking to everyone on the patio. These unique utensil racks by Knob Creek Metal Arts hold brushes, tongs and spatulas in style. Handmade out of steel, they feature a hammered finish.
The Essential Tongs
You need a hot fire to perfectly sear a steak. Not "man, that's hot" hot, but "afterburner" hot. With a flame like that, it’s about getting in, turning the steak and getting out. There is nothing better for the job than Messermeister's 16" Locking Tongs. These tongs are long enough to keep hands away from the heat and offer precision control. Their scalloped heads give a solid grip on what’s cooking. These tongs are seriously better than any other tongs we’ve tried… and we’ve tried a lot of tongs.
The Official Cookbook of Our Favorite Newsletter
Our favorite recipes from the newsletter, plus some exclusive dishes found only in our very own cookbook. Cook:Out features photography