More of the same
40 to $100, widely available online
Sometimes the best gift for foodies who have it all is more of the same. As in, a second bowl for their stand mixer or food processor, or another carafe for their blender.
This may not sound particularly imaginative, but for people who enjoy cooking, having a spare bowl or carafe for a frequently used appliance can be a tremendous help. It means not having to wash between batches or recipes.
The manufacturers of the appliances usually sell these items on their Web sites (including KitchenAid and Cuisinart), but they also are widely available from other online shops, including eBay.
Granite or marble scraps
$10 to $100, depending on size
Foodies love the look and feel of stone, but granite and marble counters can cost a fortune. So why not get them a stone serving platter or pastry board (perfect for rolling out tricky pastry doughs that need to be kept cool)?
This is easier and cheaper than you would imagine. Find a stone shop in your area that crafts countertops. Mistakes happen, and pieces of counter that chip during cutting or have other flaws usually are tossed on a scrap heap.
If you’re lucky, the company will give you a piece for free.
Others let people pick through their scrap piles and purchase by weight or size. Be sure to bring heavy gloves; you’ll encounter sharp edges when picking through the pile.
For a cheese or hors d’oeuvre board, find a chunk about 18 inches around (ask for vanity or sink cutouts). For a pastry board, aim for about twice that size (and bring help, it will be heavy).
Spice flights
$20 to $50
Restaurants everywhere offer flights of wines, cheeses, even chocolates. These fun tasting experiences let you sample different, but related varieties of food and drink.
Borrow this concept and give your favorite foodie a flight of spices. Here’s how it works: purchase three or more varieties of a single herb or spice (paprika, oregano and peppercorns are good choices).
Package the spices in attractive bottles and pair them with recipes (the Internet should provide plenty) that highlight the nuances of each variety.
To get enough variety, buy from a specialty spice shop, of which plenty are available online. Two outstanding sources are Penzeys Spices (http://www.penzeys.com) and Kalustyan’s (http://www.kalustyans.com).
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