OS Christmas Present

Eliza_2

A young person I know is embracing the old style and has just moved into a new house. They've asked for kitchen stuff for presents this year, not having much. What do you consider essential non-electrical stuff. I thought a bunch of different wooden spoons/spatula thingies, a couple of different whisks, potato masher, peeler. Not sure what else I can think of that I couldn't manage without.

Just wondered what else you couldn't manage without which would help us make up a little bundle of goodies as a gift?

Thanks

Linda32

When I read the title I thought of a Satsuma in a Stocking - sorry.


One year I asked my OH to get me a really big mixing bowl. When I made up my bottom drawer many moons ago I copied to cooks on the TV and bought a glass pirex one which is far to small.

The one that OH bought me was from Wilkinsons. Its silver with a rubber bottom so that is dosn't move. It would have been about £2.99 :T

lilmisskitkat

Hi, some ideas you may find useful:

* A set of kitchen scales, measuring spoons and a measuring jug

* Rolling pin, wooden spoons, mixing bowl, 12 cup bun tin (can also be used for yorkshire puds) and 8 inch sandwich tins for basic baking, perhaps a wire cooling rack too

* Oven safe glass or ceramic dishes for lasagne/shepherds pie etc. A baking sheet for cookies or chips/pizza

* A set of herbs and spices perhaps? Always useful in an OS kitchen!

* Like you said basic utensils - masher, spatula, solid spoon, slotted spoon, spaghetti spoon, garlic press, tongs, whisk, cheese grater, potato peeler, tin opener, corkscrew

* Tea towels, dishcloths, apron, tablecloth etc

Hope this helps

K xx

Lilyplonk

- some round/square biscuit/scone cutters - quite cheap in supermarkets

- roll of greaseproof paper OR couple of silicon liners for baking trays

- silicon trivet - very useful for protecting worktops

- chopping mats in different colours

- couple of plastic sieves and a 'tea strainer' - I use for dusting with icing sugar

- basic icing set with a couple of nozzles

- couple of colanders

- silicon mesh baking thingy for oven chips/pizzas - they let the air flow and keep bases crisp .

- re-usable silicon toastie bags - £1 for pack for 2 - toastie sandwiches without the machine!

I know that silicon stuff isn't really all that OS but it's cheap, bright and colourful for a Modern Miss's kitchen AND it can be a whole lot easier to store - with the added benefit that it doesn't rust and get burnt-on-sticky-icky bits!

How about a book of 'household hints/tips' - there must be a million to one of them on Ebay/Amazon.

A BeRo Baking Book!

Has anybody mentioned a tin opener and knife sharpener.


Try Wilkies / B&M Bargains / HomeBargains / Supermarkets for more :idea:.

Definitely not cheap - but one thing that I l-o-v-e - is my fat-separator-jug for when I've roasted meat. Though, truth-be-told, an icy cold spoon skimmed across the top of the juices should make any fat easier to remove .

Eliza_2

Wow thank you, that was quick!! Although I know she's got some of this stuff, brought with her from her previous short lived marital home, there's lots of inspiration here. I must say I use a big plastic mixing bowl, I had one of those orangey/cream ceramic ones for years till it was dropped. The plastic one is excellent.

Cant wait to go round Wilkos tomorrow now. Thanks.

flutterbyuk25

Lots of good suggestions so far. I would go with the things that are often overlooked, that maybe don't get used very often but are useful like measuring spoons, funnels, icing set (if she will use it), trivet, muffin cases, rolling pin (I don't have one still despite living in my home 4+yrs and the rare times I need to use one I have to use a wine bottle!!)

The best thing I have bought was a digital scales. I had a nice pretty normal one before with a removable bowl, but the digital one is so much easier as you just put a bowl on it and press reset each time to add ingredients, rather than having to weigh each thing out separately.

HTH

Beckyy

Tea Towels, Spice Rack/Spices, Mugs/Dishes, Mixing Bowl(s), Chopping Board, Scales.

It sounds like a great idea

kittycat204

only thing I can think to add is a stick blender. Love mine for soups and smoothies.

Butterfly_Brain

You can get a decent hand mixer for £4.99 and a stick blender is £4.79 in Wilkinsons

seraphina

A good sharp cook's knife. TK Maxx always has lots of great kitchen stuff at bargain prices.

babyshoes

I agree with a good quality general purpose knife which can be sharpened regularly without getting damaged - trying to cook with a blunt knife is pointless ('scuse the pun!).

I also really love those silicone spatulas for all sorts of things. They are heat proof, so as well as getting all the mix out of a bowl, they can be used in a pan of hot stuff too. Wilkos do some with hollow metal handles which are great to use - the only minor downside to them is that if you put them in the diswhasher, the handles can get water stuck inside. I have seen Le Creuset ones with a wooden handle which are nicer, but at several pounds instead of 99p, I'll live with the Wilkos ones! Don't get plastic handled ones, the handles have a tendency to snap.