Stocking stuffers
By Mr. HenryMr. Henry wants you to live well. Consequently, when rich, practical-minded, no-nonsense aunts ask you what you need for the home, he encourages you to choose from the list below:

Cuisinart food processor. The original.

KitchenAid 2-slice toaster. Simple and foolproof.

Bodum French press coffee pot. The classic.

Cuisinart drip coffee maker. For big cup drinkers.

Microplane spice grater. Excellent for zesting.

Wusthof knives, 2. The most basic set.

Aerolatte milk frother. Affectionally known around the kitchen as “the zip-zip.”

The Chef’n palm brush for scrubbing vegetables. Nifty finger-holding grip.

The MinoSharp knife sharpener. You won’t cut your fingers.

The Zyliss stir fry silicone spatula. For non-stick pans.

Zyliss salad spinner. Achieves escape velocity.


December 11th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I just give those wee airline-size bottles of expensive booze. One size fits all.
Okay, maybe not to the nieces and nephews.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:33 am
I have that Cuisinart drip coffee maker, and so do my parents. It’s fantastic.
That milk frother looks pretty spiffy.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
I so need a silicone spatula. I have all the baking ware in silicone, and I have become enamored of it.
December 13th, 2007 at 6:43 am
“rich, practical-minded, no-nonsense aunts” - that’s me. When my nephew was in college I gave him a Waring professional blender with a 64 oz. Stainless steel carafe (roommate proof) for Christmas. He was already famous for his frozen Margaritas and salsa, but he told me his friends were awestruck when he got that monster out for parties.
December 13th, 2007 at 8:37 am
WAY cool — a 64 oz. blender party courtesy of Aunt Carol!
Today, of course, devices of such size and scope are monitored by Homeland Security.
December 13th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
I agree with all the choices except the aerolatte! Bleaugh. Use the steamer. Howsomever, my socks aren’t really big enough for a biggo FP!
December 13th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
I wholeheartedly second the French press; you can’t get better coffee, period, than with a French press. Drip? Pfft. I’ve seen the light, and the light is coming from a French press.
December 14th, 2007 at 9:50 am
good grief, how big are all of y’all’s stockings?
I inherited my mother’s cuisnart food processor - she got it in the mid-70’s. Its a heavy thing, but still runs like nobody’s business.
Mr Henry, kind Sir, anything smaller gadgets that would actually fit in a stocking? beyond the aerator & veggie cleaner.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:40 pm
Just got my Cuisinart hand blender in the mail. Love it!
December 19th, 2007 at 4:04 am
Definitely the microplane for me. I think these are one of the best things ever invented.