Season's Grazings
Giving the gift of food this Christmas
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., Dec. 7, 2001
A Dozen Handy Items Under $40 No Baker Should Be Without
(Available at upscale hardware, cookware, and local restaurant supply stores)
Offset Spatulas
Spread frosting, fillings, battters. You can't have too many of these. $3-6.
Silicone Spatulas
Scrape the last bit of batter out of the bowl with these; they won't crack, melt, or lose their shape. $4-11.
Microplane Zester
The absolute best and easiest tool for grating citrus zest. $12.99.
Ice Cream Scoops in Various Sizes
Use to scoop cookie doughs into uniform portions just like the pros. $9-10.
Silpat Sheets
New, reusable high tech silicone pan liners work great in the oven. $22.
Coffee Grinder
An extra one strictly for grinding baking spices. $20.
Digital Candy Thermometer
Handy and unbreakable, just set the temp you need and it beeps. $30.
Commercial Quality Sheet Pans
Good quality, heavy-duty baking sheets are bargains available at $4.99 for the half sheet, $4.49 for the quarter sheet.
Bulk Pack of Parchment Paper
Buy the box of 1,000 sheets ($37.99), and split it with all your home baker friends. Very useful as pan liners and easy pastry bags.
Heavy Duty Pan Grabbers
Thick fabric with heat-treated lining to protect against oven burns. $5.75.
La Vencedora Mexican Vanilla
Marvelous flavor and a huge bargain since a large bottle is only $5.99.
Boggy Creek Farm Apron
Heavy cotton, $12.95 at the farm stand (3414 Lyons Road).
