Looking for stocking stuffers/hostess gifts for that foodie friend in your life? Check out this short list of ideas. All of these have been tested, approved and highly recommended.
Joseph Joseph Garlic Rocker
Admittedly, I originally bought this because it looks cool. BUT THEN I discovered it’s by far the easiest to use, easiest to clean, garlic press around. I get them for everyone I know these days. They have fun colors in hard plastic, but I used mine so much that the plastic broke. I recommend going straight to the metal version. $10.00 – $18.00, depending on plastic vs metal.
Sponge Holder
Say goodbye to gross, water-logged sponges. Not only does everyone need one of these, but the cool factor is that you can shop for one at your local farmer’s market and get one to match anyone’s style and décor. If your farmer’s market doesn’t have a local artist, check out Etsy. They typically run $10.00- $20.00
A Great Can Opener
It’s one of those tools that you use enough that it’s worth the spurge. This one in particular changed my life. The clutch: it has a little magnetic clamp to pull the lid off, so you don’t even have to touch it. I discovered mine at Sur La Table a few years back. $20.00
Thin Silicone Spatula
Eggs, pancakes, cookies… all flip easier with a thin, silicone spatula. And it never hurts to have a few of these. There are many on the market, and fun colors, too! Check your local cooking store, or Amazon has a decent selection as well. $6.00-12.00.
Misto
The gourmet olive oil sprayer. Fine mist, easy pump, eco-friendly. Fun colors. Do people even use Pam anymore? Available pretty much everywhere.
Old Fashioned Ice Cream Scooper
Shopping for a foodie that “has everything”? Go with an old fashioned ice cream scooper. For two reasons: it’s unique and fun to pick out (there are a ton on Etsy, all different and vintage-y). And, in my opinion, this is one kitchen tool that they just don’t make like they used to. Typically $10.00 -$25.00
The Cheese Knife
Yes, great for cheese (people rave about it as the best cutter for soft and hard cheeses). However, it made my list this year for my budding foodie daughter (alright, that’s pushing it; I should say typical 4-year-old that likes to help mess up my kitchen while I cook). It cuts cheese, plus a lot of other things with its patented blade that is somehow super sharp yet made of some sort of silicone (or nylon?) so it does not cut little fingers. It’s amazing. Plus, a kid chef would feel very “grown up” getting something like this in their stocking 😉 $15.00-$20.00
10 Things You Don’t Know About…
Any US Weekly fans out there? Yeah, us too. The tabloid’s “25 Things You Don’t Know About Me” is one of our faves. We thought it would be fun to do a little riff off that, as a way to get to know the names behind the SacFoodies on a personal level. Some stuff will relate to food, some not. Either way, here we are… and I’m up first!
- I’m one of the original SacFoodies and I’ve never lived in Sacramento. When I joined FH Sacramento 9 years ago I lived in Lodi (cue your favorite CCR song), and then Davis for 6 years. Now, I work remotely from Sonoma County, specifically Windsor. I affectionately refer to my office as FH Sonoma County.
- Family of four. On Sacfoodies we don’t really talk about our family life. Well, I have one, and it’s quite busy! My husband’s a firefighter with CalFire, so my job is to juggle his ever-changing work schedule with mine, plus throw two littles in the mix: Kenley (4) and Warren (1). It’s a good time.
- I hate being cold. Like waaaay more than the average person. Misery.
- My retirement plan includes living in a van down by the river. My husband and I have an ‘86 VW Westfalia camper van. These days we go on camping trips with our family but we dream of selling our home and traveling the country gypsy-style once we retire. We have the van, show me the river!
- Wine is in my blood. My whole family is in the wine industry: my brother is an assistant winemaker for a winery in Napa, my parents are grape growers (Chardonnay!) and I work for FH’s food and wine group. It’s a family affair.
- Beer is in my heart. Don’t get me wrong, I love wine, live in wine country, it’s my world. But I have a special place in my heart for craft beer and beer culture.
- I’m a country girl. I grew up on property in the outskirts of Sonoma Valley – grapes, cows, pigs, horses, rabbits, you name it. I roamed free and built tree forts most of my childhood. Now I raise my children on 2 acres in the country just outside of Windsor.
- Cooking is my getaway. It’s my “me” time. Cooking, baking, meal planning I love it all. Except for grocery shopping, that’s a chore. You gotta draw a line somewhere, I guess.
- My favorite music genre is early ‘90s country. The Judds, George Strait, Brooks & Dunn… I get so happy listening to those artists. Country music is just different these days.
- I can sing every word to several Snoop Dogg songs. And Warren G and Nate Dogg. I might have been into gangsta rap when I was in middle school. Annnd, I still kind of like it.
Tres Hermanas, Davis
Brunch. It’s one of my favorite ways to spend a leisurely Sunday. Davis has a handful of notable options, from Café Bernardo to Caffé Italia, but last Sunday I wanted something a little different than the typical Benedict. We were wandering aimlessly around the downtown area for inspiration and found some on Second Street. Tres Hermanas serves breakfast food? Yes, mi amigo, they sure do!
I had the sausage and eggs plate, which came with beans, potatoes, salsa and warm tortillas.
I’m not sure the rest of the town realizes that Tres Hermanas is a breakfast option since the typically bustling restaurant was fairly quiet. And this Sunday that was A-OK by me; it meant that I didn’t feel bad savoring my cup of coffee just a little longer as we watched the world go by, or at least the usual mix of students and families in downtown Davis.
Tres Hermanas
805 2nd St
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 756-8737
Wordless Wednesday: Kupros Bistro Fried Pickles and House Tartar
Fried pickles – a pregnant girl’s dream come true!
Who am I kidding, I’ll order these any time.
A great starter to an even better meal at Kupros Bistro in Midtown.
Kupros Bistro
1217 21st Street
Sacramento, Ca 95811
(916) 440-0401
Davis: One Small Town, Two Distinct Farmers Markets
There were many reasons why my husband and I decided to move to Davis a few years ago: it’s a small town with many eateries, various sporting and music events thanks to UCD and oh yeah, the famous Davis Farmers Market. It wasn’t until we settled in that I came to find out that Davis has not one, but two farmers markets – each unique in its food and fun.
First, there’s the Saturday morning market, which everyone seems to know about as it draws a crowd from neighboring towns and cities. This is more of your traditional market, with various fruit and vegetable booths, flowers, natural meats, a few local wineries and fun Davis crafts. One of my favorite Saturday morning activities is to grab a cup of drip coffee and browse the produce for dinner inspiration. It’s a farmer’s farmers market, which I love.
The Wednesday night market is a whole different ballgame; it feels more like a community picnic in the park. There’s always a band set up on the grassy “stage” area and Central Park is covered in blankets, families, strollers and kids. There is a group of tables set up on the side for people who didn’t bring a blanket and it’s common for folks to bring a bottle of wine and a board game. And I don’t mean a few board games – these people are serious Scrabble tournament types! There is often a rock climbing wall, pony rides and bounce houses set up to help entertain the young ones. And the booths are also different: there are a few produce booths, but the majority are local restaurants. The perfect way to “do” the Wednesday night market is to pack a blanket and come hungry. Everyone in your family can try a different restaurant for dinner and dessert and relax on the grass while enjoying music. My go-to is the tri-tip sandwich and apple slaw from the Buckhorn, and a popsicle from the popsicle bike, this time it was the blueberry lemon yogurt – yum!
Davis Farmers Markets
Central Park
4th and C Streets
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (year-round)
Wednesday: 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (summer only)
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