Opportunistic children, here is the perfect gift for you. With its little retro look, this frozen drink machine seems harmless at first glance, but make no mistake: it crushes ice cubes mercilessly. Dad will have no reason to deny you unlimited slush this summer (and he too will be able to enjoy it during happy hour). 260 watt motor, stainless steel blades, recipes included.
Dad needs kitchen helpers, and it’s never too early to train the next generation. With a vegetable chopper, even young children (or grandchildren!) can get their hands dirty and cut onions, peppers and tomatoes for the best salsas in town, or even potatoes for brunch of Sunday. It’s also a great way to introduce them to and appreciate vegetables.
What ? Dad doesn’t have a quality mandolin yet? Sacrilege! To put an immediate end to this heresy, give him his first Japanese mandolin. In two steps, three movements, it will produce the most regular julienned carrots and the thinnest slices of cucumber. But please tell him to watch his fingers. Dressings extra.
Because dad is tired of seasoning his dishes with plastic microparticles, give him a wooden cutting board. Several local artisans make cutting boards that are as solid as they are magnificent (Arbol, Rabot D. Bois, Boutique Giroux, Bois Franck, Le Temps des Cigales, Brustique, etc.). In our photo, the maple board from Atelier Blabla Bois, tested and approved. Do not put in the dishwasher.
It’s a (big) (OK, very big) investment, but for ice cream and sorbet lovers, a good machine is a real game changer. No bowl to put in the freezer: this machine has a built-in compressor to produce 1.5 liters of professional quality ice cream in about twenty minutes. Made of stainless steel, in Italy.
Cutting a tomato with a sharp knife is something highly satisfying. Why not steal Dad’s knives and have them professionally sharpened? There are fewer sharpeners than before – the throwaway culture doesn’t spare them – but there are still some left. An internet search will suggest some depending on where you live.
Hot smoking is the exposure of food (fish, meat) to hot smoke. You can pay for a smoker, but the most economical option is to add a smoker box to your existing barbecue. We fill the box with chips, place it over the burners, heat on high for 10 minutes, lower the heat, and voila: the chips will burn for 10 to 30 minutes. Compatible with most barbecues.
Summer is the season for fine herbs. Basil, mint, chives… These five-blade herb scissors make it easy to cut herbs, directly on the plate or pan, without having to dirty a cutting board. A small, affordable and rather practical present.