Buying a gift takes special consideration. And we’ve all been on both sides of the exchange, whether it’s gone well or not so well. You know when the wrapping paper comes off whether a present is a winner. In our Gifted & Approved series, we tell the stories of those winners, the best presents our editors have either given or received. We hope they provide a little inspiration and advice as you go about your holiday shopping and gift search.
You know a gift is good when the recipient buys the same thing for someone else. And if the reason for giving is similar, it’s even better.
I cooked most nights during the week when I was married, certainly more than my friends and probably more than most New Yorkers. Making meals for two with enough for leftovers was no small task in my tiny Brooklyn kitchen. It wasn’t something I loved or hated; it was simply necessary living on two journalist’s salaries.
After my divorce, spending time in the apartment we both owned and I continued to live in was the last thing I wanted to do, never mind making dinner. The once-stocked fridge contained little more than a quart of milk from the bodega, enough to cover my morning coffee and the bowl of cereal I’d often eat before an evening out.
My stepmother had a hunch I was living on pantry staples and occasional takeout. What she also knew (and I didn’t): My lifestyle shift from nesting to never-home meant that I likely wasn’t nurturing myself as well, in body or mind. That’s when she sent me this Cuisinart immersion blender.
Granted, a small kitchen appliance probably isn’t the first item that comes to mind for a gift. It’s practical, and practical presents are often thought of as boring. But in my situation, it was heartfelt.
The one I linked to above is a newer model than mine, which still performs beautifully after 15 years of moderate use. It has variable speed — the most important hand blender feature worth paying extra for because it gives you more control and helps ease the learning curve.
I started using the Cuisinart immersion blender primarily to make soups in winter, which often have a short list of ingredients and require almost zero chopping. Eventually, I expanded my repertoire with recipes that are a pain to make in a regular blender, like my cannellini and olive oil tapenade. I love how easy it is to switch out the attachments, which are top-rack dishwasher-safe, and that the whole thing is compact enough to store in a utility drawer.
A few months ago, a friend lost her father after he battled a long illness. I met her for a drink in the weeks that followed, mostly because we hadn’t seen each other in a while, but also because some time had passed and I wanted to check in. She cried. I listened. Then she mentioned going out more after work and skipping dinner at home. And I knew exactly what she needed.
Admittedly, I still eat cereal for dinner on occasion. But it’s nice to know there’s always homemade soup in the freezer to heat up when I get home.
Buy the Cuisinart Smart Stick Immersion Blender
