35 holiday gifts to buy, give, inspire, make -- and receive
A carving set, including cutting board and knife and fork.
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Homemade almond-cherry-coconut granola. Sprinkle a tablespoon or two on Greek yogurt for a healthful snack, or on top of ice cream for a more decadent bite. Click here for the recipe.
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Thomas Keller’s trademark dessert has a texture somewhere between dense cake and denser brownies. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
Food scale.
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To give -- or keep for yourself. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
Salad bowl and spoons.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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Pastry bag.
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These can work for Hanukkah as well as Christmas. Click here for the recipe.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
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Make plenty. These will go fast. (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)
An easy -- and savory -- gift for salad-loving friends: Toasted garbanzo bean “croutons.” And a pretty jar filled with vanilla beans and sugar for the baker in your life, or the person who likes his or her coffee on the sweet side. Click here for more.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
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Panforte is a heady mix of fruits, nuts and fragrant spices. Click here for the recipe.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
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Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
A Microplane grater.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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These marshmallow stars can be flavored with cinnamon, lemon, almond, coconut or vanilla. They’re a delightful gift and a delicious treat. Click here for the recipe.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
Suggestions for the cook on your Christmas list
Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Use this oyster set for gift-giving inspiration.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Food strainer.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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These holiday cookies are out of the ordinary. Click here for the recipe.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
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Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)
Double steamer.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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Serve over ice cream. Click here for the recipe.
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Looking for some wine suggestions?
Join us at our food blog, the Daily Dish (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
A gorgeous bowl is always appreciated in a cook’s kitchen. Look around in flea markets, on-line and in vintage shops.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
Suggestions for the cook on your Christmas list
Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Conical strainer.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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These festive scones call for both fresh and crystallized ginger. (Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times)
Casserole dishes.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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Gingerbread cookies are storybook perfect. Click here for the recipe.
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Rustic kitchenware, plus a container, look great next to a kitchen stove. Shop around on-line, in flea markets and in vintage stores.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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Dutch oven.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
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Candied orange peel -- an essential holiday ingredient but also great as a gift. (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)
Meat thermometer.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Marzipan stollen is a classic holiday recipe, particularly in Europe. Click here for the recipe.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
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Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)
A wooden salt cellar to grace the table.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
Suggestions for the cook on your Christmas list
Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)
Digital thermometer.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
Suggestions for the cook on your Christmas list
Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Mortar and pestle.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
Suggestions for the cook on your Christmas list
Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Panettone is another classic from across the pond. Click here for the recipe.
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More holiday recipes from The Times’ Test Kitchen
Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
Suggestions for the cook on your Christmas list
Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)
Frying pan.
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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
Suggestions for the cook on your Christmas list
Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Roasting pan.
RELATED:
Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen
Get crafty this holiday season
Suggestions for the cook on your Christmas list
Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
