The Perfect Kitchen Shower Gift

It's shower time and that means trying to find the right gift for the couple who are big on cooking and entertaining> Do you go for the classic ?Or the practical? Something fun or long lasting?

Most couples do have a registry but most of the lsited items are usually picked up by the bridal party or the parents.What are some practical gifts for the couple? You can never go wrong with an air fryer. There are several different types, from the smaller ones to the larger ones that you can even bake cakes in. Power Air Fryers, which Target sells, are the best brand They last a long time and cna hold up to many washings. You could also consider giving the Dash brand one which is much smaller and is perfect for two people. Both Target and Kohl's sell them Another gift that is very practical is an immersion blender. This is  a must especially for those duos who love to make soups and sauces.Kitchen Aid is a good brand and makes for  creamy textures in both soups and sauces. It;'s also great for purees. Crock pots and Instapots are also good gifts to give. These are perfect for couples who work long hours and need a hot meal to come home to. Go with the Classic brand for this. They last a long time and are perfect for cooking up small batches of chili and tomato sauce.

The other way to go is classic and fancy.There is a great site called. Replacements.com that have many vintage sets.Here you can find classic Mikasa and Waterford. They also have very beautiful Christmas sets in a variety of patterns. A twelve piece set called Santa Company can be bought for as low as $59.99.There is also The Night Before Christmas for $69,95 which is a lovely , cheery set that cna be for years. Replacements.com also has beautiful sterling silver flatware sets too. There also also stainless steel sets and various other knives and servers.Try the site for crystal sets too.An elegant gift is a crystal cake stand which definitely be used for holidays and special occasions a brandy decanter is another special and winderfukl gift that will add a touch of class to any home bar. A classic and vintage gift is a hand embroidered tablecloth and napkins. Decades ago this was a cherished and treasured gifts many young's brides prized. You can still find them on Etsy. Embroider it yourself if you';re handy with a needle and thread.If not look to Etsy for beautifully wrought patterns starting at$88. 90.

It's up to you s to what to give at a bridal shower. You can go for practical. You could also try for a classic timeless gift too. It;s your choice and what appeals to you.

Flying Solo Without The Master

Today was my first big cooking day without my Mom's help. It was dicey to say the least and I made a vat of sauce for two simple helpings of ravioli. I have to get used to this  - cooking and life without her.

We were never one of those families who write down recipes. We figured if you've made it more than enough times, then it was engrained in your memory.It becomes a part of you. I had thought this but realized I was wrong. I do need our family recipes written down. Sadly, they all went with my Mom. I will never get the exact measurements for our Piedmontese stuffed cabbage rolls, pescoi That will have to be made from memory and what my brother can remember. As for the sauce, luckily there are recipes on the net that I can follow. The sauce was smooth, not rich however thanks to the inclusion of sugar. I use my own spin  dark honey in homemade sauces. As usual I panicked  simply because I sauteed the garlic too soon.it resulted in burnt cloves and popping oil. I also added way too much sauce which would have been perfect had I made two or three pounds of spaghetti.Instead it was only four helpings of ravioli.

For those of you who scoff at writing down family recipes, don't.. Write down everything, keep them on index cards. Staples still sells these. You can also type them up and print them out to create a family cookbook. (This is the perfect holiday and bridal shower gift). If you can include a picture of the dish do so. Write down exact measurements. A pinch of something for you is a dab for someone else  . Make sure the measurements are exact, from a 3/4 of a teaspoon to 1/8 of  a cup. Also make sure the ingredients are the exact same ones. You can't sub in cinnamon for coriander or use an oat flour for a white one. Variations can be included,especially if there are allergies running through the bloodlines.Also give credit where credit is due. My Mom's apple pie recipe was taken by a few in-laws and it became their signature dish, with their branches giving them the acclaim. If Nama made the nutmeg Snickerdoodles, add her name, with the first and last name, and possibly the date it was first made. Include any family history regarding it too,Stories get lost from generation to generation.

I'm flying solo these days. I hate it. I wish my Mom and I had written down our family recipes.I need exact measurements with exact ingredients.