First, a Le Creuset risotto pot from my awesome Aunt Tami. Even though I christened it tonight to make potato latkes a la Nicholas (with quince puree and bacon) as opposed to risotto, I cannot get enough Le Creuset - their stuff is awesome. Technically, this is a gift for both Steph and I, but I get to 'use' it more, while Steph reaps the rewards indirectly ;)
Next, a super-geeky gift from my Uncle David and Aunt Lisa - a Cylon toaster and a set of BSG mugs. I don't know how they could have thought that this would be a hit-or-miss, but this was a WIN. Check out the link for the toaster - how amazingly nerdy is it that I can now have toast that says "Frak Off"?!? I can't wait to make enough toast to destroy all the human toast on the Battlestar Galactica.
Of course, some great gifts from my parents and in-laws. Steph and I have been dying for new plates, and we've been fans of the square plates that we've had out at restaurants, so that's what we decided to go with. We also needed some service pieces, so we picked up a few of those as well. Finally, like some other people I know, I needed a new blender, so I picked out a doozy of one - probably one of the best you can buy before shelling out $400+ for a Vita-Mix.
However, despite all of these gifts, of which I am extremely grateful, my cousin Caleb gave me the best gift this year. My Aunt Tami had told him about my blog and about my skills in the kitchen, so he decided to make me a handmade recipe box. Check this awesomeness out.
Seriously, without a doubt, the best gift I got this year. Plus, a ridiculous recipe for a panettone French toast that I am going to make for Stephanie on Christmas morning. Major props to my cousin Caleb for this one - thank you so much!
