17 Dec, 2017
Gifts for people who have everything, part 6: A wee gadget that might be the tiniest bit insulting
Posted by andrea tomkins in: Oh! Things!
This past month I’ve mentioned a few items that might make that special someone a nice Christmas gift: mittens, gifts that help break the cycle of poverty, an air plant, home cooked meals made via Supperworks, and the gift of an experience.
I wanted to share another idea with you in case you’re still looking for a little something: A digital, instant-read cooking thermometer. Mark received this one from Lee Valley for Father’s Day and it’s become our secret weapon for juicy and perfectly cooked meats.
We used to have an old-fashioned meat thermometer with a dial on the top. In fact, we had a bunch because we kept buying new ones because we weren’t happy with the old ones. They’re all the same. You stick it in, pray you don’t hit bone, and watch as it slowwwwly tells you whether your entree is raw in the middle and whether the rest of your side dishes will dry out while you wait.
I’ve found our new digital thermometer to be handy for all kinds of foods, especially when I’m frying up chicken burgers or sausages on the stove, which always tend to look done to me but really aren’t. ALSO, I don’t ever want to eat undercooked chicken or pork. I’ve also used it while making yogurt. Getting the milk hot enough without it boiling over is critical.
The thermometer is easy to clean and folds away neatly. We’ve been using ours so much that we don’t bother putting it in the drawer anymore. It’s got a magnet on the back so its new home is on the side of the toaster, within arm’s reach of the oven.
But here’s the thing. This is not exactly a traditional gift. What’s worse, giving a digital thermometer may even be dangerously misinterpreted. For example, you might think you’re doing a kindness by giving one to your parents or inlaws but they may end up being insulted. The last thing you want on Christmas morning is a mother-in-law in tears because she thinks YOU think she can’t cook a turkey. So, it’s your call. :)
p.s. Speaking of turkey, you MUST watch this quick little video that shows the best way to carve a turkey. It’s genius.
