Holiday Gift Guide & What I Cooked Last Week
My 2024 Gift Guide, Healthy Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry, Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Basil Parmesan Oil, Crispy Feta and Pomegranate Salad.
Hi everyone,
I hope you’ve had a great week! With the holidays approaching, I thought it might be helpful to put together a gift guide featuring some of my favorite things. These are items I use all the time and genuinely love.
In the guide, you’ll find a little bit of everything: small kitchen tools that I use daily, splurge-worthy pieces you’ll treasure for years, the one skincare product I can’t live without, and so much more.
I’m also sharing a recipe for a creamy, light, and incredibly easy tomato ricotta pasta I made last week. It requires minimal prep, and the oven does most of the work—perfect for a busy weeknight.
What I Cooked Last Week! ↓
Tomato Ricotta Pasta with Basil Parmesan Oil
You can make the most magical and creamy pasta if you roast tomatoes and ricotta and then mix in some garlic and pasta. It gets finished with a delicious basil and Parmesan-infused oil.
You can download the PDF recipe above and watch the video here :)
Here it is: My 2024 Gift Guide! 🎁✨
Small Gifts for the Kitchen (Under $20)✨
Bench Scraper: My favorite kitchen gadget. If you watch my videos, you know how much I love this tool! It makes it so easy to scoop up chopped ingredients from a cutting board and transfer them into a bowl, pan, or pot.
Salt Box: I like to keep my salt in a box as I prefer to pinch it with my fingers rather than use a grinder. It gives me better control over how much I’m adding to a dish. This wooden box is not only functional—with a swivel lid for easy access—but also pretty.
Maldon Sea Salt: My go-to finishing sea salt. It has large, crispy flakes that add the perfect salty pop to any dish. I also use it for desserts, like vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of Maldon.
Microplane: This tool is a must. It’s amazing for grating Parmesan over a dish or zesting citrus.
Julienne Y-Peeler: I use this peeler for so many of my dishes, especially when I need to quickly julienne carrots. It’s much faster than using a knife and gives you these beautiful long strips.
Graza “Drizzle” Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: My favorite finishing olive oil! The squeeze bottle is super functional, too, and allows you to easily control how much oil you’re adding.
Larger Gifts for the Kitchen (That Will Last a Lifetime) ✨
A Dutch Oven and/or Cocotte: I equally love Le Creuset and Staub—they are both the gold standard and incredibly durable. I’ve had a blue 7.25-quart Le Creuset for a decade and it’s just like new. I recently got the slightly smaller 5.5-quart Staub cocotte in lilac, which I’ve been loving and is such a pretty color.
Staub Cast-Iron Skillet: I highly recommend this 11-inch skillet with high sides for searing meat or making a one-pan meal. I use it all the time.
Made In 12-inch Stainless Clad Skillet: Another skillet I turn to almost every day. It’s excellent quality and retains heat evenly.
Global Chef’s Knife: An essential tool for prepping—this has been my main knife for years! It’s lightweight, comfortable, and razor sharp.
Scanpan Wok: I get asked so many questions about my wok, so here it is! I love that it’s sturdy and nonstick.
Beauty and Skincare Gifts ✨
I keep my beauty routine minimalist, sticking to a few key staples.
Lanolips: I keep this in my pocket and apply it all day long! It’s not sticky and doesn’t smell or taste weird. It has a really nice shine and leaves your lips feeling plump. Obsessed.
Merit Day Glow Highlighting Balm: I use this balm every time I do my makeup—it gives a gorgeous, subtle glow without any sparkle. (Sparkles are strictly reserved for Halloween, Burning Man, or a Taylor Swift concert, lol!)
Bronzing Cream: This has been my go-to bronzer for years. It’s great for a natural, healthy glow.
Stila Eye Liner: I use this black eyeliner every day to make a little wing. So easy to apply and waterproof!
Gua Sha Empress Stone: I swear by gua sha and this was my go-to stone for years! I feel like it really helps depuff my face and also boosts blood flow, which supports collagen production. I switch between this stone and another more pricey one, but I think the Empress Stone is a fantastic choice if you’re just starting your gua sha journey. Danna Omari has a great tutorial on YouTube here if you want to learn how to use your stone :).
Olaplex No.7 Bonding Hair Oil: I’ve been using just a few drops of this oil every day. I love how it moisturizes the ends and keeps my hair shiny without weighing it down.
Dr. Dennis Gross DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro: This is a splurge, but I have no regrets. I’ve been using it for a year now, and it really has improved my skin. The red light increases collagen production and reduces fine lines, while the blue light targets acne-causing bacteria. (I’m no expert, but that’s the gist!) It’s pricey, but it’s been worth it for me.
Gifts for the Wardrobe ✨
I’m a creature of habit when it comes to clothes and shoes (just like with my makeup and beauty routine). I stick to the basics I love and often end up buying the same piece in multiple colors!
The '90s Marlo: My favorite pair of baggy jeans. They are so comfortable that I have them in a bunch of colors. I wear the black most often.
Zara Marine Straight: I love these wide leg pants and also have them in several colors.
Alo Legging: These are the only workout leggings I own—they are the best. They’re so comfortable that I also wear them around the house or when I’m running errands.
Dr. Martin Platform Boots: I love these boots for an edgier and slightly dressed-up look.
Chuck Taylor All Star Platform: I have these in white—they’re my go-to sneaker for every day.
Hoka Clifton 9: I recently got these sneakers and love how cute they are for athleisure, but I also find them great for working out and running.
Free People Happiness Runs Crop Tank Top: I’m sure you’ve seen me wear these all the time in my videos. They are so comfortable and perfect for when I’m cooking. I have them in every single color, lol.
Free People Muscle Tank: I also have this tank in several colors and wear it for working out, paired with my Alo leggings!
Books 📚✨
I hadn’t been reading much these past few years, but last Christmas, my sister-in-law gifted me A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, which got me back into the swing. (Thanks Catherine!). I still need to finish the series, but I loved the first two!
Others I loved from this year:
The Guest by Emma Cline: Another recommendation from my sister-in-law (she has great taste!). I loved that the main character is a total mess and not someone you’re necessarily rooting for.
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren: This is a cute love story—it’s a bit of a slow burn, but I liked it.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy: A memoir by a Nickelodeon star about an abusive relationship with her mother. It’s dark, but she also brings a good amount of humor into the writing. It was a complete page turner for me.
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin: A birthday present from my friend Laz. This is an amazing read if you do creative work—it really helped me tap into my creativity and follow my inspiration.
And finally, the one cookbook I think everyone should own:
Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat: You might be surprised to learn that I’m not the biggest cookbook reader, but this one is my absolute favorite. You’ll become a better cook just by reading it.
I hope these recs sparked some ideas for your wish list or helped you find the perfect gift for someone you love. Happy gifting and enjoy the holiday season!
Love,
Maxine