It was more of a case that my lazy fingers couldn’t keep up with my racing thoughts!
(There was a book I read several years ago titled “Eats Shoots and Leaves” with a drawing of a panda holding a smoking handgun on the cover; and how putting commas after the first two words in that title yielded a very different meaning.)
Thank you everyone - both for the suggestions and the laughs!
(This same child does have a “Let’s Eat Grandma - Commas Save Lives” tshirt, so you all are more on point than you know. 
)
I recommend you pay attention for Penzey’s spice GCs to go on sale, and give that as a present. I’m guessing they could also advise what good starter spices would be. I’d start looking at Macy’s or Kohl’s or wherever you normally shop for spoons, spatulas, etc. How about glass storage bowls? You can get sets from Costco fairly inexpensively.
I was going to suggest a gift card for Penzey’s with the suggestion that he wait until closer to his cooking date to actually get the spices. Paired with a small spice rack maybe?
I know a lot of people use online recipes, but my foodie kid says you need one good cookbook. He has Joy of Cooking, and Alton Brown, and really uses them both.
When he got his first place of his own, we got him a selection of ten Penzey herbs and spices, really the basics (cinnamon, nutmeg, oregano, a meat rub, curry…a variety). It was enough to get him started.
Our kids both have really good frying pans (All Clad) and Le Crueset Dutch ovens (we got them as gifts for them).
Good pot holders are a must.
You can’t make good comfort food without good tools…so this IS on topic!
Our kids have the pampered chef chopper (so do I) and I can’t live without it.
Sometimes Penzey’s has a special on gift cards. Last time I bought them I got a free gift set of spices. I have gotten different box sets free on multiple occasions. It makes a nice gift with the gift card. My kids favorite blend from them is Galena street. It’s versatile and tastes great on chicken. I also like their Italian herb. They also have a blend for pizza and one for frozen pizza.
@abasket you started me on a matcha spree. I’ve been making one almost everyday working on proportions and techniques. Today I cooked up some blueberries I had in the back of my fridge and made a blueberry matcha latte. This time I also pulled out my frother and made a cold foam with the almond milk.
I LOVE influencing people’s food and drink choices! 
how did you incorporate the blueberries? Whole or otherwise.
I had some blueberries I had bought for the grandkids that they hadn’t eaten. I cooked them with some maple syrup and a bit of water. When cool I put them in the nutri bullet and puréed them. I will try straining it before I Make my next one. The Korean tea shop I go to they macerate the berries with probably sugar so it’s a thicker berry component.
I haven’t baked in a while because with just the two of us, baking usually generates too many calories per person 
, but today I made a coffee cake. I gambled a little. I did not have ricotta so I used up the Israeli farmers cheese I had and added a couple extra tablespoons of sour cream, and it still turned out very good!
Here is the recipe:
“ Fig Cake
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 40 minutes
Inactive time: 15 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 2 6-inch round cakes
Enjoy!”
Late to this discussion, but if you want to “wait”, give him a G.C. to Penzey’s.
I just ordered a cookbook, The Talisman of Happiness, which is apparently the Italian version of The Joy of Cooking, a basic and comprehensive guide for new cooks. https://www.amazon.com/Talisman-Happiness-Italian-Cookbook-Written/dp/0316577995
I actually pre-ordered it from Thriftbooks for a 20% discount.
A friend of mine argues that The Silver Spoon is the iconic Italian cookbook, but admits that the recipes are vague and assume a basic level of kitchen competence. Apparently Marcella Hazan learned a lot from The Talisman of Happiness so we will see.
The NYT published an article about TTOH: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/29/dining/ada-boni-italian-cookbook.html
On another note, I had a good time last weekend air frying Babybel cheese. I dredged each cheese (obviously remove the wax) in flour, egg, and seasoned breadcrumbs (twice in the egg and breadcrumbs, “double baptized”) and cooked at preheated 400 for 5 minutes in the air fryer. Nom nom.
1- Pyrex containers are great, and not that expensive. I think Costco had an 18 piece set (nine containers, nine lids) for $36. Also, Pyrex 1, 2 & 4 Cups measuring are invaluable. https://www.amazon.com/Pyrex-Measuring-Cups-3-Piece-Clear/dp/B00M2J7PCI/ref=sr_1_1?crid=VLYU9LVQ4RLI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Qf5ni1ds9Qu8qwlTgVgg0DqyIJuRWUpNMEdxge1MSDsz_SbErkQtptuoQzbUPmBzTAuK9IHdtvtPGXCy9tjs9xDLWaz3u5RKxGdn_lL1VTjlt_v3m0oXozLoRF5JHfIf54AFgBtPpa_k_8MyOLCIrv-Mc-Sc_JYiO2nBEW4XObuOPkENyJPqM-RwrwbzR6zMQG4YwN1x2ERerOX4EtmMNgNYiZrkCqR3Uqjj1WkxSl9FsW6FNKpMSX8wBvv7jZs17xN3JNExtInpLorA_YJgDDRGBYEJWs1sR4V6ysmxshc.rMlLMdXqYZtN8YHNo1W6WJ1Fm_kJej3nlL0dmm8sQMY&dib_tag=se&keywords=pyrex+measuring+cup&qid=1759634280&sprefix=Pyrex+%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-1
2- I agree with the Penzey’s gc suggestion. He can build/customize whatever he wants/or you think he needs, in either 1/4 C or 1/2 C sizes. Gift Boxes | Penzeys
3- I know you said big utensils…but if he needs measuring spoons, I love these. They stick together magnetically (neat in drawer) and are two sided. The longer, narrower side works well with and fits great into spice jars. The rounder side works well with liquids. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DJ53GZQ/ref=ewc_pr_img_4?smid=A3QFIDSTYG34PA&th=1
4- Rice cooker: since he already has an InstaPot for a lot of rice….maybe get a small rice cooker. Niece has a Dash 2 Cup that she loves. Doesn’t take up a lot of space. https://www.amazon.com/DRCM200GBWH04-Steamer-Removable-Nonstick-Function/dp/B07G5WJBQN/ref=sr_1_8?crid=Y89DI8VX5D7X&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XNAn6T7Hr3zveYkGQXi-4mnuSwM4EatVvkqcd5bkCKWX-vzFlw62_1hp2bVRkbPimodbmxemybSYrWvh2JaE3AbTRILd0wtbeY3YtjBoyM5NctdyXS4nmksxbF5HTu57JR1tUyOSOBGyyCnJzSZRur7T6hFKeXtDDVd-qVSVg7lix-EXRd32zbNVoHfcdSMnf4fwy51VdHgmBODVxCEXszBg4jiPE9Nn9k14frRsrRA.ib8HzqvLO5fdFIoiNl0lKiMtX6Eqdp7zlYXBNO77u6o&dib_tag=se&keywords=small%2Brice%2Bcooker&qid=1759633836&sprefix=small%2Brice%2Bcooker%2Caps%2C219&sr=8-8&th=1
5- When Goskids left the nest, both got Breville toaster ovens, that did multiple functions (toast/bagel/broil/bake/roast/etc) which they loved and still use. I purchased a few smaller pans, baking sheets for them.
6- A couple of GOOD quality knives.
I made this today so it was ready when we returned from seeing One Battle After Another. It was delicious with warm crusty French bread.
Our garden hasn’t given up yet, so last night was an all vegetable dinner, butternut squash soup and Mark Bittman green beans and tomatoes. Colloquially known as Bittman Beans in our family.
I’m making curried Butternut Squash and Apple soup tonight. It’s supposed to cool down here this week and it will be nice to have this soup. Plus, we have a ton of butternut squash!!
Mine was curried too! No apples though – carrots, celery, potato, onions. Homemade veg stock.
I just wanted to give a big thank you to everyone for food equipment and other suggestions for Xmas gifts for my boy. I really appreciate it!
We had, “Cowboy Stew,” for dinner tonight. Good football food. Better for cooler weather than we are having, but I’m just ready for food like this.
I’ll skip the baked beans, but I think DH would definitely enjoy this. Will try it this week instead of the chili I’d planned to make.
