Genius New Amazon Kitchen Arrivals: December Recipes to Elevate Your Holiday Cooking
December is a magical time of year, filled with festive gatherings, heartwarming traditions, and, of course, delicious food. As we approach the holiday season, many of us find ourselves spending more time in the kitchen, preparing elaborate feasts and delectable treats for our loved ones. To help you elevate your holiday cooking game, we’ve curated a list of genius new kitchen arrivals from Amazon, paired with mouthwatering recipes that are sure to impress. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a culinary wonderland!
Embrace the Holiday Spirit with These Amazon Kitchen Finds
Before diving into the recipes, let’s explore some of the must-have kitchen gadgets and appliances that will make your holiday cooking a breeze. These new Amazon arrivals are not only practical but also incredibly stylish, adding a touch of elegance to your kitchen décor.
1. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer: Your All-in-One Culinary Powerhouse
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer is a game-changer for busy home cooks. This versatile appliance combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, air fryer, steamer, sauté pan, and more, allowing you to prepare a wide variety of dishes with ease. Imagine perfectly cooked roasts, crispy air-fried vegetables, and flavorful stews, all in one convenient device.
**Recipe: Rosemary Garlic Pot Roast**
This classic pot roast recipe gets a holiday twist with the addition of rosemary and garlic. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer makes it incredibly easy to achieve a tender and flavorful result.
**Ingredients:**
* 3-4 pound beef chuck roast
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 celery stalks, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. Season the chuck roast generously with salt and pepper.
2. Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté function and add olive oil. Brown the roast on all sides.
3. Remove the roast and set aside. Add the onion, carrots, and celery to the Instant Pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, rosemary, and thyme and cook for 1 minute more.
5. Pour in the beef broth and red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
6. Return the roast to the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
7. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release for 15 minutes.
8. Remove the roast from the Instant Pot and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Spoon the vegetables and sauce over the roast and serve.
2. The Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender: Unleash Your Inner Smoothie Artist and More!
The Vitamix A3500 Ascent Series Smart Blender is a high-performance blender that can handle any task, from making smoothies and soups to grinding nuts and kneading dough. Its powerful motor and intelligent features ensure consistent results every time. The self-detect technology automatically adjusts blending times based on the container size, and the touchscreen controls are easy to use and clean.
**Recipe: Cranberry Orange Smoothie**
This festive smoothie is packed with vitamins and antioxidants, perfect for a healthy holiday breakfast or snack.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 cup frozen cranberries
* 1 orange, peeled and segmented
* 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
* 1/2 cup almond milk
* 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
**Instructions:**
1. Place all ingredients in the Vitamix A3500 blender.
2. Select the Smoothie program or blend on high speed for 60 seconds, or until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
**Recipe: Creamy Butternut Squash Soup**
Another great use for the Vitamix, perfect for warming up on a cold winter day.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 onion, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 cups vegetable broth
* 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Pinch of nutmeg
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toss the butternut squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until tender.
3. In a large pot, sauté the onion until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Add the roasted butternut squash and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a simmer.
5. Carefully transfer the soup to the Vitamix blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. (Alternatively, use an immersion blender.)
6. Return the soup to the pot. Stir in the heavy cream (if using) and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat through and serve.
3. The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer: A Timeless Classic for Baking Perfection
The KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer is a beloved kitchen staple for a reason. Its powerful motor, durable construction, and versatile attachments make it ideal for baking everything from cookies and cakes to bread and pasta. The tilt-head design provides easy access to the bowl, and the various speed settings allow you to control the mixing process with precision.
**Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies**
No holiday season is complete without gingerbread cookies. This recipe is easy to follow and yields perfectly spiced and chewy cookies.
**Ingredients:**
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/2 cup molasses
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
2. In the bowl of a KitchenAid stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
5. Divide the dough in half, wrap each half in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one half of the dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread shapes.
8. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with icing and sprinkles as desired.
4. The Cuisinart Food Processor: Chop, Slice, and Dice with Unmatched Efficiency
The Cuisinart Food Processor is an indispensable tool for any home cook. It can chop, slice, dice, shred, and puree ingredients with remarkable speed and efficiency, saving you valuable time and effort in the kitchen. The large capacity bowl is perfect for preparing meals for a crowd, and the various blades and discs allow you to customize the processing to your specific needs.
**Recipe: Cranberry Relish**
This tangy and sweet cranberry relish is a perfect accompaniment to your holiday turkey or ham. The Cuisinart Food Processor makes it incredibly easy to prepare this classic dish.
**Ingredients:**
* 1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries
* 1 orange, quartered, with peel
* 1 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. Place the cranberries and orange quarters in the bowl of the Cuisinart Food Processor.
2. Pulse until the cranberries and orange are coarsely chopped.
3. Add the sugar and nuts (if using) and pulse until well combined.
4. Transfer the relish to a bowl and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
5. The Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker: Achieve Restaurant-Quality Results at Home
The Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker allows you to cook food to precise temperatures, resulting in perfectly cooked and incredibly tender dishes. Simply attach the cooker to a pot of water, set the desired temperature, and immerse your food in a sealed bag. The sous vide technique ensures even cooking and prevents overcooking, making it ideal for delicate proteins like fish and steak.
**Recipe: Sous Vide Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce**
This elegant salmon dish is incredibly easy to prepare using the sous vide method. The result is perfectly cooked, moist, and flavorful salmon that is sure to impress your guests.
**Ingredients:**
* 2 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skin on or off
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Salt and pepper to taste
**For the Lemon-Dill Sauce:**
* 1/4 cup mayonnaise
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. Preheat a water bath to 125°F (52°C) using the Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker.
2. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Place each fillet in a separate zip-top bag and drizzle with olive oil. Seal the bags, removing as much air as possible.
3. Immerse the bags in the preheated water bath and cook for 30-45 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.
4. While the salmon is cooking, prepare the Lemon-Dill Sauce. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well and set aside.
5. Remove the salmon from the water bath and carefully remove the fillets from the bags. Pat dry with paper towels.
6. If desired, sear the salmon fillets in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side to create a crispy skin.
7. Serve the salmon with the Lemon-Dill Sauce.
More Amazon Kitchen Finds to Consider
Beyond the five key items mentioned above, here are a few additional Amazon kitchen arrivals that might be helpful for your holiday cooking:
* **Digital Kitchen Scale:** For precise measurements in baking.
* **Silicone Baking Mats:** Prevents sticking and easy cleanup.
* **Mixing Bowls with Lids:** Convenient for storing ingredients and leftovers.
* **Cookie Cutters (Holiday Themes):** To make your gingerbread cookies even more festive.
* **Turkey Baster:** Essential for keeping your turkey moist and flavorful.
* **Meat Thermometer:** Ensure your roast is cooked to perfection.
* **Garlic Press:** Makes mincing garlic quick and easy.
Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Cooking
Holiday cooking can be stressful, but with a little planning and preparation, you can enjoy the process and create a memorable meal for your loved ones. Here are a few tips to help you stay organized and relaxed:
* **Plan your menu in advance:** Decide what dishes you want to make and create a detailed shopping list.
* **Prep ingredients ahead of time:** Chop vegetables, measure spices, and marinate meats the day before.
* **Delegate tasks:** Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family members or friends.
* **Set the table in advance:** This will save you time and stress on the day of the event.
* **Relax and enjoy the process:** Remember that the most important thing is to spend time with your loved ones.
Conclusion
With the help of these genius new Amazon kitchen arrivals and these delicious recipes, you can create a memorable and stress-free holiday cooking experience. From the versatile Instant Pot to the powerful Vitamix blender and the timeless KitchenAid mixer, these tools will empower you to elevate your culinary skills and impress your guests. So, embrace the holiday spirit, gather your loved ones, and get ready to create some unforgettable memories in the kitchen!
Happy Holidays and happy cooking!