Chef Mojo

Christmas For Foodies!

Wondering what to get that certain foodie in your life for the holidays? Wonder no more! Bill Quick and I have got you covered over at Daily Pundit with this year's Weekend Cooking Thread Christmas Shopping List.

It’s that time again, so here comes the Daily Pundit Weekend Cooking Thread Christmas Shopping List. There’s something here for every taste and every pocket book, although I have to admit that the Chef and I stuck a lot of stuff in here that should be followed with “…after I win the lottery.”

But that’s what wish lists are all about, right?

We’ll keep this up until amazon.com says they can’t deliver in time for Christmas any more. You’ll see a bit of overlap, because the Chef and I tend to lust after similar things - like extremely sharp and expensive Japanese steel.

Have fun!

What Rocks?

Mauviel copper seriously rocks. I love this stuff. And I especially love it when I find odd pieces of it at Marshalls or TJ Maxx at a major discount. A month ago I found a 3 quart sauté and a 12 quart hammered stock pot. Friday evening I found an 8 inch fry pan.

Good copper is a true joy to use. I'm after a few Italian Ruffoni soup pots, as well. Lovely hand hammered pots. The perfect vessel for a slow cooked stew or soup. I want to do my next Guinness Lamb Stew in one of those babies...

Fujiwara Denka No Hoto Chef's Knife

Description from Japan Woodworker:

Denka No Hoto Chef's Knife, made by swordsmith Teruyasu Fujiwara the 4th, are among the finest in the world. He explains that the manufacture of these knives requires all of the sword making experience and techniques passed down in his family through the generations. As with famous swords of old, he has given these knives a name, Denka no Hoto which roughly translates to "Treasured Family Sword". Fujiwara knives are widely coveted by professional chefs for their incredibly sharp, long lasting edge.

Mr. Fujiwara makes the complete knife from start to finish. For the blade, he uses a proprietary #1 Blue high carbon steel made by Hitachi called Chigusa-kou forged laminated between two layers of stainless steel. Chigusa-kou has a higher carbon content and added elements. The blade is then hardened to Rockwell 65-66 and attached to a pakka wood handle with bolster and full length tang. Each knife is fully sharpened to a razor edge. Blade length is 7-3/4"; overall length is 13".

It's not a knife. It's a miniature samurai sword. It costs $430.00. I want one. Bad.