The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Manual Holiday Gift Guide: The Foodie

By Ann Binlot Published August 6, 2021

For the Foodie Who Is Short on Time: Blue Apron
This subscription meal service does all the shopping and measuring for him, so all he’ll have to do is cook.
$9.99 per person, per meal, at blueapron.com

For Salt Lovers: Chef Salt Fab Premium Holiday Collection
This kit will make sure their food is always perfectly seasoned.
$30 at fab.com

Recommended Videos

For the Morning Person: Galaxy Desserts Morning Buns
What better way to wake up than with a warm gooey morning bun?
$44 at williams-sonoma.com

For the Home Cook: Glass Herb Keeper
This will make sure herbs stay fresh for a long time, so that their meals will be full of flavor.
$19.95 at crateandbarrel.com

For the Guy Who Eats Avocado Toast: Harold Import Company Avo Saver
Avocado toast was one of the trendiest food items last year and this handy contraption will help you keep them fresh.
$7.43 at amazon.com

For the Spendthrift at the Bar: Personalizable Leather Wrapped Flask
He’ll always have a swig ready so he won’t have to spend big bucks at the bar.
$29.95 at gifts.com

For the Aspiring Mixologist: Craft Cocktails
This recipe book will teach them everything they need to know about mixing the perfect craft cocktail.
$35.08 at amazon.com

For the Cheese Obsessed: Bedford Cheese Shop Regional Box
This box will have a fine selection of cheeses from all over the world.
$45 at bedfordcheeseshop.com

For the Oenophile: The California Wine Club Signature Series
They’ll have a new bottle of fine wine every month thanks to this subscription service.
Visit cawineclub.com

For the Fine Foodie: Savory French Macarons
Foie Gras, Black Truffle and Roquefort macarons will be sure to blow their minds.
$19 at richart-chocolates.com

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ann Binlot is a New York-based freelance writer who contributes to publications like The Economist, Wallpaper*, Monocle…

Food & Drink

How to cook salmon: A complete beginner’s guide

Have you tried salmon en papillote?

Raw salmon on plate

When it comes to seafood, Americans can't seem to get enough salmon. I wasn't really a fan growing up because I thought it had a particular fishy taste that I didn't like. Little did I know, it wasn't being cooked properly, and I actually like it a lot now. Folks love this beautiful fish for its heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, its culinary versatility, its gorgeous flavor, and its stunning hue.

Salmon is a regular weekly staple in many homes, and for good reason. This multi-talented little beauty shines in just about any preparation, be it baked, broiled, steamed, poached, seared, or grilled. So, if you've only ever explored just one or two of these delicious methods, it's time to up your game and try out a new preparation for how to cook salmon. You may just find a new favorite.
Shopping for salmon

Food & Drink

Oven, smoker, and more: How to cook ham for the holidays

The best ways to cook ham in an easy step-by-step guide

Man cutting ham in the kitchen

It's nearly Easter, and that means in addition to organizing the family's egg scavenger hunt, you need to start getting the menu together for your holiday spread. Of course, no holiday menu is complete without a juicy ham at the helm of it all. Ham season is in full effect ... and yes, we said ham season.

Cooking a ham at home is the route to take, as it can be the main event for a large gathering like an Easter dinner and maybe set you up for sandwiches, soups, and casseroles for weeks to come. And don't get me started on pairing it with a lovely holiday wine and some killer side dishes to bring everything together. After multiple Christmases, Thanksgivings, and Easters at my home, I'd like to think I know a thing or two about how to do a ham some justice.

Food & Drink

How to cook steak: Your guide to the 6 best methods

Which is your favorite? Maybe more than one way

Steak on a cutting board

If you love a good steak (who doesn't?), you probably have a tried-and-true method of preparing your favorite cut. Perhaps you're a grill master who swears by the charred and blackened grill marks that can only come from fiery, open flames. Or maybe you're committed to your cast iron, devotedly basting your beautiful steak in garlic-infused butter as it sizzles on the stovetop.

I personally am a huge fan of pan searing and then finishing in the oven, but no matter what your favorite steak-cooking method, there's something for everyone and more than a few ways to get absolutely delicious results every time. These are the best methods on how to cook steak. Try them all!
Grilling