35 holiday gifts to buy, give, inspire, make -- and receive

Homemade almond-cherry-coconut granola. Sprinkle a tablespoon or two on Greek yogurt for a healthful snack, or on top of ice cream for a more decadent bite. Click here for the recipe.

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Thomas Keller’s trademark dessert has a texture somewhere between dense cake and denser brownies.  (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Food scale.

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Crunch meets chocolate. Click here for the recipe.

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To give -- or keep for yourself.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

Salad bowl and spoons.

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Pastry bag.

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These can work for Hanukkah as well as Christmas. Click here for the recipe.

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Make plenty. These will go fast.  (Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

An easy -- and savory -- gift for salad-loving friends: Toasted garbanzo bean “croutons.” And a pretty jar filled with vanilla beans and sugar for the baker in your life, or the person who likes his or her coffee on the sweet side. Click here for more.

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Panforte is a heady mix of fruits, nuts and fragrant spices. Click here for the recipe.

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A Microplane grater.

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These marshmallow stars can be flavored with cinnamon, lemon, almond, coconut or vanilla. They’re a delightful gift and a delicious treat. Click here for the recipe.

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Use this oyster set for gift-giving inspiration.

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Food strainer.

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These holiday cookies are out of the ordinary. Click here for the recipe.

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Double steamer.

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Serve over ice cream. Click here for the recipe.

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Looking for some wine suggestions?

Join us at our food blog, the Daily Dish  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

A gorgeous bowl is always appreciated in a cook’s kitchen. Look around in flea markets, on-line and in vintage shops.

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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

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Conical strainer.

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These festive scones call for both fresh and crystallized ginger.   (Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times)

Casserole dishes.

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Gingerbread cookies are storybook perfect. Click here for the recipe.

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Rustic kitchenware, plus a container, look great next to a kitchen stove. Shop around on-line, in flea markets and in vintage stores.

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Dutch oven.

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Candied orange peel -- an essential holiday ingredient but also great as a gift.   (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)

Meat thermometer.

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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

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Marzipan stollen is a classic holiday recipe, particularly in Europe. Click here for the recipe.

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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

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A wooden salt cellar to grace the table.

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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

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Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila  (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Digital thermometer.

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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

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Mortar and pestle.

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Panettone is another classic from across the pond. Click here for the recipe.

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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

Get crafty this holiday season

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Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila  (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)

Frying pan.

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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

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Roasting pan.

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Holiday recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen

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Get inspired by Times Restaurant Critic S. Irene Virbila  (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)