The staff at Get Cooking loves to test the latest kitchen tools and nosh on the hottest gourmet goodies. This holiday season, we want to share our favorite kitchen gear and edibles with you. Below is the first in a series of our favorite kitchen things. Bon appetit, and happy holidays!

By Lisa, Buyer for Chopontheblock.com

My favorite kitchen electric is the Breville Cordless Immersion Blender (approx. $99.95). It sits unobtrusively on the counter, always charged and ready to use. This blender comes with several attachments including a pitcher. I find it handy for blending salad dressings and mixing drinks. It will even crush up to eight ice cubes. The best feature is that you can blend or puree soups, sauces and gravies right in the pot, so no more fear of scalding yourself by pouring hot liquids from pot to blender and back. And did I mention it’s cordless? I’ve found so many uses for this tool, and it makes a great gift for anyone who loves to cook.

The one item I find indispensable in the kitchen is the Ken Onion 8-inch Chef’s Knife ($199.95). The blade is so sharp that it glides through anything like butter. The ergonomic handle is comfortable and lets you work quickly without your arm getting tired. I gave this knife to my husband, who is a chef and loves it. As an untrained cook, I have to say that I love it, too. It’s the first knife I reach for when I start cooking dinner.

If you are looking for an exceptional food gift for the holidays, consider the Deeply Fudgey Brownies from Moveable Feast in Geneva, Illinois. These are the brownies Oprah featured on her show in 2005. Made with dark chocolate, they straddle the line between brownie and fudge and are downright delicious.