I can’t believe it’s the Holidays already. Being Grill Girl gives me the opportunity to try out lots of different types of grilling gear, sauces and gadgets so here is my list of my “favorite things”. Keep these in mind for the grillers, BBQ enthusiasts, hotsauce fanatics and cooks in your life. These goodies would be gladly accepted in my stocking!

Grilling Gadgets:

Cast Iron Grates– these grates are truly that. They fit on your weber kettle, smokey joe or BGE (Big Green Egg) and give great char marks but also offer ease of use for moving the charcoal around as they are divided into 4 removable parts within the grilling surface. The cast iron holds heat longer and cooks more evenly while providing a non-stick surface. The inserts can be replaced with a griddle for making fun things like bruschetta on the grill! Standard kettle grill grates run $89.95. These are all the rage with hard core grillers these days!

Cuisinart Immersion Blender- I love my handheld blender so much I’m surprised I didn’t take it with me on my honeymoon. For the person in your life who is perfecting their perfect BBQ sauce or Hot Sauce, this dainty appliance will be their new BFF. Immersion blenders are my go-to appliance for just about anything indoors as they replace the need for using a stand mixer or chopper in most situations and I can use them directly in a saucepot while on the stove. These sassy blenders would be great stocking stuffers as they are only $29.99 from surlatable.com

The Maverick Infrared Thermometer for $59.99

Maverick Infrared Grilling Thermometer– this little gadget will measure the external temp of anything from about 5 feet away. Multi purpose use- point at air ducts to ensure your AC/Heat is working accurately. This does not read the internal temp of meats but is a great guideline for cooking temps on the grill. Would fit easily in a stocking! Find these at redenvelope.com for $59.99.

Microphone Tongs- These are just plain fun, especially when drinking, friends and music are involved. TRUST ME!! A friend of mine got these for my birthday and they are just plain AWESOME!! $12.99 at Surlatable…

Microphone tongs make grilling even more fun!!!

Chili Pepper Grill Rack and Corer- for the chili heads in your life this makes jalapeno poppers on the grill much less messy! It comes with it’s own corer. Great gift for $20.

Patio Bistro Infrared Grill- for the apartment or condo dweller in your life, this grill offers patio grilling and authentic char marks. I have grilled on the patio bistro 4 times live on television (indoors at the tv station) and it has never let me down! Order from charbroil.com for $179.99

Patio Bistro Grill- perfect for your condo/apt friends who want a grill!

Ghost Peppers- these are the hottest chili peppers in the world. People make hotsauces out of them and try them out of novelty. Purchase some to put in your chili pepper obsessed loved one’s stocking. These are also wonderful for “trading” at your local BBQ competition!!

Outdoor Gourmet Grilling Planks– These are the ORIGINAL grilling plank that were introduced into the market back in the 90’s. This company provides SUSTAINABLE planks obtained as refuse from local cedar mills right in the heart of the botanical cedar range. This means less fossil fuel consumption while also providing employment to the local town of Sandpoint, Idaho. The planks are beautiful make for a great table setting in lieu of serving your protein on a plate! Impress the foodie in your life with sustainable grilling planks from Cedar Country!

Your friends will love you for this cooler!

Mountainsmith Cooler Cube Tailgating Cooler- this cooler is perfect for bringing wine and beer plus food over to a party, boating, or tailgating. The fold out beverage holder is my favorite for the boat as we are lacking in cup holders! Never lose your beer again!! Here’s a promo code for a 20% discount on your order!!

Favorite Hot Sauces, BBQ Sauces, Condiments and spices – ie, stocking stuffers or “food basket” ideas for friends

Hoboken Eddies: Hoboken Eddie makes sauces likes it’s nobody’s business, and consider yourself lucky if you live somewhere you can purchase it locally. This former saucier has a nack for making sauces, of his many sauces I have tried, I liked them all. However, my absolute favorite is the THAI CHILI SAUCE and I have used this as a pizza sauce base to a hot sauce- it just compliments everything perfectly. I’m ordering it in bulk to give away as informal presents this year. This would make a great stocking stuffer or hostess gift.

Hoboken Eddies Thai Chili Sauce-great stocking stuffer and great on chicken!

Fire ant juice- enjoy the bite.

Fire Ant Juice Hot Sauce– this sauce is just so fun you can’t go wrong. The bottle comes with little (fake) ants crawling up the side and the taste, well- it won #1 in the 2010 Scovie Awards. This would be a cute stocking stuffer!

Big Bob Gibson’s White BBQ Sauce-

Enlighten your friends and family on this Southern novelty!

If you’ve never had the White BBQ Sauce of Northern Alabama, now is your chance to try. You can also make your own according to Big Bog Gibson’s Pit Master Chris Lilly. I interviewed him this year at Memphis in May.

Pork Barrel; sauces for the people!

Pork Barrel BBQ Sauce- These Kansas City turned DC guys really know their BBQ sauce and Rub. Heath and Brett know great BBQ in the pit and in the sauce!!

Tavern Direct– Much what Paul Newman did for Charity, Tavern Direct does for the Center for Missing and Exploiting Children. Based on the culinary offerings of the restaurant Tavern on The Green in NYC’s Central Park, this company offers artisan vinegars, oils and marinades great for the gourmand in your life. Check out my rosemary pepper oil cornish game hens or sweet potato packets on the grill for great ideas on how to use these!

Flavored oils and vinegars add a gourmet touch to your recipes!

Awesome Cookbooks

Awesome book and handy reference style size.

Adam Perry Lang’s BBQ 25– cool reference sized book with glossy coated pages that list the top 25 recipes you should know how to grill. This book is cool because it takes into account global grilling concepts and ideas.

Give your grilling some Italian flair.

Mario Batali’s Italian Grill– I like this book because it encourages thinking outside the “BBQ” box on your grill. This book is where I got my inspiration for my bacon wrapped asparagus recipe. You’ll find great ideas for pizzas, veggies and interesting meats in this book.

Tropical inspiration will lift your spirits this winter.

Steven Raichlen’s Miami Spice; The New Florida Cuisine- You guys know I live in South Florida and I think this book is a great recipe collection embracing the culinary diversity we have down here. This book will make you want to make yourself a mojito while making a chimichurri sauce to go with Christmas dinner.