Molecular gastronomy kit This kit is just about good geeky fun. You get packets of agar-agar, calcium lactate, sodium alginate, soy lecithin and xanthan gum as well as all kinds of pipettes and tubing, and a DVD to show you how to use them. It’s like a kid’s chemistry set that lets you make your own spherical olives. $58.95, molecule-r.com (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Also check out more gifts for cooks and food lovers.
Digital probe thermometer Whether you’re watching a roast in the oven or boiling sugar to a specific temperature on the stovetop, a digital probe thermometer makes it easy to stay on top of what you’re cooking in the kitchen. $20 to $30, widely available (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
Digital scale Digital scales make measuring ingredients for baking much more accurate, and you can use the tare function and add successive ingredients as well. With more recipes using weights, it’s time to get on board. About $30, widely available (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)
Aqua Chef professional oven Finally, a sous-vide cooker for the rest of us! The water oven from Aqua Chef looks like a small home fryer but is made for extended cooking at low temperatures in water. About $160, http://www.aquachef.com (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
