droolicious : kitchen

Why French Cooking Kids Don't Get Fat

JeanneSager — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:01:00 GMT

One whiff of freshly baked French bread, and my hips grow two sizes. But I'm getting the feeling it will all work in the reverse with the new French Cooking Set from the Playful Chef.

So what's the secret?

Made for kids five and up, the latest in the line of cooking utensils made for kids but food grade for use in real kitchens, the French Cooking Set lets you cook up Parisienne cuisine with your kids. And if you've ever tried ANY project with your kids, you'll know you get more than your fair share of exercise chasing after them.

With their own toque, French rolling pin, measuring cups spons and baking pan, plus recipes for five "French" foods thrown in (French fries just doesn't sound as authentic as pommes frites!), your little gourmet will be galloping into the kitchen. Maybe you'l have a day to sit around and eat bon bons yet.

Get it from the Chocolate Cake Club for $28.95.

Save an Apple!

Heather Kuldell — Wed, 20 May 2009 17:35:00 GMT

Between trying to be earth-smart and penny-wise, I'm avoiding pre-washed, pre-cut and pre-packaged fruit and veggies and doing the work myself. Anyone else?

It's not a big to deal to put carrots and grapes in reusable containers so they're ready for lunches for the week. The apples, however, turn brown quickly after you cut them without the help of whatever the treatment is that gets put on pre-packaged slices. And for my not-so-fruit-loving kid, brown means it's "bad." Of course, it's not, but why even supply a loophole? If a whole apple is too much for your snacker, check out the Apple Saver by Evriholder Products ($3.99). Put the apple cut-side down, strap it in, and it's supposed to stay fresher (and not brown) longer.

Taco Night Made Easier: Kapoosh Taco Tender

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:00:00 GMT

If you're running out of ways to make taco night more interesting, well, the Kapoosh Taco Tender won't get the kids to try that veggie chorizo you've been digging. The Taco Tender will, however, make it that much easier to dish out the same three ingredients without cracking your shells, and with space for three tacos, it even makes a clever serving tray.

$5.71 (regularly $6.99) at Amazon.

Going Bananas for Play-Doh's Spring Line

JeanneSager — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 21:01:00 GMT

It's so not cool to say you're jealous of your kids, right? I don't care: all I ever got was those little plastic pots of Play-Doh. And after seeing the spring line of Play-Doh toys from Playskool, I AM jealous.

For starters, I'm being forced to live out my monkey madness through my daughter's new Coco-Nutty Monkey, a little critter that grows Play-Doh hair and a Play-Doh tongue. Tap his cute little tail, and he starts clapping, making Play-Doh shapes out of the interchangeable molds you strap onto his hands. As if that isn't enough of an improvement over our old Play-Doh snakes, the monkey's island home is full of molds, including a tiki torch that sports its own hair-raising lid.

For the kids who prefer their Play-Doh as a dish served cold, the Spaghetti Factory will hit the spot thanks to a meatball maker that rolls out perfectly round balls of Doh and presses for ragged-edged ravioli. With everything they need to cook you a special dish, right down to slotted spoons and veggie molds, they'll make you a meal that's on the house.

Both are available from Amazon - the Spaghetti Factory is $21.39, and the Coco-Nutty Monkey is half that at $10.49. Eat your jealous heart out Mom and Dad!

Souper! Action Figure Spoons Fight for Truth, Justice and Full Bellies

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Your kids are already playing with the veggie chili or curious-looking casserole you just set down in front of them -- why not see if you can nudge 'em a step closer toward getting the food in their tummies?

Looking like Justice League recruits from Planet Kitchen, Souper! Spoons are built to tackle just that challenge -- although we have to admit, they also look like they'd make great sidekicks for your Superman action figures.

Coming mid-April for $9.99 -- add to your wish list now at Perpetual Kid.

iWave Cube Portable Microwave

Chris Ford — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:00:00 GMT

When I went to college the closest thing to a kitchen appliance you could bring to a dorm room was a "hot pot." It was OK for hot chocolate and ramen noodles but not much else. I suppose the iWave Cube from iCubed is the modern day equivalent. The "world's smallest and first personal microwave" seems like it would be perfect for your kid's dorm room, but I can't imagine what else.

The iWave Cube takes up less than a foot of cubic space and is under 12 pounds. It also comes with a handy carrying handle for all your portable microwaving needs. It also will come in seven colors (in addition to the silver).

According to their web site, it will apparently be available in 2009, and no price point is given. But if you've got a kid who will be in the class of 2013, you might want to check it out at the insanely long URL: http://www.iportablemicrowavepopcornandfridge.com

Is That Plastic? No, It's Not.

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 17:30:00 GMT

We wouldn't recommend packing a ceramic container in your kid's lunchbox, but if you're looking for a way to store and reheat last night's mac & cheese without worrying about harmful chemicals leaching into your family's food, Yoyo Ceramics' Is That Plastic? collection provides a handy solution.

Available in three sizes -- butter dish (shown here), egg pot and small saucer -- the containers look like vintage Tupperware but feature none of the added, er, "special ingredients" you might find in plastics.

£9.50 (around $14 U.S.) and up from Thorsten van Elten.

Play With Your Food: Fred & Friends' Food Face Dinner Plate

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:30:00 GMT

The Food Face Dinner Plate by Fred & Friends borrows a concept from our of our favorite old-school drawing toys and transfers it to a modern kids' plate (minus the metal shavings, of course). There's no guarantee you'll be able to scoot those veggies past the funny face's beard and into your little one's tummies -- but at least you'll have fun trying.

Made from food-safe, high-fire ceramics and available mid-April for $7.99 -- add it to your wish list now at Spoon Sisters.

Train Your Iron Chef with Cooking Essentials Stainless Steel Set

Heather Kuldell — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:08:00 GMT

Every kitchen stadium, even a micro-sized one, needs the right tools to host a cooking competition. The Step2 Cooking Essential Stainless Steel Set furnishes fun with pots and pans that look as though they belong in mom and pop’s kitchen, but scaled down. The shiny set includes a stock pot, two pots, a saute pan, a colander, coordinating lids and two pot holders. All that left is to unveil the special ingredient.

Available on sale for $29.99 at Dinnerplates.com.

The Most Awesome Valentine’s Day Gifts

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:01:00 GMT

Ah, remember when Valentine’s Day was a couples affair? Chances are dang good that if you’re reading this blog, your special someone has multiplied into special someones. Fear not, we have a few recommendations for those immediate family needs, particularly those with a little sense of humor.

Kick off the day with a big “I love you,” but say it with toast. Order an “I Love You” Toast Stamper, press it on your bread of choice and pop the thing in the toaster. Mmm, crisp love for only $4.50 at Archee McPhee.

Little details can show your sweet side. Slip a French Heart-Shaped Sugar on the edge of morning coffee (or tea or hot chocolate). A 64-count box is on sale for $9.99.

Oh baby, the options for the wee babe are numerous, but I like the I Got the Beat T-shirt. Each American Apparel t-shirt features an anatomical heart and reads “I got the beat” in both English and Japanese. Available in baby blue or lavender for $18. BTW, there’s a matching stuffed ani ... er, organ too.

For your sweetheart’s sweet hair, check out the Hugs and Kisses Valentine’s Day Hair Clip. Each clip is a little smaller than 2 inches and handmade with wool felt. Pick one up for $10.95. (For more girly suggestions, check out Sunny’s list here.)

For the kids who like to cuddle, Mini Robot with Headphones take the edge off of robots. Each of these 6-inch plushies are hand-sewn felt and feature a big ol’ red heart and safety eyes. It’s a limited run and will cost $28.

For those who believe in magic, try the Heart Musical Fairy Wand. Spread the love with pure imagination or the chiming sound the aluminum alloy makes. Each wand measure between 10 and 12 inches tall and is prices at $4.99. Other designs are also available.

For the fighter (and not a lover), the Vermont Teddy Bear Company created the 15-inch Ultimate Lover. The bear’s gloves feature red hearts and the shorts read “You’re a knockout.” Silly? Absolutely. But even tough kids have a soft side somewhere. Bears start at $69.95 and can be customized.

For the parent who’s been extra good this year, treat him or her with a Sony Ericsson Cyber-Shot Camera Phone. The C902 is slim, but features a 5-megapixel camera with flash. Most cell phones on the market hover around the 1.3-megapixel mark or boast if they reach 3.2. Five, on the other hand, is a decent enough camera that leaving a separate device at home is actually possible. Available in a very Valentine-y Lusicious Red or Swift Black, it’s a splurge at $499.99, but it’s marked down from $549.

And for yourself, offer your partner a few Love Lotto scratch-offs. Each ticket offers a mix of winnings: french kisses, hot dates or get lucky. Woohoo! You both win! For $9.95, get 100 tear-out game cards.

Heart-Shaped Pancake Griddle is Cookin' With Love

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:30:00 GMT

Sure, it's an out-of-budget purchase in these tough times, but Nordic Ware's Heart-Shaped Pancake Griddle will keep the brood's tummies filled with love well past Valentine's Day. The heavy-duty pan cooks up seven mini (3") pancakes at a time, and its hand-washable nonstick surface promises an easy cleanup afterward. The sale price and "Made in USA" stamp are nice bonuses, too.

$19.99 (regularly $40) from Sur la Table.

CES 2009: Hello Kitty Kitchen Appliances

Chris Ford — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Is there any product that there isn't a Hello Kitty version of? While walking the floor at CES, the booth from electronics manufacturer Spectra had a whole bunch of Hello Kitty products. But the things that caught my eye were the kitchen appliances. A Hello Kitty toaster, coffee pot and toaster oven deserve a mention here, if only because I can't imagine anyone (other than college kids) actually using them in a kitchen.

But then again, the toaster makes toast with Hello Kitty's face burned into it.

Apparently the toaster is available now at Target stores, but the representative told me that the toaster oven and coffee maker weren't really big sellers. There is product info on all of the products on the Spectra web page, but you can't buy them there. I wasn't aware of this, but apparently Sanrio (the Hello Kitty company) doesn't allow Hello Kitty products to be sold online on web sites that aren't already associated with a brick and mortar store. Which is weird and kind of an old fashioned way of thinking I think, but there's always Target.com.

Hello Kitty Toaster, $19.99 from Target.com

BabyStyle Retro Kitchen 50% Off!

SunnyChanel — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:30:00 GMT

Kids, they love to pretend to cook. And it’s a great way to get them ready to start helping out in the real kitchen sooner than later. Here’s a stylish play kitchen by BabyStyle that not only has an old school retro style, but it’s over 50% off!

The Look Who’s Coming to Dinner Retro Stove and Sink, is a sturdy blue and silver play space that includes the built in sink, functional clock, turning and clicking knobs, plexi-windowed oven built-in shelving and a 4-burner stove.

Check it out here for $107.99 (regularly $220).

Wok This Way!

SunnyChanel — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 22:30:00 GMT

My daughter better like cooking. As a family unit, we spend a lot of time in kitchen, preparing dishes, prepping dinner, and exploring a variety of culinary treats from the plain (Mac and Cheese) to the more complex (Moussaka). We tend to cook dishes with origins from all over the globe, so our stove is no stranger to a good old fashioned stir-fry.

This wooden Wok and Roll stir fry set from The Land of Nod includes 3 shrimps, 3 mushrooms, meat, onions, pea pods, 1 pepper, 2 skewers, tongs, a dull wood knife and a spoon. A perfect way to get your kid used to whipping up some dinner for you when they’re old enough. By then, they’ll owe you a dinner or two. $24.95 here.

Kids Kitchen Utensils I'm Coveting

Erin Behan — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:34:00 GMT

While I love oohing and aahing at the cuteness of kids kitchen sets, I've always wondered at their practicality. Why not give kids kitchen utensils they can actually cook with? That question seems to have crossed the minds of the Head Chef designers. Their new line of kids cooking tools are made of high-grade silicone and suitable for cooking (practical) and are sure to get your kids in the kitchen with you. The utensils also feature bendable arms and legs and come in bright, kid-friendly colors (not so practical). Find them for your kids--or yourself--for $8.98 each at Broadway Panhandler.

Godfather Spaghetti Measurer Doles Out Servings You Can't Refuse

Aaron Burgess — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Nothing says, "Don't @#$% with me while I'm cooking," like a pasta measurer shaped like brass knuckles, eh? Built to measure the recommended serving size for your own mob, the Godfather Pasta Measuring Device lets you adjust from "Child" to "Triplets" to a whole famiglia, but as far as using it to fend off attackers goes, don't get your hopes up: It's way too thin to do any real damage.

$50 from Charles & Marie. [Via Uncrate]

Homebrew Microwave Popcorn for Family Movie Nights

Aaron Burgess — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:35:00 GMT

If you like your microwave popcorn free of diacetyl and would be all over Jiffy Pop if not for the idea of cooking in heated aluminum, this gizmo from Catamount could make a nice natural companion to your next family movie night. Drop a layer of kernels in the glass popper, set the microwave to 2:45, and enjoy your popcorn without oil or additives -- although if you don't mind a little fat, the butter-melting lid allows you to add some yummy to the corn as it cooks.

$20 from Sur La Table.

At Last, Kids Can Embrace the Dark Side of Their Toast

Aaron Burgess — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:30:00 GMT

While it's never easy to get kids to embrace overdone toast, this Star Wars toaster at least gives you a reason to scorch the old breakfast staple. Bread goes in light but comes out on the Dark Side, thanks to a burner that imprints Darth Vader's mug on each slice.

$54.99 from the Star Wars Shop [Via Gizmo Groove]

Digital Recipe Reader Holds Secrets for Grandma's Fudge, 2,499 Others

Aaron Burgess — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

Sure, having up to 2,500 beloved family recipes stored digitally could present even more of a hazard than filing them on cards if the kids start messing around with this digital recipe reader, but if you're looking to cut kitchen clutter (and don't mind dropping $300 to save some paper), go ahead and splurge. Besides the file, the reader also has three separate timers, along with conversion and substitition tools -- and considering it lets you upload and synchronize recipes online, you'll probably never lose Grandma's fudge recipe, anyway, even if your littlest mistakes the gadget for a video game.

$299.99 (ships early November) from Neiman Marcus.

Tavo High Chair From Monte Design Is Small And Modern

Chris Ford — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:04:00 GMT

The Tavo High Chair from Monte Design is a product I missed at the ABC Kids Expo this year, and it's definitely a regret. The Tavo is a basic under-the-table high chair that looks great and doesn't look like it will take up a lot of space in your home.

The Tavo High chair seat is made of black or brown "bonded leather" which is (as I learned) a type of recycled leather. It also makes it a soft-seat (which is kind of unique) and easy to wipe down. The base is solid maple (an appropriate wood type for a product made in Canada) and is for kids who can sit unassisted - six months to four years.

The Tavo High Chair, available now for $345 from MonteDesign.com

Fling Food With a Zing!

Heather Kuldell — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:09:00 GMT

Adding a Zing! to your utensil drawer is asking for trouble. But then again, trouble is usually a helluvah lot of fun. A Zing! is a catapult spoon for launching food at, well, whatever you want. I’d guess the spring handle flings food farther and faster than your average spoon but I haven’t tested it out yet. Just think, if you stock up and get in some practice now, you could be looking at a new and memorable Thanksgiving tradition. Mashed-potato accuracy games, anyone?

Available in red, green or purple for $8.99 at PopDeluxe.net.

This Cupcake is Larger Than It Appears

Heather Kuldell — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:34:00 GMT

This cupcake is a cake. A big one. Two, actually. Go for an eye-popping wow at your next celebration with the Giant Cupcake Pan ($32.95). The nonstick aluminum pan features a stump portion and the cupcake top, which you put together like a layer cake. The duo takes one box of standard cake mix, and assumably, loads of decorative frosting.

Bacon? That’s Mr. Bacon to You

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:11:00 GMT

Carnivores vs. vegetarians. Bacon vs. tofu. Can’t we just all get along?

Meet Mr. Bacon and Monsieur Tofu, a pair of vinyl figures shaped like very different delicacies. With bendy arms, the duo could act out a battle or perhaps negotiate peaceful living between those with differing palates. Purchase the pair together for $9.95.

Thaw Frosty Children with a Hot Chocolate Pot

Heather Kuldell — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:49:00 GMT

A mug of frothy hot chocolate is less a treat than an essential in crisp weather as far as I’m concerned. I mean, it’s milk, and milk is good for kids, right? A Hot Chocolate Pot makes the whole process seem a little more special. After you microwave the milk in the heat-resistant glass pot, add your chocolate — shavings, powder, syrup — and then use the frothing wand to mix it up. Don’t forget the marshmallows!

Available at williams-sonoma.com for $39.95.

Please the Pups with Hero the Hog Dog Steamer

Heather Kuldell — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:33:00 GMT

Nutrition nuts, this is not for you. But if you're pro-hot dog or at least bow to the power of quick dinners, a Hero the Hot Dog Steamer may be an appliance you should add to your kitchen. The dog-shaped steamer cooks up to six hot dogs in under 10 minutes, then it barks to let you know when they're done. Woof!