If youve been to Target recently, you may have walked by the aisle full of Giada De Laurentiis brand new line of bakeware, cooking tools, and food. Who is Giada, you ask? Why, only one of my favorite Food Network chefs with her own cooking show dedicated to Italian cuisine! She has a wonderful show with recipes that are easy enough to follow that even I, definitely not a cooking extraordinaire, can bring a wonderful, fine restaurant-quality meal to the table.
Ive walked through the Giada for Target aisle and nearly drooled over all of the lovely things that I just knew would make me a better cook. 😉 So you can imagine my excitement when I found out I was going to receive some of Giadas line for review! And I was right, I am able to put some new yummy things on the table now! Partly due to Giadas recipe inspiration, and partly due to the jarred specialty foods I received with her label on them.
Now for the anticipated review! Lets start with the bakeware and cooking utensils
I received:
Giada De Laurentiis for Target 2-Quart Ceramic Oval Baker, $19.99
Giada De Laurentiis for Target 9 Ceramic Pie Pan, $16.99
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Silicone Spoonula with Stainless Steel Handle, $9.99
Giada De Laurentiis for Target 3-Piece Plastic Bowl Set with Pour Spout, $19.99
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Stainless Steel Balloon Whisk, $7.99
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, $15.99
Im very happy with the quality of all of the cookware I received the oval baker and pie pan are both made of a smooth, heavy ceramic that is tarnish resistant, corrosion resistant, odor resistant, heat resistant, warp-proof, and rust resistant. Both need to be washed by hand only. I love the presentation of these pieces, they are so simple and classic and are made to go straight from the oven to the table.
The 3-piece plastic bowl set is a favorite. I love the fact that they are made of a lightweight but sturdy plastic and the non-slip base makes mixing worry-free (nice, especially when youre cooking with kids who want to help). They are tall (no more splattering while mixing) and have an easy-pour spout. At $19.99, I think this is a great price for all three bowls!
I also received a silicone spoonula (with stainless steel handle), stainless steel balloon wisk, and a set of stainless steel measuring cups. I love cooking with all of these! I had never had stainless steel measuring cups before and these are very nice they are surprisingly heavy, too! The measuring cups are hand-wash only and the utensils are top-rack dishwasher safe.
Now for the Giada foods I received:
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Giada Blend Coffee, $6.99
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Black Olive Tapenade, $2.99
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Marinated Sun Dried Tomatoes, $3.49
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Marinated Roasted Red Peppers, $3.49
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Marinated Mushrooms, $3.49
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Genovese Basil Pesto, $3.49
Giada De Laurentiis for Target Eggplant & Pepper Pesto, $2.99
Lets start with the coffee. I received Giadas Blend ground coffee, a mild-medium roast, a toasty blend with a smooth, winey finish. It is delicious, especially when served with her Spiced Coffee With Cinnamon Whipped Cream recipe which I tried and loved. You make the spiced syrup first and add two tablespoons to each cup of coffee, so its super easy to make, too!
Now for the jarred goodies I received. 🙂 I had a blast playing around with these! As a lover of Italian foods and ingredients, I enjoyed adding them to our pastas and feasting at snack time. Each jar features serving suggestions, too, so I knew exactly how they were meant to be enjoyed. I think my favorites were the Eggplant and Pepper spread and the Genovese Basil Pesto they were recommended to be eaten with toasted bread or crostini so I made a special plate up for Emma and myself one day. We spread dinosaur-shaped toasted bread with layered pesto and the eggplant and pepper spread and it was SO good! Emma even gobbled hers up quickly, and shes been picky lately. 🙂
I am very pleased with everything I received from the Giada for Target line, both the grocery and bakeware. I will most definitely be adding more of Giadas pieces to my kitchen, and I know Ill be buying at least the Eggplant and Pepper Spread again. Its crave-worthy!
Giadas Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday
Plan ahead! Prepare most of your dishes ahead of time, rather than trying to cook everything at once. Youll feel less stressed and will be able to enjoy the party. Giada recommends leaving only one item for last minute prep this brings everyone into the kitchen and sets the tone for a cozy, comfortable evening.
Dont overdo your menu keep it simple! As a general rule, Giada suggests offering four to five appetizers. During the holidays, choose foods that have vibrant colors for an added festive touch. Also select foods that are beautiful to serve and easy for guests to eat.
For guests who pop-in unexpectedly, keep ready-to-serve delights in the pantry such as Giada De Laurentiis for Target Marinated Sun Dried Tomatoes, Marinated Roasted Red Peppers and Marinated Mushrooms for quick entertaining options. The Giada De Laurentiis for Target Genovese Basil Pesto and Eggplant & Pepper Pesto are also easy and delicious treats. Serve with toasted bread or crackers and display on a festive serving platter.
Create less work for yourself by using multipurpose kitchen tools. The Giada De Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Bakeware can go directly from the oven to the table. The bakeware beautifully displays the dish and makes less clean-up for you! Kitchen and food items also make wonderful gifts. Add a personal touch to a hostess gift by baking your favorite homemade pie in The Giada De Laurentiis for Target Ceramic Pie Pan.
If youre going to be hosting a Christmas dinner, Im sure those tips are helpful!
I hope this post helps you if you have been wondering whether or not to add Giadas line to your kitchen. I plan on using my lovely new bakeware to make a beautiful presentation for Christmas Eve dinner and using the jarred specialty foods to make delicious appetizers. I cant wait!
Lindseys Note: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Giada De Laurentiis for Target and received product samples to facilitate my review. All opinions and experiences are 100% mine.
Category: Parenting
