Serving

There never seems to be enough ice. Whether it is a party atmosphere, and somebody has to go on an ice run, or if it is simple everyday use that continually depletes the ice trays, ice is a commodity worth more than its weight in gold water. The perfect solution for cooling down drinks on a hot day, ice is always in demand. Either on the rocks or in the rocks, the transient nature of ice makes it a party favor that is difficult to keep in stock. Luckily, there is a back up plan for easily making more.

Placating … Read more

Dieting is hard enough if you're a reality show contestant with a personal chef and a trainer at your beck and call. For those of us left to our own devices in ordinary kitchens, we've got to remove every possible obstacle if we're going to meet our goals. That's where products like the Measure Up Bowls come in. These microwave- and dishwasher-safe porcelain portion bowls keep you on track by letting you serve proper portions right in the bowl you're eating from. Nothing extra to wash, and you can simply eat--and enjoy.

The bowls come … Read more

Hosting a gathering is never easy. There's the menu to be considered, eating preferences to be anticipated, and last but certainly not least, the drink selection to be determined. After all the preparation is over and it's time to greet the guests, it's not uncommon for hosts to run through a mental checklist: hors d'oeuvres? Check. Music? Check. Appropriate lighting? Check. Cold drinks? Che--uh-oh.

Faced with the unpleasant proposition of facing off with a thirsty crowd, party hosts in need of rapidly chilled beverages have little recourse. They can toss drinks in the freezer for a … Read more

When you're decorating cupcakes, cookies or other baked goods, it can seem like you need a whole box full of decorating supplies, which is more work than anyone who isn't a master baker wants to take on. The Kuhn Rikon Frosting Decorating Pen has simplified the whole process, even eliminating the need to squeeze on a tube full of frosting. The pen offer two speeds to save your hands and get the frosting on your treat a little faster. It also has five different decorating tips: not only can you use frosting to write messages, but the decorating … Read more

Everybody appreciates a home-cooked meal. Oddly enough, often that home-cooked meal is had away from home. At parties, the standout on the spread is always, without exception, the homemade food. People gather around the food, tasting it, asking questions about what's in it, or simply saying how delicious it is--hopefully. Naturally, some food will travel better than others, but no matter if you are making chili or dip, you are going to need a way to get it to the party.

Doubling as a serving dish and a cooker, Proctor Silex's Citrus Colors 1.5 Quart Slow Cookers … Read more

The typical method of transporting your sandwiches to work or to school is to put them in baggies. Of course, that means that you use a new baggie every day you make a lunch. That's not particularly good for either your pocketbook or the planet. The Wrap-N-Mat offers a simple alternative, however. The mat has a food-safe liner that allows you to wrap up sandwiches without worrying about mess getting out or dirt getting in. When you get to lunch, you just unwrap your meal and eat on the unfolded mat. The Wrap-N-Mat wipes clean between meals, and it … Read more

As the weather turns warmer, the joyful sound of the ice cream truck driving around the neighborhood becomes more common. And since I have no intention of paying $4 for a Sponge Bob-shaped treat with gumball eyes, I've stocked my freezer with less expensive, if more boring, boxes of chocolate and vanilla goodness.

Whenever my parents serve ice cream, they first microwave the container for about 30 seconds. I prefer my ice cream cold, so I usually just leave it out on the counter for a few minutes to soften enough for easier scooping. But apparently, so many people … Read more

Bento boxes are an easy solution for me when packing lunches. They offer an easy way to manage portions, tend to be sturdier than Tupperware, and are often cuter to boot. But because of the size and shape of most bento boxes, packing a freezer pack or something else to keep food cool just doesn't work out so well. The Gel-Cool Bento Boxes seem to have solved that problem, however. They come with a lid with a built-in gel pack that you can freeze overnight. Then, in the morning you can pack your bento box like normal. Cover it … Read more

A great serving platter can make even the most basic snacks stand out. You can showcase your chips, fruit, or pretzels--as well as your environmental sensibilities and your good taste--in a vinyl snack tray created from actual vintage 12-inch albums.

And because you want to make a specific statement about your musical choices, you can choose from rock essentials, '80s pop, or crooners such as Sinatra and Dean Martin. You can even choose your own artist, provided your choice is included on the short list of options.

Coordinating coasters and bowls are also available, but using everything all at once … Read more