Wilton's Mega Sized Cookie Sheet & Muffin Pan Won't Leave You Wilted! + Recipe Ideas!

   

I don't know about you, but our kids seem to eat us out of house and home sometimes and they are only a toddler and a school aged child! I'll make a dozen cookies or muffins and they are gone before I can say "Would you like a ...?" Ok, so maybe it's not truly that quick, but you know what I mean! What's it going to be like when they are teenagers?! I'm scared of what the grocery bill will be when that time comes! Scared I tell you! 

I started freezer cooking recently and it's been one of the best things ever! You simply take some time to be sure to get all the ingredients for the items you plan to make and freeze. Then you set aside one day to do a large batch of cookies, muffins, casseroles, meals on the stovetop, or to dump all required ingredients in a large Ziploc bags to simply be thawed and thrown into your slowcooker at a later date.

It may seem like a lot until you get the hang of it.  But it's not hard! You're making one mess on that day and it saves you time and money! And it ensures that you always have healthy meals that you can turn to on those days when you aren't sure what to make for dinner, or when you've had a busy day. And if you get your spouse and children involved in helping do the prep work, it takes no time to get everything ready and frozen. All while teaching your kids life skills in the process! 

I recently discovered Wilton's oversized Perfect Results Non-Stick Baking Sheets and Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick 24 Cavity Muffin Pans!  Being able to cook large batches with one tray or muffin tin is a godsend, especially for parents with young kids who don't have the luxury of time. 

Most large sized cookie sheets are approximately 11" x 17". The oversized Wilton Perfect Results Non-Stick Baking Sheet is 15" x 21" gives you a lot more space. Whether you are baking a large batch of cookies, individual pita pizzas or anything in between, you will be able to fit a lot more on there than your typical large sized cookie sheet! This is especially important when making larger batches, or baking for a family that has lots of kids! The cookie sheets are great! So far, we have used them to make cookies, Slow Cooker Jalapeno Popper Chicken Taquitos, (the tomatillo sauce recipe for them is to die for!) and mini pizzas. 

The oversized Wilton Perfect Results Premium Non-Stick 24 Cavity Muffin Pan gives you the power to bake 2 dozen muffins, cupcakes or other items at one time, in one pan! This is great if you are baking muffins for school lunches that can easily be frozen! Or instead of using 2 traditional muffin pans to make 1 batch of boxed cake mix, or waiting until the 1st pan is done baking to re-fill it for a second round, you can do it all in one shot!  You could also bake some Bacon Breakfast Cupcakes to save you some time in the mornings when you are rushed! I found a healthier recipe online to make a basic muffin batter. The recipe gives you the opportunity to mix and match your ingredients at the end so you can use up what you have on hand, or make a few different variations. You can easily double or triple this recipe. This allows you to make only one actual batch of batter, but then split it up in different bowls, and fold in different fruit, nuts, shredded veggies, etc to make a variety of flavoured muffins in one shot! I actually quadrupled the recipe and made a dozen each of Blueberry & Toasted Coconut, Apple Cinnamon, Banana Raisin & Lemon Cranberry. (The basic batter recipe gives you ideas on what you can add to the batter, if you aren't sure where to start.) 

I was happy with the results from both pans after using them for a variety of items. Both the baking sheets and the muffin pans have a limited 10 year warranty, are very sturdy, and have a non-stick coating. You can practically wipe them clean with a paper towel!  Even though they are oversized, they do fit in a regular sized oven. While they are also in fact dishwasher safe, it would be a challenge to get them into a typical residential dishwasher. I could not get it to fit in mine, due to the size of the pan.  You might also have to be a bit creative in terms of finding a suitable storage solution for them, particularly for the muffin pan which is higher. But they should fit in most stove drawers underneath the oven. They do all fit in mine. 

These oversized baking sheets and muffin pans can be found at a variety of retailers such as Winners, Homesense, Kitchen Stuff Plus, Bulk Barn as well as some other stores and independent retailers. Some stores only carry either the cookie sheet or the muffin pan, while some carry both. If you are looking for a specific item, be sure to check online or call ahead to be sure your store carries it. The baking sheets retail in Canada for approximately $18.99 and the muffin pans sell for approximately $22.99.  

Happy baking y'all! 

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

   

Rachael Ray's Bakeware Is Practical & Perky Like She Is!

   

I've been watching The Rachael Ray show for years and have always wanted to get my hands on her bakeware. I've been admiring those colourful casseroles and all those other items she has created for her personal cookware line for some time now. The colours are so cheery and the items are so sleek and trendy. 

I recently had the opportunity to try out a bunch of Rachael Ray's bakeware and her EVOO dispenser that are available to us here in Canada. Unfortunately, we Canadians don't have access to the multitude of colours she has available in her full cookware line in the U.S., but we do have Orange and Eggplant!  If you love the purple colour called "Eggplant", you can find the 9X13 Lasagna Lover baker and the Divided Dish in this great colour, in addition to Orange. All other items, (so far anyways), are available here only in the bright Orange hue. If you start getting excited looking at the Rachael Ray Store, hold back, because they do not ship to Canada. (Boohoo!)

I loved each and every one of the pieces that I got to try out! I love the colour! I love the shape! And I love the functionality of them all! Do I sound excited? If it didn't translate through all my exclamation marks, then let me tell you one more time - I loved them! Like many of her recipes, these items did not let me down!

First off, this bakeware is dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe up to 500F/260C. The handles on them are great! Unlike many casserole dishes that have flat horizontal handles, these have raised handles that smoothly slope up from the main part of the dish. They are super easy to grab when using pot holders to take something out of the oven, thanks to the oversized holes on the handles. I find them easier to carry around than conventional casserole dishes. Full casserole dishes are often heavy, especially with the larger ones, so it's important to have a good grip on them when taking them out of the oven. I made a bunch of different things in these dishes, most which included cheese.  And we all know how cheese is notorious for becoming hard and sticking to casserole dishes, making elbow grease a necessity when cleaning!  While they are not classified as non-stick, I did find them be very easy to clean afterwards with very little scrubbing. Who doesn't love an easy to clean casserole dish?

To no surprise, the 9" X 13" Lasagna Lover is ideal for baking lasagna. In fact, it's great for practically any casserole. The way the dish slopes lower in the middle allows the heat to better circulate inside the dish, promoting better browning on top. I made my Grandmother's Hashbrown Casserole, and a batch of Rachael Ray's Que Pasta Mexican Mac & Cheese in it and it was perfect! The contrast of the purple dish against the browned top was beautiful! This dish retails for $59.99 and is available here in Canada at Walmart and at Target. If you want the Eggplant colour though, you'll have to get that at Target as Walmart is only carrying the Orange. 

The 2-Piece Bubble & Brown Oven Ovals are not named "Bubble & Brown" by coincidence! Like the Lasagna Lover, the slope of the dish in the center gets those casseroles bubbling hot and gets that cheese on top nice and brown! This 2-piece set nests nicely together, making them easier to store in the cupboard. It includes a medium 2-1/4 quart sized baker, as well as a small 1-1/4 quart baker. I love the shape of these dishes! They are perfect for practically any casserole, along with desserts like Apple Crisp,  Fruit Cobbler, and No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake!  Just be sure to modify your recipe to be certain it's the right amount for the dish you choose to make it in, as most recipes call for a 9X13 dish. These retail for $59.99 and are available at Target. 

The Casseroval is a 4-1/4 quart covered deep oval baker. Its extra wide handles are great for gripping this dish and comes in the colour Orange only here in Canada. This dish is great for large batches of pasta! While it's not made for use on the stovetop itself, it would great for reheating a big batch of chili or stew in the oven and even slow cooking a small roast on low in the oven. It retails for $49.95 and is available here at both Target and Walmart.

The 14" Divided Dish is great for entertaining, as well as everyday use. You can easily put 2 different types of vegetables on either side of the dish so that they don't touch - a sacrilege in some children's eyes! LOL Or one side macaroni salad and the other side potato salad. You could put tortilla chips on one side and salsa or a nacho dip on the other side.  There are so many uses for this dish! This one comes in Eggplant as well as the Orange and is available at Target. It retails for $49.99.

The 3 Quart Round Baker is a nice size to use for a large batch of pasta, or even for Chicken Pot Pie! Shepherd's Pie, Quiche Supreme or even a no-bake cheesecake would work and look great in this one too! It retails for $39.97 and is available here at Walmart.

Her 10oz Ramekins are handy for dips, sauces, condiments, or even single servings of pasta like lasagna. You could even use them for a small side of veggies for a single or 2-person family or make mini desserts in them. They would easily double as a very small mixing bowl when making small amounts of sauces or condiments. You will find them here in Canada in Orange only, and they retail for $6.97 each at Walmart.

And of course, these Rachael Ray items wouldn't be complete without her 24oz EVOO Bottle! In Canada, this oil cruet is available in Orange. It's a great tool for maximizing the life of your olive oil, and makes drizzling oil a cinch. It retails for $16.99 and is available here at Target and at Walmart.

These Rachael Ray items are practical & perky like her personality & the only thing I would change is to add lids that either come alongside the dishes or be available for purchase as an accessory. They can be a bit of a challenge to cover with tin foil when baking because of their unique design. Thankfully, casseroles don't typically require covering, so it's not that big of a deal. It's a very small price to pay for such a colourful, enjoyable product with a one-of-a-kind design! Wrapping them with foil just takes a bit of creativity.

For great recipes from Rachael Ray, I recommend her cookbook Look + Cook! This cookbook is great not only for delicious and easy recipes, but also for beginner cooks who aren't confident in the kitchen. Each recipe lays out step by step pictures, along with general instructions, making them fool-proof. You can find this cookbook at any bookstore or at your local library!

Using one of Rachael Ray's catchphrases, I give these products a huge "Yum-O!" (Which is also her non-profit organization!)  And one final word? Please, oh please, oh please, bring more colours and products to Canada, eh?! 


***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

    

CW By CorningWare Is A Hit In Our House!

  

It's the time of year again when we start craving comfort foods like soups, stews and casseroles. Some even feel like the doom and gloom of the autumn/winter season is on the horizon. Whether you look forward to or dread this season, add some colour to your life and infuse some pizzazz and flair into your fall cooking!

I love colour! It makes me feel energized and happy, and I love serving colour on the table. Not only does it look great, but I feel like it appears more appetizing to my kids. And you can never go wrong with that! Unless of course they are eating you out of house and home, then you might really want to dull it down! LOL 

CW by CorningWare is one of their latest lines. As these gurus of casserole dishes put it: "This is not your mom's CorningWare!". It's bursting with colour and comes in new trendy smooth shapes. Their 4-piece set is a great buy. It's an investment in a long lasting casserole sure to bring both functionality and style for years to come! Just like our moms' original casseroles from years ago, they keep on giving and have lasted for decades. I still have some of my mom's original Blue Cornflower CorningWare casseroles that I use to this day!

Included in the CW by CorningWare 4-piece set is the 1.9 quart Twilight Purple Shallow Baker, the 3 quart Pool Aquamarine Baker, the 1.5 quart Vermillion Red Baker and the 20 ounce Curry Yellow Baker. They nest into each other for compact storage and have a limited 1 year warranty. The stoneware bakers feel very durable, and are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe.   It does not indicate on the packaging that it is or is not freezer safe, but if it's anything like the typical CorningWare casseroles, then I would expect that they would be. I would say try at your own risk.

Like a lot of stoneware, their bottoms can be a bit rough, so be sure to place them on a trivet, pot holder or tea towel when serving on a counter or table top. It would be great if they came with lids for at least some, if not all of the bakers.

The smaller yellow one would be a great size for making individual meals like shepherd's pie or lasagna. The purple shallow baker would be ideal for entertaining. It could be used as a colourful serving platter, or for this hot spinach & cheese dip recipe. (Not what's in the picture! LOL) The other two sizes would be perfect for all of your other typical casserole uses.

I used mine this morning (yes, this morning!) to put together a quick and simple casserole for my child's lunch. I simply boiled up some fresh packaged pasta, mixed it with some leftover sauce and sprinkled it with shredded cheese and dried parsley. Voila! - A meal that's easy on the eyes and on the elbows. No elbow grease was required in the cleaning of this baker! LOL  I had lightly sprayed the casserole with cooking oil spray before putting the pasta and sauce in, and the dish was a cinch to clean!

This CorningWare 4-Piece Casserole Set and their matching individual bakers are available where most CorningWare products are sold and retail for approximately $49.99 here in Canada.

Happy Fall Y'all! :)

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

35 Free Activities + 10 Bonus "Almost" Free Ideas of Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer!

   

After the initial elation regarding not having to make any more school lunches for a few months passed, I was quickly met with the realization that I hadn't thought too much about what exactly we were going to do all summer long to keep the kidlets happy & occupied!

So I started to compile a list for myself and thought I'd do the same for my you, my loyal InfoMommy followers, as I know that you're likely in the same boat too! (Ahhhh, wish I was on a boat right now! LOL)

So here's InfoMommy's list of FREE things to do to amuse yourselves this summer, along with a couple of bonus almost-free activities too!

FREE:
1)  Take a trip to the local library to rent books, movies, video game for free! (Some communities are even offering free transit to those en route to their local library, which makes it a double bonus if transit is something different for you and your kids!)
2)  Park hop to check out all the different playgrounds in your area!
3)  Hop around to all the Splash Parks in your community and don't be afraid to get in yourself! ;)
4)  Organize playdates with friends and other moms!
5)  Join online mommy groups on Facebook etc to be in the know if things arise for free in your neighbourhood and to meet up with other like-minded families!

6)  Set up a sprinkler in your yard!
7)  Head to a local beach!
8)  Have a picnic!
9)  Get in touch with parents of your child's school buddies to set up a playdate!
10) For older kids, keep a journal every day of their summer experiences and activities that they've done throughout the summer, including pictures, leaves, etc!
11) Switch up your water table by putting sand in it, or vice versa! (Or try getting a cheap one off Kijiji!)
12) Inquire to see if the arts community in your area are putting on any free child-friendly concerts throughout the summer!
13) Attend or call your local Early Year's Centre both for activities to do there and also to find out what they know going on in your community!
14) Make sock puppets with leftover material or an old sock, buttons, etc!
15) Make a puppet theatre out of an old box for your sock puppets!
16) Ask to see if any organization in putting on outdoor movies throughout the summer months!
17) Have a Lego building competition to see what everyone comes up with! You can either let them come with whatever they want or give them a theme!
18) Go to a Lego store if you have one in your area, as they often have free builds, or a free play area within the store for your kids to use!

19) Get your kids to wash your car for/with you! (Double bonus! LOL)
20) Have a drawing competition outside with sidewalk chalk! (Or inside with paper if it's a rainy day!)
21) "Paint" the sidewalk with water using old paintbrushes and a bucket of water!
22) Make your own giant bubbles and bubble wands!
23) Call your local Fire Dept, Police Station or Safety Village to see if they have any kid related events throughout the summer and/or if you can organize a tour of the facility! (ie: Cops & Fishing, etc)
24) Use sidewalk chalk to draw different hopscotch designs!
25) Play board games and/or swap some with other friends to change up what games you have available to play! (Or hit up garage sales for them!)
26) Bake something! (Some websites/apps let you enter key ingredients that you have on hand and gives you recipe suggestions.)
27) Check out the internet for kid-friendly science experiments using household ingredients that you already have.
28) Plan some random acts of kindness for those in need! Or just because!
29) Check out your local Home Depot or other building supply store to see when their free children's build clinics are!
30) Check out your local craft store like Michael's to see when their free kids' craft workshops are!

31) Create an alphabet or number treasure hunt where the kids have to find something for each letter/number! (Double learning bonus!)
32) Crank up the music and have a dance party! Switch up the genre of music and change your dance moves! (Double bonus for burning calories at the same time!)
33) Check out your local greenhouses to see if they have any kid play areas or activities!
34) Build a fort inside with couch cushions and blankets or sheets!
35) Make your own play-doh!

ALMOST FREE BONUS IDEAS:
1) Buy some reading/writing/counting activity workbooks at the dollar store to keep up with what they have learned throughout the school year or help prepare them for Kindergarten!
2) Play-doh! (If you have to go out and buy some! Dollar Stores often have it now!)
3) Tour some of your local conservation areas
4) Visit local farms with child friendly attractions and activities
5) Take an outing to the dollar store to get some cheap craft supplies
6) Buy a white board & dry erase markers and re-use them to draw silly faces or play pictionary (Small ones are great for road trips!)
7) Play a round of mini-putt golf!
8) Buy some wooden birdhouses or other items from the dollar store to put out in your yard.
9) Hopefully a bird will move in, giving you another bonus activity - birdwatching! (With or without binoculars!)
10) Get some take-out and make yourself an impromptu picnic!

ENJOY!!! :)

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****

   

Show Me Your Paw Patrol Cookie Badge!‏

 

Sometimes, you just need to be rescued..... Sometimes it's for something serious, and sometimes it's to make your child's birthday dreams come true. The Paw Patrol gang are usually the ones that do the rescuing, but this time, it was CheapCookieCutters.com!

This show, which is on TVO here in Canada, and Nick Jr in the U.S., is loved by my son with a capital L! Being that it's a brand new program, it is very difficult to find anything that is legitimately Paw Patrol, except for craft sites like Etsy. Add to that a child's birthday party theme request and we have a celebratory dilemma.

I went online searching for badge cookie cutters as I wanted to fabricate a Paw Patrol logo for his cake or make decorative cookies as part of the loot bags. I found only 2 websites offering a badge. One was out of stock, and the other was CheapCookieCutters.com!

I contacted them, and got a very prompt response. I had it shipped to me and voila - Paw Patrol themed cookies by InfoMommy were born -  thanks to the creativity of those at CheapCookieCutters.com! (And to the inventor of edible icing! Without that, my son's beloved Chase the dog picture would never have been featured on the cookie! LOL) 

CheapCookieCutters.com has over 2,000 cookie cutters available and if you are searching for something that they don't actually have, you can customer order! How paw-riffic is that? They guarantee to ship within 2 business days and are made in the U.S., giving you great quality. Almost all of their cookie cutters are made of steel plated tin and are sturdy and a pleasure to use.

If you are looking for something unique, or for your run of the mill cookie cutter design, consider CheapCookieCutters.com. If you are searching for all things Paw Patrol for a party, check out the Nick Jr website. They have all sorts of printables that you can use to plan and decorate. While your child might think that these adorable puppy characters are heroic, he or she will think you are the real hero! 

You can use this great recipe from Company's Coming to make your next Sugar Cookie creation!

Ingredients

3/4 cup Butter, softened    
3/4 cup Granulated sugar 
1 Large egg
1 tsp Vanilla 
2 cups All-purpose flour (I use whole wheat flour) 
1 tsp Baking soda    
1tsp Cream of tartar
1/4 tsp Salt     
1/4 tsp Ground cardamom (optional)

Directions

Cream margarine and sugar in large bowl. Add egg. Beat well. Add vanilla. Beat until smooth.

Combine remaining 5 ingredients in small bowl. Add to margarine mixture in 2 additions, mixing well after each addition until no dry flour remains. Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Shape each portion into flattened disc. Wrap each with waxed paper. Chill for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Discard waxed paper from 1 disc. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 1/8 inch (3 mm) thickness. Cut out circles with lightly floured 2 inch (5 cm) cookie cutter. Roll out scraps to cut more circles. Arrange about 2 inches (5 cm) apart on greased cookie sheets.

Bake in 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes until edges are just golden. Let stand on cookie sheets for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool. Cool cookie sheets between batches. Repeat with remaining disc. Yield: Approximately 7 dozen cookies.

***This sample product was provided free of charge.

***** These views are mine, and mine alone. As with anything, you are responsible for assessing whether this item and/or activity is safe and suitable for your specific needs. InfoMommy does not make any warranties of any kind, expressed or implied, and assumes no responsibility and/or liability for any actions taken as a result of this blog post.*****