The cookware in the Giada De Laurentiis for Target collection is, alas, the same bakeware, cutlery, frying pan, utensils and food processor that you can buy anywhere. Giada didn’t design any of these products—and we wonder if she even uses them in her own kitchen (we’d imagine that a successful professional chef uses top-of-the-line professional products).

But, we thought, at least she could put her famous imprimatur on the food products.

Unfortunately, the pasta sauces and pasta are also the same that you can buy anywhere else. It’s a disappointment that Giada would put her name to them (and if you taste them, you won’t believe that she’d even eat them).

The best of the group. Photo by Katharine Pollak | THE NIBBLE.

However, we couldn’t find the vinaigrette on the Target.com website. You may have to take a trip to the bricks-and-mortar to find a bottle.

There’s a moral here: Just because your favorite chef has a line of products doesn’t mean the line is as good as the chef’s repertoire. This is the fourth “celebrity chef”-endorsed line that fails to please. In fact, we approach each new chef-endorsed line with trepidation.

On the other hand, hats off to Emeril: We seem to like everything he puts his name to.

Tip #2: Garnish sorbet with simple cookies.
Photo by Bruce Shippee | CST.

The solution: In advance of dessert, scoop balls of sorbet onto a tray, cookie sheet or plate covered with waxed paper. Keep in the freezer.

When you’re ready to serve, just plop the balls into a bowl, sundae dish, parfait dish or wine goblet.

We like to serve three scoops with contrasting colors. Add a crisp, elegant cookie or shortbread to the service plate, or garnish with fresh fruit.

• What’s the difference between sherbet, sorbet, granita and Italian ice and water ice? Find out in our Ice Cream Glossary.
• Find our favorite sorbet brands, recipes and more ideas in our Ice Cream & Sorbet Section.

A fine dessert sauce is so much more than an ice cream topping. It can transform an everyday brownie into a deluxe dessert, it can be a dipper for fresh strawberries or it can be a garnish that makes your desserts look like those from fine restaurants.

We were thrilled to discover Sassy Sauces, a line that currently has four chocolate sauces—Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce, Milk Chocolate Caramel Sauce, Peanut Butter Chocolate Sauce and Spicy Dark Chocolate Sauce—plus Rum Caramel Sauce. They’re fabulous.

From stuffing French toast to rolling truffles, we’re having a great time with Sassy Sauces. Read the full review to see how you can make desserts and entertaining easier (and tastier) with them.

• Find more of our favorite dessert sauces in our Dessert Sauce section.
• What’s the difference between chocolate sauce and fudge sauce? Find out in our Dessert Sauce Glossary.

For a simple yet luscious dessert, dip fresh
fruit into a top-quality chocolate sauce. Photo
by Robert Linton | IST.

Nourish your palate and body with a fruit
juice blend. Photo courtesy Minute Maid.

One winner will receive coupons to redeem for a month’s supply of Minute Maid Enhanced Pomegranate Blueberry-Flavored 100% Fruit Juice Blend. The tasty beverage is made from a blend of five juices and then enhanced with five nutrients to deliver additional nutrition, including Omega-3s Choline, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.

• THE PRIZE: Coupons four of the refrigerated, 59-ounce, multi-serve bottles of Minute Maid Enhanced Pomegranate Blueberry-Flavored 100% Fruit Juice Blend for the home, plus two 12-ounce, single serve bottles for grab-and-go occasions. Drink up—or make ice pops. Approximate retail value: $20.00

• To Enter This Gourmet Giveaway: Go to the box at the bottom of our Gourmet Juices Section and click to enter your email address for the prize drawing.
• To learn more about Minute Maid juices, visit MinuteMaid.com.

If you’ve got the grill fired up for burgers, chickens, fish and corn, grill up some dessert as well.

Grilled fruits like pineapples, peaches and other stone fruits (e.g. apricots, nectarines, plums) are delicious and festive fare.

Grilling caramelizes the natural fruit sugars, making the fruit flavor more intense.

Marinating the fruit in advance adds more flavor, although it isn’t essential if you’re short on time.
 
 
RECIPE: GRILLED PINEAPPLE & PEACHES

Ingredients

 
For The Marinade

This marinade recipe is from the Mayo Clinic.

 
Preparation

1. PEEL the pineapple and cut slices at least 1/2″ thick; cut the peaches or other fruits in half and remove the pits.

2. COAT the fruit in the marinade and let sit for up to four hours or overnight. This is easily done by adding the sliced fruit and marinade in a plastic bag. Remove the fruit with tongs when ready to place on the grill. Spray the grill with nonstick spray to prevent the fruit from sticking.

3. GRILL the pineapple 3 to 4 minutes on one side over medium heat, basting once or twice. Double the time for the thicker halves of peaches, plums and nectarines.

Brushing the fruit with melted butter or oil during grilling will help to keep the fruit from sticking to the grill grate.

If you have citrus-infused oils (blood orange, lemon or lime, e.g.), use those for another layer of flavor. Or if you have chile-infused oil, use it to add some heat.

4. FLIP the fruit and move to a cooler part of the grill (or reduce the heat). Baste again. Grill until tender and golden, another 3 to 4 minutes.

5. REMOVE to plates. Brush with the rum and sprinkle with the lime zest. Serve hot or warm with the optional ice cream.

[1] Great sliced and grilled (photo by Tat Pixmix | SXC).

[2] Luscious California peaches (photo © Frog Hollow Farm, which sells the peaches in season).

[3] Catalina plums, halved, pitted and ready to marinate and grill (photo © Good Eggs).