In the Kitchen with Pampered Chef

(my well-worn & seasoned pizza stone from Pampered Chef...this gets lots of use)

Like you probably have, I've been to my share of home parties over the years, from Tupperware to Premier Jewelry, Longaberger baskets, Southern Living at Home, Arbonne, Mary Kay, to Pampered Chef. Even had a few parties along the way & they are always fun. The one home party that I really like their products the most is Pampered Chef, so last night I invited a few friends over & we had a Homemade for the Holidays party, Pampered Chef style. I'm not sold on many products, but PC has some great things for the kitchen, so I don't mind inviting people over to see them. The hostess & my friend, Stacy, shared some delicious recipes from PC with us, so I'll pass them on to you...cause I'm a good friend like that.
My friends were listening to Stacy do her sales talk on the wonderful benefits of Pampered Chef products. They really are great. I have a few things like the mini-chopper (that I had to brag that I found at a yardsale for $5), the pizza stone, bread knife, garlic press, deep dish stoneware cooker (another yardsale find, brand-new), and a few gadgets. I do love the products, as does my sister. I think she has every gadget in the catalog. These friends were from church, my old church, my empty nester friends, and neighbors. Most of them had not been to our house before, so I did the grand tour. I think they enjoyed it.
Stacy, the hostess, demonstrating the microwave cookware. Don't have any of this, but it looks really great. I have my eye on a few pieces.

Catalog on the table. I whipped up some hot spiced apple cider & even though it was a warm evening, we enjoyed sipping & of course talking.
Stacy had us all help with whipping up 2 desserts & these were yummy. This is Festive Cranberry Crunch Bark & oh. my. goodness...is this stuff the best. You will keep on eating & eating & eating. I'm taking the leftovers to work. I really want to make some of this for the Holidays. It's THAT good & easy too! I am coveting this stone baking sheet. I think I'll have to get me one of those.
Pecan Butter Tarts were also delicious & yummy. Recipes to follow.
See how pretty they looked on the plates? You just break up that bark after it hardens...break and eat...simple!

So, tell me....what is YOUR favorite Pampered Chef product. Stacy went around the room and asked us all that question. I think my pizza stone (obviously) is my favorite, but I would like to have a few more things. The party went well, so I'll be able to get a few free things & a couple of half-price things. That's the advantages of having a party!

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Festive Cranberry Crunch Bark

1 package (20 oz.) vanilla or chocolate flavored almond bark, coarsely chopped

3/4 cup almonds

3/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

2 cups crisp rice cereal

Place rectangle stone into freezer at least 1 hour. Lay down parchment paper. Place almond bark into bowl & put in microwave 2-3 minutes until melted, stirring occasionally. Coarsely chop nuts with food chopper, place in microwave for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, stirring after each 30 seconds. Add cranberries, stir until combined. Stir rice cereal and 1/2 the nut mixture into melted bark. Pour bark mixture onto parchment, spreading evenly. Immediately sprinkle with remaining nut mixture; press lightly onto surface of bark. Remove baking stone from freezer, slide parchment paper on top. Let stand 7-10 minutes until bark is set. Bring edges of parchment paper up over bark & break into pieces. Eat & Enjoy!!

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Pecan Butter Tarts

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup cream cheese, softened

1 cup all purpose flour

Filling

2 Tbl. butter

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup chopped pecans

For tart shells, beat butter and cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Add flour; mix until a soft dough forms. Cover, refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350*. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place balls of dough into ungreased cups of a mini-muffin pan. Dip tart shaper (wooden thing from PC) in flour, press into dough to form tart shells. For filling, microwave butter in small bowl on high 30 seconds or until melted. Stir in brown sugar, egg, vanilla. Chop pecans, stir into filling.

Using small scoop, fill each tart shell with level scoop of filling. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan 3 minutes, remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely. Yields 24 tarts.

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Just thought I'd give you a sneak peak of hubby's office. The bookcase turned out fantastic. He hasn't gotten it all organized yet, so you get to see shoes & everything for now, but I'll be working on the window treatment this weekend. So far, it's turning out great. He loves it in there now!