Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

This might be my husbands favorite new recipe... to eat. He occasionally asks for rice krispy treats, but they are pretty boring to me. Pampered Chef came through for me again with an awesome recipe!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

¼ cup dry-roasted peanuts 3 cups mini pretzel twists (about 1 2∕3 cups coarsely crushed), divided 3 cups crisp rice cereal ¾ cup butter (1½ sticks), divided 1 bag (10.5 oz) miniature marshmallows ½ cup light corn syrup, divided 1 bag (10 oz) peanut butter morsels 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Coarsely chop peanuts using Food Chopper; set aside. Place pretzels into large resealable plastic bag; coarsely crush using flat side of Meat Tenderizer. Set aside ¹∕3 cup of the pretzels. Place remaining pretzels and cereal in Stainless Mixing Bowl.

Place 6 tbsp of the butter in Classic Batter Bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30–45 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows; microwave on HIGH 45–60 seconds. Stir until marshmallows are completely melted using Mix ‘N Scraper®. Immediately add marshmallow mixture to mixing bowl; mix thoroughly. Spread crust evenly over 9x13 pan; firmly press into pan using waxed paper.

Combine 2 tbsp of the butter and half of the corn syrup in Small Micro-Cooker®. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 30–45 seconds or until melted. Stir in peanut butter morsels; mix until melted (mixture will be stiff). Spread peanut butter mixture over crust using Small Spreader.

For ganache, place remaining butter and corn syrup in Small Batter Bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30–45 seconds or until melted. Stir in chocolate morsels; mix until smooth. Spread ganache evenly over peanut butter mixture. Sprinkle with peanuts and reserved pretzels. Place in freezer 5–10 minutes or until ganache is set. Cut into 24 squares; cut squares in half.

60th Birthday Cupcakes

We just celebrated my handyman's 60th birthday. For his party I made some special chocolate cupcakes. The recipe was inspired by a recipe in the new Pampered Chef Desserts Cookbook coming out this spring. The cupcakes have a truffle in the center. After you back the chocolate cupcakes, take the kitchen sheers and cut an "X" in the top. Push the truffle in the center so it melts to a gooey center. I topped these with Cream Cheese Icing. I only had 12 truffles, so 12 other cupcakes didn't have a filling.

I used the shaker to sprinkle cocoa on the top of the cupcakes that had a truffle inside.

Many other versions are possible: caramel, rolo, chocolate covered espresso beans, jelly/ jam, etc...

Chicken & Asparagus (Broccoli) Risotto Skillet

This is a recipe that will be added to my monthly rotation - YUMMY and EASY!! It's a Pampered Chef Classic.

I wish I would have taken a picture, but honestly we ate it too quickly for me to run to the office to get the camera... oops! Maybe I'll post a picture the next time I make it. This picture is from another blog: http://mrsbowles.wordpress.com/

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 tsp salt, divided

1/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 lb fresh asparagus spears, cut into 1 1/2-in. pieces (about 2 cups -- I substitute Broccoli)

2 cups milk

1 cup chopped onion

2 oz grated fresh Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup)

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1 tbsp lemon zest

2 cups uncooked instant white rice

Directions:

1.Heat oil in Skillet over medium-high heat 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Dice chicken into 1-in. pieces. Combine chicken, 1/4 tsp of the salt and black pepper in large bowl; toss to coat. Cook chicken 4-5 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Remove chicken from Skillet; set aside.

2.Return Skillet to heat; add soup, asparagus, milk, onion, cheese, garlic, zest and remaining 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in rice and chicken. Cover; let stand 5 minutes. Yield: 6 servings

I'd love to help you bring dinner to your table in 30 minutes or less by hosting a cooking show. Visit my website to view all the great products you can get FREE for hosting!

http://www.pamperedchef.biz/bridothager

Pork Loin in the Microwave

Pork loin in the microwave, how can this be? Well would you say the same thing to a whole chicken in the microwave for 30 minutes? I can tell you I was skeptical at first as well. Now microwave chicken is one of my favorite things-- cheap too! I can get a whole chicken for about $4.50. I can make it for dinner and have leftovers for quesadillas, pizza, salad topping or soup. Tonight I finally tried my hand at the 10-12 minute pork loin. You would think it might be rubbery and dry, but oh quite the opposite. This is what I did:

• Use your favorite rub/ seasoning with a little oil and season it generously
• Place it in your DEEP COVERED BAKER
• Microwave with the lid on for 10-12 minutes
• Check the temperature with your digital thermometer - should read at least 160
• Let it sit on the counter for 10 minutes with the lid on again
• Slice and serve

I'm planning on making my husband barbecue pork sandwiches for lunch tomorrow... maybe he'll make them for himself since he has a snow day! I made noodles, fresh bread and broccoli to go with it. Dinner took only about 25 minutes! There are so many great recipes to make in your deep covered baker, what are you favorites?

Butterfinger Brownies

Looking for a twist to a normal box of brownies? Add a Butterfinger (or any other candy) to the batter. I used my all encompassing CHOPPER. If you don't have one - you have to get one soon. Here are some of the ways I use mine to chop the following fast:

• Leftover meat for soups, quiches, pot pie, dips
• Chocolate chips or candy bars
• Vegetables (onion, peppers, celery, carrots, etc...)
• Nuts
• Homemade bread crumbs
• Oreos/ graham crackers - for crust

The list goes on... I used to think that you just use it with the small bottom it comes with, but now I know I can chop away on my cutting board as shown above. It's important to use a pampered chef cutting board and not a glass cutting board. If you use a surface other than plastic it dulls the blade of the chopper. How do you use your chopper?

Pampered Chef - January Specials and Shows

As many of you know I love Pampered Chef so much-- I sell it!! I love that this is my hobby. I love cooking, baking and helping families and friends come together with great food. I'm going to start showcasing new Pampered Chef recipes - maybe even show pictures of when I make them.

I'd love to cook for you at your very own cooking show. If you're not interested in having a cooking show we can also get you some great tools by just having a catalog show (taking your catalog along to friends and family). Many of my friends and family have been cooking much more than ever because they have the right tools in the kitchen.

I am going to be placing an outlet order this weekend. You can view special outlet items by following these steps to my website:

Go to www.pamperedchef.biz/bridothager and follow these steps:

1. Click "SHOP ONLINE" (top right hand corner)

2. Select "PLACE AN ORDER"

3. Click "OUTLET SPECIALS"

If you'd like to host a show in January here's what you get - if you ask me it's one of the BEST months!

• 50% more FREE product - my average host gets $140 FREE so how does $210 FREE sound??
• Up to 2 Bamboo items for 60% off
• Up to 4 items of your choice for 50% off
• Any items you don't get are eligable for 15%-30%

AND you get 10% off any order you place for the rest of the year!! AND if someone books a party from your show you can get the host special the month they have a party. Really the rewards are amazing. I'd love to help you grow your kitchen and enjoy cooking more. Don't feel intimidated with cooking anymore.

Contact me to schedule your show or place an order - no matter how far away you are!

Help Whip Cancer

Make a difference today! Every time you purchase our limited-edition pink products in October,The Pampered Chef® donates $1 to the American Cancer Society®. Pink products are only available online, only in October, and while supplies last. My goal is to donate $100 from my sales. You can visit my personal Pampered Chef website and place an online order. If you want to combine your order with mine closer to the end of the month just contact me directly. http://www.pamperedchef.biz/bridothager

Monkey Bread with the family... how fitting

This weekend my mom visited for the first time at our new house... a great excuse to cook all weekend. I didn't get the camera out for all the food, but I remembered to take a picture of the monkey bread this morning.

One of my favorite breakfast recipes is Monkey Bread. It makes a bunch so I only make it when we have guests over.

Monkey Bread:

• 4 cans of small biscuits cut in 4 pieces each
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together so all pieces of biscuit are covered with the mixture. Spoon the pieces into a greased fluted pan. I love my stoneware fluted pan ($29)

• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon

In a sauce pan over the stove combine the ingredients above and bring to a boil. Pour the mixture over the biscuits in the pan. (Add pecans to the top - you can add them whole or chopped)

Bake in the oven 40-50 minutes.

Here's the empty pan... Kolin loved doing dishes all weekend.

Here's a list of the other meals we had:

• Thursday Dinner - 30 minute chicken in pampered chef deep covered baker, risotto, broccoli, salad and french baguette. Brownies too!
• Friday Lunch - Lemon Chicken Risotto soup (made with the leftovers)
• Friday Dinner - Homemade Pizza with garlic and herb crust. 1- Sausage and Pepperoni and 2- Sausage, Chicken and Spinach
• Saturday Breakfast - Cinnamon Banana Pancakes, Bacon and Fruit
• Saturday Dessert - Homemade M&M cookie and ice cream sandwiches
• Sunday Breakfast - Monkey Bread
• Sunday Lunch - Cookout with brats, pork chops, corn on the cob, mac 'n cheese and salad

I think everyone had a great weekend... and a few extra pounds :)

Mini Muffin Brownies... with peanut butter filling!

You will soon learn that I have a weakness for chocolate and chocolate and peanut butter... and chocolate and caramel... and well you get the point. I was trying to think of more ways to use my Pampered Chef mini muffin tin ($16) because bite size snacks and desserts are always a hit. Well I was watching some cooking show and they made brownies in real cupcake tins... Oh I can do that in a mini! Of course I have to use my small scoop (12.50) to curtail the mess of getting them into the tin.

Moving on... I was craving more than just a brownie. I remembered that all my girlfriends had me make peanut butter frosting for brownies the last time we were together. Light Bulb: make a peanut butter filling to put inside. So this is what I did:

Brownies:

• Make the brownie mix just as it says on the box
• Spray the mini muffin tin
• Use a the small scoop for the brownie batter

Peanut Butter Filling (I just eyeball):

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup of powdered sugar
• pinch of salt
• pinch of vanilla
• 3 Tbsp of milk (more or less depending on the consistency)

So you just take the filling, put it in a ziplock bag and cut the tip. Just pipe it into the middle of the brownie.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 9-10 minutes. Let them sit on the counter to cool a few minutes before trying to get them out. They are just perfect because they are a little chewy around the edges, but perfect in the middle with the peanut butter.

I hope you like these as much as I do!

Blueberry Coffee Loaf

Blueberry Coffee Loaf Recipe:

• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/4 c. oil
• 1 egg white
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1 c. flour
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 c. blueberries (If frozen, don't thaw)

Combine all ingredients together except topping, folding blueberries in last. Pour into well greased Pampered Chef Stone Loaf Pan.

TOPPING:

• 1/4 c. sugar
• 3 Tbsps flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 Tbsps oil

Mix topping together and sprinkle over top. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

I'm a Pampered Chef!

I had my first Pampered Chef party about 2 years ago. It was a blast and I got a bunch of free and discounted products for just having a party. It was a great night with family and friends. My party was a chocolate theme – Double Chocolate Nutty Brownies and Chocolate Fondue. I remember thinking that night how much fun it would be to host the cooking shows and help others upgrade their kitchen products and share great recipes.

Now 2 years later with school finished and a larger kitchen, I signed up! I’m now a Pampered Chef Consultant. I had my first open house party July 29th. I made all the food ahead of time so everyone could converse and see the new house. We had the following:

• Salsa Bites
• Pecan Tassies
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cake
• Fresh Salsa
• Fruit Salad in the Trifle Dish

I had about 16 guests and everyone found something they had to have. I took orders outside the party as well. The show sales were over $1,000!! Because July's host special was additional $$ I was able to get $315 in free products, (4) 50% off items and the Stainless Steel Bowls for 60% off. I ended up getting over $500.00 worth of product for about $100.00 – I love a deal!

My start-up kit for Pampered Chef was $155 and I got over $500 of products and party supplies.

If you want to see all of their products visit http://www.pamperedchef.com/. These are some of my favorite items:

• Deep Covered Baker # 1352 - 30 minute chicken (MICROWAVE) - no need to heat the oven for this recipe
• Large Micro Cooker # 2778 - Steams vegetables in 3-4 minutes (MICROWAVE)
• Stoneware Fluted Pan # 1440 - Makes the best cakes even peanut butter chocolate cake recipe (Oven or MICROWAVE)

Are you noticing a trend that I like to use the microwave in the summer? There's also a great Grilling Basket # 2707 for grilling veggies outside. The fall items are coming out soon as well.

I’m sure I’ll feature some items and recipes in the future. Let me know if you would like to host a cooking or catalog show soon!