So, I hosted a Pampered Chef party on Saturday and it was awesome! I had so much fun hanging out with friends and eating good food. Plus, what’s more fun than playing with kitchen gadgets?
I didn’t make a lot of food, because I knew the PC consultant was making a pizza. I asked my mom to bring some veggies and dip, and I put out some chips and salsa.
On Wednesday, I made cookie dough and then rolled it into tubes and refrigerated it so I could just slice and bake Saturday morning. I made Crunchy Jumbles, which is a recipe for chocolate chip cookies I have in a cookbook. They are really good and have rice crispies in them, which give them a crunchy yet still chewy texture. They are soooo good and Neal’s favorite.
I used mini-chocolate chips, because they were all I had on hand. They are better with larger chips or chocolate chunks.
I also made a recipe for Apple Spice Cookie Bars. They were really easy and turned out to be a huge hit. The recipe calls for a stick of melted butter to be mixed with the sugar. I went ahead and followed the recipe, but I might try to make it with softened butter next time. I think melting the butter made them a little too soft and moist. Also, I’d dice the apples smaller. But overall, really good. The spices involved really kick these up a notch. And I love the blog I got this recipe from. Here’s my dessert platter and food table I set up for the party.
I also had mint iced tea (courtesy of Mom), water, coffee, and some Sparkling Apple Rum Punch. I got the recipe from Food Network’s Sandra Lee. I don’t really like her food recipes, but she always has cool cocktails. The punch was a hit and was perfect for a fall party. I had Neal 1/5 all the ingredients, because it made a ton.
The PC consultant was great and we all had fun making Caprese Pizza.
The cats were hilarious. Ferris plopped himself down right beside the table, as if he was part of the party. Simone walked amongst everyone, giving them kisses and flicking her tail for attention. My cousin the cat lover picked her up for a little smooch.
At the right of the picture, you can see the drink table I set up.
It was so awesome of all of my friends to come, and combined they bought so much that Neal and I are really making out on credits for stuff for us! I can’t wait to pick out all of our goodies!
Just a note – I have a lot of friends comment on my cooking “skills” and what not. I do have to say that while some recipes I come up with myself (turkey burgers, roast chicken, etc.), most of the things I make are just recipes I’ve found online. I have about 20 food blogs (most of them found through people on thenest.com message boards) and I get notification everytime they update. I’ve linked to several of them already. See, my hobby is looking up recipes. I LOVE to read cookbooks. Not sure why, I just do. So while most people actually have exciting lives and hobbies, I browse the Internet for recipes, HAHA. Although, I also do research on how to bake and cook. It’s not always just following a recipe. Neal once said, “Well, all you do is just follow recipes, what’s the big deal?” When he saw the completely hurt and offended look on my face, he apologized profusely and has never brought that up again. Because while yes, I do use recipes, I still modify them sometimes and still have to know HOW to cook them. Know what I mean? I suck at cleaning and decorating, so at least give me cooking skills, OK? HAHA.
Anyway, I was so pooped after the party. The cats were, too. 
