How do you use the DCB for both a meal and dessert?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various experiences and techniques shared by participants regarding the use of the Deep Covered Baker (DCB) for preparing both a meal and a dessert, specifically focusing on timing and methods to ensure food remains warm and appealing during a cooking demonstration.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, plans to use the DCB for both a meal and a Molten Lava Cake but is concerned about timing and food temperature.
  • Another participant shares their experience of using two DCBs, allowing them to serve a main dish while demonstrating the dessert, which saves time.
  • Several users mention that food stays warm in the DCB, allowing guests to eat while the dessert is baking.
  • One participant notes that they prepare the cake in advance and pop it in the microwave while guests eat, which streamlines the process.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about whether to mix the cake batter in another bowl or directly in the DCB, sharing their preference for mixing in a separate bowl.
  • Some participants discuss the practicality of using the DCB for various recipes, highlighting its versatility and ease of use during shows.
  • One participant recounts a recent experience where they successfully prepared both a meal and dessert in the DCB but did not sell any DCBs at the show, expressing surprise at the lack of interest.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best practices for using the DCB for both meal and dessert, with no clear consensus on whether to mix cake batter in a separate bowl or directly in the DCB. Some participants agree on the effectiveness of using two DCBs, while others share varying experiences with a single DCB.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects personal experiences and techniques from various consultants, showcasing a range of approaches to using the DCB in cooking demonstrations.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for ideas on how to efficiently use the DCB for both main dishes and desserts during cooking shows may find this thread helpful.

ms_twana
Messages
165
Okay, I'm really going to push the DCB this month since Hosts can get it for 60% off next month with sales of $650 or more. So, I want to use it for my meal, and for the Molten Lava Cake afterwards. I got the idea from here, so I know that some consultants do it. I'm just curious as to how you work it. I don't want the food to get cold while waiting for the cake to cook. At the same time, I don't want the guest to start eating either, because I think I'll lose them then.

So, for those of you that use the DCB for meal and dessert (or whatever two things), what are you doing in the in between time?
 
I own 2 DCB's, so that's how I've done it at a show. ;)I know others will do something like the 30 minute chicken and then clean it and do the cake. You can cook the chicken and while you take it out and cut it up and make a salad or something else to go with it, the baker could be cooling off and then you could wash it. I've heard of some consultants just wiping it out, but I don't feel comfortable doing that. It just doesn't seem clean to me unless I wash it with the hot water and scraper. If it's a recipe where you serve from the baker, I don't think I'd also try to do the Lava Cake for that same baker. That's where I've been glad I have a second DCB. But I know not everyone has 2 of them. :blushing:ETA: Forgot to address all your questions, sorry...So what I've done in the past is make the Loaded Baked Potato Chowder in one baker and then I do let them eat. While they eat, they can watch me quickly demo the Chocolate PB Cake. While that's baking, they eat, gab, shop, and I talk about any other product lines not already covered. I'll talk about upcoming specials, etc. Then they check out with me and then grab their dessert and gab until they want to leave.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
So does your food stay warm while you make the cake in the other DCB? I'm making Chicken Fajitas. I wonder if it'll stay warm in the SS bowl with the lid on. I planned to put it all in there to pass it around and cut it up with the salad choppers.
 
I always take two DCB. I will demo main recipe - let them eat

Before show, I make the chocolate cake and put icing in but do not cook. Then while they are eating, I show them how I made the cake and pop it in.

Saves me 15 minutes!
 
ms_twana said:
So does your food stay warm while you make the cake in the other DCB? I'm making Chicken Fajitas. I wonder if it'll stay warm in the SS bowl with the lid on. I planned to put it all in there to pass it around and cut it up with the salad choppers.

Food stays warm for a long time in the DCB. But I let them eat right away if they want to. They eat while I show them how to make the cake.

For Chicken Fajitas, I use the Salad Choppers right in the DCB. It's nice to show them that it can all be done in the DCB and that they wouldn't have to dirty anything else if they didn't want to. If you're wanting them to get hands on, then call on the host and a couple other people to come up and try it out.

If you only have 1 DCB, then you could transfer the already chopped up fajitas into something else for serving. But I'd let them eat it right then and not make them wait for the cake. They won't want to eat both at the same time anyway. The fajitas are messy on their plate with all the juice drippings.
 
I have a question about the DCB cake. Do you mix the cake mix in another bowl with a mixer and then pour it into the DCB at your show? and how do you serve the cake? Do you turn it over (and is that difficult) for the lava cake and since it's an oval shape what do you use to serve it on.

Just got my DCB and haven't used it yet. Can't you tell I'm a newbie!
 
Chefgailb said:
I have a question about the DCB cake. Do you mix the cake mix in another bowl with a mixer and then pour it into the DCB at your show? and how do you serve the cake? Do you turn it over (and is that difficult) for the lava cake and since it's an oval shape what do you use to serve it on.Just got my DCB and haven't used it yet. Can't you tell I'm a newbie!
You may not want to mix it with a mixer. Do it by hand. I read somewhere that it adds too much air into the batter causing it to overflow. NOW- that was in reference to the fluted stone, so not sure if it still causes issues in the DCB or not. So you might be able to mix it in the DCB. I always mixed mine in my classic batter or a SS Bowl, then poured it in, then add the icing scoops over the top.
You do not turn over the lava cake from the DCB. My NED takes clear plastic cups and they serve it out for the guests in those and plop a spoon in it- it looks much prettier.Easiest thing to do is just try it at home! A cake mix these days can easily be found for $1 or so, and icing for a bit more. For $3, you have a tasty experiment. ;)
 
I whisk eggs oil water in DCB, whisk in cake mix, plob balls of icing all over, cover and set aside.

When they are etg main recipe, I show them the baker and how I made the cake and pop it into micro so it is cooking while they are eating and I then do cooking show commercial.

I am trying to cut minutes out of my show so am streamlining as much as possible! That is why I have it premade but not precooked before show starts.

I make a DCB chocolate cake at EVERY show plus the main recipe. It is cheap, it is good, it is a wow, and I am the BAKER QUEEN!

LOL
 
ChefCKHall said:
I whisk eggs oil water in DCB, whisk in cake mix, plob balls of icing all over, cover and set aside.

When they are etg main recipe, I show them the baker and how I made the cake and pop it into micro so it is cooking while they are eating and I then do cooking show commercial.

I am trying to cut minutes out of my show so am streamlining as much as possible! That is why I have it premade but not precooked before show starts.

I make a DCB chocolate cake at EVERY show plus the main recipe. It is cheap, it is good, it is a wow, and I am the BAKER QUEEN!

LOL

Hey, BAKER QUEEN. What main dishes have you been offering? I'd love to sell more deep covered bakers. What suggestions do you have for me? My next show we are making the chicken fajitas. I'd love advice.
 
skaugchef said:
Hey, BAKER QUEEN. What main dishes have you been offering? I'd love to sell more deep covered bakers. What suggestions do you have for me? My next show we are making the chicken fajitas. I'd love advice.

LOL! These are my favorites and this is their choice: Loaded Baked Potato Chowder, Ultimate Fajitas, BBQ Pork Tenderloin, Chipotle Cornbread Bake, GreenRedWhite Lasagna.

I am developing a $99 DCB special for each recipe. Right now, I am doing Ultimate Fajitas, Keith style, but I do not make salsa at the show. I make the chicken dish. I make guacamole with avocado, salt, lime. I have the host purchase premade salsa. I used to do the salsa but too many dishes and I would rather talk about other stuff.

My $99 special for fajitas: DCB, MixnChop, SW Seasoning, Chipotle Rub, PC 2011 Calendar (I attach a $5 value to that), and the FREE Ebook of recipes!

I will attach my simple flyer.

I will be making $99 specials for all the above recipes but so far have been doing fajitas as it is one of my favorites...folks love to see meat in the baker done in the microwave.
 

Attachments

  • Thread starter
  • #11
Alright, so I did my meal and the cake in the DCB today. It worked well. I let them eat while the cake was cooking and I washed some dishes. Everyone was AMAZED at how I did both in the microwave. Guess how many DCB's I sold........NONE!!! :rolleyes: UGH!! I mean REALLY!! How could you NOT want one. LOL.

I guess I didn't buy one at my first show either. I knew that I wanted one after my second show, although I still didn't buy one. LOL. I decided to host my own show and get it for half off a couple months later.
 
ms_twana said:
Alright, so I did my meal and the cake in the DCB today. It worked well. I let them eat while the cake was cooking and I washed some dishes. Everyone was AMAZED at how I did both in the microwave. Guess how many DCB's I sold........NONE!!! :rolleyes: UGH!! I mean REALLY!! How could you NOT want one. LOL.

I guess I didn't buy one at my first show either. I knew that I wanted one after my second show, although I still didn't buy one. LOL. I decided to host my own show and get it for half off a couple months later.

I have had the same problem, and that was before they went up. LOL People are amazed by the DCB but don't buy many from me.
 
I recently listened to a call from my hosp. NED and they talked about printing off a copy of the DCB Cookbook (They call it the "Magic Pot") and putting it in a binder or 3-ring folder. (I put the pages in page protectors). She passes it around for folks to see. This helps her with bookings and even sales. My Hosp. NED will email a copy of the Magic-pot cookbook to everyone from the show, along with a "THank you for coming". She says "I"m attaching a copy of my Magic-Pot cookbook, because you never know when it will be in YOUR kitchen." This helps her with bookings later as well (when doing follow-up calls).
 
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  • #14
I had a printed copy at the show in a little report binder thingy, that I passed around. I never thought about emailing it to everyone. I kind of just thought it being "exclusive" would make it better, but apparently not. LOL.
 
I think what they were saying was folks see just HOW MANY recipes they can make in the one pot, and suddenly it has alot MORE value to them. Plus, I know with my NED, she talks about getting it for $42.50 (Half-price item when you have a party). Vs the $85.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #16
I talked about getting it for 60% off and they STILL weren't going for it. LOL. I thought that printing it off would do better, because I just talked about the ebook at my last show and no one bought it. Oh well. Next time. :)
 
keep trying. :) Don't give up after just one show. sometimes it's a numbers game.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #18
On the bright side, though, I did have a guest from a November show, that had the DCB on her wish list, book a show in February. She couldn't resist after I called and told her she could get it for 60% off.
 
ChefCKHall said:
LOL! These are my favorites and this is their choice: Loaded Baked Potato Chowder, Ultimate Fajitas, BBQ Pork Tenderloin, Chipotle Cornbread Bake, GreenRedWhite Lasagna.

I am developing a $99 DCB special for each recipe. Right now, I am doing Ultimate Fajitas, Keith style, but I do not make salsa at the show. I make the chicken dish. I make guacamole with avocado, salt, lime. I have the host purchase premade salsa. I used to do the salsa but too many dishes and I would rather talk about other stuff.

My $99 special for fajitas: DCB, MixnChop, SW Seasoning, Chipotle Rub, PC 2011 Calendar (I attach a $5 value to that), and the FREE Ebook of recipes!

I will attach my simple flyer.

I will be making $99 specials for all the above recipes but so far have been doing fajitas as it is one of my favorites...folks love to see meat in the baker done in the microwave.

How exactly do you ofer that at that price? and what is this pc calendar?
 
ChefShalon said:
How exactly do you ofer that at that price? and what is this pc calendar?

When I put the order in, it is 105.50. I pitch in 6.50 as a consultant gift. Although some may think that is a lot, I sell 4-5 specials per show besides the host so it makes up for it.

The calendars were offered last year and I purchased 100 of them. I "assigned" a five dollar value to them.

When you consider the baker, do you get one at 85$ OR do you spend $99 and get all the other goodies too.

Chances are, the first thing they are going to make when they get their baker is the fajitas...they will have the spices to do it with!

I also have all the recipes in sleeve protectors in a black/gold PC binder. When I talk about the baker and the recipes, I show them all the recipes and pass the book around explaining they will receive the recipes in an email file and that I will send them new recipes for the baker as they come out.

One baker - $85

Baker
mixnchop
sw seasoning
chipotle rub
calendar
e-file of recipes
$99

Which would you choose? Of course, if someone buys just the baker, they will get the efile of recipes as well!
 
Hmm thats a great idea I will have to get my own special like that.
 
Esavvymom can you send me the "Magic Pot" Cookbook and tell me where I can find it at. I'm a fairly new consultant. TIA
 
Have you ever considered doing the lava cake in the rice cooker? That way you can keep your main dish warm in the dcb and show how versatile the rice cooker is? It only takes 10 minutes, and is quite fun and impressive when you flip it over onto a large platter. It really gives the "lava" effect. Every time I've done that at a show I've sold at least 3 or 4 rice cookers.
 
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  • #24
pchockeymom said:
Have you ever considered doing the lava cake in the rice cooker? That way you can keep your main dish warm in the dcb and show how versatile the rice cooker is? It only takes 10 minutes, and is quite fun and impressive when you flip it over onto a large platter. It really gives the "lava" effect. Every time I've done that at a show I've sold at least 3 or 4 rice cookers.

I'm trying to really sell the DCB. I want to show how versatile that is.
 
pchockeymom said:
Have you ever considered doing the lava cake in the rice cooker? That way you can keep your main dish warm in the dcb and show how versatile the rice cooker is? It only takes 10 minutes, and is quite fun and impressive when you flip it over onto a large platter. It really gives the "lava" effect. Every time I've done that at a show I've sold at least 3 or 4 rice cookers.

That is why I take two bakers. I personally do not like the lava cake in the rice cooker and would rather sell the baker! I use my rice cooker for.....RICE only LOL.

Personal preference!
 
PC Nut said:
Esavvymom can you send me the "Magic Pot" Cookbook and tell me where I can find it at. I'm a fairly new consultant. TIA

If you go to the "Files" section of this site, and search for "Magic Pot" or even "DCB".....it will pull up several different consultant-assembled Cookbooks for the DCB. Most are essentially the same as far as content, but they may be laid out differently- so personal preference on what you use. Just update the contact information so it has YOURs not the consultant's who posted them. :)
 
babywings76 said:
Food stays warm for a long time in the DCB. But I let them eat right away if they want to. They eat while I show them how to make the cake.

For Chicken Fajitas, I use the Salad Choppers right in the DCB. It's nice to show them that it can all be done in the DCB and that they wouldn't have to dirty anything else if they didn't want to. If you're wanting them to get hands on, then call on the host and a couple other people to come up and try it out.

If you only have 1 DCB, then you could transfer the already chopped up fajitas into something else for serving. But I'd let them eat it right then and not make them wait for the cake. They won't want to eat both at the same time anyway. The fajitas are messy on their plate with all the juice drippings.

I'm making the fajitas for my show tomorrow. I made it tonight following directions to the T. I do not like using the salad choppers. I feel it's a waste of time. I'd rather dice/slice the chicken before I cook it. Any advice is welcomed.
 
skaugchef said:
I'm making the fajitas for my show tomorrow. I made it tonight following directions to the T. I do not like using the salad choppers. I feel it's a waste of time. I'd rather dice/slice the chicken before I cook it. Any advice is welcomed.
I don't use the salad choppers for mine. I like my chicken and veggies to be in strips, like at a restaurant. I slice the chicken & veggies into strips. I use the apple wedger for the onion, though.
Then, we make salad chopper salsa! I pass around the bowl with the salsa ingredients, and let everyone else take a turn chopping the salsa.
 
When I went to Chicago for Spree...I was complaining that the salad choppers folks were talking about for fajitas just did not work for me..I was having to take the chicken out of pot, carve, and put back in.

Mike, who sat across from me, said 'honey, you need to flip the choppers around for the chicken'

I came home, made the fajitas, and flipped the choppers around and they work like a charm...alll cut up in one pot. No way back for me now...I love them
!
 
ChefCKHall said:
you need to flip the choppers around for the chicken'

What do you mean flip the choppers around?
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DCB and how can it be used for both meals and desserts?

The DCB, or Deep Covered Baker, is a versatile stoneware product from Pampered Chef that can be used in the microwave and oven. It is designed to retain heat and moisture, making it ideal for cooking a variety of dishes, including savory meals and sweet desserts.

Can you provide an example of a meal that can be made in the DCB?

One popular meal you can prepare in the DCB is a chicken and vegetable casserole. Simply layer seasoned chicken breasts with your choice of vegetables, add a sauce or broth, cover with the lid, and bake or microwave until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

What is a simple dessert recipe that can be made using the DCB?

A great dessert to make in the DCB is a chocolate lava cake. You can mix together a simple batter of chocolate cake ingredients, pour it into the DCB, and bake it until the edges are set but the center remains gooey. Serve it warm with ice cream for a delicious treat!

How do you clean the DCB after using it for both a meal and dessert?

Cleaning the DCB is easy! Allow it to cool completely before washing. You can hand wash it with warm, soapy water or place it in the dishwasher. Avoid using metal utensils or abrasive cleaners to maintain the integrity of the stoneware.

Can you cook a meal and dessert back-to-back in the DCB?

Yes, you can cook a meal and dessert back-to-back in the DCB! Just make sure to clean it thoroughly between uses. You can also plan your meal and dessert to complement each other, such as a savory chicken dish followed by a sweet chocolate dessert, maximizing the versatility of your DCB.

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