Share the Recipes That Wow You and Your Guests!

[smilesarepriceless]

Ok, so I want this thread to be recipes you have personally made, taken to a show, and it just WOW'd your guests at the show..AND YOU!

**If you made any modifications to the recipe at all, share what you did!


I'll go first --

MOCHA SKILLET CAKE - I made this for a show 2 days ago, and it was FABULOUS presentation, and they were so WOW'd with this cake. It was so moist and DELISH! The only thing I did differently, was after I crushed and topped the cake with the the toffee bar pieces, I took about 1/4 cup more of melted chocolate, and drizzled that over the outer edge of the cake! Can't wait to do this more!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

So, you don't mean demo recipes - but recipes you've made before hand and taken to a show?

I rarely do that - my recipes are all demo recipes.

 

[niclowther]

So, you don't mean demo recipes - but recipes you've made before hand and taken to a show?

I rarely do that - my recipes are all demo recipes.

I do demos as well. I am interested to hear what people make at the parties.

 

[wadesgirl]

The biggest crowd pleasers for me seem to be chocolate. I change recipes every season. One season the most choosen recipe was Chocolate Chip Sensation. Last season it was Chocolate Velvet Cake with Strawberries. This season it is the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Torte. I'm not offering something really chocolaty for the upcoming season so we'll see how it goes.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Well, last night at a Women's Night Out Event, I had a BEAUTIFUL kitchen to work with (at a Kitchen Design Center!) and I had:

The new dipping oil seasonings w/ french bread cubes on the bamboo cracker tray.

Cream Cheese w/ Pineapple Rum Sauce poured over it & crackers on the med. bamboo tray.

Steamed Wonton Purses w/ Ginger Wasabi Sauce.

Everyone LOVED all of it - and I booked 4 shows because they want me to come teach them how to make the Wonton Purses. RAVE REVIEWS from everyone there!

 

[loreo]

Mine has been the 30 min chicken, hands down.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Mine has been the 30 min chicken, hands down.

Yeah - 30 Minute Chicken and Garlic Parmesan Biscuit Bites have been a gold mine for me! There is NO demo that has EVER gotten me more bookings than that one! (but it's a demo, not something I make and bring to a show - they have to see it done to believe it!)

 

[niclowther]

Yeah - 30 Minute Chicken and Garlic Parmesan Biscuit Bites have been a gold mine for me! There is NO demo that has EVER gotten me more bookings than that one! (but it's a demo, not something I make and bring to a show - they have to see it done to believe it!)

What's the Garlic Parm Biscuit Bites? Sounds yummy.
Thanks

 

[ChefBeckyD]

What's the Garlic Parm Biscuit Bites? Sounds yummy.
Thanks

1 can of grands biscuits - any kind, 8 count
1-2 cloves of garlic
Parmesan Cheese to grate
1 Tbls. Italian Seasoning Mix
1/2 stick of butter

Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in 10" saute pan (can use 8" too) press garlic into pan. Using Microplane grater, grate in cheese to cover bottom of pan, sprinkle on seasoning. Cut biscuits into quarters, and toss in pan with butter mixture to coat. Bake for 15-18 minutes - until golden on top.




I pop the chicken in the microwave, and then do this demo, and put it in the oven. Then, the chicken and biscuits are done around the same time! It's an easy and WOW! demo!

 

[niclowther]

1 can of grands biscuits - any kind, 8 count
1-2 cloves of garlic
Parmesan Cheese to grate
1 Tbls. Italian Seasoning Mix
1/2 stick of butter

Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in 10" saute pan (can use 8" too) press garlic into pan. Using Microplane grater, grate in cheese to cover bottom of pan, sprinkle on seasoning. Cut biscuits into quarters, and toss in pan with butter mixture to coat. Bake for 15-18 minutes - until golden on top.


I pop the chicken in the microwave, and then do this demo, and put it in the oven. Then, the chicken and biscuits are done around the same time! It's an easy and WOW! demo!

Wow, that is so easy and sounds awesome- combines my fav foods: garlic, cheese, bread, and butter!
It gave me a great idea to make monkey bread the same way. Use cinnamon and sugar instead of garlic,seasoning, and cheese. I imagine if you wanted to make a lot you could use the 12" skillet, right? I have a big family.

And are you using executive or stainless?

Thanks again, I love it!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Wow, that is so easy and sounds awesome- combines my fav foods: garlic, cheese, bread, and butter!
It gave me a great idea to make monkey bread the same way. Use cinnamon and sugar instead of garlic,seasoning, and cheese. I imagine if you wanted to make a lot you could use the 12" skillet, right? I have a big family.

And are you using executive or stainless?

Thanks again, I love it!

For Brunch shows, I often make them sweet instead of savory. I use the same amount of butter, and then 2 tbls. of brown sugar, and 1/4 cup of caramel or cinnamon sprinkles. (or I like to mix the two!) It's a very quick and easy way to make monkey bread. And usually when I do this, just about everyone adds sprinkles to their order!

I wouldn't try the sweet ones, especially, in stainless - that could be a real mess. But, it sells Executive Skillets and gets bookings, because everyone is amazed at how the Bites just slide right out. ( I slide the whole pan of biscuits out onto a dots plate - and pour any extra butter mixture over the top)

 

[DessertDivaFL]

Stop! You are making me hungry, Becky!

I think I may try that "30 min Chicken 'n Biscuits" idea. These people in the south love their chicken 'n biscuits!

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Stop! You are making me hungry, Becky!

I think I may try that "30 min Chicken 'n Biscuits" idea. These people in the south love their chicken 'n biscuits!

Apparently, so do people in Michigan!

 

[Crystal Patton]

A big Wow for me has been the Lemon Greek Chicken, but I put it in the DCB and nuke it for 15 mins. They love it!

 

[chefann]

I had a few shows last winter at which I demoed the Smashed Potato Soup (DCB, microwave) and the biscuit bites (cookware, oven). People were flabbergasted that we used stones and cookware the way we did, since they're used to thinking of stones as an "oven" item, and cookware as a "stovetop" item.

 

[susanr613]

trifles are usually a big hit, because they are so easy to make and so pretty when they are finished. then of course....they taste great and serve a lot.

 

[smilesarepriceless]

Keep em' coming!

And just to clarify..I'm aiming to just find ANY and ALL recipes that WOW you and your guests....Whether you prepare them ahead or you do them as a demo...b/c i have people on my team that do shows both ways so I'm looking for AMAZINGLY 'wow' factor recipes..

 

[caraighan]

I just love the Tiramisu Brownie Trifle! I do cut down on the instant coffee sometimes. Depends on whether the crowd likes coffee or not. And I don't make it with Kalhua. I make the coffee syrup substitution. Kahlua is just too expensive... plus, I live in a county that was dry until just recently and even now it's only "moist". We can get drinks at restaurants, but there are no liquor stores... I would have to drive 45 minutes to a liquor store.

 

[janezapchef]

PB Cup Trifle is a big wow for everyone involved, whether made ahead or demo'ed. The 15 min. fajitas in the DCB seem to be my "goldmine", always with the one-bowl salsa. DCB's and salad choppers have been selling like hotcakes here at full-price, and it's what my hosts choose one way or another 90% of the time. I love the idea of the chicken and biscuits though! Mmmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm!

 

[Symara]

question:

30 minute chicken - how do you serve it to where it's not making a mess?

 

[ChefBeckyD]

question:

30 minute chicken - how do you serve it to where it's not making a mess?

It's always a mess. That has never bothered my guests though!

I lift it out onto the Dots Medium Oval Platter or a square plate, and and cut it apart with the scissors - that helps. Then I use a knife and slice off some slices of breast meat, and then I tell them to just have at it!

 

[peachey]

Heather, thanks for starting this thread!

OK, I love artichoke dips, but the original PC one was not my fave. I didn't like that the vegetable soup mix was still crunchy after the microwave and oven. So, I adapted it and came up with this recipe. It is easy and it is cheaper.

I took this to a show last night and everyone loved it.
Bread Bowl Artichoke Dip VARIATION
1 16-oz sourdough bread rounds (about 6-in. diameter) usually $2.69
1 loaf of French Bread or Italian Bread usually $1.29
Vegetable oil in spritzer
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup milk
15 oz artichoke hearts, marinated and drained
2 garlic clove, pressed
1 lemon
1 container (16 oz) sour cream
1 tablespoon seasoning (pick your favorite, but I use Citrus & Basil Rub)
3 oz Grated fresh Parmesan or Asiago cheese
1 oz Grated fresh Parmesan or Asiago cheese, grated over bread bowl and bread pieces
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450°F. Using Color Coated Bread Knife, slice off top of bread round to create a lid; set lid aside. Carefully remove center of bread round to form a 4½-inch-wide and 2-inch-deep well for dip. Slice loaf 1-in. cubes. Place bread bowl on center of Large Round Stone with Handles. Arrange bread cubes around bowl; spray with vegetable oil using Kitchen Spritzer.

In Classic Batter Bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth using Stainless Whisk. Add milk to cream cheese; whisk until smooth. Chop artichokes using Food Chopper. Add artichokes, seasoning, and garlic pressed with Garlic Press to batter bowl; mix well using Small Mix ’N Scraper®. Using the Rotary Grater, grate 3 oz of cheese into the Batter Bowl with mixture. Juice lemon using Juicer to measure 3 tbsp juice. Stir juice and sour cream into mixture. Microwave on Medium power for 2 minutes. Pour into bread bowl.

Grate remaining Parmesan cheese over bread bowl and bread cubes using Rotary Grater. Lean lid against bread bowl. Bake 13-15 minutes or until bread cubes and top of dip are golden brown. Remove from oven; serve immediately. ENJOY!

 

[PamperedSheep]

loving this thread!!!! i have wowed the guests with the Deluxe Cheeseburger Salad. They just love it!!!

 

[phun2cook]

I too have always had great success with the 30-min chicken show.:thumbup: People are so amazed on how great a chicken can be from the microwave!

 

[mrssyvo]

Chicken Fajitas in 15 minutes, with salsa and guacamole.

 

[janetupnorth]

I've always had rave reviews on my trifles.Other Favorites:
Jerk Chicken Nachos
Pepperoni Pizza Twist
Broccoli Ham Ring
Cheesy Bacon Bites
Mexican Chicken Lasagna (new hit)
Garlic Bites
Touchdown Taco DipFunny thing is when I take something somewhere for a potluck or whatever, I almost always love to take dessert. For shows, I almost always love to make an appetizer or meal unless a dessert is requested...odd...I need to try those Wonton things...I was going to use the Ginger Wasabi sauce on some shrimp tonight since DH is eating at camp...

 

[CathyP]

I always make a 1-2-3 cake using the Stoneware Fluted Pan in the microwave at a show as one of my demos. It never fails to WOW and I always sell a bunch of the pans. Another popular dish is the Ham & Cheese Brunch Squares. It's quick and easy to demo and feeds a ton. People really seem to love it.

A question, though, about the 30 minute chicken demo. I've done this at home and the results ARE fabulous, but it seems a bit messy on the prep work. I'm not sure how keen my hosts would be about me wrestling with a whole, raw chicken in their kitchens, or as often happens, in their living rooms. Do you prep the chicken beforehand and just show the guests the uncooked chicken in the DCB before you microwave it, or do you do the whole prep thing as part of the demo? If so, how do you keep the mess contained? I'd LOVE to do this dish at a show, but I'm VERY apprehensive about the whole washing/drying part. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[niclowther]

I had a few shows last winter at which I demoed the Smashed Potato Soup (DCB, microwave) and the biscuit bites (cookware, oven). People were flabbergasted that we used stones and cookware the way we did, since they're used to thinking of stones as an "oven" item, and cookware as a "stovetop" item.

Does anyone have the Smashed Potato Soup recipe they could give me? Thanks

 

[lisaw]

Nicole ~ The smashed potato soup recipe is in the files section here.

 

[kcjodih]

Okay Becky and all others who've made the 30 minute chicken I have a question. Could I have the host have the chicken cleaned before I get there or is that asking too much? I have no idea how to clean a chicken - we buy ours in pieces because the thought it just nasty to me! On the few occasions where we've won or been given a turkey I have DH do it.

I'd love to offer this show for the DCB but can't/won't, more like won't, clean a chicken. EWWW!