What Do You Serve Repeat Groups Instead of Fajitas?

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Discussion Overview

The thread explores alternatives to serving fajitas for repeat groups at cooking shows, with participants sharing their experiences and various recipe ideas. There is a focus on how to keep the menu fresh and engaging for returning guests.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, mentions that they have had great success with fajitas, leading to increased bookings.
  • Another participant shares that they receive many repeat requests for fajitas, indicating popularity among their guests.
  • One participant states they do not typically offer recipe choices to hosts, unless specific dietary needs arise.
  • Several participants suggest alternative recipes that involve cooking chicken in the DCB, such as Buffalo Chicken Dip and Grilled Chicken Penne, noting their simplicity and popularity.
  • Another participant mentions transitioning to Pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches and garlic biscuit bites, expressing excitement about the potential reception of these dishes.
  • One participant describes a method for preparing Pulled Chicken in the DCB, detailing the process and ingredients used.
  • Another participant expresses interest in the BBQ sauce preparation shared by others, seeking clarification on the method.
  • Several participants discuss the interactive nature of their shows, mentioning how they fill time while the meat cooks, often by preparing sauces or engaging with guests.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on whether to continue serving fajitas or to explore new recipes, with some participants expressing a strong preference for fajitas while others advocate for variety.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences regarding recipe choices for cooking shows, focusing on audience engagement and menu variety.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for ideas on how to diversify their cooking show menus and engage repeat guests may find the shared experiences and recipes helpful.

PamperedK
Silver Member
Messages
1,126
For those of you that do Fajitas at every show....what do you do for those repeat groups that have been a lot/ Do they still get Fajitas? Any complaints about that?

I did Fajitas last month and my bookings were AMAZING! People stopping me during the ticket game to ask what dates I have left this month, etc....

I switched to another DCB recipe and it's just not the same. I think it's the cooking chicken in the microwave thing that really gets people excited.

I'm interested to hear how you present this if you have repeat groups and what you say to your hosts....

OR is there another recipe or two that are just as amazing that I could alternate?
 
I get a lot of repeat requests for Fajitas, so it hasn't been an issue. People just really like them!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
I don't typically get requests for recipes because I always tell them that I'll let them know what we're making! lol I don't give my hosts a choice in the recipe....unless they're vegetarian or ask for chocolate, etc....
 
Do something else that requires cooking the chicken in the DCB. I'm doing a Super Bowl Appetizers theme this month for several of my shows, and making Buffalo Chicken Dip. I cook the chicken in the DCB, and then shred it with the Mix n Chop right in there and add the rest of the ingredients. People have been LOVING it because it's so simple and quick (and one dish!) and tastes fabulous! It's helping to fill up my February!

BUFFALO RUB CHICKEN DIP
8 oz. cream cheese
2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 cup Ranch dressing
1/4 cup Bleu Cheese crumbles
1/4 cup Wing Sauce
1 heaping tsp. Pampered Chef Buffalo Rub
4 oz. grated cheddar

Mix everything except the cheddar cheese together. Pour into deep covered baker, then sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top. Microwave on high for 5 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve it with celery & carrot sticks, and tortilla chips.
 
I am a big fajita doer and I also do the Chicken your way in the grill pan with a nice Greek salad
 
I agree with Becky. If I have already done Fajitas with the group- I offer Fajitas again or another "dinner" DCB recipe. The Grilled Chicken Penne has gone over well. I cook the chicken in the baker and not the grill pan. Also, the pork tenderloin has gone over well. If they don't like pork tenderloin you can always do a turkey tenderloin.
 
I haven't done the fajitas in a long time but have been doing various recipes. I am now going to start demoing Pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches and garlic biscuit bites as THE recipe for my shows.
 
ChefBeckyD said:
Do something else that requires cooking the chicken in the DCB. I'm doing a Super Bowl Appetizers theme this month for several of my shows, and making Buffalo Chicken Dip. I cook the chicken in the DCB, and then shred it with the Mix n Chop right in there and add the rest of the ingredients. People have been LOVING it because it's so simple and quick (and one dish!) and tastes fabulous! It's helping to fill up my February!

BUFFALO RUB CHICKEN DIP
8 oz. cream cheese
2 boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 cup Ranch dressing
1/4 cup Bleu Cheese crumbles
1/4 cup Wing Sauce
1 heaping tsp. Pampered Chef Buffalo Rub
4 oz. grated cheddar

Mix everything except the cheddar cheese together. Pour into deep covered baker, then sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top. Microwave on high for 5 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve it with celery & carrot sticks, and tortilla chips.
I am doing the exact same thing and this recipe. Only I shred the chicken with the salad chopper. I've never tried to do it with the mix n chop...
 
  • Thread starter
  • #9
Bren706 said:
I haven't done the fajitas in a long time but have been doing various recipes. I am now going to start demoing Pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches and garlic biscuit bites as THE recipe for my shows.

I LOVE this idea! Pulled Pork is a HUGE thing in our area so that would go over really well.

How do you do the Pulled Chicken?
 
Slice a red onion and place it on the bottom of the DCB. Arrange 3 chicken breasts on top of the onions. Brush some olive oil on them (our garlic infused canola oil is great too!). Sprinkle the BBQ rub generously on the chicken. Cover and microwave for about 12 minutes. Take the chicken out and slice/pull it with the hold and slice and a knife on a cutting board. Meanwhile, I make the BBQ sauce (from the original bbq pork recipe in the past SB book) in the DCB (no heating required, and keeping the juices from the chicken in there) and then add the chicken to the bbq mix. Voila!
 
PamperedK said:
I LOVE this idea! Pulled Pork is a HUGE thing in our area so that would go over really well.

How do you do the Pulled Chicken?

I also offer the pulled BBQ pork or chicken. So easy and is almost as popular as the fajitas.

To do the chicken just microwave the chicken in the DCB for 12 minutes then chop with salad chopper. For the pork it's 10 minutes, then rest 10 minutes then chop with salad chopper. While it's cooking I make the BBQ sauce with the BBQ rub we carry.

*all cooking and "rest time" with lid on
 
  • Thread starter
  • #12
Sounds great! Do you think you can just chop up the chicken in the DCB using the Mix & Chop?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Is this the BBQ sauce? You don't have to heat it?1 cup (250 mL) ketchup
¼ cup (50 mL) firmly packed brown sugar
2 tbsp (30 mL) Smoky Barbecue Rub
2 tsp (10 mL) cider vinegar or white vinegar
Combine ketchup, brown sugar, barbecue rub and vinegar in (1.5-qt./1.5-L) Saucepan.
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Serve sauce on sandwiches; reserve
remaining sauce for another use.
 
PamperedK said:
Sounds great! Do you think you can just chop up the chicken in the DCB using the Mix & Chop?
I keep it in the DCB to chop it but like I said I never did it with the mix n chop but Becky says it works!ETA: I just realized you are probably asking Brenda about her recipe. I isn't realize she posted while I was typing. lol
 
PamperedK said:
Is this the BBQ sauce? You don't have to heat it?

1 cup (250 mL) ketchup
¼ cup (50 mL) firmly packed brown sugar
2 tbsp (30 mL) Smoky Barbecue Rub
2 tsp (10 mL) cider vinegar or white vinegar
Combine ketchup, brown sugar, barbecue rub and vinegar in (1.5-qt./1.5-L) Saucepan.
Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; remove from heat. Serve sauce on sandwiches; reserve
remaining sauce for another use.

Yes. And I do heat it.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #16
BethCooks4U said:
I keep it in the DCB to chop it but like I said I never did it with the mix n chop but Becky says it works!
That's what I do for the Fajitas and people are amazed, so maybe I'll do that. Tell me more about what you do for BBQ Sauce, beth. i'm excited to make this now!
 
PamperedK said:
That's what I do for the Fajitas and people are amazed, so maybe I'll do that.

Tell me more about what you do for BBQ Sauce, beth.

i'm excited to make this now!

I just put all the ingredients in the sauce pan and heat to a boil, then when the meat it ready and chopped/shredded I mix the sauce in.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #18
Do you demo anything else while the meat is cooking? My show is really interactive and I want to make sure I fill the time while it's cooking.....
 
It depends on the party but usually do the sauce during that time and then answer any questions. While the meat is resting I do the stealing heart game, wrap up and dpds. That way when the food is done they can eat, visit and order.
 
Beth, do you think you could heat the sauce in the Micro cooker?
 
heather223 said:
Beth, do you think you could heat the sauce in the Micro cooker?

I would think so, don't know why not, but I prefer to show off the cookware. If you don't have any cookware then by all means try it! It just needs to be heated through.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #22
Another question for you.....what kind of salsa do you all do with the Fajitas? The one that I got with the file doesn't like to work in the MFP...they just spin around and around. Someone told me to try canned whole tomatoes, but I thought I'd see what you all do first.
 
2-3 tomatoes (depends on size)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded
handful of cilantro
1/2 onion
1/2 lime, squeezed

Cut up the tomatoes, pepper & onion and put in MFP along with cilantro (tomato in first). Process to desired texture. Squeeze juice of 1/2 lime into salsa with citrus press.

I usually do one tomato with the rest and then do additional tomato by itself and stir it into the salsa as it doesn't all fit in the MFP at once before processing.
 
  • Thread starter
  • #24
Ok yeah that's a similar recipe to what I use. I just don't like how the MFP does tomatoes. Maybe I'll try it with the canned ones....thanks!!!
 
I tried doing a salsa in the MFP the other night and it also had a hard time cutting the tomatoes. Just spun them around and squished them a little.
 
I made the one that I think comes with the MFP the other day and thought it was great. I use cherry tomatoes. But I chop it up differently. I start with the jalapeno, garlic and cilantro. Then the onion and finally the tomatoes.
 
Did the buffalo chicken dip last night for a show and got three February bookings! That finished up February for me. Now to finish booking March!
 
Bren706 said:
I haven't done the fajitas in a long time but have been doing various recipes. I am now going to start demoing Pulled BBQ chicken sandwiches and garlic biscuit bites as THE recipe for my shows.

What is the receipe for the garlic biscuit bites?
 
ShelbyMichalek said:
I tried doing a salsa in the MFP the other night and it also had a hard time cutting the tomatoes. Just spun them around and squished them a little.

I have found that using grape or cherry tomoates works great when making salsa in the MFP. I make that while my chicken fajitas are cooking and the guess love it!
 
I'm new to this so I have several questions -

where do I find the fajita recipe?
What is the ticket game?
What is the stealing heart game?
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some alternative dishes to serve instead of fajitas?

Instead of fajitas, consider serving dishes like tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. These options offer similar flavors and can be customized with various proteins and toppings.

Can I serve a vegetarian option instead of fajitas?

Absolutely! You can create a delicious vegetarian dish using grilled vegetables, black beans, and a variety of toppings like guacamole, salsa, and cheese. Stuff them into tortillas for a satisfying meal.

What sides pair well with alternatives to fajitas?

Great sides to serve with alternatives to fajitas include Mexican rice, refried beans, corn salad, or a fresh green salad. These sides complement the flavors of the main dish and enhance the overall meal experience.

How can I make a low-carb alternative to fajitas?

For a low-carb option, consider using lettuce wraps instead of tortillas. Fill them with grilled chicken or steak, sautéed peppers, and onions, along with your favorite toppings for a healthy twist.

What sauces or dips can I serve with dishes instead of fajitas?

Consider serving salsa, guacamole, or a creamy cilantro dressing as dips alongside your alternative dishes. These add flavor and enhance the dining experience, making your meal more enjoyable.

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