Pampered Chef - British Style!

Having spent every Friday night at home since my arrival here in Wales, I was more than enthused when my new neighbor invited me to attend a Pampered Chef party last night. It was nice to have a "taste of home" and to see that women on this side of the pond can find such joy, laughter and risque joking with stoneware, kitchen gadgets, wine and food as women in America! I happen to love Pampered Chef products, albeit pricey, they are worth every penny as an investment! This party was organized much like an American party would be, although with fewer foods prepared. The women at this party LOVE their stoneware and the hostess herself, owning about 5 or 6 pieces of it, was quick to show off how well her pieces had seasoned over the years - one of her pie dishes being a beautiful shade of ebony black that one could easily mistake for a piece of cast iron!

We were treated to a very pleasant presentation by the Pampered Chef lady, who had recently returned from a trip to Chicago and had, in her possession, some Hershey Kisses. I have learned that the British snub Hershey chocolate as it is not considered "proper chocolate", although only those who have been to America really know what it is, as it is generally not sold here. I, however, love Hershey chocolate - so if that means I don't have refined taste buds - so be it. I savored by Hershey kisses in the moment. I will say that I have come to really love the Cadbury Fruit & Nut bar! That too is very yummy chocolate!

I also learned how to make a Yorkshire Pudding - although I actually also learned that it is not a "pudding" as I had always thought... not in the sense of a Christmas pudding (which is also very, very yummy -with brandy butter of course!). So I am still confused over why it is called Yorkshire Pudding - because in America we know these little things as popovers - which brings to mind memories of the old Cocke'n Kettle restaurant. I learned that traditionally this puffy pastry is usually mixed into a baking dish, put into the oven under the roasting meat, where the juice from the roasting meat drips into the puffy pastry to flavor it and then served as a side dish with the roast. These puddings are now usually made in a muffin pan and served as individual puddings with the meals. They are commonly made here and probably take the place of a traditional bread roll that would normally be served in America

The second yummy dish we were treated to was an almond-pear tart. Served with a nice drizzle of fresh cream (not whipped as we would probably do in America) just a bit of thick creamy, cream - which is also a very nice way to serve pie and tarts.

It was a fun night, albeit not the Friday Night Football fun I am accustomed to at this time of year...but the company of women, all my own age, in a setting where cookware was the center of attention was a pleasant reminder of my lady friends at home!

Unfortunately, as much as I fully intend on investing in a square stoneware baking dish, I think it would probably be a bit too heavy to pack in my suitcase for my return trip home - same goes for those awesome knives - not exactly travel safe! So I settled on the Garlic Shaver - it was a popular item of the night, as a few other women also purchased this little gadget...it will be easy to pack and take home.

Thanks much ladies for a pleasant reminder of home and the opportunity to bond over shared stoneware stories!