Online Shopping

I'm starting to get ready for my first official (meaning with people I don't know) Pampered Chef party.  Luckily I have someone to go with me to answer questions about the products that I haven't had a chance to play with yet.  I love that I can order from them because I love my kitchen stuffage and the PX here in Germany just doesn't have what I'm looking for.  I've noticed that I've done a lot of shopping online since I got here, especially around Christmas time.  The best thing about online shopping (aside from being able to do it in my pjs without the funny looks) is the idea that I can search out the combination of promotion codes that give me the best deal.  They're like coupons I don't have to cut out (not my favorite task, I usually ask my husband to do it for me).  In my search for website that have the best working codes I stumbled upon Shop at Home.  You sign up for the website and search for the store you want to shop at.  It pops up with a list of promo codes and a link to the store.  If you click the link to get the website instead of just typing it into your browser they will give you a little percentage of your purchase back.  It's usually less than 10%, sometimes only 2% (like at Victoria's Secret), but it's better than nothing, right?  After you have $20 in cash backs, they'll ask for your mailing address and send you a check.  Click here to go check it out.

Anyways, back to trying to round up all of my Pampered Chef stuff for the party tomorrow.  I'm pretty excited (and a little nervous) because it's my first one.  Last weekend I did a tested out the recipe with some friends and can I just say YUM!  It's a Rocky Road Brownie made in the microwave.  It's amazing warm and with a little vanilla ice cream on top.  Definitely not part of a low cal diet, but you gotta have a little treat every now and then, right?

A video for the recipe can be found on the Pampered Chef website.

Rocky Road Brownie

1 c walnut halves, toasted
3/4 c all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c butter (1 1/2 sticks)
4 oz unsweetened chocolate
1 1/2 c sugar
3 eggs
16 large marshmallows
20 milk chocolate kisses, unwrapped
Vanilla ice cream (optional)

1. Coarsely chop walnuts using Chef's Knife. Place walnuts in 1-cup Prep Bowl; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in Small Batter Boal. Cut butter into pieces and chop unsweetened chocolate; place butter and unsweetened chocolate into Classic Batter Bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 1-2 minutes or until mostly melted, stirring every 30 seconds.

2. Add sugar and eggs to chocolate mixture; whisk until smooth using Stainless Whisk. Fold in flour mixture and 1/2 cup of the walnuts until incorporated using Small Mix 'N Scraper. Pour batter into Deep Covered Baker, spreading evenly. Microwave, uncovered on HIGH 5-7 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean and edges are firm. Carefully remove baker from microwave using Silicone Oven Mitts.

3. Meanwhile, wnip marshmallows in half crosswise using Professional Shears. Top brownie with marshmallows, chocolate kisses and remaining 1/2 cup walmuts. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 1-2 minutes or just until marshmallows start to soften. Remove baker from microwave. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Spoon onto plates; serve with ice cream, if desired.

Yield: 12 servings

Cook's Tip: To toast walnuts, place walnuts in Large Micro-Cooker; microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 3-5 minutes or until toasted, stirring every 30 seconds.