There’s a certain beauty in simple ingredients. Sharp bursting tomatoes, peppery, licorice flavored basil, fragrant savory garlic, pasta and the tang of dry white wine. When you can blend these ingredients into a fresh, simple, delicious pasta dish that’s easy to make and prepared in under 30 minutes… it’s even better.
Pampered Chef sent me their Covered Baking Dish to try. I was skeptical, y’all know me. Something you make in the microwave, and I’m going to like it? Probably not.
Then, there was the garlic slicer.. I love, love, LOVE the garlic slicer, it might be my new favorite kitchen tool. Y’all know me, I rarely cook without garlic .. the only downside, they didn’t send the garlic peeler, too. ;-( (There’s always a catch, right?) 
I live in the South, I’ve spent my adult life hearing about Pampered Chef… it’s as Southern as Apple Pie, BBQ, Paula Deen and Southern Fried Chicken.
Nathan and I pored over the included recipes and decided upon the Chicken and Penne Pasta.
It was better, easier and more flavorful than I thought it would be. Nathan ate two helpings.
They have entire recipes centered around this baking dish and I have to admit looking at them, I wasn’t all that impressed but now, after eating this one… I’m intrigued and looking forward to trying more.
- 4 garlic cloves (I used 7.. y’all know me)
- 2 C grape, cherry tomatoes
- 3 C uncooked penne pasta (barilla pasta plus)
- 3 C chicken broth
- 3/4 C dry white whine ( Barefoot Chardonnay)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper (1 tsp)
- 1 1/4 C lightly packed fresh basil leaves, divided
- 1 oz fresh Parmesan cheese, grated (1/4 C packed)
- 2 C diced grilled chicken (about 3 breasts)
(italicized parentheses are mine)
- Spray Deep Covered Baker with olive oil spray. Slice garlic, I used my Garlic Slicer (woot!!! this may be my new favorite kitchen toy) Add tomatoes. Cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Microwave another 3 minutes.
- Crush tomatoes and garlic. Add pasta, wine, broth and spices. Microwave for 18 minutes, Stir at 10 minutes.
- Coarsely chop basil and grate cheese, chop chicken.
- Carefully remove the dish from the microwave, remove the lid (beware of steam), stir in basil, chicken and cheese. Mix well.
- Top with additional cheese and garlic and pepper (if you like)
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So here’s the deal. I am actually so impressed with the Covered Baking Dish that Pampered Chef is offering one to one of my readers, that means one of y’all! This is a huge deal y’all.. this thing is oven safe, microwave safe, freezer/fridge safe and it is fantastic quality stoneware. You want this. Trust me.
So, tell me do you use Pampered Chef products? IF you do, which Pampered Chef product has made your life easier? If you don’t , why do you love cooking and which Pampered Chef product would inspire you in your kitchen?
For a 2nd entry: Tweet this and leave the Tweet URL in an additional comment
For a 3rd entry: If you had any amount to spend at PamperedChef.com what would you buy, and why?
In case you need me to be more transparent.. YES, I received the product gratis. NO, they were not able to purchase my review and opinion. If I hadn’t like this.. you would have known. I’m as transparent as saran wrap and as honest as the day is long.. Y’all know that. I’m just blessed to be able to have this opportunity and to share this product with y’all.
You have until Wednesday, August 5th at 11:59PM CST to enter. I’ll then use random.org to pick a winner
Congratulations to our Winner: Alisha in Ohio
Submitted on 2009/08/03 at 1:16pm
If I could buy more stuff I would buy
More stoneware! (esp. the Bar Pan!)
The garlic press
and that lovely baker dish you have 
Commenter #35 as chosen by Random.Org
I currently don’t use many Pampered Chef items at this time. However I would love to try out the baking dish. I am absolutely intrigued by it and would love to give it a whirl.
Love Pampered Chef. Sounds funny, but I love their sandwich crimper most. I’ve used it with my two older when they were toddlers to make pb&j sandwiches, and I must find one to use with my littlest guy.
.-= Mary@Everyday Baby Steps´s last blog ..It’s Been Awhile =-.
My favorite Pampered Chef item is the chopper, it makes life SO SO easy!
Also, I use the pastry blender to make guacamole.
.-= Eternal Sunshine´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Monkey =-.
Here’s my tweet http://twitter.com/EternalSunshin/status/3114772623
.-= Eternal Sunshine´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Monkey =-.
When it comes to Pampered Chef, and I had unlimited money to spend, I would be buying the entire line of TPC Stainless cookware. Although, I have recently lamented that I don’t have a garlic press, and there’s not much I DON’T want…
I love my Pampered Chef Pizza Stone! I also have the stoneware Bundt Pan and it put a delish crunchy exterior on my rum cake!
I have the Deluxe Mini Muffin Pan from Pampered Chef…and it is the BEST! It may actually be my favorite kitchen “gadget.” I use it almost weekly. It’s sturdy, attractive, and super easy to clean. I highly recommend it.
We also have PC’s SpringForm Pan, which is fantastic for making New York Cheesecake.
Overall, Pampered Chef is a wonderful brand with high-quality products. I bet this covered baking dish is no exception.
.-= Stephanie Sheaffer´s last blog ..Back-to-School? Back-Up Your Data! =-.
My favorite product is the mandolin…being bombarded with cucmbers from the garden this little device has come in handy!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..I guess the feeling is mutual =-.
If money was not object…
Their cookware. I have 1 skillet of theirs and it is AWESOME!!!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..I guess the feeling is mutual =-.
I have the chopper and it has made making chili simple…..I hate to bring out the food processor for little jobs but I hate chopping onions…so it makes me Happy. Also the Measuring spoons. Thanks for the chance to get more products….LOL.
.-= Kim S´s last blog ..Just to update ya =-.
My favorite tool is the simple Mix n Chop!! I use it EVERY time I brown meat (hamburger or turkey), when I mix meatloaf or deviled eggs. I used it last week for mashed potatoes, instead of getting out my blender and my mother used hers to mash strawberries for freezer jam! LOVE IT!
If I had all of the money in the world to spend on Pampered Chef products it would definitely be the Cookware! But honestly, it’s their monthly host special THIS MONTH, so I don’t have to have all the money in the world!!! I can get a set for 60% off!!
I absolutely LOVE Pampered Chef products! We don’t have that many, but what we do have I use all the time!
The first: An 8 Cup Measuring cup with a LID! I’m telling you, for those times when you have house guests who wake up at different times, this is a lifesaver! You can have fresh pancake batter waiting in the fridge for those *ahem* lazier individuals.
Second: Garlic press! Oh, how I love my garlic press!! Like you, garlic is a staple in my cooking. It’s so much easier to put a fresh garlic clove in my little press, squeeze a little bit, and viola! Fresh, minced garlic without using a knife!
Third: This one is a bit older and Pampered Chef no longer carries it, but it’s a juicer. We’re talking a small pitcher to catch the citrus juice, a slotted, pointy bit that actually juices the citrus, and a lid that can be used to hold and rotate said citrus over the slotted, pointy bit. We love fresh lime and lemon juice and this is the best way we’ve found to add it to our recipes (and drinks).
Fourth: I have a lime-green color coated Santoku knife that is MINE! Not my husband’s, not my kids, but MINE! LOL It fits perfectly in my hand and I’m a whiz at chopping with that thing! Chef’s knives are too big for me and this is the perfect size for my hand.
As to what I’d like from PC if money weren’t an object? I think the better question would be what WOULDN’T I want from PC if money weren’t an object! I would completely redo everything about my kitchen! LOL
I love Pampered Chef stoneware, I have several pieces and I love how they cook!!
I have a wishlist as long as my arm, and I’m slowly accumulating new pieces every month… So far I’ve used the large bar pan the most, it makes reheating and bacon SO much easier. It’s a small item but I also LOVE the avocado peeler. If money were no object, what would I order? The three tiered stand and all of it’s little appetizer plate friends. I love the white simple additions stuff (but not so much the dots…)
I looooove Pampered Chef. I have their little onion chopper thing and when I remember to dig it out and use it? It’s my favorite thing ever.
.-= Karly´s last blog ..I Even Forgot To Turn My Oven On. =-.
No I have never had anything from Pampered Chef, BUT I WANT THIS DISH! AND the medium scoop, AND the core and more tool! I would also take the trifle bowl! OH, and I love cooking because I love getting to EAT it afterwards!
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/mommy2mylilboys/status/3130343025
I love the apple peeler thingy~we say it makes “apple slinkys” I CANNOT live without my chopper~not the slap chop, the awesome PC version. I have had it for probably 15 years and I use it every day.
.-= LibraryGirl62´s last blog ..10 Things Tuesday =-.
Any amount? SInce I forgot to mention my pizza stone~AWESOME~I would buy ALL the stoneware and all the assorted cool gadgets…OK one of EVERYTHING!
.-= LibraryGirl62´s last blog ..10 Things Tuesday =-.
This may actually be the first time I’ve commented here, so I have to tell you I use some of your recipes and absolutely LOVE your stories! I’ve been going to Pampered Chef parties for years now (is it an exclusively Southern thing? I live in Alabama), but my very favorite gadget is my pizza stone. Couldn’t live without it, especially since my 5-year-old son makes veggie pizzas for the family two nights a week! You read that right: age 5, making pizza. He eats it too; will wonders never cease!
I have several Pampered Chef items, but my favorite is the egg slicer because it’s indestructible. I’ve gone through so many egg slicers (or rather my oldest son has) and this one can take just about anything.
p.s. I’d love to make that baking dish my new favorite, though!
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Days 2 and 3: The ones where I overcome my chronic FLAS* =-.
Pampered Chef IS as Southern as it gets. LOVE my Batter Bowl. Have to say I use it constantly. I am very hard on my kitchen equipment and this sucker wears like iron, even the rubber lid! ”
.-= Joie at Canned Laughter´s last blog ..WFMW- Immunize Now =-.
I love Pampered Chef! I use my pizza stone most often, but my favorite is the cake tester. I think it’s discontinued now, but it’s awesome for someone who loves to bake, but never has toothpicks in the house. (That would be me!)
.-= Gina´s last blog ..A Boy and His Dog: A Love Story, Sort Of… =-.
I love their garlic chopper. It’s the only product I have. But If I had money I would buy their pizza stone.
.-= damaris´s last blog ..Pizza for Dessert =-.
I just went to a pampered chef party last night and they used this baker to make mexican chicken. It was really good – but the baker was way out of my price range!
My favorite products are the 2 qt batter bowl and the cookie scoop. Those two are in continual use!
If I had any amount to spend, I would get one of their soap dispensers for every sink in the house. They are great! Then I would get a set of knives…I have one of their knives and it is awesome. And then I would get one of all the stoneware…I try to add a piece a year, but that is taking a long time!
.-= Gina´s last blog ..A Boy and His Dog: A Love Story, Sort Of… =-.