Guacamole on the Half Shell? - My P-Series Shell Oil Avocado Medallion Collection

In late 1970 or early 1971 (it is not known for sure which date is correct) the Shell Oil Company's Credit Card Division began offering a special pattern of Corning Ware to it's card carrying customers.  The "Macrame" pattern, as it has become known, was available in either Avocado Green or Cornflower Blue until 1974.  Thus, the pieces available span the P-series as well as the A-series cut over in 1972.  This brings on a few problems when trying to determine exactly WHAT pieces were made.

Personally, I have a deep seated love for the P-series era of Corning Ware anyway, so I only collect pre-1972 pieces. It helps that the Petite pans, Pie Plate, Roaster and Loaf pan retained their P-series designation, even during the A-series era, post 1972.   Thus, there are technically MORE P-series pieces than there are A-series ones.

Thus far, I have been able to find the following pieces in Green Macrame......

This includes the P-2 1/2-B, the P-9-B, the P-41 Petite Pans, the P-332 Roaster, the P-315 Loaf Pan as well as the P-81 and P-82 Menu-ettes.  Sadly, I know the P-83 out there as well, cause I sold one 3 years ago on Ebay. (I can be SUCH an idiot sometimes!)

As far as the infamous 2 books are concerned... Neither mentions the Menu-ettes at ALL.  The P-309 Pie plate (I know for a fact it exists in blue) isn't mentioned either.

However, Kyle lists a P-1.5/A-1.5, a P-10/A-10 skillet, an A-84 (4 quart), though he states that it's a 5 quart.  Which means he's talking about the P-34.  (Very confusing, I know) He also mentions the P-43 Petite pan, but doesn't mention the P-41s which are in my photo above.  I would have thought it might be a typographical error in the book, but I have seen a photo of a P-43 petite on the corellecorner.com web site.  Randy & Debbie mention the roaster and the loaf pan, along with 2 covered saucepans, but not the sizes, as well as a skillet and a petite pan (instead of both sizes). 

The basic point, is that I don't think anyone knows for sure which pieces were actually made in this pattern.... I don't think they made the large roasters (P-21 & P-76) but you never know...   As I stated, neither of the books mentions the Menu-ette set or the pie plate, so your guess is as good as mine.

As far as the A-series pieces go, I know that production included an A-1 1/2-B as well as an A-8 skillet (I have them for sale on Etsy right now.)

Where is your Corningware??
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Quorning Ware Quickies - Mediterranean Quick Bread

I love quick breads, but one can only consume so much Orange Cranberry, Banana Nut, Zucchini and Oatmeal Raisin bread before one's sweet tooth becomes overloaded.   This is one of my favorite savory versions.

Drenched with butter, it is quite a treat and it makes and excellent breakfast bread to accompany eggs.

Kalamata Olives not your thing?  That's OK, this is equally delicious with oil cured olives or just good old California Black Olives in the tin can; which just happen to be available pre-minced to save you some time. 

Mediterranean Quick Bread

2 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 1/2 TB Sugar
3 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
3/4 tsp Salt
9 oz Whole Milk
3 large Eggs
3 oz Olive Oil
2/3 cup chopped Pistachios
4 TB Kalamata Olives, minced (or other Greek Olive)

Corning Ware 9x5 inch Bread Pan (P-315)

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees, then grease and flour the P-315 Bread Dish; set aside.

In a large bowl, place Flour, Sugar, Baking Powder and Salt; whisking to combine.

In a medium bowl, add Milk, Eggs and Olive oil...

Whisk until the mixture is smooth.

Finely chop both the Pistachios and the Olives.

Add them to the liquid mixture and stir to combine.

Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture.

Stir with a spatula until just combined.

Pour into the awaiting P-315 Bread Dish.

Bake on the lowest rack of the oven for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the P-315 before turning out onto a wire rack and cool completely....

before taking a big slice.

mmmmmmmm  Warm and delicious!

Where is your Corning Ware??
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A Baker's Dozen - My P-Series Cornflower Collection (Part 3)

It's time for the bake ware portion of my collection...  There is a lot of it because it's what I like to do best.

The P-315 Bread Pan and the P-332 (2 quart) Baker. (Though this could be considered a small roasting pan as well)  Sadly, the plastic lid on the bread pan is the victim of age...  and being kept in the box for a very long time... 

Then there are my baking "sheets" the P-35-B broil and bake trays (Shown in both the original and modified design)   I only have these 2, but I would like to have a couple more.  I would also like more than one of the P-35-M cradles... 

Then, the Pièce de résistance of my Corning Ware bake ware collection... the P-321 and P-322 Cakes Pans and P-309 Pie plates.

I know it looks like "hoarding", but I assure you it's not.  I discovered a while back that it breaks the fundamental laws of the universe when a German's Chocolate Cake has anything less than 3 layers; thus, three P-321s were an absolute necessity to ensure the Cosmos remains intact.  Besides, this family LOVES German's Chocolate Cake.  I would like to have another P-322 "Utility" pan (Square Cake/Brownie Pan), but it is not as much of a necessity as the round ones were.  I can still make Blondies and Brownies at the same time... So it's ALL kinds of good.

Where is your CorningWare??
~~

Bountiful Gifts of Nature - Corning's Nature's Bounty Limited Edition Gift Line

The "Nature's Bounty" pattern was done as a specialty gift line back in 1971, so the pieces are fairly rare (like the infamous Renaissance pieces) 

The items had different designs on each side.  The only pieces I am currently aware of are the 1 3/4 quart Saucepan (P-1 3/4-B), 2 1/2 quart Saucepan (P-2 1/2-B), 8 cup Brew N' Serve (P-508), 4 quart Sauce Pot (P-84-B), 10 inch Skillet (P-16-B) and the Bread Pan with a Gold color plastic lid (P-315).  There may have been a broil and bake tray as well as a percolator, but I have never seen one in the Nature's Bounty pattern.

Nature's Bounty saucepans & the skillet all sported the Pebble textured lids that were found on the Renaissance Limited Edition Gift line from 1970.

Bread Pan (P-315-B)

 1 3/4 Quart & 2 1/2 Quart Saucepans (P-1 3/4-B & P-2 1/2-B)
(It should be noted that both saucepans have the same design)

8 cup Brew N' Serve (P-508) 1971 version

4 quart Casserole (P-84-B) 

 10 inch Skillet (P-16-B)

The differences in pattern on the skillet are more subtle than the other pieces.  I found it interesting that the 10 inch skillet is actually a P-16-B (which was labeled as 11 inches before 1971).

This particular dish also shows one of the failings of this pattern.  For some unknown reason, the enameled design has a flaking problem and peels over time.

Where is your Corningware??
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