Friday, December 3, 2010
Sweet and Sour
1/2 cup vinegar
5-6 T. catsup
1/2 cup water
2 T. corn starch
Mix corn starch and water. Set aside. Heat rest of ingredients to boiling. Blend in water and corn starch. Cook till clear.
Slow Cooked Baked Potato Soup
1/2 C. frozen chopped onion
32 oz. chicken broth
1 C. water
30 oz bag frozen cubed hash browns
Mix first 4 ingredients in a large zipper bag. Zip to seal.
Mix 1 C. milk with 3 T flour in a small container with lid.
Store in refrigerator until ready to cook.
To cook. Place bag ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Turn slow cooker to High, add milk/flour and mix well. Cover and cook additional 30 minutes or until soup thickens.
Serve with shredded cheese, real bacon bits and green onions.
Slow Cooker Chicken Lasagna
2 C. cooked cubed chicken
1 can cream mushroom soup
1 can cream onion soup
8 oz sour cream
1 C. milk
salt & pepper
Add all ingredients to large zipper bag. Zip to seal. Squish around to mix.
Additional ingredients needed when ready to cook:
9 dry lasagna noodles
2 C. shredded Colby jack cheese
1 C. shredded Parmesan cheese
Layer 1/3 chicken mixture in bottom of slow cooker.
Cover with 3 noodles, breaking to fit.
Sprinkle with 1/2 Colby/jack cheese.
Repeat layers ending with chicken mixture.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Cook on low for 4 hours. Serve with a green salad.
I do not have a picture of the cooked dish we were all starving and forgot to snap a picture. :)
This is a great one to have this weekend. What a great meal to come home to after a busy day of shopping!
Shrimp Tart
1 lb small cooked shelled shrimp
2 t Cajun seasoning
2 C. shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
2 eggs
2 T butter, melted
2 refrigerated Pie crusts
"These look professional"
The enchiladas
2 C. cooked cubed or shredded chicken
2 C. Monterrey jack cheese
10 flour tortillas
Add chicken and cheese to tortillas and roll up. I lined my pan with foil. I am so glad I did. I did not have to spend the evening scraping melted cheese.
Sauce
7.75 oz can green salsa
1 1/2 C. sour cream
2 T cream cheese
handful of cilantro
Pour first 3 ingredients into a blender and blend well. Add cilantro and pulse for a course chop. Pour into a zipper bag if making this recipe ahead.
To cook
Cut corner off zipper bag and pipe sauce over enchiladas. Reserve extra sauce for serving at the table.
Bake covered in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
I am not sure "professional" is the right word but they sure were good! I have 1 left over for lunch today. :)
Easy Spinach Quiche
Get out your blender for this one...
1/2 C. frozen chopped onion
6 eggs
1 C. milk
1/2 C. biscuit/pancake mix
salt & pepper
1 C. frozen chopped spinach, squeezed dry (add more if you like)
1 package real bacon bits
1 C. shredded Swiss cheese
2 frozen pie crusts (regular not deep dish)
Blend first 4 ingredients in blender until well blended and add salt & pepper to taste. I used a hand blender like this one. Remember my blender exploded last week on the milk shakes :/ It worked great.
Add spinach and pulse to mix. Place blender pitcher in refrigerator until ready to use. Use within 2 days.
Pour equal amounts (eye ball it) of bacon bits and cheese into pie crusts. I would normally have alot more bacon bits but I forgot them at the store and I had a small package leftover from another recipe. Cover with plastic wrap and store in refrigerator.
To bake
Place crusts on large cookie sheet to make transporting easier.
Pour egg mixture equally into pie crusts over bacon and cheese. Yes, that is cheddar cheese you see there. I forgot the Swiss cheese too.
Most of these recipes are easily adaptable to what you have on hand. Just think of the possibilities. Bacon/cheddar, ham/cheese, broccoli/feta, mushroom/bacon/blue cheese.....
Bake in 375 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until eggs are set.
Serve with fresh fruit of choice.
Chicken Satay
Pour first 3 ingredients into a saucepan to a boil. Add 1 C. couscous. Cover, remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.
Slow cooked Asian Beef & Broccoli
Make ahead slow cooked Asian Beef & Broccoli
3 lbs eye of round steak (or whatever is on sale)
6 T low sodium soy sauce
1/2 C. hoison sauce
6 T ketchup
6 T honey or molasses
2 t Chinese 5 spice powder
4 whole garlic cloves
1 lb fresh broccoli
Mix first 7 ingredients in large zipper bag. Zip bag and squish around with hands to mix well.
Chop broccoli and store in zipper bag.
To cook: Place beef and sauce in slow cooker and cook on low 6-7hours. Add broccoli the last 30 minutes of cook time.
Cook 2 bags of Steamers brown rice to serve with beef & broccoli.
You might want to double this one. Everyone is cleaning their plates!
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Southwest Chicken Chimi's

Super Easy Fajitas Thanks to the CrockPot
Day 174.
I've mentioned before how much my family loves Mexican food. My kids will eat anything with cheese and sour cream on it, and avocado was their very first food. Fajitas are fun to make (I like the name---they sound much fancier than tacos for some reason), and are very easy to prepare with the help of the crockpot. I get the meat going in the morning, and then can head out for fresh ingredients at some point during the day, or ask Adam to stop on his way home.
The Ingredients.
--1 or 2 packets of fajita seasoning mix (I said one or two because I've found that it's awfully spicy if I use 1 packet per pound of meat as directed on the label--use what you think is right for your family. Make sure to read labels carefully if GF. I stick to McCormick for their clear labeling.)
--1 onion
--2 bell peppers (I used 1 orange, 1 yellow)
--1/2 cup of water
The Directions.
Dump your meat into the crockpot. It can be frozen or thawed. Cut the onion and the peppers in strips, and add to the crock. Add the seasoning and water. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours, or high for 6. The meat is done when it reaches desired tenderness. I like to cook on low for as long as possible, because I don't like to chew forever. Serve with your favorite fajita fixens'. We really like squeezing some fresh lime over the top of the meat before doctoring it up
CrockPot Layered Dinner--Steak, Potatoes, Corn on the Cob
Day 232.
I made a complete meal in the crockpot last night, and it wasn't a soup, stew, or casserole. I made rib eye steak, baked potato, and corn on the cob. It wasn't soggy, nor was it dried out, and I was able to leave the house for six hours.
The crockpot rocks.
I had been meaning to try a layered dinner in the crock for a few months, now, but kind of forgot. I am so glad that Julie emailed me! She made steak and sweet potatoes that way last week, with great success.
The Ingredients.
This is what I used. You can use whatever meat or vegetables you have in the house. The trick is to not use too much liquid when cooking the meat, so the potatoes and the corn (or whatever you're using) isn't floating in juice.
--1 1/1 lbs rib eye steak
--1 T of your favorite seasoning rub
--1 T dried onion flakes (a fresh onion would be fine. I wasn't in a chopping mood.)
--2 T Worcestershire sauce (Lea and Perrins is GF)
--1/4 cup tequila (or broth, apple juice, etc.)
--2-4 potatoes
--2-4 ears of fresh corn
--aluminum foil
In my 6 quart Smart Pot, I used 2 whole brown potatoes, and 4 ears of corn. I could have fit another potato in, probably.
The Directions.
Put meat in the bottom of the crockpot. Rub with seasoning and onion, and flip over to get the other side. Add tequila and Worcestershire sauce.
It doesn't seem to matter if the potatoes are closer to the meat, or the corn. The new crockpots heat from the sides as well as from the bottom, so everything will cook through regardless of location.
Cover and cook on high for 5-7 hours, or on low for about 8. I cooked our dinner for 6 hours on high. My crockpot was quite full.
The Verdict.
This was a great dinner. It's out-of-the-norm for us to have such a complete meal on a Monday night, which made it fun and new. I plan on doing more layered crockpot cooking---it's so nice to have everything plopped in and the kitchen clean by noon.
Shrimp & Vegetables in foil packets

Shrimp & Vegetables in foil pockets. Feeds 5
1 1/2 lb. broccoli florets
1 bag of shredded carrot matchsticks
1 bunch green onions
1 1/2 lbs 26/30 ct shrimp (peeled & deveined)
foil
canola oil for brushing
Sauce:
4 t sesame oil
4 T soy sauce
Tear 5 pieces of foil into 18 inch strips. Brush each with canola oil.
On each foil piece add-
1 C broccoli florets
1 C carrot matchsticks
6 shrimp
1 T chopped green onion
Mix sauce and pour 1 T over each. Fold foil in half and seal edge by folding in 2-3 times. Fold both ends in 2-3 times to make a sealed pocket.
Cook in 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through. Serve over steamed rice.
Friday night football dinner

I love my slow cooker!

6 minute dinner
I made my "5 dinners" yesterday so this one only took 6 minutes to make!
Tuna Cakes
24 oz canned tuna, drained
2 eggs
4 green onions, finely chopped
1/2 C. mayonnaise
1 C. panko bread crumbs
1 t lemon juice
Mix all ingredients well.
Pour 1/4 C. panko crumbs on paper plate.
Scoop tuna mixture with ice cream scooper for equal portions and flatten on panko crumbs. Turn to coat other side.
Store in container with lid using wax paper between layers.
To cook:
Heat 2 T canola oil in skillet on med/high heat. Cook 3 minutes then flip and cook 2-3 more minutes.
Lemon dill sauce: 1/4 C. chicken broth, juice of 1 small lemon & 1/2 t dill. Warm in microwave 1 minute.
Microwave your favorite steamers vegetables while tuna cakes are cooking. We picked boring corn and peas because I know for sure the kids will eat them. :) There is dinner in 6 minutes. That is faster than most drive thru dinners!
Slow cooked Asian Beef & Broccoli
Make ahead slow cooked Asian Beef & Broccoli
3 lbs eye of round steak (or whatever is on sale)
6 T low sodium soy sauce
1/2 C. hoison sauce
6 T ketchup
6 T honey or molasses
2 t Chinese 5 spice powder
4 whole garlic cloves
1 lb fresh broccoli
Mix first 7 ingredients in large zipper bag. Zip bag and squish around with hands to mix well.
Chop broccoli and store in zipper bag.
To cook: Place beef and sauce in slow cooker and cook on low 6-7hours. Add broccoli the last 30 minutes of cook time.
Cook 2 bags of Steamers brown rice to serve with beef & broccoli.
You might want to double this one. Everyone is cleaning their plates!
Coconut Chicken Strips
Bake in 400 degree oven (I used my new baking rack) for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
Make a sweet dipping sauce of 1 C. orange marmalade and 1/4 C honey. Warm in microwave.
If you do not like coconut, try these anyway. My neighbors do not like coconut but they loved these!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Pizza
- 1 pkg. Yeast
- 1/4 c. Warm Water
- 1 Tbs. Sugar
- 2-3 Tbs. Sugar
- 2 Tbs. Powdered Milk-Dry (Optional)
- 1 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 1 1/4 c. Warm Water
- 1 Tbs. Oil
- 4-6 c. Flour
- 1-can Spaghetti Sauce
- 1-small can Tomato Paste
Pizza:
- 3-4 c. Mozzerella Cheese, grated (per large pizza)
- Toppings as desired (Pepperoni, Candadian Bacon, Ham, Sausage, Mushrooms, Olives, Pineapple, Veggies, etc.)
Note to Self: LOVE-LOVE-LOVE this recipe. Easy to whip up, always rises nicely and very tasty. Works great for Calzones too. We've been making it our whole married life. Thanks Kenny!! Hope you don't mind that I posted it.
Hot Hoagies
from Tiffany M.
1 loaf french bread, cut lengthwise
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (in a pinch, you can use two large cans chicken breast)
1/2 cup light mayo
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
2 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped (or 2 tablespoons dried)
2 cups shredded cheese (I used a combo of monterey jack and sharp cheddar cheese)
Olives, chopped (0ptional – I omit these due to my kids’ preferences)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place french bread on large baking sheet. Mix all topping ingredients together in a bowl. Spread topping evenly on top of both lengths of french bread. Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and edges are lightly browned. Slice into pieces and serve immediately.
One Year Ago: Hot Hoagies
Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken
Printable Version with Picture
Printable Version
*Note: leaving the tomatoes undrained makes for a fairly juicy chicken mixture. If you don’t want the finished shredded chicken mixture to be quite as liquidy, slightly drain the tomatoes before using them. Also, I nearly always double or triple this recipe because it freezes so well.
*Serves 4
1 pound (about 2) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (14-ounce) can petite or regular diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (add more if you like extra heat – with this amount it is mild enough for my kids to eat it up but spicy enough to help offset the sweetness)
Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, brown sugar and red pepper flakes. Pour over the chicken. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-9 hours. Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return to the slow cooker and mix the chicken with the juices from the tomato/brown sugar sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve in flour tortillas with toppings of choice: lettuce, sour cream, cheese, avocados, etc.
*Freezable Meal: I freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container and let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving the next day. I reheat over medium-low heat in a saucepan on the stove.
Recipe Source: originally from Prudence Pennywise
Coconut Chicken Curry
slightly adapted from Favorite Family Recipes
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch chunks or strips
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika (substitute cayenne pepper if you like the heat)
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 red potatoes, cut into chunks
1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
Jasmine rice (cooked)
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat oil, curry powder, and paprika in a large skillet over medium-low heat for two minutes, until fragrant (but don’t let it burn). Turn the heat up to medium and stir in onions and garlic and cook ten minutes more or until onions are very clear. Add chicken, tossing lightly to coat with curry oil and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and is cooked through. Add potatoes, then add coconut milk, tomatoes (I lightly crushed the stewed tomatoes with my fingers before adding), tomato sauce, and sugar into the pan, and stir to combine. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 30-40 minutes or until sauce thickens. The sauce thickens upon standing, but is great served piping hot (and a bit thinner), too. Serve with Jasmine rice (or your favorite rice) and garnish with cilantro, if desired.
Southwestern Cobb Salad
Printable Version with Picture
Printable Version
*Serves 6-8 as a main dish
Chicken Marinade:
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2-3 limes)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Black Bean Salsa:
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 sweet onion (I used vidalia), diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
Yellow Pepper Salsa:
1 yellow pepper, seeded, and diced
1 tomato, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 can large olives, coarsely chopped
1/2 sweet onion (I used vidalia), diced
Avocado Salsa:
2 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Juice of 2 limes
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4-5 large eggs
6-8 slices thick-cut bacon (I used turkey bacon – it was delicious)
1 medium head romaine lettuce, washed, dried and torn into 1-inch pieces
For the chicken marinade, in a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and red pepper flakes. Place the chicken breasts in a ziploc bag and pour the marinade over the chicken. Close the bag and refrigerate for at least an hour or up to overnight.
Heat a grill to medium-high heat (an indoor grill pan or skillet could be used also). Grill the chicken until it is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Cool the chicken completely then cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.
Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Cover and remove from the heat. Let the eggs sit for 13 minutes then rinse them under cold water until they are completely cooled. Peel and coarsely chop the eggs. Set aside.
Cook the bacon over medium heat until it is crisp. Drain on paper towels. When cool, crumble and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the yellow pepper, tomatoe, olives, and 1/2 of the sweet onion. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
In another bowl, combine the black beans, 1/4 cup cilantro and onion. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In another bowl (don’t worry, we are almost done with the excess of bowls), combine the avocado, 1/4 cup cilantro, juice of 2 limes, cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
On a large platter (or large bowl), arrange the romaine lettuce. Arrange the chicken in a strip down the middle of the romaine. On either side, make piled strips of the eggs, bacon, yellow pepper mixture, black bean mixture and avocado mixture. Drizzle with dressing or serve it on the side. The easiest way to serve this on a platter is with a pair of tongs. If using a large bowl, gently toss to combine all the ingredients before serving.
Green Goddess Dressing
*This dressing is best made up a few hours or a day beforehand to let the flavors blend.
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons low-fat buttermilk
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 bunch chives, coarsely chopped (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup)
2 green onions, white and green parts, cut into thick chunks
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon coarse or Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
Combine all the ingredients together in a blender. Process until smooth. Thin with additional buttermilk (adding it one teaspoon at a time), if desired. Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Recipe Source: salad and dressing adapted slightly from Martha Stewart
Microwave Chicken Curry
- 2 tablespoons Indian curry paste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1/2 bunch basil, leaves chopped
- 1/2 bunch cilantro, leaves chopped
- 2 (13.5-ounce) cans coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Steamed rice, to serve
- Paprika, for garnish
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced, for garnish


























