… This chili is simple, nutritious, filling, and SO SO yummy! Really, you have to give it a try before snubbing your nose at something vegetarian. … The recipe: Vegetarian Chili 6-7 medium tomatoes (any med.-lg. variety) 2 jalapeno chills, cored, seeded and diced 3 cloves garlic diced 1 onion chopped 2 Tbl. e.v.o.o. (extra [...]
Orange Cranberry Mulled Cider (a la Slow Cooker)

Every year starting in late October I make this apple cider. It’s so very simple and effortless, but I still receive numerous compliments and requests for the recipe. Ingredients 5 cups of apple cider 5 cups of cranberry juice 4 oranges, sliced and sectioned 1/2 cup brown sugar to taste 2 t whole allspice (whole [...]
Creating Slow Cooker “TV Dinners”

I am extremely excited and proud to introduce today’s guest blogger. Maybe you’ve heard of her? She’s only just one of The Biggest Mommy Bloggers! Stephanie (O’Dea), it’s such an honor to have you with us today… you’re one of my hero mommy bloggers! Stephanie O’Dea is the author of Make it Fast, Cook it [...]
South of the Border Steak and Beans

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) 1.5 lb beef flank steak 10 oz can chopped tomatoes with green chili peppers 1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 T snipped fresh oregano (or 1 t dried oregano, crushed) 1 t chili powder 1 t ground cumin 1/4 t salt 1/4 t black pepper 2 small green, red, and/or yellow sweet peppers, cut into strips 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed 3 [...]
Ratatouille Steak Sandwiches

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) 1.5 lb beef flank steak 1 t dried Italian seasoning, crushed salt and pepper to taste 1.5 cups sliced fresh mushrooms 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 14.5 oz can tomatoes, cut up 2 T red wine vinegar 1 medium yellow summer squash or zucchini, halved lengthwise [...]
How to Crock Pot

Lindsey, full-time attorney and mother of Christina (3), Rebecca (1), and Allison (4 months), can be found at High Heeled Mom, a blog focusing on issues dealing with career, motherhood, and the combination thereof. She’s glad to answer any crockpot questions you have, any time. She knows how to cook other things, but usually doesn’t. [...]
Mafalda with Sausage and Mushrooms

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) 12 oz bulk sweet Italian sausage 2 cups sliced fresh cremini and/or button mushrooms 28 oz can crushed tomatoes 8 oz can tomato sauce 6 oz can tomato paste 2/3 cup water 1 medium onion, chopped 1 T sugar 1 t dried rosemary, crushed (or 1 T snipped fresh rosemary) [...]
Chicken and Sausage Paella

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) 2.5 to 3 pounds meaty chicken pieces (breasts, thighs, and drumsticks) 1 T cooking oil 8 oz cooked smoked turkey sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced 1 large onion, sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 T snipped fresh thyme (or 2 t dried thyme, crushed) 1/4 t black pepper 1/8 t [...]
Raspberry Fudgey Brownies

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) 1/2 cup butter 2 oz unsweetened chocolate 2 eggs 3/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup seedless red raspberry jam 1 t vanilla 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 t baking powder Optional toppings: vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream topping, fresh raspberries Generously grease two 1 pint straight-sided wide-mouth canning jars. Flour [...]
Jerk Pork Sandwiches with Lime Mayo

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) 1.5 to 2 lb boneless pork shoulder roast 1 T Jamaican jerk seasoning 1/4 t dried thyme, crushed 1 cup water 2 T lime juice, divided 6-8 kaiser rolls, split and toasted 6-8 lettuce leaves (optional) 6 thinly sliced red or green sweet pepper rings (optional) 1 medium mango, peeled [...]
Caramel-Apple Nachos

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) For the Caramel-Apple portion: 2/3 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 T quick-cooking tapioca 1 t ground cinnamon 1.5 cups apple juice or apple cider 2 pounds cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices (6 cups) 1 T butter, cut up 8 oz [...]
Thai Chicken Soup

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, rinsed and cut into 3/4 inch pieces 4 cups chicken broth 2 cups bias-sliced carrots 1 large onion, chopped 2 T grated ginger root 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 stalks lemongrass (use only the fibrous white bulb which contains a lemon fragrance [...]
Pot Roast with Basil Mashed Potatoes

(from Better Homes and Gardens Crockery cookbook) 2 carrots, cut into 1/2 inch pieces 1 medium turnip, peeled and cubed (1 cup) 1 small onion, chopped 1/2 cup snipped dried tomatoes (not oil-packed) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 t instant beef bouillon granules 1/2 t dried basil, crushed 1/2 t dried oregano, crushed 1/8 t pepper 1.5-2 [...]
Slow-Cooked Roasted Chicken

(I adapted this recipe from 3 different internet recipes) Cooking time: 4-5 hours on high or 7-8 on low (Crock Pot) (all spices are dried unless specified) 3-4 pounds of chicken (ideally the whole chicken skinned, washed, and in pieces, but you can have any parts you want) 1.5 t salt 1 t pepper 8 [...]
























