Vegetarian Chili

… 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 [...]

Share

Orange Cranberry Mulled Cider (a la Slow Cooker)

4235335476_8a6c611407

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 [...]

Share

Creating Slow Cooker “TV Dinners”

IMG_6630JPG-1

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 [...]

Share

South of the Border Steak and Beans

666236

(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 [...]

Share

Ratatouille Steak Sandwiches

17251

(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 [...]

Share

How to Crock Pot

Beef Stew

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. [...]

Share

Mafalda with Sausage and Mushrooms

Mafalde Integrali

(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) [...]

Share

Chicken and Sausage Paella

chicken-sausage-paella-recipe-photo-420-FF0608GATHA03

(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 [...]

Share

Raspberry Fudgey Brownies

344_23_20631401

(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 [...]

Share

Jerk Pork Sandwiches with Lime Mayo

Meat sandwich

(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 [...]

Share

Caramel-Apple Nachos

large

(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 [...]

Share

Thai Chicken Soup

502157

(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 [...]

Share

Pot Roast with Basil Mashed Potatoes

Beef pot roast isolated on white background

(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 [...]

Share

Slow-Cooked Roasted Chicken

pot roast 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 [...]

Share