Happy (belated) St Patrick's Day

Yesterday we celebrated St Patrick's Day (even though we are not Irish).  Just something fun to do. I made Corn Beef and Cabbage.  It was great. We did still celebrate some on St Patrick's Feast Day. We had friends over for dinner....the boys enjoyed green macaroni and cheese (as well as their own version of Leprechaun Hunt (as Lego Ninja Warriors).  It was so cute.   They had all the neighbor kids joining in the fun and excitement. (I wish I had a picture of the whole posse,)

Corned Beef & Cabbage

adapted from: http://thefamilyfudge.com/2017/03/08/apple-brown-sugar-corned-beef/

2.25lbs seasoned corned beef

1 1/4 cups apple juice

7 red potatoes, washed and quartered

1 karge onion, (cut into 1/8ths)

3 large carrots, peeled and chunked

1 large head cabbage, chunked

Place potatoes in the bottom of greased crockpot.  Top with carrots. Place corned beef on top of that (fat side up).Onions on top of that. Pour apple juice into the pot. Cook on LOW for 8hours. Then put cut up cabbage top and cook for another 4hours on LOW.

Take The Chill Off

Over the weekend my husband was making beer, it was the last day of warm weather (80s). Today is bitterly cold  so it reminded me that I need to post this amazing recipe I made for pairing with his brewing.

Perfect Chili
adapted from: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/frito-chili-pie/

2 lbs ground beef (I used half elk)
1 onion, diced
garlic
1 (10oz) can Enchilada Sauce, medium heat
1 can diced tomatoes with chilis
1 (12oz) bag frozen corn niblets
1/2 t salt
1-2 T ground cumin
2 T chili powder
1 (29oz) can western style chili beans

Brown ground beef with onions and garlic. Stir in salt, cumin and chili powder.  Pour into a greased large crockpot. Stir in beans, tomatoes, corn and enchilada sauce.  Cook on HIGH for 4hours. Serve with fritos, cheese and sour cream. Delish!!

Feast of a Modern Saint

Today at 4AM (MST) Mother Teresa of Calcutta was canonized a saint.  What a witness of Christ's great love for us! Mother Teresa helped helped the poor and the dying of the streets of India.  She is originally from Albania near Greece.  I thought I would make of Feast in remembrance of her.  This main dish is from India and the dessert is Greek (one of my dear husband's favorite Greek desserts). St Mother Teresa, Pray for Us!

Chicken Tikka Masala
adapted from: https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/recipe/slow-cooker-chicken-tikka-masala-1/5626a63a3d92b3c10eb8da36

28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
1 small onion, minced
1 T minced fresh garlic
1 T minced fresh ginger
2 T garam masala
1 T brown sugar
1/2 t cumin
1/2 t coriander
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

Combine all ingredients in a greased crockpot.  Cook on LOW for 8hours.  Serve over steamed basmati rice with Greek yogurt/sour cream and cilantro.

Galaktoboureko
adapted from: http://www.adayinthebite.com/galaktoboureko/

4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup semolina flour
3/4 cup sugar
2/3 cup unsalted butter
4 eggs, whisked well
1/2 t vanilla
1 t rum
1/2 pound phyllo sheets
2/3 cup butter, melted (this is additonal)
2 cups water
1 cup sugar
juice from 1/2 lemon
zest from lemon
1 cinnamon stick

Preheat oven to 375.  In a large sauce pan, heat milk until warmed and simmering.  Remove from heat and stir in sugar and flour. Quickly and slowly incorporated vanilla, eggs and rum.   Grease a 9x13 pan with butter. Place one phyllo sheet in the bottom with edges out of pan. Butter. Place another sheet on top. Butter. Repeat....another 8times. Pour custard on top of phyllo sheets. Fold the over hanging sheets over top custard.  Top with remaining phyllo with butter in between layers. Sprinkle top layer with water. Bake for 1 hour.  While custard pie is baking make the syrup. In a sauce pan combine water, sugar, lemon juice and zest and cinnamon stick.  Heat until sugar is dissolved over low heat about 10minutes.  Cool.  Remove cinnamon stick.  Once the custard pie comes out of the oven slowly pour syrup over whole pie. Refridgerate until serving time (and if there are any leftovers).

Shredded Goodness

I know I have said it before.  My husband LOVES LOVES pork.  I made this recipe. Great for an all day project. I served it with chips, black beans and chips.  (aka pork nachos). Super good.

Mojo Shredded Pork
adapted from: http://iowagirleats.com/2015/06/08/crock-pot-mojo-pork-with-cuban-style-black-beans/

4lb boneless pork butt (I had pork roast with bone)
3/4 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 large onion, chunked
1 jalapeno, sliced in half (I used 7 jalapeno slices)
1 head garlic, cloves (peeled and separated)
1 1/2 t salt
1 t oregano
1/2 t pepper
1 t cumin
1/2 t paprika
2 bay leaves

Place pork in the crockpot. Dump the rest on top of it. Cook on HIGH 3hours then LOW for 8hours. Shred meat (remove bone if necessary). Mush the garlic as you go.

Fall In The Air

I love Fall (and Spring and Summer...not so much winter, but winter sports).  During the Fall I love using my crockpot. House smells so delicious with cooking food all day. This soup is good and hardy. I made this on a Wednesday (aka my crazy round around day). I thought it was bit on the spicy side. However BAP and SSP gobbled it down like there was no tomorrow...especially with shredded cheddar cheese, doritos and popcorn as toppings.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
adapted from: http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-chicken-enchilada-soup-recipe/

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/4 cup enchilada sauce (or 1 can)
2 (14oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups chunky salsa (I used medium)
1 (15oz) can corn, drained
1 (4oz) can diced green chilies
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, diced
1 t cumin
1 t salt

Place all ingredients in the CrockPot and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Shred chicken right before serving.

Wow...Shocked & Surprised

I always worry about cooking chicken in the crockpot.  The first time (my husband and I were first married) I tried it - it was a flop. The chicken dissolved into a big gloopy messy that smelled and resembled an upset stomach.  I told myself I would never again do it when the chicken was raw. I am now happy to announce that I found a second recipe that works WELL (this is the first successful time).  I served over spaghetti noodles (for the adults) and cheese stuffed tortellini (for the kids)

Chicken Parmesan Perfection
adapted from: http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2014/06/slow-cooker-chicken-parmesan.html

2 whole chicken breasts (cut in half to make them thinner)-sprinkled with salt/pepper
2 t olive oil
1/2 onion, diced small
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 T tomato paste
2 t Italian seasoning
1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes (Italian style), drain
1 T water mixed with 1 T cornstarch
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

In a saute pan, add oil with garlic and onion.  Cook until softened; stir in tomato paste with a little water. Season with Italian seasoning until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes. Simmer 7minutes. Whisk in water/cornstarch mixture. Pour into a greased crockpot. Top with chicken breasts. Cover and cook on LOW 3hours.  Turn heat to WARM. Top with cheese. Cover and let melt.  While cheese is melting cook pasta.

Birthday Dinner

A year ago one of my brothers was working as a missionary in Texas. He loved everything about his work there; the people, the food, etc.  Today is his birthday and this recipe reminds me of him.  I remember him talking of the Cajun food, so this recipe is for him.

Slow Cooker Chicken Gumbo
adapted from: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/robin-miller/slow-cooker-chicken-gumbo-recipe.html

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into chunks)
1 (12oz) pkg frozen okra (chopped)
1 pkg Cajun hot links
1 pkg frozen mixed veggies (onions, peppers, celery)
1 t thyme
1/2 t salt
2 bay leaves
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t mustard powder
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1/4 t black pepper
2 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
2 cups tomtato juice (low sodium V-8)

Place all ingredients in the crockpot in the order given. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. Serve hot over rice.

Tasty and Delcious

Pulled pork is a favorite of my husband and me.  Usually it is drenched in a thick gloopy bbq sauce but this recipe is sweet but very savory.

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
adapted from: http://lecremedelacrumb.com/2014/02/cafe-rio-sweet-pork-copycat-2.html

2 pounds pork loin
3/4 cup coke
1/4 brown sugar
Marinate overnight.

1 cup coke
1/4 cup water
1/2 t garlic salt
1/4 t onion salt
1/4 t chili powder
Add marinated pork to a greased crockpot (discard marinade). Pour above ingredients over pork. Cook on HIGH 3 hours.  Drain. Keep pork in the crock pot; shred.

3/4 cup coke
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 t chili powder
1 (4oz) can diced green chilies
1 (10oz) can red enchilada sauce
Pour over shredded pork and cook for an additional 30minutes.

Glorious Tater Tot BBQ

Lately I have fallen into using my crock pot all the time rut. It has been nice since I have not had the time nor energy to cook after a long day (I am not pregnant). I enjoy just being able to smell delicious goodness all day. Mmm. The other night I made this delicious meal. 

BBQ Tater Tot Chicken Mix Up

4 chicken breasts, cooked & chopped fine (I coated them with some mesquite seasoning overnight before baking)

1 bottle BBQ sauce

1 (32oz) bag tater tots

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Place some of the tater tots in the bottom of the crockpot. Top with some of the chicken. Drizzle with about 1/2 the BBQ sauce. Top with 1/2 the cheese. Repeat (leaving off the last cheese). Cook on HIGH for about 4 hours. Top with remaining cheese at the 3 1/2 hour mark. Cover and cook the last half hour until cheese is all bubbly and gooey. Serve with ranch dressing and corn.

Perfectly Delecatable & Moist

For my husband's birthday celebration I made some pulled pork sandwiches.  They were out of this world good.  I had enough leftovers for one last sandwich...they must have been a hit all around.  I served these on toasted Texas Toast and coleslaw.  Today is his Baptismal anniversary....perfect celebration topper.

Slow CookerApple Cider Pulled Pork
adapted from: http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-apple-cider-pulled-pork/

3.5lbs pork shoulder/loin
1 onion, sliced
1 bottle HARD cider

Place all ingredients in a greased crockpot.  Cook on LOW for about 8-12 hours.  About 2 hours before serving, drain and shred meat. Pour in another 1/2 bottle of HARD cider. Dump in a bottle (18oz) of your favorite BBQ sauce. Rinse bottle with the other half of the HARD cider. Stir together. Let simmer together in the crockpot.

Coleslaw
adapted from: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2011/06/10/sams-pulled-pork-coleslaw-heaven-on-a-bun/

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 t celery seed
1/2 t salt
1 small squirt yellow mustard
3/4 cup mayonaisse
2 1/2 T vinegar
1 bag coleslaw mix

Mix all ingredients (except coleslaw mix) in a bowl.  Add coleslaw mix; toss until thoroughly coated. Refrigerate at least 4 hours so flavors can marry.

So Pork-a-licious

As I have mentioned before my husband absolutely LOVES his pork.  I thought I would remind my husband that I DO love him.  Happy Saint Valentines Day! My sister shared this recipe with me.  We loved it. It was perfectly seasoned and mouth watering good. I served it with roasted Brussels sprouts and pickled beets (and mac and cheese too). Thanks for the delicious recipe, Sister!

Easy and Tasty Pork Chops
my sister

3 bone-in thick cut pork chops
1 (15oz) can cream of mushroom soup (I found an awesome gluten free brand)
1 cup milk
1 (1oz) pkg dry ranch dressing mix
Potatoes, peeled and chunked
Carrots, chunked to the same size as the potatoes

Place pork chops in a well greased crockpot (and carrots and potatoes on top of meat).  In a measuring cup combine soup, milk and ranch dressing mix. Pour over meat and veggies.  Cook on LOW for 6-8hours (mine was closer to 9). Super good and super easy.

Chicken...Bacon...Cheese...Ranch Dressing

Chicken...Bacon...Cheese...Ranch Dressing.  Nothing is wrong when you have a meal wrapped around this combination. So yummy and comforting.

Cheesy Chicken Ranch Casserole
adapted from: http://crockpotladies.com/crockpot-cheesy-chicken-ranch-tater-tot-casserole/

1 pkg ranch dressing mix (you pick your favorite brand)
1 cup milk
16oz Tater crowns/tots
16oz Southern style hashbrowns
8oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (+1/2cup for topping)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked)

Grease your crockpot.  Whisk together milk and ranch mix; let rest.  Place your tater crowns in the bottom of the crockpot.  Place half the chicken, half the bacon then half the cheese; repeat. Top with hashbrowns. Pour Ranch dressing mix over top.  Cook on LOW 5 to 6hours. Top with remaining half cup cheese for last 10minutes or so until melted and gooey.

Long Day...Shortish Cooking (Kinda)

Do you ever have one of those days you are grateful that dinner is ready when you get in the door at night?  (ie using the crockpot) I help in BAP's classroom once a week and I am grateful for the use of my trusty crockpot on those days.  I made some hearty chili the other day...it was delicious. 

Steak Chili

adapted from: http://www2.gooseberrypatch.com/gooseberry/recipe.nsf/55e548eeef8c89b9852568d4004c5ffe/E50975762837A6038525770700553DC2

2T oil

2lbs round steak, cut into cubes

1 (16oz) jar cocktail onions, drained (or 1 1/2 cups onions, chopped & sauted until clear)

1/2 cup water

1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can V-8 juice (low sodium)

1T chili powder

1 1/2 T cumin powder

1 1/2 cups chunky salsa

salt/pepper

Brown meat quickly in hot oil. Dump into greased crockpot. Add the rest of the ingredients.  Cook on LOW 10-12hours.  Enjoy with corn chips and cheese.

Warm & Comforting

I have always enjoyed meatloaf as long as I can remember.  Last night I had the inspiration to make it about 3pm. (Thank goodness I had some ground elk out that had thawed). I thought I would try making it in the crockpot. Perfection!

Crockpot Meatloaf
adapted from: http://recipesthatcrock.com/slow-cooker-cheddar-meatloaf/

1 pound ground beef
1 cup pulsed oats
1 egg
1/2 cup dried onions
1/4 cup dried peppers
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup

Combine meat, oats, eggs, onions and peppers.  Place in a well greased crockpot. Cook on HIGH 2-3 hours (until 160).  Turn temperature to warm if not ready for dinner, right way.  During the last hour of cooking bake your potatoes (I made these ones).

Hasselback potatoes
adapted from: http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-hasselback-potatoes-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchn-199763

4 large potatoes, peeled & sliced (about 3/4 way through the short way - they look like accordions)
4 T butter, melted with 2 T bacon grease
salt/pepper/onion powder/garlic powder/cheese slices (little squares)

Preheat oven to 425. Place potatoes on a foil-lined baking sheet (grease it!). Drizzle potatoes with have the butter mixture (making sure to get in all the little folds). Bake for 30minutes. Drizzle with remaining butter mixture , then sprinkle with spices. Return to oven for another 25minutes. Place cheese slices between each fold. Bake an additional 5minutes (until melted and bubbly). Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan if desired.

Perfect Succlent Dish

Today is my daddy's birthday.  Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you.  Thank you for your generossity now and throughout the years.  My mom is going to make a delicious pork roast for our dinner tonight...yum yum. I made this recipe about a month ago. It was perfect.  . I am bringing a delicious red cabbage side dish.

Roasted Pork with Apples and Onions
adapted from: http://leitesculinaria.com/96812/recipes-roast-pork-loin-apples-onions.html

1 1/2 pork loin, boneless of course
2 medium red onion, chunked
3 apples, chunked
3 T olive oil (divided)
1 t salt (divided)
1/2 t ground black pepper (divided)
2 garlic cloves, minced (divided)
1 t dried thyme (divided)
2 t fennel seeds, crushed

Place half the onions and apples in the bottom of a greased crockpot.  In a mortar and pestle combine half each of the following salt, pepper, garlic, thyme and fennel; set aside in a pie plate. Rub pork loin with half the oil.  Roll pork loin spices. Place in crockpot on top of onions and apples. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with remaining spices/herbs.  Cook on LOW for 8hours until temperature reaches at least 165. (Alternately you can roast in the oven at 400 for 45 to 60 minutes.) Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.

German Red Cabbage
adapted from: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/german-red-cabbage

1 medium onion, sliced
1 unpeeled apple, sliced
1 medium red cabbage, shredded
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar (I will use cider vinegar)
3/4 t salt, optional
1/4 t pepper

Place all ingredients in a Dutch oven. Cook until softened, about an hour.

Comforting Food...

I have always loved a rich and creamy Chicken Alfredo. Today, since we had many things going on this afternoon/evening, I thought I would make something easy in the crockpot. I was thumbing through my cookbooks and found a delicious recipe.

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
adapted from: Fix It and Forget It

4 chicken breast halves
1 1/2 jars (16oz total) Alfredo sauce
1 can cooked chicken, drained
1/2 bag frozen spinach.

Place 1/2 jar of Alfredo sauce in the bottom of a greased crockpot. Add chicken; top with remaining sauce  Cook on LOW 8hours.  Add canned chicken and spinach; stir. Cover and cook for an additional 25minutes.  Serve over pasta, rice or biscuits.

Tasty Tasty...Crockpot

Previously when I have made chicken in the crockpot, it has disintegrated and smelled like someone has gotten sick in the pot and then cooked it.  However this time the chicken was tasty and delicious. BAP and SSP loved the "dragon meat."

Lemon Garlic Chicken
adapted from: http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2013/05/23/slow-cooker-lemon-garlic-chicken/

4 lemons (3 cut in half with the ends sliced off and the other one sliced thinly)
2 heads garlic, sliced in half
1T steak seasoning
1/2 t dried thyme
4.5lb chicken, cleaned out and patted dry

Place garlic and the halved lemons in the bottom of the crockpot.  Place other lemon chunks inside the chicken.  Sprinkle steak seasoning and dried thyme on top of chicken.  Cook chicken chicken on HIGH for 4hours (until chicken reaches 165).  Let chicken rest 15minutes.  Serve with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.

Creamy & Delectable

I have had a hankering for beef stroganoff lately. However with the weather being back in the 80s I was a bit leery to make this recipe.  I cooked the recipe on HIGH...so it was much more tolerable to deal with the heat.  I served over mashed potatoes (BAP and SSP favorite part of the whole meal).

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

adapted from: http://www.fivehearthome.com/2014/01/25/slow-cooker-beef-stroganoff-no-cream-of-x-soup/

1 pound beef stew meat

12oz white mushrooms, sliced

2 T minced garlic

1 1/2 cups beef broth

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 T Dijon mustard

1 t garlic powder

1/2 t onion powder

1/2 t dried thyme

3 T cornstarch

1 bay leaf

4 oz cream cheese

4 oz sour cream

Place beef, mushrooms and garlic in a crockpot.  In another bowl combine broth, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic, onion, thyme and cornstarch.  Pour over meat mixture. Stir. Cook on HIGH for 5 hours. At 20minutes before serve time add cream cheese. Cover for 10 minutes. After this time stir.  Add sour cream; cover and cook another 10minutes. Stir and serve over mashed potatoes.

BBQ Before Its Too Cold

This morning I woke up to rain...oh lovely fall (even though it did get sunny later) . Yesterday I was prepared to make a last of summer dish. I thought pulled pork (with BBQ sauce), coleslaw and french fries sounded good. Good thing too since the pork required the crockpot.

Pulled Pork
adapted from: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/12/03/recipe-best-pulled-pork-crock-pot/

3 T paprika
1-2 T salt
2 t black pepper
1 t cayenne (I used about 1/2 t red pepper flakes)
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
1/2 t thyme
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 T olive oil
1 large onion, sliced thin
3 1/2 pork shoulder, boneless

Combine all spices with honey, vinegar and oil; forming a paste. Place onion slices in the bottom of a greased crockpot. Put pork on top of that; topping with the spice paste.  Cook on LOW 7-9 hours.  Shred. Top with BBQ sauce if desired.

Coleslaw
adapted from: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/creamy-coleslaw/ab0253d2-664d-48ba-9965-202d03aec5e6

1/2 cup sour cream (Greek yogurt works well)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 T sugar
2 t lemon juice
2 t Dijon mustard
1/2 t celery seed
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
4 cups shredded cabbage/coleslaw mix without dressing (1 bag)

Mix all ingredients (minus cabbage) in a bowl thoroughly.  Stir in cabbage mix; covering all of it.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour.

Tasty Tasty Shredded Beef

Mexican food is one of our all time favorites. The boys (typically) without complaint eat their whole plateful of food.  Yesterday I made delicious enchiladas. We loved them, especially with a spoonful of sour cream (for husband and I).

Shredded Beef Enchiladas
adapted from: http://iowagirleats.com/2014/06/02/crock-pot-shredded-beef-enchiladas/

2-3 lbs chuck roast (I used 5 smallish elk  round steaks)
1 large onion, roughly chopped
1 T minced garlic
2 cups beef broth
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
6 corn tortillas
1 (29oz) can enchilada sauce (I used the red sauce)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Place onions and garlic in a greased crockpot.  Add meat; sprinkle with seasonings.  Pour broth over all.  Cook on HIGH for 6 hours.  Remove steaks.  Shred in a bowl. Discord cooking liquid with onions and garlic.  Toss all the meat with half the enchilada sauce (separate into thirds)...freeze in two-thirds in 2 baggies.  Pour a few tablespoons sauce in the bottom of a small greased oven safe dish.   Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for 40 seconds until soft and pliable.  Place some filling and a little cheese in each tortilla.  Place seam side down in pan.  Pour remaining sauce on top of enchiladas. Top with remaining cheese.  Grease a piece of foil.  Place on top of casserole.  Bake at 350 for about 45minutes. Then remove foil. Turn off heat for oven and let sit in oven for about 15minutes so cheese can get melted and gooey.