Thursday, January 29, 2009

Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala

You read right! I even think we like this marsala better than my stove top version - which is SO much more labor intensive. I would bet you could use some cheap pork cuts just as effectively for a faux veal marsala!!!

8 chicken thighs, boneless & skinless
8 oz sliced white mushrooms
12 oz mushroom gravy (yep, I used canned, Campbells actually, used a can and a half)
1 cup marsala wine
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp (1 clove) minced garlic

Put everything in the crock pot and cook on low 7-8 hrs.

If you want to be a snob like me and have good presentation...buy the already boned & skinned thighs (my butcher packages them sort of rolled up & pretty). Freeze them for a few hours to make them tight but not really frozen. Put these in the bottom of your crock pot in one layer, dump everything on top and DO NOT STIR. When the cooking is done, carefully lift them out with a large spoon and they'll stay together. Looks nice =)

I serve marsala over garlic mashed potatoes with rolls. Sprinkle with dried parsley before serving.

Quick & Easy BBQ Meatloaf

When I don't feel like going through all the trouble of rolled meat loaf...this is my back up. Yeah, it's yummy!

2 lbs meatloaf mix or lean ground beef
1-6 oz. package Stove Top Stuffing (original herb)
2 eggs
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 cup water

Mix meat, water, eggs, stuffing mix and 1/4 cup of the BBQ sauce in a large bowl. Place in a greased 9" x 13" baking dish, spread evenly with the remaining BBQ sauce (ok, ok...I admit...I use extra).

Bake at 375 for about 1 hr or until done.

I serve this with mashed potatoes and a green vegetable - usually some of our home canned green beans.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Moroccan Chicken

Gotta love slow cooker meals in the winter months. This one will warm your tummy while stuffing it full! Dark chicken meat does a wonderful thing in a slow cooker...and it's easy on the wallet.

4 chicken leg quarters, skinned and trimmed of fat (also remove the backbone if still there)
4 cups butternut squash, peeled and cubed
1-26 oz jar green and black olive pasta sauce (Barilla)
1 can chickpeas, rinsed
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and diced (optional)

Put all ingredients in your slow cooker. Cook on low 7-8 hours.

I serve this with plain couscous, but follow your own taste. Also good with almonds (slivered) and chopped fresh mint sprinkled on top.

Monday, January 5, 2009

The Real Pork & Beans

Um...YUM!

1-16 oz can pork & beans
1/2 onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup, divided
1 tsp yellow mustard
4 regular or 8 thin sliced boneless pork chops
1 tsp worchestershire sauce

Mix together in 9 x 9 pan the pork n beans, onion, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup ketchup and the mustard. Lay chops over the bean mixture. Mix together 1/4 cup ketchup, remaining brown sugar and worchestershire. Use a basting brush to coat the meat. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 25 mins. Remove foil, bake another 20 mins.

Serve this with cornbread. It can be a bit runny, you need the cornbread to sop it up!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Creamy Succotash

Serve this over buttermilk biscuits...very hearty! Ben likes it even though it has chicken in it, haha!

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in chunks
1/2 cup to 1 cup diced ham
1 1/2 cups frozen corn and baby limas
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 small red bell pepper, diced
1/8 tsp ground red pepper

Combine all ingredients in your slow cooker, stir to combine. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. If too thin after cooking, add a couple tbsp corn starch (mixed into cold water first of course) and turn the cooker to high to thicken.