Slow Cooker Left Overs/Suprise Soup

What do you have in the fridge that's left over from last week? What do you have in the freezer that you really need to use before freezer burn sets in? Lets put it all in the slow cooker and see what happens!

Yesterday I was trying to think of something to make for dinner tonight, so I started rooting around the freezer. That's when I decided to use up some things that needed to be used before they went bad. I had some bone in, skin on chicken thighs that had been in the freezer for a few months. I put them in a gallon size plastic bag and started adding stuff. I had about 1 1/2 cups of gravy from Thanksgiving that I had frozen in ice cube trays, so I added that to the bag. Then I started looking at my leftover, fresh veggies. I had carrots, some green beans, half a yellow onion, and two red potatoes, so I cut them up and put them in the bag. I added a little minced garlic and a tablespoon of dried thyme, but I wanted something more. I also had an open bag of peas in the freezer, so that went in the bag too. Next I added a healthy dose of freshly cracked black pepper, and I figured that was enough. Plus the bag was now too full to close.

This morning I dumped it all in the crock, but then I decided that it needed more liquid, so I also added a jar of gravy that was in my pantry. I set it on low and went about my day.

Eight hours later I checked the slow cooker. It was looking pretty good, but I decided to remove the chicken so that I could take off the skin and de-bone it. It basically fell apart. I put the de-boned chicken back in the crock and mixed it all up. Mmmm, things are starting to look pretty good in there!

Next I started a pot of rice to give it a little more body, then I skimmed the fat off the top. I added the juice from a lemon and called it "Chicken Stoup". It's not quite a soup, but not quite a stew.

This wasn't exactly impressive cuisine, but it was tasty and filling.

Crock Pot Root Beer Pulled Pork

Here is another super easy crock pot recipe. Before work I put two small, defrosted, "Daisy" pork buts in the crock pot. I added two bottles of IBC root beer, set it on low, and went to work. On my way home I stopped for KFC coleslaw to go with dinner. They make the best coleslaw ever! I've never made my own because I know it wouldn't measure up to the Colonel's recipe. When I got home I pulled out some burger buns and heated up a couple of  cans of baked beans.Then you drain the root beer and shred the pork. Serve with a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce and dinner is ready. Enjoy!

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

So, I just joined a facebook group called the "Crock Pot Recipe Exchange" and there are so many recipes! Plus, there are tips, like other uses for your crock pot and the best brands to buy. Also, I've been looking for some easy recipes to use on the weekdays, and nothing is as easy as crock pot cooking.

The other night I made the easiest dinner ever! You just put 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts on the bottom of the crock pot, then dump a jar of salsa on them. I used frozen chicken and Tostitos brand salsa, and they turned out great! So moist! Set the cooker on low and go to work. When you get home from work, break out some flour tortillas, shred some lettuce, set out some shredded cheddar cheese, hot sauce and sour cream and, Voila! Yummy chicken soft tacos for dinner! All you have to do is take two forks and start touching the chicken and it shreds. I also made Spanish rice to serve with it. I used Rice-a-Roni brand, but instead of canned tomatoes, I used two cups of freshly diced Roma tomatoes. I know! I just said I wanted to stop using boxed food in my last post! But, this is one of those things that I haven't figured out how to make from scratch yet. I'm working on it, but the last one I made from scratch wasn't nearly as good. I'll try again when I have more time for experimenting.

I think this chicken would be good in so many ways. Burritos, enchiladas, over rice, on a baked potato, in a soup. Let me know if any of you come up with other ideas!

Easy Meal Idea: Sausage, Peppers and Onions over Rice

This is another very simple meal idea. I just bought a package of fully cooked, beef, smoked sausage and cooked them up with peppers and onions and served it over white rice. Fast, easy, flavorful and colorful.

I package sausage. Use whatever you like. I used Esskay smoked beef sausage. They were a little too greasy for my taste so next time I'll try something different.
1 red onion, cut into eighth's and separated
1 red and 1 green pepper, but sometimes I use yellow or orange.
Butter
Salt and pepper
1 beer
white rice

First I start by cutting up all the veggies and then I set them aside in a bowl. Then I cut the sausages into 2-3 inch long sections. I start with a little olive oil in a large skillet on medium-low heat. When the pan has warmed up, I add the sausage. As the sausage cooks I add a little beer for extra flavor, turning the sausage every few minutes so it doesn't burn. Cook rice according to your package directions. In a non-stick skillet melt some butter. I usually use about 1 tbsp. Cook veggies in non-stick skillet until they are done to your liking. I like to keep them a bit more crisp. When its all done, plate a bed of rice, then top with veggies and sausage. Enjoy!

 

  

 

Make your own quesadillas!

Sometimes I just want to make something super simple for dinner, so last night I decided it was "make your own quesadilla night". I put out the tortillas, cheeses, chicken and some veggies and had everyone do the filling for their own quesadilla. I put them on cookie sheets and left them in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. When they were done I cut them and plated them, but then I had everyone add their own condiments as well. I set out hot sauce, sour cream and salsa and walked away from any responsibility! Everyone liked their dinner and I loved that it was very little effort on my part.