Southwestern Breakfast Casserole made in the slow cooker is a great way to wake up in the morning. It's yummy enough -- and pretty enough -- to serve guests even when you've stayed up late the night before. I am always up around 3 in the morning so putting it in the crockpot to cook for 3 - 4 hours before breakfast is not a problem. Another alternative is to start it cooking before bed and program the slow cooker to keep it warm after cooking until needed. If you must, put the casserole in the slow cooker insert, cover and put it in the refrigerator, set your phone for the right time to allow for 4 hours cooking. When the alarm sounds slip down to the kitchen, put the insert in the crockpot, turn it on and head back to bed. It's worth it! You know I am not a spice fan -- but if ... [Read More]
Crockpot
Slow Cooker Honey Pork with green beans
Honeyed Pork and green beans cooked long and slow in the slow cooker. Easy delicious one pot dinner. I tend to buy meat only when it is on sale. Usually I end up with several pieces of meat that need to be frozen or cooked immediately. This recipe works either way. Make it it right away. OR follow the Make Ahead Instructions to prepare everything ahead of time and freeze until needed. If desired, you can drop the sealed bag into another gallon bag and seal it. Then you don’t have to worry about the seal coming loose as multiple cooks (or snackers) rummage in the freezer. The first time I made this, I just dumped the ingredients on top of the meat. I assumed the heat of the crockpot would sort of melt and meld them together and they would spread over the meat as it ... [Read More]
Pork Tostadas
Pork Tostadas are open faced sandwiches made on a crispy fried tortilla. Tostada = toasted. Anything that can go on a taco can also be found on a Tostada. You know I am a wimp when it comes to spicy and to me Mexican food meant spicy. Wrong! How did I find out? Last spring I noticed our local grocery offered cooking sessions. Always looking for new dishes and ways to make our meals healthy and varied, I signed up immediately. I’ve added to our food rotation things like Pork Tostadas and more. I love it! For many reasons! HyVee is a regional, employee owned grocery that opened a few months before we bought our home and was a factor in our choosing where to live. Contrary to what some people think, residents of the Great Plains do not shop at trading posts or dingy general ... [Read More]
Crockpot Apple Crisp
Apple Crisp made in the slowcooker -- sort of a "handed lemons, make lemonade" process that turned out well. Really well, in fact. That bag of apples had been setting in the refrigerator for a few days. When I opened them with the intent of adding them to the bowl on the dining room buffet, I hesitated. Apparently someone had dropped the bag before purchase. Bruises and mushy spots on about half of them – meaning they had to be used. Soon. I didn’t want to be caught in a “can’t quit now” situation with the paint brush to check the oven. Nor did I want to risk not hearing the oven timer. We're still in the moving process. Who knows where the little stick-it-in-your-pocket-ticking-timer is. There are still boxes in the basement and in storage two hours away, so I’m sure it will turn ... [Read More]
Fruit Pork Roast
We had some good eating in the last couple weeks before the freezer left, including this deliciously beautiful Fruit Pork Roast. When the freezer's predecessor died, I almost didn’t buy a replacement. But we just couldn’t do without – in less than a week we gathered up the spare change and went shopping for a freezer. This time we decided to list the little chest on Craigslist and buy a new one to fit the new space once we move. The people who bought it were super nice. Her sister and children were moving from Florida to live with them for the summer (and maybe longer) while the brother in law got settled in his new job and found a house in New York where he’d been transferred. I wouldn’t back down on the price (since I had a list of seven more inquiries after theirs), but when it ... [Read More]
Slow Cooker Apple Dessert
Slow cooker apple dessert is just that – a dessert. It isn’t a cobbler, cake or cookie. Just a nice fruity spicy snack or a not too sweet ending to a meal. This is a perfect dessert to make when you are working on a project at home because it makes the house smell amazing. Wouldn’t want to waste that cinnamon odor!!! The dessert goes together really quickly! Pop it in the crockpot and do what you need to do! Dessert will be ready and waiting for you! The amount of chopped apple does not have to be precise. More apples just means the dessert will be more moist. Depending on your crockpot, check at 2 and a half hours just to make sure that the dessert is not browning too quickly. It is good warm or cold – my preference is cold because the flavors meld. Don’t skip the topping because the ... [Read More]
