Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Soup

Let me just say....I love Fall.  I am so happy it has finally arrived, as it has been a very warm summer here in San Diego.  Don't get me wrong, I love the long sunny days, but growing up in the Pacific NW, you crave the changing of the seasons at this time of year.  With a little drizzle over the weekend and some cooler, windy weather, I was so excited to dig out some of my 'fall' clothes today.  I couldn't be more excited to dust my boots off and pair them with my rugged flannels and warm sweaters and get cozy by a warm fire.  I'd like to say Fall is my favorite season, but I realize it is the beginning of every season that is my favorite.  I love a little change up from time to time, as we all do.  But, I have to say, Fall inspires me like no other season when it comes to cooking and crafting; I just love being home and in the kitchen.  Today I made a grocery run and picked up items for spaghetti squash dinner, deviled eggs using greek yogurt {rather mayo}, crustless leek and swiss chard quiche and peanut butter with oatmeal energy bites.  This is going to be a fun week in the kitchen, I just hope I can find the time to post everything I make.  So, since it is Monday, I decided to pull out my lovely CrockPot.  I didn't have a ton of time, so I decided to throw this creamy chicken soup together.  This is one of my favorite 'hurried' recipes that I have made from time to time.  You literally can just throw everything in the CrockPot - it's a cutting board free recipe - which I love. I serve this soup with warmed dinner rolls and a green salad.  Happy Fall!

Cooking tip: This recipe will make for plenty of leftovers, if you are only serving a few.  Cut this recipe in half if you only want a few helpings {we are big on leftovers}.

Ingredients:

• 1 {26 oz} can Cream of Chicken soup
• 1 {10.75 oz} can Cream of Celery soup
• 1 {4 oz} can mushrooms, stems and pieces, undrained
• 1 cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 1 {16 oz} frozen bag mixed vegetables
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a 4 quart or larger CrockPot.  Stir well, then cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or High for 3 to 4 hours, or until warmed through. 

Serve with warmed dinner rolls and a green salad.  

Enjoy!

Beef and Kidney Bean Taco Salad

So, I have been cooking this simple meal for 12+ years.  Before my husband and I were married, one of my best friends would come over on a weekly basis - same night, just about every week.  She was not much of a cook, and I was still an amateur at the time, but I loved being in the kitchen even though I didn't have a ton of experience under my belt. I was determined to find good, quick and easy recipes and once I did, I would find myself cooking them again and again.  This was one of her favorites that she would request time and time again.  I loved her request because it was one of the simplest meals I could whip up in a jiffy, yet it was oh-so-good.  Just for old-time sakes, I used 'spicy doritos' to add some extra flavor and spice {as I always would make this recipe with spicy doritos}.  Since I find myself trying to steer clear of doritos anymore, I have lately used regular or blue tortilla chips {or none at all}.  I always top with store bought salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese and sour cream, but do as you may. I would suggest cheese and salsa, at the very least. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 packet taco seasoning 
• 1 {15 oz} can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 {4 oz} can diced green chiles
• 1 head green or red lettuce, rinsed and shredded into large pieces 
• 1 bag tortilla chips {try a spicy nacho if you are daring}
• shredded cheese
• salsa 
• guacamole
• sour cream

Directions:

1. In a large stovetop pan over medium-high heat, brown ground beef until slightly pink. Drain fat from beef. 
2. Place beef back into stovetop pan over medium heat.  Add taco seasoning packet with 1/2 cup water.  Mix well.  Cook until beef is no longer pink.
3. Add rinsed and drained kidney beans to ground beef mixture.  Add diced green chiles.  Stir to mix together.  Cover and cook on medium-low for 10 minutes or so, or until kidney beans are slightly softened.  
4. On a dinner plate, arrange a bed of tortilla chips topped with lettuce.  Spoon a desired amount of ground beef mixture onto lettuce bed.  Top with shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole and a dollop of sour cream.  

Enjoy!

Coconut Chicken and Shrimp Curry

Greetings from the busy life.  I made this amazing curry dish recently and wanted to share it with you.  I adapted this recipe from 'Simple Bites' blog, as it looked amazing.  Of course, I added a few ingredients and changed the recipe up a bit as it requested more steps than I was in the mood to follow. When I make a Crock Pot dish, I prefer to use as few steps as possible.  My idea of 'Crock Pot food' is dumping it all into one large pot to stir and be done with it.  {Although, that's not always the case}.  This yummy recipe calls for a lot of ingredients, but is still an easy recipe to follow and really looks more complicated than it is.  Your family, friends or guests will think you slaved over this dish for hours {and let them think you did}.  I doubled this recipe because we had family in town and I wanted to make sure we had enough to feed everyone and have extra for leftovers {we are BIG on leftovers in this house}.  I also decided to add shrimp to it, as I was craving it, but that's up to you.  Just remember to halve the recipe amounts if you are only cooking for a few.  I was cooking for 7 and had plenty of leftovers. Serve this over a Jasmine or brown rice, or you can serve it in a bowl on it's own. Hope you enjoy..

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter, melted
• 2 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, rinsed
• 1 lb frozen cooked shrimp, rinsed and thawed {tail off shrimp}
• 3 {13.5 oz} cans coconut milk
• 1 sweet yellow onion, peeled and ground {or finely diced}
• 1 {16 oz} bag frozen california blend veggies {with cauliflower, broccoli & carrots}
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 {15 oz} can baby corn on the cob, drained and cut each cob in half
• 4 tsp minced garlic
• 3 tsp crushed ginger
• 2 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp ground curry powder
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp ground pepper

Directions:

1. In a large Crock Pot {5 quart or larger}, combine all ingredients into Crock Pot in order listed. Using a large spoon, stir WELL.   
2. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, {stirring occasionally}.  Or, cook until chicken is cooked through and veggies are soft.  

The chicken should shred easily with your fork, if you want to break the chicken up a bit.  Up to you. Top curry on a bed of Jasmine or brown rice.  Enjoy!

Chipotle Yam, Black Bean and Guac Tacos

I'm back!  It has been quite a whirlwind as my poor computer crashed and is still in pieces.  The diagnosis doesn't look good and I may have lost a TON of pictures, but I am not going to pout any longer and I am going to get back to what I love.  Thank goodness to my wonderful husband who has replaced my laptop and thank you all for being patient with me as I was so neglectful to my poor little blog - again.
This is a great recipe I wanted to kick things off with.  I was on Pinterest when I found this amazing recipe from 'Naturally Ella Blog'.  I knew this was going to taste as great as it sounded, so I just had to make it.  This recipe is a definite keeper.  I am usually one who has to have some sort of carnivorous staple on the dinner table, but not tonight.  These 'meat free' tacos were filling and satisfied my every single taste bud.  I followed her recipe, but changed a few minor things and I wouldn't do it any other way.  I doubled the recipe, because we always favor leftovers in this house, as it makes for easy lunches the following day.  You must try this healthy alternative if you favor tacos, they are incredible.



Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced
• 2 medium yams, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 can organic black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce {you can buy them canned}
• 4 Tbsp adobo sauce {you can use the adobo sauce from the canned chipotle pepper}
• 2 Tbsp honey
• juice from 1 lime
• 1 package taco shells {I prefer blue corn taco shells}
• cilantro
• sour cream

For Guacamole:

• 2 avocados
• 2 small tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 medium red onion, diced
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• juice from 1 lime
• handful of cilantro

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat.  Add onions and cook until slightly softened {about 3 to 4 minutes}.  Add yams and sauté for 5 to 10 minutes with onions, or until yams are slightly softened.  
2. In a mixing bowl {or in a mortar and pestle}, combine chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, honey and lime juice.  Mix well, while cutting up chipotle peppers into pieces.  
3. Pour chipotle mixture into pan with onions and yams and mix well.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  
4. Add black beans and mix yams and beans together.  Cook until yams are softened to your liking {not allowing them to become soggy}. 

For Guac:

1. While cooking the yam mixture with beans, scoop out the insides of each avocado.  Add onion, salt and lime juice and mash to texture of your liking.  Fold in tomatoes and cilantro.  Mix together.  

TO SERVE:

1. Scoop a large spoonful of the yam mixture into the bottom of the taco shell.  Layer with the guacamole, sour cream and sprinkle with cilantro.  Voila!

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Boneless Pork Ribs

Look at these beauties.  These ribs were finger-lickin' good.  They were so tender, they hardly made it out of the Crock Pot without falling apart. We devoured these in minutes and will be sure to make these again.  You can serve these with extra BBQ sauce, if you like.  Although, we thought they turned out perfect with just a dash of salt and pepper.  If you have leftovers, you can also shred the pork to make BBQ pork sandwiches.  Delish!  


Ingredients:

• 3 to 4 lbs boneless pork ribs, rinsed
• 1 {18 oz} bottle BBQ sauce {I prefer Trader Joe's Bold and Smoky Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce}
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• salt and pepper, to serve

1. In a 4 quart or larger Crock Pot, combine all ingredients and toss to mix together.  
2. Cover and cook on Low for 8 to 9 hours, or High for 5 to 6 hours.  
3. When serving, remove ribs with tongs carefully, leaving juices in Crock Pot to discard. 
4. Sprinkle ribs lightly with salt and pepper to serve, if desired. 

Enjoy!

Soy Lemon Broccolini

I needed a quick and easy veggie side for dinner tonight and this came to mind.  They turned out fabulous.  The lemon and soy together gives it a great, subtle flavor.  I am usually a salt fanatic, but the soy sauce gives it just enough saltiness so there really is no need to pull your salt shaker out.  But, you decide.  I served these along side boneless pork ribs and rice and our plates were wiped clean.


Ingredients:

• 1 bunch broccolini {about 8 to 10 pcs}, rinsed
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• pepper
• {tin foil}

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  
2. On a large sheet of tin foil {large enough to wrap and tent broccolini}, place rinsed broccolini in center of foil.  
3. Drizzle olive oil, soy sauce and lemon juice over broccolini pieces evenly.  Using your hands, lightly toss on foil to evenly distribute.  
4. Sprinkle with desired amount of pepper.  
5. Wrap foil over broccolini to tent, gathering sides together securely and tightly! 
6. Place in preheated oven {carefully} for 10 to 15 minutes, or until desired tenderness.  

Enjoy!

Panko Breaded Chicken with Greek Yogurt

This is almost so simple, I debated on even posting it. Yet, because it is SO easy and calls for almost nothing, I just had to share.  Most breaded chicken recipes call for eggs and flour and I wanted to do things a little differently tonight.  I decided to use the last bit of greek yogurt in the fridge and these breaded chicken breasts turned out fabulous.  ALL of my children ate this chicken and enjoyed it {now that is definitely something to talk about}....


Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, rinsed and trimmed of any fat
• 1 cup plain greek yogurt
• 2 cups Italian panko bread crumbs
• dash of salt, {if desired}

• {Yep, that's it!}

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly grease a baking sheet.  
2. Rinse each chicken breast and pat dry.  Set aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, add Greek yogurt.  
4. In another mixing bowl, add panko bread crumbs and a dash of kosher salt, {if desired}. 
5. Roll each chicken breast in the Greek yogurt, until you have a nice layer on each side.  
6. Then, roll the yogurt covered chicken breast in the bread crumbs, until saturated on each side.
7. Place each chicken breast on lightly greased baking sheet.  Repeat for each chicken breast.
8. Place in oven {uncovered} for 25 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center.  

Enjoy!

Spicy Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I have been craving chicken wraps for some time now and it didn't look like we would be visiting a restaurant that served them for awhile, so I decided I better step up and make my own.  I adapted this recipe from a Better Homes and Gardens mag I had, but changed it up a bit. These were incredible and are healthier than most you will find dining out.  I decided to use butter lettuce over iceburg, as I know P.F. Chang's usually serves theirs with iceburg.  I thought the butter lettuce was much better, but you decide.  I also like {and you will, too} that this is a low-cal recipe that is so easy to make. This recipe will make many wraps, so if you are only cooking for a few people, halve this recipe and use only one head of lettuce.  Serve as an appetizer or entree.  Hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs uncooked ground chicken breast
• 1 cup frozen shelled edamame {soy beans}
• 1 cup shredded carrots {I buy pre-shredded bag of carrots}
• 5 green onions, white parts only
• 1 {8 oz} can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 4 tsp reduced sodium soy sauce, {plus extra, to top}
• 2 tsp reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce
• 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 Tbsp chili paste
• 1 tsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tsp pepper {use 1/4 tsp for less spice}
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 or 2 heads butter lettuce
• 1 or 2 avocados, sliced, to top

 

1. Combine all ingredients {minus butter lettuce leaves and avocados}, in Crock Pot.  Using a spatula or spoon, break up meat and stir all ingredients together to mix well.  
2. Cover and cook on High for 4 hours, stirring every 1 or 2 hours to break up meat.  
3. Serve a scoop of chicken mixture atop each butter lettuce leaf.  Top with avocado slices and drizzle with soy sauce.  Wrap, roll or fold each filled butter leaf to serve.

Enjoy!

Arrabiata Meatballs with Tomatoes and Basil

It's Super Bowl Sunday!  We decided to keep it a mellow one at home, as we had a fun-filled weekend with family and friends, birthday parties and sports games.  My son invited a few of his friends over, so I made sure to make enough food to feed a houseful of hungry boys.  First on the menu, these amazing meatballs with arrabiata sauce, diced tomatoes and fresh basil. These were so incredibly easy to make and {more importantly}, I love that the Crock Pot did all the work! This is a great appetizer {or entree if you like}, to serve for Game Day or any group gathering.  You can serve these as an appetizer with toothpicks, in a pasta bowl with parmesan on top or over a bed of pasta noodles.
Good luck to the Patriots and Giants!!

Ingredients:

• 1 {20 oz} pkg pre-cooked/frozen mini party size meatballs {I use Trader Joe's frozen meatballs}
• 1 {25 oz} jar arrabiata sauce {I use Trader Joe's arrabiata sauce, but any favorite of yours will do}
• 1 {14.5 oz} can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 {6 oz} can tomato paste
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/8 tsp pepper

1. Combine all ingredients in a 4 quart {or larger} Crock Pot.  Stir until well blended. 
2. Cover and cook on High for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.  
3. Serve with toothpicks as a party appetizer, as an entree topped with parmesan cheese, or on top of a bed of spaghetti noodles.  

Enjoy!

Spicy Honey Mustard and Herb Pork Loin Roast

This was so good... The combination of the honey, mustard, pepper and herbs made this marinade a definite keeper. It is definitely worth the few hours of cooking. I dressed this roast up and made it look like a million bucks {and I only paid 5 for it}.  It was the special of the week at my local market; and I just couldn't pass it up.  This marinade is absolutely amazing...I love it and so does my husband.  This is a recipe I will definitely be making again.

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs pork loin roast
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp pepper
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  With a knife, cut slits in your roast and place on a roasting pan. 
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine honey, olive oil, Dijon, pepper, rosemary, thyme, oregano and salt.  Mix well.
3. Brush half of the honey mixture all over roast {setting remaining mixture aside}.  Work the honey mixture into slits.  
4. Place roast in oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.  
5. Turn oven down to 300 degrees. 
6. Bake roast in preheated oven for 1 hour. 
7. Remove roast from oven and turn roast over.  Brush the remaining honey mixture over roast.  
8. Return roast to oven and bake for another 45 to 60 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.  
9. Remove from oven and cover with foil.  Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. 
10. Slice as you like and serve.

Enjoy!

Teriyaki Chicken Thighs with Sesame Seeds

This is a quick and easy recipe for teriyaki chicken. You can either marinate this chicken or prepare it right before you cook. You can have this dish on the table in 30 minutes or less. I whipped this chicken up in no time and served it with couscous and spinach. It was a healthy meal with a lot of flavor. 

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, rinsed
• 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
  
• sesame seeds, to top

1. In a large ziploc bag, combine teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, kosher salt, garlic powder and ground pepper. Zip and shake well to mix.
2. Place rinsed chicken pieces into bag and shake again to saturate. Marinate for at least 5 minutes {or place in fridge for longer marinating time}.
3. In a large non-stick stove-top skillet over medium-high heat, arrange chicken thighs evenly in pan with marinade. Cook chicken pieces for 8 to 10 minutes on one side, then flip chicken pieces over and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Sprinkle chicken pieces with sesame seeds and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. 

Enjoy!

Honey-Dijon Salmon with Walnuts

This is one of my new favorite ways to do salmon. The honey and dijon mustard gave the salmon just the perfect amount of flavor and the walnuts top this recipe off.  The few honey-dijon recipes that inspired me called for butter and bread crumbs, this is a lower-cal version that I put together my way. The olive oil and honey dilute the dijon just enough, so the mustard is not too overbearing and, with the honey, it is the perfect amount of sweet. I will be having this again for lunch today and I am sure I will be making this again very soon, as it was a hit. Just like most of my recipes, this was quick and easy and so, so good.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs salmon, rinsed and cut into fillets {or 4 or 5 pre-cut salmon fillets}
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard {I prefer Grey Poupon}
• 1/4 cup olive oil
  
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp dried parsley

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a shallow baking sheet with foil {large enough to wrap/cover salmon}.
2. Arrange prepared salmon fillets {skin side down} centered on foiled baking sheet. Set aside.
3. In a small mixing bowl, combine Dijon mustard, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Stir until well blended.
   
4. In another bowl, mix together chopped walnuts and parsley.  Mix together while crushing any larger walnut pieces.  
5. Brush each salmon piece generously with honey mustard mixture.  Sprinkle the top of each fillet with walnut mixture evenly. 
6. Wrap ends of foil around salmon fillets to create a tent.  {Scrunch all ends together, securing all sides, making sure foil is not touching the tops of the fish}. 
7. Place in oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until salmon flakes evenly with a fork.

Enjoy!