recipes that will take you away... (2024)

Perfect fora Mardi Gras celebration at home or just a cold winters day!

1/2 pound andouille sausage cut into 1 inch pieces
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1" pieces
1 white onion, chopped3 cloves garlic, minced
2 14 oz cans HUNTS diced tomatoes, undrained
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1-3 tsp Tabasco Sauce
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1 pound frozen fully cooked white shrimp, thawed (optional)

In medium saucepan, cook sausage until lightly browned and rain of fat. Combine sausage with all ingredients except rice in crock pot. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 - 8 hours. Increase heat to HIGH and stir in rice and cook for 15 minutes, or until rice is tender. Add shrimp, stir, cover and cook an additional 3-5 minutes until shrimp is heated through. Enjoy!!

We love chicken, this is an all timefavorite and sooooo easy!!

2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine
1 1/2 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon minced ginger
8 pieces chicken

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and add chicken. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serve over rice sprinkle with sesame seeds :)

This perfect easy & yummy Lasagna will warm your heart and fill your tummy!!

1/2 LB ground beef
1/2 LB Italian Sweet Sausage
1/2 C diced white onion
1 TSP fresh minced garlic
jar of your FAVORITE spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup water
1 15 OZ container ricotta cheese
1/2 C Heavy Cream
2 C mozzarella cheese
1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese
1 LG whole egg
2 TBS fresh chopped Italian parsley
12 uncooked lasagna noodles

In a large skillet brown beef, sausage and onion. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce and water and simmer for about 5 minutes. Mix ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 Tablespoons Parmesan, cream, egg and parsley. Pour 1 cup of spaghetti meat sauce into a 4 to 6 quart sized slow cooker. Place half of the noodles and half of the ricotta mixture on top of the sauce. Cover with 2 cups meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles (If the noodles don't fit exactly break them to fit) and cheese mixture and meat sauce. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until noodles are soft. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella and remaining Parmesan. Cover with the lid to melt the cheese and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. Do not overcook and don't try to speed up the process by cooking it on high. Serve with my Parmesan Garlic Bread!!

On St. Patrick's Day this is aMUST butit's also a familyfavorite on cold nights :)

4 medium yellow potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch wedges
1 cup baby carrots
1 medium onion, cut into 6 wedges
1 corned beef brisket with seasoning packet about 2 1/2 pounds
1 cup water
3 wedges green cabbage

Place potatoes, carrots and onion in bottom of crock pot and top with corned beef; sprinkle with contents of seasoning packet and add water. Cover and cook on LOW heat setting 10 hours. Add cabbage wedges on top and cook for additional 2 hours or until cabbage is crisp-tender. Cut corned beef across grain into thin slices. With draining spoon, remove vegetables from crockpot and if you want to make gravy, skim fat from juices and prepare gravy. Enjoy!!

Fall means... times to break out the crockpot!! Apple cider and a little bacon give this homemade beef stew great flavor.

when ever you need a little comfort, it's only 3 hours away!! This is a favorite at our house and a hit for pot luck dinners...enjoy!!

10 eggs, beaten
5 cups half & half (or you can use 2% milk)
1 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground clove
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 loaf french bread, dried and cut into 1 inch cubes (I dry mine out for 3 days)
(my family doesn't care for rasins but if you'd like them add 2/3 of a cup)

Cut dry french bread into 1 inch cubes and put into crock pot. In mixing bowl beat together eggs, half & half, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla then pour eggs mixture over bread cubes. Press cubes down gently into eggs until soaked. Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours denpending on you crock pot. Serve with buttermilk syrup and spiced cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!!

2 lb Sweet potatoes; peel, shred
1/3 c Brown sugar; pack
1/4 c Margarine or butter; melt
1/4 c Coconut
1/4 c Broken pecans; toast
1/4 ts Ground cinnamon
1/4 ts Coconut flavoring
1/4 ts Vanilla
Toasted coconut; opt

In a 3 1/2 qt slow cooker, combine potatoes, sugar, margarine, coconut, pecans and cinnamon. Cover; cook on LOW for 6 to 8 or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. Stir in coconut flavoring and vanilla. Sprinkle with toasted coconut if desired. ENJOY!!

1 large onion, roughly chopped
1 large carrot, diced
1 large stick celery, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 cup red wine
3/4 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup tomato paste
Cornstarch slurry to thicken, if desired

Coat inside of 3-4 quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place onion, carrots, celery, garlic and mushrooms in crockpot. Add chicken. Sprinkle with herbs. Add wine. Combine tomato paste and chicken broth, then add to crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours. Half an hour before the end of cooking, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch to 1/4 cup of water or slightly cooled cooking liquid) to thicken the sauce.

Is there anything better than peaches....
...yes an easy and wonderful dessert!

2 cups sliced peaches fresh or frozen
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 package of a 2-layer size white cake mix
4 tablespoons melted butter

Lightly grease the crockpot; place peaches in the bottom. Sprinkle with cornstarch; toss. Drizzle with vanilla and sprinkle brown sugar over all. Sprinkle with cinnamon then cake mix. Drizzle melted butter evenly over cake mix. Cover and cook on high for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream :)

Love this easy and sweet chicken recipe!

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Pepper
Paprika
20 oz Pineapple tidbits drained
2 TB Dijon Mustard
2 tsp soy sauce
1 Garlic clove minced

Arrange chicken in crockpot. Sprinkle with pepper and paprika. Mix soy sauce, pineapple and mustard together; pour over chicken. Add minced garlic. Cover and cook on LOW 7 to 9 hours or on HIGH 3 to 4 hours. Serve over rice...YUMMY!!

8 ounces large elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
butter flavor nonstick spray

Place the cooked macaroni in crockpot that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Add the remaining ingredients, all except 1 cup of the cheese, mix well. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese and then cover and cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours or until the mixture is firm and golden around the edges. Do not remove the cover or stir until it has finished cooking.

Easy and delicious!!

1 3 pound roast
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 can of mushroom soup
1/2 to 3/4 cup of water or burgundy cooking wine

Mix onion soup, mushroom soup and water or wine; pour over roast in crock pot. Cook on low for at least 8 hours. Serve over egg noodles or our favorite garlic mashed potatoes.

3 to 3-1/2 pound beef boneless chuck roast
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
8 small potatoes, cut in half
3 cups baby carrots
1 large onion, coarsely chopped ( 1cup)
1 jar (5oz) prepared mild horseradish
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup water

Trim excess fat from beef. Heat oil in 10 inch skillet over med-high heat. Cook beef in oil about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until brown on all sides.Place potatoes, carrots and onions in 4 to 6 quart slow cooker. Place beef on vegetables. Mix horseradish, salt, and pepper. Spread evenly over beef. Pour water over beef and vegetables. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or until beef is fork tender.

My boys just love having cornish hens for dinner, they think that they are getting their very own little turkey! I found that they are fairly inexpensive ( I can get them 2 for $4) and are really yummy. He is one of my favorite recipes for them, enjoy!!

3 cornish hens thawed if frozen and cut in half
2 to 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto chopped
2 cloves garlic crushed
12 fresh sage leaves chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh fennel leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water
fresh fennel tops

Rinse hens and pat dry. In a food processor, combine prosciutto, garlic, sage, fennel, salt, pepper and oil. Process until finely chopped. Brush or pat mixture on skin and inside hens. Place hens on a trivet in a 4 to 5 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 5 to 5 1/2 hours or until hens are tender. Pour 1 1/2 cups cooking juices into a 2 cup measuring cup. Skim off and discard fat. In a small saucepan, dissolve cornstarch in cold water. Add cooking juices. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until slightly thickened. Spoon sauce over hens and garnish with fennel tops. Makes 6 servings.

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup butter, melted
8 ounce cream cheese, softened
1 10 ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup or chicken soup
1 0.7 ounce package ZESTY Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup water

Cut chicken breasts into strips and place into a 3 to 4 quart crock pot. In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, softened cream cheese, soup, Italian dressing mix and water and stir until blended. Pour over chicken in crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Stir well, then serve over hot cooked egg noodles, rice or my boys favorite....toast cut into bite size squares.

These are great for parties and buffets!!

1/2 cup seedless raspberry fruit spread or preserves
2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
2 tablespoons chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/4 pounds lean ground turkey
1/3 cup quick cooking oats
1/4 cup minced onion
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
minced green onion

In a small bowl, whisk raspberry spread, vinegar, chili sauce, cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Spread 3 tablespoons of mixture over bottom of a slow cooker. Set remainder aside. In a medium bowl, combine the turkey, oats, onion, egg, Worcestershire sauce, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Shape into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls. Place in sauce in slow cooker. Spoon remaining sauce over meatballs. Cover and cook on LOW 6 hours. Turn control to HIGH. In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in water. Spoon over meatballs. Cover and cook on HIGH 5-10 minutes or until thickened. Sprinkle with green onions. Makes about 45 meatballs.

Love my crockpot!!

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice
2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 dash allspice
4 pounds chicken, breasts and thighs
1/4 pound mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoon margarine or butter
11 ounce can mandarin orange sections, drained
1/2 medium large bell pepper, sliced lengthwise
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold milk
1/4 cup cold water

The night before you plan on slow cooking your dinner, mix together the marinade ingredients in a large, closable container large enough to also hold the chicken pieces. When marinade is thoroughly mixed, add the chicken, close container and refrigerate until morning. In the morning place the chicken in the slow cooker and add marinade up to about an inch from the top of the container. Set the cooker on low and cover. 6 to 8 hours later, turn the cooker to high. About an hour later, saute the sliced mushrooms in the margarine or butter. Then add the mushrooms with pan juices, mandarin sections, green pepper and ginger into the slow cooker and stir thoroughly. Mix together the cornstarch, milk and cold water, then gradually add into the slow cooker while stirring until the entire mixture thickens a bit. Recover the slow cooker and let simmer for 15 to 30 minutes until serving.

Makes a lot!

barbecued Pulled Pork

3 to 4 pound boneless pork roast (shoulder or butt)

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cumin

½ tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tsp. paprika

1 medium green bell pepper, quartered

1 medium onion, quartered

1 jar (18 ounces) cheap barbecue sauce

½ c. packed brown sugar

Spray Pam in slow cooker, put in bell pepper and onion. Combine black pepper, salt, cumin, cayenne and paprika in a bowl. Trim excess fat from pork. Rub mixed spices onto roast. Place in slow cooker on top of bell pepper and onion. Combine barbecue sauce and brown sugar. Pour over meat. Cover and cook on LOW 8 to 10 hours. Pull out of slow cooker and shred with two forks. Serve with the sauce from the slow cooker if you like it saucier.

We add our favorite Stubbs Spicey Barbeque Sauce on the tops of each sandwich.