Beef with Broccoli (Crockpot)

I am making this for supper tonight.  I just tried a bite of it and couldn't wait to share the recipe with you!  It's SO good and easy!

Recipe and photo from Key Ingredient

Ingredients

1	lb. boneless, beef chuck roast, sliced into thin strips ( I actually saved back some of our Rump Roast from Sunday.  I cut some off before I cooked the roast and froze it until today)
1	cup beef consumme or beef broth (I used water and beef bouillon)
½	cup low sodium soy sauce
⅓	cup brown sugar
1	tbsp. sesame oil
3	garlic cloves, minced (I used garlic powder)
2	tbsp. cornstarch
4	tbsp. sauce (from the crockpot after dish is cooked)
	Frozen broccoli florets (as many as desired, I believe I used almost 2 cups)
	Brown Rice , cooked

Directions

1.In the insert of the crockpot, whisk together beef consume, soy sauce, dark brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic.

2.Gently place your slices of beef in the liquid and toss to coat. 

3.Turn crockpot on low and cook for 6 hours. 

4.When done, in a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cooking liquid to create a slurry, pour into crockpot, stir to mix well. Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes to thicken up the sauce. 

5.Toss in your broccoli florets then serve hot over brown rice

Lasagna Soup (Yum!)

Another recipe winner!  We tried this tonight because we thought it looked good, and we were right.  It looks good, and tastes even better!  I would definitely recommend you try this soon!
This recipe is from A Farm Girl's Dabbles

Ingredients 

(I used some alternative ingredients so I wouldn't have to run to the store, it was still amazing. I included my notes for your reference)

for the soup:
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 1-1/2 lbs. Italian sausage
• 3 c. chopped onions 
• 4 garlic cloves, minced (I used garlic powder)
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (I omitted this)
• 2 T. tomato paste (I actually used a small can of tomato sauce and cooked it down a little)
• 1 28-oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes (I used Hy-Vee's petite diced tomatoes in Garlic and olive oil)
• 2 bay leaves (I omitted this)
• 6 c. chicken stock (I used water and bouillon)
• 8 oz. mafalda or fusilli pasta (I used bow tie)
• 1/2 c. finely chopped fresh basil leaves 
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
for the cheesy yum:
• 8 oz. ricotta
• 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• pinch of freshly ground pepper
additional cheesy yum:
• 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking up into bite sized pieces, and brown for about 5 minutes. Add onions and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and stir well to incorporate. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tomato paste turns a rusty brown color.

Add diced tomatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add uncooked pasta and cook until al dente. Do not over cook or let soup simmer for a long period of time at this point, as the pasta will get mushy and absorb all the soup broth. You may even want to consider cooking the noodles separately, and then adding some to individual bowls before ladling the soup over them. This would be an especially smart move if you are anticipating any leftovers. Right before serving, stir in the basil and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the cheesy yum. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.

To serve, place a dollop of the cheesy yum in each soup bowl, sprinkle some of the mozzarella on top and ladle the hot soup over the cheese.

EASY and Delicious! Crock Pot Tortellini (Or you can make on the stove)

\Adapted from Little Fellows

Ingredients:
1 (19oz) bag of frozen cheese tortellini (This is good, but rich.  I might just use bow tie pasta next time!)
1 small bag of fresh spinach (Optional)
1 (14.5 oz) can of petite diced tomatoes, drained (I used a variety with onions, you can use what you like best)
1 block (8 oz) of cream cheese or neufchatel (less fat)
1 lb. of ground sausage or chicken/turkey sausage (I omitted this too)
2 cups of chicken broth  (Or I used water and bouillon)

Brown the sausage and put all ingredients in crockpot,
chunking up the cream cheese.
Cook on low for 4-6 hrs. or mix together and cook on the stove until heated through and cream cheese has melted and mixed.  

Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

Cheesy Chicken Lasagna

2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk (not fat-free)
1 (1 oz) pkg. dry Ranch dressing mix
3 C. cubed, cooked, chicken
1/8 tsp pepper
1 (16oz) lasagna noodles, cooked (I recommend reducing it to 8 oz to 12 oz)
1 1/2 to  2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 to  2 C mozzarella cheese, grated

Cook the chicken and noodles first at the same time. Once noodles are done–rinse in cold water and set aside (it keeps them from sticking together). Combine evaporated milk (don’t use fat-free version) and Ranch dressing in a 3 quart heavy saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until dry ingredients are dissolved. Stir in chicken and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, 25 minutes (don’t do any less), stirring frequently. Layer half of lasagna noodles, poultry sauce, and cheese in well-buttered 9×13 pan. Repeat layers again. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Dutch Oven Bread

If you have a dutch oven, you should definitely try this. I did and it's amazing! If you don't have a dutch oven, you can use anything with a lid that can handle a 450 degree oven. A casserole dish with glass lid would work, but I've never tried it so I don't know if it would be the same.

This recipe and pictures came from Simply So Good

I must begin by saying where the recipe originated, if in fact it originated anywhere...really.  I think bread has been baked for centuries using flour, salt, water, and yeast or other form of leavening.  As far as I know the recipe for "No-Knead" bread dough was printed in the New York times.  I don't know what month, day, or year.  The originator is Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery.  That's all I know.  I found the recipe in a booklet using enamel cast iron pots.  At the time I posted the recipe I had no Jim Lahey even existed or I would have definitely given the man full credit for this wonderful bread and idea.  That said....

Remember before beginning to create, that this bread is highly forgiving.  Don't stress over the fact that you haven't proofed the yeast or that you're not giving the dough a second rising time.  It's super duper sticky and will stick to your hands, feet and hair or anything else it comes in contact with.  Play with the recipe for your location.  Altitudes differ and that can affect the bread.  This recipe is not your ordinary bread recipe.  Just chill and follow the instructions

Breathe.  

You do NOT have to have an enamel covered cast iron pot. You can use anything with a lid that can take the heat.  I use a 5.5 quart cast iron pot.  My oval pots are about 7 quarts.

You DO NOT need to oil the pot. At least not in a enamel covered cast iron or regular cast iron pot.  I have never had problems with the bread sticking.

In a large mixing bowl add 3 cups white unbleached flour.

To the flour add 1 3/4 teaspoon salt (I use kosher I like it) and 1/2 teaspoon rapid rise or instant yeast.  

Note:  Regular active yeast can be used in place of the instant or rapid rise yeast.  It will need to be activated in 1/4 cup warm water.  Stir and let sit for 5-10 minutes.  However, most of the comments I have received state that the rapid raise works the best.  You choose.

Whisk the flour, salt and yeast together.

Add 1 1/2 cups water. Mix in the water.  

That's it!  The dough will look like a shaggy mess.  That's ok. 

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it set for 12 - 18 hours on the counter top.  DO NOT REFRIGERATE.  This is NOT optional.  It takes that much time to proof the dough.  The reason why you need a large bowl, is because the dough will start to rise.

After 12 hours the dough will look like this.  It's pretty sticky, but that's ok it's supposed to be.

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  As soon as it has heated to 450 degrees place your pot with the lid in the oven and pre-heat the pot for 30 minutes.

Right after you put the pan in the oven to preheat, dump the dough out onto a HEAVILY floured surface.  I love my pastry cloth.  Use it for everything.

Now, please disregard that this dough has stuff in it.  I'll get to that later.  I just forgot to take a picture of the plain version.  This dough has also been doubled so it's twice the size of a single batch.  After you dump the dough on to a floured surface shape it into a round ball.   This will rest for 30 minutes while the pan is heating.

After you shape the dough cover it with the plastic wrap that was over the bowl.  Yes, I know I have two loaves of bread.  It's because I doubled the recipe.  You can do that.

Remove the pot from the oven and carefully pick up the ball of dough and drop it into the pot.  You may want to flour your hands, because the dough is going to stick like crazy.  Remember the pan is now 450 degrees hot!  Be careful.  Put the lid on the pot and return it to the oven for 30 minutes.

I am baking two loaves at once.  Please notice how used my Le Creuset pots are.  Everything is my kitchen is heavily used.  If you have any advice as to how I can clean my babies, please let me know. 

Close the oven door and bake for 30 minutes.  Wait until you see the next picture.  This will blow you away!

Holy cow!  Can you believe how gorgeous that is.  When you put the dough into the pan, it looks like a shaggy mess and when you take of the lid, you have a masterpiece.  Remove the lid from the pot and continue to bake for another 15 minutes. 

This is the finished product.  Remove from the oven and carefully remove bread from the pot.  Remember the pot is HOT.  I use a couple of hot pads and carefully pull out the bread.

Place the bread on a cooling rack until completely cooled.  That's it!  

You can try different variations of this recipe by adding whatever you think would be good.  I add cheddar cheese, or different herbs like rosemary or italian seasonings.  You can also visit the blog link above to see some of the variations she tried.  They are a little fancy for my taste but you might enjoy them!

Frozen Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Frozen Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Ingredients

6 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 tablespoons hot fudge sauce
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
Directions

1In a medium microwave safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate chips in the microwave for about a minute or until melted. Stir together until combined. Add crispy rice cereal and stir well to coat.
2Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. You could use a pie pan but I've found that a springform pan is much easier when it comes to removing slices. Place in the freezer to chill while you make the filling (about 10 minutes).
3In a large bowl beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter and mix until thoroughly combined.
4Add vanilla and lemon juice and mix until combined.
5Gently fold in the whipped topping. Pour filling into the prepared crust.
6Heat fudge and peanut butter in two small separate bowls for 20-30 seconds or until warm. Drizzle over filling.
7Freeze for 4-6 hours or until pie is firm. Remove the cheesecake from the freezer about 10 minutes before serving to make cutting easier. Garnish with peanut butter and chocolate candy bars.

http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/frozen-peanut-butter-cheesecake-recipe/1/

Doughnut Holes (from leftover pizza dough!)

• 1 Basic Pizza Dough
• Sugar
• Oil

Directions

1. Take a handful of dough and break it into small pieces. Drop the dough into hot oil and cook until golden brown, flipping if necessary
2. Remove from the oil once golden brown and roll in sugar

Oreo/Peanut Butter Cup no-bake Dessert

Oreo/Peanut Butter Cup no-bake Dessert 

A Taste of Home Recipe

Ingredients:
20 oreos, divided
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, 
softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped
topping, thawed, divided
15 miniature peanut butter cups, chopped
1 cup cold milk
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate
fudge pudding mix

Directions:
Crush 16 cookies; toss with the butter. Press into an ungreased 9-in. square dish; set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter and 1 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in half of the whipped topping. 
Spread over crust. Sprinkle with peanut butter cups.
In another large bowl, beat the milk, pudding mix and remaining powdered sugar on low speed for 2 minutes. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Fold in remaining whipped topping.
Spread over peanut butter cups. Crush remaining cookies; sprinkle over the top. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours. 
Yield: 12-16 servings
Recipe from Taste of Home

Fruit Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (29 ounce) cans peach slices, undrained
• 1 (20 ounce) cans pineapple chunks, undrained
• 1 (3 1/8 ounce) boxes dry vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1 lb strawberries, stemmed and quartered
• 1 bananas, sliced
• 1/2 pint blueberries
• 1 bunch grapes ( I use the red ones)
• 1 -2 tablespoon sugar (optional)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine peaches, pineapples, and vanilla pudding mix.
2. This includes the juices from the cans.
3. Mix well until pudding is dissolved.
4. Stir in strawberries, banana, blueberries, grapes, and sugar if desired.
5. Chill.

Cajun Seasoning Mix

This recipe is great because when I'm cooking  for my kids I can omit the cayenne pepper  and still have cajun food! CAJUN SEASONING MIX
1/2 c. paprika 4 tsp. salt (opt.) 4 tsp. garlic powder 4 tsp. onion powder 4 tsp. cayenne 1 tbsp. white pepper 1 tbsp. black pepper 1 tbsp. basil leaves, crushed 1 tbsp. oregano leaves, crushed 1 tbsp. thyme leaves, crushed 2 tsp. dry mustard 1 tsp. sugar

Calzones (Cake Boss)

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 small sweet Italian sausage links (2 ounces each)
• 1 Spanish onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small green bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, sliced into 1/4-inch strips
• Cornmeal, for dusting a work surface and pizza peel
• Pizza Dough, divided and shaped into six balls
• 8 ounces smoked mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into thin slices
• 1 cup (8 ounces) fresh ricotta
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus 2 additional tablespoons for scattering over baked calzones (additional 2 tablespoons optional)

Yields: 6 calzones

Preparation

Preheat a grill pan or sauté pan over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and heat until shimmering, almost smoking. Cook the sausages, turning with tongs or a wooden spoon, until nicely browned on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes total cooking time. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool. When cool enough to handle, coarsely chop the sausage.

Heat a wide, heavy sauté pan over medium heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and hear until it’s shimmering, almost smoking. Add the onion and pepper and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside and let cool in the pan.

Position a rack in the bottom of the oven and position a pizza stone in the center of the rack. Preheat the oven to 475°F.

Dust your work surface and pizza peel with cornmeal.

Working with one ball of dough at a time, pat and stretch, or roll, the dough into an 8-inch circle on your work surface, then lift onto the peel in one swift movement. Working quickly, arrange one-sixth of the sausage, onion, pepper, fresh and smoked mozzarella, Parmesan, and ricotta in the center of the calzone. Gently fold the top of the dough over, stretching as needed to meet the edges of the other half. Pinch the edges to seal with your fingers, or with the tines of a fork. Use a sharp, thin-bladed knife to slash 2 small vents in the top.

Carefully transfer the calzone to the pizza stone. Bake until nicely golden brown cheese is bubbling through the vents, 8 to 10 minutes.

As the calzone bakes, make the next one and add it to the pizza stone. Work as quickly as you can and remove calzones as they are finished by sliding them onto the pizza peel and transferring them to individual serving dishes. Scatter more Parmesan over the top of the baked calzones, if desired, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve hot. If you work quickly and efficiently, the last calzone should be finished just a few minutes after the first one and you will be able to serve them all at once because they retain a lot of heat.