Crock Pot Salmon and Vegetables

Ingredients:
4-6 salmon fillets
1 package frozen vegetables (stir fry, asian, classic)
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 TBSP Soy Sauce
2 TBSP Honey
2 TBSP Lemon Juice
1 tsp sesame seeds, optional

Directions:

1. Dump the frozen vegetables in the slow cooker.
2. Season the salmon with salt and pepper to taste
3. Place the salmon on top of the vegetables.
4. Mix together the soy sauce, honey, and lemon juice. Drizzle it all over the salmon in the crock pot.
5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using.
6. Cover and cook on LOW 3+ hours, until the salmon is done to your liking. 
7. Serve over rice, if desired.
8. Drizzle everything with the sauce from the slow cooker.

Creamy Tortellini, Spinach and Chicken Soup (Slow Cooker & Instant Pot)

The day after I made this soup I skipped to the fridge in anticipation of a delightful leftover lunch. When to my horror I found that all the leftovers had been taken to work by my hard working hubby. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad he took the leftovers, but I was heartbroken that I couldn't enjoy more of this soup. What did I do? Make it again, who says you can't make the same thing twice in one week?

You can thank me later for making your chilly week a bit warmer with this absolutely perfect soup. The creamy, the tortellini (heaven's best pasta) and add a big amount of the world's most healthy food - spinach, and now I'm a soup addict.

This is ever so much better with Mel's Divine Breadsticks on the side, but if you don't have time to whip up some of those babies, grab a crusty bread or loaf of french bread from the local grocer and that will suffice.

Makes 8 servings

Cooking time:  4-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high

Ingredients:

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 Tbsp dried basil

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tbsp tomato paste

3 Tbsp olive oil

4 cups chicken broth

2 (14.5 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes

1 to 1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts or tenders

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

4 cups frozen cheese tortellini

3 cups packed spinach (you can definitely add more than this if you want)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 cup heavy cream or 1 cup half and half

SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS

1.  In a microwave-safe bowl add the onions, flour, basil, garlic, tomato paste and drizzle with olive oil.  Microwave for 6 minutes, stirring every 90 seconds. Be careful when pulling your bowl out of the microwave, as it will be hot. Add the mixture to the slow cooker.

2.  Add broth, tomatoes, chicken, salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours (or until chicken is very tender).

3.  Remove the lid and using a fork remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and place them on a large plate or cutting board and shred or cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

4. Place the shredded or cut chicken, tortellini, spinach, Parmesan cheese and warmed cream (cream should be warmed because it may cause curdling if added in cold) into the crock pot. 

5. Put the lid back on and cook on HIGH for about 10-20 more minutes, or until the tortellini are cooked through.  Ladle into serving bowls and enjoy!

INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS

1. Turn the Instant Pot to the saute function. Add only 1 TBSP Olive oil (3 TBSP is only needed in the slow cooker method). When the oil is hot saute the onions until translucent. Add the flour, basil, garlic, and tomato paste. Stir until combined.

2. Add broth, tomatoes, chicken, salt and pepper to the instant pot. Stir and cook for 1 minute.

3. Put the instant pot lid on and be sure it's set to the "pressure" setting. Set the instant pot to high pressure for 5 minutes for chicken tenders or 10 minutes for chicken breasts and then do a slow release for 5 minutes.

4. Once the pressure has fully released carefully remove the lid. Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks. Return the chicken to the instant pot and add the tortellini. Put the instant pot lid on and be sure it's set to the "pressure" setting. Set the instant pot to high pressure for 2 minutes and then do a slow release for 5 minutes.

5. Carefully remove the lid and stir in the spinach, parmesan cheese, and cream.

6. Ladle into serving bowls and enjoy!

Creamy White Chilli

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
• 2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies (if you like less kick, add just one can)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder (or fresh garlic, if using) in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately. This is especially good served with tortilla chips. 
2. Slow Cooker Option: In a medium round slow cooker, place 1 pound chicken breasts (fresh or frozen) without cubing them. Add the chopped onion, garlic powder, beans, green chiles and all of the spices. Do not add the sour cream or whipping cream yet! Reduce the chicken broth to 12 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) and pour in over the other ingredients. Stir the mixture around a bit to incorporate the dry spices. Cook on low for 5-7 hours (if using frozen chicken you’ll cook on the longer end of that spectrum, fresh chicken will cook in less time). Remove the chicken to a cutting board and shred in bite-size pieces. Stir back into the slow cooker. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the sour cream and whipping cream until smooth. Whisk the cream mixture into the crockpot with the other ingredients. Let the soup cook until heated through. Serve.

Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork

Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients:
2 lb pork tenderloin
12 oz can root beer
18 oz bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
8 buns, slightly toasted

Directions:
Place the pork tenderloin in a slow cooker; pour the root beer over the meat. Cover and cook on low until well cooked and the pork shreds easily, 6 to 7 hours. Note: the actual length of time may vary according to individual slow cooker. Drain well. Stir in barbecue sauce. Serve over hamburger buns.

Chicken Taco Soup

This recipe was adapted from Allrecipes.com.   I altered some of the original ingredients to what the Allrecipes reviews said was best (I omited the Beer because reviewers said it was too bitter and I used the homemade taco seasoning that was suggested).

Ingredients:
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1 can Kidney Beans, drained
1 can Black Beans, drained
1 can Whole Kernel Corn, drained
8 oz can Tomato Sauce
1 can Chicken Broth
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis, undrained
2-3 cups shredded chicken
Bill Echols Taco Seasoning (below)
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1-2 Avocados, sliced
Tortilla Chips

Bill Echols Taco Seasoning:
1/4 tsp chili powder (use 1/2 tsp - 1 tsp for a hotter flavor)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 - 1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Directions:

1. Place the onion, kidney beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, chicken broth, shredded chicken and diced tomatoes in a large pot. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend.  Let simmer 5-10 minutes.
2. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, avocado slices, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
adapted from lakelurecottagekitchen.com

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
6 tbsp vinegar
3/4 tsp ginger
3/4 tsp minced garlic
3/4 tsp pepper
4 1/2 tsp cornstarch
4 1/2 tsp cold water

Directions:
Place chicken in slow cooker.  Combine all ingredients but cornstarch and water.  Cook for 4 hours on high.  Remove chicken. Combine water and cornstarch and add to sauce.  Once the sauce has thickened, pour over chicken.  Serve over rice.

Mexican Chicken Crock-pot

This is our tried and true most favorite crock-pot recipe!  Serves 6-8.

Ingredients:
4-8 frozen chicken breasts or tenders
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 (10 oz) can green chili enchilada sauce
1 Cup sour cream
Chicken Bouillon Cube
Rice
Fresh Cilantro, chopped
Lime Juice from one lime
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Chopped Tomatoes

Directions:
Place frozen chicken in crock-pot.  Mix soups and enchilada sauce and pour over chicken.  Cook on low for 8-9 hours.  Add sour cream to crock-pot when you begin to cook the rice.  At this point I like to pull the chicken out, shred it, and return it to the pot.  Cook the rice with a chicken bouilon cube.  Add cilantro and lime jiuice to the crock-pot/sauce immediately before serving.

Serve over Rice.  Top with shredded cheddar cheese, more cilantro (I can never get enough) and chopped tomatoes.  This is also wonderful wrapped up in a tortilla.

Sensational Steak Sandwich

Easy to make sandwich in the slow cooker.  Our kids couldn't get enough of this one.  Ready in 4 hours and 50 minutes.  Serves 4-5.

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb. thinly sliced sirloin steak strips
8 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms
1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips
10 slices provolone cheese
1 loaf french bread or individual hoagies
1 (14 oz) can beef broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup prepared horseradish (optional)
1/2 cup brown mustard (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the beef, and cook until browned. Add the mushrooms, bell pepper and onion; cook and stir until starting to become tender, about 5 minutes.
2. In a slow cooker, combine the beef broth, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes and red wine. Transfer the beef and vegetables to the slow cooker, and stir to blend. Cover, and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, until beef is extremely tender.
3. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Drain the liquid from the slow cooker, and save for dipping. Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise like a submarine sandwich. Mix together the horseradish and mustard; spread onto the inside of the loaf. Place slices of provolone cheese on both sides of the loaf, then fill with the beef and vegetables. Close the loaf, and wrap the entire sandwich with aluminum foil.
4. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. For crunchier bread, you can bake it without the aluminum foil. Slice into servings, and serve with the juices from the slow cooker for dipping.

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

This is my Sunday afternoon go-to!  It is amazing over mashed potatoes.  Serves 4-6.

Ingredients:
2 pounds beef sirloin
1 cube beef bouillon
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 large green bell peppers, roughly chopped
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced Italian-style tomatoes, with liquid
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Put Steak in crockpot.   Mix bouillon cube with hot water until dissolved, then mix in cornstarch until dissolved. Pour into the slow cooker with meat. Stir in onion, green peppers, stewed tomatoes, garlic, soy sauce, sugar, and salt.

Cover, and cook on High for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

Amazing Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker

Wonderful flavor and perfectly soft pork in a delicious au jus. 
Ready in 4 hours 15 minutes.  Serves 6.

Ingredients:
1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin
1 (1 oz) envelopes dry onion soup mix
1 cup water
3/4 cups red wine (don't omit this)
3 Tbsp minced garlic
3 Tbsp soy sauce
black pepper to taste

Directions: 

Place pork tenderloin in a slow cooker with the contents of the soup packet. Pour water, wine, and soy sauce over the top, turning the pork to coat. Carefully spread garlic over the pork, leaving as much on top of the roast during cooking as possible. Sprinkle with pepper, cover, and cook on low setting for 4 hours. Serve with cooking liquid on the side as au jus.