Mushroom Pork

I'm typically not a fan of pork. Actually, I tend to avoid buying it altogether unless it's a smoked ham. Something about the thought of it just grosses me out. I've had it prepared fabulously before, and loved it. I've had good recipes for it given to me, and enjoyed them. But in general, at the grocery store I tend to avoid picking any up.

The other day though they were on that same sale I mentioned in my last post. So I bought some. Then I realized that I had nothing that I would normally make with it. Nor did I have the time to spend frying it. So I threw something together, put it in the crockpot, and called it good. The family raved over it. And I even bought a package of pork blade steak this last time I was there to do it again. Here's what I came up with:

1 package of pork chops/loins/blade steaks(I think there were 4 in there)
2 cans of cream of mushroom
a handful of fresh mushrooms (optional of course)
1/4 medium sized onion chopped VERY small
a couple garlic cloves, pressed
salt
pepper

I literally dumped it in the cp. It was done on high in about 3 hours. (Stir it half way through if you want -- just to make sure everything is evenly coated.) I served it w/ mashed potatoes and green beans.


Again, the family adored it. So finally, a plus one for pork. :)

Peppery Potato Soup (Crock Pot)

2 cans chicken broth
4 small baking potatoes, halved and sliced crosswise
1 large onion, quartered and sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup half and half
1/4 c all purpose flour
1 tbsp butter

Combine broth, potatoes, onion, celery, salt and pepper in Crock Pot and mix well. Cook on LOW 6-7 hours. Stir half and half into flour; stir mixture into slow cooker. Cover and cook one hour. Slightly mash potato mixture with potato masher. Cook uncovered 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Just before serving, stir in butter. Garnish with celery leaves and parsley if desired.

Easy Chili

2 lb browned hamburger meat or vegetarian "meat" crumbles
4 cans chili beans
2 packs dry chili mix packets
2 cans tomato paste or tomato sauce

Combine all ingredients and simmer. Serve with crackers, sour cream and cheese! This recipe is just for a simple basic chili. Of course you can add things to make it your own!

Roast Chicken

Cut 1-3 potatoes into small chunks.
Layer the bottom of your crock pot.
Slice a carrot.
Put in the crock pot.
Add in any extra frozen veggies you'd like.

Stuff a whole chicken with chopped onions and garlic cloves. Put it in the pot. Season the top w/ garlic salt, parsley, and onion powder.

Leave it on high for 6-8 hours.

Onion Soup Chicken

Onion Soup Chicken
1 package of onion soup
2 tablespoons of flour
1 cup of water
Mix together.

Cut up 2 potatoes, 3 med carrots, and another veggie. Put in oven bag. Add mixture. Shake until all veggies are well-coated.

Add chicken.

Bake at 375 for an hour.

If your carrots and potatoes are already cooked, then you can do it in the microwave for approximately 15 minutes instead (w/o the bag). Or you can combine then and throw them in the crockpot.

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream Cheese Chicken

boneless skinless chicken (breasts or thighs -- We use thighs b/c they're just a tiny bit more tender.)
1 can of cream of mushroom (98% fat free)
1 package of cream cheese (1/3 less fat)

Put in crock pot for 4-6 hours. Top with basil. Serve with rice and broccoli.