Award Winning New Year's Eve Chili 2017 (Kristi Original)

This year my sister and I did a chili cook off for New Year's Eve. So fun and my chili won! I think the steak was the reason why. Here's the recipe.

Ingredients:
1 Can of Diced Tomatoes with Chilis
2 Lbs or 2 steaks cut into bite sized pieces (I used tenderized Top Round Steak)
1 Can of Jalapeño Beer (Vengeance Jalapeño Creme Ale by Jack Pine Brewery, I'd maybe change it to 1/2 a can)
1 Can Bush Red Chili Beans in Hot Chili Sauce
1 Can Bush Black Beans in Mild Chili Sauce
1 Can Bush Kidney Beans in Spicy Chili Sauce
1 Can Light Red Kidney Beans (Drained)
1 Can Green Giant Mexican Corn (Drained)
1 15oz Can Tomato Sauce
1 16oz Jar of Mild Pace Salsa
1/2 Onion Chopped
Ol West BBQ and Dipping Sauce (Dump or Drizzle, So maybe 1/3 Cup)
Garlic (Sprinkle)
Ginger (Sprinkle lightly)
Fiesta Party Mix - Tastefully Simple (Sprinkle)
Salt (Sprinkle)
Pepper (Sprinkle)
Cumin (Sprinkle)
1 Tbsp of Chili Powder

Instructions:
Dump everything into a crock pot and stir. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours or until the meat is done. 

Optional:
Top with Shredded Cheese. For added heat add diced jalapeño peppers. 

Crock Pot Creamy Chicken and Biscuits (Kristi Original)

Ingredients:

Adjust the quantity based on your family or the size of your crock pot.

3 potatoes cut into cubes

5-6 Sliced mushrooms

1/4-1/2 Onion finely chopped

4-5 Frozen Chicken Breasts (depending on the size, fill the crock pot to feed your family)

1 Can Campbell's Cheese Soup

1 Can Cream Chicken Soup

1-2 Cans of Large Refrigerator Biscuits

Add all of the items, except the biscuits, to the crock pot and top everything with the soup. Add a little water to the crock pot, 1/2 a can. Cook on medium heat all day. Shred the chicken and return to the crock pot. Stir. Cook the biscuits following the package instructions. Top the biscuits with the creamy chicken in the crock pot. Easy meal your family will enjoy.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas - Diabetic Living

Ingredients

1 Pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves
1 10-1/2 ounce reduced fat, reduced sodium cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup mild salsa (lower sodium such as Newman's Own)
1/4 ounce can diced green chilies
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups packaged baby lettuce mix
8 - 6 inch corn tortillas warmed
1/2 cup shredded Mexican style four cheese blend

Directions

1. Place chicken breasts in a 1-1/2 quart slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine soup, salsa, chilies, chili powder, and cumin. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 4-5 hours. 
2. Remove chicken and place in a medium, shallow bowl, Using 2 forks, shred meat, add half of the sauce from the slow cooker to the shredded chicken, toss to coat.
3. Line a serving platter with lettuce. Place about 1/3 cup of chicken mixture and about a teaspoon or the shredded cheese down the center of each tortilla and roll up. Arrange enchiladas on the prepared serving platter. spoon remaining sauce over the enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese. 

Tip

To warm tortillas, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wrap tortillas tightly in foil. Bake about 10 minutes or until heated through. 

Makes:  4 Servings
Serving Size: 2 Enchiladas
Carb Grams Per Serving: 24
Per Serving: 271 Calories, 9 g total fat (4 sat fat), 63 mg chol, 599 sodium, 3 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 22 g pro

Diabetic Exchange
Starch (d.e): 1.5; Lean Meat (d.e): 3; Fat (d.e); 0.5

Source:
www.diabeticlivingonline.com/recipes/easy-chicken-enchiladas-1

New Year's Eve Chili 2016 (Kristi Original)

If you haven't noticed, I really like to make chili. It's so great because you just dump a bunch of food in a pot and poof it becomes chili. It's so easy and fun to experiment in the kitchen. If you search for 'chili' on this blog, you will find many recipes. This is the mix I did for our New Year's Eve Party on Dec 31, 2016.

Ingredients
2 Lbs Ground Beef
1 Onion Chopped
2 Cans Dark Kidney Beans
2 Cans Light Kidney Beans
2 Cans Chili Beans
1 Can Great Northern Beans
1 Can Tomato Sauce
1 Large Jar of Medium Salsa (I used Pace Salsa)
1/2 Bottle of Amber Beer
1 Cup of White Wine - Sauvignon blac
1 Double Pack of Hot Dogs cut up, about 10 hot dogs
1 Jar of Diced Tomatoes - Chili Flavored
4 Crushed Garlic Cloves
Chili Powder - A lot, Several Tbsp - To Taste
Salt - To Taste
Pepper - To Taste
Fiesta Party Mix - Tastefully Simple - To Taste

1. Cook the ground beef and onions. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Fiesta Party Mix.
2. Mix all the remaining ingredients, except the beer and chili, and put the chili in the fridge overnight.
3. Add beer and hotdogs.
4. Warm the chili, eat and enjoy. (I cooked it in the crock pot.)

Note: I'm not sure that it matters that you leave the beer and hotdogs out until the next day. That is just what I did. I was just missing some ingredients and had to wait until the next day.

Pizza Pasta in a Crock Pot

I made this recipe for family and friends tonight. Everyone loved it! Success!

Ingredients
1 Lb Ground Beef
1/4 Cup Chopped Onion
1-1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
Sea Salt
Fiesta Party Mix - Tastefully Simple
Garlic Pepper - Tastefully Simple
Small Can Sliced Mushrooms
24 oz Spaghetti Sauce (I used Newman's Own Sockarooni)
12 oz Egg Noodles
Butter
8 oz - Shredded Cheddar Cheese
8 oz - Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 Package of Pepperoni
Non-Stick Cooking Spray

1. Cook the Noodles as Directed, when done add a little butter and salt. The butter will keep the noodles from sticking together.

2. Brown the ground beef with the onions. Season with the Sea Salt, Fiesta Party Mix and Garlic Pepper.

3. When done cooking mix in the Spaghetti Sauce, Mushrooms and Italian Seasoning. 

4. Spray the Crock Pot with Non-Stick Cooking Spray

5. Layer the crock pot as follows:

•     1/3 Meat Sauce
•     1/3 Egg Noodles
•     1/3 Pepperoni
•     1/3 Cheeses

Repeat the layers 2 more times (You will have 3 layers).

Cook on low until heated through. 3 Hours.

**Low Carb Option - I layered sliced zucchini instead of the egg noodles in a crock pot.**

Beets

You can make fresh beets on the stove or in the crock pot. They are easy, but they take a long time to cook, similar to a potato.

Preparing the Beet
Cut the stems off of the beets. If you leave 2 inches of steam at the top and bottom of the beet, it will prevent the red from going into the water. (You can eat the leave in a salad or steam them. They are nutritious.)

COOKING THE BEETS
Crock Pot
1. Fill the crock pot with water, salt to taste and at least a tsp of vinegar
2. Add the beets.
3. Cook on Low all day

Stove
1. Fill the pan with water, salt to taste and at least a tsp of vinegar
2. Add beets.
3. Boil on a medium heat 30-60 minutes, until the beets are tender and done

SERVING THE BEETS
1. Remove the beets from the pan or crock pot and run under cold water until you can touch them.
2. Remove the skin by sliding it off of the beats.
3. Cut up the beets and serve. Add additional seasoning, butter or whatever you enjoy. Some ideas are melted butter, salt, pepper, basil, savory, caraway seeds, minced chives, minced parsley.

Cheddar Potatoe Soup with Vegetables (Kristi Original)

1 Package of Bear Creek Cheddar Potato Soup
1 Zucchini - Diced/Cubed
1 Summer Squash - Diced/Cubed
3 Mushrooms - Sliced
3 Red Potatoes (or other Potatoes) - Cubed
1/4-1/2 Onion - Finely Chopped
Carrots - Finely Chopped
Shredded Cheese (I used cheddar)

1. Mix the Bear Creek Soup with water amount from the package (8 cups?)
2. Put the soup in the crock pot and stir in the vegetables
3. Cook on high for 2-1/2 or 3 hours (I will try out low setting later for a longer period of time)
4. Serve the soup with cheese sprinkled on top

Slow Cooker Barbeque

www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14608/slow-cooker-barbeque/

1 (3 pound) boneless chuck roast
1 (18 oz) bottle barbeque sauce)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

1. Place roast into slow cooker. Sprinkle with garlic powder and onion powder and season with salt and pepper. Pour barbeque sauce over meat. Cook on Low for 6-8 Hours.

2. Remove meat from slow cooker, shred and return to slow cooker. Cook for 1 more hour. Serve hot.

Slow Cooker Chipotle Lime Chicken Wings

http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a44371/slow-cooker-chipotle-lime-chicken-wings-recipe/?visibilityoverride
http://www.delish.com/entertaining/g2171/super-bowl-food-menu/?slide=9

TOTAL TIME: 3:10

 

PREP: 0:10

 

LEVEL: EASY

 

SERVES: 6-8

INGREDIENTS

• 2 lb. chicken wings
• 2 tbsp. chipotle in adobo sauce
• 1 tbsp. water
• Juice of 2 limes, plus more for serving
• Zest of 1 lime
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Place chicken wings in a large slow-cooker.
2. In a large bowl, mix together chipotle in adobo sauce, water, lime juice and lime zest, and season with salt and pepper. Pour mixture over chicken wings and stir to coat.
3. Cover and cook on high until cooked through, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
4. Heat broiler. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and pour wings onto them. Broil until crispy, 5 minutes.
5. Squeeze with lime and serve.
6. 

Vegetarian Beer Chili - Kristi Original

1 Can Seasoned Black Beans
1 Can Dark Kidney Beans
1 Can Light Kidney Beans
2 Cans Medium Chili Beans
1 Red Pepper Diced
1 Small Onion Diced
1 Cup Medium Salsa (Herdez)
4 Oz Can Fire Roasted Mild Green Chilies
1/2-1/3 Cup Beer (Fat Tire Amber Ale)
1-1/2 Tbsp Chili Powder

Season to Taste
Sea Salt
Garlic (Garlic Garlic Tastefully Simple 1-1/2 tsp)
Pepper (Garlic Pepper Tastefully Simple)

Put all ingredients in the crock pot and cook until done.

Cayden's Favorite Tacos (Kristi Original)

3 Large Frozen Chicken Breasts

1 Can Tomatoes and Green Chilies

3/4 Cup Water

1/2 Chopped Onion

2 TBSP Home Made Taco Seasoning (http://recipesbykristi.blogspot.com/2014/11/taco-seasoning.html)

Soft Shell Tacos

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Sour Cream

Black Olives

Add the chicken to the crock pot. Top with water, tomatoes & green chilies, onion and taco seasoning. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked (I cook all day on low). Shred the chicken. Top the taco shell with chicken, shredded cheese, sour cream and black olives. Cayden loved it!

Mexican Lasagna (Kristi Original)

Note: This actually tasted better on the second day. It may be better to put this together the day before and it will be softer when you cook it. The recipe is what I did. 

Ingredients

Tortillas - I used Mission Tortillas large size

Cheddar Cheese Shredded

4 Boneless / Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Can of Nacho Cheese Soup

1 Can of Chili Beans

1 Can of Black Beans Drained

1 Can of Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis (Drained)

1 Can of Mild Enchilada Sauce

Optional

Salsa

Jalapenos

Put the chicken breasts in the crock pot and top with the nacho cheese soup. Also add 1/2 a can of water to the crock pot. I used frozen chicken breasts.

Cook on low until it is done. Shredd the chicken and then add in/stir the chili beans, black beans, diced tomatoes with green chilies and the can of enchilada sauce. 

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non stick spray. Put a little of the chicken mix in the bottom of the pan. Next add a layer of tortilla shells, top with the chicken mix and then top with the shredded cheese. Repeat this until the stack is 3 or 4 deep (tortilla, mix, cheese, tortilla, mix, cheese). 

Back at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until it warms up and the cheese has melted. 

Optional: Top with jalapenos and Salsa.

Kick Your Cold in the Butt Chicken Enchilada Soup (Kristi Original)

We keep getting sick in our house. I was tired of eating chicken noodle soup, so I decided to create my own get better soup. I added....

• Chicken Broth, which is supposed to help colds. 
• Spicy Ingredients...jalapeno peppers, spicy sausage, green chilies, chili beans, to clear the sinuses.  
• Garlic, fights infections and boosts the immune system

I honestly couldn't taste much of the soup due to illness, but I think it was good. It sure helped clear my sinuses, so I'll be making it again. 

Ingredients
1- 48oz Box Chicken Broth
4-6 Chicken Breasts (I used frozen boneless/skinless)
1/2-1Lb Hot Italian or Pork Sausage - Browned, Crumbled and Drained
1 - 10oz can Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
1 - 10oz Red Enchilada Sauce (I used mild)
1 - 15.5oz can Dark Red Kidney Beans - Drained
1 - 15.5oz can Seasoned Black Beans (Pour in with liquid)
1 - 15.5oz can Chili Beans (Seasoned) (Pour in with liquid)
1/2 - 4oz can of Hot Jalapeno Peppers
1 - Small/Medium Chopped Onion
1/2 - 12oz bag Frozen Corn
2 - Cloves of Garlic

Instructions
You can put everything in the crock pot and cook it. Before serving, shred the chicken and put it back in the crock pot.

Because I was home sick, here's what I did...
1. Put the chicken frozen chicken breasts, chicken broth and tomatoes with green chilies in the crock pot and cooked it on high for 3 hours.
2. Shredded the chicken and added it back into the crock pot.
3. Turned down the crock pot to low and added the remaining ingredients.
4. Cooked another few hours until we were ready to eat

Want the Soup Hotter
-Use Hot Enchilada Sauce
-Use the Whole Can of Jalapenos
-Use Hot Chili Beans
-Add Cayenne Pepper
-Use Habanero Peppers

Non Sick Soup Idea
I didn't add cheese because dairy is not good for colds, it's mucus forming. Therefore if you are NOT sick, add some Velveta or top with cheese. 

Meatball Subs (Kristi Original)

This is an easy meal that my whole family enjoys, including my 1 year old and 3 year old!
Prep Time for the Crock Pot 5 Minutes, Prep Time at Dinner 15 Minutes:

Ingredients:

Meatballs - Frozen or Thawed (Change your cook time accordingly)
Spaghetti Sauce (I used Newman's Own Sockarooni)
Buns - Hot Dog, Hoagie or whatever you want

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Butter Spread (I used Earth's Balance)
Garlic Seasoning (I used Tastefully Simple Italian Garlic Bread)

Instructions:
Put cooked Meatballs and Spaghetti Sauce in the Crock Pot and Stir
Mix and turn the temp to high if you want it to cook in a few hours or low if you want it to cook for longer

When the Meatballs are done, Butter the Buns. Top with Garlic Seasoning, Meatballs/Sauce and Cheese. Broil them in the oven for 4-5 Minutes until done.

WARNING: Keep a close eye on the broiled sandwiches, they can burn quickly

Note: My cooking time with Thawed Meatballs cooking them on High:


Cook Time - 2-3 Hrs on High (I had them in for 3 hours, but I bet it would be done in less time. Just check the temp. At 3 hours the sauce on the side was starting to get burned. This would be a good weekend meal. During the week I may try it on low with frozen meat balls.)

How to Clean/Save a Burned Up Crock Pot

I recently made some soup in my crock pot. The soup spilled all over into the cooking part of the crock pot, under the removeable crock that you can clean in the sink. I thought I would have to throw it away for sure because the soup was burned all over the cooker and you can't have it soak in water. Well I found the cure and saved my crock pot!

Items You Will Need
Oven Cleaner
Rubber Gloves
Sponge

1. Find a well ventilated area. (I did it in my garage since it is freezing outside)
2. Put on the rubber gloves, hold your breath and spray oven cleaner all over the burned on stuff. 
3. Run into the house and breath. Ahhh!
4. Let the Crock sit over night. (I forgot about it and remembered 2 days later. lol!)
5. Put your gloves back on, grab the crock and a sponge. Now wet the sponge and wipe out the crock pot. You will be surprised, the burned on stuff just wipes off. 

How to Make Your Own Chicken/Turkey Broth or Chicken/Turkey Stock

My sister Rachel taught me how to make my own chicken broth or chicken stock. It is super easy and a great way to use up the remaining chicken. Thanks Sis!

When I made this stock, I think I added 2 carrots, 2 stocks of celery, and 1 onion. I don't think you can mess this up, so just play with the amounts. Also on the seasoning I just did salt. I found the other seasoning by looking online. I'll try to make the instructions better the next time I make this. Again, play with the seasoning and then leave me a comment about what you liked.

Ingredients
Chicken Carcass or Turkey Carcass (I used our left over rotisserie chicken)
Water
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Seasoning: Thyme, Parsley, Peppercorn, Bay Leaf, Garlic, Sea Salt (for the broth only)

Instructions

1. Put the chicken/turkey carcass and all the ingredients except the seasoning in the crock pot. 
2. Fill the crock pot with water. 
3. Add the seasoning. 
4. Cook on low for a full day. 
5. Strain the broth to remove all the bones and veggies
6. Ta Da! You now have broth or stock!

Note - Chicken Noodle Soup

I followed the instructions above, but then put all the chicken and veggies back in the broth. Then I added cooked noodles and I had home made chicken noodle soup. 

Southern Chicken & Dumplings

This recipe comes from my favorite cook book...

'Super-Fast Slow Cooking' by Gooseberry Patch

I recommend buying the cook book. Everything is yummy and easy.

Ingredients

3 - 10-3/4oz Cans Cream of Chicken Soup

1/4 Cup Onion Diced

6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (See my note below)

3-3/4 Cup Water

3-12 oz tubes of refrigerated biscuits quartered (They need to be the small biscuits like you would use for monkey bread)

Pour soup into the slow cooker; add onion and chicken. Pour in enough water to cover the chicken. Cover and cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours, or on the high setting for 4-6 hours. About 35-40 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to the high setting. Drop in the biscuit quarters into the slow cooker; stir well. Replace the lid and cook for 35 minutes more, or until the dumpling are don. Stir and Serve. Serves 6. 

Kristi Note:

I put whole frozen chicken breasts into the crock pot. Before I add the biscuits I take out the chicken, shred it and put it back in the crock pot. After that I turn up the crock pot and add the biscuits. This saves a lot of prep time. I hate touching raw meat. 

Chicken Noodle Soup in a Crock Pot (Kristi Original)

Ingredients

2-3 Frozen Chicken Breasts

1 Large Box of Chicken Broth (48 oz) or Homemade Chicken Broth (See How to make your own Chicken/Turkey Broth or Chicken/Turkey Stock Recipe)

1 Carrot Chopped or 1 Can of Sliced Carrots (My kids LOVE the carrots so I do 2 cans)

1/2 Chopped Onion

2-3 Potatoes Chopped

1 Stalk of Celery Chopped

1 Cup of Egg Noodles or Noodles of your choice

Seasoning to Taste - Shake on Some of Each

Garlic (Helps the immune system and fights infection)

Pepper

Tastefully Simple - Fiesta Party Mix or Cayenne Pepper (Cayenne helps with congestion and boosts the immune system)
Sea Salt if Needed

Instructions

Put all of the ingredient in the crock pot except the noodles. Cook on low until the chicken and vegetables are cooked. I normally put the food in the crock pot and leave it all day while I am at work. 

Once the chicken is done, remove it from the crock pot, shred it, and put it back in the crock pot. Cook the noodles and add them to the crock pot. The soup is now ready to eat. Yum!

Crockpot Chicken Tacos (Kristi Original)

Ingredients
Frozen Chicken Breasts - 3 Large or 6 Small

3/4 Cup of Water

1 Cup Salsa

1 Package of Taco Seasoning

1/2 Chopped Onion

Add chicken and water to the crock pot. Top the chicken with the salsa, onion, and taco seasoning. Cook on low until the chicken is done. (I just added everything to the crock pot in the morning and we ate it for dinner.) Shred the chicken and stir. Use the chicken for the main meat for your tacos. Add whatever ingredients you like for the tacos.  

Easy Shredded Pork Sandwiches - BBQ or Other Sauce (Kristi Original)

I recently made a roast in a crock pot. It turned out soooo good! I think this is what I did.

Ingredients: 

Pork Shoulder Roast

1/2 cup of water

1 chopped onion

Salt

Pepper

BBQ Sauce or a sauce of your choice

Buns

Pan seer the meet. Take a pan and turn the heat up to med high to high. Place the meat in the pan and cook it on both sides until it is brown. This will seal in the juices. 

Put the onions in the crock pot, then the water, finally the roast. Sprinkle the roast with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until fully cooked. 

Once the roast is cooked shred, put it on buns, top with your favorite sauce, and serve. 

You could serve this meal with potato salad, raw carrots and dip, and baked beans.