Slow Cooker Asian Style Short Ribs

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This is delicious twist on traditional slow cooker short ribs! The medley of mushrooms and the sweet and spicy flavor of the sauce, pair perfectly with these fall-off-the-bone short ribs. Serve it up over egg noodles with a side Napa Cabbage Slaw and you’ve got the makings of a unique and tasty Sunday Supper!

Ingredients: Feeds 4 – 6

  • 10 – 12, bone -in beef short ribs, trimmed (approx. 4 lbs)
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 2 tbsp canola oil (plus extra if needed)
  • cooking spray
  • 3 cups fresh, sliced, assorted mushrooms
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic, divided
  • 2 tbsp minced ginger, divided
  • 1 cup low sodium beef stock
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tsp red pepper flake

Directions:

  1. Rinse and pat the ribs dry. In a heavy bottom skillet or dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Season ribs with salt and pepper and brown on all sides in small batches, adding oil to the skillet if needed.
  2. Transfer browned ribs to a lightly sprayed 6-qt slow cooker.
  3. Meanwhile, add mushrooms and half the minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and sauté until they begin to soften.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the rest of the ingredients including the remaining garlic and ginger, the stock, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and red pepper flake.
  5. Cover ribs with mushroom mixture and pour sauce over top.
  6. Cook on LOW for 6 – 8 hours, until meat falls off the bone.
  7. Place rib meat on a serving platter. Use a slotted spoon to remove mushrooms and garnish the meat with them. Skim fat from the cooking liquid and drizzle sauce over the platter.

*Original recipe adapted from Cooking Light, Asian Short Ribs

 

Tiny Turkey Meatloaves with Roasted Vegetables

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I’ve been doing some meal planning/catering which has me prepping a breakfast, a lunch and 2 – 4 dinners per week for a local family. Needless to say, I am spending a lot of time in my kitchen cooking! In an effort to streamline the process and make it not only tasty but also cost effective, I have begun to double everything I make for my client’s family and use half of it to feed my own. In addition, I am not only seeking out healthy and unique recipes, but also ones that feed a crowd and aren’t too time consuming. I came across this recipe in Cooking Light and tweaked it just a bit to suit my needs. I think you’ll agree, it’s super simple yet truly tasty! Check it out!!

Ingredients: Feeds 4

  • 1 1/3 lb lean ground turkey
  • 1/3 cup quick oats
  • 6 tbsp ketchup, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped onion
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 3/4 lb green beans, trimmed
  • 4 large carrots peeled and quartered
  • 6 small Yukon Gold potatoes, quartered
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • cooking spray

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix together the first seven ingredients including 3 tbsp of the ketchup and set aside. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. In a small bowl mix Worcestershire sauce and remaining ketchup.
  3. In another large bowl, combine the green beans, carrots and potatoes. Drizzle with olive oil, garlic powder and pepper. Toss to coat.
  4. Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Divide turkey mixture into 4 equal portions. Using your hands shape each into a small loaf and place them equidistant on the baking sheet. Brush each with the Worcestershire-ketchup sauce.
  5. Scatter the vegetables around the loaves and bake everything for 25 – 30 minutes, turning the veggies half way through cooking time.

 

Sweet Potato Pie Bites

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It may be too late to make these for Thanksgiving today, but Christmas is coming, lol!!!

Ingredients: Makes 2 dozen

  • 4 large sweet potatoes
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 roll of Crescents baking dough
  • 72 mini marshmallows
  • 24 whole pecans

Directions:

  1. Wash, pierce and microwave the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes on high.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk together the brown sugar, heavy cream, vanilla and salt. Scoop the insides of each sweet potato into the bowl (take care, they may be hot!) and mix well.
  3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  4. Unroll Crescents baking dough on a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to gently flatten. Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 24 small squares.
  5. Lightly grease a 24 mini cupcake pan. Gently press a dough square into each well.
  6. Fill each with approximately 1 tbsp of the sweet potato mixture.
  7. Top each with 3 marshmallows and bake for 12 minutes. Remove from the oven, top each with a pecan and bake an additional 3 minutes. Serve warm!

*Original recipe by delish.com 

Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Turkey Veggie Chili

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Now that’s a mouthful! This recipe is a staple ’round these parts because it takes just minutes to assemble, practically cooks itself, and satisfies bellies with its hearty southwestern flavor. I get a little help from a store bought spice packet but I ratchet things up a notch by adding additional spice, liquid smoke and half a can of beer! You can’t go wrong on a cold night with a warm bowl of chili and chips…

Ingredients: Feeds 6 – 8

  • cooking spray
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey, browned
  • 1, 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (I use “fire roasted” tomatoes)
  • 1, 15 oz can black beans, drained
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium Bermuda onion, medium dice
  • 1 Tex-Mex Chili seasoning packet (I use McCormick’s)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp dried cilantro
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried minced garlic
  • dash cayenne pepper
  • 6 oz of beer (I use Corona)
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Spray the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray.
  2. Brown the ground turkey in a skillet on the stove.
  3. Combine tomatoes, beans, chopped peppers, onion and seasonings in the slow cooker. Add the turkey, beer and liquid smoke. Mix well.

4. Cook on LOW for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if needed.

5. Serve over rice or with tortilla chips. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sour cream and/or shredded cheddar cheese.

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Crock Pot Curry

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This crock pot curry is a no-brainer; throw everything in, turn it on and walk away! Your house will smell amazing and dinner will be on the table in a few short hours. It’s the perfect Monday Night meal or whenever the weather calls for warm and cozy curry!

Ingredients: Feeds 4 – 6

  • cooking spray
  • 2 large sweet potatoes, chunked
  • 2/3 cup red lentils, rinsed
  • 8 oz baby spinach
  • 1 jalapeño, diced
  • 1 – 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1, 15 oz can lite coconut milk
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup green curry paste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, minced
  • chopped cilantro for garnish
  • lime wedges

Directions:

  1. Spray inside of your slow cooker or Crock Pot with cooking spray.
  2. Add the sweet potatoes and lentils to the pot. Cover with spinach, sprinkle jalapeño over the top.
  3. Place the chicken thighs on the bed of spinach. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients including the coconut milk, chicken stock, curry paste, garlic and ginger. Next, the pour mixture over the chicken.
  5. Cook on HIGH for 3 hours, stirring contents half way through cooking time. Reduce heat to LOW, stir once more and cook for another hour.
  6. Taste, adjust seasonings if needed. Serve as is or over white rice with fresh chopped cilantro and lime wedges!

*Adapted from Paula’s Pantry, “Chicken, Spinach and Lentil Coconut Curry”

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

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Worth the effort, for sure! These mini pot pies put a smile on everyone’s face, every time!

Ingredients: Makes 4 mini pies

  • 4 disposable mini pie tins or similarly sized ceramic ramekins
  • 1/3 cup butter
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 3 large carrots, sliced into coins
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken stock
  • 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 3 refrigerated pie crusts

Directions:

  1. In a large, deep skillet melt the butter over medium heat.  Add onion, celery and carrots and cook until tender, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add the flour and mix well.
  3. Begin adding small amounts of milk and stock, alternating between the two and stirring constantly. Mixture will begin to thicken, reduce heat to low.
  4. Add the peas and the chicken, and mix to combine.
  5. Add the salt, pepper and thyme.
  6. Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasonings if needed and let cool.IMG_6286
  7. Meanwhile, roll out a pie crust on a lightly floured surface. Using a pie tin or ramekin as a template, cut a circle from the dough that is approximately one inch wider than the dish; this will be the bottom of the pie. Cut another circle that is the same size as the dish for the top of the pie. You may need to use a rolling pin to re-roll the dough or combine scraps with a new crust.
  8. Place the larger circle in the bottom of a pie tin or ramekin. Fill to the top with the cooled pot pie filling. Top with the smaller piece and crimp the edge with a fork to seal it. Carefully poke a few small holes in the top of the pie to create vents.
  9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 to make 3 more mini pies.
  10. Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 additional minutes or until golden brown.
  11. Let stand five minutes before serving, contents will be hot!

Notes:

  • Instead of rotisserie chicken, I often use baked, bone-in chicken breast which I cube after cooling. Two large breasts produce enough chicken for 4 pies.
  • Recipe doubles easily!
  • Pot pies can be frozen prior to cooking; cover completely with foil and freeze for up to 2 months. To bake from frozen, bake at 400 for 30 minutes covered, then remove foil and bake an additional 30 minutes or until crust is golden.

*Adapted from the Today Show, Freeze and Bake Chicken Pot Pies

Spiced Crumb Cake

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This… perfect for a stormy Saturday morning! Enjoy.

Ingredients: Makes one large sheet pan cake

  • 1, 10 x 15 disposable sheet pan with 1″ sides
  • cooking spray
  • 1 box of spice cake mix
  • 4 eggs
  • 2/3 cup oil
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 4 cups flour
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 sticks unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • powdered sugar

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Spray your sheet pan with cooking spray.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, oil and milk. Pour batter into the sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes.
  4. In another bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, spices, salt, butter and vanilla.
  5. Remove cake from the oven and cover with topping using your hands to “crumble” it. Gently press the crumbs into the cake. Take care as the cake will be hot!
  6. Return cake to oven and bake an additional 20 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle with powdered sugar once cooled and serve!

Note:

I made two smaller cakes this time around; saving one for our family and sharing one with a friend! I used the same recipe, just divided the batter and crumbs between two smaller pans.

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