Amy's Cooking Adventures 

Slow Cooking Thursday: Crockpot Pizza

        I was planning to try something new from one of the crockpot books I checked out from the library on Monday, but I really haven't had time to go through them and pick something out.  Instead, I'm making a family favorite.   Those of you from Frugal Village may recognize this recipe- I've shared it there before!

        It's really one of those things that I just throw together, so all measurements are guess-timates.   The original version of this recipe came from my mom, who got it from my aunt.  You can adapt it to use whatever pizza ingredients, type of pasta, etc.  you have handy.

Check out more slow-cooking favorites, and share yours, over at Slow Cooking Thursday!

Slow Cooking: Ribs & Broccoli Soup (but not together!)

     Over at the Diary of a SAHM blog, Sandra hosts a weekly exchange of crockpot recipes called Slow Cooking Thursday.   This exchange fits in perfectly for me-- I only work two days a week, Thursdays and Fridays.  Nearly every Thursday I put supper in the crockpot so that it will be done when I get home from work.  So, I'll gladly post my weekly Thursday night supper recipe here, and I look forward to surfing the other blogs for ideas. 

     This week, we had the easiest recipe I know-- BBQ Ribs.   This is my mom's recipe, and it really couldn't be any easier.   In fact, I posted the recipe in my blog a while back-- here.   That's one of my husband's favorite dinners.  I usually serve it with some kind of potatoes and green veggie or salad.

     Since I've already posted that recipe in this blog, I'll share another crockpot favorite: Broccoli Cheese Soup.  I make a few different versions of Broccoli Cheese Soup, but this one is quick and easy to throw in the crockpot.  The original recipe came from "Fix and Forget It", but I've changed it a little here. 

Broccoli Cheese Soup in the Crock Pot

1  32oz bag frozen, chopped broccoli

2 cans condensed cheddar cheese soup

2  12oz cans evaporated milk

2 tbsp Mrs. Dash seasoning blend

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 onion, diced

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and stir together. Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours.

*Note: Do not overcook or broccoli will become mushy.

     I've also posted that same soup recipe on RecipeZaar, here, so if you try it, reviews are appreciated! 

     Well, there you go... two of my favorite quick & easy crockpot recipes.  Enjoy!

Got my new crockpot!

     Well, I lasted about a week, maybe ten days, and then I HAD to go buy a new one.  (See my last entry! I shopped a lot online that day, and kept trying to hold off, but finally wound up buying one in a local store.)  I bought a nice, big one- it's an oval shape, made by West Bend.  It's plain black, which really wasn't my first choice, but it does have a timer feature that allows it to automatically stop cooking and hold on "warm" after the cooking time is done.    I'm very happy with it.

     I tested it out for the first time last week by making spaghetti sauce.   I have FINALLY found a homemade recipe that my DH and I can agree on.  I was used to my mom's homemade sauce with no meat, and he was used to canned sauce with tons of meat.   After more than thirteen years together, LOL, I think this is the recipe that I will keep:  Italian Spaghetti Sauce.   I modified it a bit.... less garlic for DH, and only one pound of meat for me.... but, the way I made it, we both loved it.   I stirred in half a box of cooked elbow macaroni and made a goulash that night.   Next time, I'll serve it over spaghetti.

     Last Sunday, I used it for my son's Baptism party.   I borrowed my mom's crockpot and made ham in it, and in mine I made a double batch of Crockpot Hashbrown Casserole.   It was the first time I'd tried that recipe, and everyone liked it.  Doubled, it fed 12 people with just about one serving left over.  I'll definitely make it again.

     Well, my cooking world is back to normal now that I have a crockpot again.  I've been working on my menu plans this morning, and the crockpot will be getting a work-out this week!