November 17 2011

Frito Pie

Also known as Chili with some Fritos underneath.  Not in the picture, but there was also steamed broccoli and quinoa.  Toppings included sour cream, shredded cheese, green onion and a variety of hot sauces.

In the pot...

2 lbs ground Venison
3 Italian Sausage links
1 Onion, diced
1 Bell Pepper, diced
1 Jalapeno, diced
1 can Black Beans, diced
2 cups chicken stock
1 can Rotel
1 can diced Green Chiles
1 can Tomato Paste
1 Beer, preferably dark (we used Shiner Black)
Seasonings

Brown the meat in a skillet and then toss into the slow cooker with everything else.  Cook on low for as long as you like (overnight for us).  I wish I could get more specific about the seasonings, but I didn't measure them or really pay much attention.  I know there was Chili Powder, Paprika, Cumin, Salt and Pepper, but there are probably others tossed in for the fun of it.

November 10 2011

I forgot to take the picture until I was already eating.  The picture is terrible but the food was awesome.

Pork and Apple Roast
1 Bone-in Pork Roast
3 Apples
Apple Juice
2 Rosemary twigs

Brown the roast and place it in the slow cooker with the rosemary twigs and enough apple juice to come up and 1/3 of the way.  Cook on low overnight.  In the morning remove the roast and transfer the juices to a pot.  Simmer the juices on low until they have reduced by half or more if you are patient.  Put everything back in the slow cooker, including the sliced apples.  Continue to cook on low until lunch.

Mushrooms
2 large packages of Mushrooms (I did one Button and one Portobello)
1/2 cup of wine
1 tsp Mushroom Bullion
1 twig Rosemary

I highly recommend you use the same skillet that you browned the roast in, but that isn't strictly necessary.  Either way toss in all the ingredients, cover and simmer on low for about thirty minutes.  If there is too much liquid at the end take off the lid for a while to let the liquid cook down a bit.  Be sure to remove the twig of rosemary before serving.

Smokey Sweet Potatoes 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/smoky-sweet-potatoes-recipe/index.html

I used less mayonnaise than the recipe called for and subbed in a bit of sour cream.


Losing Recipes
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2011/11/slow-cooker-shredded-korean-beef-tacos.html
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2011/10/sausage-and-lentil-stew-slow-cooker.html
http://www.enjoyyourcooking.com/salads/cabbage-cucumber-salad.html