Crockpot Beans and Potatoes

If you're looking for something to do with all that leftover Easter ham and spring maybe hasn't sprung in your neck of the woods (yet-it's coming!) then you should give this crockpot recipe a try.  I mean before it gets too nice to use the crockpot :)

What You Need

2 lbs potatos

1 lb fresh green beans

2 cans Cream of Potato Soup

1 cup hot water

2 tbls dijon mustard

1 cup cubed ham

1/4 cup diced onions

salt and pepper

In the crock pot mix together the soup, water, salt and pepper and mustard.

Then add in the veggies (potatoes, beans, onions) and ham. 

 Stir well to coat everything in the 'gravy'.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours.

Simple right?!?! Love that.  It was even better the next day as leftovers!  Yum.  

No Bake Lime Cheesecake

This is the first real cheesecake I've made.  I've made Pineapple Cheesecake but it's not in a pie crust.  This one is!  And it's lime.  I LOVE LIME!  I really love lime.  Anything lime is good in my books.  And I thought the lovely mint colour would work well for Easter.

What You Need

1 small package lime jello

1 cup boiling water

3 Tbls lime juice (about 1 1/2 limes fresh squeezed)

1 package of Dream Whip, prepared (1/2 cup milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla)

1 block cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1 graham cracker crust

This pie is made in three parts and then you put it all together at the end.  Just a heads up.


1). Mix 1 cup boiling water, with 3 tbls of lime juice and the jello packet in a bowl (I used a large cereal bowl).  Place it in the fridge or freezer to partially set.  FYI if you put it in the freezer keep and eye on it

2).  While the jello is setting,  get the Dream Whip together.  In a medium/large bowl mix 1/2 cup cold milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla and the Dream Whip package together according to the package directions.  Place in the fridge to keep cool.

3). Cream the cream cheese and the 1/2 cup sugar together.  Then stir in the partially set jello (I used a whisk because my jello was totally set-freezer).  Once that's well mixed fold in the dream whip.

4). Pour the lovely mint creation into your pie crust.  I found this recipe made more than could fit in my crust so I made up a quick oreo crust in my glass pie pan and poured the leftovers in. 

Let the pie set in the fridge or freezer depending on your time frame.  You can top with lime wedge garnish or extra graham crumbs or whipped cream!

This is a great springtime treat.  So nice and light and super duper refreshing!  This would also be great for Mother's Day!

Pan Roasted Chicken

Phew! I'm finally feeling back to normal with very few coughing fits these days, so I decided to make a real meal.  I saw it on Pinterest and it looked amazing.  But then I read some reviews and got a little nervous.  A lot of complaints as to how oily and lemony it was so I changed the recipe.  Here's what I did.

What You'll Need
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved length wise
3-6 red potaotes
1 bunch of green beans, washed and trimmed
olive oil
lemon
salt and pepper
1 clove garlic, sliced

Pre-heat your oven to 425*F

Slice about 4 thin slices from 1 lemon and place at the bottom of a casserole dish.

I used about 3 medium sized red potatoes.  I halved them and then quartered the halves and placed them in the casserole.   Then I trimmed my green beans and placed them on top.  Slice up a clove of garlic and add it in with the veggies.

I created an olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper "sauce" and poured it over the veggies.  Stir to coat.  I used the juice of about half the lemon and maybe 1/4 EVOO?  I eyeballed it.

Next I decided to sear my chicken so they looked nice.  When you bake chicken, especially boneless, skinless chicken breasts like I was using, it sometimes doesn't look very appetizing, read it's a bland white hunk of meat.  So I basted my chicken with a pre-made seasoning.  You could use basic lemon pepper or salt, pepper and rosemary would work really well!  Crank the heat up under a skillet and sear the chicken on both sides.

Then place the chicken on top of the veggies and pop in the oven!

I baked mine for 45 minutes at 425*F.  I ended up popping it back in the oven for an addition 10 minutes to finish up the potatoes and make sure my chicken was really cooked.

Then serve it up.  I didn't season the veggies very much, so I added a bit of salt and pepper when I served it.

I was incredibly pleased with how it turned out.  Not overly lemony, the chicken was well cooked but not dry, it was quite delicious.  Even enough for another meal tomorrow!

Buffalo Cauliflower

You've seen this one on Pinterest I'm sure!  Well I made it (several times actually).  Head on over to Pinspired Recipes to see how I fared. 

And don't forget to follow Pinspired Recipes to find out if those Pins are really worth while spending time to make.  

Have you made something from Pinterest and want to share it?  Email pinspiredrecipes (at) hotmail (dot) com 

Crock Pot Chicken Chili

Hey Try To Keep Up-ers!

Just wanted you to head over to Pinspired Recipes today where I have posted an insanely delicious crock pot chili recipe. 

So if you're looking for something delicious for dinner this week make sure you pop over there and check this one out!

Easy Carmelized Onion & Spinach Bread

Is your mouth watering yet?  Yeah I know, right?!?!  This recipe was one of the many things I'd pinned on Pinterest.  I had everything I needed on hand so when my girlfriend invited me over for appys and wine (how can I turn that down) I decided to make this.  The Pinterest pin is kinda sketchy so here's the direct link.  It's a real easy quick bread and pretty darn tasty.

Here's what you need

3 tsp olive oil

1 large onion


salt


2 cups  fresh spinach


2 garlic cloves, minced


2 1/2 cups  flour

2 tsp baking powder


2 eggs, lightly beaten


3/4 cup milk


2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil


1 oz. cheese- I used goat cheese but feta is recommended


Butter and flour for pan

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat a bit of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Cut the onion in half and then slice the halves.  Put the sliced onions int he pan with a bit of salt.   Cook to soften, about 10 minutes, and then continue to  cook until the onions are golden brown, about 10 additional minutes.

While the onion is cooking  whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, combine eggs, lightly beaten, milk, and extra-virgin olive oil. Whisk well until combined.

Add about 1 teaspoon olive oil to the onions, then stir in garlic and spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach is wilted and bright green, it's not as long as you might think. Remove from heat.

Pour the flour mixture into the eggs mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix or the bread will become tough. Add the spinach mixture and cheese, and stir until just combined.

Butter a loaf pan. Spoon some into the pan and tap the flour around the pan. Shake out the excess. Scoop the batter into the pan and smooth the top.

Bake until the top is light golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out dry.  The original recipe callse for 35 to 40 minutes. I ended up baking mine for closer to 50 minutes.  Allow to cool and then remove the bread from the pan, and cool on a wire rack. I popped mine into a Tupperware so I could transport it over to Rachel's house.    I made some lemon-parsley compound butter to go with it-TASTY!  

Next time I'm going to make the same bread but with sliced jalapeños and strong cheddar cheese I think.  Like a knock off Cobbs!  I'll let you know how it goes!

Microwave Potato Chips

I had seen this on Pinterest and thought, "nah, there's no way those will get crispy in the microwave".  *Cue laughter from entire Pinterest universe.*  I was making scalloped potatoes and had a little segment of potato left.  So I thought "Hmmmm, I might as well give it a try".

This is how I made them

1).  Slice potatoes with a mandolin. The thinner the better.  If you don't have a mandolin, go get one

2). Rinse the potatoes in cold water.  Another Pinner said "rinse the potatoes until the water runs clear".  You'll understand when you do it.  THe starch makes the water cloudy and as you rinse them the water will run clean

3).  Dry the slices (paper towel or tea towels).  A tedious but important step

4). Place the slices on a layer of paper towel on a microwaveable plate.  You can brush them with olive oil or nothing at all.  I made mine with salt and pepper!

5). Microwave the slices on high for about 3 minutes

6). Take 'em out (carefully that plate is gonna be HOT!) Flip them and put them back in the microwave

7). Microwave them again for 2-3 minutes, depending on the power of your microwave and the thinness of the slices

 Take them out of the microwave (careful that plate is doubly hot) and enjoy.  They do continue to crisp up so let them air dry for a bit. Then chow down! And boy are these delicious.

Tasty Tuesdays