Crock Pot Turkey and Potato Chowder – Thanksgiving Leftovers November 23, 2016

Tomorrow is the biggest and best holiday of the year, well, at least the biggest eating holiday of the year. A few weeks ago Malik and I were shopping at Walmart and it was packed with people getting their Thanksgiving fixins’.

Their carts were filled with all the ingredients to make the perfect Thanksgiving meal to share with their family and friends.

Many people will overcook and then have leftovers for days so it’s important to find creative ways in which to make those leftovers appetizing. Now I am not saying that a Turkey and Cheese sandwich with mayo and a slice of tomato isn’t appetizing, but there are other options.

As a small family of four, we always have Thanksgiving leftovers so in looking for creative recipes I found this one for a Crock Pot Turkey and Potato Chowder, but of course added a little twist based on my veggie preferences.

Ingredients:

4-5 cups of Red Potatoes
3 tsp Minced Garlic
1 cup Onions, chopped
1 bag frozen Mixed Veggies (corn, peas and carrots)
1/2 bag frozen mixed Sweet Peppers
3 Sprigs of fresh Thyme – remove from stems
3-4 cups of cooked Turkey
4 cups of Chicken Broth
4 tbsp of Corn Starch
1 cup Heavy Cream

Instructions:

Wash and chop potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Stir corn starch into chicken broth than add potatoes and remaining ingredients except for the Heavy Cream into Crock Pot. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or until the potatoes are fork tender.
Stir in Heavy Cream, cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
Serve with crackers or corn bread.

Do you have a recipe for leftover Thanksgiving turkey?

Enjoy and be safe!

11 Comments

Crock Pot Pasta and Smoked Turkey Sausage November 11, 2016

Happy Veteran’s Day to all who served

and are continuing to serve

for the

freedom of this country.

I don’t know about you, but as we get closer to Thanksgiving, I begin to focus more on clearing out my pantry and freezer in anticipation of preparing the biggest meal of the year. I tend to grocery shop less but still love to cook delicious meals for my husband and son. The Crock Pot is always on the counter and the oven is used less often.

Smoked Turkey

As you know, chicken is a staple in my house and it is always on the menu several times per week. However, last month hubby went to the Dominican Republic for a mini vacation so it was just Tayair and myself. Instead of having chicken he suggested we try Smoked Turkey Sausage, so that is what we had for dinner the night hubby returned home.

Using the Smoked Turkey Sausage gave this meal more flavor than using plain chicken.

Ingredients:

1 – Package fully cooked Smoked Turkey Sausage – Diced

1 – 14.5 oz can of Petite Diced Tomatoes

1 – Jar Alfredo Sauce

2 – Cups Penne Pasta (uncooked)

Italian Seasoning

Options: Minced Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes

Most people don’t realize that you can put uncooked pasta in the Crock Pot, but for my money, it’s much better as it doesn’t get mushy and cooks up well.

Instructions:

Spray the inside of the Crock Pot with Cooking Spray, add Pasta, Diced Tomatoes and Smoked Turkey Sausage. Sprinkle on a little Italian Seasoning and pour in Alfredo Sauce. Add 1/4 cup of water to the jar, shake and then pour remaining sauce into Crock Pot.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. If you prefer to use a red sauce like Marinara or spaghetti sauce as it works just as well.

Do you use Smoked Turkey Sausage in your meals?

11 Comments

Slow Cooked Breakfast Frittata October 7, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Safeway. All opinions are mine alone. #StockUpOnPace #Safeway #CollectiveBias

There’s a nip in the air and the holidays are right around the corner, so now is the best time to break out the Crock Pot and begin making some wonderful meals for the family. Cooking in the Crock Pot not only saves you time in the kitchen but it can also create fun family memories.

I am a night owl so when the boys were younger, I enjoyed staying up late to do chores and prepare meals for the following day. One of my favorite slow cooked meals was breakfast frittatas. It was great because the boys would help me shop for the ingredients then put them all into the Crock Pot. The only problem with this slow cooked breakfast is the aroma; the wonderful smell would always wake us up earlier then we had planned on rising. The boys couldn’t wait to rush downstairs to eat and then head back to bed for a few more hours of sleep.

Safeway is having a Stock Up sale on Pace Picante Sauces and Salsas so I headed over to pick up a few jars to make my Crock Pot Breakfast Frittata for last Sunday’s brunch. Pace Picante kicks up the flavor in this breakfast meal and with the 16 oz varieties being on sale at Safeway for 2/$4, it was the perfect time to stock up.

Family breakfast doesn’t have to be boring bowl of cereal and if you make this the night before it will free from the stove giving you more family fun time around the table. As you know, both of my sons are now in college and with time flying by so quickly, spending as much time with them is important especially during the holidays. Ingredients:

1 – 16 oz package frozen spinach, thawed and drained

1 Jar Pace Picante Sauce

8 eggs beaten

1 – 20 oz package cooked Hash browns

1 package pre-cooked sausage (links or patties diced or crumbled sausage)

1/2 cup shredded cheese

1/2 cup scallions diced

Cooking Spray

Directions:

Spray the Crock Pot generously with cooking spray

Place spinach, hash browns, sausage, scallions, beaten eggs, and Picante Sauce into Crock Pot. Toss slightly to mix all ingredients then top with shredded cheese.

If cooking overnight use the 6 hour setting or cook 2-3 hours on high if preparing in the morning, check to ensure it is well set. Allow the breakfast frittata to cool slightly before cutting into equal square portions, serve with a breakfast biscuit or an English Muffin.

Note: You can freeze leftovers or reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.

During the Stock Up Sale at Safeway I also purchased a few other flavors that will be great for chicken Crock Pot meals especially the Peach Mango.

This Slow Cooked Breakfast Frittata is by far one of our favorite family holiday meals and a tradition that I hope my boys will continue with their own families.

Do you have a favorite Crock Pot Meal? If so, please leave a comment below and I might try and make it as well as feature it as part of my “Brunch with Blake” YouTube series.

26 Comments

Slow Cooked Teriyaki Ribs March 1, 2014

Hello Friends and Welcome to Slow Cooker Saturday!

The leaves are falling, there’s a crispness in the air; the daylight hours are shorter yet my commute remains long, which is why I love Crock Pot meals. If you are heading to the grocery store this weekend to stock up on milk, bread and eggs why not grab a few other ingredients and make this slow cooked meal ~ Teriyaki Ribs

Grocery List:

3 lbs of Beef Short Ribs

1 Cup Carrots – Baby or full, peeled and diced

1 cup Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed

2 Bottles of Stir Fry Sauce

1 package of fresh mushrooms

Dice the carrots, Butternut Squash and make sure to wash the mushrooms thoroughly.

Spray Crock Pot with Cooking Spray for easier cleanup, or use a Slow Cooker Liner, put in short ribs then top with carrots, squash and mushrooms.

Add 1 cup of water

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours depending on Crock Pot.

Serve over white or Jasmine Rice and you’ll have a complete, hearty meal for four with leftovers.

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014

22 Comments

Posts Tagged ‘slow cooked meals’

Crock Pot Turkey and Potato Chowder – Thanksgiving Leftovers November 23, 2016

Tomorrow is the biggest and best holiday of the year, well, at least the biggest eating holiday of the year. A few weeks ago Malik and I were shopping at Walmart and it was packed with people getting their Thanksgiving fixins’.

Their carts were filled with all the ingredients to make the perfect Thanksgiving meal to share with their family and friends.

Many people will overcook and then have leftovers for days so it’s important to find creative ways in which to make those leftovers appetizing. Now I am not saying that a Turkey and Cheese sandwich with mayo and a slice of tomato isn’t appetizing, but there are other options.

As a small family of four, we always have Thanksgiving leftovers so in looking for creative recipes I found this one for a Crock Pot Turkey and Potato Chowder, but of course added a little twist based on my veggie preferences.

Ingredients:

4-5 cups of Red Potatoes

3 tsp Minced Garlic

1 cup Onions, chopped

1 bag frozen Mixed Veggies (corn, peas and carrots)

1/2 bag frozen mixed Sweet Peppers

3 Sprigs of fresh Thyme – remove from stems

3-4 cups of cooked Turkey

4 cups of Chicken Broth

4 tbsp of Corn Starch

1 cup Heavy Cream

Instructions:

Wash and chop potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Stir corn starch into chicken broth than add potatoes and remaining ingredients except for the Heavy Cream into Crock Pot. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or until the potatoes are fork tender.

Stir in Heavy Cream, cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes.

Serve with crackers or corn bread.

Do you have a recipe for leftover Thanksgiving turkey?

Enjoy and be safe!

Crock Pot Pasta and Smoked Turkey Sausage November 11, 2016

Happy Veteran’s Day to all who served

and are continuing to serve

for the

freedom of this country.

Using the Smoked Turkey Sausage gave this meal more flavor than using plain chicken.

Ingredients:

1 – Package fully cooked Smoked Turkey Sausage – Diced

1 – 14.5 oz can of Petite Diced Tomatoes

1 – Jar Alfredo Sauce

2 – Cups Penne Pasta (uncooked)

Italian Seasoning

Options: Minced Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes

Most people don’t realize that you can put uncooked pasta in the Crock Pot, but for my money, it’s much better as it doesn’t get mushy and cooks up well.

Instructions:

Spray the inside of the Crock Pot with Cooking Spray, add Pasta, Diced Tomatoes and Smoked Turkey Sausage. Sprinkle on a little Italian Seasoning and pour in Alfredo Sauce. Add 1/4 cup of water to the jar, shake and then pour remaining sauce into Crock Pot.

Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. If you prefer to use a red sauce like Marinara or spaghetti sauce as it works just as well.

Do you use Smoked Turkey Sausage in your meals?

Slow Cooked Breakfast Frittata October 7, 2015

Slow Cooked Teriyaki Ribs March 1, 2014

Hello Friends and Welcome to Slow Cooker Saturday!

3 lbs of Beef Short Ribs

1 Cup Carrots – Baby or full, peeled and diced

1 cup Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed

2 Bottles of Stir Fry Sauce

1 package of fresh mushrooms

Dice the carrots, Butternut Squash and make sure to wash the mushrooms thoroughly.

Spray Crock Pot with Cooking Spray for easier cleanup, or use a Slow Cooker Liner, put in short ribs then top with carrots, squash and mushrooms.

Add 1 cup of water

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours depending on Crock Pot.

Serve over white or Jasmine Rice and you’ll have a complete, hearty meal for four with leftovers.

Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014