How to Cook Without a Kitchen... Crock Pot Recipes....

I am sure I have talked about this before... cooking without having a kitchen has been a bit of a challenge, but I am making it work at my work place.  I am very lucky to be able to do this :)

My work has a small refrigerator, and a microwave.

I have brought in a small crock pot.  Yay!

Let the gastronomical games begin!

First, I use plastic utensils and paper cups and bowls so I can just toss them. The only washable items I use is my good cutting knife, and a gravy ladle.  These two, after use, I wipe clean, swab with a Lysol Disinfectant Wipe, let dry, then wipe with clean water and dry.  We don't have running water in the shoppe.  We have to go to the pizza place to use the bathroom.  Don't feel like I should be doing the dishes there.

I also use Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners.  They are BPA free, and a blessing to just gather and toss away after use. All I do then is just wipe out my crock pot like the knife and ladle previously noted.

 I decided this might be a good place for me to stockpile my crock pot recipes because I am easily forgetting them.  I have tried to use recipes with few ingredients so I am not hauling tons of spices and condiments with me into work.

So here you go.  Check back, as I will be adding to this list!  :)

* * *   R E C I P E S * * *

Please note:  these recipes are not entirely precise,

you just have to feel them out for yourself.  

Proportions, ingredients....be creative!

The timing is also "as you see fit".  If you need it quick, turn it on high

for a while, or if you have all day, turn it on low.... most ingredients are

already cooked so you are basically just warning them through.

I always put the sauces on top, so they will melt down onto the other ingredients,

and give it a stir down the line.  Although I have heard that if you open the 

lid, you have added 20 minutes to your cooking time.  Your discretion if you can

wait until time to serve to stir.

Spice note:  Along those same lines, you can spice these recipes up any

way you would like!  Salt, lemon pepper, cayenne...whatever you like

to add

Serving note:  Since I have been following a certain diet, I have tried to

stop using pastas, noodles and rice.  I have learned how to substitute cauli-rice,

zucchini noodles and spaghetti squash, so I will comment my choices,

but you use your fav :)

I hope you have fun with these recipes, and Enjoy!

Sausage and Sauerkraut

One of my most favorites.  Sauerkraut is good for you!

12 oz to 1 lb of sausage, Smoked Beef or Polish sausage
1 medium onion, sliced, (optional)
1 jar Sauerkraut
1 to 2 cans sliced white potatoes
salt

Layer and cook through.


Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

1 bag of frozen Italian meatballs
1 can Fruit Cocktail, drained
1 small jar of Grape Jelly or Jam
1 bottle Heinz Chili Sauce

(All of this will not fit in my little crock pot, so I halved the recipe except the fruit cocktail, I used most of the can, and ate the rest.)


Layer in crock pot and turn on.  Let cook until it's time to eat.  Serve over cauli-rice, or steamed cauliflower, or something that will soak up the juices.  A little cornstarch or arrowroot flour could be used to thicken the sauce to a gravy.


Melinda's Unwrapped Cabbage Rolls


Layer:
1 medium to large onion, in sliced quarters
1 bag Italian meatballs
minced garlic to taste
cabbage, in thin slices, as much as you want or can fit
1 can tomato sauce
1 can Italian spiced diced tomatoes

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


Kalua Pork

Pork shoulder, port roast or pork butt
Rub Hawaiian salt over all the meat
Sprinkle Liquid Smoke over meat, about 1 teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon depending on size of meat.

Place meat in crock pot.  Cook on low, 6 to 8 hours.  This cannot be cooked on a high setting.  Let it take all day :)  Shred.  Can be served with just rice, or in a bun.


Mango Salsa Chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken
1 can diced mangoes, drained
1 jar Pace Salsa or Picante sauce, hotness level to your liking

Layer chicken with a little of each ingredient on top of each layer.  Cook high for 2 to 3 hours or low for longer.  Make sure chicken is well cooked.  Serve over cauli-rice.

Additionally, you could transfer the cooked chicken to a baking dish layered with hot cooked rice, pour the sauce on top, place a layer Mexican Cheese Blend on top of it all.  Bake long enough  in a medium heat oven to melt cheese.  Sprinkle a little chopped cilantro on top for color.  Good enough for company! :)



Just Honest Food

cabbage, thinly sliced
onion, thinly sliced
Smoked sausage, cut into bite-sized pieces
potatoes, cut into large bite pieces (optional)
shrimp (optional)
1 can of diced tomatoes, containing green chilies

Cook through.


:)

 

If I Could Blast the Past....

... would I?

My ex-boyfriend, who I went with for basically 11 years just celebrated his 24th wedding anniversary with his second wife, and is extremely happy in the life he has with her, his 4 grown children, and 3 great-granchildren so far.

At times when I am feeling alone, I wonder, what would it have been like if we had gotten married way back then?  He seriously asked me to marry him 4 times... and each time, I did not say yes.  Seems we were in love with each other often over the years... it just was never at the same time.  And I wasn't of the mind to settle down yet, wanting to somehow travel.  He was buying his first home back then, so we didn't do a whole lot of going out, but we went camping and waterskiing.... he said we were, "Two outgoing people who don't go out much."  lol

I think we could have done okay.  Oh, we would have had our up and downs...we always had them over the course of our relationship.  But I think we would have made it work and stuck together through the difficult times.

I think we would have lived the life he has lived. He's been very successful in his career, and has made enough money to enjoy home ownership, building a new pool, and all the toys:  boats, motor homes, cabin in the mountains, motorcycles, vacations, concerts and fun.

All of that seems very wonderful.  Sometimes I wish I really had all of that.  But I realize to have all of that, I wouldn't have seen and done all of the things I have in my life.  If I could go back and say "Yes" just once.... is that the way my life should have gone?  Knowing what I know now, would I have said "Yes" just one of those times?

For one thing, none of our current children would have been born.  I do believe we would have had plenty of blond haired, blue eyed babies of our own, but I could never say goodbye to mine, and would never dream of asking him to say goodbye to his.  I would never have traveled as I have been able to.  He would have never known, heartache with a failed first marriage, or the love of the wonderful woman he has now.  I would not know what divorce is all about.

What if I could make the decision to go back right now, but not remember any of this life...  on those terms, I might do it.  Go back and be married to him.  It would have been a good life for the both of us I am sure.  I was a pretty good wife, and a great mom.  He is a loyal, hardworking husband and a great dad.  Yeah, we would have done okay :)

But I can't go back.  None of us can.  I made my choice years ago.  And I guess, despite the rough times, it has been a good path for me.

If you could Blast The Past.... would you?


:)