Recipe of the Day: Crock Pot Ravioli Casserole

Crock Pot Ravioli Casserole

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
salt/pepper
10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed (I used fresh spinach)
16 oz. bowtie pasta, cooked
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded

Directions
*Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Put in crock-pot and add sauce, tomatoes and seasonings.

Cook for 6-7 hours on low. Add the last 4 ingredients during the last 30 minutes of cooking and turn crock-pot to high. I added the fresh spinach, pasta, parmesan and 1 cup of the mozzarella and I mixed it all up really well. Then I added the last 1/2 cup of mozzarella to melt on the top.

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Recipe of the Day: Crockpot Bacon Cheese Potatoes

Crockpot Bacon Cheese Potatoes

Ingredients:
1/4 pound bacon, diced – I bake it first in the oven so that it is “done” and browned then I dice it and place in the crock pot.
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced (or if you use a new potato then halve)
1/2 pound cheddar cheese, thinly sliced (shredded is fine)
salt and pepper
Butter (*not margarine!)
Green Onions (optional)

Instructions:
Line crockpot with foil, leaving enough to cover the potatoes when finished – this will help it to not stick and to steam the potatoes. Layer half each of the bacon, onions, potatoes and cheese in crockpot. Season to taste with salt and pepper and dot with (real) butter. Repeat layers of bacon, onions, potatoes and cheese. Dot with butter and cover with remaining foil….

Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours (*serves 6)

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Recipe of the Day: Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms *National Slow Cooker Month*

Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms

Ingredients
3/4 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup merlot or additional chicken broth
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
2 teaspoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Hot cooked pasta, optional

Directions
Place the mushrooms, onion and garlic in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Top with chicken.

In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste, broth, wine, tapioca, sugar, basil, salt and pepper. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until chicken is tender.

Sprinkle with cheese. Serve with pasta if desired. Yield: 5 servings.

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 5 hours Yield: 5 Servings

Recipe found here: Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms

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Recipe of the Day: Italian Shredded Pork Stew *National Slow Cooker Month*

Italian Shredded Pork Stew

Ingredients
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups chopped fresh kale
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (2-1/2 to 3-1/2 pounds)
1 can (14 ounces) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
Daisy Brand Sour Cream, optional

Directions
Place the sweet potatoes, kale, onion and garlic in a 5-qt. slow cooker. Place roast on vegetables. Add the beans and seasonings. Pour broth over top. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until meat is tender.

Remove meat; cool slightly. Skim fat from cooking juices. Shred pork with two forks and return to slow cooker; heat through. Garnish servings with sour cream if desired. Yield: 9 servings (3-1/2 quarts).

Recipe found here: Italian Shredded Pork Stew

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Recipe of the Day: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore *National Slow Cooker Month*

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 pounds), cut up
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium onions, cut into wedges
1 medium green pepper, cut into strips
1 jar (6 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions
Place flour in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil on all sides.

Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Top with onions, green pepper and mushrooms. In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, salt, oregano and basil; pour over vegetables. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until chicken juices run clear and vegetables are tender. Serve with cheese. Yield: 6 servings.

Recipe found here: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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Recipe of the Day: Chipotle-Mango Pulled Pork *National Slow Cooker Month*

Chipotle-Mango Pulled Pork

Ingredients
3 pounds boneless, skinless pork shoulder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 sweet onions (such as Vidalia), thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 chipotles in adobo, seeds removed, and chopped, plus 1 tablespoon sauce
2 mangoes, diced, or 2 cups frozen mango chunks, thawed
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Cooked corn grits or polenta (optional)

Directions
1. Season pork with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Brown all sides of pork, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of a slow cooker, stir tomato paste, brown sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into chicken broth. Add onions, garlic and chipotles. Place browned pork on top. Cover and cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 8 hours. With 30 minutes remaining, add mango; re-cover.

3. Stir in cilantro. Serve with corn grits or polenta, if desired.

Variations

Asian Barbecued Pork
Omit 1 onion, chipotles, mango, cilantro and the 1/2 teaspoon salt from the sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, a 2-inch piece of ginger (peeled and grated), 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 1 teaspoon Chinese 5-spice. Pour over browned pork in slow cooker. Slice and serve in beef ramen noodle soup, adding some of the cooking liquid to each bowl along with a poached egg and sliced scallions.

Spiced Indian Pork
Omit 1 cup broth, sugar and chipotles. Dice pork into 1-inch cubes and brown in oil. Add to slow cooker with remaining ingredients (except mango and cilantro) as well as 1 can (14.5 ounces) coconut milk, a 2-inch piece of ginger (peeled and grated), 1 teaspoon each cumin and turmeric, 1 tablespoon garam masala and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne. With 30 minutes remaining, add mango. Before serving, stir in cilantro. Serve over brown basmati rice.

Cuban Pork
Omit brown sugar, chipotles and mango. Add 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, zest of 1 lime and 1/2 cup diced pickles. When finished, stir in cilantro. Slice and serve with sliced ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard inside a panini, or on soft Cuban or Italian bread.

Creamy Pork and Mushroom Sauce
Omit tomato paste, brown sugar, chipotles and mango. Add 1 pound sliced cremini mushrooms, 2 sprigs rosemary and 2 tablespoons cornstarch (mix latter with a bit of broth to a cream-like consistency before adding). After cooking, discard rosemary, shred pork and replace cilantro with parsley. Slowly stir in 1/3 cup heavy cream. Serve with rigatoni and shredded Parmesan.

Recipe found here: Chipotle-Mango Pulled Pork

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Recipe of the Day: Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

what you need
1/4cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
3lb. mixed chicken thighs and drumsticks
1/2lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1large onion, coarsely chopped
1/2cup each red and green pepper strips
1clove garlic, minced
1can (14.5 oz.) crushed tomatoes
1tsp. dried thyme leaves
4cups hot cooked long-grain white rice

make it

HEAT dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken, in batches; cook 2 to 3 min. on each side or until evenly browned on all sides.

PLACE mushrooms, onions, peppers and garlic in slow cooker; top with chicken. Combine tomatoes and thyme; pour over ingredients in slow cooker. Cover with lid. Cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 5 hours).

SERVE chicken mixture over rice.

Recipe found here: Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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Recipe of the Day: Slow-Cooker Cheesy Chicken & Potatoes

Slow-Cooker Cheesy Chicken & Potatoes

Ingredients

1large green pepper, chopped
1lb. red potatoes (about 3), very thinly sliced
1tsp. paprika
8small bone-in chicken thighs (2 lb.), skin removed
1can (10-3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/4 lb. (4 oz.) VELVEETA®, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

PLACE peppers in slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray; top with potatoes. Sprinkle paprika over chicken. Place 4 thighs in slow cooker; cover with soup and remaining thighs. Cover with lid.

COOK on LOW 6 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 3 to 4 hours).

USE slotted spoon to transfer chicken and vegetables to platter; cover to keep warm. Set slow cooker on HIGH heat. Add VELVEETA and Worcestershire sauce to reserved liquid in slow cooker; stir. Cover with lid; cook 5 min. Stir until VELVEETA is completely melted and sauce is well blended. Spoon over chicken and vegetables; top with parsley.

kraft kitchens tips
SUBSTITUTE Prepare using smoked paprika.

Recipe found here: Slow-Cooker Cheesy Chicken & Potatoes

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Recipe of the Day: Slow-cooked Boneless Beef Ribs

Slow-cooked Boneless Beef Ribs

Ingredients2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 pounds Beef ribs boneless
1/4 cup butter to 1/3 cup
1 large onion chopped
1 1/2 cups beef broth
3/4 cup red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
3/4 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup Chili sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
5 cloves garlic minced
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

InstructionsIn large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Add ribs in batches and shake to coat. In a large skillet, brown ribs in butter. Transfer to a 5 quart slow cooker. In the same skillet, combine remaining ingredients. Cook & stir until mixture comes to a boil; pour over ribs. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours or until meat is tender (falls apart with a fork).

Recipe found here: Slow-cooked Boneless Beef Ribs

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Recipe of the Day: Slow Cooker Chicken Parisienne

Slow Cooker Chicken Parisienne

INGREDIENTS
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
paprika to taste
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

DIRECTIONS

Sprinkle chicken breasts lightly with salt, pepper, and paprika to taste. Place in slow cooker.

In a mixing bowl, combine the wine, condensed soup, and mushrooms. In another bowl, mix together sour cream and flour. Stir sour cream mixture into the mushrooms and wine. Pour over chicken in slow cooker. Sprinkle with additional paprika, if desired.

Cover, and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

This recipe found here: Slow Cooker Chicken Parisienne

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