Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Stew
1 lb ground beef
1 onion, finely diced
1 t salt
5 Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into 1" pieces
1 lb bag sliced carrots
1- 10.75 oz can tomato soup
1 - 6 oz can tomato paste
3 c beef broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T beefy onion soup mix
1 t parsley
1 t Italian seasoning
1/2 t salt
1 1/2 c frozen peas

1. In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, onion and salt until beef is cooked through. Drain and place in slow cooker.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients (except peas); cook on low for 6-7 hours.
3. Stir in peas one hour before serving.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Loaded Baked Potato Soup
1 lb bacon, roughly chopped and slightly frozen
1 yellow onion, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
3/4 c diced celery
4 large potatoes, peeled and diced
4 medium red potatoes, diced
1/4 c flour
2 c chicken broth
salt and pepper, to taste
4 c heavy whipping cream
green onions, Cheddar cheese, sour cream (opt)

1. In a large pot over medium heat, fry bacon until crispy; remove bacon and set aside on paper towels to drain.
2. In bacon fat, cook onions, carrots, and celery until onions are clear; add potatoes and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Whisk in flour and stir constantly over low heat until the flour is cooked and the mixture has thickened slightly, about 5-7 minutes. Add chicken broth, salt, pepper, and half of the bacon.
4. Over medium-high heat, simmer for 25 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. At this point, you could mash some (or all) of the potatoes. Add cream and simmer for 5 more minutes.
Serve in a bread bowl topped with remaining bacon, and other toppings.

One Pan Italian Chicken Dinner

One Pan Italian Chicken Dinner
3 chicken breasts, cubed
2 cans green beans, drained
6 large red potatoes, diced
1 stick butter, cubed
1 envelope zesty Italian dressing mix

1. Preheat oven to 350* and grease a 9x13 pan.
2. Place chicken down the center of the pan, lay green beans and potatoes on either side of chicken.
3. Arrange pats of butter on top of chicken and vegetables; sprinkle with Italian dressing mix.
4. Cover with foil and bake for an hour.

Deep-Fried Doughnuts

Deep-Fried Doughnuts
1/3 c lukewarm water
2 T (or 2 pkgs) yeast
2 T + 1/4 c sugar, separated
1/4 c butter
2 c lukewarm milk
2 t salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 c mashed potatoes
6 cups flour, separated

1. In a small bowl, combine water, yeast, and 2 T sugar; let sit for 10 minutes.
2. In the meantime, melt butter in a medium pan; add milk.
3. Take the pan off of the heat and stir in 1/4 cup sugar, salt, and eggs; transfer to stand mixer.
4. Beat in mashed potatoes and then add the yeast mixture. Add 3 cups of flour, mix until well incorporated, and then add remaining 3 cups of flour. Mix well.
5. Cover the dough and let rise for an hour.
6. Roll out the dough and cut out doughnuts; cover and let rise an additional hour.
7. Heat oil to 375* and fry each doughnut for about 1 1/2 minutes on each side.

Glaze:
2/3 c water
2 T butter
1 t vanilla
pinch of salt
4 c powdered sugar

1. Bring water to boil in a small pot; add butter and stir until dissolved.
2. Take off heat and stir in vanilla, salt, and sugar.
3. Once cooked, immediately place doughnuts in glaze and coat well.
Makes about 40 doughnuts.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
5 lb potatoes
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 c chicken broth
3 T butter, separated
1 c [light] sour cream
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
1/3 c milk
3 oz [light] cream cheese

1. Wash and cube potatoes (you can peel them also, but I like the skins in there for texture); throw them in the slow cooker with the garlic, chicken broth, and butter.
2. Cook on high for 4 1/2-5 hours; add remaining ingredients and roughly mash together.

Meat & Potatoes Casserole

Meat & Potatoes Casserole
1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
1- 10.75 oz can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 c milk
3 c frozen mixed vegetables
1-1 1/2 c Cheddar cheese
16 oz bag frozen potatoes (hash browns, tater tots, new potatoes, etc)

1. Preheat oven to 400*; lightly grease a 9x13 pan.
2. In a large pan, sweat onions over medium-high heat; add beef and cook thoroughly.
3. In a small bowl, mix soup and milk; combine with onions and beef, and spread evenly on the bottom of the 9x13 pan.
4. Layer veggies, half of the cheese, the potatoes, and the rest of the cheese.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, until cooked through and cheese melted.

Beef Stew

Beef Stew
2 1/2 c chuck beef, cut into bite-sized (or smaller) pieces
1- 750ml bottle of red wine*
6 cloves garlic, minced and separated
3 bay leaves
3 T olive oil, separated
2 onions, chopped
1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped into 1 1/2" pieces
1/2 lb mushrooms, de-stemmed and halved
1 lb small potatoes, chopped
2 c chicken broth
1 T rosemary
2 T Worcestershire sauce

1 T salt, plus more to taste
2 t pepper, plus more to taste
1- 10 oz pkg frozen peas

1. Place beef in a large bowl with a lid; add wine, 3 garlic cloves, and bay leaves.
2. Seal and refrigerate overnight.

3. Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot and heat to medium heat.
4. Lift half of the beef out of the marinade with a slotted spoon and place in pot to brown for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once browned, transfer to slow cooker on "keep warm" or "low". Repeat for the rest of the beef. Discard bay leaves, but save wine marinade.
5. Pour out any remaining liquid in pot; heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil to medium heat and add the onions, carrots, mushrooms, and potatoes.
6. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally; add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes; transfer all of the vegetables to the slow cooker.
7. Add the reserved marinade to the empty pot and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. It will start to "foam"; let it foam pretty high and add a little bit of chicken broth; repeat until it no longer smells like alcohol and all broth is added.
8. Add rosemary (rub between fingers as you sprinkle in so it releases its oils), Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables in the slow cooker and turn up to high heat.
9. Cook for about 2 hours, until the meat and vegetables are all tender, stirring once during cooking. If the stew is boiling rather than simmering, lower the heat.
10. Stir in peas just before serving, season to taste, and serve hot.
*If you don't like the taste of wine, or would rather not cook with it, skip the marinating and start with step 3.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Potato Soup
1- 32 oz bag frozen Southern-style hash browns, thawed
1/2 onion, diced
1-2 medium celery stalks, diced
1- 32 oz box chicken broth
1 c water
3 T flour
1 c milk
2 c Cheddar cheese
4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (opt)
4 green onions, sliced (opt)
salt and pepper, to taste

1. Mix potatoes, onion, celery, broth, and water in slow cooker; cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
2. In a small bowl, mix flour and milk; stir in to slow cooker.
3. Cook soup on high for 20-30 minutes, or until soup thickens; stir in cheese until melted.
4. Serve topped with bacon, green onions, salt and pepper.

Baked Potato Chips

Much healthier than anything you'll buy in a bag.

Baked Potato Chips
2 large or 3 medium russet potatoes, cut into 1/8"-thick slices
2-3 T olive oil
2-3 t black pepper
2-3 t salt

1. Preheat oven to 450* and line two baking sheets with foil.
2. Place all ingredients in a large ziploc bag; shake to coat evenly.
3. Spread potatoes out on baking sheets in a single layer.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, rotate sheets (top/bottom and front/back), and bake for another 8-10 minutes, until golden brown.

Hash Brown Casserole

Hash Brown Casserole
6 slices [turkey] bacon
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 c hash browns, frozen
3/4 c [light] sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 1/2 c Cheddar cheese, separated

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet, crumble on to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Drain fat.
2. Place onions and garlic in pan and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently.
3. Stir in potatoes; cover and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine crumbled bacon, sour cream, soup, green onions, salt, pepper, and 1/2 c cheese. Add potato mixture and toss gently.
5. Spoon mixture into greased 9x13 pan and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
6. Cover with foil that has been greased; refrigerate at least 8 hours, or overnight.

7. Preheat oven to 350*.
8. Remove casserole from refrigerator; thaw for 15 minutes before putting in oven.
9. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes; uncover and bake an extra 20-25 minutes or until bubbly around edges and cheese begins to brown.

Potato Casserole

Potato Casserole
2 c mashed potatoes (I used instant)
1 c [light] sour cream
garlic salt and pepper, to taste
3 large (or 4 medium) potatoes, sliced and cooked*
1 onion, diced thin
1/4 c butter
1 1/2 c Cheddar cheese
6 slices [turkey] bacon, cooked (opt)

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. Spread mashed potatoes evenly on the bottom of a 9x13 pan; spread sour cream over potatoes and sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper.
3. Layer potatoes next; saute onions in butter and pour over potatoes. Top with cheese.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove from oven and crumble bacon on top.
*Peel and slice the potatoes thin, then boil then for about a half hour until soft.

Baked Potatoes

Baked Potatoes
1-4 large russet potatoes
oil to coat (I used olive)
salt

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. Wash and brush potatoes with a stiff brush; pat dry and use a fork to poke about 10 deep holes in each potato.
3. Lightly coat with oil and sprinkle with salt; place on middle rack.
4. Bake 60 minutes (75 minutes if more than 4 potatoes) until skin is crisp. Top as desired.

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie
4 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 T butter
1 onion chopped, plus 1 T finely chopped
.5 c shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
salt and pepper to taste
5 carrots, chopped
1 T vegetable oil
1 lb lean ground beef
2 T flour
1 T ketchup
1 T Worcestershire sauce
3/4 c beef broth

1. Preheat oven to 375*; bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes; drain and mash.
3. Mix in butter, finely chopped onion and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add carrots and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, mash and set aside.
5. Heat oil in a large frying pan or skillet; add onion and cook until clear. Add ground beef and cook until browned; pour off excess fat, then stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Next, spread on mashed carrots. Top with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with ¼ cup shredded cheese.
7. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serves: 6.
Hint: Save time by cooking the potatoes and carrots at the same time.

Cheesy Potato and Carrot Casserole

Cheesy Potato and Carrot Casserole
5 c potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 medium onions, diced
4 carrots (or 10-15 baby carrots), in thin strips (I just buy the pre-cut ones)
6 T butter
4 T flour
2 t salt
.5 t black pepper
2 dashes ground red pepper
2.5 c milk
2.5 c shredded Cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375*.
2. Place vegetables in a large saucepan and add enough cold water to cover them.
3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; cook 8-10 minutes, or until tender.
Meanwhile:
4. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Add flour, salt, and peppers; mix well. Cook and stir for 1 minute.
5. Gradually add milk while stirring. Bring to boil over medium heat; cook for 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly.
6. Stir in cheese; reduce heat to low. Cook 1 minute, or until cheese is melted, stirring constantly.
Then:
7. Drain vegetable mixture and spoon half of it into a lightly greased 9x13 pan.
8. Cover with half of the cheese sauce and repeat layers.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes; remove foil. Bake for another 15 minutes, or until heated through.

Nauvoo Potatoes

I never understood why people call them "funeral potatoes". Did people really serve this dish so much at funerals that it adopted that bleak name? We call them Nauvoo Potatoes, and this is my mom's recipe.

Nauvoo Potatoes
6-7 potatoes, par-baked and chilled
1/4 c chopped onion
1 c chopped celery (opt)
2 T butter
1- 10.75 oz can cream of mushroom soup
1 c [light] sour cream
1 c Cheddar cheese, grated
1 c crushed corn flakes mixed with 1/4 c melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350*.
2. Grate potatoes and spread on bottom of greased 9x13 pan.
3. Saute onions (and celery if you want a little crunch in the casserole) in butter until soft; add soup, sour cream, and cheese.
4. Take off heat and stir well; pour over potatoes and mix lightly.
5. Top with crushed corn flakes and bake for 30 minutes.

Rosemary Red Potatoes

Easy and quick!

Rosemary Red Potatoes
3 medium red potatoes, cut into wedges
2 T olive oil
1 T rosemary
1 1/2 t garlic salt
1 t pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425*.
2. Mix everything but the potatoes in a gallon-sized bag. Add potatoes and toss until potatoes are coated in mixture.
3. Spread potatoes evenly on a slightly greased baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.