Saturday, December 01, 2012

The Official Kick-off of December Lor-Cipes

...my Christmas gift to you!


In case you haven't heard, I'm posting one taste-tested recipe a day in the hope of making your busy December a little easier. As a bonus, if you try one and post a photo of your finished product at Facebook, I'll add your name to my Christmas hat...and if you win, I'll send you a basket filled to the brim with Maryland-related treats!

Here's hoping you enjoy this delicious slow cooker meal,
Loree

December 1

Loree's Country Chicken Chowder



 Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 pounds chicken tenders, cut into ½" chunks
2 medium onions, diced
1 celery rib, diced
2 carrots, sliced
1 can of corn
2-10 ounce cans cream of potato soup
1-1/2 cups chicken broth
½ teaspoon dill weed
½ cup half-and-half (whole milk works; you'll just have slightly thinner 'broth')

Directions:

Melt butter in a large skillet.
Add chicken
Once meat is golden brown, add onions, carrots, celery, corn, soup, dill and broth to your slow cooker.
Cover and cook on LOW 5-6 hours.
Turn off heat and add half-and-half

Garnish with parsley, spinach, or croutons and enjoy!

DECEMBER LOR-CIPES


Yes, it's true: I'm always facing a book-due deadline. But even when I'm hip-deep in character drama, my family wants to eat. So I've relied heavily on my trusty slow cooker, especially in December, when decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping and other Christmas preparations pose deadlines of a whole different kind.

My Christmas gift to you? Thirty-one of my (and my family's) favorite tried and tested recipes--posted one per day--that are sure to save you time and earn lots of "Hey, that was super!" comments from those at your supper table.

Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect, beginning on December 1st. I hope you'll enjoy--and feel free to copy, share, and even 'change-up' these recipes!

Merry Christmas from my house to yours!
Loree


Loree's Meat-and-spinached-stuffed Shells
 


Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef (turkey, veal, etc.)
1 egg, beaten
1 package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well-squeezed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt!)
1/2 teaspoon (dried) minced onion
1/2 package saltine crackers, crushed
1 package large shell pasta, cooked and drained
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzerella chees

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Spray a 9x12 baking dish with Pam
Spread a thin coat of spaghetti sauce on bottom of pan

Mix everything (EXCEPT PASTA AND SAUCE) in a large bowl
Spoon meat mixture (usually about 2 tablespoons each) into cooked pasta shells
Lay filled shells in baking dish
Cover generously with spaghetti sauce
Sprinkle HALF the cheese over the shells
Cover baking dish with aluminum foil
Bake 30 minutes and remove foil
Bake an additional 15 minutes

Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Serve with crusty bread and a side salad.