Christine's Favorite Spices

1 tablespoon onion powder is roughly equivalent to medium size onion.

Garlic powder is used in many dishes for flavor. If I don't have fresh garlic I'll use garlic powder or minced garlic.

Garlic and herb is good for many dishes.

Season salt is used on chicken and fries. 

Paprika has great flavor and adds color to foods.

Parsley is a herb used in cooking and garnish.

Italian seasoning couldn't live without it. It's American blend of herbs, basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and other herbs.

Until next time,

Christine

5 Some Of Our Slow Cooker Recipes

Meatballs and Gravy

If you like beef and gravy, you will love this recipe. Budget friendly. Serve with mashed potatoes. Recipe here

Pot Roast

Throw everything in slow cooker. Come home to tender roast and vegetables. Recipe here

Slow Cooker Brisket

Fork tender brisket. Recipe here

👂

Slow Cooker Frito Chili Bowl

Make this simple chili. Recipe here

Pork Chops With Onions And Mushrooms

One of the good thing about slow cooking food, meats come out tender and juicy, and it's almost impossible to burn. Inexpensive cuts of meat are perfect for slow cookers. Recipe here

Until next time, 

Christine

Copycat Taco Bell Potatoes

Cheesy Taco Bell potatoes. Couple of the potatoes got a little dark but still came out good. Cook potatoes to your liking. I didn't have nacho cheese so I used shredded cheese. 

Ingredients:

2 large potatoes, dice

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon butter

salt and pepper, to taste

handful cheddar cheese

sour cream

Directions:

In skillet over medium heat, add oil and butter. Add potatoes, add salt and pepper. cook until tender. Place in small bowl, top with cheese sour cream. 

Until next time,

Christine

 

Potato Soup

I've been making this soup for years. Everyone at the table was happy and couldn't wait to eat more. Easy and delicious. Comfort food at it's best. I could eat this soup anytime of the year, don't have to wait for winter. Leftover place in airtight container and place in refrigerator, for about 3 to 4 days. Don't freeze, not good. 

What's your favorite soup? 

Ingredients:

8 potatoes, peeled and cube

1 onion, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 stick butter

3 cups chicken broth

cheddar cheese, garnish

green onions, slice for garnish

real bacon bites for garnish

Directions:

Place all ingredients in large pot over medium heat stirring well. Cook about 45 minutes until potatoes are tender. Using potatoes masher, mash about half the potatoes. Garnish with cheese, green onions and real bacon bits.

Until next time

Christine

 

Left Over Sloppy Joe And Rice

I had leftover sloppy joe, so mix the sloppy joe with cooked rice.

 Original Recipe Here

Ingredients:

1 pound ground italian meat

1 small onion, chopped

1 cup cooked rice

salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon minced garlic

leftover sloppy joe

1 cup cheddar cheese

rough chopped green onions for garnish

Directions:

Leftover sloppy joe. Meanwhile, in skillet over medium heat, add meat and crumble. Add onions, salt, pepper, worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, cook until meat is no longer pink. Add leftover sloppy joe to cooked rice, stir well.

Add cheese and garnish with rough chopped green onions.

Until next time, 

Christine

Taco Mac and Cheese In A Bowl

Just when you thought mac and cheese couldn't get any better. 

Ingredients

Inspired by YouTube video 

1/2 pound ground beef

1- 15 oz can diced tomatoes

1 package of taco seasoning

1 box 7.5 oz mac and cheese

Cheddar cheese for garnish

Directions

Cook Mac and cheese to according to package directions. Meanwhile, cook beef until no longer pink. Add.diced tomatoes and taco seasoning. Add drain mac and cheese. 

Affordable and delicious. 4 meals less than $3.00. 

Until next time, 

Christine

 

Sloppy Joe Garlic Bread

This recipe is a family favorite. Easy and delicious. You can make this in little time. Great week day meal. Great goodness in every bite.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground italian meat

1 small onion, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 - 15 ounce can sloppy joe

1 frozen garlic bread

1 cup cheddar cheese

rough chopped green onions for garnish

Directions:

Cook garlic bread according to package directions. Meanwhile, in skillet over medium heat, add meat and crumble. Add onions, salt, pepper, worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, cook until meat is no longer pink. Spread meat mixture on garlic bread. Add cheese and garnish with rough chopped green onions.

Until next time, 

Christine

Cooking For 2 Mini Meatloaf In Toaster Oven

This recipe is easy and delicious. Doesn't heat up kitchen because it's cooked in toaster oven. The potatoes and green beans cooked on top of stove. 

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground beef

salt and pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1 egg, beaten

1/4 cup bread crumb

BBQ for topping

Directions:

preheat toaster oven to 350. mix all ingredients, except BBQ sauce. shape meat mixture into decided shape. spray pan with cooking spray. place on pan.  cook 25 to 30 minutes. serve with mashed potatoes and your favorite vegetable. brush BBQ sauce on meatloaf. Enjoy.

until next time, 

Christine

Tuna Melt

Warm cheesey tuna melt, easy and so good. Creamy tuna mixture  between  fried bread. Use your favorite cheese. You can add celery but I didn't have celery on hand. Use what you have. If you feeding more people, double the recipe. It was Anthony and I favored. 

Ingredients : 

1- 5oz can tuna
1 boiled egg. peeled and chopped 

salt and pepper, to taste

1 teaspoon dried parsley

mayonnaise, to taste 

1 teaspoon dill relish

1/2 teaspoon  small onion, diced 

4 slices bread

4 slices cheese

Directions : 

Mix all ingredients together except bread and cheese. Add mixture to bread and place cheese. Place in skillet over medium heat until golden brown. 

Until next time

Christine 

Cooking For Two Air Fryer Cheesy Potatoes

These potatoes are easy  and delicious. Comfort food at it's best, so good. These potatoes will go with pretty much any main dish. For easy clean up I used tin foil. 

Recipe adapted from a cooking show on Pluto. 

Ingredients : 

2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced, 1/4 inch

cooking spray 

salt and pepper to taste 

paprika, to taste 

1/2 cup shredded cheddar 

tin foil

Directions : 

Heat air fryer 400 degrees. Spray tin foil with cooking spray.  Peel potatoes. Place  potatoes on tin foil. Add  salt and pepper, and add cheese. Add remaining potatoes, salt, pepper and cheese. Add paprika. Cook until tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. 

Until next time, 

Christine 

Pantry, Refrigerator and Freezer Staples

Having well stocked pantry, frigerator and freezer is like money in the bank. Once everything is stocked grocery shopping is easier and less expensive. The biggest thing is figuring out what to stock. Check list below is a rough sketch. Only you can determine what to stock base on your palate and needs. Make sure to have delicious condiments and seasoning to keep things flavorful. 

Pantry basics: salt, black pepper, other spices and dry herbs you like, olive oil, vegetable oil and cooking spray.

Sweeteners: sugar, brown sugar and honey.

Drink: coffee.

Rice, grains and pasta: white rice, brown rice, spaghetti, penne, shells or any other pasta you like, bread and bread crumbs. 

Snacks and cereals: crackers, chips, cookies, popcorn, any cereal you like. 

Canned goods: corn, green beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tuna and can chicken. 

Always have onions, potatoes and garlic. 

Refrigerator: milk, eggs, butter, bell peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and green onions.

Condiments: ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, pickles and worcestersire sauce. 

Liquids: bottle water and soda. 

Freezer: ground beef, chicken, bacon, vegetables and fruits. 

Check the expired dates on all spices, dry herbs and other foods every 6 months. 

Until next time, 

Christine 

6 Pasta Salads

These 6 pasta salads, are delicious. They didn't disappoint. Everyone went back for seconds. Perfect for a picnic or cookout. Click on link to view recipe. 

Pasta Salad with Bacon and Eggs

American Macaroni Salad

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad

Tuna Pasta Salad

Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad

Until next time, 

Christine 

Mississippi Pot Roast

This pot roast is full of flavor and very tender. I've got a picky eater at my house, and Anthony asked when I'm making this again. So Anthony was pleased. 

Ingredients:

3 pound chuck roast

salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 package brown gravy mix

1 package ranch season mix

1 small onion, sliced

1 stick butter

cooking spray

Directions: 

Spray crockpot with cooking spray. Add onions to bottom of crockpot. Add meat and seasoning. Place butter on top of meat. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours. 

Note: Everyone crockpot is different.