Christina's Slow Cooker Lemon Rosemary Chicken

original recipe

1 whole roasting chicken or 4 chicken thighs
1 small onion, chopped and divided
1 lemon, cut into 1/8ths and divided
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 C white wine
2 tsp dry rosemary
salt and pepper

Brown chicken in pan. Set aside.

Add 1/2 onion to slow cooker. Add 1/2 lemon (4 pieces). Add chicken. Add remaining lemon. Add remaining onion. Add 1 tsp rosemary. Pour chicken broth and wine over. Sprinkle remaining rosemary. Salt and pepper to taste.

Cook on high 1 hour then lower to low for 3-4 hours or until chicken juices run clear. Serve with rice or potatoes and another vegetable side such as sauteed green beans and carrots or salad.

Christina's Dijon Carrots and Brussels Sprouts

adapted from Ann Poulson

1 1/2 lbs baby carrots
1 1/2 lbs brussel sprouts


Steam 7-10 minutes or roast in the oven in light olive oil until tender. 

Sauce
4 TBSP butter
2 TBSP grainy mustard
1 TBSP smooth Dijon mustard

Melt butter and add mustards. Stir well. Pour sauce over veggies and stir gently to coat. Serve immediately. 

Christina's Tuna Salad

from my mom

5 5 oz. cans tuna, drained and flaked
1 C mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
3/4 C diced celery
2 C shredded carrot
1/3 C chopped sweet pickle (or sweet pickle relish)
1 1/2 TBSP minced or grated onion

Mix it all together. Serve cold on sandwiches or make into tuna melts. So yummy!

Christina's Slow Cooker Herbed Beef Stew (or Roast)

1 1/2 pounds cubed beef stew meat (or roast)
4 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, cubed
2 onions, diced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp pepper
1 C water, 2 cubes beef bouillon
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 garlic clove
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried marjoram

If making stew, toss meat with 1 cup flour. Otherwise, just put everything in the crock pot and mix well. Cover and cook 4-6 hours on high or 10-12 hours on low.

Christina's Super Green Breakfast Smoothie

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup chia seed gel
2 cups loosely packed spinach
1 beet (root and leaves)
8 baby carrots (or one large carrot)
1 8 oz can pineapple in juice
1/3 cup raw cashews
2 frozen bananas
honey to taste
frozen blueberries to taste

Blend it all together!

Christina's Chicken, Sausage and White Bean Soup

from Picky Palate


Fall Style Chicken Stew with Sausage and Beans
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 - 1 1/2 pounds skinless chicken
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut
4 stalks celery, cut
1 large onion, diced
12 ounces cooked sausage links (andouille or other), sliced
2 15 ounce cans White Beans, drained and rinsed
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
kale (optional)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place oil into large Dutch oven over medium heat. Season each chicken breast with a pinch of salt and pepper then place into hot oil. Cook for 5 minutes each side, until golden brown. Once golden brown, reduce heat and cook until cooked through. Remove chicken and transfer to large plate or cutting board. Let rest for 10 minutes then chop or shred.
3. Place same Dutch oven with chicken drippings over medium heat. Add carrots, celery and onion cooking until tender, about 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Add sliced sausage and beans, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to low.
4. Place butter into a medium pot over medium heat. Once melted whisk in flour until thick and combined. Slowly add chicken broth. Will start out thick, keep whisking and slowly add remaining broth. Whisk for a good 5 minutes then transfer to pot of vegetables. Add kale and cook until wilted. Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to low and let simmer until ready to serve. Garnish with fresh rosemary, if desired.

Makes 8 servings

Christina's Stuffed Cabbage

from Smitten Kitchen


1 head Savoy cabbage

1 pound ground beef
1 small to medium onion, chopped small
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 carrot, shredded
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced (I used half a bulb of kohlrabi)
1 parsnip, shredded (I used one large turnip)
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 to 2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 15 oz cans tomato sauce plus water to cover

Wash cabbage and remove leaves for use. Place leaves in a large bowl. Boil a small pot of water and pour the water over the cabbage and let it sit for ten minutes.

Heat the oil in a saute pan. (I like to use the large one I will cook the final dish in — a deep 12-inch saute pan — to save dishes.) Cook the onions until they are soft, add the carrot, celery and parsnip and saute them for a couple extra minutes — until they are also soft. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, transfer it to a bowl and let it cool a bit. Mix in the meat, rice and tomato paste and season again with salt and pepper.

Drain the cabbage. Pat the leaves dry with towels. Roll about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of filling in each leaf (depending on the size of your leaf) and arrange in a large, wide pot. Pour in enough juice or sauce to cover the rolls. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat, letting them simmer covered on the stove on low for about 45 minutes. Serve immediately. If sauce has thinned a bit, you can heat up any additional sauce you didn’t use and pour it over as you serve the rolls. [These also freeze very well.]

Christina's Moroccan Rib Roast

from Better Homes and Gardens

2 tablespoons coriander seeds, crushed 
2 tablespoons finely shredded lemon peel 
1 tablespoon olive oil 
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds, crushed (or just use a few dashes of cumin)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt 
1 4- to 5-pound beef rib roast (I used country-style pork rib chops instead)
8 cloves garlic, peeled and cut into slivers 
Assorted peeled and cut-up vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, and sweet peppers 

1. In a small bowl stir together coriander seeds, lemon peel, olive oil, cumin, red pepper, and salt. Rub surface of meat thoroughly with coriander mixture. 

2. Cut 1/2-inch-wide slits randomly into top and sides of meat. Insert garlic slivers deep into slits. If desired, cover and chill meat for up to 24 hours. 

3. Prepare grill for indirect grilling. Test for medium heat above the drip pan. Place meat on the lightly oiled grill rack over the drip pan. 

4. Cover and grill for 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the meat registers 155 degree F for medium doneness. Add assorted cut-up vegetables to grill during the last 45 minutes of grilling, removing and setting them aside as they become tender. Carve meat and serve with the grilled vegetables. Makes 8 to 10 servings. 

Test Kitchen Tip: You may prepare this recipe using leg of lamb instead of a beef rib roast as part of a more authentic Moroccan feast. For a 3- to 4-pound leg of lamb, grill for 2 to 3 hours or until a meat thermometer registers 155 degree F for medium doneness. 

Christina's Thai Peanut Noodle Salad

from Our Best Bites

Not gonna lie, this tastes more Chinese than Thai due to the sesame oil in the salad dressing, but it's still yummy!

8 oz Linguine Fini, regular Linguini, Spaghetti or Angel Hair

4 C shredded greens: napa cabbage, romaine lettuce, spinach or whatever you have
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 yellow pepper, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, julienned
1/2 medium cucumber, halved and sliced
1/4 of a red onion, thinly sliced
3 C diced grilled chicken
honey roasted peanuts (about 1/2 cup--optional)

Thai Peanut Salad Dressing (save some time and make this part ahead!)

Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Add a spoonful of salt and then add your pasta. Drain when al dente and rinse with cold water. Add some dressing and stir to coat.

When you're ready to assemble the salad, place noodles, veggies, and chicken in a large bowl.

Pour the Thai Peanut Dressing over everything, stirring as you go until you have enough to coat.

Ben and Christina's Fish Tacos

Just found this after it sitting in my drafts for 10 months. Oops. We were inspired to try fish tacos after a recent episode of Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Since we decided to make the attempt on a Sunday, we just had to use what was in the house, but we think they turned out pretty great!

Fish Batter--use whatever recipe you want

Cabbage Slaw

1/2 cup sour cream
juice of 1 lime
1 TBSP minced garlic
cabbage
red onion
carrot

1 cup pico de gallo

1 1/2 pounds tiliapia filets, sliced lengthwise
corn tortillas

Fry up the fish and fill each tortilla with fish, slaw, pico de gallo and eat! I also think some crumbled cheese (like Cotija) would be fantastic. Yum!

Christina's Split Pea Soup

2 meaty ham hocks (1 3/4 lb total)
16 cups water
4 large carrots
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb dried split peas (2 1/4 cups), picked over and rinsed
1 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Simmer ham hocks in 16 cups water in a deep 6-quart pot, uncovered, until meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Transfer ham hocks to a cutting board and measure broth: If it measures more than 12 cups, continue boiling until reduced; if less, add enough water to total 12 cups. When hocks are cool enough to handle, discard skin and cut meat into 1/4-inch pieces (reserve bones).

Chop 2 carrots and cook along with onion and celery in 2 tablespoons oil in a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add split peas, table salt, pepper, ham hock broth, and reserved bones and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peas are falling apart and soup is slightly thickened, about 1 1/2 hours.

Halve remaining 2 carrots lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Remove bones from soup with a slotted spoon and discard. Add carrots and ham pieces to soup and simmer, uncovered, until carrots are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt.

Christina's Italian Meatball Soup

from The Pioneer Woman Cooks

Meatballs:
¾ pounds ground beef
½ cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoons dried parsley
1 whole egg
2 cloves garlic
½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoons black pepper
¼ teaspoons ground oregano
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Soup:
3 TBSP olive oil
5 C beef stock
4 cups water
½ teaspoon salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 TBSP tomato paste
¾ cup onion, chopped
¾ cup carrots, chopped
¾ cup celery, chopped
1 cup russet potato, chopped (do not peel)
½ pound cabbage chopped
4 teaspoons dried parsley
2 whole Bay Leaves

To make meatballs, combine all meatball ingredients and mix well. Shape into small balls and chill for 30 minutes.

After chilling, heat olive oil over medium-low heat in a heavy pot. Briefly brown meatballs, then remove to a plate. Drain some of the fat off. To pot, add beef stock, water, salt, tomato paste, and herbs. Bring to a boil, then simmer 30 minutes.

Add onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Simmer 15 more minutes.

Add cabbage and meatballs. Bring to a boil, then simmer 8 to 10 minutes.

Serve with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top.

Christina's Chicken and Dumplings

from Our Best Bites

6 cups chicken broth
1 lb. cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 1/2 c. sliced carrots
3 ribs celery, chopped
1 onion, minced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 bay leaf
1 handful of chopped fresh parsley (or 1 Tbsp. dried parsley)
1/2 tsp. basil
1 14-oz. can evaporated milk
1 recipe of Bisquik or Jiffy dumplings (recipe is on the box) or 2 cups brown rice

In a large pot, heat some olive oil over medium heat and add onions and garlic (and brown rice, if using). Saute for a few minutes and then add chicken broth, chicken, bay leaf, and basil. Bring to a boil. Add carrots and celery and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until carrots and celery are tender. When carrots and celery are almost done, add chopped parsley. Add evaporated milk. Increase heat to boiling and add prepared dumplings by small spoonfuls. Cook until dumplings are cooked through (they should appear moist but feel firm).

Christina's Tortellini Sausage Soup

from Our Best Bites

3 links Italian sausage or 3/4 lb. bulk sausage
4 cloves pressed garlic
1 onion, diced
½ c. water
2 cans chicken broth
½ c. apple cider or apple juice and some extra cinnamon
1 16-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 c. sliced carrots
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 medium zucchini, grated
8-10 oz. package cheese tortellini
2 Tbsp. dried parsley

If you're using link sausage, remove the casings and crumble into a large soup pot. Begin cooking sausage over medium heat, stirring frequently. If your sausage is fatty, you'll want to drain it when it's about halfway cooked. Meanwhile, chop onions and garlic and add to the sausage. Continue cooking until onions are translucent and your sausage is cooked.

Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, juice, water, chicken broth, carrots, oregano, and basil. Cover and simmer for 1/2 hour. Add parsley and zucchini and simmer for another 15 minutes or so. Add the tortellini and cook until tender, and then serve with bread and freshly-grated Parmesan.

Lorri's Carrot Souffle

Adapted from Emeril Lagasse
3 pounds carrots, chopped
6 large eggs
1 cups packed light brown sugar
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt


Topping:
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 by 13-inch casserole.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the carrots, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes; drain. Combine the carrots with the remaining ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Depending on the size of your processor, you may need to so this in batches.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared casserole.

Combine the brown sugar, pecans, flour, and butter in a medium bowl. Stir to blend. Scatter the mixture over the top of the casserole and bake until the topping is lightly browned, 55 minutes to 1 hour.

Christina's Mushroom Soup

from Tasty Kitchen via PW Cooks

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 whole Small Carrrot, Finely Minced
1 whole Celery Stalk, Finely Minced
1 Tablespoon Garlic, Crushed And Minced
1 pound White Mushrooms, Sliced Thin
4 ounces white wine
1 can tomato paste1 1/2 cup chicken broth
1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
1 cup Parmesan Cheese, Freshly Grated

Heat oil, over medium heat, in a large deep pot.

Mince the carrot and celery nice and fine.. Toss into the pot and allow them to soften while you slice the mushrooms. Next, add your garlic, right as the carrots and celery start to cook down. Add the mushrooms to the pot and allow them to reduce and soften. Pour in the wine and let it cook with the mushrooms for a few minutes.

Add the tomato paste and the chicken broth. Allow it to boil for about 5 minutes before adding the heavy whipping cream, and bring to a soft boil. Grate Parmesan and add it to the pot. Let this cook for a few minutes, until the cheese is melted and blended with the soup. Lower the heat and let the soup simmer for about 10 minutes or so, until thickened. Salt and pepper the soup to your own tastes.

Christina's Moroccan Vegetables with Quinoa

from Buffy Bailey

Serves 4 to 6

2 T butter or margarine (or 1 TBSP of each)
2 c coarsely chopped cabbage
2 c chopped onions
1 ½ c cubed eggplant (1-inch pieces) (about half a medium eggplant)
1 t ground turmeric
½ t ground cinnamon
½ t ground ginger
1/8 t ground allspice
1/8 t saffron threads (or ½ tsp turmeric)
2 c broth or water
1 ½ c carrot chunks (1-in)
1 c chopped tomatoes, or 1 can of drained diced tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 c cooked or canned and drained chickpeas (or fava beans or butter beans)
½ c golden or dark raisins

Prepared couscous.

In a 6-quart pot, melt butter or margarine over medium-high heat. Add the cabbage and onions; cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened, about 4 minutes. Add the eggplant; cook, stirring until softened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and saffron until absorbed. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Add the carrots, tomatoes, and bay leaf; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Add the chickpeas and raisins; cook, covered, 20 minutes longer or until stew is slightly thickened. Discard the bay leaf.

Serve over cooked couscous.

Christina's Deli-Style Pasta Salad

from Better Homes and Gardens

1/2 of a 16-ounce package (about 2 cups) frozen cheese-filled tortellini or one 9-ounce package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini
1 1/2 cups broccoli flowerets
1 large carrot, thinly sliced
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium red or yellow sweet pepper, cut into thin strips

In a large saucepan cook pasta according to package directions, except omit any salt and oil. Add broccoli and carrot the last 3 minutes of cooking; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again.

Meanwhile, for dressing, in a screw-top jar combine the vinegar, oil, Italian seasoning, mustard, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cover and shake well. Set aside.

In a large bowl combine the pasta mixture and sweet pepper. Shake dressing. Pour the dressing over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat. I also mixed in some leftover chimichurri sauce and it was delicious, so I think that pesto would be a great addition if you have it around.

Christina's Cellophane Noodle Salad with Roast Pork

from Smitten Kitchen

For pork

1 (1-lb) solid piece boneless pork butt (shoulder), halved along the grain

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup Chinese rice wine or sake

1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger

1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt

For dressing

3/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1/2 cup peanut or vegetable oil

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

3 tablespoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger

1 large fresh jalapeno chile, seeded and minced

For salad

8 oz very thin bean-thread noodles (also known as cellophane, glass, or mung bean noodles)

3/4 lb Chinese long beans (1 bunch) or green beans, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces

1 seedless cucumber (usually plastic-wrapped; about 1 lb), halved lengthwise and sliced diagonally 1/8 inch thick

1 bunch scallions, cut into matchsticks

1 firm-ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and thinly sliced

2 thin carrots, cut into 1/8-inch-thick matchsticks

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves

1/2 cup loosely packed fresh small basil leaves

Make pork: Cut pork along the grain into long 1 1/2- to 2-inch-wide strips. Remove and discard any sinew but do not trim fat. Transfer pork to a large sealable plastic bag. Stir together remaining pork ingredients in a small bowl until combined well. Add to pork and turn to coat, then squeeze bag to eliminate as much air as possible and seal. Marinate pork, chilled, at least 4 hours but no longer than 24.

Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 375°F. Put 1/2 inch water in a 13- by 9-inch roasting pan and place a metal rack across top of pan (rack should not touch water).

Remove pork from marinade, reserving marinade, and arrange pork strips 1 inch apart on rack. Roast in oven 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring marinade to a boil in a 1-quart saucepan, then boil 1 minute (marinade may look curdled). Remove from heat.

Brush both sides of pork with some marinade and roast 10 minutes more. Generously brush both sides of pork with marinade again and roast, basting 2 or 3 times, 10 minutes more.

Increase oven temperature to 400°F and roast pork until strips are mahogany-colored and caramelized on edges, 10 to 15 minutes more (pork should roast for a total of about 50 minutes). Transfer to a cutting board and let stand, loosely covered with foil, 10 minutes.

Make dressing while pork roasts: Blend together all dressing ingredients in a blender until smooth. Stir before using.

Cook noodles and beans for salad while pork finishes roasting: Soak noodles in cold water to cover until pliable, about 15 minutes, then drain in a colander. Cut noodles in half with kitchen shears.

Cook beans in a 5- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer with a skimmer or slotted spoon to a large bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking, reserving cooking liquid in pot. Drain beans and pat dry.

Return bean-cooking liquid to a boil, then cook noodles, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain noodles in colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain noodles again, then spread out on paper towels and pat dry.

Assemble salad: Cut as much pork as desired for salad across the grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Toss noodles with 1/4 cup dressing in a bowl. Toss long beans with 2 tablespoons dressing in another bowl. Arrange pork, noodles, beans, and remaining salad ingredients on a large platter. Drizzle with some of dressing and serve remaining dressing on the side.

Christina's Buffalo Chicken Salad

source unknown

2 hearts romaine lettuce, chopped

1 cup carrots, shredded, chopped or how ever you like

2 ribs celery, chopped

1/2 cup ranch dressing (I like to make the kind from a packet)

1 pound, chicken tenders, cut into bite size pieces

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons butter

Salt and black pepper

1/4 cup hot sauce (like Louisiana Hot Sauce)

1. Preheat a skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Combine lettuce, carrots, and celery in a salad bowl.

3. Add oil and butter to hot pan with the chicken. Season with salt and pepper and sear for a few minutes, then add hot sauce. Reduce heat a little and cook 5 minutes more.

4. Toss salad with dressing and season with salt and pepper. Top salad with buffalo chicken.