CRANBERRY APPLE BUTTER

This is good on toast or biscuits, as a pancake topping, and even as an ice cream or pound cake topping.

6 large apples, cored, peeled, thinly sliced
1 cup unsweetened apple juice
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1 tbsp grated lemon zest
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup granulated sugar

Combine all the ingredients together in a slow cooker or crockpot; mix thoroughly.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours (high half that long).

Stir the ingredients every couple of hours during the cooking process.  After the first 3 hours of cooking, remove the lid.  This will allow the steam to escape and the mixture to cook down.

Spoon the mixture into hot sterilized jars and seal with hot sterilized lids.  Process a few minutes in a hot water bath if jars do not seal immediately.  You will know jars have sealed if they make a popping sound and the lid indents slightly in the center.

 

Note: File Photo

HEALTHY CHUNKY VEGETABLE CHILI

2 cans (15-oz each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen corn
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, diced
1 can (6-oz) tomato paste
1 can (4-oz) diced mild green chilies, undrained
1 large carrot, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1 cup water

In a slow cooker or crockpot combine the beans, corn, onion, celery, green chilies, carrot, garlic, chili powder, oregano, salt, and tomato paste.  Stir to combine well.  Add the water and stir in.  Place lid on cooker, turn setting to low and cook approximately 6 hours.
This is a healthy dish.  Serve with an assortment of whole-grain crackers to keep it healthy.

 

 File Photo

PORK CHOPS WITH PEAS

4 to 6 1-inch thick pork chops

1 pkg (16-oz) frozen field peas with snaps, mostly thawed
1 1/2 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp canola oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 can (10.5-oz) condensed chicken broth

Place the peas in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker or crockpot.

Combine the dried mustard, salt, and garlic powder; sprinkle mixture over the pork chops. 

Place flour in a shallow pie plate and dredge chops through the flour, shaking off excess. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat the canola oil until hot.  Place chops in pan (in batches in necessary) and cook approximately 3 minutes per side until browned.  Remove the pork chops from the skillet to the slow cooker, placing them over the peas. Sauté the onion in the hot pork chop drippings over medium-high heat for a few minutes until tender.  (This adds extra flavor rather just slicing onions into the cooker.)  Add the chicken broth and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring to loosen any particles left by the chops from the bottom of the skillet.  Spoon this onion mixture over the pork chops in the cooker.  Cover cooker and cook chops on low heat setting for 6-7 hours.

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TASTY HOT MULLED CIDER

1/2 gallon apple cider

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp balsamic or cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves

Combine all the ingredients in your crock-pot or slow cooker.  Cover and set on low.  Cook 5 to 6 hours.  Discard cinnamon stick and cloves.  Serve in hot mugs.

Yield: 16 servings

Note: File Photo

CHEESY CROCKPOT POTATOES

1 small carton sour cream

2 cans Cheddar cheese soup
1 tsp dried onion flakes
1 stick unsalted butter
8 medium potatoes, peeled, thick sliced and parboiled until just tender

Drain the potatoes and place in crock-pot (or slow cooker).

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium low heat.  Stir the sour cream and the cheese soup, undiluted, into the butter until well blended.  Pour cheese mixture over the potatoes, cover, and cook on low for at least an hour.  Yummy!

 Note: This is a file photo.

TURKEY BREAST WITH FRUIT SAUCE

1 (3 lb) boneless turkey roast (thawed, if frozen)

1 jar (10-oz) cherry preserves
1 can (8-oz) crushed pineapple, drained
2 tbsp lemon juice
dash of ground cloves

Place the turkey roast in a slowcooker or crockpot. Add the lid and cook on low setting for 8 hours.

Just before serving time, heat the cherry preserves, pineapple, lemon juice and cloves in a saucepan. Heat thoroughly.

To serve hot: Place turkey on a warmed platter and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Spoon some of the sauce over the turkey and pass the rest with the turkey.

To serve cold: Remove the turkey from the cooker. Promptly refrigerate to cool quickly. When chilled, cover the meat. Chill sauce. Slice the turkey and arrange on a platter. Serve sauce over the slices.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings.

 This is a file photo for reference only.

DEVILED STEAK CUBES

1 (1 1/2 lb) beef round steak, 3/4-inch thick

2 tbsp cooking oil
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp prepared mustard
2 tsp prepared horseradish
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup water
2/3 cup cold water
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
hot cooked noodles for 6 servings

Trim the excess fat from the meat and cut meat into cubes. Heat the oil in a skillet and brown the cubed meat on all sides; drain. Transfer the meat to the cooker. Stir in the tomato sauce, onion, vinegar, mustard, horseradish, garlic, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of water. Add the lid to the cooker, set cooker on low setting and cook for 8 to 10 hours.

Turn setting to high. Blend the cold water with the flour until smooth. Gradually stir the mixture into the meat mixture. Cook until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Serve over the hot noodles or rice.
Yield: 6 servings

 

HAPPY JULY 4TH WEEKEND

 

BRISKET WITH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

This easy meal combines meat, vegetables, fruit including citrus all in one pot.  How easy is that to get so many of the needed nutrients together in one place?

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 (2-pound) beef briskets, trimmed

2 medium onions, sliced

1 orange, thinly sliced

1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch-thick slices

1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices

1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled and cut into 1-inch-thick slices

1 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons brown sugar (diabetics use 1 tbsp Splenda brown sugar blend)

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 teaspoons dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1 can  (14-ounce) + 3/4 cup low-sodium fat-free chicken broth

2 (3-inch) sticks cinnamon, broken in half

1 cup dried cranberries

 

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Place onions in a large slow cooker; top with beef and orange slices. Add carrots, potatoes, and apple.

Whisk together orange juice and remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour mixture over beef.

Place lid on cooker and cook on HIGH setting 4 to 5 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Transfer beef to a serving platter. Pour remaining vegetable mixture through a wire-mesh strainer, reserving juices and vegetables; discard cinnamon sticks. Serve beef and vegetable medley with juices.

 

Yield: 8 servings