GROUND BEEF & ITALIAN SAUSAGE SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 lb ground beef

1 lb Italian sausage, sliced
2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
3/4 of 1 of the tomato cans of water
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp minced parsley
2 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
2 cans (12-oz each) tomato paste
2 cans (12-oz each) tomato puree

Brown meats in a large skillet and drain well; transfer to a 4-quart slow cooker or crockpot.  Add the crushed tomatoes, water, garlic powder, pepper, parsley, and oregano.

Cover cooker and cook on high for 30 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and tomato puree to the cooker; replace lid and cook on low for 6 hours.

file photo

APPLE BREAD PUDDING

8 slices wheat bread, cut into cubes (about 4 cups)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

4 cups peeled and chopped cooking apples

Whipped cream for garnish

 

In a large bowl, combine bread cubes, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and brown sugar; mix well.

In a 4-quart slow cooker, starting with the bread mixture, alternate layers with the chopped apples.

Cover and cook on high setting 1-1/2 hours or low setting 3 to 4 hours, or until apples are tender.

 

Serve warm with whipped cream.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Note: Add 1/2 cup raisins if desired for Apple Raisin Bread.

This is my adaptation of a recipe I got from Mr Food.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE STEW

nonstick cooking spray

1 pkg (20-oz) Italian sausage
1/2 to 3/4 lb fresh green beans, broken into bite-size pieces
2 lbs tomatoes, chunked
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup water
2 cups whole-kernel corn, drained if canned
1 tbsp instant polenta for thickener, if desired

Brown the sausages on all sides in a large nonstick skillet that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray; remove to a slow cooker or crock pot.

Layer the green beans, tomatoes, and rosemary over the sausages.

In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar and water together; pour over the ingredients in the cooker.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8 hours.

Carefully remove the sausages from the cooker and place on a cutting board.  Add the corn to the cooker; replace lid.

Cut the sausages into bite-size pieces and return to the cooker.  Stir in the polenta if you wish to thicken the stew.  Cook until thickened or corn is heated through.

                                    Serve with a crusty Italian bread, if desired.

BAVARIAN-STYLE CHUCK ROAST

3 lb boneless beef chuck roast

1 tbsp canola oil
3 cups sliced yellow onions
3 cups thick-sliced carrots
3 large potatoes, sliced thick
2 large kosher dill pickles, drained, chopped
1 cup sliced celery
1/2 cup beef broth
1/3 cup German-style or brown mustard
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 large bay leaves
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup tap water
1/3 cup all-purpose flour

Heat the canola oil in a large skillet; add roast and brown on both sides.  Remove roast to a slow cooker or crock pot (at least 4-quart size).

Add the onions, carrots, potatoes, pickles, celery, broth, mustard, pepper, bay leaves, cloves, and water.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low approximately 7 hours until meat and vegetables are tender.

Remove the roast and the vegetables to serving platter. Turn cooker to high setting.

Remove 1 cup of the cooking liquid and whisk in the flour until smooth.  Return broth to the cooker and cook on high, stirring, until the broth is smooth and thick.  Serve the broth over the roast.

COUNTRY CAPTIAN STEW (OLD WW RECIPE)

1 can (14.5-oz) fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 onion, sliced thin
1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger or 1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 1/2 lb chicken legs, breasts, thighs; skinned
2 tbsp cold water
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced thin
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 tsp toasted coconut, optional

1 tbsp slivered almonds, optional

This recipe needs a 5-6 quart size crockpot or slow cooker.

Combine the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, tomato paste, ginger, curry, cinnamon, and salt in the cooker.  Lay the chicken pieces over the vegetable-spice mixture.  Place lid on cooker and cook 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low.  Chicken should be fork-tender.

Approximately 1/2 hour before the cooking time is up, mix the water and cornstarch together in a small bowl until smooth.  Stir into the slow cooker.  Add the apple and peas; stir to blend.  Cover and cook on high for approximately 20 minutes until the mixture simmers and thickens and apples are just fork tender.

Sprinkle with the coconut and currants  or raisins just before serving, if desired.

WW photo

Yield: 8 servings of 1 piece of chicken and 3/4 cup vegetables/sauce

Per serving: Approximately 224 cal, 3 g fat (2 g sat), 13 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 26 g pro
This is a WW recipe and a serving = 5 WW points