CREAMY MASHED POTATOES FROM POTATO FLAKES

1 tsp salt

4 tbsp butter, melted
2 1/4 cups milk
7 cups less 1/4 cup instant potato flakes
6 cups water
1/2 block (8-oz size) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese, optional

Combine the salt, butter, milk, potato flakes, and water according to the box directions.

Whip the cream cheese with an electric mixer until creamy, blend in the sour cream.

Fold the potato mixture into the cream cheese mixture beating well.  Place potatoes into a 5-quart slow cooker and cover.  Cook on low setting for 3 to 5 hours.

Sprinkle with finely shredded cheddar cheese, if desired.

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Linda Update

Dear readers,

I fell on the morning of August 31 and broke my femur. I had surgery that day and I am now in therapy. I appreciate any prayers you feel led to pray on my behalf. Therapy is going well, and I hope to be back to normal in a few weeks. In the meantime, that is the reason for fewer posts. Thank you for your patience.

Linda

CHOCOLATE CAKE

2 cups white sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

 

Spray crock of a large slow cooker with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla until well combined. Whisk in the boiling water. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix well; pour the cake batter into the prepared slow cooker.

Set slow cooker to "Low". Cook until cake has no wet spots on top and has pulled away from the sides of the crock, about 3 hours. Turn off slow cooker and allow cake to rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Have had this for 5 or 6 years. I think I got it from allrecipes.

MAPLE-FLAVORED BAKED BEANS

3 regular-size cans pork and beans

3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup catsup
1 1/2 tsp prepared mustard
3 tbsp maple-flavored syrup
1 large onion, chopped
4 precooked slices bacon, leave whole or chop

Combine all ingredients except bacon in a crock-pot or slow cooker; stir to blend.  Place the bacon slices or pieces over the top of the beans.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low 3 to 4 hours.
This is a file photo.
 

SLOW-COOKER TEXAS CHILI WITH DIABETIC INSTRUCTION AT THE END

I got this recipe years ago from an old Food Network Magazine.

2 1/2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
2 tbsp packed light brown sugar
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, smashed
2 4.5-ounce cans chopped green chilies, drained
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3/4 cup chili powder
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with chilies
1 to 2 tablespoons green hot sauce
Sliced scallions, fresh cilantro and/or sour cream, for topping
Tortilla chips, for serving (optional)

1. Toss the beef with 1 tablespoon each brown sugar and salt in a large bowl.  Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Cook the beef in batches until browned on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes (do not crowd the pan).  Transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker.
2. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onion to the skillet and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.  stir in the garlic, chiles, cumin and chili powder and cook 3 minutes.  add 1 1/2 cups water and the tomatoes and simmer, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom, about 3 minutes.  Transfer to the slow cooker, cover and cook on low, 7 hours.
3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar and the hot sauce to the chili.  Top with scallions, cilantro and/or sour cream.  Serve with chips, if desired.

Serves: 6
Per serving: Calories 482; Fat 29 g (Saturated 11 g); Cholesterol 117 mg; Sodium 1, 227 mg; Carbohydrate 11 g; Fiber 0g; Protein 36 g

Note: Don't be afraid of all the chili powder in this recipe--the chili flavor mellows out in the slow cooker.

NOTE FROM LINDA: Since this is a food network recipe, I have to list it exactly as they do.  However, let me add that the vegetable oil should be canola (a heart-healthy oil) and diabetics should substitute 1 tablespoon Splenda Brown Sugar Blend for the 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar.

PERUVIAN PORK STEW

This is a great recipe for anyone wanting to eat healthier.  If you don't want to use the beer, use 12-oz of low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth.

1 1/4 to 1 12 lbs lean boneless pork, cubed
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 tsp ground ginger
3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp ground allspice
nonstick canola cooking spray
2 cups vegetable broth
1 can (12-oz) light beer
2 tbsp packed brown sugar
1/2 lb sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 cup cubed carrots
1/2 lb pearl onions (or white onion, diced coarsely)
1 turnip, diced
1 cup sliced celery
1 small zucchini, sliced
1 can (15-oz) yellow hominy, rinsed & drained
4 tsp fresh cilantro, chopped
4 tsp lemon juice

In a mixing bowl, combine the garlic, salt, cumin, red pepper, ginger, oregano, thyme, and allspice; toss the cubed pork in the spice mixture.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with the cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.  Brown the meat, half at a time, in the skillet, turning to brown on all sides.  Transfer the meat to a 4-quart (at least) slow cooker or crock pot.

To the meat in the cooker add the broth, beer, and brown sugar; stir to combine.  Add the sweet potato, carrots, onions, turnip, and celery to the cooker.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low setting for 7 to 8 hours or half that time on high setting.  The meat and veggies should be just tender.  Stir in the zucchini and hominy.

Replace lid on cooker and cook stew on high 15 to 30 minutes until the zucchini is tender.  Stir in the cilantro and lemon juice before serving.

Yield: 6 servings
Per serving: 250 calories, 7 g (2 sat) fat, 27 g carbs, 17 g protein, 702 mg sodium
Dietary Exchanges: 1 1/2 veg, 1 bread, 2 meat

clipart photo

BARBECUE BEANS AND SAUSAGE

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup tomato paste
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
3 tbsp molasses
3 tbsp honey mustard
2 tbsp barbecue seasoning blend
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 lb dried navy beans, rinsed and picked over
2 cloves
1 small onion, halved
1 1/2 lbs chicken-apple sausages, each halved lengthwise
2 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Pickled peppers, sliced scallions and/or sour cream, fo topping (optional)

Whisk the broth, 3 cups of water, tomato paste, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, barbecue seasoning and garlic in a slow cooker.  Add the beans.  Push a clove into each onion half; tuck the onion and sausages into the beans in the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on high until the beans are tender, about 6 hours.

Discard the onion halves.  Stir in the vinegar and Worcestershire sauce, then let the mixture sit, uncovered, about 15 minutes.  (The longer the beans sit, the more flavorful they will be.)  Top with pickled peppers, scallions and/or sour cream, if desired.)

Serves: 6
Per serving: Calories 549, Fat 11 g (Saturated 3 g), Cholesterol 102 mg, Sodium 1,796 mg, Carbohydrate 75 g, Fiber 20 g, Protein 38 g

NOTE FROM LINDA:  This is a Food Network Recipe, so I am obligated to list it exactly as they say.  Having said that, let me add the following:  I would soak the beans even though they are going to be slow cooked.  And I would not discard the onion.  I would cut it up and serve in the beans.  I would, however, dispose of the cloves.

OLD SANTA FE SOUP

8-oz cubed low-fat cheddar cheese

1 lb. lean ground beef, browned and drained
1 can whole-kernel corn, undrained
1 can kidney beans, undrained
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes
2 tbsp Taco seasoning mix

Combine all ingredients in slow-cooker or crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3 hours. This is good served with corn chips or softened tortillas.
 

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APPLE COBBLER

4 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup sugar

1 lemon juiced and rind finely grated

1/2 tsp cinnamon

5 tbsp butter

3/4 cup natural cereal with fruit and nuts

Pray a 3 1/2-4 quart crock-pot or slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place the apple slices in the cooker. Add the sugar, lemon juice, lemon rind and cinnamon. Combine the butter and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the other ingredients. Stir to mix well. Place lid on cooker and cook on low 6 to 8 hours or on high 2 to 3 hours. Delicious served with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Yield: 4 servings

file photo used for reference only

ROUND STEAK POT ROAST

1 (1 1/2 lb) bottom round steak

1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp olive or canola oil
2 large yellow onions, sliced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups beef broth
3 tbsp tomato paste
3 large carrots, sliced into chunks
2 stalks celery, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
8 thyme sprigs, tied together
1 bay leaf
1 lb small red potatoes, halved

Turn heat on in a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker or crock-pot.

Sprinkle the beef with the salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add beef. Cook until browned, approximately 3 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and put in the slow cooker or crock-pot. Add the onions and garlic to the beef.

Put half the beef broth in the skillet with the tomato paste. Whisk constantly while bringing to a boil; cook about a minute. Pour the mixture into the cooker over the beef. Add the remaining broth, carrots, celery, thyme, and bay leaf. Press the potatoes down into the mixture, cut sides down.

Cover the pot and cook at high setting for 5 to 6 hours or on low setting for 10 to 12 hours.

Yield: 6 servings

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