Cream of Something Soup

I know some people are against canned "cream of something soups".  Because of all the preservatives etc in them.  This may be a little better than the store bought.  There is still lots of stuff in the bullion cubes.  I used this the first time in the crockpot, so I did not cook it first.

One batch makes about 6 cans of " cream of "whatever" soup".

1 cup non-fat dried milk

3/4 cup cornstarch

1/4 cup bouillon (if you have cubes you have to smash them up).  You can use whatever kind you like (ie, beef, veggie)

4 Tablespoons freeze dried minced onions

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon pepper

(For the equivalent of one can of condensed cream soup, mix 1/3 cup dry mix with 1 1/4 cup water. Cook until thick)

Sweet and Spicy Chicken

This recipe begged me to try it, really it did!  I took a day to think about whether I wanted to make this.  I even dreamed about it.  So, after a night of dreaming about this chicken...I knew I had to try it.  Let me tell you, this is not spicy at all. I guess I should have used a spicy bbq sauce.  I really liked it,  plus it was an easy freezer meal.  Yippee!!!


Servings:4

Ingredients:

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 cup purchased sweet and sour sauce
3/4 cup purchased barbecue sauce
1-2 Tbsp. cornstarch, if needed
2 Tbsp. water, if needed

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in 4-5 quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours until chicken is thoroughly cooked. If you'd like a thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and add to the liquid; cover and cook 10-15 minutes until thickened. If adding a bag of frozen vegetables, add an hour before serving.  Serve over hot cooked rice or couscous.  I added an egg roll!!

*For Freezer crockpot directions- place all ingredients (excluding the cornstarch and water in a bag).  Label freezer bag, seal well and freeze.

Budget Break down- 2 bone in breast, bones & skin removed (that's what has been on sale here). $3.21, 1 jar sweet and sour sauce $2.16, 3/4 cup bbq sauce $.46, 1 onion $.34, 3 cloves garlic $.28, 1 bag frozen Japanese style vegetables $2.16.  Total for ingredients, minus rice and egg roll $8.61 for 4 servings or $2.15 per person.

Now- I don't figure out the rice, because we buy our rice in bulk from sams club or costco & cook in our rice cooker.

Southwest Chicken Chili Mac

Since we are still having some cold days, I thought I would try this recipe out.  It was awesome.  Of course, now as I write this post up, I realized I messed up and added way to much ranch.  Oh well, it was yummy the way I made it. I will be making this again, but maybe with some corn bread.

Servings- 6

Ingredients:

8 ounces pasta noodles (whatever you have on hand works great, I used mini shells)

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 cup finely chopped white onion
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet peppers (or bell peppers)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
10 ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes, mild
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 can corn, fresh or canned
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon ground cumin
1 package dry Ranch seasoning (original recipe called for 1 teaspoon)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and run under cool water to stop cooking. Heat oil in 9 inch deep cast iron skillet. Add onions and peppers, cook stirring until softened about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook stirring for 1 minute. Add chicken, tomatoes, broth, corn, beans, 1 pasta, chili powder, cumin, Ranch seasoning and cilantro. Stir until well combined. Reduce heat to low and simmer until ready to serve.

Cheesey Q's

This recipe just intrigued me, so I had to give it a shot.  It was good as dinner, but I also think it would make a great dip to bring to a party. The kids ate it, but I would say they didn't love it.  Make sure to put a splash of hot sauce on it!

Servings 6-8

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pound ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1-15 oz jar cheese whiz
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1.4 cup brown sugar

Directions
Brown hamburger and onion; drain.  Add remaining ingredients and heat.  Serve on buns or with tortilla chips.

Rustic Chicken

Sometimes...well ok most of my free time, I spend searching for new recipes to try.  I have to say that I am pretty lucky to have a husband who is willing to try whatever I want to make. Of course that means, I doing the cooking.  When I found this one, chicken, artichokes, tomatoes and a crockpot I was sold immediatly.  It was very yummy!  I left the mushrooms out because the hubby does not like them.  Next time, I think I might throw some green olives into it.  PS- I know the picture makes it loook a little bland, but it was not.

Servings 4-6

Ingredients:
Ingredients:
1-1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders or breast
15 ounce can diced tomatoes
15 ounces artichoke hearts
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 packet dry chicken gravy mix
1/4 cup chicken broth
Salt/pepper

Directions:
1- Combine the chicken broth, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and gravy in the crockpot. Stir well.
2- Add the chicken and mushrooms. Stir until evenly covered in the tomato/mushroom sauce.
3- Season lightly with salt and pepper.
4- Cook 8 hours on low. Serve over rice or egg noodles.

 *To Make ahead/Freezer meal- Place all ingredients in a gallon sized freezer bag or ovenproof/disposable baking pan. Seal freezer bag while removing any excess air / cover ovenproof/disposable baking pan and freeze. When ready to prepare, remove from freezer to thaw. Place in crockpot, cook on low 6-8 hours.

Crockpot Chicken and Gravy

The name says it all!  This fast & simple dinner will have you asking, why didn't I think of this?  This is my MIL's recipe.  I love it.  Plus the leftover chicken and gravy freeze and reheat well. 

Servings 6

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken
Your choice of seasoning
1 onion- sliced
Bullion cube- optional
1/4- 1/2 cup Flour depending on how much juice you get from your chicken.
3/4-1 cup Water (if you don't get much juice, I didn't) optional
Egg noodles/rice or potato's

Directions:
Take a whole chicken, take innards out & rinse inside & outside. Pat dry. Place salt & pepper & whatever seasoning you want on it (I did a rosemary garlic). Brown in crisco on all sides. Place in crockpot with chopped onion. Cover & cook on low. After 6 hours or so, remove chicken, shred & remove bones. Make gravy with chicken juice in crockpot ( can add chicken bullion cube, for extra flavor). Flour & juice from chicken, whisk together. Until smooth. Add shredded chicken back to crockpot & turn on high to let gravy thicken up (about an hour). Serve over egg noodles or rice.

Budget- 1 whole chicken $3.89, 1 onion .50, Bullion cube ??? (can't find my receipt) and flour is a staple in most houses.  So, I will say $5.50 (on the high side).  Dinner minus the noodles which are inexpensive Around .91 cents per person.!!!  That makes dinner even more delicious. 

Note- Ignore the garlic bread, it was really gross!!

Slow Cooked London Broil

Now, London broil used to be a very inexpensive cut of meat.  But nowadays, not so much.  However, you can catch some pretty good sales out there on it, if you keep your eyes open!

Servings: 4

Ingredients:
2 pounds flank steak (can substitute chuck roast)
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix

Directions:
Place meat in the bottom of the slow cooker; if necessary, slice meat to make it fit!

In a medium bowl, mix together mushroom and tomato soup. Pour mixture over beef. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix over top.  Cook on low 6-8 hours.  serve with rice, mashed potato's or noodles and your choice of vegetable.

*To Make ahead/Freezer meal- Place beef in a gallon sized freezer bag or ovenproof/disposable baking pan. Pour soups over top of beef, toss to coat. Seal freezer bag while removing any excess air / cover ovenproof/disposable baking pan and freeze. When ready to prepare, remove from freezer to thaw. Place in crockpot and sprinkle dry soup over the top.  Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Budget meal break down- Beef $6.36, can of mushroom soup .75, can of tomato soup .75, dry onion soup mix .64.  Total without sides, $8.50.  A total of $2.12 per person.  There was enough gravy, that you could use a 3 pound roast and have plenty to go around.