Fat Frog Diary

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/egxTwMTKPyvnGjKA/?mibextid=xfxF2i   Special Seafood Chowder is an easy slow cooker meal. Remember! Don't add the half-n-half until you're almost ready to serve or it will "break" and look nasty. 

  Crock Pot Gingerbread Despite the lengthy list of ingredients, this is a very easy recipe.  Pre-measure all the ingredients, and have them handy to toss in, once the butter and sugar have been beaten together. They aren't kidding when they tell you to spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray. Don't neglect this step or  think you can get away with a "healthier" oil.  Notes: 1. If you are using a regular slow cooker, this would be a good time to use a timer so that the three hours of cooking time don't begin until three hours before you want to serve. For instance, if I poured my ingredients into the slow cooker at 8 AM, but I don't want to serve dessert until 7 PM, then I would set the timer to start the slow cooker at 4 PM. Some newer slow cookers now have the timer built in, and that's handy!  2. Topping with whipped cream and orange peel is mind-blowing. Yes, Cool Whip is fine if that's all you have time for. Don't be ashamed. ...

  Slow Cooked Pork and Beans You are not going to believe how good this is. While it makes a fine side dish, adding a package of Little Smokies made it a meal. I keep several varieties of dried beans in the pantry in clear jars recycled from other meals. I try to buy a certain brand of tasty spaghetti sauce just because of the large square jars that not only are mason jars, but the square shape makes them more efficient for storage. Notes: 1. I used dried beans. I measured out 1/2 cup dried beans for each type, added 1 cup of water for each type (yes, 4 cups plus a little) and used the Instant Pot pressure cooker feature to cook them for 25 minutes with an NPR (Natural Pressure Release). Once done, I proceeded to make the recipe as suggested, using the Instant Pot Slow cooker feature.  Sources: Taste of Home Halloween ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and lov...

  Pork Chops with Mushroom Sauce This recipe is an easy one. I prefer the slow cooked version of pork chops because they come out so tender. However, don't get lazy and skip browning the chops first. You need that crusty brown layer to keep the chops from falling apart.  Notes: 1. I don't ever cook my chops longer than 8 hours if I can help it. They get too soft and mushy. And I personally add the mushrooms about 30 minutes before serving, not with everything else. Again, for the same reason.  2. The tapioca is there to thicken the sauce. If you don't have any tapioca, you can make a simple 1:1 cornstarch and water slurry and stir it in with the mushrooms 30 minutes before serving. It will accomplish the same result and thicken the sauce.  ************************ Disclaimer: I am not a chef, nor a licensed food service professional of any kind. I'm a grandmother who loves to cook and loves efficient cooking. Anything I post has been checked out by me, but ...

 Imbolg is also a fire festival, so that means you can balance out all those creamy things with spicy things to make you think warm thoughts. I mean, who doesn't love chili in the depth of winter?  This recipe is one for the working person who doesn't have time for stirring a big batch of chili all day. (Seriously?) This is a dependable do-ahead and shelf-special combo. Get the ingredients assembled ahead of time for a fast throw-together before work.  Hint: Use your food processor to save time and money. Buy a bag of yellow onions. Label at least 5 one-quart Ziplock freezer bags with a Sharpie to say, "ONION."  Get out a big bowl of cold water. Remove the skin and dump the onions in the cold water. When all the onions (yes, ALL!) are in the water, open all the bags and get them ready. A kitchen helper is good for this. Shred the onions in your food processor to the shape you like. I like mine fairly chopped, but the slicer is good if you like that cut. Do what you w...