Easy Three Bean Chicken Stew – A Slow Cook Dish

Three Bean Chicken Stew

There’s something reassuring about having dinner in the slow cooker on a busy day.  It affords me the freedom to enjoy myself, even if it’s just getting things done at home.  I think the whole family likes the smell of a home cooked meal.   We can almost taste in the air, the flavors mingling together to form rich juices & tender meats.  Somehow at the end of a more productive day, I feel a sense of accomplishment, & my reward is a simple yet delicious dinner – the result of planning ahead.

So with that being said, this recipe could not get any easier, but the flavor would have you believe otherwise!

Herbed White Bean Soup – A Slow Cooker Recipe

Herbed White Bean Soup

Happy New Year, everyone.  Would you believe here in Tucson we welcomed the New Year at midnight with SNOW!  What an exciting way to begin the first day of the year!

Top Crust Chicken Pot Pie

Top Crust Chicken Pot Pie

Recipe by:  Designs by Jeanne R

Living in Tucson, we don’t have to worry about many cold nights.   On those few nights when a little warming up is in order, nothing is better than some good old fashioned, comfort food straight from the oven.

Pepperoni & Black Olive Marinara

Pepperoni & Black Olive Marinara

Pepperoni flavors this marinara for a tangy, rich sauce that will appeal to the taste-buds of all ages.  Pair it with spaghetti or your favorite pasta, or ladle & bake it over chicken…& you’ve got a deliciously flavored dish that’s sure to please.

Amazing Chicken Stew, Enchilada Style

Chciken Stew, Enchilada Style

In a word, A-MAZ-ING!   I had a request for a low carb meal, and I came up with this one on the spot.  This is great because you can add all of the ingredients in a casserole dish with a lid, and bake in the oven for 1 – 1/2 hours (or the slow cooker!) and forget about it, knowing that the flavors will mingle & be even better with a little time!

Italian Sausage Puff Bake

Italian Sausage Puff Bake

Recipe by:  Designs by Jeanne R

The idea for this recipe came from my love of bread and egg casseroles, both savory and sweet that I make for brunch.  I decided that since this works so well for breakfast and brunch, why not create something for dinner using Italian ingredients?

Green Chile & Mushroom Spaghetti Bake

Green Chile Mushroom Spaghetti Bake

Recipe by:  Designs by Jeanne R 

Southwestern Quinoa

Southwestern Quinoa

Recipe by:  Designs by Jeanne R

Southwestern Quinoa you ask?  Sure, why not?!  Anaheim green chilies are really plentiful in Tucson this time of year, and you can usually purchase them by the box or burlap bag at many of the markets.  If you’re really fortunate, you’ll find a temporary roasting station set up outside, that will do the roasting for you, which will save a lot of time.  Many Tucsonans take advantage of this seasonal market (coming from New Mexico) to package and freeze the chilies for future use.

Pork Back Ribs with Orange Marmalade Sauce

Pork Back Ribs with Orange Marmalade Sauce

Recipe by:  Designs by Jeanne R

Through much trial and error over the years, I’ve discovered that the secret to really tender, juicy ribs is to cook them low and slow. I bake mine in the oven, from late in the morning, and pretty much forget about them until dinner time.  The way I cook mine, you’ll need a large roasting pan with a good fitting lid.  This is a necessity, as this method involves hardly any liquid, but it forms a nice steam.  I’ve used all sorts of liquids, from juices to ale, but I find that good old fashioned water does the trick, with the majority of flavor coming from the sauce that gets added at the end.

Kicked Up Bruschetta

Kicked Up Bruschetta

My family loves bruschetta, and I love that it’s so versatile! I mean come on, this baby can be the bread that accompanies your meal, an appetizer, or a pretty healthy snack. Not to mention that you can vary the ingredients to fit whatever your theme is for any given occasion, and what could be more simple?  You really don’t need to measure, just use this as a guide. So here’s my kicked up version…