Easy & Delicious Midnight Snack Ideas for New Year's Eve

Whether you are relaxing at home tomorrow evening waiting for the ball to drop, or entertaining friends to bring in the New Year, you'll probably want something to munch on, and I’m sure something easy and quick is the first thing on your mind.  You don’t want to be standing over the stove cooking something, nor do you want to polish off a bag of chips and cookies or a full meal and go to bed stuffed at 1:00am.  You want to have a few tasty snacks on hand, and get  to bed after the festivities with a satisfied, happy tummy, but without the guilt of  eating tons of unhealthy food.  Let's take a look at a few quick snacks that are delicious and not too heavy or filling.

Cheese and Crackers

Cheddar cheese from Bravo Farms, Traver, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is actually a favorite at any time of day, but because of the ease of putting this snack together, we can put it in the favorite 'late night' category - perfect for New Year's Eve snacking.  Read the labels when you buy to find cheeses that are healthier, but still delicious.  Cream cheese, string cheese, and specialty cheeses like goat cheese can satisfy your snacking needs easily and provide a quick way to serve up a special New Year's Eve snack.  Also stock up on good, multi-grain and whole wheat crackers, and maybe some olives.  A refrigerator full of a variety of cheeses and a cupboard full of boxes of good crackers plus a small plate of olives may be all you need for your late-night snacking this holiday.

Dressed Apple Slices

You can keep apples handy at all times and just bite into them for a healthy, super-quick snack.  Or, you can perk up this humble treat to satisfy your cravings even better.  Enjoy this snack in a variety of ways, including spreading peanut butter on each slice, adding a dash of cinnamon to add a new level of flavor, or eat with yogurt or caramel dip.  A surprisingly delicious and healthy snack that you might not think about right away is apples with cheese.  A slice of apple topped with a sliver of good Cheddar cheese is a delight that will satisfy your cravings on several levels.  The crunchy sweetness of the apple pairs with the satisfying fat and saltiness of the cheese to make this a healthier, filling midnight snack - and your guests will enjoy the change of pace.

Popcorn Perfection

A bowl of popcorn will always satisfy the biggest cravings, and it's a perfect snack while watching New Year's Eve festivities on TV.  It only takes a few minutes in the microwave to produce a perfect bowl of popcorn.  But, be sure to watch out for very sugary or salty popcorn products.  Choose the simplest popcorn you can find (plain is best), then add the ingredients you can grab quickly that are still the healthiest.  A sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, Cajun seasoning, pumpkin pie spices, cinnamon, or even a touch of brown sugar will result in a healthier version than the pre-flavored variety.  It's quick, easy, and still on the healthier side.

Room for Jell-O

If you prefer sugary treats, midnight snacking can be especially difficult.  There aren't too many things that satisfy a sweet tooth without being a bad choice for a diet.  Instead of digging into that bag of cookies or leftover Halloween candy, try a sweet treat that is not loaded with calories and fat.  A gelatin treat satisfies a sweet tooth without guilt.  Keep a big bowl of Jell-O or Jiggler snacks in the refrigerator and enjoy.  Look for a variety of flavors and recipes to create new gelatin treats, and make them in small cup sizes to share with the guests - especially if there are kids in the mix.

Selection of sweet and hearty pretzels. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pub Pretzels

If you enjoy pretzels and dip at your favorite eatery, it only makes sense to find a way to bring them home for your midnight snack attack. (Get a few different shapes to mix things up a  bit if entertaining.) Surprisingly, pretzels are a low fat snack.  Compare the label on most pretzels with regular potato chips and you'll be amazed how much healthier they are.  But, you want the whole snacking experience to be enjoyable, right down to the dip.  Stay away from the pre-packaged cheese and bean dips which are loaded with sugar.  Instead, create a quick blend of mustard and yogurt for a healthier dipping choice.  Reduced-fat cream cheese with added seasonings is another option to create a pretzel and dip snack experience comparable to any pub, and provide variety for your New Year's Eve festivities.

Delightful Dipped Veggies

Eating a handful of celery sticks is not exactly what we crave for a snack, but again, it's about taking a quick snack and making it delicious without destroying your diet in the process.  Keep a bag of fresh, ready-to-eat vegetables in your refrigerator.  The fun part comes with creating and pairing some exciting, but still healthier, dips.  For some unusual choices, try smashing capers into cream cheese and filling celery sticks, or mix coarse ground mustard into Greek yogurt for a spicy dip for carrots or broccoli.  Put a variety of herbs into a food processor along with Parmesan cheese, yogurt, or cream cheese.  Black beans and salsa blended together makes an incredibly flavorful dip for a variety of veggies.  I like sour cream mixed with yogurt and Cajun seasoning, with a dash of garlic powder or cayenne pepper - it makes a great, simple veggie dip. Experiment until you create a nice selection of dips to keep your New Year's munchies both interesting, and healthy.

Whether you have a sweet tooth or crave salty snacks for your midnight snacking this New Year's Eve, you can be sure to find lots of ways to satisfy your cravings quickly, deliciously, and on the healthier side.  Don't fall into the trap of just setting out pre-made bags of fatty junk foods, saturated in sugar or sodium, when you can create snacks that are so much better for you... and tastier, too!

Recipe: Leftover Sweet Potato Cake

If you're looking for a sweet way to use up some of those holiday leftovers, treat yourself to this wonderful and unique cake! Leftover sweet potatoes add fiber, flavor, and beautiful color, while the rich flavor is accented with vanilla, spices, and a tangy hint of beer - it may sound odd, but try it - you'll be glad you did! (Feel free to cut down on the sugar - with the sweetness of the potatoes you shouldn't need this much - I would probably only use about a cup or so.)

Leftover Sweet Potato Cake

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: SheGotTheBeat)

1 3/4 cups white sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil or coconut oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups leftover sweet potatoes, mashed
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 cup beer

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, add the sugar and vegetable oil and mix together until smooth.
3. Into the bowl with the sugar and oil, put one egg at a time, beating each one as you add them.
4. Into the same bowl, stir in the vanilla, then add the mashed sweet potatoes and blend well. 
5. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
6. Add small amounts of this dry mixture to the sweet potato mixture, alternating with small amounts of the beer until everything comes together; but do NOT over mix. 
7. Turn this batter out into the prepared baking dish.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Remove and cool, then slice and serve as is or top with your favorite frosting - cream cheese frosting works great!

Recipe: Cranberry Egg Nog Punch

Merry Christmas! If you're looking for a way to warm up this evening after the kids are in bed, try this holiday-flavored adult beverage for a special holiday treat! It's also a great way to use up leftover eggnog and cranberry sauce - which means fewer leftovers to put away after dinner. :-)

Now, go put the cubes in the freezer for tonight, and enjoy your day, and lots of yummy food!

Cranberry Egg Nog Punch
(Serves 10-18.)

Ingredients:

1 gallon egg nog
1 can (or 15 oz home-made) whole cranberry sauce
1 bottle (750 ml) sparkling apple cider
3/4 cup spiced rum

Directions:

1. Prepare the ice cubes ahead:  Pour 2 cups egg nog and whole can of cranberry sauce into blender and puree until creamy and smooth. Pour into ice cube trays and freeze at least 8 hours or overnight.
2. Prepare the punch just before serving:  In bowl you're using to serve, pour the remaining egg nog, pour in the sparkling apple cider, stir in the rum, dump in all the ice cubes you made, stir, and serve immediately, making sure you have an ice cube or two in each glass.
3. Makes about 18 small servings of punch.

3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Planning Your Holiday Meal

The difference between taking the time to really plan your holiday meal, and flying by the seat of your pants, is that the first way will typically result in an amazing dinner and a great time with family and friends.  The second way, not so much.  You're bound to feel the stress, frustration and quite possibly end up serving a less than splendid meal. Failing to plan wisely will inevitably lead you to spending way beyond your budget, in both money and time.  In order to avoid this undesirable outcome, there are three points you must focus on; your time, your guests, and your skills.

How Much Time Do I Have?

Christmas tree. (Photo credit: Christopher S. Penn)

It's quite likely that the first time the phrase 'time is money' was uttered was during preparations for a holiday gathering. Being aware of how much time you have to prepare your holiday meal is of the utmost importance. If you don't get a good idea of how much time you can spend on the feast, you could end up having to skip parts of the menu.  Or you could end up spending extra money to change your menu to speed things up to fit the time you have.  So, be completely honest with yourself when you figure out how much time you have. No, you do not possess super powers.  It's better to get that straight right now so you aren't trying to magically bend and stretch time later.

Yes, you have to realistically figure out how much time you have. But, there's more. You also have to know how much time the food takes to go from store to table.  If you have ten hours you can spend to prepare your holiday feast, and the menu takes twenty hours to shop, cook, and serve, something's got to give. If you think you can squeeze twenty hours worth of food preparation into ten hours, then you are a magician and don't need any help from me!  However, if you're not a magician and you're still going to try this trick at home, it's quite likely you will find yourself rushing around spending valuable time trying to gather ingredients to substitute for menu items you wanted to have but ran out of time to prepare. This could put a huge burden on your time, your money, and your sanity. Don't make the mistake of under-estimating how much time it takes to prepare for your feast and celebration.

What Do My Guests Want And Need?

You would think this is a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how something so simple can make such a big difference in the way your holiday feast turns out.  For instance, do your guests like to snack, mingle, chat, and then snack some more?  If so, why not focus on that approach rather than a huge sit-down meal?  After all that nibbling and mingling, if you lead your guests to a big seven course dinner, you may be putting a halt to the fun and putting your huge meal away untouched. However, if your guests are the kind who like to come in, sit down, and dig into a big meal, then by all means skip all the appetizers and get your meal on the table.  This keeps you from wasting money preparing a bunch of snacks when it's the meal everyone is looking forward to anyway.

Knowing your guests also means knowing their likes and dislikes. This doesn't mean you have to cater all your dishes to individual tastes, but try to reach a general consensus so you don't feel like you're running a restaurant, or spending money like a restaurant. Skip the rosemary potatoes if your guests are lukewarm with their responses when asked.  And, yes, I did say ask.  It's quite appropriate when you issue an invitation to a dinner to ask your guests if they have any preferences, dietary needs, or even allergies.  Go ahead and be specific and tell them what you plan to have on the menu and if anything could cause a problem.  It's all part of being a good host.

Crab served. Christmas dinner. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Where Do My Skills Fit In?

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to cook an over-the-top meal and dumping it into the trash just because you reached way beyond your skills. Avoid creating culinary disasters by knowing your abilities. You don't want to spend a lot of money, or time, on a holiday meal that is a vision of loveliness in the foodie magazine but has no basis in reality in your kitchen. The holiday meal is no time to experiment.  Find trusted recipes and use them.  If you want to try something new, stay within your range of skills and try them out beforehand if possible.  If you're the least bit nervous, stick with what you know. Your guests will always appreciate your tried-and-true dishes.

By being aware of your time, knowing your guests, and being true to your skill set, not only will you have a great holiday meal, you will also keep your budget intact. And that all leads to a fun, relaxing holiday celebration for everyone, including you!

Recipe: Nutty Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This simple recipe makes a perfect holiday side dish. The nutty, earthy flavors of Brussels sprouts and pecans are kicked up a notch with the addition of garlic and olive oil, and roasting brings out the rich sweetness in the sprouts. It's a snap to make, and adds a nice bit of healthy green to your holiday plate!

Nutty Roasted Brussels Sprouts
(Serves 4-6.)

Roasted brussels sprouts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ingredients:

2 lbs fresh Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 cup pecans, rough chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced or grated
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and toss well to combine and coat well with the oil.
3. Arrange evenly on a large baking sheet.
4. Put in preheated oven and bake until Brussels sprouts are fork tender and slightly browned, about 20 to 30 minutes, turning the Brussels sprouts with a spatula at least once during the baking time. 
5. Remove and serve hot.

Holiday Recipe: Easy Maple-Glazed Ham

If you want a great recipe for a Christmas ham, try this simple one. Just a few unique ingredients provide a great flavor that your whole family will remember! (Try to find a naturally cured ham if you can, and make sure to use real maple syrup - none of that flavored corn syrup junk.) This makes for a great main dish for your Christmas dinner.

Easy Maple-Glazed Ham

(Photo credit: Another Pint Please...)

Ingredients:

10 pound natural hickory-smoked ham, fully cooked
3/4 c. real maple syrup
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp white vinegar
3 Tbsp bourbon
1 Tbsp whole cloves

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Put ham cut side down in a shallow baking dish and form a tent with aluminum foil, loosely sealing.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.
4. In a glass bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, dry mustard, white vinegar, and bourbon, and set aside.
5. When ham is done, remove from oven, take off foil, and turn ham over in the baking pan so you are looking at the fatty side.
6. With a sharp paring knife, cut shallow criss-cross pattern (like tic-tac-toe) into the fatty side, in about 1/2 to 1 inch square shapes.
7. Stick a single whole clove in the center of each square you made.
8. Whisk the glaze again, then pour evenly over the top of the fatty side of the ham, over the cloves, and put back in the oven (uncovered) for about 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown on top.  You can ladle the glaze in the pan back over the ham once during the cooking time.
9. Remove and let stand for 10 minutes, slice and serve warm, with pan drippings poured over each slice if desired.

Easy Christmas Cooking Through Planning Ahead

Christmas is a hectic time of year. Many families find that they barely have time to breathe much less cook dishes to bring for this or that function. For this reason there are a number of tasty "cheat" dishes that can be  prepared for these occasions and very few people will be the wiser. Though Christmas may be about being with friends and family, it is not about broadcasting a possible lack of talent in the kitchen, time on hand, or a shortage of attention span that is required in order to prepare a stellar dish for your Christmas needs.

Macaroni casserole (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Of course, you could begin preparing and freezing large casserole favorites as early as August for the Christmas season. In this instance you could freeze all your family favorites and have great dishes not only for family functions that require a pitch-in dish, but also for those nights when you are far too busy to be bothered with something as demanding on your limited attention span as actually preparing a home cooked meal. If you prepare casseroles and similar dishes that work well with a holiday theme throughout the year be sure to double your efforts next time and freeze half for busier months such as November and December.

But if you didn't think to do that this year, not to worry! Foods that you cook this week and freeze for next week will be fresh and ready to pop in the oven come Christmas day. Pies and casserole-type dishes work best for this, but even some soups and appetizers can be made ahead and frozen. If you're making a Christmas ham, these are usually pre-cooked, so you just need to heat them in the oven for a bit, and then you're ready to eat. If you do this right, when you get to the big day, you may only need to make the salad and mashed potatoes!

Christmas dinner. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Besides cooking some items ahead, you can also help prepare for your Christmas meal by making a list and shopping early. Not only will you avoid the crowd of last-minute shoppers, but with a list of everything you need, you can keep from making those impulse purchases that sometimes happen if you make multiple shopping trips or are just shopping willy-nilly. Sit down ahead of time and plan out your menu, gather the recipes you plan to use. This will make it easy to assess what you already have on hand, and then make a list of everything else you will need to purchase for the meal. Make this a day or two ahead of your shopping trip, so you can add on any items that pop into your head that you may have forgotten on the first pass. Then go buy everything in advance and start your preparations. That way when the guests start to arrive, you can enjoy their company rather than having to make a last-minute trip to the store for something you forgot!

You do not have to have super powers or even a great deal of cooking talent in order to make a Christmas dinner that is delicious and easy to make when time is short. Careful planning well ahead of time is often the key to a successful Christmas season. Most of us begin our shopping early, and there is no harm in also beginning our cooking and meal planning a little early too.

Gluten-Free Recipe: Sweet Spiced Apple Lentil Casserole

This hearty gluten-free recipe is like curry in a casserole - flavored with apples, coconut, and spices, it brings an oriental twist to regular old lentils. It makes a great stick-to-your-ribs meal for a cold winter night!

Sweet Spiced Apple Lentil Casserole - Gluten Free
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups lentils, rinsed and drained
2 1/2 cups water
2 Tbsp cooking oil
3 cloves garlic, grated
1 stalk celery, diced
1 large onion, diced
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp powdered ginger
1/2 tsp turmeric
2 large green apples, cored/diced

Directions:

1. Put lentils in a large pot with water, cover and simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender.
2. Meanwhile, put oil in a heavy skillet, add all the remaining ingredients (except apples) and cook over low heat, stirring often, until vegetables are tender; about 15 minutes. Add the apples to the skillet, stir, and cook for 10 minutes more or until apples are softened slightly; remove skillet from heat.
3. When lentils are cooked and tender, add the lentils to the mixture, stir, then turn out into a large casserole dish.
4. Bake (uncovered) in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until mixture is bubbling hot.
5. Serve immediately. 

Gluten-Free Recipe: Bacon Parmesan Spaghetti Carbonara

With gluten appearing in so many foods, as we discussed on Monday, it can sometimes be hard to figure out what is safe to eat if you are gluten-sensitive or intolerant. Not to worry - we've got lots of tasty gluten-free recipes for you to try out! This week we're sharing a couple of hearty winter favorites, in a gluten-free version. Today's recipe is very simple, and delicious!

Bacon Parmesan Spaghetti Carbonara - Gluten Free
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 box (16 oz) gluten-free brown rice spaghetti
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup light cream or half & half
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan
8 strips bacon, diced and fried crisp

Directions:

• Cook the spaghetti according to package directions; drain and set aside.
• In a large pot over medium heat, add the oil, and when hot add the garlic, stirring and cooking for just 1 minute.
• Turn burner down to low, then add the cooked spaghetti.
• Add the cream and bring to a low simmer.
• Slowly add the beaten eggs, stirring constantly until eggs set up and are cooked through.
• Add the Parmesan, stirring until melted slightly, then sprinkle the bacon pieces in, stir to combine. 
• Serve immediately.

What Is Gluten & Where Is It Found?

There are some words that enter our vernacular rather suddenly without much in the way of a formal introduction. The word 'gluten' is one such word. If you discuss eating, cooking, or diets at all, you have probably heard the word. You may have heard about people who have to avoid gluten. Perhaps you or someone you know has to follow a 'gluten-free' diet.

In this article, we will discuss the basics about gluten - what it is and where it is found. Let's look at the dictionary definition first:

Wheat gluten flour (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Glu·ten; (noun): A protein substance present in grains, such as wheat, that is responsible for the elastic texture of dough. From the Latin 'gluten' meaning 'glue.'

To explore that definition further, let's look at the scientific definition: According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health; "Gluten proteins play a key role in determining the unique baking quality of wheat by conferring water absorption capacity, cohesivity, viscosity and elasticity on dough."

That's the definition and the science, but that just seems to bring up more questions. Does this mean that gluten is just found in wheat bread? No. It's more complicated than that.

Let's begin with a list of grains with gluten. Some you will recognize immediately, while others may be less well known to you.

Barley
Bulgur
Couscous
Durum
Farina
Faro
Matzo
Orzo
Panko
Rye
Seitan
Semolina
Spelt
Udon
Wheat

As you can see, gluten can be found in many other places than wheat alone. All these foods contain gluten, the protein that creates elasticity and cohesiveness when processed. It's what makes bread, cookies, and pasta stick together.

It's easy to see now where you would find gluten in baked goods, pasta, and even in crackers and crispy coatings on fried chicken. But, there are surprising places that you might not expect to find this protein. Because of gluten's versatility in both cohesiveness and as a leavening agent, gluten is a handy additive to have around in many food processes.

Let's take a look at some other foods where are likely to find gluten:

Beer, ale, lager
Bacon Bits, imitation
Coating mixes
Communion wafers
Candy
Luncheon meats
Broth
Roux
Sauces, condiments
Soup bases
Self-basting poultry
Soy sauce
Marinades
Medicines
Vitamin and mineral supplements
Lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balms
Play Dough

In each of these items, gluten is often present as an additive used to bind or leaven.

Gluten free beer made from sorghum in an American supermarket. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now that you see how many products contain gluten, I'm sure you'd like to know where you won't find gluten. Again, some of these items may be familiar while others may not. Let's take a look at a short list of gluten-free food items.

Amaranth
Arrowroot
Buckwheat
Corn
Flax
Millet
Potato flour
Nut flours and meal
Quinoa
Rice and rice bran
Sorghum
Soy
Tapioca
Oats*

*Although oats are considered gluten-free, they are processed so often with other grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye, that oats are often 'contaminated.' This means that when purchasing commercial grade oats, you will most likely be getting some gluten in the finished product simply by being in the same batch, bin, or vat. You should look for oat products specifically labeled "gluten free" if you want to avoid gluten in your oats.

Now that you know what gluten is, and where gluten is, and isn't, you will have a working knowledge of how to recognize a diet with gluten, and a diet without gluten. These lists are beneficial to anyone with an intolerance to gluten, but are by no means all-inclusive. Any symptoms of celiac disease or gluten intolerance should be diagnosed by your physician or other health care professional.

And for some gluten-free recipes and cooking tips, be sure to stay tuned to this blog!

Leftovers Recipe: Cheddar Potato Veggie Soup

Mashed potatoes are an essential side of most Thanksgiving dinners, but what on earth to do with the leftovers? They're not as easy to just throw into something as leftover turkey is, and they don't always reheat well, and certainly aren't good cold. This recipe offers a creative use of leftover mashed potatoes, so you can get rid of that bowl sitting in the back of the fridge! Rather than having to blend up the potatoes to make a creamy soup, just use the already mashed ones. The addition of cheese, carrots, celery and cauliflower makes this filling and hearty potato soup anything but bland. Next holiday, you may just make extra mashed potatoes on purpose!

Cheddar Potato Veggie Soup
(Serves 4.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: lynn.gardner)

1/2 medium onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 cup cauliflower pieces
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
4 cups mashed potatoes
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or white Cheddar cheese
1 (8 oz) package lower fat cream cheese, warmed to room temperature, and cut into small pieces
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In your food processor, put the onion, carrot, celery, and cauliflower and pulse until fine.  You can use either cooked leftovers or raw.
2. Put this mixture into a large soup pot, add the olive oil, and put over medium heat, stirring to saute for 2 minutes.
3. Add the broth to the soup pot, turn heat up and bring mixture to a boil, immediately turning heat down to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Keep heat low, and slowly add in the potatoes and milk, and stir until well combined; simmer slowly for 5 minutes.
5. Keep heat low, and stir in the Cheddar cheese and cream cheese, stirring constantly while heating until the cheeses are completely melted and soup is hot - but do NOT boil. Be patient, this should take a few minutes to do correctly.
6. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
7. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for five minutes.
8. Serve in soup bowls with a pat of butter on top, a sprinkling of more Cheddar cheese, or a few chives or green onions.

Leftovers Recipe: Cranberry Apple Sweet Potato Crisp

The sweet potato casserole is often a favorite, so you may not always have many leftovers, but if you do, it sometimes seems lacking on subsequent days. Here is a creative and interesting way to dress up that leftover casserole, and make it shine anew. The tartness of the apples and cranberries provide a perfect foil to the sweet creaminess of the leftover casserole, and the addition of a crunchy topping provides textural interest as well as tantalizing your taste buds!

Cranberry Apple Sweet Potato Crisp

Ingredients:

4 cups leftover sweet potato casserole
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped tart apples
2 cups leftover cranberry orange relish
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp brown sugar
3 cups oat or corn flake cereal

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a shallow casserole dish.
2. Put the leftover sweet potatoes in a bowl with the cream cheese and mix with an electric mixer until smooth.  Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and mix again until smooth. Note: If your sweet potato casserole is very sweet, you can omit the added brown sugar and cinnamon.  If your sweet potatoes are unsweetened, then be sure to add these ingredients. 
3. Layer the sweet potato mixture into the casserole dish, distributing evenly.
4. Sprinkle the apple pieces evenly over the top.
5. Spoon the cranberry orange relish evenly on the top.
6. Sprinkle the walnuts over the top.
7. Put the butter, flour, and brown sugar in a bowl and cut with pastry cutter or with forks until mixture is crumbly. Add the cereal flakes and toss until combined.
8. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.
9. Bake, uncovered, in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until the casserole is hot and bubbly and the crunchy topping is lightly browned.

Beyond The Typical Sandwich - Treating Holiday Leftovers With Creative Direction

Thanksgiving, with it's short nature and over-abundance of food, is the quintessential leftover holiday. Even though it's the week after, many of us still have those good old leftovers sitting around. What to do with them? This week we'll share some tasty new twists on the same-old leftovers song. We are all familiar with the classic turkey or ham sandwich. You know, there was way too much turkey or ham at the holiday feast and now it can either sit in your fridge and go bad, or you can make sandwiches with the leftovers, over, and over, and over... you get the point. Sure, your home-cooked turkey tastes great and the sandwiches are tasty, but unless you do something different, even your best sandwiches will get boring quickly. Here are a few ideas to keep your taste buds entertained - and stock your lunch-box this week!

Dress It Up

Sandwiches (Photo credit: Joe Shlabotnik)

A turkey sandwich will always be a turkey sandwich and a ham sandwich will always be a ham sandwich. That is, unless you dress up your sandwich and bring out an entirely different flavor with the simple addition of a few key ingredients. For instance, instead of the typical mayonnaise and mustard, try adding a new spice to your favorite sandwich. Try using a chipotle mayo or sweet chili mayo, or use exotic sprouts instead of lettuce, or arugula, shredded cabbage, or even sauerkraut.

Think high-end boutique sandwich shop when you are creating your masterpiece. If you are a fan of avocado, try adding a few slices to your sandwich, or experiment with different types of cheese. When you are trying to break out of the holiday sandwich blues, toppings can be your best friend. Put away your regular sandwich cheese and grab the bleu cheese and bleu cheese dressing. Rethink each layer of your sandwich and use something you've never used before. That is how you dress up that slice of turkey or ham.

Change Clothes

If you have your toppings down to your liking, or don't want to experiment too far from normal, you can always change the method you use to close up your sandwich ingredients; you know, the bread. You can try a wrap, or grilled on a bun, or even leftover dinner rolls. With hundreds of different kinds of breads, you have an endless supply of possibilities.

Try your next grilled ham and cheese on Rye bread instead of the familiar wheat or white. You can also try authentic Chibatta bread for a distinct and unique taste. Don't forget pita and tortillas. Or, if you are trying to cut the carbs, you can always go naked. Okay, not you, but the sandwich. Use a piece of romaine lettuce to wrap the ingredients and enjoy the crisp, crunchy and healthy alternative to your typical holiday leftover sandwich.

Brie & ham sandwich with walnuts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Take a Flavor Trip

Now that you have dressed up your sandwich and changed its clothes, you may also want to experiment with flavors from around the world. Take your typical turkey sandwich on a trip to Italy or Mexico. Dress it up with different flavor combinations and try authentic ingredients to completely make over your sandwich.

For instance, use a peanut flavored sauce, combined with shredded cabbage and some crispy noodles to give your sandwich a Thai flare. Or try a mango chutney with some spicy peppers for a Southwestern sizzle. Choose roasted sweet peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced olives for a Mediterranean inspired sandwich.

There are hundreds of different possibilities you can try with your holiday sandwiches. All it takes is a little creativity, an open mind and an empty stomach. No matter if you dress it up, get it naked or change its culture, your leftover holiday sandwich doesn't have to be boring any longer.  And all it took was a little creative direction!

Recipe: After The Feast Turkey Vegetable Soup

Turkey soup is one of my favorite ways to use up holiday leftovers. It's easy, simple, and delicious, and it helps you get rid of that turkey carcass a lot faster!  We usually make this a few days after the holiday, when we've snacked on turkey sandwiches for a couple of days, and are ready to be done with it. But if you just want to get that big carcass out of the fridge sooner, pick most of the meat off the bones and put it in stackable containers in the refrigerator, and then use the carcass in this tasty soup. The stock is filled with flavor and good healthy stuff. To get the most nutrients out of the bones, add a tablespoon of white vinegar to the stock before cooking.

After The Feast Turkey Vegetable Soup
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: churl)

Stock:
Carcass from roasted turkey, picked clean
1 large yellow onion, peeled, quartered
1 large carrot,  scrubbed, coarsely chopped
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled, smashed
1 bay leaf
10 whole black peppercorns

Soup:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh thyme
2 cups leftover turkey meat, shredded or chopped
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt, taste as you add
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Put the turkey carcass, quartered onions, coarsely chopped carrots and celery, smashed garlic, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a large stockpot.
• Cover with cold water and set over medium-high heat and bring to boil, then immediately turn heat to simmer and slowly simmer for 1-2 hours.
• Remove pot and pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or pot.  This should yield about 10 cups of broth.

• Dry the inside of the stockpot a little with a paper towel.
• To the stockpot add the oil and place over medium heat. 
• Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots and cook until starting to get soft, about 5 minutes. 
• Add the minced garlic and thyme, stirring to combine for just 1 minute.
• Pour in the reserved stock and bring to a gentle simmer; simmering until vegetables are just soft, about 10-15 minutes. 
• Add the leftover turkey meat, salt, and pepper, tasting to adjust seasoning.
• Simmer just until turkey is heated through. 

Low Carb Recipe: Fancy Faux Mashed Potatoes

Try this recipe for a low-carb side dish for your holiday dinner this Thanksgiving, or just anytime you want the creamy taste of mashed potatoes without all the carbs. It's pretty easy, and very tasty! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, and be sure to check back Friday for a great recipe to use up some of those leftovers!

Fancy Faux Mashed Potatoes

Making mashed cauliflower (Photo credit: mary_thompson)

Ingredients:

1 head cauliflower
1 Tbsp cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/8 tsp chicken base or bouillon (or 1/2 tsp salt)
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
chives and butter for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Clean and wash cauliflower, then cut into even size small pieces.
2. Bring a big pot of water to a boil, drop cauliflower pieces in and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes or until very tender.
3. Drain well, then dump onto a surface covered in paper towels to remove any leftover moisture; do not let cool off.
4. Put warm cauliflower in food processor and add the remaining ingredients (except garnish) and pulse process until blended well and has the consistency of mashed potatoes.  Don't over-blend; leave a few lumps, or the "potatoes" will start to get runny.
5. Serve with a sprinkle of chives and pats of butter.

Giving Traditional Favorites A Makeover - Low Carb Holiday Classic Sides

When we start putting our holiday menu down on paper, we usually notice something happening.  The same dishes appear year after year after year.  Aside from the traditional main dish, there seems to be a pattern in many households of our favorite side dishes reappearing.  It's wonderful to follow tradition, but what happens when those family favorites are in conflict with your healthy diet?  Many sides we love are not exactly what you'd call low-carb.  So, how do we reinvent our holiday side dishes?  Let's take a look at a few new ways to treat a few old favorites.

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Anyone on a low-carb diet will automatically push past the mashed potatoes and gravy.  We know it's loaded in carbs, right?  But the clever cook can easily replace the traditional favorite with a new favorite; Mock Smashed Potatoes and Golden Au Jus. The secret to this low-carb dish is simply that you aren't cooking potatoes; you're creating potatoes out of cauliflower. 

Boil cauliflower, then mash or put in food processor with cream cheese and other ingredients, and you have a smooth potato-like texture.  You can thicken the “potatoes” a bit with a tablespoon or so of almond flour if you wish.  Add garlic, Parmesan cheese, onion, salt and pepper to add even more flavor. 

Then the gravy is simple. All you need really is the pan drippings, a little water, and a saucepan over medium high heat.  Get the liquid bubbling and let it reduce by half and you'll have a nice, rich gravy without any added flour.  Of course, if you wish to thicken the gravy a bit, a little sprinkling of flour won't add a significant amount of carbs to the meal.

Green Bean Casserole

You know you love a big heaping helping of this favorite dish, but just one look at that can of cream of soup and you also know it's off limits.  But you can have this traditional side dish again;  all you need to do is control the ingredients.

Once you have your green beans cooking and your seasonings ready, you just need the sauce to bring it all together.  That thick creamy sauce is what makes the dish, right?  Create your own cream of soup by making a simple white sauce using milk and almond flour to thicken.  You can also stir in a bit of cream cheese to give it an even creamier texture.  It's really as simple as opening a can once you get the basic technique down.

As for those crunchy onions on top, the carbs don't account for much in the entire dish, but if you want to eliminate them entirely, but keep the onion taste, oven fry some thinly cut onion that has been coated lightly with olive oil.  When they get golden brown, toss them into and on top of the casserole for all the flavor without any breading.

Sweet potato, commonly referred to as a yam in the United States. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sweet Potato Casserole

This favorite side dish will take a lot of tweaking, but with the carb savings you'll enjoy, it's well worth it. Sweet potatoes are loaded with carbohydrates, and I don't mean a little;  I mean a lot!  One trick for bringing the carb count down is to mix pureed pumpkin in with the sweet potatoes.  You maintain the texture and flavor (remember, pureed pumpkin doesn't have any flavor of its own), and bring the carbs down within a reasonable amount.

Of course, you'll want to avoid as much sugar as possible, so one alternative is to stir in a bit of stevia (a natural sweetener made from the stevia plant - it has no carbs and does not affect blood sugar levels, and it is much sweeter than sugar so a little goes a long way), just enough to bring the sweetness to a level that you're used to.  Another way is to readjust your thinking entirely when it comes to sweet potato casserole.  You may want to make it savory instead of sweet.  A sweet potato casserole made with crispy bacon or sausage instead of marshmallows and sugar could be a nice change on your holiday table.

Cranberry Relish

There are even ways to tweak this tangy sweet side dish.  Cranberry relish is typically not what you would call low-carb.  The amount of sugar in most recipes is pretty much off the scale, and the canned variety is even worse.  But, even though the amount you would normally eat at one sitting won't amount to too much, there are still ways to reduce the normal amount of carbs.

One interesting way to reduce the amount of carbs in a bowl of cranberry relish is to “bulk” up the relish as much as possible with lower carb ingredients.  Surprisingly, the peel of the orange is lower in carbs than the fruit itself.  Fill your food processor with raw cranberries and the zest from the peels of a couple of washed oranges and process until finely chopped.  Then, add sections of the orange, tasting after a few are processed, and stop adding when you have a nice blend of tangy and sweet.  Add a sprinkle of stevia or sugar just until you've gotten the sweetness you like. You'll be surprised how little sugar you'll have to add if you taste it first.

All of these makeovers have one thing in common – you have to just stop and think before you do what you've always done.  Often that's all it takes.  When you rethink the ingredients, you can usually eliminate or substitute something that is healthier and just as tasty.  You may even be creating new holiday dinner traditions.

Recipe: Louisiana Crockpot Chili

Chili is a natural fit for the slow cooker, with a medley of ingredients and spices that blend together over several hours of low-heat cooking, creating layers of hearty flavor. This Cajun version includes the Louisiana flavors of sausage, pork, red pepper, and tomatoes for a delicious twist on chili that will have everyone coming back for second helpings!

Louisiana Chili Time
(Serves 8.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 lb andouille sausage, diced
1 lb ground pork
2 big onions, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz size) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz size) can diced tomatoes
1 (28 oz size) can kidney beans, drained (or 1 cup dry beans, rinsed and soaked)
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp chili powder
dash or two hot pepper sauce
pinch instant chicory or coffee (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• In a heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the andouille sausage and ground pork until pork is lightly browned; break it up as you cook it.  Remove with a slotted spoon and put in crock pot.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the crockpot and stir well.
• Cover, set on Low, and cook 6-8 hours, until veggies and beans are soft and flavors are blended.
• Taste and adjust seasonings. Add a bit of water to thin it out if desired.
• Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.

Recipe: Crockpot Jambalaya

Use your slow cooker to make this classic Cajun recipe even easier! Just brown the meat, then add everything to the crockpot, cover, and let cook until done - voila - dinner!

Crockpot Jambalaya

Ingredients:

Jambalaya with chicken, sausage, rice, tomatoes, celery, and spices. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 large onion, diced small
1 large green bell pepper, diced small
2 celery stalks, diced small
2 Tbsp cooking oil
1 lb chicken meat, diced
1 lb pork sausage
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 reg can tomato paste
1 reg can stewed whole tomatoes
1 reg can tomato sauce
1-1/2 cup water
1-1/2 cups uncooked rice
1 lb small to medium shrimp
1 box (10 oz) frozen corn, thawed
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and black pepper to taste
2 Tbsp butter

Directions:

• Put chicken & sausage in a large skillet, add oil, and cook over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked and sausage is no longer pink.
• Add the garlic and cook, stirring until garlic is just fragrant.
• Add chicken, sausage, onion, pepper, celery, tomatoes, paste, sauce, and uncooked rice to large crockpot. Add 1 1/2 cups of water to the pot, stir thoroughly.
• Cover and cook for 6 hours on Low or until rice is tender.
• Add in the shrimp, corn, brown sugar, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and the butter, stir to combine and cook until shrimp is pink and cooked thoroughly; about 20 minutes more.
• Serve hot in bowls with crusty bread and a green salad.

Give Your Slow Cooker A Kick With Cajun Flavors

Cajun cooking originated in the Southern swamplands, bayous, and farmland. The Cajun people were hard-working and lived under very stressful conditions. Their meal choices revolved around local foods that were easy to find. To save time and money, and to feed as many people as they could, meals were very often cooked up in one big pot. This makes using a slow cooker for Cajun cuisine a natural.

The one thing you can be sure of is you can cook up Cajun foods in your slow cooker with great success and enjoy those potent Cajun flavors we have all come to love.  As a matter of fact, the key to great Cajun cooking is to simmer the dish for many hours, and that is why slow cooker cooking and Cajun foods go hand in hand.  Let's take a look at some dishes and the ingredients and seasonings that make them stand out from other southern cooking.

Cover of Slow Cooker Cooking

Cajun Meets the Slow Cooker

Jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, and stew are all easy to cook in the slow cooker.  Why?  Because they're not complicated or fussy.  The neat thing about this type of ethnic cooking is recipes are not set in stone.

When recipes were passed from one generation to the next, ingredients were substituted as needed because of what was available at the time. That is probably why there are so many different variations of the same recipe. Shrimp, oysters, crab, wild game, fish, pork, beans, okra, tomatoes, and rice are all staples in Cajun cooking, but are specific to regions.

Because Cajun foods have an exotic multi-layered flavor and that 'bite' we love, many people think that the recipes call for dozens of different or complicated spices and mixes, but that is not so.  There are really just a few very recognizable spices and condiments that give Cajun food its unmistakable taste.  The following are considered essential in every Cajun kitchen and are perfectly suited for the slow cooking method we love – slow cooker cooking.

Cayenne pepper is the most common spice used in this type of cooking. The mature pepper is ground into a fine powder and is used in conjunction with white and black pepper to give recipes a potent kick.

Gumbo powder, called filé powder, made from ground sassafras leaves, is used in gumbos, soups and stews not only to flavor the food but to thicken the sauce as well.

Etouffee (Photo credit: /\ \/\/ /\)

Tabasco sauce is one Cajun spice most of us are familiar with. It is used in cooking and as a condiment on the table. You will find other hot sauces to enjoy, but you don't want to eliminate Tabasco sauce from your kitchen.

Creole mustard is also a common ingredient found in Cajun cuisine. Although it is often used as a spread for sandwiches and as a dip, many recipes also call for it as an added ingredient in sauces, marinades, and other dishes.

Cajun slow cooker cooking is very flexible and tasty. Whether you want exotic dinners or just plain old good eating, Cajun foods and flavors fit the bill. Because many Cajun dishes are traditionally slow-cooked in one pot, you will find it easy to transform your favorite Cajun meals and make them right in your slow cooker.  All you need is the right ingredients, spices, and a little imagination.  Oh, yes, and a hearty appetite!

Be sure to check back later this week for some tasty Cajun recipes you can make in your crockpot!

Recipe: Beef Pozole Stew

Pozole, or hominy, is a common staple in Southwest cooking. Cheap and versatile, it's mild corn flavor lends itself well to many classic Southwest dishes, such as this one - a variation of which was often eaten by cowboys around the campfire in the old Southwest. It can be made either on the stovetop or in a crockpot. (The crockpot variation instructions are shown in parentheses.)

Beef Pozole Stew

Ingredients:

Pozole! (Photo credit: sea turtle)

1 Tbsp high-heat cooking oil
2 pounds lean beef, cubed small
1/4 cup cilantro
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 oz tomato paste
15 oz stewed tomatoes
1 can (29 oz) white hominy (pozole)

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large heavy Dutch oven until hot, add the beef and sear quickly until browned nicely.  
2. Turn heat down to low and add to the skillet the cilantro, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic and cook gently until the beef is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. (If using a crockpot, add just the onion and garlic to the beef and cook until vegetables start to soften. Then add mixture to crockpot and add other ingredients.)
3. Now add to the Dutch oven the tomato paste, tomatoes and hominy. (Add these to crockpot with the other ingredients and mix well.)
4. Continue to cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Be sure to stir often. You can add some water if the stew is too thick. (Cover crockpot and cook on low about 4 hours.)
5. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if desired.  Serve hot in bowls.

Find More Delicious Southwestern Recipes Here:

American Indian Cooking: Recipes from the Southwest, by Carolyn Niethammer
In this 191 page book you'll discover some of the culinary traditions that the Indians of the Southwest used to make. You'll find 150 authentic recipes like yucca hash, hominy and so much more.

The Food of Santa Fe: Authentic Recipes from the American Southwest, by Dave Dewitt & Nancy Gerlach
In this 144 page book you will find some of the most delightful, authentic traditional dishes of New Mexico. Not only does this book provide recipes for you, it also gives you some geographical and historical context as well.

The Southwest Table: Traditional Cuisine from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, by Dave DeWitt
Enjoy a taste of the American Southwest in this 288 page book. This book provides almost 200 recipes of exquisite cuisine from Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. Not only does the author provide you with all these recipes, he provides some cooking terms and ingredients that are specific to Southwestern cuisine.

   

Recipe: Crockpot Chili Beef Tamales

This new twist on a classic Southwestern dish takes the work out of the tamale. With the tasty tamale flavors of corn, beef, chili & cheese, this dish is a snap to make. Simple, delicious, and easy, this one will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Crockpot Cornmeal Chili Beef Tamales

Ingredients:

1 pound lean grass-fed ground beef
1 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 egg, beaten
15 oz corn
15 oz tomatoes, diced
1 envelope of chili seasoning mix
1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

1.  Over medium-high heat, brown the beef and then drain off the fat. 
2. Add all the ingredients to the crockpot except the cheese. 
3. Cook on HIGH for 1 hour then turn down to LOW and continue cooking for 3 more hours. 
4. Add the cheese and cook for 5 more minutes just to melt the cheese.

For more great Southwest recipes, check out The Border Cookbook: Authentic Home Cooking of the American Southwest and Northern Mexico, by Cheryl & Bill Jamison.

This collection of 300 flavorful recipes is sure to whet your appetite. From salsa, fajitas, enchiladas, and pinata pollo - just to name a few - this book provides you with delicious American Southwest border cuisine.

Southwest Cuisine In Your Slow Cooker

In a world where everything moves at such a fast pace, it’s nice to know that you can depend on a nice, home-cooked meal when you return from a long day at work.  In the world of southwest cuisine, there are many recipes that can be turned into a slow cooked delight.  The colors, flavors, and carefully chosen ingredients are what makes America's southwest cuisine stand apart from other regions.  What are some of the reasons for using a slow cooker for your southwest meal?  Let's take a look.

Timing

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We live in a world where everything seems to move at the speed of light.  This 'microwave' society has its benefits, but a good home-cooked meal is not one of them.  Between work, kids, and family events, we often feel we don’t have time to turn around much less come home and prepare a meal from scratch.  That’s where the slow cooker comes in.   With a small amount of preparation time, you can throw a bunch of ingredients together and leave the slow cooker to its own devices while you go about your day.  Then, at the end of the day, your family can all sit down together and enjoy a tasty meal.

Healthy

The slow cooker allows you to prepare a balanced meal that you may not otherwise have the time to do.  Also, you don’t have to add the extra cooking fat that you may use in other methods.  The slow cooker preserves the natural juices and flavors of the foods you are cooking and allows them to blend together to create a hearty, healthy meal.  Slowly cooking vegetables in their own juices means no more throwing nutrients down the drain in the boiling water. If you have a vegetarian in the house, the slow cooker works wonders for meat-free meals, as well. 

Save Money

You can also view the slow cooker as an energy saver.   It doesn’t take up nearly the amount of energy that it would to fire up the oven and have it going for hours.  And, since the idea of the slow cooker is to cook at a low temperature for a long time, slowly cooking and tenderizing your food, it’s also possible to buy cheaper cuts of meat.  Your slow cooker will produce tender, juicy, tasty meals out of the most humble ingredients.

(Photo credit: Tobyotter)

Versatile

Not only can you create well balanced meals in the slow cooker, but you can also make a wide array of appetizers, snack foods, and even beverages.  Hot dips and sauces, along with a variety of tiny bites are perfect in the slow cooker.  Shredded chicken  taquitos and mulled sangria are definite crowd pleasers that are easy to make and serve right out of a slow cooker.  Imagine preparing a snack or beverage the 'normal' way, then tweak it a bit and prepare it in the slow cooker instead.

When it comes to cooking southwest cuisine, we can see there are many reasons why the slow cooker should be put to work in the kitchen.  It saves time and money while making it possible to have a filling, delicious, and nutritious meal or snack waiting when we're ready to sit down and enjoy.

For some tasty Southwest recipes for your slow cooker, be sure to check back later this week!