Crock Pot Chip Dip

This is not my favorite meal, but it nice and easy in a pinch. (and the kids all eat it right up, so I keep making it. . . )

Brown 1 lb. hamburger with an onion

Drain and put in a crock pot. Add:

1 can pork and beans (remove pork and drain slightly)

1 can corn drained

1/4 cup salsa

1 can black beans, drained

2 cans green chilies

Season to taste with Tabasco sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper etc. Serve in bowls with grated cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream etc. Eat with corn chips. (or just eat plain with corn chips---how my kids like it best)

Sausage and Bean Soup--Monday Night

A few years ago when Deals to Meals was just starting out I subscribed for the free two week period. I knew it wouldn't fit my schedule to try to shop the deals they searched out for me---I really joined for the recipes using food storage items that they promised! Unfortunately most were just regular recipes but I printed them all out and filed them away. Last week I was going through them and decided on a few to try. It is actually one that maybe considered a food storage recipe.

Slow-Cook Tuscan Sausage and Bean Soup

(It says it is originally from a Weight Watchers Cookbook)

12 pkg. kielbasa, cut into 1/4 " rounds

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 medium carrot, peeled and chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1/2 medium bunch kale, chopped (abt. 4 cups)

3 cups chicken broth

1 can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 can Italian seasoned diced tomatoes

1/2 cup water

1 tsp dried basil

Place all ingredients in slow cook. Stir combine. Cover and cook on low until the vegetables are tender, 4-6 hours.

It was pretty good. If I make it again, I will add the kielbasa near the end of cooking. It seemed to lose flavor over the cooking time. I will also use a different bean than kidney---just personal preference. Tweaks I made: I added more vegetables more than called for--I like them and they made the soup go farther. I used about 6 carrots, 3 stalks of celery and 1 1/2 onion. I omitted one of the cups of chicken broth--I like less broth in soups, omitted the kale--didn't have any and forgot to add the basil. I also cut the kielbasa into small pieces (as well as the veggies); I like lots of flavors in one spoonful plus it reduces fighting over pieces of meat!

I also served fresh pineapple and French bread with this. Most left the table happy and satisfied.

FHE treat: fresh blackberry shakes (blackberries, ice cream, blend together)

French Dip Sandwiches

We're having a crowd for dinner tonight. French Dip is an easy option for a crowd. We love this recipe:

4 lb. Roast Beef (remove as much fat as possible)

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 beef bouillon cube

1 bay leaf

3 whole black peppercorns (or a big sprinkling of pepper)

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp garlic

Place roast in crock pot. Stir sauce ingredients together and pour over roast. Add enough water to almost cover roast. Cook on low for 10-12 hours (I almost always do overnight. . . )

Remove meat from broth and shred with fork. Put on French bread rolls (I use the recipe on this post, but make individual-sized loaves without any oil). Dip in remaining broth.