Skinny{er} Pork Burritos with Green Sauce

This recipe came from my sister in law.
It is highly addictive!
My husband, who hates Mexican food, even Cafe Rio {Gasp!}, had seconds!
{Could be made Gluten-Free if eaten as a lettuce wrap!}
.
3-4 lb pork roast

1 can Pepsi {diet works great and lowers calories considerably}

1 Tbsp onion soup mix 

Large can green enchilada sauce {Las Palmas brand has 25 calories per 1/4 cup}

1 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

2 tbsp taco seasoning 

1 can low sodium black beans, lightly drained

Cilantro, washed and chopped

Cooked brown rice, optional 

Whole wheat tortillas 

Shredded cheese {i used low fat mozzarella} 

Low fat sour cream {plain Greek yogurt works great!}

.

Put roast in crockpot with 1 can Pepsi and 1Tbs. onion soup mix. Cook on high till done and easy to shred, about 4-6 hours. 

Remove most liquid from crockpot and shred pork.
Add 1 cup of green chili enchilada sauce, salt, pepper, taco seasoning and black beans.
Mix together and cook for 30 minutes longer.
Add cilantro and make in to burritos using cooked rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, extra enchilada sauce, or anything else you like!

Chicken Philly Sandwiches

1/4 cup of butter

Non stick cooking spray

1 LRG yellow onion, sliced into strips

2 bell peppers, sliced into strips {any color}

1.5 LBS frozen boneless skinless chicken breast {need to be frozen so it makes its own liquid}

2-4 TBSP of KRAFT sweet & spicy chipotle BBQ sauce

1 TSP salt

Hoagie buns 

Sliced cheese

.

Spray the bottom of your crockpot with non cook spray. 

Add butter in sliced. 

Then layer: 

Onion, Green pepper and Chicken. 

Top with BBQ sauce and salt. 

.

Cook on high for 5-6 hours.  

Serve on hoagie buns with sliced cheese. 

Wild Rice & Ham Chowder

4 cups water

1 box Rice A Roni {long grain and wild rice}

5-6 potatoes, peeled and diced

4 carrots, peeled and diced

1 large onion, diced

1 cup of ham, diced

1 Tbsp salt

2 garlic cloves {or 1/2 tsp garlic powder}

2 Tbsp chicken bouillon 

1 tsp basil

1 can cream of chicken soup

2-4 cups whole milk {depending on desired thickness}

2 cups cheddar cheese

1/2 cup butter, melted

6 Tbsp flour {corn starch can also be used}

.

Place water, rice {including seasonings}, potatoes, carrots, onion, ham, salt, garlic, bouillon and basil in a large pot. 

Medium boil until potatoes and carrots are tender. {about 25 minutes}

Add the cream of chicken soup, milk and cheddar cheese. 

Turn heat to low. 

Mix the melted butter and flour together and add to thicken. 

Cook for 5 more minutes and enjoy!
{this could be done, ahead of time, in the crockpot. if so, spray the bottom of crockpot with a non stick cooking spray and add all ingredients except the last 5. cook in low for 6-8 hours. when potatoes are done, turn crockpot to high, add remaining ingredients and and cook for another 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted.}

Apple Cinnamon Crockpot Oatmeal

2 peeled & diced apples {smallest you can get them}
1 tsp. cinnamon
pinch of salt
2 cups old fashioned oats {not instant}
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups milk
2 cups water
.
Place diced apple, cinnamon and salt in the bottom of the crockpot and stir together.
Sprinkle in oats, brown sugar, vanilla, milk and water.
**DO NOT STIR**
Cook on low for 3 hours.
{you can also use 2 cups of steel cup oats and cool overnight on low for 8-9 hours}
{you could also speed up this process by boiling apples in the water, then adding the rest of the ingredients and cooking on low on the stove top till oats are cooked. In this case you could use quick oats. I think I'll try this method next time.}





I like to add milk and a little brown sugar to mine before I eat it. Mmm.

Knock-off Wendy's Chili

2 lbs extra lean hamburger
3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced {green pepper is a must!}
2 cans kidney beans, drained
2 cans petite diced tomatoes
1 small can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp basil
1/8 tsp garlic salt
1/8 tsp onion salt
2-3 dashes of cumin {optional}
1 tsp cinnamon
4 tbsp brown sugar
.
In a large pot, cook onion and green pepper in oil for 2-3 minutes.
Add hamburger and cook till almost done.
Add beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce and all spices except cinnamon and brown sugar.
Simmer for 10 minutes with lid on.
Add cinnamon and brown sugar.
Mix well.
Continue to simmer with lid on for another 10 minutes.
Serve with cheese and sour cream.
{great on baked potatoes!}

Cheese & Vegetable Chowder

2 Tbsp. butter
1 Lrg. onion, finely chopped
1 Lrg. leek, split lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
6 Tbsp. flour
5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
3 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 turnip, diced
1 Lrg. potato diced
1/8 tsp. dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 cups cream
2-3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
salt and pepper to taste
.
Melt butter in a large pot.
Add onion, leek and garlic. 
Cook on medium-low heat until vegetables start to soften.
.
Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes. 
Add a little of the stock and stir well, scraping the bottom of the pan to mix in the flour.
Bring to a boil and slowly stir in the rest of the stock.
.
Add the carrots, celery, turnip, potato, thyme, and bay leaf.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 35 minutes or until carrots are tender.
Remove the bay leaf.
.
Stir in the cream and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. 
Add the cheese and stir until completely melted. 
Add salt and pepper as needed.

{this recipe could also be done in the crock pot.  Just add all prepared ingredients in the crockpot excluding the flour, cream and cheese. Cook on high for 4-5 hours, then check the vegetables to make sure that they are tender.  If they are, add the flour and mix well.  Then add the cream and cheese.  Continue cooking until cheese is all melted.}

Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I don't know why I have never tried this method for pulled pork before but I will definitely be doing it again. It is so yummy! And sooooooo easy.
.
2-3 lbs. Pork roast
1 liter root beer {or any other flavor "dark" pop}
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
.
Put pork roast in crockpot and cover with root beer.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6.
.
Remove pork from crockpot and place in a medium sized bowl.
Pour BBQ sauce over pork and shred and mix with a fork.
.
Serve on buns.

Pork Carnitas

This is the next thing I am wanting to try!  Every time I buy a pork Roast from Walmart I buy one that says Pork Carnitas on it.  Never knew what they were, but they make an AMAZING pork roast; it comes out most and juicy every time, then I found this recipe for Pork Carnitas and realized that what I thought was a roast, actually wasn't.  So, I am going to try making it the way it was meant... and hopefully I like it.  I'll let you know how it goes!

2 pounds pork loin, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 cup cilantro leaves + 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 lrg. onion, chopped

1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. orange zest

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1 can {14.5 oz.} chicken broth

zest and juice of one lime

1 pkg. {7.5 oz.} soft corn tortillas

Shredded romaine lettuce, sour cream, salsa and avocado

{salsa recipe below}

.

Combine pork, garlic, 1/3 cup cilantro leaves, onion, oregano, orange zest, salt and red pepper flakes in slow cooker bowl and pour broth over the top so that the pork is mostly submerged.

.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours or until pork is very tender.

.

Remove pork from slow cooker using a slotted spoon and let cool slightly.

When cool, shred pork.

Mix together, in a large mixing bowl, with 1/4 cup cilantro, lime zest and juice and 1/2 cup cooking liquid.

.

Serve in warmed tortillas with lettuce, sour cream, salsa and avocado.

.

Click for SALSA recipe.

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I found this recipe on carolinamoms.com and made a few adjustments.
I made it last night and it is the best pulled pork recipe I have ever tasted.
If you like flavor and enjoy pulled pork sandwiches this is a must try!

2 onions, diced

4 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1- 4-6 lb. boneless pork roast

3/4 cup cider vinegar

4 tsp. Worcestershire

1 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. dry mustard or 3 tsp. prepared mustard

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 cup hickory smoke BBQ sauce {any brand, but it does need to be hickory smoke}

hamburger buns

coleslaw {optional}

.

Place onions in crock pot.

Combine brown sugar, salt and pepper.

Rub over roast.

Place roast over onion.

.

Combine vinegar, Worcestershire, red pepper, sugar, mustard and garlic salt.

Mix well.
Drizzle over roast.

.

Cover crock pot and cook low 10-12 hrs or high 4-6 hrs.

Remove meat and shred.

Place meat back in crock pot and mix with drippings.

.

Serve on buns with coleslaw on top or on side, whichever you prefer. Enjoy!

Crock Pot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

This is a great staple at any Christmas party...
stay tuned for a recipe just like this,
Only BETTER!

9 oz. frozen spinach, thawed and drained

14 oz. of water packed artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 cup Alfredo sauce

1/2 cup mayo

3/4 tsp. garlic salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

.

Mix all ingredients, except for the bread, in the low cooker.

Cook on low for 2 hours.

Serve with a sliced baguette loaf, tortilla chips, or crackers.

Easy Hamburger Casserole

1 1/2-2 lbs. hamburger

Salt and pepper to taste

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

3 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

4 large potatoes, peeled and sliced

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup of milk

.

Brown hamburger till almost cooked; salt and pepper to taste.

Layer in the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish.

Then layer onion, carrots, and potatoes.

Mix cream of mushroom soup and milk together and pour over the top af potatoes.

Cover with tin foil and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours.

{Could be done in crock pot on low for 4-6 hours, or until carrots are tender.}

No Fuss Taco Soup

{For The Soup:}
2 cups chicken broth
2 can chili beans
1 can red beans

2 cans diced tomatoes
1-4 oz. can diced green chilies
1 can corn
1 package taco seasoning
1/2-1 tsp. chili powder
.
{For The Toppings:}
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped cilantro
diced green onions
sliced avocado {optional}
sour cream
.
Combine the chicken broth, beans, chilies, tomatoes, and corn.
Stir in chili powder.
Cover and cook in crock pot on high for 4-5 hours or until heated through.

{if in a hurry, soup can also be cooked in a pot on stove.}

.
Serve soup topped with cheese, cilantro, sour cream, green onions and avocado.

Brown Sugar Baked Beans

This recipe came from my sister in law as well...
They take some time, but it's cooking time, and they are SOOO worth it.

One extra large can baked beans {i use vandecamps}{take pork out}

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. dry mustard

1 large onion, diced very small {if you have a food processor, use it}

1/2 pkg. bacon, cooked

.

Add first five ingredients to a 9X13 baking dish and mix well.

.

Dice onion as small as you can get it, almost till it's minced.

Fry bacon and dice as small as you can get it.

.

Add onion and bacon to the bean mixure and mix well.

Cover in tin foil and bake at 200 for 3-4 hours.

{this could be done in a crockpot, as well, cooked on low for 6 hours.}

Studio 5 Chicken Enchilades

A few years ago my sister in law was watching the channel 5 news in the morning and they made these.
She shared the recipe with me and I have been making them ever since.
They are so easy and good!
Especially served with chips and homemade pico!

1-1/2 lbs chicken

1/2 jar salsa

1 can refried beans

2 cups cheese

1 lrg can red enchilada sauce

10-12 ten inch flour tortillas

.

Place chicken and salsa in a crock pot and cook on low for 4 hours.

Shred chicken.

Add refried beans, 1 1/2 cups cheese, and 1/2 can enchilada sauce.

Stir to mix well.

Cook for 30 more minutes on high with lid on.

Stir again.

.

Grease a 9X13 baking dish.

Place desired amount of chicken mixture into a tortilla.

Roll up and place seam side down in the baking dish.

Drizzle the rest of the enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas.

Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Chicken Taco Soup

{For The Soup:}

1 can chicken broth {almost 2 cups}

2 cans red beans

2 cans diced tomatoes

1-4 oz. can diced green chilies

1 can corn {do not drain}

1 package taco seasoning

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp. chili powder

.
{For The Toppings:}

shredded cheddar cheese

chopped cilantro

diced green onions

sliced avocado {optional}

sour cream

.Combine the chicken broth, beans, chilies, tomatoes, and corn.

Stir in chicken seasoning and chili powder.

Add chicken.

Cover and cook in crock pot on low for 6-8 hours, until chicken is done and tender.

.Take chicken out and shred with a fork.

Return to soup.

Serve soup topped with cheese, cilantro, sour cream, green onions and avocado.

Slow Cooker Moo Shu Pork

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. dark Asian sesame oil

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. corn starch

1 bag {16 oz.} shredded coleslaw mix

1/2 bag {10 oz.} shredded carrots

3/4 pound bonless pork loin chops

12 flour tortillas {6 inch}

Stir together hoisin, garlic, sesame oil, soy sauce and corn starch.

Set aside.

Place coleslaw mix and carrots into slow cooker.

Cut the pork into 1/8-inch-thick slices, then cut each slice in half length wise.

Sprinkle on top of cabbage mixture in slow cooker.

Drizzle with 1/4 cup of sauce mixture.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.

Remove cover and stir in remaining sauce.

Heat tortillas according to package directions.

Place 1/2 cup pork mixture in center of each tortilla.

Enjoy!

{can also make ham fried rice as a side dish. recipe found under rice}

Fiesta Cheese Dip

1 lb Velveeta Cheese

12 ounces cream cheese
1 can ro-tel
4 green onions, chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
black pepper to taste

Melt cheeses together in microwave or on stove top.

Stir in all other ingredients.

Serve warm with tortilla chips.

{You can put cheese dip in a crock pot and keep on warm to keep cheese dip from getting sticky.}

Italian Crockpot Chicken

4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 env. dry italian salad dressing mix or a bottle of dressing works as well
1/4 cup water
8-oz pkg. cream cheese softened
1 can cream of chicken or mushroom soup
noodles or rice
put everything in the crockpot and let cook 3-4 hours

Crock Pot Chops and Gravy

4 lean pork chops

1 medium onion, sliced or diced
1/2 C sliced mushrooms {optional}

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp. salt

3 T Worcestershire sauce
2 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 tsp. garlic powder {if you use garlic salt, do not use the 1/2 tsp. salt, it makes it to salty} 1 tsp basil

.

Place pork chops crock pot {or in baking dish for oven}.

Lay onion slices over pork chops.

Mix the rest of ingredients in a bowl and pour over pork chops.

Cook on low in crock pot for 5-6 hours {or in oven on 350 for 1 hour}.

{Pork Barbacoa}
pork roast/ pork tenderloin
1(16 oz) bottle salsa
1 1/2 cans coke
2c. brown sugar
Place pork in crock-pot and fill it half way up with water.
Cook roast on high for 5 hrs.
Drain off water.
Cut pork in thirds.
Mix together salsa, coke, brown sugar and put it on top of the pork.
Cook an additional 3 hours on high.
Shred pork with forks.
Leave it on low until ready to serve.

{Lime Cilantro Rice}
2Tbsp oil
4c Long grain rice (6c. water)
1 bunch cilantro,finely chopped
juice of 2 limes
2tsp crushed garlic

Heat oil in a large skillet.
Add rice,cilantro,and garlic.
saute 3-5 minutes,stirring frequently.
Add water and lime juice and bring it to boil.
Then reduce heat and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed by the rice (about 20 min).
You can also use a rice cooker if you have one.

{Creamy Tomatilla Salad dressing}
1 c. Mayo
1/2 bunch washed cilantro
1/3c. sour milk (1/3c milk 1Tbsp fresh lime juice)
3-4 Tomatilla's (peel outer shell off)
2 garlic cloves chopped
1 jalapeno
1 packet ranch salad dressing mix (not buttermilk one)
Blend all ingredients in the blender then refrigerate until ready to serve.

This works well for the burritos too!