White Chicken Chili

There are versions of this recipe floating all over the web. The first time I had something like it was at a neighborhood chili cook-off, where it won the contest by a large margin. Unfortunately, many of the recipes I've seen are littered with processed ingredients. I've tried making it a few times sans packets and cans, and this has been my favorite incarnation.

White Chicken Chili 

2 chicken breasts

1 1/2 tsp, oregano

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. pepper 

1 onion-diced

2 stalks celery--diced

1 green pepper--diced 

1 jalapeño--diced

1 can white beans, drained and rinsed

2 tsp. chicken base

4 oz. cream cheese

2 1/2 water 

Place all ingredients in a Crock Pot and cook on low for 6 hours. Shred Chicken and stir-in cream cheese until it's incorporated. Cook on low for one more hour. Serve with crusty bread, shredded cheese, green onions, tortilla chips, or whatever you'd like.

BBQ Beef

This is a combo I learned from my mom. It's a nice to way to spice up an old standby. I think she uses store bought bbq sauce. I tried making my own, and it was pretty darn tasty. And produced three meals for Mark and me.

1 beef pot roast
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup dijon mustard
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 onion-diced
4 tsp. garlic-minced
chili powder
cayenne pepper
salt & pepper

Heat some cooking oil in a shallow pan and brown the outside of the pot roast. Place meat in a slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on high for 3 hours. Switch to low for 3 hours. Shred and serve on rolls.

Slow Cooked Pork Chops

This is the brain child of my husband who said "you should try slow cooking pork chops." They were much more tender than your average pork chops, and a new take on your classic "pork chops and apple sauce."

4 thin cut pork chops
salt and pepper to taste
1 apple, peeled and cubed
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

Add onion and apple to slow cooker. Season pork with salt and pepper and place on top of onion and apple. Mix remaining ingredients in small bowl. Pour over pork. Cook on low for 4 hours. enjoy.