Happy New Year: Crockpot Chicken Stew

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve!  Ours was exceptionally low-key.  We caught up on our DVR'd Vampire Diaries, drank champagne (Thatboy) and sparkling peach juice (me), and prepped the house for our big New Year's Day Feast.

I love New Year's Day.  It feels like such a fresh start.  The promise of "new."  Don't you feel like the beginning of the year holds so much promise?

I'm keeping my resolutions simple this year.  You know, like finishing that stack of books that seems to continue to grow on my bedside table?

I also want to really soak up our time as a family of three while we can.

Which means I need to try to find a balance between filling our weekend with fun activities and not overdoing it to the point of...well, my usual.

Which means, this year, you're going to probably be seeing a lot of fall-back recipes.  I think I have pizza on the meal plan for every week from here to eternity.  And making use of my crockpot.  Like this hearty and warm country stew.  Which means spending time with the people you love, and not in the kitchen.

Crockpot Chicken Stew

1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

4 Tbsp cornstarch

1 chicken bouillon cube

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder 

1 cup water

1 onion, chopped

4 carrots, sliced

4 celery stalks, csliced

10 oz mushrooms, sliced

2 chicken breast

1 1/2 tsp herbes de provence

1 tsp thyme

1/2 cup white wine

1. Combine milk powder, 2 Tbsp cornstarch, bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, and water.  Stir until smooth.
2. Place onions, celery, and carrots in crockpot.
3. Top with mushrooms.
4. Place chicken breasts on top of mushrooms.
5. Sprinkle the herbes de provence, thyme, and some salt and pepper over the chicken.
6. Pour the milk mixture over all and cook on low for 8 hours.
7. Mix the wine with the remaining 2 Tbsp of cornstarch.  Stir into the stew.  Cook for another 20 minutes.

Big Trees and Little Boys: Crock Pot Short Ribs

As I mentioned, we kept ourselves very busy during our Christmas trip to visit Thatboy's family.   Our first full day there, we headed out to Big Basin to check out the Redwoods and Giant Sequoias.  Otherwise known as "The Big Trees."

 

We're usually dwarfed by trees (heck, I'm pretty much dwarfed by bushes) but there's something really amazing about trees this large.  Trees that have been around for hundreds of years.  

Thatbaby enjoyed much of the hike, whether he rode on my back, Thatboy's shoulders, or walked.  But it was a pretty long hike for a little guy with short legs.  By the time we got to the waterfall, he was kind of tired and hungry.

He spent much of the hike back atop Thatboy's shoulders and was ready for a big meal when we got home.

Hiking always works up an appetite.  Something about the combination of exercise and fresh air.  We ended up with meatloaf that night, but hearty short ribs also fit the bill.  I've been using the crock pot a lot lately, and it's especially good for days when you're out all day hiking.  Because you get to come home to a nice hearty meal all ready and waiting!

Crock Pot Short Ribs

1 cup red wine

2/3 cup ketchup

3 Tbsp soy sauce

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp brown sugar

4 lbs beef short ribs

2 onions, chopped

1. Combine the wine, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic and brown sugar in the slow cooker.
2. Add the ribs, stirring to coat in the sauce.
3. Distribute the onions over the ribs.  Cook on low for 8 hours.

What the Dickens!: Crockpot Shepherd's Pie

 

This was, by far, the busiest Christmas ever.  It felt as though it were nonstop, go go go go!  It began with our arrival, which coincided with TBIL's Christmas Party.  So before we had even unpacked the car, we were whisked into activity.

The next day, TBIL had something else in store for us.  This was such a welcome change from years past when his Christmas activities were those I had planned, or those he excluded us from.  The day after we arrived, we headed to The Dickens Christmas Fair.

The festival transforms modern day San Francisco into Victorian England.  There are costumed performers and spectators in period garb.  Shops sell wares that you'd find in Dickens' time.  And many of the stores bear names that come straight from the novels (Like Fezziwig's shop where dancing is held).  Walking through the narrow lanes give you the impression of what it must have been like to do your Christmas shopping in a village many years ago.

One of the highlights for Thatbaby were the shows. As we headed into the Victoria and Albert Concert Hall to watch a melodrama, I was concerned that we'd need to beat a hasty retreat.  After all, this is a child who can barely sit through a half hour cartoon program.  But he was enthralled.  He cheered, he clapped, he didn't want to leave when it was over.  This continued to be the theme of the day for him.  There were various stages throughout the grounds with singing and musical troupes.  Every time we passed a performance, he wanted to stop and watch the singers or musicians.  And every time they finished a song he would turn to me and ask for "one more song, please."

 

Most of the things in the shoppes were pretty hands-off for little fingers, but there were a couple of things Thatbaby was invited to investigate.

 

Thatbaby wanted to go and explore every store.  From the one selling hairpins, to the one selling handcut men's clothing, to the one selling period baby clothing. 

We didn't find the kids area until we were almost ready to leave, but we still had some time to play around.

What was Thatbaby looking at so intently?  Well, he had found the carousel.  And there was no way he was going to leave until he got a turn.

My child always looks so happy on carousels, doesn't he?  I promise he was a grinning fool for most of it.  Especially since he got to ride the tiger!  He was the only one on the ride, as it was getting late, and had his pick (and an extra long turn).

We grabbed dinner at the fair.  Thatbaby and I shared a meat pastie - a handpie with meat inside.  I use the term "shared" very loosely, since Thatbaby ate most of it.  And really enjoyed it.  And I can't really blame him.  There's something about those old, homey foods that just warms you from the inside out.  Shepherd's Pie is a similar meal that could also be found in the same time period.  Historically, the recipe involves chopped/ground lamb, hence the name "shepherd's" pie.  This is a modern take on the classic recipe, using ground beef instead of lamb.  And cooked in a crockpot, which I'm pretty sure didn't exist back in Dickens's day.  Unless that's what they called you if you stood over a pot all day stirring.

Crockpot Shepherd's Pie

1 lb ground beef

4 Tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

2 cups mushrooms, chopped

1 tomato, diced

1 tsp thyme

2 Tbsp tomato paste

4 cups green beans, chopped

6 cups mashed potatoes

1. Combine ground beef, olive oil, garlic, mushrooms, tomato, thyme, tomato paste, and green beans in the crockpot.
2. Spread the mashed potatoes on top of the meat and veggie mixture.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. 

Christmas at the Del: Crockpot Hoisin Pork

One of our favorite things to do around the holidays is a trip to the Hotel Del in Coronado.  Before Thatbaby was born, this included skating on their ice skating rink, but the thought of my toddler on two metal blades that are as sharp as knives, on hard frozen ice just isn't that appealing.

So now we go and just enjoy the Christmas spirit.

There's the giant tree in the lobby, which was covered in "Samtas."  Thatbaby also loved the garland strung on the upper railings.

And he also wanted to sit and watch the wreath.  We have a smaller version on our front door which he also loves.  But this one had balls on it!

We don't have window displays like NYC or even San Francisco, but the shops inside the Del do something similar.  This window featured a moving cityscape that kept both the boys interested.

Thatbaby's new favorite Christmas treat is Hot Cocoa.  So we grabbed a seat by the fire and enjoyed some cocoa on the beach.  A very California Christmas.

Although for me, this picture really captures Christmas time in Southern California.  An ice rink, on the beach, surrounded by palm trees.  Thatbaby watched the skaters for a very long time.  He was fascinated.  I think he's going to be very excited when he finally gets a spin on the ice himself.

There was an artist building sandcastles on the beach, and we headed down to check them out.

As the sun set, we let Thatbaby get his energy out with a run on the beach.  He chased seagulls, had us chased him, and generally had a great time burning off that cocoa.

While we played on the beach, dinner was cooking away at home.  Seriously, I love my crockpot.  Especially on these busy weekends.  This dinner was such a success we've already done a repeat with chicken.  Thatbaby is a big fan of the rice noodles.  Thatboy and I are a big fan of an easy night's meal. You can definitely play with the heat and protein, but the sweet and garlicy sauce makes just about everything taste good.

Crockpot Hoisin Pork

1 boneless pork loin

1 cup hoisin sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp crushed ginger

1 Tbsp chili paste

1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 Tbsp soy sauce

 2 tsp sesame oil

4 tsp cornstarch

1. Place the pork roast in the crockpot.
2. Combine the hoisin, garlic, ginger, chile paste, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
3. Whisk in corn starch.  Pour over the pork.
4. Cook for 6 hours on low.

That's My [Pearl] Jam: Crockpot Lemon Chicken

Thatboy and I don't really have the same taste in music.  Which is okay - so far no one has lost an appendage in our "war of the radio dial."  

We're pretty good at taking turns.  Both with the car stereo, and our concert going.  He's a trooper at the Gin Blossoms concerts I want to go to, and I've been to an equal number of Weezer concerts.  

But Thatboy's favorite band of all times had stopped touring years ago.  A couple of years back, they began touring again.  But never made it down to San Diego.  I looked into sending him to a concert in Wisconsin, but given that I was 36 weeks pregnant, we thought it might not be the best idea.

So over the summer, when I saw that Pearl Jam was playing the week of Thatboy's birthday, it seemed like it was meant to be. 

Thatboy has loved Pearl Jam since he was just a kid, but he's never seen them in concert.  Even logging in the minute tickets went on sale, the only seats we could get were behind the stage.  Which actually worked out okay, because Eddie Vedder spent just as much time facing us as he did facing the floor.  And our seats were pretty close to the stage, since we weren't separated by all those people.

Thatboy felt that this was a concert of a lifetime.  One of the highlights of his life.  The concert lasted for hours and hours and hours (4 to be exact).   They played every song but one on Thatboy's wishlist, all their new songs, and a bunch of fun covers at the end.  They smashed lights.  Eddie even threatened to smash a ukelele.

The band's parents were even there!  (Eddie's mom was on the other side - these are family members of the other members)

It was a good night, but a really long one.  We got home around 1 in the morning.  And had to work the next day.  Seriously you guys - I am not the young and carefree coed I once was.  I'm still recovering from the concert!

While we enjoyed the concert, Thatbaby was at home with the babysitter.  It was our first time having a sitter over for dinner time, so I  thought a crockpot meal would be good.  That way food was already ready for the two of them, whenever they wanted it.  No work or cleanup on her part.  You know my love for chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are great for the crockpot because they can cook for a long time without getting dried out.

Crockpot Lemon Chicken

3 red potatoes, chopped

1/2 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

4 chicken thighs

2 lemons

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup white wine

2 Tbsp corn starch

1 sprig of thyme

1. Place the potatoes, onion, and garlic at the bottom of a crockpot.
2. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and place in the crockpot.
3. Slice one of the lemons and place the slices atop the chicken thighs.
4. In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, white wine, corn starch, thyme leaves and the juice from the remaining lemon.  Pour mixture over the chicken.
5. Cook on low for 8 hours.

Fever Pitch: Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Over the weekend, Thatbaby developed a bit of a froggy throat.  We canceled plans so that he could stay inside and rest up.  Not because we're such amazing parents, but because Thatbaby's school was closed on Thursday and Friday.  Thatboy and I were already taking time off and neither of us wanted to take more time off if he got sick.

You all know where this is heading, right?  Monday at 4:55pm I got a call from Thatbaby's school to let us know he was running a fever.  Poor kid was miserable when I picked him up, so Thatboy and I arranged our schedules to stay home with him on Tuesday.

Tuesday he was back to normal.  No fever, full of energy, ready to go.  Wednesday he was back to school.  Yesterday I had morning shift and the little guy woke at 4something in the morning.  So it wasn't too surprising that he was ready for a nap around 11am, over an hour earlier than usual.  Thatboy and I switched off around 12:30, and Thatbaby ended up sleeping until 2:30!!!!  But he woke up running a fever again.  Poor guy.  Looks like we'll be laying low today too.

When I'm home with Thatbaby, very little gets done.  It's hard to entertain him and try to clean, cook, or even go to the bathroom by myself.  So I make a lot of use of the crockpot.  Because I can toss things in quickly and be off picking up blocks, or helping finger paint.  Thatbaby didn't enjoy these tacos - he ended up having a smoothie for dinner, because in this house, when you're sick, you get special dinner requests met. Thatboy and I had no problem polishing off the tacos without him.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

2 tsp salt

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp garlic powder

2 chicken breasts

1 can of rotel

1/4 cup water

1. Combine the salt, cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder in small bowl.  Place in bottom of crockpot.
2. Place chicken breasts on top of the seasoning.
3. Pour Rotel and water over chicken.  Cook on low for 5 hours.  
4. Remove chicken and shred with two forks.  Put chicken back in crockpot and cook for another 30 minutes.

Happy New Year!: Dr. Pepper Chicken

Shana Tova everyone!  As you may or may not know, last Thursday was the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanna.  As usual we spent the holiday with Thatmom.  On Thursday, we brought Thatbaby with us to services.  They do something special for the little ones.  About halfway through, anyone younger than 5 is sent outside with one of the assistant Rabbis for a "tot service."

I especially liked this one because the "sermon" was a retelling of Stone Soup!  One of my favorite fables.  The Rabbi had all the kids go find plastic foods that were spread around the yard and come put it in her pot.  Thatbaby found an orange and cautiously joined in.

At home, Thatmom made quite the spread with chicken baked with dried fruits, and her friends contributed mashed potatoes, green beans, and of course, CHALLAH!  In honor of the holiday, Challah on Rosh Hashanna is round, to represent the circle of life.  Back at home, our challah was served in rolls, with chicken sandwiched between them.  Not just any chicken, but Dr. Pepper chicken. It's not a traditional dish, but I like it because the soda adds a sweetness to the chicken, perfect for a "sweet new year,"  the traditional Jewish wish.

Dr. Pepper Chicken

1/2 onion, sliced

2 chicken breasts

1 can of Dr. Pepper

1. Place the onion slices at the bottom of a crockpot and lay the chicken breasts on top.
2. Pour the Dr. Pepper over and cook on low for 8 hours.
3. Remove the chicken and shred.

The Easiest Mole

I remember the first time I made mole.  Roasting the peppers alone had my kitchen filled with a fragrant smoke that had anyone within a mile radius coughing.

It was an all day affair, and while the end result was delicious, it just didn't seem worth all the time and effort.  Not when I could easily pop into a restaurant and grab a fabulous mole dish without subjecting myself to smoke inhalation.

That was the last time I made mole from scratch.

UNTIL earlier this year when one of my favorite blogs featured a slow-cooker mole.  How come no one thought of this before?  Or how come no one told me about it before?  No smoke filled kitchen, and even if it takes all day, I don't have to hang around doing the cooking!

Just delicious chicken mole.  And plenty of it!  This mole isn't too spicy either, even Thatbaby enjoyed it.  And it makes plenty - stay tuned tomorrow for a way to use up some of the leftovers.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Mole (From Food Everyday as seen on Tomatoes on the Vine)

4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 12)

coarse salt

1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes

1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped

2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed

1 large chipotle chile in adobo sauce

1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1/4 cup raisins

3-ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (1/2 cup)

3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

fresh cilantro leaves, for serving

1. Season chicken thighs with salt and place in a 5-to-6-quart slow cooker.  
2. In a blender, puree tomatoes, onion, ancho and chipotle chiles, almonds, raisins, chocolate, garlic, oil, cumin, and cinnamon until smooth. 
3. Add tomato mixture to slow cooker, cover and cook on high until chicken is tender, 4 hours (or 8hours on low).  Serve chicken and sauce topped with cilantro.

Halloween Week Day 2- Tricks and Treats

 Happy Halloween everyone!

I was so excited for Thatbaby to wake up and get in his costume this morning.  Even though I was a little worried about how he would react.  Things here have been rough.  Thatbaby has a rash.  A red, angry rash.  A rash in an area that without a doubt he will cringe at the fact I'm sharing it with you here.  And he's getting in another tooth.  So he hasn't been the happiest of campers lately.

But he was more than cooperative to get ready for school.  Especially when we got dressed in front of the mirror so he could see how cute he looked.  Thatbaby LOVES playing dress up.

Almost as much as he loves carrying that silly foam pumpkin around. 

I ended up picking him up from daycare early for a trip to the doctor to have his rash checked out.  My poor miserable baby.  Which had the added benefit of getting us home early enough to get ready for Trick or Treating tonight!

I honestly didn't see the point in bringing Thatbaby door-to-door at this age.  We all know he's not eating the candy, and it seems silly to bring him around for strangers to ooh and ahh.  Instead we decided to take him store-to-store.

I know I've mentioned how much I love our community, and how we're within 3 miles of pretty much everything we need (the store, daycare, postoffice, our doctors, etc.).  Which meant we could walk down to our shopping center where they were hosting their own trick-or-treat event.

Each store was handing out candy - like the veterinarian.

And the hair salon.

And the dry-cleaners.  I wasn't expecting much from Thatbaby, but I was pleasantly surprised that he figured out what to do right away.  Taking a piece of candy from the baskets and placing it in his trick-or-treat bag.

There was only one time when I had to remind him we were only taking one piece of candy.  Guess my kid has a thing for fun dip.

And because we're not totally heartless, we did let him have 1 piece of candy - or one package, since we thought the candy dots were the best choice for him.  I mean, he did do all that work.  And while we trick-or-treated, dinner simmered away in the crockpot.  All ready for us when we got home.

Because a baby cannot live on candy alone.

Beer Braised Chicken

1 lb chicken (I used some leftover thighs and drumsticks)
1 cup beer (I used some leftover Pacifico from Thatbaby's birthday)
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons mustard
1 small onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, smashed with the flat part of a knife

1. Combine the beer, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, mustard, onion, and garlic in the crockpot.
2. Add the chicken and spoon sauce over.  Cook on high for 4-6 hours.

PS. - After Thatbaby went to bed, we examined his loot.  I think next year we may have a little more guidance over what he picked.  There's hardly anything good in this pile.   Unless that was his big "trick" he pulled on Thatboy and I.