Crockpot Goodness 

I bought my crockpot about 2 years ago. Too be honest, I bought it for one particular reason and never really thought about how much I would love it! I was having a birthday party for my boyfriend and wanted to make these delicious meatballs & wieners that are cooked in this chili/apple jelly sauce. It is excellent, sounds random but trust me. Anyway, I went on craigslist and found a brand new crockpot that this newly married woman had rec'd as a wedding gift. She said she got two and didn't need them both. Therefore I got an awesome crockpot for $20! I was psyched. I haven't done A TON of recipes in the crockpot but I have enjoyed experimenting as much as I have. 

However, after tonight's dinner I will be using my crockpot even MORE! I think what I made tonight was by far my favorite... at least at this point lol! I got this recipe from my good friend Natasha who mentioned she cooks chicken in the crockpot and puts specific spices on the chicken for whatever she will be using it for. After the chicken is cooked, it falls off the bone. There is SO much you can do with the chicken.... shred it for enchiladas (and so much more), add lemon and thyme for a more flavorful chicken, or just roast it with salt and pepper. I found it nuts that you could just stick a whole chicken in the crockpot, add spices, and come back 8 hours later to have a succulent chicken dinner. Well, we loved every bite!!! I served it alongside mashed potatoes and sautéed brussel sprouts. mmmm!!!! OH and a bottle of red wine as it is the yummy dinner I made for my boyfriend on the eve of his birthday <3

The chicken recipe is really "to each is their own". I think the standard is salt and pepper but besides that you can really add whatever it is you fancy on your chicken! I seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper. I also stuffed the cavity with a lemon and onion. I threw the leftover onion on the outside of the chicken for an extra side to serve with the chicken. Can't go wrong with tender onions!!! Lastly, I added butter & paprika on top for some coloring. 8 hours on low and you have yourself quite the chicken!

I highly suggest this recipe as it is easy, delicious, and fulfilling :)

Chicken just put into the Crockpot- starting to create steam only after a few minutes.

Delicious chicken, sautéed brussel sprouts, mashed potatoes, and a big glass of vino :)

Pinterest

Did anybody else fall in LOVE with pinterest?? It is a great website for fashion, DIY projects, travel, and FOOD :)! Check it out... http://pinterest.com/

I have made a few recipes from Pinterest already... I Included pictures and recipes below! mmmm now I am hungry :)!

First item is a sliced Baked Potato... this recipe is quite the treat! 

Take a baked potato, make multiple slits that almost reach the bottom of the potato. Cut up some fresh garlic and put in between the slices for a garlicy treat. Brush the potato with melted butter and then also olive oil to give it good color. Bake at 425 for roughly 40 mins- depending on the size of potato and how tender you like your tater!

I also made 2 breakfast items from Pinterest. One of them, the bacon and pancake, was more fun than unique. I made a homemade pancake batter and cooked them in a cask iron skillet. Pour the batter into the pan and stick a piece of cooked bacon in the middle. The bacon forms right in to the pancake. Makes breakfast more entertaining ha! 


The other breakfast item I made were egg cups. This recipe was surprisingly super delicious! Take muffin tins and put a piece of thinly sliced ham at the bottom. Let the ham ruffle so it forms a little ham cup up the sides of the pan. Crack an egg right into the ham. Bake at 375 for 15-20 mins. Note: eggs cook quickly so keep checking but the kicker is they don't LOOK cooked so I overcooked a few of them :( def not something you want ha!I loved the salty-ness the ham provided to the egg and I love the mixture of ham and egg in 1 bite!! The recipe called for cheese and salt but in my opinion some recipes are meant to be kept simple, plus the ham had enough salt that cheese and extra salt would have been an overkill. I am sure you can alter this recipe any way you like tho :)

Lastly, dessert :)! My brother LOVES black and white cookies, especially the ones from a NYC bakery! Once I saw this recipe I knew I had to make it for my family, particularly Matthew. Red velvet Black and White cookies- ALL homemade. Thank goodness my sister in law was over while I was making them because she is such a great baker, I needed her expertise!! Needless to say they came out fantastic and we would definitely make again :)!

Basically I am telling you to sign up for Pinterest... sit back.... and get creative!