Freezer meals

I am going to be doing a day of freezer meals. If anyone is interested in joining me I will be glad to send the ingredients list and we can meet in my kitchen one day to spend the day prepping our meals....followed of course by a wonderful meal that will have been cooking in the crockpot the entire time. On a side note....I have decided I need to add pictures of the recipes I had...so if I can just remember, I will start to add photos of the yummy things we eat. Let me know if you want a list!

Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken

Serves: 6
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook:6-7 hours (low)
Finish: 45-60 minues (high)

1 1/2 cups baby carrots
6 large boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 lbs)
1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, crushed
1 1/3 cups bottled sweet and sour sauce
1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks in juice, drained
1 bag (1 lb) frozen stir-fry peppers and onions, thawed and drained
6 cups hot cooked rice

1. place carrots ion crockpot. Top with chicken, sprinkle with red pepper (we leave this out because the kids don't want the spice)
2. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours, until juice of chicken is no longer pink when center of thickest pieces are cut.
3. remove chicken and carrots from cooker; drain and discard liquid from cooker. Return chicken and carrots to cooker. Cover with sweet and sour sauce, top with pineapple and stir-fry vegetables. Cover and cook on high 45-60 minutes, until carrots are tender. Serve with rice.

Per serving: 510 cal, 25 g. protein, 82 g. carbs. 4 grams fiber, 9 grams fat, 55 mg, chol, 270 sodium

I picked up a great magazine at a checkstand one day. Woman's day Special Interest Publication called "Slow Cooking" Love the recipes in this magazine!

Chile-Chicken Tacos

Makes: 12
Prep: 15 minues
Cook: 6-7 hours (low)
Finish: 15 minutes (low)

1 1/4 lb. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 pkg (1.25 oz) taco seasoning
1 Tbsp. brown sugar, packed
1 can (4.5oz) chopped green chiles, drained
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
1/4 cup medium scallions (about 4) sliced
1 pkg taco shells
3 cups shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped

1. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray; add chicken thighs. Sprinkle with taco seasoning and brown sugar; toss to coat. Mix in green chiles, corn and 1/2 cup enchilada sauce. Refrigerate remaining sauce.

2. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours, until chicken is cooked through.

3. Remove chicken from cooker, place on cutting board. Use two forks to pull chicken into shreds. Return chicken to cooker. Stir in scallions. Cover and cook on low 15 minutes.

4. Heat maining enchilada sauce. Serve chicken mixture in taco shells with lettuce, tomato and warm enchilada sauce

Per serving: 320 cal, 24 g. protein, 31 g. car, 5 g. fiber, 13 g. fat 60 mg chol, 900 mg sod.

Yummy. The kids all love it

Potato Leek Soup

Nothing is better on a cold day then a hot bowl of soup. This one is amazing. (I know it is far from cold today....but cleaning out my recipe cupboard!)

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 50 minutes
Serves: 8

4 medium potatoes
3 Tbs. butter or margarine
3 medium leeks, chopped (about 3 cups)
4 cups chicken brother
2 cups water
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup skim milk
1/4 tsp. white pepper
choped fresh chives for garnish

1. Peel and dice potatoes into 1-inch chunks.
2. In a heavy 3-quart saucepan, melt margarine over medium heat. Add leeks; saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes, chicken broth, water, and salt. Simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool slightly.
3. In a blender or food processor fitted with metal blade, process potato mixture until smooth. Return potato mixture to saucepan. Add milk and pepper. Cook over medium heat until heated through, about 5 minutes. Ladle soupo into serving bowls. Garnish with chives. Serve immediately.

Leek Prep: first remove the dark green leaves and rinse well to remove any sand. Discard the bulb base and slice the remaining white portion.

For those on weight watchers: 3 points per serving
calories: 151 (31% from fat)
carbs: 21 g
Protein: 5 g
Sodium: 387 mg
Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 1 mg

Tuxedo Brownie Cups

These brownies are adorable and make the perfect treat for a baby/bridal shower or any time you want to bring a dessert to impress.

1 package brownie mix plus ingredients to make cake like brownies
2 squares white chocolate for baking
2 tbs. milk
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup thawed, frozen whipped topping
1 pint small strawberries, sliced

1. preheat oven to 325*. Spray cups of mini muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions for cake-like brownies. Fill cups 2/3 full. Bake 14 minutes or until edges are set (do not over bake).

2. remove pan to cooling rack. Immediately press tops of Brownies in (I use the pampered chef mini-tart shaper) to make indentions in brownie. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Loosen edges and gently remove brownies from pan. Cool completely. Wash pan, spray with cooking spray and repeat baking with remaining batter.

3. Microwave white chocolate and milk in microwave safe bowl on High for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Combine cream cheese and powdered sugar. Mix well. Gradually stir in white chocolate mixture until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.

4. Fill decorator icing bag, with a large star tip, with mixture. Pipe cream cheese mixture into cooled brownie cups. Arrange strawberry slices on top. Garnish as desired (with orange zest, mint leaves or melted semi-sweet chocolate). Place in airtight container and refrigerate 1-3 hours before serving.

Yield 4 dozen

Thanks to pampered chef for the great recipe