Creamy Buffalo Chicken Soup

When I spotted this recipe at A Mommy's Blessings, I knew I would have to try it. One of Al's favorite things to eat is buffalo chicken (remember how he hoards the buffalo chicken dip?), so the soup would have to be popular as well. And it sure was. I'm fairly certain that there will be a rumble over the leftovers.

Ingredients:

6 c. milk

3 c. shredded chicken

3 cans cream of chicken

1-2 c. sour cream

1/2 c. hot sauce

1/2 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. onion powder

1/2 t. cayenne pepper

1-2 c. shredded cheese

Directions:

Add all ingredients to crock-pot and stir until combined. Cook on high for 1-2 hours.

My Recommendations:

I cut the recipe in half because we didn't have much milk left and we were still left with plenty of leftovers. Next time, however, we will not be cutting it in half!

I didn't have cayenne pepper so I subbed in chili powder, and also added a good amount of salt and pepper. Other than that, this recipe needs no tweaking, it's that good. It was perfect with some toasted honey wheat bread on the side for dipping.

Taco Soup

With all this cold weather and snow (over 70 inches this winter), I've been pulling out all my "comfort food" recipes. I got this recipe from one of my virtual playgroup moms and it is one of my favorites for cold winter days. It's easy to make and we almost always have all of the ingredients on-hand, so it's a cinch to throw together at the last minute.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey

1 large onion, chopped

1 package Hidden Valley ranch dressing mix (not dip mix)

1 package taco seasoning (or a homemade version)

1 can chili hot beans

1 can corn

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 can rotel

Directions:

Brown meat and onions. Add all ingredients to a pot (do not drain any of the cans), and simmer for one hour.

My Recommendations:

I never brown my meat in a frying pan, but instead boil it. While the meat is browning, I chop up the onions and throw them in the frying pan to brown. And sometimes when I'm lazy I don't brown them at all - doesn't make or break the meal. Instead of cooking this on the stove, you could also just brown the meat and onions and then throw everything together in the crock-pot.

Also, I usually sub out the rotel in favor of plain diced tomatoes, and replace the chili hot beans with just chili beans because my kids can't handle the spice.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I have a phobia when it comes to handling raw meat, so I typically shy away from recipes that call for the bigger cuts of meat, i.e. roasts, shoulder, butt, etc. But this recipe is so easy, and the result is so delicious, that even I can handle it. I just make sure I have Al around to dispose of the yucky meat bits and wrappings, and that I wear gloves. When I say phobia, I'm not kidding.

(This recipe is courtesy of my friend Michele)

Ingredients:

3 to 4 lb. pork shoulder/butt

1 c. vinegar

1/2 c. water

salt & pepper

BBQ sauce

2 T. honey

2 T. sugar

crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions:

Put pork into crock-pot. Pour vinegar and water over it, and then sprinkle salt & pepper. Cook for 6 hours on high. After 6 hours, check to see if the meat can be pulled apart easily. If it is tender, it is done. Shred the pork and reserve 1 to 1 1/2 c. of the pork water (dispose of the rest). Put the shredded pork back in the crock-pot, and add the pork water, BBQ sauce, honey, sugar, and crushed red pepper. Stir until the pork is evenly coated. Let the pork cook for an additional hour on low.

My Recommendations:

This is better if you can cook it the day before you want to serve it. You can trim the meat of any fat before you put it in the crock-pot or after it cooks. We (Al) usually does so after it cooks because it pulls right off. Much easier. We usually omit the red pepper so the kids are able to eat it as well. As to whether this is a kid friendly meal or not, I think the look on bubba's face speaks for itself.

Hot Wing Dip

My hubby is a very generous person but not when it comes to food that he likes. And he happens to love this dip. I had intended to make this for the adults at bubba's birthday party - Al wasn't too keen on the idea of sharing his favorite dip. Lucky for him, the party got snowed out, so he got it all for himself. *He would like for me to clarify that he shared some with me*

Ingredients:
8 oz. shredded chicken
12 oz. cream cheese
1/2 c. blue cheese or ranch dressing
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
4 oz. Original Franks RedHot sauce

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all of the ingredients and place in a baking dish. Bake 20-30 minutes or until the mixture is heated through. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or celery.

My Recommendations:

Even though the directions say to cook this in the oven, we always cook it in the crock-pot, on low for about 2-3 hours. If you choose to cook it this way, make sure to give it a good stir every once in a while. Also, the amount of Frank's RedHot that you add is completely up to you. Al likes to add a lot. I think he does this to ensure that he will be the only one eating it. He's sneaky that way.

Crock-Pot Chocolate Cake (a.k.a. P.M.S. Delight)

{Picture to be added a bit later}

**Edited to add: I had every intention of taking a picture,

but this cake was demolished before I got a chance**

It's one of those days and I'm in the need of chocolate therapy. I threw the ingredients in the crock-pot four hours ago and my house now smells delicious. I'm in a better mood already! The official name is P.M.S. Delight but just in case I were to ever acquire a male reader, we shall call it Crock-Pot Chocolate Cake. Another good name for it would be "Death By Chocolate." Or "My-Diet-Is-Over Chocolate Cake."

Ingredients:
1 package chocolate cake mix
1 8 oz. carton sour cream (don't use fat free)
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 c. chocolate chips
3/4 c. vegetable or canola oil
4 eggs
1 c. water


Directions:
Spray crock-pot with non-stick spray. In a medium bow, mix by hand all of the ingredients. Pour into pot and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or high for 2-3 hours.


My Recommendations:
The time has varied on this for me. Just keep your eye on it after 4 hours if on low, or 2 hours if on high. Check to see if it's done by sticking a fork in the middle; if it comes out clean, it's done.


Serve with lots of whipped cream or ice cream (my preference). And it's always ALWAYS better when it's served hot. Try not to eat it all.