Crock Pot Comfort Food - Can It Get Any Better?

I was on the hunt for a new crock pot friendly recipe and came across this one.  My husband and sons loved it so I thought I'd share it with you.  

Found in a cookbook called Slow Cooker Recipes.  It was submitted by Marge Dicton of Bartonsville, PA.




Easy Special Pot Roast

10 3/4 oz. can Cheddar cheese soup
10 3/4 oz. can golden mushroon soup
10 3/4 oz. can French onion soup
3-lb. beef chuck roast

Mix soups in a slow cooker; top with roast.  Cover and cook on low setting for 8 - 9 hours, turning roast halfway through cooking time if possible.  Makes 6 servings.

**The gravy is delicious on noodles, mashed potatoes or rice.**

A Crock Pot Can Be A Writer's Best Friend

It's Sunday and that means we're one day away from Monday...  That's kinda depressing...  The work week begins again.  If you're like me, your day is something similar to this:  At work by 8:00.  Off by 5:00.  And then, you go to work again - but this time it's at home - laundry, dinner, dishes, kids...  The time between 5:00 and lights out - goes by too fast - and there's not a lot of time left to write.  So, I thought I'd share a Crock Pot Recipe that I found from Fix-It and Forget-It.  Maybe it will help free up a little time for you to work on your story!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1/2 lb. deli-sliced cooked ham

1/2 lb. baby Swiss cheese, sliced

10 3/4 can cream of chicken soup

1 oz. dry stuffing mix, prepared according to box direction

1.  Layer all ingredients in the order they are listed into your slow cooker.

2.  Cover and cook on Low 6-8 hours, or until chicken is tender but not dry.

Happy Eating!  Happy Writing!

Cooking Up Creativity

“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” ~Henri Matisse

If creativity was a plant, then inspiration 

would be its flower.  Just like with a plant, our creativity must be cared for - watered, fertilized, pruned and sometimes, repotted.  As writers, we do this in a variety of ways.  Some of us look to nature - we may go for a walk, watch a sunset, or listen to the rain.  Others may focus on something artistic - like painting, scrapbooking, or music.

But what if our tried and true methods don't work and we are stuck with writer's block? Do we shake our fists in frustration? Or do we wait for our muse to take pity on us?  

We might try to incorporate our writing into our daily lives.  Think about the setting of the story.  Where does it take place?  What stands out about the location?  Think about the smells, the tastes...  Could preparing your main character's favorite meal put you in the right frame of mind? What are you waiting for?  Break out those pots and pans!

Now, this isn't my character's favorite dish - but it's one of mine. 

 Hope you enjoy!

Mexican Chicken Casserole

1 - 10 oz pkg of Vigo yellow rice (Cook as directed)

1 onion, chopped

1 stick butter or margarine

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

1 can of Rotel

1/2 lb Velvetta cheese

1 chicken, boiled and deboned

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Boil and debone chicken, pull into small pieces and lay in the bottom of 9x13 pan. Cover with the cooked rice.  Melt butter in pan and add other ingredients.  Heat until cheese melts, stirring frequently. Pour over rice. (Make sure the sauce seeps through the rice to reach the chicken.)  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.