Smoky Sausage and Bean Chili

Smoky Sausage and Bean Chili

The highly anticipated mild Spring temperatures are on their way, so I wanted to squeeze in one last hearty, spicy chili before I really go all out with the lighter fare! This chili is even better because it's made in the slow cooker. The preparation is really easy, and don't you just love coming home at 6:00 to dinner ready to eat? This is a seriously delicious one-pot meal!

Smoky Sausage and Bean Chili
Recipe makes 6-8 servings
Recipe adapted from Slow Cooker Revolution

2 onions, minced
2 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and minced
1/4 cup chili powder
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp dried oregano
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 and 1/2 cups water
1 lb dried navy beans, picked over and rinsed
1 lb kielbasa sausage, sliced 1/2 inch thick
8 oz andouille sausage, sliced 1/2 inch thick (I substituted smoked sausage)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp minced canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce
1 tsp liquid smoke
2 bay leaves
Salt/Pepper
3 scallions, sliced thinly

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the onions, bell peppers, chili powder, oil, garlic, cumin, and oregano, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.

Add the broth, water, beans, sausages, soy sauce, brown sugar, chipotles, liquid smoke, and bay leaves into the slow cooker. Stir together with the vegetable mixture. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, 9 to 11 hours on low (recommended) or 5 to 7 on high.

Before serving, skim any fat from the surface and discard the bay leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and sprinkle scallions on each serving.

Source: http://www.busylittlekitchen.com/2011/03/smoky-sausage-and-bean-chili.html

Freezer Notes: Keli used chicken base in the recipe and we had to add 2 - 3/4 cups of water.

Crockpot Teriyaki Pork

Crockpot Teriyaki Pork for the Freezer

3lbs cut up pork tenderloin
1 onion, sliced
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup sucanat or brown sugar
1t minced garlic
½ t ginger powder

Put all ingredients in a large zip lock bag. Seal the bag and squish around to mix it up. Freeze. On cooking day dump contents into crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours or until meat is cooked and tender. Serve over brown rice.

I gathered all my ingredients together..

Put the ingredients into a gallon size zip lock bag..

Sealed the bag and squished around the ingredients until well mixed and put it in the freezer.

Source: http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/crockpotteriyakiporkforfreezer.htm

Freezer Notes:

Sesame Ginger Turkey Wrap

Sesame-Ginger Turkey Wraps Recipe

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Quick Info:

Servings
Contains Wheat/Gluten Diabetes-Friendly

Nutritional Info (Per serving):

Calories: 207, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 422mg, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Total Fat: 5g, Carbs: 20g, Cholesterol: 67mg, Protein: 20g

Exchanges: Vegetable: 1, Starch: 1, Lean Meat: 2

Carb Choices: 1.5

Recipe Source:

More Diabetic Recipes

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 3 h

Rest Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 3 h 25 mins

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 3 turkey, thighs
• 1 cup(s) sesame-ginger stir-fry sauce
• 1/4 cup(s) water
• 16 ounce(s) broccoli slaw mix
• 12 large tortilla(s), flour
  
• 3/4 cup(s) scallion(s) (green onions)
  

Recipe Tip:

Cook 6 to 7 hours (low), or 3 to 3 1/2 hours (high).

Preparation

1. Lightly coat a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place turkey thighs in slow cooker. In a small bowl stir together stir-fry sauce and the water. Pour over turkey.

2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

3. Remove turkey from slow cooker; cool slightly. Remove turkey from bones; discard bones. Using 2 forks, separate turkey into shreds. Place broccoli in sauce mixture in slow cooker. Stir to coat; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove broccoli from slow cooker.

4. To assemble, place some of the turkey on each tortilla. Top with broccoli mixture and green onions. Spoon sauce from slow cooker on top of green onions. Roll up and serve immediately.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/health-recipe/sesameginger-turkey-wraps.aspx

Feezer Notes:

 

Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

We love cordon bleu, but I knew I had a lot to do today and ran across this recipe at All Recipes and thought it would be the perfect substitute!  It was SO easy and was very delicious!

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk
4 ounces sliced ham
4 ounces sliced Swiss cheese
1 (8 ounce) package herbed dry bread stuffing mix
1/4 cup butter, melted

Mix together the cream of chicken soup and milk in a small bowl. Pour enough of the soup into a slow cooker to cover the bottom. Layer chicken breasts over the sauce. Cover with slices of ham and then Swiss cheese. Pour the remaining soup over the layers, stirring a little to distribute between layers. Sprinkle the stuffing on top, and drizzle butter over stuffing. Cover, and cook on Low for 4 to 6 hours, or 2 to 3 hours on High. 

Source:  http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/06/slow-cooker-chicken-cordon-bleu.html

FREEZING NOTES:

Slow Cooker Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches

 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs beef round steak
• 1 medium green pepper, sliced thin
• 1 medium onion, sliced thin
• 14 oz vegetable or beef broth
•  envelope Italian dressing mix
• large loaf French bread, sliced into sandwich length
• 6 slices provolone cheese
• 2 c sliced mushrooms

How to make it

• Spray crock pot with cooking spray
• Cut meat into strips, place in slow cooker
• Add green pepper, onion, broth, and dressing mix
• Cover and cook on low 7-8 hours, or high 3-4 hours
• Add sliced mushrooms the last 30 minutes of cooking
• Spoon meat mixture onto bread, top with a slice of cheese

Another option is to toast bread in a 375 oven for 5-10 minutes, add meat, cover with cheese, then bake an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Suggestion: If you like spice, add a thin layer of horseradish cream to the bread.

Notes for freezing: 

I put each of the veggies and the cheese into separate sandwich bags. I put the meat in a different bag with the broth & seasoning mixture. 

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Salt and pepper
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon sesame oil

2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8-1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 6 Tablespoons water
Sesame seeds

Directions:
Season both sides of chicken with lightly with salt and pepper, put into crock pot.

In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, oil, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over chicken.

Cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high 1 1/2 – 2 1/2 hours, or just until chicken is cooked through.

Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce. Dissolve 4 teaspoons of cornstarch in 6 tablespoons of water and pour into crock pot. Stir to combine with sauce. Replace lid and cook sauce on high for ten more minutes or until slightly thickened.

Cut chicken into bite size pieces, then return to pot and toss with sauce before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.

Notes:
*You can also sprinkle more red pepper flakes on top if you want more heat

* If the sauce is too thin, try cooking it in a sauce pan instead

* For a lower carb version, decrease honey to ¾ cup.  Double garlic and add ginger for more flavor during cooking

Source Notes:
http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-honey-sesame-chicken-recipe.html
http://www.skinnymommy.com/2012/01/skinny-honey-sesame-chicken.html
 

Mine [Amy's] was a modified version from two sources, but when you Google it, every site has the same recipe.

 

Cranberry Pork or Beef Roast

Super Simple Cranberry Roast (beef or pork) Slow Cooker Recipe