Crockpot Beef Stew

Lately I've been trying to use my crockpot at least once a week. Trying to find "different-to-us" recipes are proving to be more of a challenge.When I found a crockpot stew recipe on Cheat Day Cafe, I knew that I had to try it. I didn't disappoint. It really is as good as it looks.

I made a few tweaks to the original recipe. My version is below. I served it with a loaf of crusty bread and the rest of the family had the stew over rice. Even my kids liked it! (minus the potatoes!)  You can view the original recipe here.

Crockpot Beef Stew

2 packages of stew meat, cut up
2 package of pre-cut carrots
6 potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 C. mushroom, sliced

Mix Together:
1 can cream of celery
1 can cream of mushroom
8oz. tomato sauce
1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix

Layer in Crock Pot:

1. 1/2 meat
2. 1/2 veggies
3. 1/2 sauce
4. remaining meat
5. remaining veggies
6. remaining sauce

Cover and let cook in crock pot for 5 hours on high.

 Very Good!

I'm linking this to

Tasty Tuesday

Crock Pot Wednesday @ Dining with Debbie

Tuesdays at the Table

Crockpot Chicken & Stuffing w/ "Olive Garden" Salad

This is a variation on a recipe that I've made several times but I've never made it in my crockpot. Everyone really liked it so the recipe is a keeper.

I've been trying to use my crockpot at least once a week to give me extra time in the evenings to spend with my kids. We usually use this extra time to catch up on reading or working on the computer but also to just hang out and talk about what's been going on in school.

Crockpot Chicken & Stuffing

1 package (6 ounces) seasoned stuffing crumbs (a "stove top" type stuffing mix)
1 large potato, cut in small dice - I did not add this to the stuffing. Instead, I cooked potatoes seperately as a side dish.
1 bunch green onions, chopped - I used 1 small white onion, diced small
2 ribs celery, chopped - I didn't not add
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, divided
1 to 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins or boneless breasts
1 jar (12 ounces) chicken gravy, such as Heinz Homestyle Chicken Gravy - I used 2

Instructions

In a lightly buttered or sprayed crockpot (Important!), toss stuffing crumbs with diced potato, green onion, celery, 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1/2 cup water. Sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning. Top stuffing with chicken pieces; drizzle with remaining butter and poultry seasoning. Pour gravy over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.

I cooked potatoes to add as a side dish, along with an "Olive Garden" salad.


I found this "Olive Garden" salad recipe on the But Mama, I'm Hungry blog. It is such a cute blog with lots of great recipes.

I made the salad as per the recipe instructions. Although my son, daughter and I really liked the dressing, the mayo threw it off for my husband. I didn't think that the dressing was a dead ringer for Olive Garden but it was good.

Just Like Olive Garden Salad

1 large bag of romaine lettuce salad mix or desired amount of lettuce
1/4 red onion, sliced thin
1/2 can black olives, drained and refrigerated
10 peperoncinci pepper rings
1 tomato, cut into slices
1/2 cup croutons (optional)

1/2 cup garbanzo beans (optional)
desired amount of dressing (recipe below)

Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl, tossing until everything is coated with the salad dressing. Serve and enjoy!

Just Like Olive Garden Salad Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
3 tablespoons corn syrup
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mix all ingredients in a blender until well mixed. Refrigerate any leftovers.

The crockpot chicken and stuffing was found on Alicia's recipes. It's going to be entered into the November Blog Event at Cooking with Alicia & Annie's.


I'm also linking it to Crockpot Wednesday @ Dining with Debbie

Crock Pot Wednesdays - Slow Cooker Beef Tortellini Soup

It was really nice to come home to dinner cooking in the crock pot yesterday after I had been running around all day.

Debbie, from Dining with Debbie, invited me to join in on Crock Pot Wednesday so I thought that I would join in on the fun this week.


I made Slow Cooker Beef Tortellini Soup from Betty Crocker's website.


This recipe was fast and simple to throw together in the morning and it cooked all day on low. It makes your house smell wonderful! I've highlighted any changes that I made to the recipe in bold below.

1lb beef stew meat
1 large onion, chopped (3/4 cup)
1 large carrot, chopped (3/4 cup) - I used 3 large carrots
1 medium stalk celery, chopped (1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped - I used 2 tsp. minced garlic
2 teaspoons sugar
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained - I used 1 lg. 28 oz. can
2 cans (10 1/2 oz each) condensed beef consommé - I used 3 cans of beef broth
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves - I didn't add this. Instead, I used 1 bay leaf
2 cups frozen cheese-filled tortellini - I probably used about 4 C. of tortellini. I dumped 1 and 1/2 bags into the crock pot.
1 cup Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen
cut green beans - I added 2 cans of drained green beans in with the frozen tortellini


1. In 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker, add beef, onion, carrot, celery,
garlic, sugar, tomatoes and beef consommé in order listed.

2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours. My soup was fully cooked within 8 hrs.

3. About 25 minutes before serving, stir in basil, frozen tortellini and
green beans. Increase heat setting to High. Cover; cook about 25 minutes
or until beans are tender. - The tortellini was cooked and hot in 15 minutes in
my crock pot.

**TIP** Make sure to turn the crockpot off once the tortellini is cooked. It will turn mushy if it continues to cook.

I served it with crusty Italian bread. Very good!