RANCH MUSHROOMS

 I was planning on grilling some steaks for supper so I decided that I wanted some mushrooms. That gave me the perfect opportunity to try out this appetizer recipe for ranch flavored mushrooms. With only 3 ingredients it went together really quick. Four hours later the mushrooms were tender and had that distinctive ranch flavoring to them. They were very tasty. It was a good thing that only two of us liked mushrooms. We had a few left over for dinner the next night. I would easily double this recipe if I were inviting company for dinner. These mushrooms will go quick especially if you served them with some marina sauce, some cool ranch dip or even just by themselves.

 

 

INGREDIENTS:
1 lbs. of mushrooms
1 stick of butter or margarine
1 pkg of ranch dressing

DIRECTIONS:

Spray a small 2 quart crock pot with PAM. Put the freshly washed mushrooms in the bottom of the pot. Next pour on the ranch dressing and place the stick of butter on top. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.

BROWN SUGAR CROCK POT HAM

Happy Easter everyone! I could hardly wait to post this recipe today. I had bought a spiral sliced ham for our dinner and decided to cook it in the crock pot. It turned out very moist and juicy. The only problem I had with it was it turned brown and just fell off the bone. Otherwise it was very tasty.  My mom and daughter really enjoyed it. The flavor was awesome, probably because of the maple syrup. I think the next time I would use a regular picnic ham and then slice it. Anyway it will make wonderful sandwiches all week long and the bone is already in the freezer for beans!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS:
6-7 lb. ham
2 cups of pineapple juice
¼ cup of maple syrup
1 cup of brown sugar
1 crock pot liner bag

DIRECTIONS:

Place the liner in the crock pot. I used this for two reasons. First for easy clean up and second for easy lifting out of the pot. Next put a layer of brown sugar on the bottom. Then place the ham in with the flat side down. Pat the remaining brown sugar all over the ham. Mix together the maple syrup and pineapple juice and pour into the crock pot along side of the ham. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Now my lid did not fit flush and that’s ok. Put a piece of foil over the top of the ham and make a tent. Then put the top on top of that. The aroma will  seep out and the ham will still cook. Be careful taking the ham out of the crock pot. I tried several different ways and it kept falling off the bone. I finally took the crock pot to the sink and lifted it out by the bag and let all the juice run over in the sink. Then I was able to flip it on its side onto a plate. 

 

 

 P.S. Here are some cool tie dye Easter eggs we made last night from a tutorial from www.momto2poshlildivas.com    

 

 

CROCK POT RANCH PORK CHOPS

Ever get tired of eating the same old dinners each week? I know I do. So I found this recipe for chicken and thought why not just try it on pork chops for a change. It turned out wonderful. My family actually enjoyed it more than my regular pork chops and potatoes that I make. Sometimes change is for the better especially when you’re trying out new recipes. The pork chops were tender and the cream of chicken soup mixed with the ranch dressing provided a nice thick and creamy gravy for the pork chops. I served them with white rice. Didn’t really need a flavored rice because of the tasty ranch flavored gravy. Campbell’s could probably make a fortune if they came out with a cream of ranch flavored soup. Think about it. The base could be either chicken, beef, or even vegetable flavor. Then you wouldn’t need to add the ranch dressing mix. Hidden Valley might not like that idea so much but it would be one less thing to add to the pot. So if you like the flavor of ranch give this recipe a try. I know your family will really enjoy it and want seconds. I even added mushrooms to mine to make it extra good!    

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ LBS. of bone in or boneless pork chops
1 pkg. of ranch dressing
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 can of mushrooms (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Spray the crock pot with PAM. Next place the pork chops and mushrooms in the bottom of the pot. Then sprinkle the ranch dressing on top followed by the soup. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours.

CHICKEN MARENGO

This recipe is so unlike my other recipes. It wasn’t quick or easy, but the end result was well worth the time it took sautéing everything. The breaded chicken in the wine sauce was just heavenly. The aroma of the sautéing vegetables with the wine had my mouth watering. I could hardly wait for dinner. So I settled for a glass a wine instead. I don’t think I would change a thing on this recipe. It was that good. I served it over some angel hair pasta with some crusty French bread. Story has it that Napoleon was served this dish after he won the Battle of Marengo in the early 1800’s. It soon became one of his favorite dinners and he wouldn’t allow his chefs to change anything either. So when you have some time and want to create a truly wonderful tasting dinner give this recipe a try. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup of flour
2 tbs. of butter
2 tbs. of olive oil
1 small onion chopped
1 tsp. of minced garlic
1 cup of white wine
1 14 ½ oz. diced tomatoes
1 cup of chicken broth
1 tsp. of thyme
12 oz. of chopped mushrooms
1 tbs. of basil

DIRECTIONS:

Mix together the salt, pepper, and flour in a small bowl and dredge the chicken. Saute’ the chicken in the olive oil and butter until brown. Spray the crock pot with PAM and place the chicken in the bottom. Then sauté the onion, garlic, and mushrooms. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir. Pour over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Serve over rice or noodles.