Crockpot Beef Stew…

As I type, we are getting hit with an ice storm on top of a couple inches of snow. This winter has been a doozy. I don't know about you but all this cold and snow makes me want to curl up with some piping hot comfort food. This Crockpot Beef Stew is a tried and true family favorite. 

You'll need: 

• 2 lbs of beef (any inexpensive cut will do)
• 1 bag of baby carrots
• 3 potatoes peeled and cut into cubes
• 1/2 medium onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 package of Knorr Vegetable mix
• 1 bottle of beer 
• 1 cup of water

I place the meat in the crock pot and then cover with the remaining ingredients to cover evenly. 

Then I pour the beer over the top. Any beer will do, but I always choose a more full-bodied beer for flavor. Then I fill up the bottle with water and pour that in as well. Cook on low 5-7 hours or 3-4 on high. The beef should just shred apart with a fork at this point. Salt and pepper to taste.

We had a lot left over, so a couple days later I spread crescent rolls on the bottom of a casserole dish, added in the leftover stew and topped with mashed potatoes. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. 

Two meals in one. Stay warm my friends! 

Big Ed's white chicken chili....

It's no secret that I love a good slow cooker recipe, especially in the winter. Sundays are usually our crockpot days. This past weekend, when my husband requested white chicken chili, I knew just who to call... my dad. He has a "world famous" recipe that's quite a hit around the neighborhood. And now I'm sharing it with you. 

BIG ED'S WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
1 1/2 lb boneless chicken breasts
1 cup dried Great Northern beans, rinsed
1/2 medium onion, diced
2 cloves of garlic
2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp of salt
2 cans cream of chicken soup
4 cups of chicken stock or water
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp hot sauce
1 can diced green chiles

Combine all of the ingredients except cumin, hot sauce and chiles in a crock pot. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked thoroughly. One hour before serving, shred the chicken in the crockpot with two forks and then add in the cumin, hot sauce and can of chiles. Continue cooking. Serve with cheese, sour cream and oyster crackers.

It was met with rave reviews and will now become a strong player in the slow cooker recipe rotation.

Hope you enjoy it too!