Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables

 This recipe is a keeper!  It was so delicious and so easy to put together.  My husband was CRAZY about this dinner!

All in the crockpot in a very few minutes.

It looks kind of messy, but it was delicious.

Crockpot Chicken and Vegetables

2 or 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut up

1 bag frozen green beans

1 envelope onion soup mix

Put all in crockpot.  Sprinkle with garlic salt, pepper, garlic powder, and salt.

Cut 6 new potatoes in half and add in.  Add a generous portion of minced garlic and 1 box of sliced mushrooms.

Top with 1 stick of butter, cut up.  Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

Parmesan Green Beans

 These beans are delicious and so easy to make.  They really make a tasty and nutritious side .

Parmesan Green Beans

Put 1 bag of frozen green beans into a baking dish.  Top with about 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, Garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  Bake at 400 for about 35 minutes.  Remove from oven and top with parmesan cheese.  Toss together and serve.  

Sauteed Green Beans

 This is one of Michelle's family's regulars.  Jaron, 10 years old, taught me how to make them.

Sauteed Green Beans

2 cans cut green beans, drained

olive oil

Minced garlic, to taste

Paprika, to taste

Crushed red pepper, to taste

Put oil in a large fry pan.  Heat.  Add green beans and spices to taste.  Cook and heat until hot.  

Shepherd's Pie

Comfort food.  Probably everyone knows how to make Shepherd's Pie.  It's one of those dishes you can make any way you want and it's the right way.  In fact, I don't ever make it exactly the same way twice in a row. I usually make it when I have some leftover mashed potatoes, but you can make the  mashed potatoes from scratch or even buy the pre-made ones. There are some secrets, I think to good shepherd's pie:

1) tomato paste

2) sugar

3)and Worcestershire sauce in the Meat mixture.

Shepherd's Pie

Meat Sauce

1 lb. ground beef 

1 large onion, chopped

1 small can tomato paste

Beef broth as needed, usually about 1 cup (you can substitute water)

1 Tablespoon sugar (this balances the tomato)

a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce

Seasoning Salt, Garlic Salt, salt and pepper to taste

1 can green beans 

Any other vegetables you'd like to add.  I usually just do green beans, but you can add  frozen or canned corn, carrots, peas, etc.  

2-4 cups mashed potatoes

Grated Cheese to top

Brown the onion and ground beef in oil until the onion is soft.  Mix in the tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire, and seasonings, and enough broth or water to make a nice thick sauce. Mix well and cook together for a few minutes.   Put the sauce in a sprayed casserole dish (or I just cook the meat mixture in my LaCreuset pan and then leave it in there and layer the other stuff on top and put it in the oven in that.)  Layer next with the green beans and other vegetables.  Top with the mashed potatoes.  If using leftover mashed potatoes (as I usually do), heat them a bit first in the microwave.  Spread overall, then top with plenty of grated cheese, and put in a 350 oven until heated through.  

Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds

These beans are delicious on Thanksgiving or any time.  It's a Tyler Florence recipe, so you know it's going to be good.

Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Almonds
3 lbs. green beans, trimmed
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup butter
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, sliced thin
2 teaspoons thyme
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil the green beans in salted water.   Cook for about 10 minutes.  You can do this in a large skillet, then use the same skillet to finish the dish. Heat the pan and put the almonds in.  Toast, turning frequently for about 3-5 minutes until toasty and golden.  Remove the almonds and heat the pan again on medium heat.  Add the butter and olive oil.  Heat until melted, then add the onions.  Season with salt and pepper.  On medium heat, cook and stir frequently until the onions caramelize and turn golden.  It takes a long time- at least 30 minutes.  Add the thyme and cook another 5 minutes.  Add back the beans and almonds and combine all together.  Add more salt and pepper if needed.   Oh my, these are good!