Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe is part of the 9 Organic Meals from Costco for $100 Plan. 

I love simple, load and go meals in the slow cooker. They make my life simple…and I especially love this one because my entire family will eat this without a grumble. Including the 18 month old!

With this recipe, it helps to have the chicken cooked ahead of time and shredded. You can cook your chicken in the slow cooker and then shred up all the chicken meat and freeze it in 2-3 cup portions (or more if you have a larger family). It thaws quickly in a bowl of warm water, or over night in the fridge.

Note: This recipe is written for 4 servings. The plan calls for a double batch, so if your slow cooker is larger enough, you could make a double batch. If it is not large enough and you wish to make a double batch, you can cook this in a larger stockpot on the stovetop. Add all ingredients except for the tortilla chips and bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.

Yield – 4 servings

Preparation Time – 10 minutes

Cooking Time – 8 hours in slow cooker, 1 hour on stovetop

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken, made from whole chicken
• 1 quart chicken stock
• 2 cups corn
• 1 cup Salsa
• 1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 15 oz. can black beans
• 1-2 tsp ground cumin, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Tortilla chips, crushed
• Shredded cheese, optional garnish
• Fresh cilantro, optional garnish
• Mixed Greens for side salsa

• Add all ingredients except the tortilla chips and optional garnishes to the slow cooker. Stir them together and set the slow cooker on low for 8 hours.
• Before serving, add the crushed tortilla chips into the soup and let them soak up some of the liquid.
• Top with shredded cheese, cilantro, or other favorite tex-mex toppings.
• Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup with side salad.

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Crock Pot Whole Chicken/ Chicken Broth

RECIPE: THE BEST WHOLE CHICKEN IN A CROCK POT

 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne (red) pepper
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 onion
• 1 large chicken

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine the dried spices in a small bowl.
2. Loosely chop the onion and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
3. Remove any giblets from the chicken and then rub the spice mixture all over. You can even put some of the spices inside the cavity and under the skin covering the breasts.
4. Put prepared chicken on top of the onions in the slow cooker, cover it, and turn it on to high. There is no need to add any liquid.
5. Cook for 4 – 5 hours on high (for a 3 or 4 pound chicken) or until the chicken is falling off the bone. Don't forget to make your homemade stock with the leftover bones!

NOTES

We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.

Another great trick (that I learned from a friend!) is that after you pick off the good chicken meat you can leave the bones in the crock pot to make some stock. I usually start the chicken stock after dinner by filling it to the top with water, and then adding whatever I have on hand…bay leaf, carrot, celery, onion, parsley and/or thyme. Even if I am missing parsley or celery I still make it anyway, and it always turns out just fine. I keep it on low all night, and then in the morning I strain it into 1 or 2 cup Tupperware containers to store in the freezer. It works great and couldn’t be easier!

Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large eggs, beaten to blend
• 2 cups cooked chicken
• 2 large peeled and finely diced carrots
• 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
• salt and pepper
• 1/3 cup tamari (or reduced sodium soy sauce)

Instructions

1. Cook brown rice according to package directions. Once cooked, place in bowl in the refrigerator while cooking the rest of the ingredients.
2. Thaw peas by running under warm water.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet. Add the eggs and scramble. Remove and set aside.
4. Add remaining oil to skillet. Add the carrots and peas and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the cooled rice and chicken and cook until warmed through. Stir in the eggs. Add tamari, taste, then add salt and pepper as needed.

Peanut Butter Dip

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 lime
• Apples, sliced

Instructions

1. Mix together the peanut butter and yogurt. 
2. Squeeze the 1/2 lime juice over and mix in.
3. Serve with apple slices.

Oatmeal Pancakes

Oatmeal Pancakes

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup oat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 cups cooked oatmeal
• 1/2 cup organic vanilla soymilk (may substitute any type milk)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 eggs, beaten
• olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat large skillet or griddle to medium.
2. In a large bowl, combine oat flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a medium bowl, combine oatmeal, soymilk, maple syrup, vanilla, and eggs.
4. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
5. Grease the skillet or griddle with olive oil. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto skillet. Cook until bubbles appear. Flip and cook and additional 1 minute on other side.
6. Serve warm.

Carrot Bake

Golden Carrot Bake

Ingredients

• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2/3 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup chopped onion

Instructions

1. Combine carrots, water, brown rice, salt and pepper in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover. Cook for 25 minutes - do NOT drain.
2. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, preheat oven to 350.
3. Stir in cheese, milk, eggs and onion. Transfer to a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Bake for one hour.

Lasagna Soup

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

Ingredients 
1 lb ground turkey (or ground beef)
1 cup of vegetable broth
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
1 Tablespoon dried basil
½ cup chopped onion
1, 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
1, 6 oz can of tomato paste
2 small cans of tomato soup
2 cups uncooked bow tie pasta

1 can of kidney beans (optional)
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Optional topping- shredded cheese

Directions
Brown your turkey and onions on the stove top. Add the turkey and onions (when they are done cooking) to the crock pot. Next add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, garlic, parsley, basil, tomato soups ,bean, salt and pepper.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
30 minutes before you are ready to serve, boil some water and cook your pasta. When the pasta is done cooking throw it in the crock pot and stir until it is all combined.

Pizza Pockets

Homemade Pizza Pockets

Author: Six Sisters Stuff

Recipe type: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep time:  10 mins

Cook time:  15 mins

Total time:  25 mins

Serves: 6

 

These pizza pockets are the perfect handheld food for little kids!

Ingredients

• 12 frozen rhodes dinner rolls
• 24 slices pepperoni
• 2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup pizza sauce

Instructions

1. Thaw rolls according to directions on the package.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. After the rolls are thawed (but not risen), stretch out each roll and lay it flat on a greased cookie sheet.
4. Spoon a small amount of pizza sauce onto each roll. Top with a small handful of shredded cheese, and two pepperonis.
5. Fold the dough over the toppings and pinch the edges together. Try to not have any holes in your dough, as your cheese will melt out of it.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool a few minutes before serving.
   

Salisbury Steak

Salisbury Steak

Author: Six Sisters Stuff

Recipe type: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep time:  10 mins

Cook time:  20 mins

Total time:  30 mins

Serves: 4

This Salisbury Steak is a simple, hearty meal that's perfect for Sunday Dinner - but it's easy enough that you can make it any night of the week!

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• ¼ cup italian bread crumbs
• 1.4 oz dry french onion recipe mix (I used Knorr's)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 12-oz jar of beef gravy (I used heinz homestyle beef gravy)

Instructions

1. Mix together the ground beef, bread crumbs, french onion mix, egg and water. Shape the mixture into 4 oval-shaped patties, about ½" thick.
2. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and warm up over medium heat.
3. Add the patties to the skillet and cook for 10 minutes on each side.
4. Drain the grease from the skillet, and then add in the jar of gravy.
5. Continue to cook in the gravy, covered, for 10 more minutes, flipping halfway through.
   

Pie Filling

3/4 Cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons Corn Starch
3 Tablespoons Lemon Jello
1 Cup water

Combine and bring to a boil. Add a tablespoon of butter as it is cooling.

Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Candy bars

Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter No-Bake Candy Bars
**these are a healthy snack and to die for!!**
it is sorta like a chocolate oatmeal no bake cookie, but extra creamy and special. it almost reminds me of fudge, but with the added texture of the oats and occasional chewy sweetness of the dried cranberries--yum!
**I doubled her recipe

1 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil (no substitutes, this is what gives its creamy texture and flavor)
2 cups oats (not instant)
1 1/4 cups mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup dried cranberries

In a medium sized saucepan, melt together peanut butter, honey and coconut oil.
Remove from heat and add oats, chocolate chips and dried cranberries. Stir until combined and chocolate chips are melted.
Spread into a 9x13 pan. Refrigerate until hardened, about an hour. Store in refrigerator.

Quick and Easy Shepherds Pie

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

Quick and Easy Shepherd's Pie

This is one of my "go-to" recipes when I need something quick, warm, and filling. My kids love it with ketchup on top (who am I kidding? I do too!) and this is one of those recipes my whole family enjoys. It makes a huge 9x13" pan, so sometimes I will freeze half of it and save for another day (hooray for freezer meals!).

Quick and Easy Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef (or turkey)

1 can condensed tomato soup

1 can condensed minestrone soup

1 can green beans

4 cups mashed potatoes

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Brown hamburger and drain. Add soup and green beans; season with salt and pepper. Pour into large 9x13 casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes (real potatoes are the best, but if you are in a hurry, instant potatoes will work fine! If you are in a BIG hurry, I have even thrown frozen tater tots on top and it works great!). Spread cheese on top of potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Vanilla Pudding Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/4 C. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 C. butter or margarine ( I substitute 1/2 of this for applesauce)
1/4 C. white sugar
3/4 C. brown sugar
1 Pkg. (big box size) instant vanilla pudding
2 eggs
3 1/2 C. rolled oats

Choc chips, raisins, I like cran raisins and white chocolate chips

Combine butter, sugar and pudding, then add applesauce and eggs, then add the dry ingredients.

Bake 350 for 10-12 min.

Ultimate Healthy Smoothie

Orange juice concentrate (start with 1/3 cup or so, can always add more)
banana
pineapple
cherries
(I add frozen plums too, but optional)
spinach
kale
beats
carrots
agave nectar or honey to add sweetness
ice cubes, or if you have all your fruit frozen ahead you may not need ice
add water to desired consistency!

This will turn a pretty red color and hide all the green veggies!

Strawberry Banana milkshake

1/3 Cup welches white grape, welches white grape peach or apple juice concentrate
1 banana
1 Cup strawberries
milk to desired consistency

Blend well, this tastes just like an ice cream milk shake! this is ball park measurements, I never measure! You could also put other kinds of berries in with this (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)

You can also do a peach/banana smoothies exactly the same way by putting in peaches instead of strawberries!

Peach Carrot smoothie

1/3 cup welch's white grape peach juice
1/2 cup water
1 Tablespoon honey
6 baby carrots
3/4 cup frozen peaches
1 to 1 1/2 cups ice

I never measure this stuff, just a ball park idea of what you need! Super yummy and healthy!

Texus Fudge Cake

Bring to boil

2 cubes butter
1 cup water
4 Tablespoons cocoa

Have ready in a mixing bowl

2 Cups flour
2 Cups sugar
1/2tsp salt

While beater is going pour hot mixture over flour mixture

Blend in

two eggs
1/2 Cup milk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

Mix well, grease and flour pan and bake 375 for 30 min. Can do in a 9x13 pan or for thinner brownies do in a cookie sheet!

let cool and sprinkle powdered sugar on top and then cut into squares!

Homemade Granola

Homemade Granola



1 gallon (at least one standard canister from store) regular rolled
oats (NOT quick oats)—optional: add rolled wheat

1 cup oil (olive or vegetable)

1 cup honey

1 1/2 cup water

3 Tbls. Vanilla

1 tsp. salt

2 cups chopped almonds

1 pckg. Coconut (grated or shredded)



Optional:

1/2+ cup Wheat germ

1/2+ cup Flax seed (milled)



Combine dry ingredients.  Combine wet ingredients, pour over dry
ingredients.  Mix thoroughly till dry mixture is completely coated.

Spread onto jelly roll pans (makes about 3 pans) and bake at 275
convection bake for 1-1 ½ hours or until toasted to desire.

Watch and rotate granola with a spatula every 15-30 minutes so it
doesn’t burn on edges. (more frequent rotating at the end)

Healthy Green Smoothie Recipe

Healthy Green Smoothie Recipe:

(This makes 1 serving)

1/2 c. apple or orange juice

1 c. of spinach

1 banana

1 c. frozen mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries and blackberries)

Add juice and spinach to then blender and blend well. Add banana and frozen fruit and blend together.

*You can add water to reach your desired consistency.