Some Different Recipes for Your Slow Cooker or Crockpot: Chowder for Vegetarians and Applesauce

Yes, the crockpots and slowcookers are also for those who don't care for meat. Personally, I eat mostly vegetables because I don't particularly like meat. I grew up with pet animals and never enjoyed eating them. My best friend's family ran a commercial chicken farm. I helped out there, especially after her father's death, and decided I would never eat anything that nasty again! Yes, my dislikes are in my head but so be it! But I know there are many of you out there who don't eat meat for more personal or political reasons. That is your choice and that is fine with me. But I realized almost all my crockpot and slowcooker recipes have meat in them. So in honor of you who don't eat meat, here are a couple of recipes for you. But never fear, meat lovers will enjoy these recipes, too. Just add a sandwich or a chicken breast, etc. and make a meal for all. The Chunky Applesauce is a great and easy way to enjoy apples and by substituting Splenda or other sugar substitutes for the sugar, you can make it a diabetic applesauce. It is also a good way to use up apples if you have too many and they are starting to go soft. And forget buying little jars of baby food applesauce. Your baby will love you for making your own.

BELL PEPPER-CORN CHOWDER
1 cup chopped yellow onion
5 cups frozen whole-kernel corn
2 cans (14-oz each) chicken broth*
1/2 cup water
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 green onions, chopped

Combine all ingredients, except green onions, in a slow cooker or crockpot; stir to blend and cover the pot. Cook on low to medium setting 4 to 6 hours. Before serving sprinkle each bowl with the chopped green onions and a dash of freshly ground black pepper, if desired.

*Vegetable broth may be substituted. I use vegetable broth and frankly, I think it makes a better chowder. The choice is up to you!

CHUNKY APPLESAUCE
10 large apples
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 to 1 cup sugar (depends on natural sweetness of the apples)*

Peel, core, and slice apples. Place the apples into crock pot along with the water, cinnamon, and sugar. Stir gently to combine. Cover the cooker and cook on low overnight or all day (8 to 10) hours. Delicious served warm or can be kept in the refrigerator in a sealed container for around a week.

*Make this a diabetic applesauce by substituting Splenda granular for the sugar. You probably won't need a full cup unless your apples are really tart!

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's slowcooker/crockpot recipes visit her blog at http://grandmasslowcookerrecipes.blogspot.com/

For her quick and easy recipes visit her at http://grandmasquickfixrecipes.blogspot.com/

http://EzineArticles.com/6511723

Football Season Means Snacking and That Means Dips: Try These Recipes at Your Next Football Party

I live in Texas and in Texas football is king. Even the television series Friday Night Lights was based on hometown Texas football. But from what I see from my readers and Facebook page, etc, I believe the love of football is an American tradition is most cities and towns. And football whether tailgating at local games or have a group in to watch the "big" games, means food. For your next gathering, try these Tex-Mex flavored dip recipes. Sarah is famous for her Taco Dip and loves to share this recipe which is quick, easy, and delicious with either tortilla or corn chips. The Ranchero Cheese Dip cooks in the microwave in minutes. It is delicious served with corn chips, tortilla chips, or fresh veggies for those who want an alternative to chips. The last recipe is a throwback to my 1950s childhood in Southern Indiana.

SARAH'S TACO DIP
1 1/2 lbs. hamburger meat
1 package taco seasoning
1 carton sour cream - 8oz
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 medium green (bell) pepper, chopped fine
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/2 lb cheddar cheese, grated

In a skillet, brown the hamburger meat. Stir meat while cooking to crumble. When meat is browned, drain off fat. Spread meat on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan. Let meat cool 5 minutes. Layer on top of meat mixture: sour cream, onion, green pepper, tomatoes, and top with cheese. Serve with tortilla chips or corn chips.

MICROWAVE RANCHERO CHEESE DIP
1 jar (16-oz) American cheese spread
1/4 cup milk
2/3 cup sour cream
2 tbsp tomatoes with green chilies
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

In a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish, combine the cheese, milk, and sour cream. Microwave mixture in a covered dish on high for about a minute, just until softened. Stir and add the Worcestershire sauce and the tomatoes with chilies. Microwave, covered, until heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir before serving. Serve warm with corn chips, tortilla chips, or fresh vegetables.

1950s ERA CHILI CON QUESO
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 tbsp butter
2 medium chopped, seeded tomatoes
1 can (4-oz)diced green chili peppers, drained
1 cup shredded American cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp hot pepper sauce
Chips, your choice of tortilla or corn chips

Cook the onion in the butter in a saucepan until the onion is crisp tender. Add the tomatoes and chili peppers. Simmer the mixture over low heat for 10 minutes. Toss the cheeses with the cornstarch and gradually add to the saucepan. Stir constantly until cheeses are melted. Stir in the hot pepper sauce and cook until mixture is heated through. Serve with the chips. This makes almost 2 cups of queso.

Enjoy! And may your team win!!

For more of Linda's old-fashion recipe collection visit her blog at http://grandmasvintagerecipes.blogspot.com/
For her quick and easy recipe collection visit her at http://grandmasquickfixrecipes.blogspot.com/

http://EzineArticles.com/6511850