Believe in the Magic Traci Diary

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  • Crockpot Homemade Applesauce

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge.  Every dayy in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to apreviouslys posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    wpid-im-hungry.jpg

    The Imaginative One LOVES apples.  Actually, that’s an understatement; he adores apples and will eat all the way to the core and even around the seeds.  He loves to pack them for lunch.

    Since it’s fall, apples are plentiful, so I decided I would try to make some applesauce in the crock pot.  I’ve made it on the stove, so I followed the same method but in the crock pot instead.

    While the apples were cooking, the boys and I went on an adventure.  The in the Dayton areaWright Brothers lived in the Dayton areaWright Brothers lived in the Dayton area and tested out the airplane.  I’m so fortunate that I live about 5 miles from where they tested the airplane after the December 17, 1903 flight.  We went to the Interpretive Center and then down to the Huffman Dam, which was built after the Great Flood of 1913.  After we were done with our walk, we drove through the local university because it has beautiful fall foliage, especially in one area.

    Click on the picture to see more pictures from our adventure.

    DSC00413

    Homemade Applesauce

    Crockpot Homemade Applesauce

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 to 2 pounds of apples, cored and cut into cubes
    • 2 cinnamon sticks
    • water

    Steps:

    1. Cut up apples.
    2. Place in a 2 – 3 quart crockpot.
    3. Add water to just below the top of the apples.
    4. Add the cinnamon sticks.
    5. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until the apples are tender.
    6. Pour out the majority of the water.
    7. Blend in small batches in a blender.  (Add sugar at this point if you want to.)
    8. Enjoy!
    Screen-Shot-2014-10-01-at-1.48.07-PM

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    Click on this link to check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

  • Weekly Ramblings and Bramble Beans (Day 24)

    Next week is the last Saturday of the 31-day writing challenge. The family enjoyed all the meals and desserts. And sides created in the slow cooker. It’s renewed my interest in cooking. The family never knows what I’m whipping up in the kitchen.

    This week I’ve shared two of our favorite ways to cook meat.

    1. Crockpot chicken
    2. Crockpot BBQ ribs – Our favorite brand of barbecue sauce is Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce. You could also use my recipe for root beer barbecue sauce.

    Here are the other recipes I’ve shared this week:

    Homemade Whipped Cream
    Caramel Apple Crisp
    Stuffed Pepper Soup
    Stuffed Pepper Soup
    Spanish Style Chicken Noodle Soup
    Spanish Style Chicken Noodle Soup
    Taco Meat
    Taco Meat

    (Click the pictures to see the posts where I shared each recipe.)

    I'm Hungry

    This week I had parent-teacher conferences on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The crock pot was helpful those two nights because I could have dinner for the boys and Hubby. On Tuesday, they had crockpot chicken and leftovers for their sides.

    Then on Thursday, I cooked up bramble beans. Hubby did not eat any beans because he had a big lunch. I did eat them when I got home that night.

    Here is a funny story about the bramble beans – Hubby thought I had made meatloaf because he briefly looked into the pot. He took the crockpot over to my mother-in-law’s house since she would watch the boys. Hubby also heated up some mixed veggies.

    The boys refused to eat any of the beans, so my kind mother-in-law pulled out the meat.

    I like this dish. The brown sugar used to make the sauce gives it a sweetness my taste buds appreciate.

    Bramble Beans

    I’ve also made this dish for a Boy Scouts’ potluck. It was well received by those who tasted it. I was left with almost nothing or nothing when I took the crockpot home.  

    Bramble Beans

    adapted from Eat at Home

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 2 – 15 oz. cans of pork and beans
    • 1 – 15 oz. can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
    • 1 lb. hamburger, browned or 2 c. bulk-cooked hamburger
    • 1 small onion, diced
    • 1 c. ketchup
    • 2 Tbsp. mustard
    • 2 Tbsp. vinegar
    • 4 Tbsp. brown sugar

    Steps:

    1. Place ground beef, kidney beans, onions, pork, and beans in the crock pot.
    2. Mix the ketchup, mustard, vinegar, and brown sugar in a small bowl.
    3. Pour the ketchup mixture over the ingredients in the crockpot.
    4. Cook on low for 5 hours.

    Here is a picture of the beautiful fall foliage. The boys and I went for a walk today.

    DSC00346
    http://write31days.com/

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

  • Homemade Whipped Cream

    My family loves homemade whipped cream.  We eat it on desserts such as the crockpot caramel apple crisp or put it on fancy coffee drinks such as pumpkin spice latte.

    This is an easy recipe.  Actually, I usually start the whipped cream in the mixer while I’m finishing up other dishes.  Don’t worry; I still keep an eye on it.

    I use my Kitchen Aid to make the whipped cream with the whisk attachment. You could make this with a hand mixer also.

    Homemade Whipped Cream

    Homemade Whipped Cream

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 c. heavy whipping cream
    • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
    • 1 to 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract

    Steps:

    1. Place all 3 ingredients in the mixing bowl.
    2. Starting on the lowest speed, whip up the whipping cream.
    3. After 2 minutes, increase to a higher speed.
    4. Whip for approximately 3 more minutes until there are peaks and it holds its form.
    5. Enjoy your favorite dessert, fancy drink, or even dessert.

  • Crockpot Caramel Apple Crisp (Day 23)

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge. Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    wpid-im-hungry.jpg

    I’m over two-thirds of the way through the challenge. I’ve shared a dip, main dishes, and soups. This is the first time I’ve shared a dessert.

    Last Saturday, Hubby and I were discussing how I’m planning to make most of our Thanksgiving dinner in the crock pot. He told me I would probably make an apple crisp in the crock pot for our Thanksgiving dinner.

    He didn’t know I had planned to make a crisp in the crock pot for our Sunday dinner.

    Every Sunday, we have dinner with my mother-in-law. Sometimes she cooks, or we go out to eat. Recently I’ve been cooking dinner. The majority of the meal was cooked in the crock pot. The whipped cream and veggies were the only meals not cooked in the crock pot.

    This dessert was delicious. I put the caramel drizzle on the crisp. It really didn’t that drizzle. The crisp was sweet enough without it.

    This crisp is especially delicious with whipped cream on top. I usually make my own whipped cream now. Homemade whipped cream is delicious and yummy!

    Caramel Apple Crisp

    Crock Pot Caramel Apple Crisp

    adapted from Crockpot Ladies

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 (11 oz.) individually wrapped caramels
    • 10 apples, diced (I used gala.)
    • 1/2 c. brown sugar
    • 2 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice or 1 tsp. Ground cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. cloves
    • 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

    Topping

    • 1/2 c. cold unsalted butter (1 stick) cut into small pieces
    • 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
    • 1 c. old-fashioned oatmeal
    • 2 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice or 1/2 tsp. Ground cinnamon and a pinch of cloves

    Caramel Drizzle

    • 1 jar of caramel ice cream topping

    Steps:

    1. Spray a 6-quart crock pot or casserole crock pot with cooking spray.
    2. Unwrap the caramels. Cut each caramel in half. Place in crockpot.
    3. Add apples, spices, and flour to the caramels. Mix well.
    4. In a small bowl, add the topping ingredients.
    5. Using 2 butter knives or a pastry blender to cut the butter until it’s a nice crumbly mixture.
    6. Spread the topping over the apples and caramels.
    7. Cover. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
    8. Enjoy with whipped cream and the caramel drizzle!
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    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest. Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    Click on this link to check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

  • 31 Days of Slow Cooking – Crockpot bbq ribs

    Reposted from January 2011

    I'm Hungry

    When it’s a work day, I often want easy meals. I need to have dinner on the table soon after I get home. This has to be done before my hubby goes to work.  This recipe is super easy because it cooks while I’m at work.  The smells that meet me at the door are divine and make my stomach rumble in anticipation of the meal.

    What to eat with the BBQ ribs

    Crockpot Ribs

    • Servings: 4
    • Difficulty: easy
    • Print

    Cookingwithtraci.wordpress.com

    Change up the BBQ sauce.


    Ingredients

    • bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
    • 2 pounds of ribs (boneless or bone-in)
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • diced onions, optional

    Directions

    1. Place the ribs and onions in the bottom of the crock pot. Season with salt and pepper.
    2. Dump the bottle of the crockpot.
    3. Put a tablespoon or two of water in the bottom of the BBQ bottle. Swish to get the last of the BBQ sauce.
    4. Pour into the crockpot.
    5. Cook on low for 7 or 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours.
    6. Enjoy.

  • Stuffed Pepper Soup (Day 21)

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge.  Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    Last night, my school had parent-teacher conferences.  Even though I only had one parent show up, last night was productive.  The parent who came was crying happy tears because of how much more confident her child has become this year.

    Later, after talking for a while, we both realized we were Christians.  The mom told another staff member and me about a great Christian singer, Jonathan McReynolds.  I ended up listening to his song “Pressure.”  It’s such a great song with a great message.

    I hope you enjoyed listening to the message from Jon.  He is truly blessed by God.

    wpid-im-hungry.jpg

    Anyway, onto the recipe for today.

    I made stuffed pepper soup on Monday using some of the bulk hamburgers I cooked up over the weekend.  I put the rice in the slow cooker when I put the rest of the ingredients in it.  The rice ended up falling apart after being cooked for that long.

    If you make the soup and decide to put the rice in at the beginning, use brown rice instead of white, like I did.  Or cook the rice at the end and then put it in the bowls as you serve the soup.  It’s your decision.

    Oh, I used a 6-quart crock pot.

    Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Stars of the recipe:

    • 1 lb of ground beef, browned or 2 c. bulk hamburger from the freezer
    • 1 15 oz. can of tomato sauce
    • 2 15 oz. cans of diced tomatoes with juices or 1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
    • 1 c. beef broth
    • 1 16 oz. bag of frozen pepper stir fry mix
    • salt and pepper, to taste
    • 1 c. brown rice
    • cheddar cheese to top the soup

    Steps:

    1. Place all ingredients into your crock, except cheese and rice, if you make the rice at the end.
    2. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
    3. (OPTIONAL STEP)  If you opted to make the rice at the end, make the rice.  Place about 1/4 c. of cooked rice in the bowls before serving.
    4. Serve with cheese.
    Stuffed Pepper Soup
    Screen-Shot-2014-10-01-at-1.48.07-PM

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

  • 31 Days of Slow Cooking – Spanish Style Chicken Noodle Soup

    Today is going to be a short post because of parent-teacher conferences.  I’m going to feature a recipe from the blog.

    I'm Hungry

    We love Spanish-style chicken noodle soup.  The soup features orzo instead of egg noodles.  The original recipe called for it to be made on the stovetop.  I adapted it for the slow cooker, which is the only way I make it now.

    The recipe calls for raw chicken breast, but you can use already cooked chicken if you have any already cooked chicken.

    Click on the picture to go to the recipe.

    Spanish Style Chicken Noodle Soup
    Spanish Style Chicken Noodle Soup
    http://write31days.com/

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    Click on this link to check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

  • Menu Plan Monday – October 19, 2015 (Day 19)

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    This week is a crazy week.  I’ve got Parent-Teacher conferences on Tuesday and Thursday.   So having food in the crockpot makes sense.  Hubby will not have to worry about what to feed the boys.

    Menu Plan Monday
    Menu Plan Monday

    Monday – Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Tuesday – Crock pot chicken, Leftover Mashed Potatoes Macaroni and Cheese, Veggies

    Wednesday – Spanish Style Chicken Noodle Soup

    Thursday – Bramble Beans and Homemade Applesauce

    Friday – Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup, Grilled Cheese

    I'm Hungry

    Recipe from My Blog

    Since it’s Monday, I’m going to share one of my recipes from my blog.  Did you know that you can cook a whole chicken in a crockpot?  It’s the only way I “roast” a chicken for the family.  In the mornings, I prep the chicken, place it in the crockpot, and then eat it for dinner.

    You can freeze the chicken for other meals.  So it’s a win-win!

    Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of the chicken.  Here is the link to the blog post:  Crockpot chicken.

    So what can you do with the remaining chicken that you froze?  Here are a few recipes that use already-cooked chicken:

    Buffalo Wing Chicken Salad
    Buffalo Wing Chicken Salad
    Monterrey Chicken Quesadillas
    Monterrey Chicken Quesadillas

    Blog Spotlight

    Here is another great blog that features crock pot meals – Recipes that Crock.  Cris has a lot of recipes that utilizes the crockpot.  She has breakfast, lunch, and dinner recipes.  There are also recipes for desserts.

    As I have done in weeks past, I’m going to feature two recipes that I would like to try from the blog.

    1. Crockpot Beef and Noodles – This sounds absolutely delicious!  I love beef and noodles so I can’t wait until I cook this.
    2. Crockpot Corn on the Cob – We love eating corn on the cob at our house.  Next summer, I will use this recipe to make corn on the cob.  I won’t even have to heat up the kitchen with this recipe.  Maybe I would cook up some baked potatoes simultaneously for a quick dinner.
    http://write31days.com/

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    Click on this link to check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

    This post is linked to Menu Plan Monday.

  • Taco Meat (Day 18)

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge.  Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    wpid-im-hungry.jpg

    The Wee One loves tacos.  He will eat 2 to 3 tacos when I make tacos for him, which is good because he needs to eat.

    On Friday, the Imaginative One would not be around for dinner.  Hubby and I had plans with my co-workers. So I decided to make tacos for the Wee One and my mother-in-law, who would be watching him.  He loved this recipe.  In fact, he ate 3 tacos on Friday night.

    Taco Meat

    Taco Meat

    Stars of the recipe:

    Steps:

    1. Place the browned ground beef in the slow cooker.
    2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the ground beef.
    3. Pour water over the ground beef.
    4. Cook on low for 4 hours.  It will be soupy.  Just use a slotted spoon to get the meat out of the slow cooker.
    5. Enjoy the tacos with your favorite fixings!

    For a printable version of this recipe, click on this link.

    Screen-Shot-2014-10-01-at-1.48.07-PM

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    To check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge, click on this link.

    Happy eating,
    Traci

  • Weekly Ramble – October 17, 2015

    I’ve signed up for a 31-day writing challenge.  Every day in October, I post a new slow cooker recipe, a link to a previously posted slow cooker recipe, or a recipe from another blog.

    This week I’ve shared many recipes.  Click on the pictures of the recipes to go to the recipe.

    potato soup
    Potato Soup

    To save the recipe on Pinterest

    Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast
    Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    To save the recipe on Pinterest.

    Crockpot Ravioli
    Crockpot Ravioli

    To save the recipe on Pinterest.

    Slow Cooker Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes
    Slow Cooker Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes

    To save the recipe on Pinterest.

    Easy Pulled Pork
    Easy Pulled Pork and an Easy Trick to shred the pork

    To save the recipe on Pinterest.

    Balsamic Roast
    Balsamic Roast

    To save the recipe on Pinterest.

    Last Sunday, we went to an Apple Butter Festival for our lunch.  We didn’t eat any apple butter because the line was SUPER long.  The boys got to help stir the apple butter while it was cooking.  They really enjoyed doing that.

    apple fest

    On Wednesday, I went with my school down to Cincinnati to the Freedom Center.  For some reason, the class I was chaperoning and another class went to the third floor.  The rest of the classes went to the second floor.  Since I was on the third floor, I had a great view of the Ohio River.  While the other chaperones were watching the restrooms, I watched the students who were not in the bathroom.  I took that opportunity to quickly take a picture of the view.

    Later in the day, Google pictures stylized the picture.  I love the look of the picture because it looks like a postcard.  (Click on the picture to find more information about the Freedom Center.  It’s an interesting place.)

    View of the Ohio River from the Freedom Center

    When I did my research for slow cooking recipes, I noticed a few of the recipes used a casserole Crockpot.  I was interested in the casserole Crockpot and decided I was going to treat myself to one for completing the 31 day writing challenge.  One reason I want it is to use it on Thanksgiving.  I’m going to be cooking the side dishes and desserts for Thanksgiving while my mother-in-law cooks the turkey.

    On Thursday I was at Target and quickly looked at the crock pot aisle.  I found the casserole Crockpot on sale for $29.  So I took it as a sign that I needed that crockpot then.  This morning I made Hubby and Wee One French toast and bacon and then put it in the casserole Crockpot to keep warm until they were ready to eat breakfast.

    French toast and bacon

    So very convenient!

    I'm Hungry

    Today’s slow cooker meal is not a real meal but a kitchen tip.  Did you know you can make freezer kits for slow cooking meals?  It makes life so much easier.  Make a batch ahead of time.  Then place the meals into freezer bags.  The night before you are going to cook the dinner, pull the meal out of the freezer into the fridge to allow it defrost.  Then on the morning you are going to cook the meal, you just put the food in the slow cooker.  (Sometimes I don’t even defrost the meal.)

    I saw a great idea where you make the bags and place inside a bread pan.  Then you freeze the bag inside the bread pan.  The freezer bag would be a perfect size for the freezer and the food inside would fit into the crockpot.

    Here is the blog post about freezer kits with some links of blogs that have great slow cooking recipes that could be frozen.

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    If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Facebook or Pinterest.  Here is a link to my Facebook page and my Pinterest page.

    Click on this link to check out the rest of the recipes I’ve shared during this challenge.

    Happy eating,
    Traci