Whole Chicken in Crock Pot

Tonight we had a classic.  Chicken, mash potatoes, gravy, and corn.  I cooked a whole chicken in a crock pot with about a cup of water.  Cooked on high till the popper popped up.  Used the the drippings to make a gravy.  Nothing fancy, but thought I would blog about it just to give you a quick and easy home cooked meal.  Hope you had a GREAT night!  :)

Do you love our fine china?  It makes living in a RV a little easier!  :)

Zuppa Toscana Soup

Recipe adapted by Heidi  from Olive Garden .com Photos taken by Heidi   1 lb. spicy Italian sausage - crumbled (I usually add a pinch of red pepper flakes to regular Italian sausage 1/2 lb. smoked bacon - chopped 1 qt. water (2) 14.5 oz. cans (about 3 2/3 cups) chicken broth 8 lg. russet potatoes - scrubbed clean, cubed 2 garlic cloves - peeled, crushed 1 med. onion - peeled, chopped 2 cups chopped kale OR Swiss chard 1 cup heavy whipping cream salt and pepper - to taste Italian cheese to sprinkle on before serving   -In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown sausage, breaking into small pieces as you fry it; drain, set aside. -In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown bacon; drain, set aside. -Place water, broth, potatoes, garlic, and onion in a pot; simmer over medium heat until potatoes are tender. -Add sausage and bacon to pot; simmer for 10 minutes. -Add kale and cream to pot; season with salt and pepper; heat through.

Cheesy Potatoes

Recipe adapted by Heidi, origin unknown 

for 1 9x13  I usually do 1 1/2 bags of Ore-ida crispy crowns or tater tots

Thaw them completely (a MUST) and break them up.

Mix in 1 cans of cream of chicken soup and a 16 oz sour cream.  ( usually just add until I get the consistancy I want.  I like them creamy so when they cook they do not dry out)

add about 8 oz of cheese.

back 350 uncovered for 45 minutes or until done in the center.  I am sure these can be done in the crock pot also.  I have not tried it but I am sure I will very soon and then I will update this.  :)

Tuscany Pork Lion, CROCK POT

Recipe created by Heidi

• 1/2 of a whole pork loin, fat trimmed

• 1 T. salt
• 3 T. minced garlic
• 1 T. basil
• 1 T. thyme
• 1 T.  rosemary
• 2 T. olive oil

• 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 6 medium potatoes, cubed 

Spray crock pot with cooking spray.  Mix spices and oil together then rub pork loin with it.  Cut pork loin into 3 pieces to help it cook faster.  Place pork in crock pot then pour rest of the ingredients on top of the pork.   Cook for 6-8 hours on high.  Just before serving I take the potatoes out and fry them up a little in a skillet to brown them, this is optional.  I cooked mine for 8 hours and the pork just fell apart!  :)