[Cook] Smashed Potato Soup

This slow cooker soup recipe is from Better Homes and Gardens. It was very simple, although it did took me a while to peel and chop up all the potatoes. This soup is very filling. Dr. P loves it.


Smashed Potato Soup

3 1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup chopped yellow and/or red sweet pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons bottled roasted garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup whipping cream, half-and-half, or light cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
Sliced green onions (optional)

[Slow Cooker] Chicken Marbella

This recipe came from Woman's Day Magazine. I found the dish to be not salty enough. Even though the chicken turned out good, tender and soft, but the flavor was just alright.


Chicken Marbella
Made famous by the former New York City–based specialty food shop The Silver Palate, this dish is a heady mix of sweet, salty and tangy flavors—the result of pairing pungent olives, capers and prunes with white wine, brown sugar and parsley.

Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours

1/3 cup white wine
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
Kosher salt and pepper
6 cloves garlic, smashed
1 Tbsp capers
1/2 cup prunes
1/3 cup pitted green olives
4 small chicken legs, split (4 drumsticks, 4 thighs; about 2 1/2 lb total), skin removed
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 cup long-grain white rice

[Cook] [Slow Cooker] Corned Beef Dinner

I know it's really late, but this was our St. Patrick's Day's dinner. The recipe came from The Taste of Home Cookbook. I got the cookbook from Borders for only $5 from the bargain bin. Lucky find! I saw corned beef at Costco a week before St. Patrick's Day and almost bought it for about $5/lbs. Then I was doing grocery shopping at Ralphs and saw corned beef on sale for only $0.99/lb. I bought the 3 1/2 lb meat for $4 instead of $20. Another lucky find!  This recipe is really simple, and it turned out great. The corned beef was super tender. The vegetables were full of flavor, especially the cabbage. Dr. P has requested to have this dish every year for St. Patrick's Day.


Corned Beef Dinner
This traditional meal is a must for St. Patrick's Day but great any time of the year. A slow cooker makes it easy.

4 to 5 medium red potatoes, quartered
2 cups fresh baby carrots, halved lengthwise
3 cups chopped cabbage
1 corned beef brisket (3-1/2 pounds) with spice packet
3 cups water
1 tablespoon caraway seeds

[Cook] [Slow Cooker] Asian Braised Pork

I saw this recipe for Slow Cooker Asian Braised Pork in Woman's Day Magazine. I had almost all the ingredients on hand. Only needed to go to the market for the pork. It was very easy to prepare. Pretty much just put everything in slow cooker and forget about it, then prepare the cucumber salad right before the pork is ready.  The pork turned out to be soooooooo tender and soft.  The sauce was a bit on the sweeter side.  I think I would add less brown sugar than the recipe called for the next time.


Slow Cooker Asian Braised Pork

Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours
Servings: 4

1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 2-in. piece fresh ginger, half thinly sliced and half grated
2 1/2 lb boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2-in. pieces
1 cup long-grain white rice
1/4 cup rice vinegar
Kosher salt and pepper
1 seedless cucumber, thinly sliced into half-moons
1/4 sweet onion, thinly sliced