Forgotten Jambalaya

I love crockpot recipes because I can put everything together in the morning, go to class, come home and have a warm meal ready for me and my family. This recipe could not have been easier and was the perfect dish to warm our stomachs after all the freezing weather we've been having this winter!

Forgotten Jambalaya
Source: Taste of Home Magazine (February and March 2008)
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours
Makes: 11 servings

Ingredients:
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz) beef or chicken broth
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
2 medium green peppers, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 tsp dried parsley flakes
2 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pound smoked sausage, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Hot cooked rice

Instructions:
1. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, broth, and tomato paste. Stir in green peppers, onion, celery, garlic and seasonings. Stir in chicken and sausage.
2. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until chicken is tender. Stir in shrimp. Cover and cook 15-30 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink. Serve with rice.

Forgotten Jambalaya

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

My sorority decided on a "dip night" for the first night of recruitment. Since everyone else was bringing savory dips, I decided to bring a dessert dip to add some variety. It didn't last long with the group of girls!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip
Source: Slow Roasted Italian (LINK)
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Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
pinch salt

Instructions:
1. Melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Add brown sugar and stir until sugar dissolves and mixture starts to bubble. Set aside to cool, and whisk in vanilla.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar for 60 seconds. With mixer on low speed, add in salt, brown sugar and butter mixture. Mix until combined.
3. All 1 cup chocolate hips, continue to mix until combined.
4. Garnish with remaining chocolate chips. Serve with animal crackers and sliced fruit.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

Spinach-Stuffed Manicotti & Vodka Blush Sauce

Spinach-Stuffed Manicotti & Vodka Blush Sauce
Source: Betty Crocker Ultimate Holiday Cookbook 
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Makes: 7 servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Calories per serving: 420 calories

Ingredients:
1 box (8 oz) manicotti pasta shells (14 shells)
2 jars (25.5 oz each) organic garden vegetable pasta sauce
1/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (8 oz)
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained, chopped
1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
1 box (9 oz) frozen chopped spinach thawed, squeezed to drain
2 tbs thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta shells as directed on box. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain.
2. Meanwhile, in 2-quart nonreactive saucepan, heat 1 jar of pasta sauce and the vodka to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in whipping cream. Set aside.
3. In medium bowl, mix 1 cup of the cheese blend, the sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese and spinach.
4. In ungreased 13X9 (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread 1 cup of pasta sauce from second jar (reserve remaining sauce for another use). Fill each pasta shell with about 3 tablespoons ricotta mixture; place over sauce in dish. Pour vodka sauce over filled shells.
5. Cover tightly with foil; bake 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese blend. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with basil.

Spinach Manicotti with Vodka Blush Sauce

Pretzel-Toffee Blondies

Pretzel-Toffee Blondies
Source: Betty Crocker Ultimate Holiday Cookbook 
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Makes: 16 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
22 small pretzel twists, chopped (1/2 cup)
12 chocolate-covered small pretzel twists, chopped (1/2 cup)
4 bars (1/4 oz each) chocolate-covered English toffee candy, unwrapped, chopped

Instructions:
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir butter and brown sugar with spoon until blended. Add vanilla, salt and egg; stir with wire whisk until blended. Stir in flour until blended. Stir in both pretzels and toffee candy. Pour into pan and spread to fill.
2. Bake 24-26 minutes or until set and toothpick inserted in center comes out almost clean. Cool completely in pan on cooling rack, about 1 hour.  Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store loosely covered.

Pretzel-Toffee Blondies

Supreme Pizza Chili

Supreme Pizza Chili
Source: Lori Bakes Gluten & Casein Free For Kids (LINK)
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Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb bulk mild sausage, optional
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup prepared pizza sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes seasoned with Italian seasonings (garlic, basil, oregano)
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
1 cup water
3/4 cup sliced pepperoni
1 (4 oz) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1/3 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Itailian seasoning
1/8 tsp pepper
grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions:
1. In a large saucepan, cook beef, sausage, green pepper, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. 
2. Stir in beans, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 
3. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes or until chili reaches desired thickness. Garnish with cheese if desired.

Supreme Pizza Chili