Mar 26, 2018 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Y’all remember last month when New Inklings Press introduced their February #MediaMenagerie Member? [Phew, I double-dog dare ya to say that five times fast on a late Sunday evening.] Bridges the Raccoon was brought on board to help writers find a way to get from here to there . . . Whatever “here” and “there” is.
Well, this weekend, it was in the kitchen. And after a crazy usual month of go-here-see-there-stop-now-breathe-okay-get-going-again activity, I just needed a bit of a break. So I opened the fridge and pantry, and asked Bridges what he thought.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook: Slow Cooker Pork & ‘Kraut
Being the smart raccoon that he is, he foraged around a little, and put me to work. Yup, this recipe was created over ten years ago in a tiny apartment by This Girl and her daughter. Then, just like Bridges did now, I grabbed a few items from the food stash and decided to put them together. I took a chance, turned on the slow cooker, and left the apartment. When Dot and I came home that evening, the aroma was heavenly. The taste like something from a restaurant. And I knew I had to write it down.
This Slow Cooker Pork & ‘Kraut recipe began
The Unemployment Cookbook.
And since I’m in full swing of writing-editing-blogging-marketing again, it’s a no-brainer that my no-time-to-cook weekend should include that which started it all.
Now, you gotta be impressed with the frugality of it all, yes? Take a look at this:
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook: Slow Cooker Pork & ‘Kraut
With eight servings to this dish, that’s less than $1.75 per serving! Hey, I’m not making this stuff up! That’s some pretty hearty eating without a hefty price, dontcha think?
Don’t forget to set up your mise en place. It’s French, pronounced “MEES ahn plahs” and it basically means “everything in place.” Betcha didn’t think this was a cultural post, too, did ya? Well, there ya go. I mean, voila!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Unemployment Cookbook: Slow Cooker Pork & ‘Kraut Mise en Place
So, you ready for the recipe? Okay, here it is, Bridges style:
The Unemployment Cookbook: Slow Cooker Pork & ‘Kraut
Bring people to your table with this hearty, delicious dish.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (22 oz. each) Cream of Mushroom Soup.
- 2 medium onions, peeled, and chopped. Because no one likes onion skins in their food.
- 6 medium russet potatoes, sliced. Like thick potato chips. Only raw.
- 1 jar (32 oz.) Old Fashioned Sauerkraut. The kind that Grandpa still makes.
- 8 thin-cut pork chops. Boneless. Because otherwise they wouldn't be so thin.
Instructions
- First peel the onions, and chop them. Some like them thick, some like thin. It's up to you.
- Then, wash your potatoes. Seriously. Bridges is a domesticate raccoon. He don't eat no dirt! Slice them, then rinse with cool water to remove the starch.
- Put the sauerkraut in a large colander and rinse, rinse, rinse. Sure, it's yummy stuff, but let's keep the flavor from being too overwhelming.
- Now, spread a large spoonful of soup on the bottom of your slow cooker. This keeps the meat from sticking. Layer some sauerkraut and onion. Cover with two pork chops. Maybe three. Depends on how much room you have in your cooker. Top with potato slices. You can even arrange them all pretty like if you want.
- Continue the layers until you run out of stuff to layer. Then you can just dump whatever's left on top.
- Make sure the cover fits snugly.
- Cook on low for eight hours, or medium/high for five.
- Serve with your favorite vegetable, bread, or wine.
- This is one dish you won't find going in the trash!
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2018/03/26/the-unemployment-cookbook-slow-cooker-pork-kraut/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
Click on any of the photos to order your own copy of The Unemployment Cookbook, or visit http://newinklingspress.com/.
Now if you’ll excuse me. Bridges forgot to take out the garbage. We’ll see ya round the dinner table.
With a big fork and a hungry tummy,
Happy Eating.
~Molly Jo
Jan 4, 2014 |
This is one of Dot’s favorite recipes. I remember the first time I put this together. That was the moment I first thought of putting together my recipes for The Unemployment Cookbook. So you know this is very special to me.
Slow Cooker Pork & ‘Kraut
Living in a tiny apartment, working a part-time substitute job at the school district, I knew after a full day of work, school, and errands for the both of us, Dot and I would be hungry the moment we walked back in the door.
I quickly layered Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom soup (undiluted), two pork chops, and a bit of sauerkraut in my slow cooker. I repeated the layers, then turned the slow cooker on low.
Eight hours later we came home with a few fresh rolls and a head of lettuce for salad, and dinner was ready!
These days, I like to change up the recipe a bit depending on our schedule and whether or not we’re also feeding company.
With the first weekend of January already upon us, and I’ve yet to take down the Christmas decor, it was a no-brainer to make a larger amount than usual.
For less than $20 I bought all the ingredients I’d need.
Slow Cooker Pork and ‘Kraut. Twenty dollars. Five ingredients. Eight hours. Ten dinners.
I layered each ingredient, then repeated the steps three times. Because there was more than I usually prepare at one time, we had to let it cook longer. (This worked out well since Dot came home announcing her best friend was in town and wanted to go to dinner!)
Pork & ‘Kraut layers
After an overnight cooking, Dot and I woke up to a wonderful smelling kitchen! We now have enough of this filling, flavorful dinner for Saturday, Sunday, Monday lunch and Monday dinner. Anything left after that can go into individual freezer containers for lunches later this month.
This is a great recipe that can easily be altered to suit your family’s size and taste. We’ve substituted chicken breasts and cream of chicken soup. Omitted the sauerkraut. Added a can of diced mushrooms for more flavor. There’s no wrong way to fix this delicious, hearty slow cooker meal!
And when you don’t have a lot of time, money, or kitchen space, what’s a better way to show your people you love them by providing a hearty, healthy, delicious home-cooked meal?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : RECIPE: Slow Cooker Pork & ‘Kraut @RealMojo68 #amcooking #the unemploymentcookbook
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jun 3, 2013 |
It’s been a few months since I’ve written a Meal Plan post. Based on the success of my recent monthly WinCo trips, I’ve had enough foods in the freezer and pantry to not have to buy too much. So I’ve been winging it; making what I can find. Occasionally, I’ve put together some meals like this hearty chicken and pasta dinner.
Chicken & Pasta
I always keep frozen salmon filets in the freezer. Last month, I bought a 5 lb. bag of chicken breasts (admittedly not from WinCo). Sure, it cost nearly $17, but with 20 breasts, that’s less than $1/piece.
So my Plan for June is to eat more chicken. I don’t have an entire month of menus planned out. But I have my Aroma Rice Cooker. And I have a plan.
Again with the savings I find at WinCo, I’ll supplement what I already have and make some wonderful meals. My goal is to make some scrumptious dishes without having to cook too much in the summer heat. Some of the meals I’ll make more than once because they’re easy and delicious.
Not only do I want to save money, I want to eat better. My eczema has been rapidly improving as I now have prescription-strength ointment and have been eating less fast foods which, I’ve discovered, can significantly induce a flare up. So, for the health of my body and my wallet, June will be a Home-Cooked Meal Month.
Here’s my tentative meal plan (each meal is followed by how many days we can eat from one preparation by how many times I’ll make it for a total amount of dinner days):
- Chicken and Pasta (as pictured above), 2 x 2 = 4
- Steamed Chicken and Rice, 1 x 4 = 4
- Slow Cooker Chicken & Kraut, 3 x 2 = 6
- Steamed Salmon and Rice, 1 x 4 = 4
- Spaghetti with sauce and garlic toast, 2 x 2 = 4
- Baked Frittata (usually a weekend meal for brunch as well), 2 x 2 = 4
That leaves four days with no menu plan. We like to keep a few “open” days on the calendar. We’ll eat at least twice at my Mom’s house, or order a pizza on Pay Day, or just not feel like eating. I know, pizza. But it’s not regular fast food. And if I only eat it once a month, I should be okay…
With this great plan, I already have the main components. My grocery list is just the sauerkraut, cream of chicken soups, and frittata ingredients. I’ll include a cheap dessert like Jell-O and Cool Whip, pudding, or a few of Dot’s favorite cookies. We always keep ice cream in the freezer; especially in the summer.
It’s my goal to spend less than $100 this month, including the cat food, litter, and household needs. At a regular grocery store this would be nearly impossible. But, as I so often like to say, “WinCo Wins!”
*Cheater Meal: We did treat ourselves to Red Robin yesterday since I won a gift card from work.
Ava-Cobb-O Salad at Red Robin
Note, I ate the A-va-Cobb-O and Chicken salad.
So, as I also like to say, “Happy Eating!”
What’s on your plate?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
WinCo Wins
WinCo Wins: Lunch for a Dollar!
My Bento Box: Part I
How To Eat For Free And Have Fun Doing It (Or, How Printing Coupons Gave Me a Really Great Weekend!)
My February Meal Plan
Sep 22, 2011 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
This is a great recipe that takes only three ingredients. How’s that for a budget! It’s perfect for autumn. Goes great by itself or served with a salad.
INGREDIENTS:
2 cans condensed Cream of Mushroom soup (undiluted)
6 boneless pork chops
1 large can (30 oz.) sauerkraut
In slow cooker, spread 1/2 can soup. Then layer 1/3 of saurkraut, two porkchops, 1/2 can of soup. Repeat layers three times. Add salt, pepper to taste.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
*You can add more layers if serving more than 4 – 6.
*You can drain and/or rinse the saurkraut, depending on how full or subtle your taste is.
