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
Oct 5, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Last week was our first taste of autumn here in the desert. Once the high temp doesn’t get above 80, it’s time to break out those winter coats. Okay, maybe not for the rest of the country, but here we celebrate the cool breeze and the ability to not sweat off ten pounds just by putting on a jacket.
Of course, something I love all year ’round are soups and slow cookers. And when the two combine, oi vey! Look out tastebuds!
Today’s recipe brings the tangy yet sweet flavors of pumpkin and cream together with spices for an amazing blend that will delight you.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
Recipe: Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients
- 28-30 oz canned pumpkin puree
- 32 oz chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 TBS pumpkin spices
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 TBS turmeric
- 1/2 TBS ground ginger
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except whipping cream and parsley into slow cooker.
- Cook on medium for approximately three hours. Stir thoroughly. Cook for another hour.
- Remove bay leaf.
- Add whipping cream.
- Puree soup in blender. It's best to do this two cups at a time.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2017/10/05/recipe-slow-cooker-pumpkin-soup/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
This autumn delight can be served hot or cold, so enjoy it however you like.
TWEET THIS: It’s never too early for slow cooker pumpkin soup. @RealMojo68 #pumpkinsoup #autumn
With autumn spices and a big spoon,
Happy eating!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Jul 19, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Hey, peeps! I’m gonna try something a little fun and participatory.
The Unemployment Cookbook: What’s on your plate?
So, I’ve decided part of my new meal plan should include recipes from The Unemployment Cookbook so I can also do a foodie blog. I know, I know . . . DUH. But I guess I’ve been so focused on writing NOLA and keeping a clean house (insert sarcastic laughter here) that I didn’t give much thought to it.
And then it hit me. It hit me like a sweet tea on a humid day. Like a misty shade tree on a concrete jungle. Like, well, like an idea worth sharing. Are y’all ready?
I want you to decide what I make.
Yup. You read that right. The fate of my weekly meal is in your hands. That’s not to say I’m only eating once a week. More like, you’re responsible for the meal I make. A meal. “One of”. Not the “only”. Anyway, let’s continue . . .
Here’s how it works: Each week I’ll post three recipe choices on my Facebook Page and pin the photos to the top of the page. You get to hop on over and click “like” for the photo of the recipe you want me to make and blog about. Now, normally, I’ll try to have the selections available for you Monday through Wednesday. By 9pm Wednesday, the photo with the most “likes” will be the recipe I make. Depending on my schedule, the recipe blog will post no later than the following Monday, at which time a new recipe selection will be available. Once a recipe has been made, blogged, and eaten, it’s out of the running.
Now I know today’s already Wednesday, so I’ll give y’all until Friday noon to make your choices. ‘Cause when I leave work Friday, I’m going grocery shopping!
At this rate, it will take quite some time to get through all the recipes, but hey. We’ve got time, haven’t we? And hunger? And a budget? So I’m thinking this could totally be a win-win situation.
Oh, and don’t worry if you don’t have Facebook. You can also vote by leaving a comment on the blog posts.
So, you wanna give it a try?
Which recipe should I make this weekend? Tell me in the comments.
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . .: What’s on my Plate? You decide! @RealMojo68 #franklymydearmojo #ameating #cookbook
The Unemployment Cookbook: Slow Cooker Ratatouille
The Unemployment Cookbook: Hamburger Pie
The Unemployment Cookbook: Hot Dog Casserole
With a Cookbook, a plan, and a tea in the desert,
Happy eating!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Feb 2, 2017 |
Recipe: Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Five simple ingredients. Three hours. Can’t-get-enough-of-it taste.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf Recipe
So, last month I promised y’all a new meatloaf recipe every month in 2017. But here it is, February, and you’re thinking (I can tell), “Where’s my meatloaf?! Where’s my recipe?!” Am I right?
Well, first. Thanks for not, you know, yelling through the blogosphere. Much appreciated. Second, aren’t you lucky. You’re gonna have two ~ yup, count ’em ~ two meatloaf recipes this month. Before the end of February, and just in time for Mardi Gras, I’ll share my Creole Meatloaf recipe.
But today, it’s all about the basics. Let’s face it. After the rush and scurry of the holidays, and during the cold weather rains and storms, we don’t always want or have time for complicated. But we still want good. Hearty. Delicious.
Ladies and Gentlemen, today I give you my wonderfully easy-peasy, palate-pleasing, no muss no fuss January (or should have been) Meatloaf.
I can’t believe how easy it is to put this together, and how not dry the meatloaf is. How flavorful, how . . . Well, I could continue but let’s just say you and your taste buds are gonna thank me for this.
Recipe: Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 eggs
- 2 packets onion soup mix
- 16 Saltine cracker squares
- milk
Instructions
- Line slow cooker with foil. Spritz with cooking oil or nonstick spray.
- Crush crackers into small bowl. Add just enough milk to cover. Set aside.
- In separate mixing bowl, combine ground beef, eggs, and soup mix. Add crackers. Mix thoroughly.
- Shape into loaf and place in slow cooker.
- Reshape, keeping meatloaf away from sides of slow cooker.
- Cover. Set on high.
- Let cook at least three hours on high, or five to six hours on low.
- When ready, slice and serve.
3.1
https://franklymydearmojo.com/2017/02/02/recipe-basic-slow-cooker-meatloaf/ (c) 2012 Frankly, My Dear... New Inklings Press
Here’s a few tips:
- Shape the loaf into an oval. It will retain its shape while cooking.
- Crimp the foil around the edges of the slow cooker and gently press the lid into it.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf
And that’s it. Simple, right? Delectable, yes? How stinkin’ excited are we for another recipe? So tell me: Do you cook your meatloaf in an oven or a slow cooker?
And do you let your family lick the plates clean?
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Berry Sunshine enjoying the last licks
CLICK TO TWEET: Frankly, My Dear . . . : Recipe: Basic Slow Cooker Meatloaf.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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!
