snowy day fun

With so many snow days, I've had LOTS of time on my hands.  I don't want to even begin thinking about the time I've spent on facebook this week -- sad, but true!

I have never been a good cook and I am a very picky eater, but I have started to like cooking after a little practice!  I also love using my crock pot, which was a GREAT invention for those of us who are not natural chefs!  Here are some of my recent favorite (and easy) meals.  

1. Brunswick stew in the crock pot (vegetarian or with chicken)

Ingredients: 1 can V8, 1 can diced tomatoes, a dab of ketchup, 1 can creamed corn, 1 can whole kernal corn, 1 can diced potatoes, 1 can lima beans, 1 can green beans, cooked chicken (I like to use left over Rotisserie chicken)

Directions: 

1) add diced tomatoes and creamed corn (without draining them) to the crock pot

2) drain and then add: corn, potatoes, beans

3) add v8 and ketchup and cooked chicken (if desired)

4) stir

5) cook on low for 8-10 hours

2. Chili with morningstar meal starter ground "beef" -- very good and low fat!

Ingredients: 1 can of low-sodium diced tomatoes, 1 can of black beans, Morningstar meal starter, chili seasoning (I used McCormick's low sodium seasoning), chili powder and/or crushed red pepper if you want some extra spice!

Directions:

1) cook the morningstar "meat" on medium until it's heated through

2) add (without draining) beans and tomatoes

3) add seasoning and bring to a boil 

4) stir and cook on medium for approx. 10 minutes

3.  Weight watchers bean burritos (even Kevin likes these!) - 5 WW points for 1 burrito

Ingredients: olive oil, frozen chopped onions, 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, 1 cup fat free refried beans, wheat tortillas, 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat mexican style cheese, 1/2 cup salsa

Directions:

1) in a skillet, saute onions and vegetables (about 6 minutes)

2) in a casserole dish, spread about 1/4 of the beans down the middle of a tortilla and add vegetables and cheese

3) fold the burrito like an envelope and repeat with the other ingredients 

4) cook until beans are heated 

5) top burritos with salsa

4.  Lentil soup in the crock pot

Ingredients: 1 bag lentils, carrots, 1/2 of a big onion, 8 cups of water, country ham, 4 beef bouillon cubes

Directions: pour ingredients into crock pot and cook for 5-6 hours, stirring occasionally 

My favorite snack these days: Tzatziki sauce with pita chips

Snow day must-haves... the oldies but goodies....

Hot chocolate with LOTS of marshmallows 

Tomato soup and grilled cheese - YUM!  

Enjoy the beautiful snow and remember... spring isn't THAT far away!