Cheesy Salsa Dip

Dips are one of the easiest things to make in a crock pot and one of the easiest things to have at any party. This is one of our favorite dips.

Cheesy Salsa Dip

1 (16 oz) can refried beans
1 cup Velveeta cheese cut into chunks
1/2 cup salsa

Mix all ingredients in crock pot that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Mix completely. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 to 4 hours or HIGH for 1 to 2 hours. Stir half way through cooking time to help cheese melt evenly. Dip is done when cheese is melted completely. Serve with tortillas, nachos, or corn chips.

Are Ya Ready for Some Football?

No, I haven't forgot about Hazel's Crock Pot Kitchen, I have just really been concentrating on my MS and have gotten lost in my MC's world...but she must be tired of me, cuz' she's off doing her own thing tonight and not talking to me, so that gives me a little time to work on some crock pot recipes...

The Pro-bowl and the Super Bowl are just around the corner, so I thought I would post some simple crockpot recipes for these great games!

Doggy Wraps

1 lb hot dogs
1 lb bacon (I use maple flavored for added taste)
2 cups brown sugar

You can do this one of two ways:

1. Cut the hot dogs into 4 equal pieces and the bacon in half. Wrap the hot dogs 'chunks' with a piece of the half bacon and stick with a toothpick to keep the bacon around the hot dog. Place your hot dog 'chunks' in the crock pot that has been sprayed with cooking spray and sprinkle with the brown sugar. Cook on HIGH 3 to 4 hours. Make sure bacon is cooked through - it should be brown in color.

or

2. Cut the hot dogs in half and wrap one piece of bacon around each half. Secure with toothpicks, place in crock pot sprayed with cooking spray, sprinkle brown sugar over them and cook on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

Either way works, it just depends on how you want to serve them. I usually have big eaters, so those little 'chunks' won't work...grin...

Happy Slow Cooking! Enjoy and Hugs!

A Happy, Happy Day!

I have been rewarded the Happy Reward:

I was nominated by Bish at Random Thoughts, who has a wonderful blog where she shares her childhood memories, wonderful pictures and her talent for writing. When you read her blog you feel like you are right there with her and her memories. She's wonderful and you should really check out her blog if you have not done so all ready...

I'm suppose to list 10 things that make me happy and then spread the happiness by nominating more blogs for this award...

So first thing...my ten Happy Things: (Of course my family and friends all make me happy, but I'm going to list 10 other things that make me happy)

1. Of course I have to mention My Crock Pots...If it weren't for them, I would be lost in the kitchen
2. Doing crafts...I love turning a pile of things into something wonderful
3. Writing...I love leaving my "real" world behind and creating a world that I have control of...that is when my MC allows me to control it...grin...
4. Chocolate...I couldn't do a list like this that didn't include chocolate...chocolate is the reason I have survived this long and I will continue to try and get those who are in charge to make chocolate the number one food on the food pyramid. Join me in this cause, won't you? grin..
5. The four seasons make me happy...Spring and all of it's newness...Summer and the fragrance of flowers, Fall and the colors on the trees and mountains, and Winter with the beauty of snow...Each season brings out a different smile and happiness in me...
6. Taking a hot shower, in peace and quiet. It makes me happy when I can wash my stresses down the drain
7. Monk...I love this show and have never watched it without smiling and feeling happy...
8. My Computer...because it connects me to some of the most wonderful people I have ever met
9. When I can go grocery shopping, and everything I want/need is on sale and I have coupons for everything!
10. Playing my new Wii...I'm having a lot of fun doing things that I wouldn't normally do...like jump out of a plane...I would never do that in real life, but I do it all the time on Wii...

Okay, the hard part is picking from all the wonderful blogs I read! I'm picking some new bloggers to spread the Happy....

Weldon over at The Better Boss - I have learned so much from Weldon, and whenever I learn something, I'm happy...
Hettie at Creative Food Recipes - I've used many of Hettie's recipes. They are easy and so tasty! Even if they don't use a crock pot...grin...
Zoey at Fun Activities For Children - The residents at my complex love doing these crafts. They are so easy and so fun!
Kaety over at Your Home Remedies - These are great ideas on using kitchen cures and natural remedies to help you in your daily life...I've used many of these tips myself and they work great.
Christine over at Landlord Tips - She has given me many tips that have worked out great on my complex.
Jazlyn at Easy and Fun Crafts - another great blog that has helped me with great crafts for craft day at my complex.
Elea Joy at Spiritual Devotions - She gives you inspirational thoughts for living each and every day of you life.
Laci at Pinch Your Pennies - has a lot of money savings tips for all areas of your life.
Kayleen over at Youth Group Resources - I got to know Kayleen's blog through my Sis. She has a lot of great ideas to entertain and treat the youth of today.

I hope everyone has a HAPPY, HAPPY Day...

Beef n' Salsa Sandwiches

Sandwiches are quick and easy, so what better meal for a Super Bowl Party. Here's a favorite around our house...

Beef n' Salsa Sandwiches

1 chuck roast, boneless
1 1/2 cup salsa (chunky salsa is fine to use)
1 envelope taco seasoning

Spray crock pot with cooking spray. Place roast in crockpot. Mix salsa and taco seasoning. Pour over roast.

Cover; cook on LOW all day. Once cooked, shred meat with forks while still in crock pot. Use in burritos, tacos or on buns.

If used on buns, you can spoon the salsa mix over the sandwich and serve as an open face sandwich.

Crock pot cooking all the same?

As many of you know, I take every chance I can to talk about crock pot cooking. I love it and I truly believe that you can make some wonderful things in it...BUT...

Recently, I've had some conversations with people who believe that ALL crock pot cooking tastes the same...WHAT??? I about fainted! But not being the kind that runs from a challenge, I took on the challenge of changing their mind. I have to say by the time it was over, I felt a little sorry for them. I mean I can talk about crock pot cooking for a long time...grin...

Slow cooking is an easier way of making meals for your family and that fact that you can take any recipe and turn it into a crock pot recipe makes it a wonderful little appliance in your kitchen.

Okay, stepping down off my soapbox now...

I just wanted to let you know that I will be posting more recipes, I'm just concentrating on revisions at the moment and getting back into a writing schedule...I'm hoping to have some recipes posted soon for some Valentine Day romantic dinners and desserts...

Happy Slow Cooking!

The History of the Crock Pot

I thought I would start the new year off with a little history...The History of the Crock Pot...so here's what I found:

The "crock pot" name is actually the trademark of Rival, but crock pot has become the standard name that everyone uses.

The crock pot started out as a "Beanery", which was a small appliance that cooked beans. In 1970 Rival purchased the company that made the beanery and soon after Chefs found that the beanery actually cooked meats better than beans...And Rival reintroduced the 'beanery" as a crock pot.

Now the art of slow cooking goes back to man and fire. Cooking meat and vegetables in a fire pit for 24 hours or more is why I imagine this system never hit big for the average person. Thank goodness Rival came along. I can barely plan my dinner the morning of, I can't imagine having to plan my dinner 24 hours in advance...grin...

So there ya go...The History of the Crock Pot...Recipes will follow soon...

Happy Slow Cooking! Hugs...

Don't forget to check out Brenda's Page...

Happy New Year!

Well, 2010 is here...hope you were ready. I haven't decided yet if I am or not, but I guess it's too late to worry about it now...grin...

Over the holidays, I was reminded of an old friend, in the form of a MG Novel that I had started writing a couple years ago. I have decided to pull this story out and finish her...I have also decided to start writing on my old blog, Brenda's Page again. I will still be posting recipes on Hazel's Crock Pot Kitchen, but I need a place to keep me on track with my writing and Brenda's Page did that for me before.

So here is to a New Year that I hope is filled with all your dreams coming true. I hope the new year found you safe, happy, healthy and smiling (or in my case, snoring...I can never stay up that late...grin)...

Happy Slow Cooking! Hugs....

Don't forget to check out Brenda's Page...