coctail smokies

These are super easy and surprisingly tasty!

2 packages Lil Smokies
1 can of Classic Coke
ketchup (enough to cover Lil Smokies)

In a Crock-Pot, add 2 packages of Little Smokies.
Cover with enough ketchup to suit, and then for the surprise, pour 1 can of Classic Coke over the Smokies and ketchup mixture.
Cook on high for 2-3 hours.
At this point, taste them.
If sauce is too soupy for your liking, you can add brown sugar and store brand bbq sauce(I usually add some thick and spicy sweet baby Rays sauce, because I like them a little spicy)
Simmer on low for an additional 30 minutes.

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

5 pound potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup butter or margarine, cut into pieces
1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
1 t. garlic owder
1 t. onion powder
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2-1 cup milk, warmed

Spray 4-5 quart crock pot with cooking spray;

Place potatoes, broth and butter;

Cover; cook on high heat setting for 4-4.5 hoursor until potatoes are tender;

Add remaining ingredients except milk;

Mash, crush or smash using potato masher or beat with electric mixer on low speed until well blended; Do not overmix;

Stir in enough milk for desired creamy consistency;

Cover; keep warm on low or warm heat setting until serving time; up to two hours;

Stir before serving.

Easy Apple Butter

This recipe sounds complicated, but it really isn't! Once you make it once, if you love apple butter, you will make it over and over again! It is SO EASY and you really can't mess it up! It makes great gifts, too! Just tie a ribbon around the jar! Everyone I have ever given it to asks for the recipe! It is so yummy on any kind of buttered toast!

12 c. Apples
4 c. sugar
1/3 c. juice-any kind
1 1/2 t.-4 T. cinnamon
optional spices: ginger, cloves, nutmeg or "red hot" candies
Peel and core apples then cut into about 1 inch chunks. Put apples into crock pot with sugar.
Add juice(just enough so the apples don't stick initially)I usually just use what I have in the fridge, OJ, apple, pineapple, I have used lots of diff. kinds and I really can't tell the diff.
Add cinnamon.
The other spices are optional, I have even used a couple t. pumpkin pie spices, It just depends on your taste preferences. Some people even drop "Red Hot" candies in to give a different cinnamon taste.
Turn the crock pot on high for a couple hours then stir, turn down to low for 8-10 hours.
Blend it in a blender a little at a time until smooth then put back into crock pot on high with the lid off until it is as thick as you like it. Can it. Enjoy!

Southwestern Pulled Pork

I got this recipe from my friend Amy.
Be sure to double it; it freezes great too.

6-8 servings

2 cans (4 oz. each) chopped green chiles
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 cup BBQ sauce
1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1 boneless pork loin roast (2-2 ½ lbs)
flour or corn tortillas
toppings: sour cream, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, avocado

In a 3qt. slow cooker, combine the chiles, tomato sauce, BBQ sauce, onion, chili powder, cumin and oregano.
Add pork.

Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat is tender.Remove pork. When cool enough to handle, shred meat using 2 forks. Return to slow cooker and heat through. Serve on tortillas; add desired toppings.

Cowboy Beans

I recently took these beans to a party and was asked several times for the recipe. It makes quite a bit, but I often double it for a really big crowd. I've even froze the left overs before and that works ok. If I double it, I don't always double all of the meat. So there's no science here, just dump in some beans and heat 'em up. And.....I never said they were good for you.....just yummy!

Cowboy Beans

Mix the following together in the bottom of the crock-pot
1/2 c. ketchup
2 T. vinegar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 t. salt
1 t. dry mustard

In skillet combine:
1 lb hamburger
1 c. chopped onion
1 lb. cooked, chopped bacon
Drain and put in crock-pot

Add:
1 qrt pork and beans
1 can kidney beans (drained)
1 can butter or navy beans (drained)

Mix together and heat on low 5-8 hours.

Cream Cheese Chicken

This is an easy and really delicious crock pot meal a friend gave me. You're gonna love it! I was told it freezes well too.

4 frozen chicken breasts
2 T melted butter
salt and pepper to taste
2 T dry zesty Italian salad dressing
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz. cream cheese cut into 1" cubes
1 T onion, chopped

Place chicken in bottom of crock pot, pout butter and seasonings over chicken. Cook on low 6 hours. 1 hour prior to serving, heat soup, cream cheese and onion in saucepan until smooth. Pour over chicken and continue cooking for 45 min-1 hour. Serve over egg noodles or rice.