Ham in the slow-cooker

Honey-dijon ham

Made: December 25, 2013

Ingredients
- 1 bone-in cooked man (5lb)
- 1/3 cup apple juice
- 1/4 packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard

Directions
- In 4-6 quart slow cooker, place ham
- Add apple juice
- In small bowl, mix the brown sugar, honey and mustard
- Spread mixture over ham
- Clover, cook on low heat 6-8 hours
- Remove ham from slow cooker
- Cut ham & serve

I used a 3 pound, boneless ham to fit into our small slow-cooker. (and because we don't have too many people eating ham at Christmas). I used a combined tablespoon of mustard and dijon since the kind we had on hand was a little too zesty for my liking. We also cooked it for about 6 hours and it seemed to come out juicy and flavorful

(Recipe used: Pillsbury Christmas 2010)

Casserole, crab style

Maryland Crab Casserole

Made: December 25, 2013

Ingredients
- 1 pound crabmeat, well-picked
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 5 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted and divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Dash pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

Directions
- Grease bottom and sides of a 2-qt. baking dish
- Combine crabmeat, eggs, parsley, 3 tablespoon butter, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, milk and green pepper
- Gently pat into dish
- Combine bread crumbs with remaining butter; sprinkle on top
- Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes or until set

I added in some old bay seasoning to the top topping. I also doubled the recipe to fill a 3qt dish, but I used 1 can of evaporated milk (which was 1 1/2 cups) which seemed to fit perfectly in the dish. I also omitted the green peppers for my Granny. But 1 tablespoon wasn't much to worry over anyway.

(Recipe used: recipelion.com)

Healthy smoothie

Orange-Banana Smoothie

Made: November 8, 2013

Ingredients
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 small, ripe banana
- 1/4 cup instant non-fat milk powder
- 1/3 cup ice cubes
- 1/4 cup club soda

Directions
- In blender, process orange juice, banana, milk powder and ice cubes until mixture is thick and ice cubes are crushed
- Add club soda, stir and serve immediately

At work, I joined an 8-week program called "Lose and Win" where we learn about making healthier choices and creating a healthier lifestyle for the longrun. For this week, my group was picked to pick a recipe to make. So I got the smoothie. We had to post the nutrition facts as we're learning how to count calories and balance our energy levels. So this makes 2 servings of 130 calories each. But it tasted pretty good, although the banana really packs a flavor punch.

(Recipe used: unitedheathcare.com)

Mock Chicken Alfredo

Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

Made: November 5, 2013

Ingredients
- 1/2 package of linguine noodles
- 1 cup fresh or frozen broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 can Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions
- Prepare linguine according to package directions in 3 quart saucepan
- Add broccoli during the last 4 minutes of cooking time
- Drain the linguine mixture well in a colander
- Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Add chicken and cook until well browned and cooked through, stirring often
- Stir soup, milk, cheese, black pepper and linguine mixture in the skillet and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally
- Serve with additional Parmesan cheese (optional)

I made things slightly different depending on what I had in my pantry. I used cheddar and mozzerella cheese since my Parmesan cheese went bad (oops) but it seemed to have the same taste and mixed/melted nicely. As you can see, I also used Bowtie pasta. I think this came out with a ton of flavor and it was super quick dinner. Boil, cook and mix and poof, you have dinner.

(Recipe used: Campbells.com)

Amish Apples

Apple Crisp

Made: November 3, 2013

Ingredients:
Filling
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups sliced & peeled apples (mix of courtland and golden delicious)
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Sift together sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon and combine with sliced apples
- Mix well
- Place in a greased 9x9in pan
- Combine oatmeal, flour, baking soda, baking powder and brown sugar
- Add in butter and mix together until it crumbles
- Put on top of apple mixture
- Bake for 35-40 minutes

For the apples, I used Red Delicious and Granny Smith, since they happened to be on sale. (Trying to be frugal) I also used a 9in pie pan.

First attempt, I sliced the apples and didn't melt the butter. I liked it, but I felt like it wanted to be more of an apple pie. Second attempt, I cut the apples into small pieces. And for the crumbles, I melted butter and then added all the dry ingredients to that. I think it was easier to eat (especially when you use a crappy plastic fork at work!)

My second attempt

Both ways tasted super delicious and had just enough sweetness with the tart. I didn't peel the apples on either attempt, but I think it adds to the flavor.

(Recipe used: theliterarfairy.com - tweaked from Amish Recipe)