Southwestern Bean Medley

1 can (14 oz) vegetable broth *you could use beef or chicken broth as well
1 tbl. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
1 can white kidney beans (cannellini), rinsed and drained
1/2 c. dried lentils
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can green chilies

Mix broth, chili powder, cumin, black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans and lentils in a crock pot that has been sprayed with a non-stick spray. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 4-5. Add the tomatoes and chilies during the last hour of cooking. Serve over rice.

Golden Mushroom Pork & Apples

2 cans golden cream of mushroom soup
1/2 c. water
1 tbl. packed brown sugar
1 tbl. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried thyme
8 boneless, thick cut pork chops (you can cook less if you like)
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
2 large onions, chopped

Mix soup, water, brown sugar, Worcestershire and thyme in a crock pot that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Add pork, apples and onion. Cook on low for 8-9 hours, or on high for 5-6.

Nacho Style Beef & Potatoes

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 can nacho cheese soup
1 c. milk
1 4 oz. can green chilies
6 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Brown the ground beef with the onion. Stir in nacho cheese soup, milk and chilies. Place the potatoes in a crock pot that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Pour meat mixture over the potato wedges. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 4-5. Before serving, stir. *Serving: you can serve with sour cream, salsa, chopped green onion, shredded cheese, etc.

Chicken & Rice Pacifica

5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
20 oz. chicken broth
1 c. water
1/4 c. soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium green or red pepper, chopped
4 green onions, chopped
1 20 oz. can pineapple chunks in juice
1 c. uncooked, long-grain white rice

Place the chicken in a crock pot that has been sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray. Add remaining ingredients. Cook on high 4-5 hours, or on low for 7-8.

Barley & Lentil Soup

2 32 oz. boxes beef broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
4 large carrots, peeled & sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 c. dried lentils
1/2 c. uncooked barley

Add all ingredients to a crock pot and cook on low 8-9 hours, or until tender.

Caesar Pork Chops

6 boneless pork chops
1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/4 c. flour
1/2 c. creamy Caesar salad dressing
1 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese

Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray. In a shallow dish, mix flour and Italian seasoning. Pour Caesar dressing in another shallow dish. Dip both sides of pork chops in flour and then in the dressing, coating well. Place in baking dish and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes, or until cooked through. *Note: this baking time works for thin cut chops. I usually use thick ones and so my baking time is closer to an hour.

Pork Fried Rice

1/4 lb. ground pork
5 green onions, chopped
5 eggs
soy sauce
About 4 cups of cooked rice

*My sister in law emailed me this recipe ages ago and I've lost track of it. Sorry Ai, if you read this. I know that it's different from the original, but it's how I decided to make it when I couldn't find the recipe. ☺

In a large, deep skillet or wok, heat a small amount of vegetable oil, about 1 tsp. Add the ground pork and stir to break up and brown. You can season with salt and pepper while browning if desired. Remove from pan. If necessary, add another tsp. of oil. Put onions in the pan and stir fry for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove from the pan. Add another tsp. of oil if necessary and scramble the eggs. When scrambled, add the meat and onions back to the pan. If it seems like the rice will stick, you can add a little more oil to the pan. Add rice to the pan. Season with soy sauce. Stir fry until cooked through. I'm calling this a side dish, but it's so filling it really works as the main course.