SLOW-M-G

My friends and I are on a total slow cooker binge. Last night I made AAAD Reader Sara's Crock Pot Chicken (see below) and I literally would have licked the crock pot if a) I didn't have company over, b) that wouldn't have resulted in burning tongue, and c) if there was one drop left. You need to make this tonight!

Crockpot Chicken
1 box Stove Top Stuffing, prepared as directed
about a pound of defrosted chicken tenders
2 cans Cream of Mushroom OR Cream of Chicken soup
1 can of sliced mushrooms
Layer in the above order. Set on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Enjoy!

When asking friends on Facebook the other day for some recipes, some friends shared their favorites. These are from Amanda's friend, Sam. Thought you might enjoy!

Crockpot Chicken & Dressing
4 boneless chicken breasts
4 slices Swiss cheese
1 can of cream of chicken
1 can of cream of mushroom
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup milk
2 cups pepperidge farm herb stuffing mix
1/2 cup melted butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place in crockpot. Pour chicken broth over. Put 1 slice of cheese on each breast. Combine soups and milk and cover chicken breasts with it. Sprinkle stuffing all over. Drizzle melted butter on top. Cook on low for 6-8 hrs.

Beef Stroganoff
2 lb sirloin or round steak
1 clove garlic peeled and cut
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons salt
3 t paprika
1/2 t pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cans beef stock
1 cup water
1/2 to 1 cup sour cream
Oil for cooking

Rub both sides of meat with garlic then cut into strips (1 1/2" x 1"). Mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika in plastic bag and all cut strips of meat and shake to coat. Reserve extra mixture. Heat oil in pan. Add meat and brown (but don't cook all the way thru) then add onions and cook until transparent. Place in crock pot along with stock, water, and extra flour mix. Cook on low 5-6 hrs. Add sour cream and blend right before you serve (makes it creamy). Serve over wide egg noodles.

Tuscany Peasant Soup
4 Italian sausages, mild
1 celery stalk, diced
3 zucchini, medium and thinly sliced
1 onion, small and diced
3 cups beef stock
1 can tomato sauce (8 oz)
1/2 t dry basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Package of cheese tortillini
Parmesan cheese
Slice sausage 1/2" thick. Brown sausage in olive oil in large saucepan. Pour off any fat. Add celery, zucchini and onion. Sauté 2 min, stirring. Add vegetable and sausage mix to crockpot. Add stock, tomato sauce and basil. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add tortillini 10 min before serving to cook. Serve in bowls with parmesan cheese on top.

And finally, AAAD Reader Amanda is a big new fan of the blog CrockPot365 and has already loved a few of the recipes. I'm inspired to try some desserts in mine and love the way all of these recipes are organized.

Finally, don't forget your saving grace, these Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners.

Literally the easiest cleanup ever.



What are YOU making in the crock pot?
Pia The Pig

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An Awesome Group of Awesomes

Amy of Old Sweet Song and I share a lot of likes. Her ode to the word "awesome" today proves just that. Enjoy!

BTW, totes ordering this shirt immediately.


Pia The Pig

An Awesome Party Idea And An Exciting Message!

You must check this out. Total WIN!

Also, as soon as you can breathe again, you'll be excited to know that there's a makeover in store for AAAD! Stay tuned. Here's a hint.



Thanks, Amy for the link!

Pia The Pig

Well These Look Awesome

I just found out that it's one of my co-worker's 30th birthday. This can't go uncelebrated. So, after finding out her favorite flavor is caramel and a quick 5 minute search online, I found these adorable Caramel Apple Cupcakes on a new blog find, Crave. Indulge. Satisfy.



These look easy enough to make and I just love the green (or red) liners and stick inserts. What food involving a stick is not awesome? I am going to make these tonight or just go easy and make good ole mini caramel apples. Either way, can't wait to drop them in a bag and tie them up with one of the 6732435656756 spools of ribbon I discovered that I have. Stay tuned for pics later. And in the meantime, mouths, prepare to water.

Pia The Pig

UPDATE! Made these! I added a sour apple ring to the top (of course, and ate 7/8 of the bag while decorating.) I used this frosting recipe (because I didn't have heavy cream and my substitute looked wrong,) which turned out like more of an icing, and I ran out of time so the butter didn't quiiiiiite melt perfectly, but for my first ever homemade cupcake, I'm happy! Without frosting, these would be a really great muffin. And because my knife skills are a D- at best, the chunks of green apple inside were a nice surprise.


**Sidenote: If you don't have a cupcake carrier, these dollar store chip and dip holders double as a perfect carrier.

Snow Chic

Brrrrrace yourselves! It's snow season in Dallas. And by season, I mean week, but let's go with it. Today marks the official debut of my new earmuffs. I freaking love these things. They might be Rachel Zoe meets Princess Leih but they are warm and fun and who cares. I got them for myself and Katie from Charlotte Russe. I can't find them online but I'll bet they still have them in stores. Oh and I'm not really wearing these indoors. FOR PHOTO PURPOSES ONLY!




I'm pairing these with my amazingly functional convertible gloves. I got these on sale at Dillards this time last year, but you can snag some for yourself at Urban Outfitters. (Only a coincidence that these ridic photos are on the same page as my ANTM post.)

These are even cuter and just as functional.
Who knew mittens were so warm and fingerless gloves so perfect for texting? Well the combo can't be beat. Here are all of them from Urban (men's, too!)

Finally, if you want to keep your ears warm but aren't as into the giant balls on the sides of your head look, this head scarf is just the ticket. I haven't seen many of these around. It's time for you to start the trend!


What are you wearing to keep warm?
Pia The Pig

My Blog Soulmate

I've been meaning to share my excitement in discovering a new favorite blog of mine for quite awhile. After finally getting back to the blog, I read a few pages of posts and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this photo.

No, this is not my cat and not my idea. It's a total stranger's. OMG. Blog Sister! Just wait until you dive into the amazing crafts and eye candy of Aunt Peaches.

Enjoy!
Pia The Pig

Help A Motha Out

See that little list of blogs over there to my right? Those are my friends' blogs and just a handful of the 6239459296 I like to read as often as I can. Amanda of The Littlest Hunter has a little request. Can you boost her up higher on the Top Baby Blogs list? Click here and do us both a favor. While you're at it, follow the adventures of her daughter Kennedy.

She and their dog, Olive, will thank you!


Pia The Pig