Cooking by the Seat of My Pants

Sometimes what starts out looking like a recovery-less setback actually turns out to be a fortunate series of events.  Take yesterday's dinner for example...

It all started when I planned to make THIS Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken recipe for dinner.  However, I quickly realized someone had finished off my lemon juice.  It's hard to make lemon chicken without the lemon.   I did, however, have lime juice.

OK... I can make this work.  Although plain ol' lime chicken sounded a little bit... um, boring.  And a whole lotta lime-ish.  What could I do to make this better?

I decided to add some chili powder and cilantro.  Chili Lime Chicken.  That's a thing. Right?  Well, if it wasn't before - it is now!

It turned out to be quite tasty.  I know this, not just because I ate it myself - but because the Man of the House told me so.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup chicken broth (fat free, low sodium)
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• ¼ cup flour ( option: use corn starch for gluten free)
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 2 tablespoons dried cilantro
• 
  

Directions

Place chicken thighs in slow cooker. 

Combine broth, juice, flour, cumin, chili powder and cilantro - stirring with a whisk. Pour over chicken.

Cover and cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours. 

I served it over brown rice with steamed broccoli and avocado slices.  Yummy!

Have you ever had to make last minute changes to a recipe? 

Crockpot Comfort Foods

It has finally happened!  The temperatures are beginning to feel nice and fall-ish at last.  And I personally couldn't be happier.

One of my favorite things about cooler weather is indulging in some warm, yummy comfort foods. Especially soups, chili, and stews.  However, because I can be a tiny bit lazy - nothing takes the "comfort" out of "comfort foods" like having to spend half the afternoon doing a lot of prepping, mixing, and cooking.

Enter the crockpot.  Best.  Invention.  Ever.

A couple of years ago I shared five of my favorite crockpot recipes.  This seems like the perfect opportunity to revisit that post:

Five Great Crockpot Recipes for Cold Weather

I am all about cooking in the crock pot.  It prevents having to turn on the oven and heat the kitchen up during the summer months.  And it's perfect for making delicious soups, chili, and stews which give the house a warm, cozy "homey" smell and feel during the colder months of the year.

Over time I have found a few big winners which my family has approved - giving them a permanent place in my recipe folder. (and yes... a few failed experiments - but that's not what this post is about)

1)  Cockpot Gumbo
Spicy, warm, and de-li-cious!  I used to make gumbo on the stove top.  But I finally came up with a version for the crock pot.  Just as yummy - and super easy to toss together.

2)  Creamy White Chicken Chili
The family loves a good chili.  (in fact, this is the first of two which made it to this list!)  This recipe from Lovely Little Kitchen is a delightful change from the typical tomato based chili.

3)  Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup
Several members of my family have voted this recipe from Creme de la Crumb "The best soup I have ever eaten".  Seriously... it's just that good. Even the pickiest eater in the house keeps requesting it!

4)  My Basic Chili
 This recipe is written for stove top preparation.  But once the meat is browned, all the ingredients can be tossed in the crock pot and left on low for a minimum of 4 hours.  You'll have a warm and yummy chili waiting for you at the end of a long, cold day.

5)  Roasted Chicken Dinner
I love a good chicken dinner as much as anyone.  But it always just seemed like so much work to make a whole roast chicken.  Not so!  Especially if the crock pot is doing most of the work for you!

What are some if your favorite crockpot recipes?

(Access recipes by clicking the name!)

Five Great Crock Pot Recipes for Cold Weather

I am all about cooking in the crock pot.  It prevents having to turn on the oven and heat the kitchen up during the summer months.  And it's perfect for making delicious soups, chili, and stews which give the house a warm, cozy "homey" smell and feel during the colder months of the year.

Over time I have found a few big winners which my family has approved - giving them a permanent place in my recipe folder. (and yes... a few failed experiments - but that's not what this post is about)

1)  Crockpot Gumbo
Spicy, warm, and de-li-cious!  I used to make gumbo on the stove top.  But I finally came up with a version for the crock pot.  Just as yummy - and super easy to toss together.

2)  Creamy White Chicken Chili
The family loves a good chili.  (in fact, this is the first of two which made it to this list!)  This recipe from Lovely Little Kitchen is a delightful change from the typical tomato based chili.

3)  Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup
Several members of my family have voted this recipe from Creme de la Crumb "The best soup I have ever eaten".  Seriously... it's just that good. Even the pickiest eater in the house keeps requesting it!

4)  My Basic Chili Recipe
 This recipe is written for stove top preparation.  But once the meat is browned, all the ingredients can be tossed in the crock pot and left on low for a minimum of 4 hours.  You'll have a warm and yummy chili waiting for you at the end of a long, cold day.

5)  Crockpot Roasted Chicken
I love a good chicken dinner as much as anyone.  But it always just seemed like so much work to make a whole roast chicken.  Not so!  Especially if the crock pot is doing most of the work for you!

(recipes are available at the original source for all these dishes by clicking the names)
 

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups