Baked Potato Soup

I got this from my sister in-law and have made it a few times already. We really like it! It makes quite a bit, so I usually take dinner to someone when I make it to share some. I LOVE coming home from work to dinner all ready to eat!!!

6 large russet potatoes, peeled, and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped
3-14 oz. cans chicken broth
1/4 c. butter
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 tsp. pepper
1 C. whipping cream
1 c. (4 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 Tbs. chopped fresh chives (I omit these)
1-8 oz. container sour cream
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled (or be lazy like me and use the fresh bacon bits)
shredded cheddar cheese

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a 5 qt. slow cooker
2. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours or until potatoes are tender
3. Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped/mashed and soup is slightly thickened; stir in cream, cheese, and chives.

Top with sour cream, bacon, and cheese
If desired, serve with half sandwiches

Pulled-pork sandwiches

We made these for lunch in between conference sessions (had the meat cooking overnight). It was a fun summery meal, even though it is still freezing. So I'm excited for the warm weather - can you blame me?


1 pork roasts
1/2 can of vegetable broth
1 small onion, sliced
BBQ sauce

Put sliced onion in bottom of crock pot. Put in pork roast. Pour can of broth over the top and cook on low for 8 hours or more. Shred the pork and then pour your favorite bbq sauce over the top. Cook on low for 2-3 more hours until all flavors are blended. Serve on a bun with coleslaw on top.

{thanks to my cousin, Nicole, for the yummy recipe!}

Crock Pot Italian Chicken

This is the best stuff ever and seriously easy to make. There are TWO ingredients: Chicken and Italian Dressing. All you do is put some chicken in your crock pot, cover it with Italian dressing, and enjoy!!! Serve it with rice. Just leave it in there however long you normally leave chicken in the crock pot. I used chicken tenders so I did it on low for about 4 or 5 hours.

Mexicali Round Steak

I L-O-V-E crock pot recipes. Throw it in the pot, turn it on, and forget about it. Divine. And this recipe is REALLY yummy.

4 pieces round steak
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup beef broth
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, diced
10 ounces salsa
1/2 can black beans
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese w/ Jalapeno peppers

Trim fat from beef. Cut into servings. Place in slow cooker with all ingredients but cheese. Cook 8-9 hours on low. It can be pretty runny when it is done, so I serve it in bowls with the cheese on top, with sour cream (if you want) and tortillas. Sort of a messy burrito.