Mid Week Rush

It is Wednesday and that means the mid week rush is here. In the mist of all the hustle and bustle we need not to forget what is important and you all know that would be food for my family.

I LOVE my crockpot! I prep in the morning and while I am hard at work my dinner is a cookin'. When I walk in the door in the evenings dinner is ready to be served and that makes for a relaxing evening. Here are a few easy slow cooker tasty meals that the one and only Paul Dean creates.



Slow Cooker Stuffed Green Peppers


6 large green bell peppers
2 cups cooked wild rice
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
2 cups chicken stock
1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
¼ cup chopped walnuts
1 large egg
Salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon nutmeg


Directions
In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, cooked wild rice, ½ of the can of chopped tomatoes, onion, cheese, egg, walnuts, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Mix well. Cut just the tops off of the green peppers and remove seeds and ribs from inside. Stuff with ground beef mixture. Place stuffed peppers stuffed side up in a slow cooker and pour stock and remaining tomatoes over. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or on LOW for 8-9 hours.
Servings: 6Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 8 hrs Difficulty: Easy

Slow Cooker Cheese Stuffed Meatballs and Sauce

1 lb. ground beef

1 lb. ground pork

4 tablespoons fresh parmesan cheese, grated

1 to 1 1/2 cups Italian dry bread crumbs

3 large eggs1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 tablespoon fresh basil, finely chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

4 oz. fresh mozzarella, divided into 12 pieces

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 jars of your favorite red sauce

2 pounds spaghetti, cooked al dente

Directions
In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, ground pork, Parmesan, eggs, salt, pepper, garlic, basil, parsley and dried oregano. Add bread crumbs 1/2 cup at a time until mixture is not to wet and can be formed into balls easily. Form mixture into 12 balls using your thumb to press a hole in the center. Insert a piece of the fresh mozzarella into the hole and close the hole by pushing the meatball mixture around it to secure the mozzarella inside each ball. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and drizzle olive oil into it. Add meatballs and cook until just browned. Using a slotted spoon, transfer meatballs into a slow cooker. Pour red sauce over the meatballs and cook on LOW for approximately 5 hours. Serve the stuffed meatballs and sauce over spaghetti.
Servings: 6Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 5 hrs Difficulty: Easy

Chicken and Rice Casserole

1 10 3/4 ounce can condensed cream of celery soup
1 4 ounce jar pimentos
1 8 ounce can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
2 14 1/2 ounce cans green beans, drained and rinsed
3 cup diced cooked chicken
1 medium onion, peeled and diced
2 tablespoon butter or vegetable oil
1 cup mayonnaise
1 6 ounce box long-grain wild rice, cooked according to package directions
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese 1 pinch salt

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat butter or oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl.
Add all remaining ingredients to bowl and mix together until thoroughly combined.
Pour into a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand for a few minutes before serving.
Servings: Prep Time: Cook Time: 25 min Difficulty: Easy