Thanksgiving

It's just around the corner! What are you cooking up for guests? Me? I'm taking the four of us to Michael V's for Thanksgiving Dinner. All we can eat, no cooking and no cleanup!

Since all our relatives are on the coast, we don't make a big deal about holidays. However, a friend of mine posted this cute little goodie on her Facebook page and I thought I'd share it with those of you who are having company. This little treat looks fun to make and yummy to eat!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

The Pioneer Woman Cooks

If you are looking for good, old fashioned, high calorie yummy food that sticks to your ribs, you'll want to check out The Pioneer Woman Cooks. My friend, Liz Eubanks, sent me the link and it's my kind of food! You might even find some salads!

She also writes about gardening, her farm animals, homeschooling and more. A very interesting blog!

Cindy's Double Tall Mocha

I LOVE Starbucks, and my favorite beverage is a double tall mocha. However, the fat and price of this treat is something I am trying to cut back on. So, I've created my own version - no fat and no sugar! 

Here's the recipe:

• Heat 1 cup skim milk in microwave
  
• Add 1/16 tsp. NuStevia  (a natural sweetener, not artificial)
• Mix in 1/2 tsp Folgers Instant Coffee (best flavor of instant)
• Mix in 1 tsp. Hershey's Cocoa, Natural Unsweetened  
• For fiber, add 1 tsp of Fiber-Sure.
• Mix well and then add 1/2 tsp vanilla

This is yummy and good for you - 105 calories, 0 fat, 5 mg. cholesterol, 5 grams fiber and it's really inexpensive! 

Beef Roast with Tomatoes, Onions and Peppers

This came from the book, Fix-It And Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes and it's yummy!!!

Brown:

•  3 lbs. boneless chuck roast 
  
•  1 garlic clove (minced) in 1 Tbs. oil.

Add:

• 2-3 onions, sliced
  
• 2-3 sweet green and red peppers sliced (I used stir fry green peppers)
  
• 16 oz. salsa 
  
• 1 can Mexican style tomatoes

Stir. Cover and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours. 

Asian Beef Stew

This recipe was in the booklet that came with the cooker. My daughter works at an upscale restaurant and has very expensive food tastes. She loved it! 

Cut 3 lbs. of beef chuck into 1 inch cubes. Coat with a mixture of: 

• 1/4 flour
  
• 1 tsp garlic powder
  
• 1 tsp paprika
  
• 1/2 tsp chili powder 
  
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Brown meat on all sides in 2 Tbs. oil, then place into crock pot. 

Saute in the same oil and then add to the pot:

• 1 med. onion, sliced
  
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped

Combine and add to pot:

• 1/2 cup water
  
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
  
• 2 Tbs. hoisin sauce (mine had plum in it)
  
• 2 Tbs. ketchup
  
• 1 Tbs. honey

Stir. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. 

Stir in:

• 1/2 lb snow peas (I used frozen)
  
• 1 can sliced water chestnuts

Set on high, cover and cook for 20 more minutes. Serve with fried Chinese noodles.