Carrot, Zucchini and Potata Cakes

I was very excited to try these but ultimately disappointed. They are basically hashbrowns with a different flavor. I'm not a hashbrown fan but if you are you will like these hashbrown type pancakes.
Carrot, Zucchini and Potato Cakes
Better Homes & Gardens
Ingredients
1 medium zucchini, shredded (about 1-1/4 cups)
1-1/2 lb. baking potatoes, peeled and shredded (about 4 cups)
1 large carrot, shredded (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 large eggs
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crushed
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. canola oil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly coat two small baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Drain zucchini in a colander; press to squeeze out excess liquid. In large bowl combine zucchini, potatoes, carrot, flour, 1 of the eggs, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. In extra-large nonstick skillet heat half of the oil over medium heat.
4. To make a pancake, spoon about 1-cup portion of potato mixture into skillet; evenly press and round edges with back of spatula to form a pancake.
5. Cook two pancakes at a time, 4 to 5 minutes each side or until golden brown, turning once.
6. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and place in oven until all cakes are made. Repeat with remaining oil and potato mixture.

Moist and Delicious Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot

When I found a Perdue chicken half price I looked online for a recipe to cook it in the crockpot. This recipe is from brainhoney.com and came out really good. I'm using the leftovers for chicken pot pie, too.

Moist and Delicious Whole Chicken in the Crock Pot
For this recipe you will need:

One whole chicken (frozen or fresh)
2 Tbs garlic paste (or 4 medium garlic cloves peeled and minced)
1 Tbs salt
1 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp lemon zest (I used lemon juice
I also added one small onion, chopped and two large carrots and two cans of chicken broth

I pulled the giblets out of the inside chicken, peeled the skin back, poked holes in the chicken with a fork and spread the garlic paste with olive oil and salt over the chicken. After I was done spread the mixture over the chicken, I put the remainder of the mixture inside the chicken. I placed the chicken in the crock pot surrounded by the onion and two carrots. I poured 2 cans of chicken broth over the chicken and cooked on low for 10 hours. Cut chicken, serve and enjoy!

Mary's Black Bean Soup

This is my mom's black bean soup recipe and it's quick and easy. It's good with cornbread.

Mary's Black Bean Soup
5 or 6 cloves of garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
6 or 7 baby carrots, diced really small
1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 small can of chicken broth
2 cans black beans
salt to taste

In a medium size pan with medium heat, cook garlic, onions, carrots, and olive oil. While this is cooking, take 1 of the cans of black bean and the chicken broth and put them in the blender. Blend together until smooth. When onions are transparent and carrots are soft, they are done. Add the chicken broth mixture to the pan and bring it to a simmer. Add last can of beans and cook 5 minutes more. Makes 3 to 4 servings. Enjoy!

Corn & Salmon Chowder

This recipe is from Williams-Sonoma Cooking for Baby. I googled salmon chowder and this recipe honestly looked to be the best recipe that I found so I decided to give it a try. I slightly changed the amounts of some of the ingredients so I made those notes. It was really delicious soup! Even tho it's from a baby cook book. :-)

Corn & Salmon Chowder
1/2 lb red potatoes (I used 3)
1/4 cup diced onion
1 celery rib (I used 4)
1 medium carrot, peeled (I used half of a small bag of baby carrots)
1 clove garlic
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 bay leaf (omitted)
1 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (I used 1 can and a carton of V8 Southwestern Corn liquid soup mix)
3/4 lb skinless salmon fillet
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups corn kernels, fresh or frozen (I used canned corn - only one can since I added the V8 liquid)
salt and pepper
Peel and dice potatoes and set aside. Dice onion, celery, and carrot. Mince garlic.
In a soup pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and bay leaf and saute until vegetables turn golden, 5-7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add broth and potatoes, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes.
Cut salmon into 1-inch pieces.
Puree milk and 1 cup corn in a blender. Add corn puree, 1/2 cup corn kernels, and salmon pieces to pot. Return to medium heat and simmer, uncovered, until salmon is cooked through and soup is hot, 5-7 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Note: If you are making this for baby, the recipe says that if the soup is too chunky to use a food mill or food processor for baby's portion.

Crock Pot Beef Stew

Crock Pot Beef Stew
Ingredients:
2 lbs beef stew meat
1 onion, sliced
handful of baby tomatoes (I used one 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes)
celery (1/2 a bunch)
carrots (half a bag of baby carrots and half a bag of shredded carrots I had in the frig)
2 cloves garlic, minced
green beans (I used one can)
mushrooms (omitted but only because I didn't have any fresh or canned)
2 cans beef broth (I used 1 can beef, 1 can chicken because that's what I had on hand)
1/4 cup red wine (I cook with the $3 wine from walmart since my wine of choice from Trader Joe's isn't closeby where I live)
1 t kosher salt
black pepper
1 t seasoning blend (whatever you have on hand for bbqing, stir-frying, etc. I used a grilling seasoning mix but even Seasoned Salt would work.)
1 t Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup frozen peas (omitted because peas are not always my thing)
Directions
1. Wash and chop all of your vegetables.
2. Put them into the Crock Pot.
3. Put the flour in a bowl with a little salt and pepper, and toss your meat in it to fully coat.
4. Put the meat into the Crock Pot.
5. Add dry seasoning and Worcestershire sauce.
6. Pour in the wine and beef broth.
7. Cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours.
8. Stir in the peas just before serving.

Honey-Glazed Chicken and Roasted Carrots with Honey

Honey-Glazed Chicken
from Good Thymes and Good Food and Everyday Food

Ingredients
Serves 4 (I cut the recipe in half - just split it down the middle)
1/2 cup honey
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons dried thyme
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 chicken, (about 3 pounds) cut into 8 pieces
(I just used boneless skinless breasts)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 475 (I cooked them at 450 with the carrots on the same baking sheet)degrees.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
3. In a small bowl (or glass measuring cup), whisk together honey, vinegar, thyme, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
4. Place chicken pieces on prepared pan; brush with honey glaze to coat.
5. Roast, brushing twice with glaze (do not baste during last 5 minutes of cooking), until chicken is deep brown on the outside and opaque throughout, 20 to 25 minutes.

Roasted Carrots with Honey
Ingredients Serves 4 (I cut this in half, too)
1 1/2 pounds carrots, cut on the diagonal into 2-inch lengths and halved lengthwise if thick (I just used a small bag of baby carrots and cut them in half)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon honey

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss carrots with oil; season with salt and pepper. (I roasted them with the honey drizzled on them)
3. Roast, tossing once, until tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
4. Remove from oven, and toss with honey (I didn't do this since I roasted them in honey).