New Look

I got a blog makeover! (well sorta) and it was free! if you'd like to spruce your blog up I got my background from Shabby Blogs. go check them out!

Soooo what do you think?

Apple Butter

I swear I think that this is becoming a cooking/food blog. well I guess it is what it is. Anyways I've been canning lately and yesterday I made some apple butter. what is special about this is that I made it in the crock pot!!!! I got the recipe from a friend last year but didn't try it until now. it's wonderful and it tastes almost exactly like my gma's recipe.
so I wanted to share it with ya'll. Again I've added where I changed things a bit. mostly b/c the flavoring didn't taste right so I added more.

Traditional Apple Butter (for the crock pot)
12-14 cooking apples (about 16 cups chopped)
2 cups cider (I used about 3 cups)
2 cups sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon (I actually used 3 tsps)
1/4 tsp ground clove (I used 1/2 tsp)
1/4 tsp allspice (again I used 1/2 tsp)

core and chop apples, the recipe said not to peel them but I don't like bits in my jelly so I peeled. (I actually got to use my apple, peeler, corer from PC) combine the apples and cider in your large crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours. Puree in a food mill or sieve (I used a blender). Return the pureed mixture into your crock pot, add sugar and spices, cover and cook on low for another 1-2 hours.
It will keep for several weeks in the fridge or you can pour into prepared jars and can. makes about 8 cups.

I had actually 5 of those big jars but one the bottom popped off. (I think I may have filled it too full) and a bit left over in a bowl for in the fridge. enjoy it's great!

Soup Weather!

It's fall and that means soup! I got this recipe from my neighbor and tried it today and loved it. I'm sure you could adjust this to use it in a crock pot. I did change a bit of the recipe so I'll give you the "real" recipe and then my modifications. Taco Soup
1 can golden hominy
1 can creamed corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can of kidney beans
1 lb of meat
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can rotel
1/2 a package of ranch seasoning
1 onion
Throw it all together and simmer.
add ins - salsa, cheese, tortilla chips.

I strongly believe in using what you have.so I used:
1 can golden hominy
1 can white hominy
1 can creamed corn
1 can pinto beans
1 can of black beans
1 lb of meat (ground turkey)
1 packet of taco seasoning
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can diced green chili's
1 a package of ranch seasoning
3 cloves of garlic
1 onion chopped
I browned the ground turkey in the bottom of the stock pot and then added the taco seasoning and I filled the packet of the seasoning with water to mix it in with the meat. then I started open cans and just dump them in. I let the soup "boil" while I opened and dumped. I added in some garlic b/c garlic is yummy and good for you. and I used the whole package of ranch seasoning b/c I dumped it in way too fast. After everything was in I turned it to low and let it simmer with a lid on for 1-2 hours or so. When it was dinner time I topped it with some cheddar cheese and it was wonderful!
Enjoy!