Creamy round steak slow cooker

I try not to use that much red meat but sometimes I just need a little bit to satisfy that inner cave women I guess. When I crave red meat I have a few recipes that I go to and this is one of them.

Creamy round steak

1-2 lbs beef round steak or stew meat

1-2 Tablespoons canola oil. ( can use vegetable oil I just never have it in the house)

4 tablespoons onion soup mix (or 1 packet of store mix)

2 cans cream mushroom soup

Hot pasta to serve with or rice. 

Cut the meat into cubes. I use stew meat for this so it's usually always cut for me.  Heat oil in a pan and brown the meat on all sides. 

In the slow cooker combine the dry soup mix and the canned soup then add the meat. 

Cook on high for 6-7 hours.

Days off

Don't you just love days off???

Well I happened to get a Saturday off which for me is rare and I'm sure once I start my new job will be even rarer, but it was nice to be able to deep clean my house today. Catch up on laundry and basically just get the house organized.

As my regualr readers will know I like to have a clean house, but due to working so much I haven't been do get as much done as I want, or at least to my standards.

For me there's something relaxing about having a clean house.which for me is weird as I like clutter to a degree and then it gets to much and I just have to organize.

Daily Posting

Like most new years resolutions they tend to last a month if we are lucky, and it seems that my daily posting of my blog also gone.

I will try very hard again to start posting something every day again. Even if its just a quick hello.

As so often happens life gets busy and things happen and we forget about some of the things that bring us joy.

Writing my blog is one of those things that helps bring me joy. I like writing as you know and although I doubt anyone ever really reads my posts I know from the stats that someone out there does at least view my blog. Even if it is by accident.

I hope my posts help someone in someway. Even if its just hearing about my day and what I'm up to, or finding a recipe that I love and making dinner a little easier.

That's my hope any way.  Even if people don't get anything out of this blog I write it for me. Thats why i write this blog. I hope you like it to. :-)

My new haircut.

Having had nearly 6 inches cut off the bottom. I love my new haircut

Happy 30th to me

Yesterday was my 30th birthday and I have to say its not as bad as I thought it would be. At this time there is a lot of change going on in my life and maybe that's a good thing.

Today as my treat I got a new haircut. So in a break with tradition for me and my blog I will at the bottom of the this post, add a picture of my new hairstyle. Also today I'm spending time with my family.

It wasn't a day full of fun. The morning was quite nerve wracking waiting around to see if my husband still had a job or not. I am glad to say that he does still his job. Which means that is a load of stress of.  I also went to my new job and filled in some of the paperwork which makes the job offer official and I start next Friday. So looking forward to that.

It also meant that I handed in my resignation at my current old. Which was nice to be able to do.

I would love to say thanks to all my friends who came to my birthday luncheon on Wednesday and a huge thank you to Lisa for putting on an amazing spread like you always do.

Chocolate truffles

So a break with what has seemed to become a tradition with me and not posting pictures. Not done intentionally but I'm that person who always forgets there is a camera on my phone. 

But as I have a picture of this recipe I thought I would share. 

So chocolate truffles. I made these to celebrate Imbolic a Wiccan sabbat at the start of February. But these are so good that I would make them for any occasion or even as a gift just put them in a cute little bag and tie them up with some ribbon and a fancy tag. 

8oz semi sweet chocolate, coarsley chopped. ( I used chocolate chips)

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature 

1 tablespoon amaretto

Then to cover the truffles 

1/2 cup milk chocolate melted. ( I didn't make any with chocolate on them)

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/4 cup finely ground almonds.

Put the semi sweet chocolate in a medium size mixing bowl and set aside.

In a small saucepan, heat the cream over medium heat until hit but not quite simmering. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand for 3-4 minutes. Stir until smooth. 

Using a hand held electric mixer, beat in the butter and amaretto until the mixture is light and creamy. Refrigerate until firm which is about 45 minutes. 

Using a teaspoon or melon baller ( I used my cookie scoop) scoop up the chocolate mixture into heaping teaspoons and then roll them into balls using your hands. 

Then roll the balls in which ever one of the topping you want, either the melted chocolate, almonds or cocoa . Place them on   baking sheet lined with baking paper. Refrigerate until firm, which is about 39 minutes. 

The truffles will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and in the freezer for up to several weeks. But mine never last that long.

Ranch chicken slow cooker

This I think may be one of my husbands top five slow cooker meals that I do. It has the ranch dressing mix in it that I make which he adores.

4 chicken breasts
4 tablespoons ranch dressing/dip mix ( or 1 packet of store mix)
1 stick butter,.

Cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 hours or on high for 2 hours.

Then in the last 30 minutes if on high turn to low and add

1 8oz package of cream cheese
2 can of cream of mushroom soup.

While the cheese is melting down I take the chicken out and shred it with two forks. And then place back into the slow cooker to mix with the sauce.

Slow cooker chicken and cream cheese chili

My sister in  law Michelle made this once for a family gathering and after 2 bowls of this I just had to have the recipe. She kindly gave it to me and here it is.

2 chicken breast
1 can rotel
2 8oz cream cheese
2 cans corn, undrained
2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
4 tablespoon ranch dressing mix ( or 1 packet store mix)
1 teaspoon onion powder.

Cook chicken in the slow cooker for 2 hours on low.

Add all the other ingredients and cook for 2 more hours.

Just before serving shred the chicken with two forks. Add back to slow cooker and mix with rest of chili.

Thus makes a ton of food and I usually end up putting a load of leftovers in the freezer.