Crock Pot Ground Beef Picadillo

**originally posted on www.WGLR.com on 1-12-15**

This week's recipe is probably one you haven't heard of. I follow an awesome blog for healthy DELICIOUS recipes called Skinnytaste, and that is where this recipe came from. I had never heard of the dish, but thought it sounded good and was willing to give it a try. It's called Crock Pot Picadillo (pronounced peek-uh-DEE-yo). Apparently, the term means "chopped" and is used for a few types of dishes. This picadillo is ground beef based, and is popular in Cuba and central american countries. It is typically served over rice (which is what I did with it initially when I made it), but it can also be used as a meat filling for tacos, nachos, or even as a sandwich. I used leftovers to make some hearty nachos with and wow, it was good! Lots of flavors mix together in this dish, and it isn't spicy.  So give it a try, I bet you'll like it.

CROCK POT PICADILLO

• 2 1/2 lbs ground beef ( I used 93% lean)
• 1 cup minced onion
• 1 cup diced red bell peppers
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup minced cilantro
• 1 small tomato, diced
• 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup alcaparrado (manzanilla olives, pimientos, capers) or green olives
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 bay leaves
• salt and pepper, to taste

Brown the meat in a skillet, making sure it is well broken up into small pieces. Generously salt and pepper the meat while cooking. Drain. Add in onions, bell pepper & garlic and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

Transfer meat mixture to your crock pot, and then add tomato, cilantro, tomato sauce, 1 1/4 cups water, alcaparrado (or olives), and then add the spices (you can also add some of the olive brine for some flavor).

Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8. Taste when done and add more salt and spices if desired. Serve over rice (I use brown) and enjoy!

Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Fajita Soup

**originally posted on www.WGLR.com on 1-5-15**

Well, with a cold week ahead like the one forecast, I pretty much only feel like eating soups & stews!! So, if you agree, here's a soup for you to help warm you up! It's Crock Pot Creamy Chicken Fajita soup! Pretty easy to throw together, and it has just enough spice to give you an extra warm-up while you eat it :) I was able to use some of the salsa I canned over the summer and some sweet corn off the cob that I froze. Was nice to enjoy some summer in this soup!

 

 

CROCK POT CREAMY CHICKEN FAJITA SOUP

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup salsa
2 cups frozen corn
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 - 1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried cilantro (optional)
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
favorite toppings like sour cream, tortilla chips, avocado, extra cheese/salsa, etc

Place the chicken breasts into the crock pot. Combine chicken soup, salsa, corn, beans, water, cumin & cilantro in a large bowl. Mix well and pour over chicken in the crock pot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Remove chicken from the crock and shred it up with 2 forks. Return it to the crock pot, add the shredded cheddar, and cook for another 15 minutes.

Serve in bowls with your favorite fajita toppings!

First Crock of the Week! Taco Soup!

Here was the very first recipe for Julie Jacobs' "Crock of the Week" on 97.7 WGLR. I post a new recipe every week at www.wglr.com, and then archive the previous week's recipe here on this blog.

TACO SOUP

1 lb ground turkey or beef, browned and drained
1 medium onion, chopped
2 (15oz) cans kidney beans (I use one light red and one dark red)
2 (15oz) cans pinto beans
2 (15oz) cans corn with their juices
1 (28oz) can diced tomatoes with their juices
1 (14oz) can tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel) with their juices
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch dressing mix
sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese for garnishing

Place the meat and onion in your crock pot. Rinse and drain the beans and add to the pot. Add corn and tomatoes with their juices, and then add the seasoning packets.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

When serving, add a handful of cheese and a dollop of sour cream to each bowl. I also like to throw on some crushed up tortilla chips. Cornbread is also a nice friend with this soup. It is very filling, and freezes well if you want to save some for later!