Crock Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe

I don't know about you, but after Christmas the last thing I want to do is any cooking or cleaning up.  This recipe tastes very nice and cooks up as easy as anything ever in the crock pot.  We call it Grinch soup because of the green tint and my daughter thinks that is fun.  What child wouldn't want to try Grinch soup?  Give it a try when you are cooked and cleaned out.

You will Need a Crock Pot, Potatoes, Celery, Carrots, Garlic, Onion, Ham, Dry Split Peas, Bay Leaves, and dry Thyme.

Chop up the Onion, Celery, Carrot, and Potato into bite sized chunks.  I have little ones so I cut mine up very small.

Place the Veggies in the Crock Pot and mix them together.

Mince up the Garlic and add it in also.

Pour the Split Peas out and give them a good looking over.

You want to remove any rocks or things that you deem to be un-delicious.

Then give the Peas a good rinsing.

Dice up the Ham into bite sized pieces.

Add the Split Peas, Ham, and Water into the crock-pot.

Add in the Thyme, Bay Leaves, and Salt & Pepper.

Mix everything together and top with the lid.

Cook on High for 6 hours or (or low for 8-12 hours)

When the time is up Give the Soup a good stir.

Remove the Bay Leaves, cause nobody wants to eat those.

Enjoy!

Crock Pot Split Pea Soup Recipe

1 Lb Pack Split Peas, washed and sorted
1 Lb Ham Steak, Cut into bite sized pieces
2 Carrots, Peeled and chopped
2 Celery, Chopped
2-3 Potatoes, Peeled and chopped
1 Onion, Diced
1-2 tsp dry Thyme or Marjoram
2 Bay Leaves
1 1/2 tsp Salt
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 Quarts Water

Combine all ingredients in the crock pot.  Stir together and cover.  Cook on low 8-12 hours or on high 6 hours.  When cooking time is done stir everything together and remove the Bay Leaves. 

Enjoy!

Approximately 10 Servings

210 Calories
38 Carbs
2 Fat
17 Protein

Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Merry Christmas!  Can I just say that I cannot believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve!!  It's days like this that I have so much to do and so little time to accomplish them.  I love a fun breakfast that comes together quickly and easily.  I was playing around on Pinterest and came across this fun idea of making canned Cinnamon Rolls using your waffle iron instead of the stove.  I was intrigued and had to give it a try.  They turned out really good and made much less mess than I had expected.  They also smelled amazing while they cooked and cooked up wicked fast.  Can't beat that 2 days before Christmas!

You will need a pre-heated Waffle Iron and Canned Cinnamon Rolls.

Separate the Cinnamon Rolls

Place one Cinnamon Roll in each compartment of the warm Waffle Iron.

Close the Waffle Iron and press down firmly to squish the rolls a bit. 

Allow to cook a couple of minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Add a bit of Icing while the Rolls are still good and hot.

Look at all the ooey gooey icing.  Enjoy!

Cinnamon Roll Waffles Recipe
Source:  A Hen's Nest

1 Can Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls
Waffle Iron

Pre-heat the Waffle Iron.  Open the Cinnamon Rolls and separate the rolls.  Place the rolls into the compartments of the warmed waffle iron.  Close the lid and press down firmly to flatten the rolls a bit.  Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes until the Rolls are golden brown and cooked through.

Remove from Waffle Iron and ice while the rolls are still warm.

Enjoy!

Ham & Egg Crescent Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Have I got a recipe for you?  It is delicious and super quick and easy to whip up.  I originally got the recipe from Kraft Food and Family magazine a couple years ago.  I like to make this recipe for breakfast when I have company and it is always a hit.  Nothing beats a yummy and hearty breakfast that cooks up with little effort and pleases all from kids to adults.  I especially love making this recipe on Christmas or Easter morning when we are celebrating a holiday and have company.  Give it a try..I know you'll love it.

You will need Ham, Eggs, Cheese, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, and Milk.

Spray a Baking Dish very well with non-stick spray

Unroll the Pillsbury Crescent Roll Dough into the baking Dish.  The edges will overlap a little and that is just fine.

Using your fingers press the perforations together.

Chop the ham into bite sized pieces.  This time I used deli Ham but I've also used Ham steak and it works great also.

Sprinkle the Ham over the Crescent Roll dough.

Now grab 6 Eggs, I know the picture shows 7 and I'm just not sure why.

Crack your eggs into a bowl.

Add the Milk and a bit of Salt & Pepper to the Eggs.

Mix the Eggs and Milk together really well.

Pour the Egg Mixture over the Ham and Crescent Roll dough.

Sprinkle the Cheese over the top and Bake 350 Degrees for 25 Minutes.

Oh boy that looks good!

Enjoy!  I used my favorite Chili Sauce along with this recipe and it was fantastic!

Ham & Egg Crescent Breakfast Casserole Recipe

1 Can Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
1-2 Cups Ham, chopped
6 Eggs
1/2 C Milk
2 C Cheese Grated

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Unroll the Crescent Roll dough in a 13x9 baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray.  Press the dough to cover bottom of dish and pinch the perforations together.  Sprinkle the Ham over the dough.  In a separate bowl beat together the Eggs and Milk with a little Salt & Pepper.  Pour over the dough and cover with the Cheese.

Bake 25 Minutes or until the center is set.

Enjoy!

Approximately 12 Servings (using 1% Milk)

110 Calories
1 Carbs
7 Fat
10 Protein

Shared at Cheerios & Lattes

Ham Wrapped Asparagus Recipe

This is one of my very favorite recipes for an appetizer!  It is so easy and tastes delicious.  Asparagus is an absolute favorite of mine and when you wrap it up in a little ham you have an amazing flavor sensation that will get you coming back for more.  These are a great appetizer or side dish for the holidays.  Try them, you won't be sorry.  My Mom has made these for years but she wasn't home to ask how she makes them so I referred  to this site for instructions.

You will need Asparagus( I find that the larger stalks are better in this recipe), Ham, and Toothpicks.

Wash your Asparagus and trim or snap off the tough bottom part.

Cut the Ham in half.

Wrap the ham around the Asparagus and secure with a Toothpick.

Drizzle a bit of Canola Oil over the top.  Bake at 400 Degrees for about 7 minutes.  Then flip them over and go another 7 minutes.

Enjoy!

Ham Wrapped Asparagus Recipe
Source:  Kalyn's Kitchen

1 Lb Asparagus spears
1 Lb Sliced Deli Ham
Toothpicks
Canola Oil for drizzling





Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Wash your Asparagus and either cut or snap off the tough ends.  Depending on the size of your Ham you may want to cut it in half.  Roll a slice of Ham around every Asparagus spear using a toothpick to secure the ham in place.

Line a Baking sheet with Parchment and arrange the Asparagus on the parchment.  Drizzle a little Canola Oil over the spears.  I didn't use much maybe a TBSP but I doubt I used that much.

Place the baking sheet in the hot oven and roast for about 7 minutes on the first side.  Turn the spears over and roast another 5-7 minutes.  You want the Asparagus to be nice and tender and the Ham to be browned.


Enjoy!

Mashed Potatoes Recipe

I, like so many others, love the Pioneer Woman.  I like to imagine that we are super best friends and we do all kinds ranch things together.  You know..horse stuff, garden stuff, cow stuff, hay stuff..er..other ranch stuff.  Okay, so I don't really know what is involved in ranch stuff but I'm pretty sure she and I would have lots of fun doing it together.  One of the ranch things that I know we would absolutely do together would be cooking at the Lodge.  We would absolutely whip up a batch of these Mashed Potatoes because they are very yummy.  Clearly not on my diet..but during the holidays who is on a diet anyways?  I highly suggest you whip up a batch of the Pioneer Woman's Mashed Potatoes recipe.  You will be very happy you did.

You will need Half & Half, Butter, Cream Cheese, Seasoned Salt, and Potatoes.

Wash and peel the Potatoes.

Cut them up into even sized chunks.  I cut mine into fourths to try and cook a bit faster.

Bring a big pot of water to a boil.

Add the taters and let them cook away until they are tender. 

Drain the taters.

You want them to be fork tender..I actually wish I had cooked mine a few more minutes.

Grab your handy tater masher. 

Toss the taters back in the pan and turn the heat on low.  Pioneer Woman says to do this so I did it. 

Now get to mashing.

Good and Mashed.  Now you can turn off the stove.

We are all in real trouble now.

Add in a stick and a half of the softened Butter.

Then add in the cube of softened Cream Cheese.  Mix it all together.

Now as if the Butter and Cream Cheese weren't enough now it's time for the Half & Half.

Add the Half & Half in and don't think twice about it.  It's not as if you'll be eating the whole batch of Mashed Potatoes yourself.   Also add in the Seasoned Salt and Black Pepper. 

Stir everything together into a creamy and delicious mixture.  Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Now transfer the Taters to a baking dish. 

So silly..you thought we were done with the Butter.  Not a chance!

Using the last half a stick of Butter place pats of Butter on top.

These can be made ahead and re-heated when you are ready for them.  350 degrees for about 20 minutes and you are ready to go.  Enjoy!

Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Source:  The Pioneer Woman Cooks

5 LBS Potatoes (I used Russets)
2 Sticks of Butter, Divided
1 package Cream Cheese
1/2 C Half & Half
1/2 tsp Seasoned Salt
1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Wash and peel the potatoes.  Cut the potatoes into even sized chunks into fourths.  Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over medium heat.  At the potatoes and cook until they are very tender.  About 30-40 minutes.

Drain the potatoes then place them back in the dry pan.  Set the heat to low and start mashing with a hand masher.  This should help remove steam and according to The Pioneer Woman is one of the secrets to the yumminess of these potatoes.  Once the potatoes are thoroughly mashed turn off the heat.

Add in 1 /12 sticks of Butter, an 8 oz block of Cream Cheese, and 1/2 cup of half & Half.  Mix everything together and add more half & half if they are too dry.  Next add the Seasoned Salt and Black Pepper.  Start slow and add more if they need more seasoning.  Mix everything together really well.

Transfer the potatoes to a baking dish.  Take the last 1/2 stick of Butter and cut it into chunks and place them all over the top.  Heat oven to 350 degrees and bake about 20 minutes or until everything is warmed through and the Butter is all melted.  Can be made in advance but be sure to take them out of the fridge 2-3 hours before you bake them.

Approximately 20 servings

212 Calories
18 Carbs
14 Fat
3 Protein