Mama Perz

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Crock Pot Layered Enchiladas!

This is a new one for me. This recipe was shared from my good friend J.B. via this page Quick and Easy and best of all in my crock pot! Was able to prep everything while QC and LT were down for naps and now can spend the rest of the day with them while supper cooks away!

So the Recipe:

Slow Cooker Layered Enchilada Dinner

1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef - I used 85% but next time will use the 93% I usually have on hand.

1 small onion, chopped (about 1/3 cup)- I found this to be about half and onion so I froze the other half.

1 clove garlic, finely chopped- I doubled this since I LOVE garlic!

1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup- Picked up the 98% fat free version 

1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles

1 can (10 oz)  enchilada sauce

10 corn tortillas (6 inch)- I found when layering in my round crock pot putting one whole one in the middle and cutting the others for the layers in half worked best.

3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (12 oz)- I actually couldn't find this at my local grocery store so instead I used a shredded mexican blend.

Paprika

Chopped fresh cilantro- I didn't use this because well I HATE cilantro. 

   (my added ingredient: Oregano. I used it while cooking up the meat mixture and sprinkled it over the top before cooking)

In 10-inch skillet, cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in soup and chiles.
Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread about 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce in bottom of slow cooker. Place 4 corn tortillas over sauce, overlapping and breaking in half as necessary to make an even layer. Top with 1/3 of beef mixture, spreading evenly. Drizzle with about 1/4 cup enchilada sauce. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese.
Repeat layering twice, using 3 corn tortillas and half of remaining beef mixture, enchilada sauce and cheese in each layer. Sprinkle paprika over top.
Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours 30 minutes.- You should really know your Slow Cooker and how it cooks. Mine cooks faster than some and cooks best with a layer of tin foil over the top before the lid.
Let stand about 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle individual servings with cilantro.

Makes 4 generous servings or 6 regular servings.
Nutrition:
4 servings: 692 Cal; 38 fat; 49 carb;41 protein
6 servings; 463 Cal; 26 fat; 32 carb;27 protein

The verdict... YUMMY! I loved it a little to much and over indulged :) QC my picky boy actually ate some of it! Thanks J.B. can't wait to try out another of your family favorites.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Beef and Mushrooms over Rice (or Pasta)

I love Beef and Mushrooms so much but have you ever looked at the nutrition! It's terrible so this is my attempt at making it healthier while still tasting amazing, and of course easy by putting it in the slow cooker!

2lb lean sirloin- cubed
16oz mushrooms- sliced or quartered (however you like yours size wise)
1 medium onion- sliced thinly
1 can 98% Fat free cream of mushroom soup
1 cup 99% fat free beef broth
1 packet dry onion soup mix
seasonings to taste

Step one- Put the beef into the crock pot and season

Step two- Put onions on top of the beef

Step three- Top with mushrooms

Step four- Mix the soup, broth, and dry soup mix together

Step five- Pour over the mushrooms

Step six- Cook on low 8-10 hours (know your slow cooker well! Mine cooks a bit fast so I go for the lower end of the time)

Step seven- Cook your rice or pasta

Step eight- Serve the beef over your rice/pasta (or mashed potatoes!)

Not my best picture but the meat was melt in your mouth tender and the sauce was so so good!

Enjoy! Serves 6 - 288 cal 13 fat 13 carb / Plus your rice/pasta,

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Pork Alfredo!

Ingredients:
1 pound Pork Loin
4 cups frozen Broccoli
1 cup Alfredo Sauce
2 cups dry whole wheat rotini

Directions:

Put water on to boil and cut pork loin into bite size pieces.

Brown Pork with your choice of seasonings. I used pepper on mine.

QC is waiting on supper.

LT decided he wanted to be held. Thank goodness for the wrap carrier

Supper must go on!

Add frozen broccoli to pan and cover on low.

Meanwhile your water should be boiling so add your pasta.

Bright eyed baby watching everything!

I put a wooden spoon across my pan so that it doesn't boil over.

Add the sauce and mix on med low heat until warm through.

Drain and add pasta to pan.

Toss to mix and serve.

Recipe makes 4 servings of about 1 1/2 cups.

Mommy's Supper

QC had the same thing but with a little cheese on the side.

Nutrition Facts:

As per MyFitnessPal.com Recipe calculator.

Total:	Calories 1464	Carbs 110	Fat 55	Protein 125	Fiber 12	Sugar 18
Per Serving:	366	28	14	31	3	5

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Whole Wheat Crock Pot Lasagna

It isn't perfect but tastes great!

Ingredients:

8 oz whole wheat pasta- Broken Lasagna would be best but I had Rotini on hand.
1 lb Ground beef- lean is best :)
Spaghetti Sauce- I can/jar
1/4 cup water- I use this to get the rest of the sauce out of the can/jar for the spaghetti
15 oz container Ricotta cheese- You could use small curd cottage cheese if you really wanted to
2 cups Shredded Skim Milk Mozzarella
Seasonings to taste!

Directions:
Spray Crock Pot with no calorie non stick spray
Brown meat and drain
Layer half the Dry Pasta on bottom of crock pot

Put half the meat over the pasta

Layer Half the sauce, half the Ricotta, and half the Mozzarella

Top with seasonings and Repeat Pasta, Meat, Sauce, Ricotta, and Mozzarella then Seasonings.

Cook on Low for 2-4 hours (Check it at 2 hours!!) Every Crock Pot is different and cooks a bit differently. My Pasta was perfect at 3 hours but by 4 it was a bit more cooked than I prefer.

Serves 6 (about 1 cup servings) and Freezes well

My Holiday Hiatus and Catching up!

So for Christmas time I took a break from the blog while I got ready for several exciting things.
1) I love the holidays and especially the baking that comes with them!
I baked and I baked A LOT! Yes I had just had a baby but that doesn't mean I wasn't going to bake my little heart out!