Kristen Tackles Leftovers... take one

I've never been very good about leftovers. I usually eat the same dish over and over before I get so sick of whatever it is I am eating that the thought of it makes me want to vom.

However, as I am on the quest to become a better cook/"healthier" college student, I am accepting the challenge of disguising my leftovers- both cleverly and deliciously.

The dish: Spicy honey-glazed chicken with rice
The dilemma: I am really, really, really sick of rice.

How I now feel about rice:

You know, that scene in the movie where they keep making him eat fruit cake and pudding? Yeah. I feel like that.

Therefore, I bring you.... Use-Everything-In-The-Apartment-That's-Going-To-Go-Bad Casserole:

Yum.

Crockpotervention: Spicy Honey-Glazed Chicken

It's finals week, which basically means that I have to learn 11 weeks worth of chemistry in 4 days. After studying all day, I needed something quick and cheap, yet not totally bad for me and equally delicious.

Enter spicy honey-glazed chicken. I had all the ingredients and I bet you do too.

Have yourself a fruity little pork chop

I couldn't resist. Holiday-themed titles from here on out!

I hope everyone had a wonderful stuffing-filled Thanksgiving, I know I did. I also know that I am really, really sick of turkey. Tonight's dinner called for the other white meat, pork. Pork chops if you want to be specific.

I bring you, Apriorange Pork Chops.

The Check List.
Is it not turkey? Yes.

Not-So-Chilly-Day Sweet Potato Chili

So I guess I got a bit ahead of myself when I talked about having cold weather. It's a nice 72 degrees here in the city of brotherly love... in the middle of November. That didn't stop me though from employing my crock pot to make sweet potato chili.

The Check List.

Is it chili? Yes. 

Crockpotervention: Vegetable Soup

The time as come, the warlus said, to make something without your crock pot.

After two weeks of freakishly warm November weather, Philadelphia is finally cold. I'm sure in a few weeks I will be lamenting about the fact that I can't feel my face when I leave my apartment.

Cold weather means I can use up the celery and carrots that I thought would be a good idea to buy, but will instead go bad in my fridge, in marvelous soup.

Very Merry Cranberry Pork Loin

Is it too early to start calling things "merry?" I don't care. I operate on Kristen time and I call for calling things "merry" starting on November 1st.

As I promised (because I am sick to death of chicken) this is a pork loin recipe, and because it's from me, it's 1) done in the crock pot 2) super easy 3) the most delicious thing I have ever made EVER. Seriously. I think I'm in love.

The Check List.
Sounds delicious? You have no idea how delicious this is.
Simple ingredients? Mostly all pantry ingredients
Simple to make? Yup!

A sneak preview...

After coupon-ing, flipping through the circular, and finding recipes with very little ingredients, I made a grown-up grocery list. Go Kristen.

What makes it a grown-up grocery list? The lack of Lucky Charms and the fact that PathMark Coupon Source is the best thing to happen to college students (i.e. I'm getting things on sale and non-brand name). 

Here's what to expect in a few days:
1. Sweet potato chili
2. Cranberry Pork Loin
3. Soups galore! Low-fat ham and potato and easy-shmeezy Italian wedding soup.
4. Apricot Pork Chops

...oh yeah. They are all made in the crock pot.
So stay tuned my loyal readers :)

Honey Chicken Don't Give a...

I have to admit, I am starting to get a little tired of chicken. The next post will be about the other white meat, I promise.

Without further delay, honey chicken.

The Checklist.
Sounds delicious? Yup.
Simple ingredients? Yup.
Simple to make? Yes yes yes.

Aloha, Crockpot!

There is nothing I love more than the terms "class is cancelled" or "here's some free money for doing absolutely nothing," besides "only three ingredients."
I bring you, Crock Pot Aloha Chicken.

The Checklist.

Sounds delicious? Check.

Simple ingredients? Check.

Simple to make? Double check.

Orange you glad I said crock pot?

Orange chicken. Yum.
Orange chicken in the crock pot. Even better.

The check list:
Sounds delicious? Check.
Simple ingredients? Check.
Simple to make? Check.

The College Challenge

I'm poor.

Okay, I am really, really poor. I am also impatient, busy, and lack culinary skills to impress future mother-in-laws. But I impress myself on a daily basis.

I was given a crock pot for Christmas from my older brother, The Brother, a year ago. Best. Present. Ever. I am kind of, a little bit, seriously in love with this gadget.

Who I am
I'm a college kid on the quest to not starve to death or live off of Ramen noodles or take out. With limited funds and time, it's hard to eat normal, but I try. My challenge to myself is to utilize the simplicity of the crock pot by making healthy-ish (yet super simple) meals. Mishaps usually ensue, but that's okay because it makes a better story.

What I do
I look for EASY recipes and try them. By easy, I mean, nothing that requires more than 10 minutes of hard labor or ingredients that 1) cost $10 for an ounce 2) something I have never heard of 3) requires me to go to some organic health food store where they don't allow plastic bags. I'm just not that fancy I guess.

I try avoid things that call for heavy cream, cream cheese, and other artery clogging substances. It's nothing against them...I love them. I really do... but my huge butt doesn't. I aim for semi-healthy, super easy. However, sometimes (when I'm super low on funds) I do pretend that the the cream-of "insert random vegetable name here" soups count as a serving of vegetables. I love those.

What I use
I use a simple Crock Pot brand 4 qt. It works for me.

Who is involved: My stunning cast of characters.

The Boyfriend. He eats everything I make and he smiles afterwards and says that it's great. Even when it's not. A+!

The Roommate. The backbone to my blogging adventure and well.. pretty much every adventure. She's awesome.

The Wise One. One of the main driving forces behind my adventures in cooking and in Philadelphia. Also a very good coffee partner.

The Cousin. My southern fried sex kitten (just kidding.. kinda) cousin is my best friend and gives me the most sinfully delicious recipes.

The Brother. The giver of the crock pot and a million ideas. And comes over often with much needed groceries.

The Teacher. My wonderful mom whom I call and have frequent meltdowns to on a weekly basis. She also has the best recipes ever. 

That's the cat, and he's a jerk.

The Conclusion

I cook because I need to eat. I try to make decent yet cheap and simple things using my trusty crock pot.
Stay tuned for recipes and ramblings :)