Time Treasured

Serve this hearty rich soup topped with croutons for a special touch.

Ingredients:

2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cream-style corn
1 cup milk
1 pound cheddar cheese, cubed
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Stir well. Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours. Season to taste.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

My family loves chili and I make it often. I’m sure I have well over a hundred different recipes for this great comfort food, but this one ranks high in the easy-to-make category. Of course, this is a soup, but it still goes well with rice and any other accompaniments you like with this Mexican dish. This recipe serves about 8 people.

Ingredients:

2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
2 (15-ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
2 (15-ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
1 can green chilies with liquid
1 package taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup water

Directions:

Brown your stew meat and place in bottom of slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours. Season to taste.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

One would think that the interior of a washing machine would be the cleanest place in a home since it’s continually being filled with soap and water. However, over time the interior of your washing machine can build up hard water film. Additionally, it can harbor mold and bacteria.

To remedy these problems, pour a quart of white vinegar into the wash tub and run the machine through a hot wash cycle. Do this about every three months to keep the tub of your machine in tip top shape.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

This versatile recipe makes a great dessert, a delicious topping for ice cream, or a colorful condiment when served with pork. The choice is yours.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup red hot candies
1/4 cup hot water
5-6 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
1/3 cup sugar

Directions:

Pour candy and water into slow cooker and stir. Add apple slices and sugar; stir well. Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

Grocery stores often have special sprinkler systems over their produce bins that periodically mist the vegetables to keep them crisp and fresh looking. Our refrigerators tend to dry things out, which leaves us with veggies that appear to have given up the ghost.

To revive your wilted produce, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a pan of cold water. Soak the veggies for about one hour and they should be good to go. (You can substitute lemon juice for the vinegar.)

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

Baking potatoes in a slow cooker assures that your potatoes will always be tender and delicious. Additionally, it’s a great idea in the summer season when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen by using your regular oven. Top these with your favorite additions and you have a simple dinner your family will enjoy.

Ingredients:

6 large baking potatoes

Directions:

Wash your baking potatoes and place them in a slow cooker while still wet. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Your potatoes are now ready for special toppings, such as chopped bacon, cheddar cheese, herb butter, sour cream and chives, etc.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

I love this colorful and delicious recipe. When you want a special vegetable dish to serve company, this is the one.

Ingredients:

8 carrots, sliced diagonally
1/2 cup orange marmalade
4 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions:

Place carrots in bottom of slow cooker. Top with remaining ingredients and cover. Cook on high for about 3 hours.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

This tip is for homes with small children (or grandchildren). Although it doesn’t technically fall under the rubric of timesaving advice, I think it’s such a great home safety tip.

Whenever you have a plastic bag that needs to be disposed of, immediately tie it into knots so that no harm can come to small children before or after the bag reaches the trash can.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

Pork ribs cook exceptionally well in a slow cooker, coming out tender and packed with flavor. Some people like to brown the ribs before cooking them; the choice is up to you.

Ingredients:

3 pounds country-style pork ribs, cut in individual pieces
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

Place ribs in bottom of slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl and spoon over ribs. Cover and cook on low for 9-10 hours.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

Washing your blender after use can be time consuming and risky considering the sharpness of those little blades.

Here’s a tip on how to clean your blender safely and efficiently. Fill the blender with hot water until it is half full. Add a generous amount of dishwashing liquid, cover, and push the on button. The blender will clean itself in no time.

If there are food particles stuck to the sides, add a few ice cubes to the mix before turning on the blender. (Make sure the cover is attached securely.)

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

Pork loin is a very versatile meat. I like that fact that its lean and plates so beautifully for serving. This is a good recipe to serve company.

Ingredients:

4 pound pork loin, boneless
1 can cranberry sauce, whole berry
1/4 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon allspice

Directions:

Place pork loin in bottom of slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl and spoon over pork loin. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours. Season to taste.
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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art

This delicious soup serves well for a light lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

3 large onions, sliced
1/2 stick butter
4 cups beef broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours. Season to taste and serve with toasted French bread and grated Parmesan cheese.

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N. Rene West
Fembellish Journal – Beauty thru fiber art