Baked in the South

  oh my! this turned out so delish! This was one of my pre-made freezer meals that I thawed slightly the night before. I put all the ingredients in the crockpot in the morning and slowcooked it all day.   Ingredients: 1 lb. cooked italian sausage 1/2 cup chopped onion 3 cloves garlic minced 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes 1 6 oz can tomato paste 1 cup water 2 T. sugar 2 T. Italian seasoning 1 T. Herbs de provence 1 t. fennel seeds 1 t. red pepper flakes 1 t. salt 1 t. pepper   Directions:  Mix all ingredients in crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.     

  Here is Part 3 of my freezer cooking.  This week's menu includes: Colorado Beef Burritos Thai Chicken Wings with Peanut Sauce Loaded Baked Potato Soup Meatball Beef Stroganoff Pork Tenderloin with Apple Cranberry Sauce Taco Chili   You can find Part 1 and Part 2 here:   Crockpot Freezer Cooking Part 1   Crockpot Freezer Cooking Part 2   Crockpot Freezer Cooking Part 4     I print out all my recipes ahead of time and make a shopping list (you can find this below).  I chopped all the vegetables and brown the ground beef for the Taco Chili.  I then label each bag with directions, cook times, additional ingredients, etc.  All meals will cook fine from frozen, but be sure not to add cold/frozen meals into a hot crockpot as it can crack. Many people have concerns about putting frozen food in the crockpot, but I have never had an issue. It is my understanding that once the food reaches a certain temperature, it is fully cooked and safe. If you have concerns, just thaw in the fri

  this is one of my all time favorite recipes.  my mom always made this banana bread with over-ripe bananas and served it warm with butter.  sooooooo good!        Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup softened butter 2 eggs 2-3 medium sized over-ripe bananas 1/2 cup buttermilk 1 t. vanilla 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 t. baking soda 1 t. salt 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts ***makes two 8x4 loaves   Directions: 1.  Preheat over to 350 degrees.  Grease two 8x4 loaf pans 2.  In large mixing bowl, mix sugar and butter.  Add eggs, bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla.  Beat until smooth. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and nuts.  Pour batter into pans. 3.  Bake for one hour, or until toothpick comes out clean.      

  This meal could not possibly be any easier to make.  It's only three ingredients and you would think  you were eating at a five star restaurant!    Ingredients: 2 9 oz. packages of Refrigerator Ravioli (I used the roasted portabello mushroom flavor) 1 Jar Prego Spagetti Sauce 2 cups shredded cheese   Directions: Layer some sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking pan.  Spread 1 package of ravioli on bottom, cover with a layer of sauce and cheese.  Layer next package of ravioli, top with remaining sauce and shredded cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Serve with tossed salad and warm garlic bread.  Delish!   This flavor would be good too!