New Years Day Hoppin' John

Well ringing in 2015 went just a WEE bit different than 2014's New Year's Eve. Last year was pretty stereotypical. At the bar, champagne at midnight, you know how that goes. 

This was 2014…

This year, being 8 months pregnant, heading to the bar was not on our radar. We had q quiet New Year's Eve at home with the pups. I secretly think Hubs welcomed the change. Not going to lie, he was asleep at midnight and I just happen to wake up about 10 minutes before and enjoyed the noise of fireworks from afar. So romantic right?

Gunner and Pace were forced to celebrate in style

Beacuse I was the reason we couldn't have a fun night out for NYE, I knew I had to make it up with a delicious New Years Day dinner. I kept it traditional so we could have all of the good luck we could get in 2015. I mean after all, it is the year we become parents. LORD HELP US!

If you don't like greens, this recipe is the perfect way to eat them because they don't taste like, well, dirt as Hubs always says. He actually said he enjoyed them this way!

I do use dried black eyed peas for this recipe. Make sure you soak your peas in water overnight. If you forget or don't have time, boil your peas for about 10 minutes and then drain and you will get the same results.

I wanted a one pot meal (surprise, surprise), so I reached for the crockpot. Tossed everything in and let it have a part for 8-10 hours. Let's make some dinner, shall we?

Printable Recipe Here!

New Year's Eve Hoppin' John

naturally GF/DF

Ingredients:

1 pound dried black eyed peas, soaked in water overnight 

about 4 cups collard greens

1 small onion

1 pound smoked, link sausage

3 cloves garlic

1 jalapeño

1 can rotel tomatoes and peppers

1/2 cup instant rice ( or 1 cup cooked rice)

1/4 t salt

1/4 t black pepper

a couple drops of your favorite hot sauce (I used Cholula)

1 48 oz box low sodium chicken broth

What to do:

Make sure your black eyed peas have been soaked over night, or boiled for at least 10 minutes.

Rinse your collards, and cut out the hard inner stems so only the leaves remain.

Dice your onion.

Slice your sausage.

Mince your garlic.

Remove the seeds of the jalapeño and then chop into small pieces. 

Now it is time to add everything into the slow cooker. ALWAYS put the greens in first. They will need to be packed down by the remaining ingredients. 

Cover and allow to cook for 8-10 hours. Because the crock pot will be SUPER full, I let it cook for about 45 minutes before I try to stir it all together. Everything will have settled by then and a little room will be created. You will know it is done by testing the peas. They will be soft but not mushy.

Of course I had to serve with some delicious corn bread. 

Thanks Y'all! Happy 2015!

- Wise Wife

Slow Cooker Asian Chicken

The family and I have been on the road so much lately, that my poor blog as felt the pain. So sorry for the lack of posts!! I honestly just haven't been in town to cook anything yummy. I have let restaurants do the cooking lately. Oops! Today I have for you an easy slow cooker recipe that I love! I love anything with Asian flavors. Add in the slow cooker and I am a happy camper.

What is great about this recipe, I usually have all of the ingredients on hand so I can through it together on a Sunday afternoon and it is ready in time for dinner. 

I like to serve this dish with brown rice and my sautéed asian vegetables. I have also shared that recipe with you below. I start my veggie recipe when the slows cooker has about 25 minutes left. 

Hubs and I were both members of the clean plate club!

Okay, so what do you say we get to cooking?

  Chicken Printable Recipe Here!

Asian Vegetable Printable Recipe Here!

Slow Cooker Asian Chicken

GF/DF

Ingredients:

about 1 1/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (you could use up to 2 pounds)

4 cloves garlic

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce (use GF)

1/2 cup ketchup (check for gluten)

1/4 cup raw honey

1/4 t red pepper flakes

1 t dried basil

What to do:

Dice your chicken into large, bite sized, pieces.

Mince your garlic.

In a medium bowl, add soy sauce, ketchup, honey, red pepper flakes, and basil.

Whisk it all together.

Add your diced chicken into the bowl and stir to cover the chicken with the sauce.

Transfer the chicken mixture to your slow cooker.

Cook on low for 4 hours.

Serve over brown rice and if you wish, the asian sautéed vegetables. (recipe below)

Sautéed Asian Vegetables

GF/DF

Ingredients:

1 cup snow peas

1/2 red onion

2 cloves garlic

1 8 oz can diced water chestnuts

1 1/2 T olive oil

2 T low sodium soy sauce (GF)

1/2 t ground ginger

What to do:

Dice your onion.

Mince your garlic.

Drain your water chestnuts.

Rinse your peas. Trim the ends off of your peas.

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a medium sauté pan.

Add your garlic and onions to the hot pan.

Sauté for 5 minutes.

Add in the snow peas and water chestnuts.

Pour in your soy sauce and season with ground ginger. Turn down to low heat.

Give everything a stir and allow to cook for another 5 minutes.

Grab a fork and dig in!

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife