2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon sunflower oil
1 large onion, cut into wedges
3 pounds top round or rump roast
3 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
3 medium white potatoes, cubed
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 (1.4 ounce each) envelopes onion soup mix
3 cups boiling water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon water

1. In a large skillet, heat the butter and sunflower oil; add the onion and beef. Brown the beef on all sides; transfer beef and onion to a 5-quart slow-cooker.

2. Arrange the carrots, potatoes and bay leaves around the beef; sprinkle with the salt. In a heatproof bowl or measuring cup, combine the soup mix with 3 cups boiling water, stirring to combine.

3. Pour the soup mixture over the beef and vegetables in slow-cooker. Cover; cook on High until the meat is very tender, about 3-1/2 hours or on Low for 7 hours.

4. In a medium saucepan, combine the cornstarch and 1 teaspoon water; stir to form a paste. Add 2 cups hot liquid from the slow cooker and bring to a boil, stirring until the gravy has thickened. Slice the beef and serve with the vegetables and gravy. Makes 4 servings.

Emily

1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon dried sage leaves
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 cups Brussels sprouts, cut in half
1/2 pound parsnips, peeled, quartered, then cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cups baby carrots

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Melt the butter in a 1-quart saucepan; stir in sage and garlic.

2. Place the remaining ingredients in an ungreased 13×9-inch baking dish; pour the butter mixture over the vegetables and stir to coat.

3. Cover with foil; bake 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake about 15 minutes longer or until the vegetables are tender. Makes 6 servings.

1 refrigerated pie crust
2 cups diced cooked potatoes
1 (10 ounces) package frozen mixed vegetables, thawed*
1-1/2 cups diced cooked beef**
1 (10-3/4 ounces) can cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup water
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed

1. Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Let pie crust stand at room temperature for 15 minutes for easy handling.

2. Put the potatoes, vegetables and beef in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the soup, water, Worcestershire sauce and thyme; pour over the beef mixture.

4. Gently place the pie crust over the beef mixture. Crimp or roll the edges to seal to the dish. With a sharp knife, cut slits in the crust.

5. Bake for 35 minutes or until hot and the crust is golden brown. Makes 4 servings.

* You may quickly thaw the vegetables by microwaving them on High for 3 minutes.

** Left-over roast beef is perfect for this recipe.

4 medium potatoes, cut into quarters
2 cups frozen baby carrots
1 stalk celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium plum tomato, diced
2-1/2 pounds boneless chuck pot roast
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (10-3/4 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon chopped garlic (fresh or from jar)
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon vinegar

1. Put the potatoes, carrots, celery and tomato in a 3-1/2-quart slow cooker. Place the roast over vegetables; sprinkle with the pepper.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the soup, water, garlic, oregano, basil, parsley flakes and vinegar; pour over the roast and vegetables.

3. Cover and cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours or on High for 5 to 6 hours. Remove the roast and let stand 10 minutes; thinly slice and arrange on a meat platter.

4. Arrange the vegetables around the roast on platter; serve with the juices. Makes 5 servings.

My family loves homemade chicken pot pie so when I’m short on time, I use this simple but delicious recipe.

1 (10-3/4 ounces) can cream of potato soup
3/4 cup milk
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
2 (4.5 ounces each) cans chunk chicken breast, drained *
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
1 egg

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F. In a medium bowl, stir together the soup, 1/4 cup of the milk, pepper, mixed vegetables and chicken chunks; pour into a 9-inch pie plate.

2. In a small bowl, combine the baking mix, egg and remaining milk until well blended; spoon over the chicken mixture.

3. Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and topping is golden brown. Makes 4 servings.

* I pre-cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut them into chunks and freeze them in 1 cup portion sizes to use in recipes. When I make this pot pie recipe, I simply thaw 2 portions and use in place of the canned chicken chunks.

Emily

2 cups uncooked mafalda noodles
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium zucchini or summer squash, quartered lengthwise and sliced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 (15 ounce each) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, undrained
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup refrigerated basil pesto

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cook and drain the noodles as directed on the package using the minimum cook time.

2. Heat the oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and bell pepper; cover and cook 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are just tender. Uncover and stir in the zucchini and garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer.

3. Place the noodles in an ungreased 2-1/2-quart casserole. Stir in the carrot mixture, beans, tomatoes, 1/4 cup of the cheese, the salt, pepper and pesto. Cover and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until hot in the center. Top each serving with the remaining cheese. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 medium green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 (13 ounce) can artichoke hearts
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
Salt (to taste)
Pepper (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 cup red cooking wine
4 tablespoons soy sauce

1. Place onion, green bell pepper and artichoke hearts in bottom of slow cooker.
2. Place chicken strips on top of vegetables; sprinkle with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and thyme.
3. Stir together the cooking wine and soy sauce, pour over the chicken strips.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours or until the chicken and vegetables are tender. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup water
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, crushed, divided
4 medium potatoes, cut into quarters
2 cups fresh or frozen baby carrots
4 bone-in chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon paprika

1. Stir the soup, water, 1 teaspoon of the oregano, potatoes and carrots in a shallow roasting pan.
2. Top with the chicken. Sprinkle with the remaining oregano and paprika.
3. Bake at 400 degrees F. for 50 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Stir the vegetable mixture before serving. Makes: 4 servings.

Emily

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size chunks
2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup sliced carrots
2 cups peeled, cubed all-purpose potatoes
2 (14 ounces each) cans chicken broth
2 cups water
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/2 teaspoon curry powder

In a Dutch oven, brown chicken in oil; transfer to dish and set aside. Add the onion and celery to drippings in Dutch oven and sauté until tender, about 4 minutes. Return chicken to Dutch oven; stir in the carrots and potatoes.

In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; pour into the Dutch oven. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 1 to 1-1/2 hours or until the chicken is done and the vegetables are tender. Makes 6 generous servings.

I like to serve this stew with a slice of hot corn bread or fluffy buttermilk biscuits.

Emily

Since I made a few minor changes visit Connie for her original version of this recipe.

2 (0.87 oz each) envelopes turkey gravy
2 cups water
3 cups cooked turkey, cut into chunks*
1-1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed and drained
1-1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion, sauteed until tender, (about 4 minutes)
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes, divided
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, divided
2-1/4 cups all-purpose baking mix (Bisquick)**
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons milk

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F; spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray; set aside.

2. In a large saucepan, combine the gravy mix and water until smooth; Stir in the turkey chunks, peas, mushrooms, sauteed onions, 1 teaspoon of the parsley flakes and 1/2 teaspoon of the poultry seasoning. Heat to boiling; pour mixture into prepared baking dish.

3. In a small bowl, combine the baking mix (Bisquick), black pepper, remaining 1 teaspoon parsley flakes, remaining 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning and milk until a wet dough forms. Spoon mixture into 6 mounds on top of the turkey mixture.

4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly and the biscuit topping is golden brown.

* You can substitute chicken for the turkey, (which I think Connie already mentioned!)

** I chose to use the Bisquick topping since I did not have any Grands biscuits but I can see how the biscuits would work really well. In fact, I think I would like them better because they are lighter and flakier than the Bisquick. But either way this is VERY GOOD!

Emily