Even before I received the invitation to be a part of the Mom Central Ultimate Party Meatball Recipe Blog Tour, I was looking for an abundance of meatball recipes. 

You see a few weeks ago, I was wanting to make a recipe that required meatballs.  That was the week we were doing our once a month warehouse club run.  I had thought of just running to the grocery store to pick up a package of meatballs, but that would require an extra trip, so I got a warehouse sized bag.  Um...that's a lot of meatballs for three people to eat, LOL!!  Hence the looking for recipes to use meatballs with.

So here is the recipe:
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I struggle with menu planning.  Sometimes I go armed to the grocery store with a list and coupons in hand, all ready to cook for the week.  Yet other times, I wander the aisles aimlessly, wondering if this is the week my family loses 5 pounds, because I can't decide what's for dinner.  Can you identify?

I was introduced to this great website called relish! last month, which has helped me overcome the cooking blahs.

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Slow Cooker Cooking (2nd Edition) has all the ins and outs you need to make yummy meals in your slow cooker.

Not only does it have a bunch of delicious recipes -- it gives you the information to make virtually any recipe adaptable for a slow cooker.

You'll find hints and tips for veggies, fish , chicken, turkey, pork, beef and more.  The recipes range from comfort food to the exotic and all kinds in between.

It's an Idiot's Guide so believe me when I tell you that the recipes are comprehensive and you won't feel stumped on how to put your dish together.

What I found interesting were the tips and recipes for using the slow cooker to prepare only part of a dish.  I've always only used mine for main dish meals and I'm now challenged to expand my slow cooker repetoire.

Supper in our home has already been made from the Chicken Cacciatore, Turkey Meatloaf and Italian Ham Steaks recipes.

They all turned out amazing and due to the well written instructions were simple to make.

Here is the Chicken Cacciatore Recipe:
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Eva Marie Everson and Linda Evans Shepherd authors of the book are experts when it comes to hosting and attending these shared meals. Veterans of countless potlucks over the years, the duo has gathered their favorite potluck-ready recipes—from salads to slow-cooker delights—plus their experienced insights about pulling off a potluck into one source: The Potluck Club Cookbook. Shepherd and Evans are also the authors of the popular fiction series The Potluck Club and The Potluck Catering Club—so their penchant for potlucks is obvious.

I have not personally read any of the fiction books written by these ladies, but I am always looking for new recipes to try and so when this book tour came along, I really wanted to participate.

There are sooo many good recipes in this, and the majority of them are super easy with accessible ingredients.

When my parents came to visit I made Texas Barbecued Chicken in a Crock-Pot. It got a thumbs up from both the adults and the child!



I also have made the Chicken in a Pot, which is as easy as can be and as close to comfort food as you're going to get!

And for dessert...Butterscotch Brownies....oh yum...


Another recipe, Mary's Slow Cooker Lasagna is on my list to try very soon.

If you are ever at a loss of what to bring to a potluck gathering, this book has over 100 recipes that will make you stand out among the crowd!

Here's a recipe from the book to whet your taste buds:

Linda’s Chicken Tortilla Casserole

2 ½ Tbsp. chopped onions
¼ cup butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1 ½ cups milk
¾ cup chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. jalapeno peppers
1 ½ cups chopped canned tomatoes (stewed)
3 cups cubed chicken, cooked
½ cup shredded cheese
12 tortillas, cut into 1-inch strips

Sauté onions in butter, then add flour and cook until mixture is bubbly. Stir in milk and broth gradually. Stir in salt, peppers, and tomatoes.

In casserole dish, layer chicken, cheese, then strips of tortillas. Pour sauce over layers then sprinkle casserole with cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Serve hot.

Serves 6-8.

Linda: “You can’t go wrong with this tasty dish. It’s a potluck crowd favorite.” (Page 130)

The Potluck Club Cookbook: Easy Recipes to Enjoy with Family and Friends (Paperback) is
“Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
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Through my many meanderings on the internet I get to a lot of different blogs -- some of them stay on the "check them frequently list" like A Year of Crockpotting. If you are looking for tried and trued crockpot recipes this is one site to check out. I have tried a few recipes from there already, and all have gotten a thumbs up from the family. Ribbon Rock Star Mom - is celebrating her 1000th post at her blog and is having a giveaway for yep, you guessed it a crockpot!! She is asking you to post a crockpot recipe to enter - and there are some fabulous ones up there already. So even if you don't desire to win a new crockpot (but why wouldn't you?), it's worth checking out, just for the recipes posted!
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