7 Can Soup in a Crockpot

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I recently came across a recipe on Pinterest by The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.  I’ve long admired her rise from blogger to Food Network star.  She’s also a busy wife, mother of four, photographer and cookbook author who lives on a massive working ranch in Oklahoma. Her food is hearty, delicious and prepared with love.

7 Can Soup couldn’t be easier. As the owner of an always well-stocked pantry and a lover of soup on a bitter cold winter day, I had to try this recipe. This is my version, slightly modified from the original. Spence and I found it to be absolutely delicious!

7 Can Soup in a Crockpot

serves 14         Weight Watcher Smart Points 7

  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can pinto beans
  • 1 can kidney beans
  • 1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
  • 1 28 oz can San Marzano tomatoes
  • 1 can chili with no beans
  • 8 oz velveeta white cheese – cubed
  • 1/2 c chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • garlic seasoning – to taste (I used a generous amount)
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 t pepper
  • 2 T hot sauce (optional)

Drain and rinse the black beans, pour into crockpot. Open the corn, pinto and kidney beans, Rotel tomatoes and pour into the crockpot including liquid from those cans. Add the San Marzano tomatoes after chopping them as well as the liquid from that can. Finally add the chili. Stir gently to blend and turn the crockpot on low for two hours.  Add the garlic seasoning, salt, pepper and hot sauce, stir and turn crockpot on high for one hour. Add the parsley and cubed cheese, stir every five minutes until the cheese is full melted throughout the soup and serve.

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This recipe lends itself to endless variations, check out the original version on Pinterest and enjoy!

 

 

Prosciutto, Brie & Arugula Gourmet Flatbread

Prosciutto, Brie & Arugula Gourmet Flatbread with Medjool Dates & Balsamic Reduction

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11 Weight Watchers Smart Points

There’s a little gem of an Italian Restaurant in nearby Clarkston Michigan.  My lifelong BFF introduced it to me and it’s quickly become my favorite.  Their menu changes with the season and their offerings are inspired and delicious. I’m crazy about their flatbreads.

I’ve created my version of a favorite while using recipe builder on the Weight Watchers app. I’ve lost 15 pounds (since joining Weight Watchers on December 28) and I’m finding that I can have gourmet meals with a bit of creativity. This was so yummy I had to share it with the blogsphere.

Prosciutto, Brie & Arugula Gourmet Flatbread with Medjool Dates & Balsamic Reduction

Serves 1                           Weight Watchers Smart Points 11

  • 1 slice of Trader Joe’s Garlic Naan
  • 1 handful baby arugula
  • 1/2 oz prosciutto – roll and slice into thin “ribbons”
  • 3/4 oz brie – remove rind, cut into small pieces
  • 1 large Medjool Date – pit, then cut into 6-8 pieces
  • 1 t Balsamic Vinegar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a baking stone, place the Naan. Top with baby argula, followed by prosciutto, brie and dates.  Drizzle the balsamic over the other ingredients.  Bake for 5-8 minutes and the brie is melted. If desired, a little cracked black pepper completes this dish.

Super Cole Slaw

If you are new to Spence’s Girl you may not be aware of my love of cooking. I come by it naturally as I’m from a family of wonderful cooks and grew up learning first by watching, then participating. One of my family mentors was my Grandpa Fox who retired in his 40’s and became passionate about cooking, taking over nearly 100% of their meals from shopping to preparation. I cherish those memories. I’ve been feeling nostalgic for recipes I grew up with lately and I hope you’ll want to try this one, my Grandpa’s cole slaw recipe.  It’s light and refreshing on these dog days of summer and a change-up from the usual creamy cole slaw.

SUPER COLE SLAW   

serves 12                 Weight Watchers Smart Points 3

For the dressing:

1/2 t coarse ground black pepper
1 t dry mustard
2 t celery seed
4 T sugar
2 t salt
6 T salad oil
2/3 c vinegar

Mix well, pour over:

5-7 c chopped cabbage
2 T chopped red pepper (or pimento)
1/4 c chopped green pepper
1/4 c grated onion

While you could make this and serve it the same day, it is increasingly better with 24 hours (or longer) to marinate.  And it’s a great dish for a potluck as it travels well. Enjoy!

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