Been a long time since I've posted here! I can't believe it. But juggling two blogs was simply too much for me to handle. As a result, I integrated my love of food (recipes, weekly menu plans, etc) in my primary blog, TheYoungMommyLife.com. Join me!

Slow-cooker turkey breast with gravy

Every Thanksgiving I buy a huge turkey, rub it with butter and herbs, put it in the oven and hope for the best. Usually it ends up being okay. Not fantastic, nothing worth sharing the recipe. Just okay.

Since Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, I start thinking about dishes waaaay in advance. It's insane how much thought I give to my food. So I've been tinkering, trying to find some good turkey recipes that will have me closing my eyes and stomping my feet like, "Yes! Yes! This is finger-licking good!"

While I think I found it. It's similar to a recent recipe I posted, but just different enough to feel like you stumbled onto something brand new.

Thanksgiving-worthy slow-roasted turkey breast

3 pound boneless turkey breast (I used Honeysuckle White)
1 2 oz. packet of savory herb seasoning (dry soup mix) (I used Lipton)
3 cups turkey stock (or enough to almost cover the turkey)
1 can of turkey gravy

1. Put the turkey breast in the slow cooker and sprinkle half of the seasoning on top. Pour the turkey stock AROUND the breast, not directly on it.
2. Put the lid on and cook it on low for 3 hours. Turn the slow cooker off. Add the turkey gravy and let it soak into the turkey for 20-25 minutes. Taste to see if you need to add more seasonings.

I feel horrible, because this dish was gone so fast I didn't have time to snap pictures. But after you try it, you'll see why!

Onion soup mix - why didn't I know?

Okay, so call me slow, but I never knew onion soup mix could be used in so many different ways for cooking. Man, is it delicious!

I used it last week on this boneless chuck roast I bought. Oh so good! Check the recipe below.

Easy as pie beef roast

2 pounds boneless chuck roast
1 packet (2 oz) onion soup mix
1 cup water

1. Place to roast in a slow cooker or baking dish. Sprinkle with onion soup mix and pour the water around the roast. If cooking it in the oven, put the oven on 225 degrees. Bake for 4 hours.
2. If using the slow cooker, put it on low and cook for 3.5 hours.

And then you're done! Amazing, right?

Simple slow cooker turkey breast

I saw this recipe first on AllRecipes.com so I can't take full credit for it, but I did make some of my own adjustments. This meal is perfect for this time of year, after Thanksgiving when you feel you want some turkey to switch it up from the regular ol' chicken. Try it and let me know what you think...

Slow cooker turkey breast
Serves 4-6

1 7 pound turkey breast
1 1-oz packet of onion soup mix
1 jar of roasted turkey gravy

1) Place turkey breast in the slow cooker; cover with the onion soup mix. Cook on low for 4 hours. Lift the lid and pour in the gravy. Cook for 1 hour more. Serve and enjoy!

My new favorite dish: Pasta with zucchini and peppers

I'm becoming a little more experimental in the kitchen these days, as I'm trying to save money so I'll make new dishes out of the stuff that's cluttering my cabinets, rather than run to the store every three days for the same ol', same ol'.

So I adapted this recipe that I found in an old Real Simple magazine, simply adding some shrimp I had in the freezer and some yellow peppers I had in the fridge. I thought this would be kind of bland because there's not a lot of spices, but the beauty is in its simplicity.

Linguine With Zucchini and Chickpeas
from Real Simple magazine

Serves 4
Hands-on Time: 15m
Total Time: 20m

Ingredients
12 ounces linguine (3/4 of a box)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 small zucchini, cut into thin half-moons
kosher salt
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (2 ounces)
6 to 8 large shrimp (my addition)
1/2 cup sliced yellow peppers (my addition)

Directions
1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain, and return the pasta to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the zucchini and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, tossing often, until just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the chickpeas, garlic, yellow peppers, shrimp and red pepper and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Toss the pasta with the reserved pasta water and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Divide the pasta among bowls and top with the zucchini mixture and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan.

Lazy mama's beef roast

I just threw some stuff together this past week and stumbled into the most delicious pot roast I've ever made.

It's a very loose recipe and the best part is that you make it in a slow cooker, so there's no babysitting. Sorry there's no pictures - we ate it too fast!

Ingredients:
2 pound beef roast
1 can reduced sodium beef broth (plus enough water to just barely cover the top of the roast)
1 medium onion sliced
1-2 tablespoons steak seasoning (I love McCormicks!)
1/2 cup steak sauce

Steps:
Place onion in the bottom of the slow cooker and put the meat on top. Mix the broth, the steak sauce and the steak seasoning and pour it over the roast. Add a bit more water if necessary.

Cook on low for 6-7 hours. Meat will be fork-tender and sooo delicious! As always, if you try it, tell me how it tasted!

5 Tips for Buying Meat on a Budget

From the High and Noble Calling blog:

Here are a few tips for saving on meat:
1) Only buy when it is marked down
I have a pretty keen eye for those little yellow stickers! I know which
days of the week our local grocery stores mark down their meats and shop then.
And even then, I only buy the on sale marked down meats and a coupon sweetens
the deal. I will also rollover some catalina deals if the store is doing them
and use them for meat/produce, the most expensive parts of my budget!

For the other four tips, head on over and show some love!