Crock Pot Chicken Lasagna

I love crock pot recipes, and this one really is delicious!

My whole family loves it!

It is one of the more complicated crock pot recipes that I have tried, but very worth the effort

Even though it has spinach in it, my 4 year old loves it...

that's gotta tell you something! :)

I began making this last year, before we realized that Caylie can't have gluten.  

As with many recipes, this one could be modified to be gluten-free by substituting the pasta and the cream of chicken soup with gf versions.

2 cans Cream of Chicken
1/2 package of frozen chopped spinach...thawed, drained and squeezed
1 (9 oz.) pkg. of frozen, diced, cooked chicken
1 (8 oz.) sour cream
1C milk
1/2 C Parmesan cheese
1/3 C finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
9 uncooked lasagna noodles
1C shredded mozzarella cheese

Stir together first 10 ingredients in a large bowl. Spray crock pot with Pam and place 3 lasagna pieces in bottom. Break pieces as necessary to cover the bottom. Spread 1/3 of the spinach mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella. Repeat these 3 layers 2 more times. Cook on High for 1 hour and Low for about 5 hours.

Notes...
* I was kind of generous on my cheese measurements. :)
* My lasagna started getting pretty crispy around the edges after about the 4th hour (which actually ended up adding to the flavor!), but keep an eye on it toward the end if it is your first time to make it

Five Question Friday

This is my first time to participate in

Five Question Friday.

It is a weekly meme, with different questions each week!

1. Do you know what your REAL hair color is?

Yes, and unfortunately, since it has been way too long since I have had my highlights, everyone that sees me knows what my real hair color is too!  :)

2. Do you plan ahead for summer, or fly by the seat of your pants?

We usually plan some sort of family vacation,
and the older kids spend a week at a
Christian summer camp,
but other than that, we just kind of let things happen.

3. What is your favorite meal to cook?

I don't know that I have a specific single favorite meal,
but this potato cheese soup recipe
(linked to my recipe blog),
is one that is fast, easy, and delicious.
Everyone always likes it.  

4. Do you get offended by not receiving thank yous?

Thank you notes?
Not at all!
A verbal "thank you" when I give someone something is more than enough for me!

Save yourself some ink and a stamp when you come to my name on your thank you list!

Sorry Miss Manners...I've got bigger fish to fry than waiting by the mailbox for a thank you note!  :)

5. How did you meet your best friend?

I met my BFF, Teresa, in college at OBU in Arkadelphia! We were both in the same sorority (EEE). 

Right after Corey and I got married, I schemed with our other sweet friend Nancy, and we forcefully, I mean, thoughtfully set Teresa up on a blind date with Ky, Corey's best friend from high school. 

The rest is history!

5 kids, and almost 20 years later...
we still love to tell the story...and we are all still best buds!  :)

Here is a picture of me with Nancy (far left) and Teresa (far right) when we met for breakfast at Mimi's Cafe last year.

And here is a picture of Corey, me, Ky and Teresa with our youngest kiddos, Carson (the mystery man under the party hat), and Rachel as we celebrated New Years Eve a little over a year ago!

Love ya Teresa! 

Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

This recipe was served the morning of my cousin's wedding many years ago. I loved it so much that I asked for the recipe, and have made it many times since!  

6 slices of bread (gluten free bread can be used if necessary)

1 lb. sausage

1 1/2 C cheddar cheese

6 eggs

2 C half & half

1 tsp. salt

margarine

Cut crusts off of bread. (I don't always do this part.) Spread margarine on both sides of bread. (I usually only do one side.) Place bread in a greased 9x13 dish. Cook sausage and drain on paper towels. Spread over bread. Sprinkle with cheese. Combine eggs and 1/2 & 1/2 and pour over sausage. Cover and chill overnight. Remove 15 minutes before bake time. Bake, uncovered, 45 minutes at 350.

Ricki's Spinach Pie

This is a breakfast pie recipe, very similar to a quiche.

My sweet cousin Ricki made it at a family reunion last summer.Everyone was talking about how great it was!

It happens to be a perfect recipe for our family since it does not have a crust, and is 
gluten free!

16 oz. container of 2% low fat cottage cheese

10 oz. pkg. of frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1 C shredded low-moisture part skim mozzarella cheese

4 eggs, lightly beaten

1 jar (7oz) roasted red peppers, well drained, chopped

1/3 C grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. dried oregano leaves

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients until well blended.
Pour into greased 9 inch pie plate.
Bake 40 minutes or until center is set.
(Usually takes more like an hour)

Tip:

You can substitute 1/2 chopped red bell peppers for the roasted peppers.
Enjoy!

Writing the Waves,

Christi

3 Yummy (Gluten Free) Valentine's Treats

I have been searching for some cute ideas for Valentine's Day, that are also gluten free.  These are 3 great ideas that I found that are either already gluten free, or can easily be tweaked!  I think that one or two of these might show up at my house for Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Doesn't this Valentine Confetti from Kellie at This Blessed Nest, look great?! And all of the ingredients are already gluten free!

LOVE THAT!

I have made something similar to this before, and added peanuts...Mmmmm.

Chelsie Mae at Sweet Baby Hiccups 

(love that name!)

 made these cute cheesecake pops. 

 A couple of the toppings that she used have gluten... 

Graham Crackers and Oreos,

but there are gf versions of both available. 

The Butterfingers, Reece's, and MnM's are all gluten free!

My crew loves cheesecake, so I might have to give these a try!

And finally, this luscious looking Creme Brulee from Jamie at Sophistimom, is naturally gluten free.  

Love the idea of preparing it in the heart shaped ramekins!  

Who wouldn't love these?

I think that this is a wonderful idea, but I don't think I am going to tackle this one since my sweet mom makes a KILLER creme brulee, and I just couldn't compete

...but I still wanted to pass it along!  :)

If you, like me, have procrastinated just a bit

(I think I just work well under pressure!)

...maybe I just helped bail you out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Writing the Waves,

Christi

A Family Favorite Recipe...Black Beans, Beef and Rice

I recently prepared a new recipe for my family, and it was a big hit with everyone!

I love it when that happens...because it seems like SOMEONE in our family (...a cute little opinionated 4 year old), turns his nose up at most anything that is not Mac N Cheese these days!

Anyone know the feeling?

What makes it even better, is that it is gluten free, so our whole crew can enjoy it....which has become a requirement around here.

I have made it twice so far, and the last time, we decided that when I make it again, I should do a double batch!

Black Beans, Beef and Rice

4 slices of bacon, cut into 1" pieces
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 c chopped onion
green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1C long grain rice
1C water
14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
15.5 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 t dried Italian seasoning
1t salt
1C shredded mozzarella cheese

Cook bacon in large skillet on medium heat.  Add beef, onion, pepper, and garlic.  Cook, stirring often, until beef has browned.  Add water, rice, tomatoes, beans, Italian seasoning, and salt.  Mix well.  Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and rice is done (20 min. or so).  Sprinkle with cheese

 Give it a try, and I bet it will be a crowd pleaser at your house too!

If you happen to have a picky kid or two wandering around your house, check out Jenny's new series, "Meals Kids Love"!  

Writing the Waves,
Christi

Here's where I'm linking up...