A Crockpot Day

Nothing beats the convenience, ease, and yuminess of a crockpot dinner...

(Chicken Paprikash)

... unless it's followed up with a crockpot dessert!

(peanut butter and chocolate pudding cake in the crockpot)

But perhaps best of all is that while these were cooking, I was able to enjoy an afternoon nap.

CHICKEN PAPRIKASH

· 2-3 lbs. chicken tender loins or sliced breasts

· 1 onion diced

· 1 red bell pepper diced

· 3-4 garlic cloves diced

· 2 Tbsp diced piquillo peppers or pimentos

· 1 1/2 tsp paprika

· 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (can be purchased at Bel Air)

· 2 tsp dried thyme

· salt and pepper to taste

· 2 1/2 cups chicken stock

· 2 cups sour cream

· 5 Tbsp flour

In skillet heat approx. 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add diced onions and bell peppers. Saute on meduim for 5 mins. Add garlic and Piquillo peppers and saute for another 5 mins. Then add all spices and herbs; saute for a couple of mins. Add a little liquid to deglaze pan and pour into crock pot. Add chicken strips and chicken stock, cook on high for 4 hrs. When done cooking remove chicken from pot and mix flour into the sour cream (it should be smooth and creamy) then add sour cream to pot and stir with whisk to incorporate. Then put back on high for 20-30 mins or until thickened, add chicken back into pot and serve over rice.

PEANUT BUTTER AND HOT FUDGE PUDDING CAKE (this has to be paired with whipped cream or vanilla ice-cream!)

· ½ Cup Flour

· ¼ Cup Sugar

· ¼ Tsp. Baking Powder

· ¼ Cup Milk

· 1 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil

· ½ Tsp.Vanilla

· ¼ Cup Peanut Butter

· ½ Cup Sugar

· 3 Tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

· 1 Cup Boiling Water

In a bowl, combine the flour, ¼ cup sugar and baking powder. Add the milk, oil, and vanilla; stir until smooth. Mix in the peanut butter. Pour the mixture into the crockpot. In the same bowl, stir together the ½ cup sugar and cocoa powder. Gradually stir in the boiling water. Pour the mixture over the batter in the slow cooker, do not stir. Cover; cook on high for 2 – 3 hours.