Allison's Easy Crock O'Chicken

My friend Becky gave me this recipe, but then, my sister-in-law Allison gave me an EVEN EASIER VERSION!! So Thanks Becky for getting us addicted and Thanks Allison helping me SIMPLIFY.

It really is the easiest recipe that my kids love (and my husband).

Now, it's not pretty to look at, so I won't take a photo, but YOU should give it a shot, you'll love it!

Dump all this stuff in your Crock Pot:
4-6 Chicken Breasts (also can use 8-12 tenders)
1 pkg. Italian Seasoning (The kind you mix with Vinegar and Oil in the cruet. . .)
1 pkg. Cream Cheese (I use low fat)
2 cans cream of Chicken Soup (or Mushroom)

Turn Crock Pot to HIGH for 3-4. Then go paint your toenails, wash 3 loads of laundry(wait to fold until tomorrow), crack the whip on homework and piano practicing.

One hour before hubby gets home, remind the kids to set the table and then put the rice on (you can also serve over noodles, whatever you feel like). Go put your feet up and watch Smurfs on the TiVo. Spend some quality time with the kids so they remember that they like you.

Then, right before you hubby gets home, take two forks and shred all the chicken, or just serve the tenders/breasts whole, it's good either way, depending on how much time you have. . .If the sauce seems too thick, you CAN add a little milk, but we like our thick and creamy. . .

ENJOY!

Basque Leek Soup

Apparently, there were 5,000 entries, and I didn't win!

I just entered http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/ kitchen mixer givaway. I think I recieved one of those for my wedding, but returned it! I've been entering all sorts of contests for giftcards and scrapbook supplies. . .mostly on Pioneer Woman and Becky Higgins/Lisa Bearnson's blogs. I would just really like some free stuff, what can I say? For the mixer you had to enter a favorite recipe, and since Lasagna is so boring, I had to go to my second best receipe, both stolen from Suzanne, my mom-in-law. Here is entry #406:

I'm married to a Basque guy, and this is his mom's recipe, from France. He says I make it better than she does, now! I purree it, so I can chop everything roughly and get it done quickly. My kids like it that way anyway, so they don't see the veggies. It's a beautiful, light orange, creamy soup, perfect for a cold day.

Basque Leek Soup

(Serves 8-10)

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

1 leek (I cut off the top, but mother-in-law leaves it on!)

2 celery stalks

3 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth

5 peeled carrots

6 peeled potatoes

Sautee onion & garlic in olive oil, add to broth in stock pot.

Roughly chop (because you'll purree later) leek, celery, carrots & potatoes.

Bring to a boil, cover and boil for about 30 min. (You can accidentally forget and boil for a few hours, since you'll purree, it doesn't matter)

Blend (in your blender) and liberally sprinkle the pepper!

ENJOY with a crusty french baquette.