Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage

Another great recipe score from Family Fun. This is one of my hubby's favorite meals... and a cinch to prepare. I have never added sugar or vinegar to mine in the past... but I am eager to try this variation. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The slow cooker is the perfect way to go for this traditional dish, since it must bubble away untended for hours, in any event. Be sure to serve with crusty bread, and Dijon mustard and horseradish on the side.

Ingredients

• 4 cups hot water
• 2 tbsp. cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

• 1 large or 2 medium onions, cut into wedges
• 1 3-lb. corned beef round or brisket, packaged with spices
• 8 small white or yellow potatoes, scrubbed and cut into quarters
• 1 head of green cabbage (about 1 1/2 lbs.), cored and cut into 10 wedges

Instructions

1. In a 6-quart electric slow cooker, combine the water, vinegar, sugar, pepper and onions, mixing well. Place the corned beef in the mixture. Scatter the potatoes over the top and along the sides.

2. Cover and cook on the High heat setting 4 hours. Remove the lid and scatter the cabbage wedges over the top. Cover and continue cooking on High 3 to 4 hours longer, or until the beef is tender. To serve, carve the beef into slices and serve with the cabbage and potatoes, with some of the cooking liquid spooned on top of the beef to keep it moist. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

under 10 bucks! 3 cheese pasta bake

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 package (8 ounces) shredded two-cheese blend (about 2 cups)

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 cups corkscrew-shaped pasta, cooked and drained

• Stir the soup, cheeses, milk and black pepper in a 1 1/2-quart casserole. Stir in the pasta.
• Bake at 400°F. for 20 minutes or until the mixture is hot and bubbling.

Cheesy Rice Fritters

Scored this recipe from my friend Rachel. One word...... YUM!

Here's what you need:

1 cup arborio rice

3 slices bacon, chopped

1 cup shredded mozzarella

1 cup grated parmesan

1 large egg, lightly beaten

salt & pepper

1/2 seasoned breadcrumbs (i used italian panko)

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (this is a Rachel Ray recipe, after all)

1 10 ounce bag spinach, coarsely chopped

1 pinch crushed red pepper (i used 3 pinches)

Here's what you do:

Bring 2 1/2 cups water and rice to boil. Lower heat and simmer until rice is cooked but still firm and all water has evaporated (about 20 minutes). Transfer to a large bowl and let cool slightly.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, add bacon to the rice, reserving the bacon fat in skillet. Stir in parmesan, mozzarella, and egg into rice mixture; season with salt and pepper.

Divide rice mixture into 12 mounds. Flatten the mounds into 3 inch patties on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle both sides with breadcrumbs.

Add olive oil to skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add patties and cook until crisp (about 5 min). Drain on paper towels. Sauté spinach over high heat for 2 minutes or until wilted. Season with crushed red pepper and top with fritters.

This meal can be made for under 8 bucks! You gotta love that!