Sometimes pure laziness breeds the most wonderful surprises.
Take for example, Saturday morning. I knew I wasn’t up for much more than some routine tidying up around the house (and a secret visit that I will tell you more about soon, I promise. No mom, I’m not pregnant.)
So with my “let’s do as minimal work today as possible” attitude, I grabbed my bff and sister wife, the crockpot, and threw a bunch of…well random stuff in it. Again, I’m trying to use what I already have. Some staples:
- Frozen chicken breasts
- Frozen mixed veggies
- Can of cheddar cheese soup
- Chicken broth
- Whole grain wild rice
- Spices to BAM! Kick it up a notch
- The greatest invention ever on earth: the slow cooker
Now play nice in there, kids.
Directions:
Put everything in the crockpot. Cook for a while.
Lay around and watch a Pretty Little Liars marathon.
Read a book…ok a magazine.
Paint your nails.
Repaint your nails after you screw them up grabbing the remote to turn on the next episode of Pretty Little Liars.
Embrace the laziness.
So as you can see, it’s not the most gorgeous looking bowl of food, but let me tell you something: it’s delicious. And requires pretty much no work. And that, my loves, is a beautiful thing.
And what’s even better is that due to a (much-needed) bye week for my Eagles, Sunday turned out to be pretty relaxed as well (MUST BEAT COWBOYS NEXT WEEK). I even had my first Costco experience, which I’ll tell you more about tomorrow. Thankfully I narrowly escaped without draining my entire bank account and with a few new tasty treats to try out.
And can I just quickly discuss with those of you who also watch PLL- What was up with that random Halloween episode?! Now I have to wait until January to see what happened? I’ll be lucky if I still remember their names by then! Good Lord.
Ok rant over. It’s a good thing I don’t take my TV shows too seriously. Ahem.
Happy Tuesday- hope it’s kind to you!
October 25, 2011 at 7:10 am
I’ve already got “crock pot surprise” planned for next weekend when I’m not feeling so, um, hot on Sunday… Yep- calling it now.
October 25, 2011 at 8:05 am
halloween episode was a tease. I actually was not a fan of it. I tend not to like “flashback” type episodes of any show. Plus it didn’t really give any clues as to who A might be (though I have had my suspicions for a a long time).
You know, it’s sad how much time I spend thinking/anlayzing/talking about TV.
October 25, 2011 at 8:48 pm
I like flashbacks when they matter to the actual plot line, which this one did not. Lame. I want to know who you think A is… or maybe I don’t… we should discuss at a later date
October 25, 2011 at 8:51 am
Ugly and delicious food is my specialty, although I do not find yours very ugly.
I wish I could comment on the show but I’ve never seen it. :[
October 25, 2011 at 9:12 am
I heart crockpots. Mine is at home crocking as we speak (buffalo chicken sandwiches). I used it for last night’s dinner too. Let’s just say we would eat out a lot more if it wasn’t for that glorious invention!
October 25, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Yum! I’d love to hear your buffalo chix recipe!
October 27, 2011 at 10:32 am
Here ya go! http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-buffalo-chicken-sandwiches/detail.aspx. We like to eat them with a little cheddar cheese on top and some pickle relish (not the sweet kind). Enjoy!
October 25, 2011 at 9:22 am
I like to see that you put frozen chicken into the crockpot because this morning I did just that and have spent the first two hours already picturing myself eating raw chicken for dinner. But then again i’m being (a little) crazy because 8 hours should be plenty… you’re still alive right?
October 25, 2011 at 8:49 pm
I’m alive. …or AM I?
Nope, definitely alive. Oh Halloween jokes…
October 25, 2011 at 9:27 am
Well, that leaves me a little bit relieved — see, since we don’t have cable, I might’ve sort’ve programmed my inlaw’s DVR to record the entire marathon for me, apparently preempting something they might watch. So, they cut me off after 9 hours and I sadly do not have the Halloween episode recorded. I haven’t seen any of Season 2 yet, so I am now trying to plan Phase II: Commandeer the remote for 13 hours. Please tell me it was angsty rebel Aria in the Halloween episode!
I totally raided your blog yesterday for crockpot recipes, actually — and THIS I shall have to try!
October 25, 2011 at 8:50 pm
let me know what you think
And YES it’s super angsty Aria. Pink streaks in her hair and all.
October 25, 2011 at 9:36 am
This might be my new favorite recipe:-) Although, I’d sub PLL with something like Friends or SATC re-runs.
October 25, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Yes, that part is definitely customize-able.
October 25, 2011 at 9:58 am
Yep . . . my crock pot is my new best friend. This sounds absolutely delicious.
Ummm . . . and what? Pretty Little Liars had a Halloween episode? Stupid higher education is making me miss out on everything.
October 25, 2011 at 8:51 pm
You’re better off, girl. Go getcha’ smarts on.
October 25, 2011 at 10:50 am
once again, i really need to get a crockpot. now if i can just find a way to sneak it into the house without husband seeing….hmmmm. p.s. he has banned me from any more gadgets.
October 25, 2011 at 8:51 pm
The key is to make delicious meals with it, and they he will too see the glory that is the crockpot.
October 25, 2011 at 10:52 am
Slow cookers really are awesome. Unfortunately I am usually out of the house for more than 6-8 hours and tend to only use it on the weekends. Maybe I just need a better crockpot with a timer on it.
October 25, 2011 at 8:52 pm
I got one at my bridal shower and it is the greatest thing ever. I would recommend everyone get one!
October 25, 2011 at 10:52 am
sounds great! i just plugged in my crockpot for the first time today!!! so excited for crockpot season.
October 25, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Hoodies, crockpots and Uggs make me so unbelievably happy.
October 25, 2011 at 10:54 am
Definitely tagging this recipe. I don’t use my crockpot nearly enough and I hate touching chicken so this seems like a great way to use it w/o the nast!
October 25, 2011 at 8:53 pm
I know, I hate handling raw chicken too. When I first found out you can put it in frozen I swear I heard angels sing.
October 25, 2011 at 11:27 am
Haha. Love this post and the recipe. Ohhh I can’t wait to make and relax!
October 25, 2011 at 8:54 pm
That should be their tagline. Crockpots: Relaxation never tasted so good.
October 25, 2011 at 1:29 pm
I’m not kidding, I was JUST talking about slow cookers with some of my coworkers. Great minds, man. I’m glad you finally had a Costco experience. I love that place. (actually, going there totally stresses me out, but I love coming home with my spoils)
October 25, 2011 at 8:54 pm
I was exhausted afterwards! It was insane. I felt like I ran a marathon. … Or what I imagine running a marathon would feel like.
October 25, 2011 at 2:47 pm
My crock pot is my favorite piece of kitchen equipment. True story. No work + delicious = my favorite kind of meal. Plus this has lots of cheese. How can you go wrong?
October 25, 2011 at 8:55 pm
You’re pickin’ up what I’m puttin’ down.
October 25, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Is that really the only episode? Damn!
Looks great! I’m obsessed with my crock right now. It’s the beginning of a long, beautiful relationship.
October 25, 2011 at 8:55 pm
I’m so happy for you two!
October 25, 2011 at 4:15 pm
You had me at cheesy…
PLL was stupid. I stopped watching halfway through.
October 25, 2011 at 8:56 pm
I had already watched like 4 episodes leading up to it, so by that time I was already kind of over it. Not impressed ABC Family!
October 25, 2011 at 4:34 pm
what’s PLL? is there a mildy-awesome show that i’m missing?
also, please beat dallas. in a concuss-everyone kind of showing. that is all.
October 25, 2011 at 4:35 pm
oh. i skipped the directions part where PLL is spelled out. seeing as how i’m not so great with the cooking (or the reading) i didnt feel the need to work my eyes that hard. annnnddd failure. ignore above post. loveyameanit
October 25, 2011 at 8:56 pm
hahaha <3
October 25, 2011 at 5:17 pm
Ok so this is a really dumb question-if you throw the rice in with water, it just cooks? I love my crock and love my rice but never combined the two together because I wasn’t sure and really didn’t want to google or ask someone b/c I feel dumb asking. So consider yourself as my chosen one.
I heart Costco but whenever I go, I must have cash or I end up spending $200 on gummy bears, steak and toothpaste (true story)
October 25, 2011 at 8:57 pm
I know, I wasn’t sure about it at first either, but I googled it and after some very unclear responses I just kind of held my breath and threw it in. It definitely took almost 7 hours on low to get to the right consistency, but I’ll definitely do it again. So easy.
October 25, 2011 at 5:43 pm
Goddamn I love my crock pot. It’s time to bust the old girl out for the winter.
October 25, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Break that bitch out!
October 25, 2011 at 5:58 pm
I love using the crockpot! This looks great to me.
I’m a fan of PLL! Did you know Alison has a twin?!
October 25, 2011 at 8:58 pm
No but that’s kind of amazing. They are all so pretty. And little liars…
October 25, 2011 at 8:48 pm
sounds like a most wonderful lazy Saturday to me! my sister loves PLL but i haven’t gotten into it – guess it’s kind of like my addiction to Gossip Girl tho – just.can’t.get.enough.!!
p.s. the crockpot recipe looks super comforting and yummy! i think i read somewhere though that putting meat in the crock still frozen isnt recommended tho since it doesn’t get to a safe temp fast enough, but take that as you will
it’s def the season of crockpot love!
happy tuesday girl!
October 25, 2011 at 8:58 pm
really? I never heard that! I do it all the time though and I think I’m ok… that’s debatable though.
October 26, 2011 at 9:09 am
Haha yea I go back and forth on whether there’s any real risk there either… there’s always some kinda rule about something or other out there isn’t there?! sheesh
October 25, 2011 at 9:06 pm
I use the shit out of my crock pot in the wintertime. Its perfect for long days and all I want when I come home is to eat a house. At least now, there’s a semi-healthy dinner made up for me. Plus it gives me more time to drink wine.