Herbed Chicken with Wild Rice (Crock Pot)

by Taste of Home
1 package (6 ounces) long grain and wild rice mix
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon butter
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 cup water
3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon

1. Place rice in a 5-qt. slow cooker; set aside seasoning packet. In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil and butter. Add to slow cooker. In the same skillet, saute mushrooms until tender; place over chicken.
2. In a small bowl, combine the soup, water, bacon, herbs and contents of seasoning packet. Pour over top. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until meat is tender. Yield: 6 servings.

In my opinion: This was yummy. It was a great change from the normal chicken slow-cooker recipes. It was full of fall flavors.

Swiss Steak Supper (Crock Pot)

by Taste of Home
1-1/2 pounds beef top round steak
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 medium potatoes
1-1/2 cups fresh baby carrots
1 medium onion, sliced
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Italian diced tomatoes
1 jar (12 ounces) home-style beef gravy
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

1. Cut steak into six serving-size pieces; flatten to 1/4-in. thickness. Rub with seasoned salt and pepper. In a large skillet, brown beef in oil on both sides; drain.
2. Cut each potato into eight wedges. In a 5-qt. slow cooker, layer the potatoes, carrots, beef and onion. Combine tomatoes and gravy; pour over the top.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5-1/2 to 6 hours or until meat and vegetables are tender. Sprinkle with parsley. Yield: 6 servings.

In my opinon: This was a pretty good meal. It needed something else....just not sure what.

Baked Apple French Toast by Taste of Home

I have been doing a lot of planning lately. That includes planning traditional holiday meals. I always thought a French Toast casserole would be a great idea for Easter morning and maybe a few other holidays so I've been collecting a lot of great recipes. I tried this one last Saturday and thought it was amazing.

20 slices French bread (1 inch thick)NOTE-you could bake 2-3 tubes of Pillsbury Italian loaf bread
1 can (21 ounces) apple pie filling
8 eggs
2 cups 2% milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

TOPPING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons corn syrup

1. Arrange 10 slices of bread in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Spread with pie filling; top with remaining bread. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Meanwhile, place brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans and corn syrup. Sprinkle over French toast.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Yield: 10 servings.

It even tastes great reheated several days later.