Ravioli Soup

This has become a wonderful weeknight meal during the winter months!  We are eating it close to once a week these days.  I love that I can make it ahead of time in the slow cooker and when I get home from driving to various after school activities I simply turn on high and add the spinach and ravioli.  Even the baby liked it and she is truly a picky eater!  Did I also mention this is a one pot meal?  Slow cooker is all you need!  Easy clean up!

Serves 6-8

1 Large Onion, diced
3 or 4 stalks of celery, cut into bite sized peaces
3 or 4 carrots, peeled and sliced in bite sized pieces
14.5 oz Can of Diced Tomatoes (use juices too)
2 Cups Water
4 Cups Chicken Stock (you could use broth too)
1/4 Tsp Garlic Powder (or you can stick a clove garlic in the mix, just remember to fish it out!)
2 Packages of Mini Frozen Ravioli
6 oz Package of Fresh Spinach
Grated Locatali Romano Cheese, for serving

Place the onion, carrots, celery, tomatoes, water, stock, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste in a large slow cooker.  Place the slow cooker on low setting for 6-8 hours until the veggies are nice and tender. 

When getting close to dinner turn the slow cooker up to the high setting and let the soup really start to simmer.  When nice and bubbly, add the frozen ravioli and spinach.  Let simmer for about 8-10 minutes until spinach wilts and ravioli is heated through.  Serve in nice big bowls with grated cheese sprinkled on top.

Sloppy Chicken Sandwiches

This is truthfully my sloppy dog recipe with chicken thighs!  It makes deliciously, sloppy pulled chicken sandwiches!  This recipe is best finished in the slow cooker on low for a couple of hours.

2 Tbsps Olive Oil
1.5-2 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
1 Onion, diced
Half of a Red Pepper, seeded and sliced into bite sized pieces
2 Tbsps Tomato Paste
2 8oz Can of Tomato Sauce, no salt added
2 Tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 1/2 Tbsps Red Wine Vinegar
Hamburger Rolls

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium heat and add the onions and peppers. While the veggies begin to soften add the chicken to the skillet. Let them cook for a good 5 minutes or so per side until nearly cooked through. Add the tomato paste and stir.

In a small bowl, mix together the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and vinegar. Make sure the sugar is mixed in and not lumpy. Add the sauce to the skillet and stir. Lower the heat to low and let dogs simmer for about 5 minutes (or transfer to the slow cooker here).

Serve hearty portions on hamburger rolls topped with yellow mustard. They will be good and sloppy!