Crockpot Sloppy Joes

You seriously can't get much easier than this recipe. Especially if you already have the meat browned ahead of time like I've said I do.

3lbs ground beef
1lg onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2c. GF barbeque sauce
1 (28oz) can tomato puree
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
2T. packed brown sugar

Brown meat, drain and add to crockpot.

Stir in remaining ingredients.

Cook on low for 6 hours.

Serve on GF buns or toasted GF bread.

I have also used ground pork and ground turkey when making this recipe, and all are tasty.

Freezes well!

Apricot Chicken

Another easy peasy recipe to make, and it has such a unique & delicious flavor to it.

3/4c chicken broth
2T. apple cider vinegar
2T agave nectar
6 chicken breasts (obviously I only did 3)
Dry chicken rub, or chicken seasoning
Sugar-Free Apricot jam or preserves
chopped dried apricots
2T brown rice flour
1T dijon mustard

Rub the dry rub or seasoning into the chicken and place it in a preheated pan. Lightly brown on both sides.

Mix together the chicken broth, vinegar and agave and pour it over the chicken, and bring to a simmer.

Top each chicken breast  with jam and dried apricots.

Reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer about 45 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink inside (at least 160 degrees).

When chicken is done, remove from the pan. To the liquids in the pan add flour and mustard.

Whisk over medium heat until the sauce thickens (about 5 min).

Pour sauce over the chicken to serve.

For a serving variation, you can place the chicken on top of brown rice or pasta and then top with the sauce.

Or you can do as we did and have a potato side dish (we also put a bit of the sauce on the potatoes - yum!)

We had a breast left over since Austin happened to be gone. I cut up the chicken and added it, as well as some of the apricots, to a salad the next day for lunch. It was great!

Italian BBQ Sandwiches

Super easy recipe that makes for a great quick meal that you can throw together before going to work. Brown the meat the night before, and it's even easier in the morning.

1lb ground beef (can also use pork or turkey)
1c. tomato sauce
1 envelope GF dry spaghetti mix
Salt and pepper to taste
8oz cubed cheese

In a non-stick skillet, brown the beef. Drain.

Place meat in crockpot.

Stir in sauce and seasonings.

Cover and cook on low for 2-6 hrs.

One hour before serving, stir in the cubed cheese.

Stir well before serving on GF bread or buns.

When I made the recipe I browned the meet and drained it. Then I mixed the tomato sauce and seasonings right in the pan with the meat. I put the meat mixture in a ziplock freezer baggie and put it in the freezer for later use.

When ready to use it, I put it in the microwave for 1 minute, so it would be able to come out of the baggie. Then I poured it into the crockpot (yes, it's still frozen) and let it cook for approximately 4 hrs and it was awesome! Don't forget to add the cheese when there's about an hour left.