January 10, 2012: Slow Cooked Potatoes and Mushrooms Recipe

Most slow cooker recipes combine meat and vegetables but this can muddy the flavors and be detrimental to texture. Next time you’re in a time pinch, consider putting the night’s dinner veggies in a crock pot before you leave for work and then simply broil or sauté a protein to go with it when you get home. This recipe is also great to make a nutritious side dish for a party or buffet.

Slow Cooked Potatoes and Mushrooms

3 medium-sized red potatoes, cut into eights

4 large brown mushrooms, quartered

1 small white onion, cut into lengthwise chunks

4 cloves garlic, minced

½ t. Seasoned salt

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 t. lemon juice

1 t. olive oil

Place potatoes in bottom of crock pot; sprinkle with seasoned salt and kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Layer vegetables on top. Sprinkle lemon juice and olive oil over the top. Turn slow cooker to low and cook for 4 to 6 hours, until potatoes are soft.

Serves 2 with 272 calories per serving

April 24, 2011: Seasoned Salt Recipe

When it comes to a really versatile seasoning you can add to just about anything, this salt mixture fits the bills. It’s great on hard boiled eggs or grilled chicken and it’s a wonderful seasoning blend to take camping (my “pantry” space is always tight when we tent camp) because you really don’t need anything else to sprinkle on steaks, baked potatoes, scrambled eggs, etc.

Try this recipe as is; if you like other flavors a bit more, adjust it to fit your personal taste. For instance, I like a stronger garlic and onion flavor so I add a bit more of those spices.

Seasoned Salt

1 cup salt
2 t. sugar
2 t. dry mustard
1 ½ t. dried oregano
1 ½ garlic powder
1 t. curry powder
1 t. onion powder
½ t. celery seed
¼ t. paprika
¼ t. thyme
1/8 t. turmeric

Combine all ingredients and shake to blend. Store in an airtight container. Makes 1 1/3 cups.

Tip: Save clean, empty spice jars from store-bought seasonings to store this homemade seasoning blend in.