Cooking Thursday: Slow Cooker Chicken Ramen

 

Hello dear Friends ~

I was a busy bee today. I had pickleball with my fun old timers league and then I ran some errands. I was also doing some projects around the house. But now I'm finally sitting down for a minute to share this easy and yummy recipe. I kind of made it up based on other similar ideas I've seen online. I have some gochujang paste I wanted to use so that's where the idea for this came from. Plus, I just like ramen kinds of soups. Think chicken noodle soup with an Asian flare. :) 

We had some gochujang green beans on the side - since we still had some from our garden to eat up. I just basically boiled the green beans for about 2 minutes. Drained and set them to the side. In a bowl I whisked together a tsp of vinegar, tsp of soy sauce, some minced garlic, a splash of real maple syrup, and little spoonful of gochujang. I then put the green beans in the bowl and tossed all together. They were also delish! 

Here is how I made the ramen:

INGREDIENTS

1&1/2 to 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

6 c. chicken broth

minced garlic (about 3-4 cloves worth)

some grated fresh ginger to taste

2 - 3 tbsp gochujang paste (if it's a spicier one I recommend only 2)

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tbsp sesame oil

2 packs of dried ramen noodles (save season packets for something else or toss)

spinach or bok choy (I did spinach and about 2 big handfuls worth)

green onion for garnish

chili crunch for topping

*(any other toppings you may like in your ramen like kimchi or soft boiled egg)

DIRECTIONS:

Pour the chicken broth in the slow cooker. Mix in the garlic, ginger, gochujang, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Place the chicken thighs in the broth mixture and cover and cook on low for about 6 hours (or high for about 3). Until the chicken is done and ready to be shredded. Take the chicken out and shred and put it back in the slow cooker. Stir in the ramen noodles and spinach. Cook for about 15 minutes more. Then ladle into bowls and top with chopped green onion and chili crunch to your taste. I like to eat mine with chopsticks and a big spoon. 😋 

**another fun twist would be to make it a creamier soup and you could do that by just stirring in some coconut milk when you add the spinach and noodles. 

Matt and I both loved it and will definitely make it again and maybe even try a pork ramen next time. Or add different toppings. I hope if you try it that you enjoy it and have fun with it and make it your own. Play with your food! 🍜

Do you have big plans for Halloween? We are doing our annual fun of going to Mr. C's Aunt's home. Her and her hubby host a big Halloween party every year. It's a big pot luck and it's so fun to hang with the C's and with family and friends there. Especially since now my kiddos are grown and off in their worlds.  I think I may make my friend Billie Jo's spiderweb munch to contribute this year. It's always a winner! I would guess the C's will come over here after and play cards or something since it's a weekend. 

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I didn't do a crafting update although I'm truly almost finished with the 2nd embroidery project. But I want to wait to show you when it's fully completed & framed... along with the 1st one which I already have framed.

But I thought I would instead leave you with some fun Halloween images courtesy of pinterest. Have a safe, healthy and spooky fun Halloween! 

Boo!!!

🦇🕸🕷🍁🎃👻🧡

Cooking & Crafting Thursday(on a Friday): Brown Butter Ravioli & Updates

 Hello treasured Friends!

Happy TGIF! I hope this week has been kind to you so far. 

I'm posting this today as yesterday was my birthday and I was out and about for lunch and some shopping. :) 

I felt so loved and spoiled all day long! I had a stream of messages, calls and even snail mail cards that just made an old gal feel loved. Matt surprised me in the morning with a beautiful letter, card, and some gifts (he also took me out to lunch). My favorite was in my card there was a back rub certificate he made (always a favorite!). And my kids each sent me a beautiful text first thing that made me cry. When they tell me wherever I am will always be home and how much I'm a role model to them and the best Mom ever...you get the idea - I just know I must have done something right. ❤️ 

I received sweet gifts in the mail and a favorite was from my MIL Sue (a beautiful heart shaped necklace that are Angel wings with an opal in the middle - which is October's birthstone). And from Annie (she had sent me a beautiful stained glass hummingbird suncatcher, a cookbook I talked about wanting, and a set of 6 little glass pumpkins I can put around the house). That girl spoils me way too much and knows me far too well! All I can say is that my heart was full of gratitude all day for the love and purpose in my life and the amazing folks that fill it!! 

Okay, enough of my spoiled life - on to a yummy recipe for today. Matt and I had gotten these really delish caramelized onion and butternut squash ravioli from Costco. And I made browned butter sauce to go with them. I also toasted some pine nuts to sprinkle on the top. They were soooo mouth watering good!! 

I used a recipe by Giada for brown butter sauce which you can find if you click here. I used an Irish butter because European butter works better for the fat content in it. And I didn't have sage leaves but you could truly use whatever herb you like or have. I had rosemary from my garden yet - so I used that and it turned out awesome! Add some green veggies (I think we had green beans?) and it was a wonderful treat of a meal! 😋 And really very easy.

Next up a little craft update. I have a little kit of cute ornaments that are diamond art - so I worked on a few and added their twine as they are going to be little filler for some gifts I'm putting together soon. I also made more progress on Matt's cute diamond art coasters (one of his birthday gifts...his is the end of the month). And I'm getting there on the other Fall embroidery gift I'm working on. I need to get it done soon as I think us Autumn Gals are getting together before too long to celebrate our birthdays. 

And cheers to birthday time with Mrs. C, as we get together every year, and per tradition, we drive up the north shore of Lake Superior and go to the most charming place. It was wonderful as always and I treasure time with that bestie of mine always. 

And finally, I thought I'd leave with you with some more Fall cozy by way of cute pinterest art. I have my hospice volunteering soon - but I will come around and visit you all later! Blessings and love to you always beautiful Friends. I treasure the gifts you are in my life!! 

Wishing you a wonderful cozy weekend ahead. 

xoxo

Wednesday Wonder: Some Easter/Spring Ideas

 

Hello dear Friends 🌸

Do you have your Easter countdown on? Mine is a-ticking away over here. I've been tweaking my menu, and making my grocery and to-do lists and getting all set. 

Even though it's gray out today. And the forecast is calling for potentially 7 or 8 inches of snow by Friday (nope that's not an April fool...but our real forecast). Easter Sunday has a glorious forecast of sun and mid 40's. I will take that all day! ☀️🐰

Since I have Easter on my mind, and I was looking at some of my pinterest boards for inspiration...I thought I would share some of my finds with you too. In case you were wanting some added inspiration for the weekend ahead as well. But first, here's a look at my sleepy babies today. It is kind of a gray and good for a nap kind of day. Can you see  why I like to keep the recliner covered with a blanket? Less fur stuck in there. Lol

However, there's no time to rest. Easter is practically here! :) 

So here are a few fun ideas. If you want more in-depth info like the recipes etc - you can find all of these on my "Spring/Easter" pinterest board, and then click on the links directly. And a few of the salad recipes are under my "salads" board.  You can find my pinterest page if you click here.

First up, how about some fun decorating inspiration:

inexpensive hack to get free paint samples and cut out in egg shape for a cute garland

rustic but cute and inexpensive too 

love the idea of filling an old small trunk or case like this

i love how this wreath is simple, yet stunning

Now that we have things looking pretty, how's about we get it smelling pretty too. Love the idea of a Spring simmer pot. 

Now maybe it's time to create some fun appetizers to share with guests?

how cute are these peep and chick cookie cutters? (you could cut cheese and salami in these shapes too)

and I love the idea of decorating a crudite platter with a chocolate bunny or bunny decoration

Or have a Spring tea party and do the crudite in little teacups

And I think Springtime just sings for light pastas and salads as main dishes, don't you?

a light pasta filled with seasonal veggies and parm - perfect!

or create a seasonal salad or steamed veggies and use this vinaigrette 

maybe elevate a leftover Easter ham sandwich into this?

mmmm - more fun tea party ideas

And of course, we need to end with a sweet treat:

bunny topped pretzels or butterfly topped cupcakes...yes please!

be still my heart - look at these sweet teapot chocolate covered strawberries

or even enjoy Spring flavor sweets with your breakfast coffee

There are so many fun Spring and Easter ideas out there once you start looking. Do you have any favorites??

xoxo