Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken

• 2 Tbsp ketchup
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut bite size*
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp water

Combine first five ingredients in 3 1/2 quart slower cooker. Stir.

Add chicken. Stir. Cover. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Combine cornstarch and second amount of water in small bowl. Stir into slow cooker. Cook on high, stirring often for 15 to 20 minutes until thickened. For faster cooking, pour into saucepan. Heat on stove, stirring often, until thickened. Serves 6.

*I put the chicken breasts in whole, saves a step. This has lots of extra sauce to go over rice or noodles. We enjoy it with dirty rice (recipe available under sides).

Best Cocoa Brownies

I'm cheating here by not posting the actual recipe or a pic, but if you love chocolate (aka cocoa), this is a great brownie recipe from a respected website...

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Best-Cocoa-Brownies-108346

I didn't have walnuts/pecans at home - next time. I'm sure you could throw in a few choc chips if you so desired.

I checked out the "Dutch process" of cocoa, be interesting to try :) ...but I did use regular cocoa in mine.

My husband likes brownies and he gave these the green light. What a treat!

Pumpkin Chip Muffins

I've often enjoyed these muffins, courtesy of my sister-in-law Jessica. She is an excellent baker. They are good plain or with cream cheese icing. The recipe is from the MacGregor Bergthaler Mennonite Church cookbook, submitted by Brenda B. My muffins always seem to flop, so I was thrilled that these turned out well for me too. :)

Pumpkin Chip Muffins

• 4 eggs


• 2 cups sugar


• 16 oz can pumpkin


• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil


• 3 cups flour


• 2 tsp baking soda


• 2 tsp baking powder


• 1 tsp cinnamon


• 1 tsp salt


• 2 cups chocolate chips

Beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt; add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffins cups 3/4 full. Bake at 375 for 16 to 20 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to wire rack.

*This recipe makes 4 dozen medium sized muffins.