Page 6
The INDEPENDENT, January 4, 2007
Food for Thought
Winter’s chill calls for soups and casseroles. If your schedule is
hectic, slow cooking is the way to go because most recipes can
be prepared at night, then put in the slow cooker the next morn-
ing. Because most soups and stews taste better the second day,
you can actually make many of them a day in advance.
SLOW-COOKED VEGETABLE BEEF SOUP
1 lb. bottom round steak, cut into 1/2” cubes
1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
3 cups water
2 med. potatoes, peeled, cubed
2 med. onions, diced
3 celery ribs, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
3 beef bouillon cubes
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1-1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients except frozen vegeta-
bles. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours. Add vegetables; cover
and cook on high 2 hours longer or until the meat and vegetables
are tender.
EASY CORN CHOWDER
2 cups peeled, diced potatoes
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1 15-oz. can whole kernel corn
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup celery, diced
1 11-oz. can creamed corn
1 12-oz. can evaporated milk
1/4 tsp salt
Place potatoes, celery and onion, with water to cover, in a large
pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and sim-
mer 20 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Drain.
Return vegetables to pot and add creamed corn, corn, evapo-
rated milk, cayenne and salt. Simmer 20 minutes over low heat.
SLOW-COOKED CHILI
2
2
2
1
1
2
1
lbs. ground beef
16-oz cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
14.5-oz. cans diced tomatoes, undrained
8-oz. can tomato sauce
2 med. onions, chopped
green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
tbs chili powder
2 tsp salt
tsp pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese
In a skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink;
drain. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the next nine ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4 hours. Gar-
nish individual servings with cheese if desired.
SLOW-COOKED NO-FUSS CHICKEN
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp dried basil
1 (2-3 pound) chicken cut up
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 cup butter or margarine
In a shallow bowl, combine flour, sage, basil and seasoned salt;
coat chicken. Reserve remaining flour mixture. In a large skillet,
melt butter; brown chicken on all sides. Transfer to a slow cooker.
Add 1/4 cup reserved flour mixture to the skillet (discarding the
rest); stir until smooth. When mixture begins to bubble, stir in
chicken broth and bring to a boil; boil for 1 minute. Pour over
chicken. Cover and cook on high for 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until chick-
en juices run clear.
SCALLOPED CORN AND BROCCOLI
This isn’t a slow cooker recipe, but it’s easy to prepare and
makes a great side dish.
1 15-oz. can creamed corn
2 eggs, beaten
2 tbs white sugar
2 tbs all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1/2 10-oz. package frozen chopped broccoli
Workshop helps
improve your
handwriting
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix together the corn, eggs, sugar, flour and salt. Add cheese
and broccoli, mix well and pour into a 2 quart casserole dish. Bake
for 1 hour.
SLOW COOKED BLACK BEAN SOUP
2
2
1
1
1
4
1
15-oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
4.5-oz. cans chopped green chiles
14.5-oz. can Mexican Stewed tomatoes, undrained
14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
11-oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
green onions, sliced
2 to 3 tbs chili powder
tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. dried minced garlic
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on
high 5 to 6 hours.
WINTER STEW DELIGHT
1 sm. head cabbage, chopped 4 med. onions, diced
4 med. potatoes, diced
1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes
1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced 2 lbs. Italian sausage, fried
4 cups beef or chicken broth
and drained
1 cup tomato juice
1 15-oz. can beans (kidney, black, or pinto)
salt to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine all ingredients in a large,
oven-proof stew pot. Cover and
bake 1-1/2 to 2 hours until tender,
stirring occasionally. If necessary,
add more broth or tomato juice.
This is great with homemade bread
or biscuits.
Want to improve your hand-
writing? Learn how at a free
handwriting
improvement
workshop on Saturday, Janu-
ary 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. at Portland State Univer-
sity, Smith Memorial Student
Union, 1825 SW Broadway,
Ballroom, Room 355.
Handwriting experts and au-
thors, Barbara Getty and Inga
Dubay, are celebrating Nation-
al Handwriting Day this year by
hosting this workshop. RSVP
is requested to assess seating
requirements. Workshop mate-
rials will be provided. Children
accompanied by parents are
welcome. Books will be avail-
able at discounted rates. If un-
able to attend, call for a free
brochure of handwriting materi-
als and a desk strip.
To sign up or get more infor-
mation, call 503-725-4891 or
email press@pdx.edu.
Church Directory
C HURCH OF J ESUS C HRIST
OF L ATTER D AY S AINTS
Jeff Cheney, Branch President
1350 E. Knott Street, Vernonia
503 429-7151
Sacrament Meeting, Sunday 10 a.m.
Sunday School & Primary 11:20 a.m.
Relief Society, Priesthood and
Young Women, Sunday 12:10 p.m.
S EVENTH D AY A DVENTIST
John Aitken II, Pastor, 396-1856
2nd Ave. and Nehalem St., Vernonia
503 429-8301
Morning Worship, 9:15 a.m.
Bible Study 10:30 a.m.
V ERNONIA C OMMUNITY C HURCH
Grant Williams, Pastor
957 State Avenue, Vernonia
503 429-6790
Sunday Breakfast 9:00 a.m.
Morning Worship 9:45 a.m.
*B.L.A.S.T. w/Nursery 10:00 a.m.
*Bible Learning and Scripture Training
Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m.
S T . M ARY ' S C ATHOLIC C HURCH
A SSEMBLY OF G OD
Rev. Luan Tran, Administrator
960 Missouri Avenue, Vernonia
503 429-8841
Mass Schedule
Sunday 12:00 Noon
Religious Education
Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Wayne and Maureene Marr
662 Jefferson Ave., Vernonia,
503 429-0373
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Morning Worship 11:00 a.m
V ERNONIA F OURSQUARE C HURCH
Carl Pense, Pastor
850 Madison Avenue, Vernonia
503 429-1103
Sunday Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.
Children’s Sunday School
F IRST B APTIST C HURCH
359 “A” Street, Vernonia
503 429-5190
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m.
S T . A UGUSTINE (C ANTERBURY )
E PISCOPAL C HURCH
375 North St. (Vernonia Grange Hall)
Vernonia, 503 705-2173
Please call for service schedule.
N EHALEM V ALLEY B IBLE C HURCH
Gary Taylor, Pastor
Grant & North Streets, Vernonia
503 429-5378
Sunday School 10:00 a.m.
Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
Nursery available
Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m.
V ERNONIA C HRISTIAN C HURCH
Sam Hough, Evangelist
410 North Street, Vernonia
503 429-6522
Sunday School 9:45 a.m.
Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
Every Wednesday:
Ladies' Bible Study 9:30 a.m.
Ladies’ Worship 10:00 a.m.
Children’s Choir 3:00 p.m.
Family Bible Study 7:00 p.m.