06-09-08:
Tonite I made '15 bean soup'. 'They' call it "soup". I actually call it "a pot of beans".

I made them in the 8qt pressure cooker. I know they say not to make beans in a pressure cooker. They froth up too much. And that's exactly what happened! My son had pre-soaked the beans (going by the directions on the package) overnight. Needless to say, I had to keep a careful eye on the pot.

I have made dry beans (WITHOUT soaking overnight) in pressure cookers for many, many years with no problems. '15-bean soup' and split peas are NOT recommended!

These come as dried beans in a package. I added fresh chopped onion and garlic, some tomato sauce, cumin, and the seasoning pack that came with them. They came out pretty mild, but husband doesn't like spicy foods.

I also made a very simple salad using only Green and Red Romaine Lettuces, fresh Spinich Greens, and tomato. I put some grated cheddar cheese on top, and had Ranch Dressing.

If I hadn't have been so tired that night, I would have added some Carrot and Red Cabbage - but that didn't happen this time.

I served Whole Wheat Bread with it.

Husband said he liked the salad, which surprised me! He's used to the boring Iceberg Only 'Salad'. Haha. He said he likes my 'other' beans better - (Navy beans OR Small Red Beans) - and he chose to have his bread plain - no butter or margarine. (Good choice!)

I've never even thought about turkey in crockpot. Wanted easy fix and easy clean-up.

After defrosting, rinsed off 6-1/2lb turkey breast (with bone in) - patted it & left to dry a bit.

Melted some margarine in crockpot, rubbed turkey all over with more margarine and some packaged - (ONE pack) - 'Lipton Dip' (didn't have 'Lipton Soup' pack) and some garlic powder. (NO SALT, because the 'Lipton Dip / Soup' packet has enough of that!)

Took one large onion - cut into 4 each thick slices - and placed in margarine on bottom of crock.

Placed Turkey breast on top of that, put lid on, set on HIGH setting.

I should have gone HIGH setting for only one hour, but because it was already late (about 2:00pm), I left it on HIGH for 2 hours. Then I turned it to LOW setting.

NOTE: WE NORMALLY EAT LATE! So, if you eat earlier, suggest you start earlier!

After 2-3 hours on LOW, I decided to open lid to peek. I added water - about 1-2 Cups. (Shouldn't, but I felt like I needed to)

I let it 'cook' for another couple hours on low.

I opened lid again and cut to see if any 'pink' inside...NOPE! It was done. Then I decided to transfer it to a pan to sticek under broiler in oven. Lucky me! It did NOT fall apart during transfer! LOL!

Stuck it in broiler for about 5 minutes...ohh, getting a bit brown on one side. Turned it and broiled for another 2 minutes or so. OUCH! PRETTY BROWN NOW! Turned off oven and let it sit.

Dug the onions out of crockpot. Made gravy with the slew of juices (a LOT because I added that extra water! - and the dog loves me for that!)

Then it went down-hill. Canned grean beans and 'Stove-Top Stuffing' and 'Bush's baked beans'!

What a joke for "HEALTHY" - the sodium level...
Well EASY to open a couple cans to heat, and stuffing is easy.

Pots and Lids and serving utinsils...Oh MY! LOL

Needless to say, it was NOT very healthy at all, and lots of pots and pans to clean.

But, it was yummy and fed us 4 times over...with enough for the dog, too!

The pots and pans weren't so bad, as I had an empty dishwasher before I started - so easy to rinse and put dirties in. PLUS, like I said, fed us 4 times - so less dishes to mess with over the next couple days.

AND...The TURKEY came out nice and tender too!!!

I would NOT recommend this as a "HEALTHY" meal. However, I WILL recommend cooking turkey breast in crockpot - SO EASY! Use your own spices and olive oil or? in place of butter or margarine and packaged dry soup/dip.

I grade this as an "F" for healthy, and a "C+" for simple and cheap? (Making the gravy and using extra pan to broil...)

OH WELL...I WILL DEFINTELY cook turkey breast in crock again. I'll try to plan better next time with spices and FRESH vegies.