Tangy Lesson Learned Chicken

The guild and I have cleared current content and are still running the last tiers raid weekly.  Oh yeah I know your reaction and believe me I'm feeling the grind.  So is my team.  The legendary weapon/guild achievement/pet we are trying for are quickly becoming less and less magical.  The raid is turning into something we dread and coast through half asleep.  So why are we doing it?  Because we're living up to our word.  This has definitely taught me a lesson in guild leading.  NEVER again will the guild sponsor 2 legendaries being built.  It's definitely a painful lesson learned and a wakeup call on legendary building 101.  Much like the wake up call you'll need when you're mid raid for the 39th kill on the same boss.  Good thing this recipe is tangy and might keep you awake on farm nights!

This one also comes with a lesson to learn for yourself.  Currently the house is divided on is it's too tangy.  The 53 year old swears it's perfect while the 17 year old says it needs less vinegar.  So you might want to judge your fondness and try a little less the first go around. Serve this with some rice or pasta, biscuits with chive butter, butter peas, vidalia onion, ect...  you might get that 39th kill.

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 6 - 8 hours
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
• 2/3 c Vinegar 
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 c packed Brown Sugar
• 1/4 c Lemon-Lime Soda
• 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
• 1 tsp Pepper  
  

Directions:

1. Place chicken breasts in Crockpot.
2. Mix all remaining ingredients in a bowl.
3. Pour mixture over chicken.
4. Cook on low 6 - 8 hours.  In my 5 qt it took 6 and a half hours but it can vary.

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

I am not a spaghetti fan.  At 33 I still have nightmares of big plates full from my childhood.  The spaghetti sauce getting everywhere, the fat hunks of onions & peppers lurking in this mesh of slippery noodles that would never stay on my fork, and the infamous words "Spaghetti sauce is like ketchup!  You eat ketchup right?"  My 4yr old self would've gladly ate noodles covered in ketchup but not spaghetti.  Then my Mom finally triumphed by making "white spaghetti" and, while I'm still not a fan of any type of spaghetti, I can atleast live peacefully with it now.

"That's great April but has nothing to do with gaming!"  I know but I make that point to make this one.  Sometimes you just have to try to coexist with things you aren't a fan of.  I discovered something this week that bothers be...  the Looking For Raid system in WoW.  My guild killed the end boss from Cataclysm this week, Hooray!  Everyone was happy but the whole week seem to be missing the energy and excitement of past expansions.  I fear killing Deathwing weekly in pugs has taken away from the magic.  To me it's a tragedy but I'll coexist since the system does help my lowbies gear.  I do wish they would've left last boss inaccessible until all nerfs were over.  I think it would let the end boss stay a more satisfying kill.

For now Looking For Raid and Spaghetti will remain on equal ground with me.  Looking for raid isn't my favorite addition to WoW but could definitely be worse.  Spaghetti is bad to me but can be made better for the anti-spaghetti crowd.  If you're in that crowd, this is for you!  This isn't my Mom's White Spaghetti but it's an easy Crock-pot recipe you can meet the Spaghetti lovers halfway on. 


Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 3hrs
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 16 oz Dry Spaghetti
• 1lb Velveeta Light Cheese
• 2 c Shredded Chicken, Cooked
• 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 10 oz can Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
• 1/2 cup Water
• 1 Small Onion. Diced
• 1 Medium Green Pepper, Diced
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil your Spaghetti Noodles as directed on package.  Drain excess water.
2. Spray Crock-Pot with non-stick spray.
3. Combine cooked Spaghetti & all other ingredients in Crock-Pot.  Stir until mixed thoroughly.
4. Cook on Low for 2-3 hours.
5. Stir before serving

Parmesan Anzu Chicken

Ok Warcrafters, time to 'fess up.  How many times have you farmed Sethekk Halls to get that swanky Raven Lord mount?  Once?  Twice?  100 times?  /pat I understand how frustrating that bird is.  Everyday you head out to a ghostland of a zone, kill rooms full of baddies, then kill that bird yet get nothing to show for it.  I say it's time to get a taste of revenge.  While we can't cook Anzu himself, this Parmesan Chicken will make even the most frustrated farmers feel a bit better.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 7 Hours
Serves: 4
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients: 

• 1/2c Breadcrumbs 
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves 
• 1/4c Parmesan Cheese 
• 1/2t Italian Seasoning 
• 1/4t Black Pepper 
• 1/4t Kosher Salt
• 1 T Olive Oil
• 8-12 Slices of Mozzarella Cheese 
• 1 Jar of your favorite Marinara Sauce 

Directions:

1. Spread olive oil into bottom of CrockPot.
2. Grab 2 dishes.  In the first dish, whip the egg with a fork.  In the other dish, mix breadcrumbs, parmesan, seasoning, salt & pepper.
3. A piece at a time, take your chicken and dip it into egg to cover it.  Now dip it into seasoning bowl to coat.
4. Place coated chicken in the bottom of your crock.
5. Put 2-3 slices of mozzarella onto each piece of chicken.
6. Pour marinara sauce over chicken.
7. Cook on low 6-7 hours or high 3-4.

Fresh Potatoes Au Gratin

I've introduced you to the greatness of NukaCola from Fallout 3, but cola isn't all the game has to offer your hungry avatar.  There's tons of snacks and meat but let's face it, in a post apocalyptic world full of radiation you want fresh!  Put away those Fancy Lad Snack Cakes and search out some Fresh Potatoes!

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 8 Hours
Serves: 5
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients: 

• 6 brown potatoes
• 1 onion
• 1 1/2 stick of butter 
• 6 T flour
• 3 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 2 t dried thyme
• 2 t kosher salt
• 4 t dried mustard
• 1 t black pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 

Directions:

1. Wash and peel your potatoes.
2.  Slice potatoes longways, then slice in 1/4 inch slices
3. Dice your onion.
4. Put veggies into slow cooker.
5. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Slowly add your flour, stirring constantly for 3-5 minutes. Then slowly add your cream, and spices, stirring continuously to blend.
6. Pour mixture over potatoes and close the crock lid.
7. Cook on Low for 8-9 hours or high for 4-5.
8. Before serving, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until it disappears.

NukaCola Roast

 

If you've ever played Fallout 3, you are no doubt a fan of NukaCola.  Just like radiation, it's everywhere!  There's NukaCola trucks, vending machines,  signs...  it's regular, ice cold, Quantum... it's a drink, it's ammo...  ok, ok, you get the point.  It's time NukaCola was given a real word tip of the hat so here at The Hungry Gamer we present NukaCola Roast!

How moist and tender does that look? NomNomNom

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Total Time: 8 Hours
Serves: 5
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 4 pounds Chuck Roast
• 1 can Cream Of Mushroom Soup
• 1 envelope (1 Oz.) Dry Onion Soup Mix
• 1 Can of Cola (I use Coke)

 Directions:

1. Spray the inside of a slow cooker with cooking spray. 
2. Place roast in the slow cooker. 
3. Pour cream of mushroom soup over roast to cover meat. 
4. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix around the top. 
5. Pour cola over the roast. 
6. Place lid on slow cooker.
7. Cook on low for 8 hours.

 

Farmer's Crop Pork Chops

Ok, I admit it... Miss MMO Raider here has done it before. I used to get up early and tend to my crops. Corn, Fruit Trees, Peppers... Harvest it all, sell it, replant. Yeah even I played Farmtown once upon a time. I have since retired my plow but my Mom still tends hers regularly & is pretty adamant about reminding me that her crops are just as important as my dragons. Today's recipe reminds me alot of those farming days. Fresh Peppers & Onions and we all know you're gifted way too many pigs when you play. ;)

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Total Time: 6 hours
Serves: 4

Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large green pepper, sliced
• 1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions:

1. Mix onion, pepper, tomatoes, ketchup, vinegar and brown sugar.
2. Layer the mixture and pork chops into slow cooker.  Make sure there's some of the saucy mixture on bottom and on top of pork chops.  How many layers depends on the size of your crock pot so just divide mix accordingly.
3. Cook on low for 5 1/2 hours.
4. Mix water and cornstarch together and stir into crock pot.
5. Cook 30 more minutes.

Ranch /Chicken

Us Warcraft nuts understand the importance of a well timed /chicken.  Opposing faction interupts your fishing, you flag but they won't...  /chicken.  You challenge someone to a duel, they decline...  /chicken.  You are 1 pet short of an achievement & realize you never completed the quest !Cluck to get the Westfall Chicken... /chicken /chicken /chicken.  A well timed chicken doesn't have to end in Azeroth my gamers.  This recipe is like most all masterpieces from a Crockpot.  It's easy, fairly low maintenance...  except this is a weekender. 

A weekender needs a little attention.  These are slow cooker meals you can't leave unattended from assembly till time to eat.  I call these weekenders because you can start it and do your normal weekend chores... laundry, mow, clean, farm gold, whatever you generally do as long as you are back in the kitchen on and off as needed.  Let's look at this baby' maintenance...

Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 6 hours
Serves: 4

Skill Needed: Artisan

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 dash paprika
• 1 package hidden valley ranch dressing mix
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions:

1. Place chicken breasts in bottom of your slow cooker.

2. Sprinkle paprika and dressing onto chicken.  Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of melted butter.

3. Cover with lid and let it cook 4 hours.

4. After 4 hours, in a large skillet mince your garlic and saute it in 1 tablespoon of butter. Add broth, soup, cream cheese, oregano and parsley.  Stir on medium heat until smooth.

5. Pour into slowly into cooker to cover chicken.

6. Cover with lid and let it cook 2 more hours.

   
   

   Really good with noodles!

Jacked Up Peach Chicken

Ahhh Jack Daniels has always been a sweet friend. Mostly after a horrible raid night to take the edge off but today we're hitting the sauce early! No not to drink (although if you do get a shot, I won't tell if you don't... my lips are sealed!). Today Jack is literally the sauce, atleast part of the sauce. Add some peach preserves and barbecue sauce and your chicken will thank you. Let's get cooking:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 5 hours
Serves: 4

Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 1 Clove Garlic
• 1 Bottle Masterpiece Barbecue Sauce
• 1/2 an Onion Diced
• 1/2c Jack Daniels Whiskey
• 12oz Peach Preserves
• 4 Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast
  

Directions:

1. In a bowl mix barbecue sauce, Jack Daniels whiskey, and peach preserves.
2. Dice 1/2 of a medium onion and crush a clove of garlic then add to sauce bowl.
3. Stir well
4. Cover bottom of crock pot with half the sauce, lay chicken in bottom, then cover chicken with remaining sauce.
5. Cook on High 5 hours.

Sweet BBQ Pork Tenderloin

Summer is coming to an end, school is beginning, and in my current game we are mid patch content.  That means we are logging 6 hours a week to kill current content before new comes out.  Off nights have left us in old content grabbing achievements/gear, and let's not forget PVP.  I wish I had time to get those lasts sweet tastes of summer in...  but who has time to grill and in this 100 degree heat?  Not to worry hungry gamers we will not miss out!  Grab your materials, grab a crockpot & cook yourself up some Sweet BBQ Pork Tenderloin.  You'll thank me later.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 6 hours
Serves: 8

Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 8 Pork Tenderloin
• Bottle BBQ Sauce 
• 1/4 cup Honey
• 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon Mustard
• 3 Chipotle Peppers Minced
• 2 Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce 
• Salt and Pepper to taste.

Directions:

1. Mince Chipole Peppers.
2. In a bowl mix Bottle of Barbecue Sauce, Honey, Brown Sugar, Mustard, Peppers and Worcestershire Sauce, Salt & Pepper.
3. Spray your crock with cooking spray and pour about 1/3 your sauce into bottom of Crock.  Add a layer of Pork Tenderloin. Add 1/3 more sauce.  Add a layer of Pork Tenderloin. Add rest of sauce.
4. Cook on Low for 6 hours.

 Delicious and longing for veggies to share their plate!

 

Fiesta Chicken

Every gamer has seen it... You see that huge baddie in your path, prepare yourself for a Battle of Epic Proportion, charge in with weapons drawn, but then 5 seconds later you're staring at a screen saying "That was it??" Well gamers meet "That was it????" cooking that have you ready for your next Epic Battle.


Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Total Time: 7-8hrs
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Ingredients:

• 3 pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
• 1 can (10.75 Oz. Can) Cream Of Chicken Soup
• 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Corn, Drained
• 1 can (15.5 Oz. Can) Black Beans, Undrained
• 1 cup Mild Chunky Salsa (Use your favorite!)
  
• 2 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
• 2 cups Cooked Mexican Rice
  
• Shredded Cheese, Lettuce, Tortilla Chips, Sour Cream, Tomatoes, ect to serve as sides

Directions:

1. Take a Deep Breathe, this may be a challenge to make.
2. Put Chicken in bottom of a 6qt Crock-Pot.
3. Pour Cream of Chicken soup over the Chicken.
4. On top of soup, pour Corn, Black Beans, and Salsa. Just dump them in!
   
5. Sprinkle Taco Seasoning in.
6. Stir Lightly.
7. Now put the Lid on & let Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
   
8. Try not to go crazy from the heavenly smell coming from your kitchen.
9. About 30 minutes before time to serve, Cook your Mexican Rice as directed on the package. When it's done, dump it in your Crock-Pot and stir lightly.
   
10. Serve plain or dress it up with Lettuce, Cheese, Tomatoes, Tortillas, Sour Cream or any Combo of toppings you like.

Crock Pot Cheeseburger Dinner

Mmmmm Who doesn't love Cheeseburgers? As a raider cooking them before raid time can sometimes be difficult though. Getting home at 6, cooking up burgers, eating and cleaning up by 7 can be a stretch and let's face it, Fast Food = quick, yummy but unhealthy & expensive if it's a regular thing. So here's a quick, easy alternative that even an Apprentice Cook can make.

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Skill Needed: Apprentice

Materials to Gather:

• 1 -1 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 (5 ounce) box au gratin potato mix
• 1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon mustard
• 4 slices American cheese (4 thick slices or 8 thin slices)

Directions:

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef with onions; drain. Place potatoes and seasoning mix in the slow cooker; cream of mushroom soup. Top potato mixture with ground beef and onions; salt and pepper to taste. Dot evenly with ketchup and mustard; top with cheese slices. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
2. Note: Feel free to add a vegetable to this recipe. Simply add it with the soup. This recipe could use any boxed potatoes wit success. Feel free to season hamburger as you would if you were making cheeseburgers.