Slow cookers in the fall

Fancy knife that I'm
(less) terrified of

Realizing that it'd been more than a year since I updated, and all of my posts have to do with cooking or baking, while I chopped up goodies to throw into my slow cooker, I decided to nab a few photos along the way. 

Today, I tried a recipe from one of my favorite new recipe books: Gourmet Vegetarian Slow Cooker: Simple and Sophisticated Meals from Around the World. My grandmother, Mama Liz, gave this to me last year for Christmas. I was so curious when I first opened the gift -- especially because I didn't have a slow cooker yet!

So, as I creep closer and closer to married life (76 days and counting -- not me, Macy's is counting), I have found myself wanting to develop skills that I feel every woman should have. This most recent? Cooking healthy meals in large portions that can be frozen easily. 

Onions apparently look like worms
when you cook them this way

**Pause as I realize I left my bread proofing in the oven!!**

But, of course, before you find yummy recipes to fill your slow cooker with, you have to buy one! So, I dragged Noel down to the local Macy's store, gift certificates from our wedding showers in hand, to purchase the Boozer Cruse slow cooker. And, rest assured, we got a nice one. It's got settings...and buttons...and even an LED screen. All smiles on the Boozer side, here. 

And now, I'm trying my hand at a recipe that seems perfect for the cooling weather outside: Barley, Mushroom, and Onion soup, courtesy my new recipe book. 

Of course, It wouldn't be a day in the kitchen for me if I didn't throw something sweet into the mix. So, I tried my hand at this extremely easy and fool-proof recipe I found on Pinterest. I'm partial to the way mine came out because, you know, they're shaped like my home state!

Georgia's been on my mind

So, what am I grateful for? 

Today, I'm grateful for sharp knives that I'm still terrified of, but am slowly gaining confidence with every use and very patient, helpful fiances who will willingly take on horribly boring tasks of wedding planning (e.g., finding envelopes to fit our invitations). 

PS. For those of you who were concerned -- the bread turned out fine.