33 Weeks Until Christmas 2025

I have tried a few new recipes, but not sweet treats.  I do have one of those sweet treat recipes to try, but I have just not had the mojo, nor the time to make it.  🎄🎅🤶

Here is what I did make to try. . .

Crockpot  Scalloped Potatoes {Slow Cooker recipe from Mennonite Girls Can Cook}

I am always looking for ways to make sides without the oven, due to space constraints on some holidays (or I used to).  I gave this recipe a whirl, and yes, you can use homemade condensed mushroom soup for a richer flavor (because it's made with shallots and fresh mushrooms with butter).

It is a much easier way to take potatoes to a get together, but I also consider if there will be enough outlets to keep the crock pot warm too.  

One year I took a sweet potato dish (in a baking dish), and it was left in the oven during the entire meal, so I went home with the entire dish.

Anyway, back to the potatoes....

Slice those bad boys up with a mandolin, as well as the onions, and this is the easiest potato side dish ever!

Top with shredded cheese for some more goodness like we did.  Not limited to the holidays, but boy is it a nice additional side for any holiday.

Yum!  It's a keeper recipe.  Although, the first time making these, we said it was "good" but no "wow" factor (had used a mix of mushroom and celery soups).

Notes:  Recipe states you can mix mushroom soup with celery.  We found that more bland than using all mushroom soup (homemade is the best!! So much more flavor).  We also felt it needed more seasoning than just pepper and paprika.  Cheese on top adds even more flavor.  We will make these again, and add either ham or even chopped up Canadian bacon and try them that way next.

Of course, the recipe is not limited to Christmas, but we tend to have little oven space when cooking for a crowd at the holidays.

Now on to the next recipe we tried.

Pea Salad.  Also called Bacon Pea Salad.  New Recipe Tried, but not limited to "Christmas" or holiday meals.

Delicious!

Honestly, I'd crumble the bacon and add it right before serving to give it a crispy crunch to the salad.  

The original instructions I got were to mix it all up.   I used organic peas from the store, but if your garden produces some wonderful home grown peas, you are in business.

You could also use homemade mayo if you have fresh eggs, and of course make your own sour cream if you have what's needed to make it.  

Here is how I made it.  First cook 8 strips of bacon, cool and crumble them.  If you raise your own pork, kudos to you.  If not, like myself, I buy from a local butcher if I can.

Continuing . . .

In a bowl mix:

4 cups of organic frozen peas, thawed
1 "handful" of shredded organic cheddar cheese (I used a medium cheddar, and hand shredded)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup organic sour cream
1/3 cup organic mayonnaise
2 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
(1 Tbsp. sugar - optional?? Was told to add this, but does it really need it?)
A quick dash of salt and pepper 
Add the cooked bacon.  Stir and chill.  Enjoy!  

I'm definitely adding this to my all year round side dish, and for just about any meal, picnic, summer outing, holiday gathering etc. 

Lastly, if you are still with me with this much longer post . . .

Crockpot Turkey Breast (bone in)

Have you ever thought to cook your holiday turkey in a crockpot?  Not me.  Not ever.  It does save oven space and it is very convenient.

I did not go buy a turkey breast either.  I had one in the freezer from a gathering fail here, so I needed to rotate it out of the freezer.  Nothing like 3 days of turkey ha ha!  Healthy anyway.

I had a 5 pound organic turkey breast.  I went searching on the internet, and there are many recipes for a turkey rub for cooking your turkey breast in the crockpot.

I adapted my own seasonings to a recipe I found online, but cannot link it for you, as it is heavily loaded with ads. 

 Allrecipes has one recipe, but they use a packet of dry onion soup (if you make your own). It might be good.  I went with a mix of homemade seasonings, with some others.

What I used:

-homemade seasoned salt

-homemade Italian seasoning

-homemade garlic powder

-homemade onion powder

-Paprika, and black pepper (salt is in the seasoned salt)

I used olive oil to make all of the seasonings stick to the turkey.

Cooking time is based on the size of your turkey breast, and if you have completely thawed it, or partially thawed it. I used a thermometer to check ours.

I read a few recipes, and cooked ours on high for 1 hour and then turned the crockpot to low.  The turkey turned out great.  

By the way, the only way I have ever (and I mean ever) had a tenderly, moist cooked turkey, was when one of my brother's smoked one.  Oh my gosh, it was the best turkey I have ever had (if you have a smoker, and we do not).  

The crockpot perfect for cooking a turkey breast with bone in.  We are so glad we tried this.

On another note, yes, my brain is drumming up these ideas and for one last share. . .

                                   

December of 2020 I gifted a few family members homemade Paprika Dry Rub.  I saved jars from organic tomato paste I think (smallish, but not really small). The recipe is online with Taste of Home. 

I did not have any made, but you need to note (if you are diabetic) that the dry rub from Taste of Home contains brown sugar.  The rub is good on turkey or chicken.  I have not tried it on pork, but a pork tenderloin might be good with it.  

That's all for this Christmas countdown post.  I hope you enjoyed it, despite that it's May.

 33 Weeks Until Christmas 2025 ©  May 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart