Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

The first time I'd ever bought a jar of pesto was to make this recipe.... and oh man, it was a wonderful experience!  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 6 ounce jar of pesto
• 1 package Ranch Dressing Seasoning Mix
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Directions

1. Turn crock pot to high setting. Place chicken thighs, pesto, ranch dressing and chicken broth into crock pot. Stir gently to combine all seasonings. Close with lid and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
2. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes and a simple salad.

Seriously amazingly delicious.  I highly recommend this recipe to everyone!  Not only is is beyond easy to prepare, it's now one of my new favorite chicken recipes. I threw in some sliced red potatoes for the last couple hours of cooking and that made a super easy and yummy side dish. If you haven't tried this, do so!

Homemade Strawberry Glaze

Don't ever use store bought strawberry glaze again!  Homemade is SO much better.  Seriously!  I found this recipe and it was so easy that I tried it the next day.  Here it is:

Ingredients

2	cups	strawberries, cut into small pieces
1	cup	water
1/2	cup	sugar
3	tablespoons	cornstarch
1	tablespoon	freshly squeezed lemon juice
~		red food coloring (optional)

Directions

1. Combine the strawberries, water and sugar in a bowl and squish with clean hands to gently crush the fruit, releasing its juice.
2. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for six hours or overnight.
3. Pass the mixture through a mesh strainer set over a bowl, pressing the berries to release as much juice as possible. Discard the fruit pulp.
4. Add the cornstarch to the berry juice, whisking until smooth.
5. Pour the mixture in to a saucepan set over medium-high heat and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened --- approximately 2 minutes.

Note: Adjust the heat as needed while cooking to maintain a gentle simmer and prevent burning.

6. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and food coloring.
7. Cool the glaze until it is just warm before using.

Yum!  I served this over crepes, but it can obviously be served with tons of other stuff.  (Angel food cake anyone?)  My one suggestion?  Don't be afraid to add extra sugar!  Haha.  Really though.  If anything, mine could have used more.