APRICOT NUT BREAD CROCKPOT RECIPE

* 3/4 cup dried apricots
* 1 cup flour
* 2 tsp baking powder
* 1/4 tsp baking soda
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 3/4 cup milk
* 1 egg, slightly beaten
* 1 Tbsp grated orange peel
* 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
* 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
* 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Place the apricots on a chopping block. Sprinkle 1 T flour over them. Dip a knife into the flour and chop the apricots finely. Flour the knife often to keep the cut up fruit from sticking together. Sift the remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar into a large bowl. Combine the milk, egg, orange peel, and oil. Stir the flour mixture and the whole wheat flour. Fold in the cut up apricots, any flour left on the cutting block and the walnuts. Pour into a well greased,
floured baking unit. Cover and place on a rack in the slow cooker, but prop the lid open a fraction with a toothpick or a twist of foil to let excess steam escape.
Cook on High for 4 to 6 hours. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm or cold.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Now before you all ask what a baking unit is (I wondered as I sat and typed this in), I looked it up in the front of the bread section. She says that some manufacturers are making units for slow cookers, but if you don't have one, a 2 pound coffee can works. Pyrex muffin cups also work. Also 1, 1 1/2 and 2 quart molds work.
DO NOT LIFT THE LID WHILE BAKING THIS BREAD.

ARTICHOKE & CHEESE DIP

* 1 lb. shredded Mozzarella
* 1 c. grated Parmesan
* 1 c. (8 oz. jar) mayonnaise
* 1 c. (8 1/2 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
* Minced onions
Mix ingredients together. Bake in casserole at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or in lightly buttered 3 1/2 quart slow cooker/Crock Pot on (high) for about 1 hour.
Serve with broken up French bread or wheat crackers.

ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

2 cans sliced asparagus, (10 oz each)
1 can cream of celery soup, (10 oz)
2 hard cooked eggs, thinly sliced
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup coarsely crushed saltines or Ritz crackers
1 teaspoon butter
Place drained asparagus in lightly buttered slow cooker/Crock Pot or slow cooker/Crock Pot baking insert. Combine soup and cheese. Top asparagus with sliced eggs, soup mixture, then the cracker
crumbs. Dot with butter. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

BACON CHEESE DIP

* 16 slices bacon, diced, fried and drained
* 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened and cubed
* 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
* 1 cup half-and-half
* 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
* 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* dash hot sauce
Put all ingredients in the Crock Pot and cook on low, stirring occasionally until cheese melts, about 1 hour. Taste and adjust seasonings, add bacon, and keep on low to serve.
Serve with cubed or sliced French bread.