This is tasty, easy, and inexpensive. It takes about 8 hours in the crockpot. I usually put rice in the rice cooker at the same time I set this up and set that on timer so I don't forget to do it later. Makes it a good out-all-day supper. This is half the recipe found on p. 155 of Fix It and Forget It, and I could probably make half of this amount and have enough.

Smothered Lentils

1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 c. carrot, chopped
1/4 c. celery, chopped
1/2 c. ham, chopped
1 c. dry lentils
1/2 c. diced tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 t. dried marjoram
1 1/2 c. water

Drop the onion, carrot, celery, and ham into the food processor and pulse until chopped. Transfer to small crockpot, add other ingredients, cover, and cook on Low for 8 hours. Serve over rice.

The recipe says to check after 5 hours and if all the water's been absorbed, add another 1/2 c. But I don't think I ever have to add water. The original recipe also calls for salt and pepper to taste, if your tastes run to that.

I just made this for supper. It's really, really easy, quick to put together, and inexpensive. It does take a while to cook, though.

Ham and Potatoes Au Gratin
Serves 2-4
Oven at 350 or crockpot on low.

1/3 c.Cream Soup Mix
1 1/4 c. water
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
about 1/2 lb. ham, cooked and diced
4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
crumbled cheese crackers and extra cheese for top, optional for oven baking

Whisk the cream soup mix into the water and microwave in 30 second intervals, whisking between, until it reaches desired consistency. Meanwhile, start peeling and slicing the potatoes. Stir the cheese into the soup mixture. 1 1/2 c. of cheese is just a guess on my part, as I don't measure it. Place the diced ham and sliced potatoes in crockpot or casserole dish and pour sauce over. Stir to coat. Add crackers and cheese to the top if you're into the crunchy top thing. Cook in crockpot on Low for 8 hours, or in the oven at 350 for about an hour and fifteen minutes.

I'll admit to liking it better from the oven, but if I'm going to be out all day or if I'm making it in warmer weather, the crockpot is good enough. Leftover type ham seems to give the dish a good deal more flavor than, say, deli ham or the stuff you'd buy already diced.

And obviously you can leave out the ham and this makes a good side dish too.