SPINACH CASSEROLE

2 pkgs (10-oz each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained

2 cups cream-style cottage cheese
1/2 cup butter, cut-up
1 1/2 American cheese, cubed
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt

In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine all the ingredients. 

Spray the interior of the crockpot or slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray; pour the spinach mixture into the cooker.  Cover and cook on high for approximately 1 hour.  Reduce heat setting to low and cook for an additional 4 to 5 hours.

This recipe is from this little booklet I got with my first crock-pot many years agl.

PORK CHILI

2 cans (14.5-oz each) chicken broth

2 cans chili-ready diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15.5-oz) kidney beans, drained
1 can (15-oz) black beans, drained
1 large onion, chopped
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 (2 1/2 lb) boneless pork shoulder roast
8-oz shredded Cheddar cheese for topping
1 1/4 cups sour cream for topping

In a crockpot or slow cooker combine the chicken broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, onion, chili powder, and cumin.  Stir mixture to combine well.  Add the pork, place lid on cooker and cook on low heat setting for 10 to 12 hours or on high setting approximately 7 hours.

Remove the meat from the cooker and shred.  Return to the cooker and stir to blend meat in.
To serve, spoon the chili into bowls and top with Cheddar cheese and sour cream, if desired.

File photo.

SLOW COOKED CHICKEN CACCIATORE III

1 tbsp canola oil

3 lb skinless chicken breasts and thighs
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes, do not drain
1 lb fresh button mushrooms, halved
2 large yellow onions, coarsely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, cut into long strips
1 1/4 cups chicken stock, divided
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 pkg (16-oz) fettuccine, cooked and drained

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; brown chicken well on all sides.

While chicken is browning, put the garlic, Italian seasoning, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, and 1 cup of the chicken stock in a 6-quart crockpot or slow cooker.  Stir the mixture to combine well.  Add the browned chicken pieces, turning them to coat. 

Place lid on cooker and cook on low heat setting for 8 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.  Remove the chicken to a serving platter and keep warm. 

In a small bowl stir the cornstarch into the remaining 1/4 cup of chicken stock; blend until the mixture is smooth.  Stir the cornstarch mixture into the cooker.  Replace lid and cook on high heat setting for 10 minutes until the mixture boils and thickens.  Serve the sauce with the chicken and the cooked fettuccine. 

file photo.

PORK CHOPS WITH PEAS

4 to 6 1-inch thick pork chops

1 pkg (16-oz) frozen field peas with snaps, mostly thawed
1 1/2 tsp dried mustard
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp canola oil
1 large onion, sliced
1 can (10.5-oz) condensed chicken broth

Place the peas in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker or crockpot.

Combine the dried mustard, salt, and garlic powder, sprinkle mixture over the pork chops. 

Place flour in a shallow pie plate and dredge chops through the flour, shaking off excess. In a large skillet, over medium-high heat, heat the canola oil until hot.  Place chops in pan (in batches in necessary) and cook approximately 3 minutes per side until browned.  Remove the pork chops from the skillet to the slow cooker, placing them over the peas. Sauté the onion in the hot pork chop drippings over medium-high heat for a few minutes until tender.  (This adds extra flavor rather just slicing onions into the cooker.)  Add the chicken broth and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring to loosen any particles left by the chops from the bottom of the skillet.  Spoon this onion mixture over the pork chops in the cooker.  Cover cooker and cook chops on low heat setting for 6-7 hours

file phot for reference only - not this exact recipe

TOMATO CHILI POT ROAST

4 lb pot roast

2 cups water
2 cans whole tomatoes
2 tsp salt, optional
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp chili powder
2 bay leaves
1 tsp thyme
1 large onion, quartered
1/4 cup cooking sherry, optional
parsley for garnish, if desired

Place the roast in the cooker and add the remaining ingredients. Place lid on cooker and cook on high 4 to 5 hours or on low 8 to 10 hours or until meat is tender and sauce has cooked down.

Serve meat with sauce garnished with parsley, if desired.

file photo

SPICY BRISKET

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 lbs beef brisket, trimmed
3 tsp canola oil
2 large onions, thinly sliced
1 cup catsup
1/2 cup bottled chili sauce
1/4 cup molasses*
2 tbsp strong brewed coffee
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce

Spray a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray and preheat broiler.

In a cup, mix the chili powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Rub this mix onto the brisket and place brisket on the broiler rack.  Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the canola oil over the top of the brisket.  Broil 5-inches from the heat for about 5 minutes per side to brown.

While brisket is browning, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, just until golden.  Stir in the catsup, chili sauce, molasses, coffee, and hot pepper sauce.

Spread half of the sauce over the bottom of the cooker; top sauce with the brisket.  Top brisket with the remaining half of the sauce.  Cover cooker and cook on low setting for around 8 hours or until meat is tender.

To serve, transfer the brisket to a cutting board and cut across the grain into about 18 slices.  Skim the fat from the sauce and serve with the brisket.

Yield: 6 servings

*You may substitute brown sugar if you do not have molasses.
This brisket makes yummy sandwiches.  May I suggest whole-wheat buns?

file photo

TURKEY BREAST WITH FRUIT SAUCE

1 (3 lb) boneless turkey roast (thawed, if frozen)

1 jar (10-oz) cherry preserves
1 can (8-oz) crushed pineapple, drained
2 tbsp lemon juice
dash of ground cloves

Place the turkey roast in a slowcooker or crockpot. Add the lid and cook on low setting for 8 hours.

Just before serving time, heat the cherry preserves, pineapple, lemon juice and cloves in a saucepan. Heat thoroughly.

To serve hot: Place turkey on a warmed platter and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Spoon some of the sauce over the turkey and pass the rest with the turkey.

To serve cold: Remove the turkey from the cooker. Promptly refrigerate to cool quickly. When chilled, cover the meat. Chill sauce. Slice the turkey and arrange on a platter. Serve sauce over the slices.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings.

 This is a file photo for reference only.

PORK AND PEPPER STEW

3 tbsp flour

3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 tsp rubbed sage
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 lbs boneless pork loin, trimmed and cut up into bite-size pieces
2 tsp olive or canola oil
1 green bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Preheat broiler.
Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, garlic, marjoram, sage, salt, and black pepper; add the cubed pork and toss to coat. Shake pork cubes to remove excess flour and place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Reserve the flour. Drizzle the oil over the pork and broil 5-inches from the heat, turning frequently, until light brown (about 10 minutes).

Place the browned pork along with any juices to the slow cooker or crock-pot. Stir in the bell peppers, tomatoes, chicken broth, and the reserved flour mixture until smooth. Place lid on the cooker and cook 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low, until the meat is tender.

Serve over hot cooked rice, if desired.

 Note: File Photo

SOUTHERN ARTICHOKE DIP

2 cans (14-oz) artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped

1 (10-oz) pkg frozen chopped collard greens*, thawed and squeezed dry
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup light sour cream
2 shallots, chopped
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
grated zest of 1/2 lemon
2 red bell peppers, cut into strips

Combine artichoke hearts, collard greens, Parmesan, mayonnaise, sour cream, shallots, and pepper sauce in a slow cooker or crock-pot.  Cover and cook until the Parmesan melts and the dip is hot, about 1 to 2 hours on high or 3 to 4 hours on low.

After cooking, stir in the lemon zest.

Serve with the bell pepper strips.

*Substitute spinach, if desired.

file photo for reference

BEEF-MOSTACCIOLI STEW

1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat

1 to 2 tablespoons canola oil
1 can (16-oz)diced tomatoes
1 cup sliced onion
3/4 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
pinch of black pepper
1 cup (uncooked) mostaccioli
Shredded mozzarella cheese for garnish

In a large skillet heat the canola oil. Brown the meat in the oil; drain off any excess fat.

In a slow cooker or crock-pot, layer the carrots, celery, onion, and tomatoes. Place the browned meat over the vegetables.

In a small bowl, combine the water, salt, paprika, chili powder, and pepper; mix together well. Pour the mixture over the meat in the cooker. Cover the cooker and cook on high setting for 4 hours or low setting for 8 hours.

Cook the mostaccioli according to the package directions; drain well. Stir the cooked mostaccioli into the stew in the cooker. When serving, sprinkle mozzarella over the top of the stew.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

 File photo for reference only.