WELCOME

Welcome to this slow cooker/crockpot blog. I believe slow cookers are the best thing to happen to modern day cooks. I used mine often when I worked outside the home and continue to do so even in retirement. It is so nice to put food on and forget about it. Slow cookers also allow us to cook many things we would normally have to use the oven for; what a relief in hot Texas weather! Some of these recipes are mine, many are ones I have collected over the years.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

CHICKEN CASSOULET

This is from a small booklet from Better Homes and Gardens 70 years of favorite recipes published in 1979.

Click on picture to enlarge for easier reading.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

CROCK POT CHEX MIX

1/4 cup butter,
4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt 
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp sugar
1 box Chex Cereal

Fill crock-pot with your favorite cereal, pretzels, and nuts. 

In a sauce pan - melt butter, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic and onion powders, sugar, dissolve.

Pour mix over the chex mix, cover, and cook for 2 1/2 hours on LOW. Stir every 30 minutes to make sure the mix gets everywhere


Note: From myfridge.com

Friday, December 5, 2014

KEVIN BRYANT'S SLOW COOKER PORK CHOPS

BEST PORK CHOPS EVER!! I KNOW because I have made this recipe a dozen or more times!!
In crock pot layer pork chops, add a can of cream of chicken soup, then sprinkle dry Ranch dressing all over.
Cover and cook on high for 4 hours OR Low for 6 hours.
The pork chops come out very tender and the flavor is amazing! You also get a good gravy for mashed potatoes
DO NOT ADD ANY WATER!!

The above is from Mr. Bryant. I personally have not made these pork chops but I do intend to soon.


Sunday, November 16, 2014

CREAMY CORN FOR A CROWD

  • 1 (32-ounce) bag frozen whole kernel corn
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 3 to 4 strips bacon, fried crisp and crumbled, for garnish

    1. Place corn in a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle corn with salt and sugar; drizzle with water. Place cream cheese and butter on top of corn mixture (do not stir).
       
    2. Cover and cook on LOW setting 4 hours. Stir well and garnish with the crumbled bacon before serving.
    This is my version of a recipe I saw from Mr. Food several years ago.



     

    Monday, November 3, 2014

    BBQ COCA-COLA RIBS

    This is a recipe from When The Dinner Bell Rings.

    Approximately 3 pounds pork back ribs
    1 bottle barbecue sauce (18 ounces)
    1 (6 ounce) can of Coca-Cola
    ⅛ teaspoon salt
    ⅛ teaspoon pepper
    Directions: Cut rib rack in half. Sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper, then place in crock pot. Combine barbecue sauce and coke in bowl, mix well, then pour over ribs in crock pot. Cover crock pot with lid. Cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 8 hours, or until done.


    Thursday, October 16, 2014

    CREAMY CROCKPOT COCOA

    This is a recipe from Pinterest. It was pinned by onegoodthingbyjillee. Evidently she got it from someone named Amanda.

    • 1 cup whipping cream
    • 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
    • 8 cups milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2 cups of chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate)
    Instructions
    Pour all the ingredients into a crockpot and whisk together until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted. Whisk well before serving. Garnish as desired (which means MARSHMALLOWS of course!)
    According to Amanda you can also make it with white chocolate, butterscotch, even MINT chocolate chips! I DO love mint chocolate! The possibilities here are vast! I’m thinking of maybe trying a salted caramel version! Yummmm!

    Tuesday, September 2, 2014

    BEEF ROULADES

    1 1/2 lbs beef round steak, 1/2-inch thick
    4 slices bacon
    3/4 cup diced celery
    3/4 cup diced onion
    1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
    1 can (10-oz) beef gravy

    Cut steak into 4 serving pieces. Place a slice on bacon on each piece of meat.

    Mix the celery, onion, and bell pepper together in a bowl. Place approximately 1/2 cup of the mixture on each piece of meat.

    Roll up each piece of meat over the bacon and vegetables; secure ends with wooden picks.

    Wipe beef rolls with paper towels to dry and place in crock pot or slow cooker. Pour the gravy evenly over the meat rolls.

    Place lid on cooker and cook on low setting 8 to 10 hours or on high setting 4 to 5 hours.

    Skim off any fat and remove wooden picks before serving.

    Note: File photo



    Friday, August 15, 2014

    ROAST BEEF AND GRAVY

    This is a recipe a friend sent me from www.nellsoldfashionrecipes.com

    1 beef sirloin tip roast (4 pounds)
    1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
    1 envelope onion soup mix
    1 envelope brown gravy mix
    2 cups cold water
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/2 teaspoon pepper
    1/2 teaspoon garlic powder


    Cut roast in half; rub with 1/4 cup flour. Place in crockpot. 


    In a small bowl, combine soup, salt, pepper, garlic powder and gravy mixes with remaining flour; whisk in water until blended. Pour over roast. 

    Cover and cook on low for 6 hours in crockpot. I like to use this recipe and make open face roast beef sandwiches and mashed potatoes.


    Thursday, August 14, 2014

    CROCK POT DRESSING

    1 cup butter, melted
    2 cups chopped onion
    2 cups chopped celery
    1/2 cup chopped parsley
    2 cups mushrooms (drain if using canned)
    2 eggs beaten
    3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups chicken broth (enough to moisten well)
    13 cups cubed dry bread
    1 1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
    2 tsp salt
    2 tsp sage
    1 tsp thyme
    1 tsp pepper
    1/2 tsp marjoram, optional

    Melt butter in a large skillet and saute onion and celery until softened. Mix with the remaining ingredients and toss together well. Pack in a large crock pot. Add lid and cook on high for 45 minutes then turn down to low and cook 6 to 8 hours.


    Monday, July 14, 2014

    CHERRY COLA CHOCOLATE CAKE

    1/2 cup cola
    1/2 cup dried tart cherries
    1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    1/2 cup granulated sugar
    2 squares (1-oz each) semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
    2 1/2 tsp baking powder
    1/2 tsp salt
    1 cup chocolate milk
    1/2 cup butter, melted
    2 tsp vanilla extract

    Place the cola and cherries in a small saucepan; remove from heat and let stand for half an hour.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, chocolate, baking powder and salt.

    In a smaller bowl, combine the chocolate milk, butter, and vanilla extract; stir into the flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in the cherry cola mixture.

    Spray the interior of a 3-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray; pour batter into the cooker.

    Make topping to pour over the batter:
    Topping:
    1 1/4 cups cola
    1/2 cup granulated sugar
    1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
    2 squares (1-oz each) semisweet baking chocolate, chopped
    1/4 cup dark rum

    Combine the cola and sugars in a small saucepan; cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate and rum. Pour over the batter but do not stir!

    Place lid on cooker and cook on high setting for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until set. Turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for another 30 minutes.

    Serve warm with ice cream and maraschino cherries, if desired.


    This recipe is from an old TOH magazine.

    Thursday, July 10, 2014

    CROCKPOT BALSAMIC CHICKEN THIGHS

    3 pounds of boneless chicken thighs
    1 small red onion diced
    2 large cloves of garlic minced
    1 teaspoon of basil or 1 small bunch of fresh basil chopped 
    1 small bunch of parsley reserved
    1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
    1/2 teaspoon of pepper
    1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
    1/8 cup of extra virgin olive oil 

    Pour oil into bottom of crockpot..add chicken and pour the vinegar on top. Add all other ingredients except the parsley. Cook on high for four hours or low for 8. Top with parsley! 


    Tuesday, July 8, 2014

    FRESH PEACH COMPOTE

    3 large or 4 smaller fresh peaches, washed and sliced (not necessary to peel if skins are good)
    1/3 cup brown sugar
    2 tbsp butter, cut-up
    3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
    1 tsp vanilla extract
    1/4 cup brandy, optional (use 1 or 2 tbsp water if not using brandy)

    Arrange the peach slices in the bottom of the cooker.

    Pour the remaining ingredients over the peaches, spacing the butter over all.

    Place lid on cooker and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

    Delicious served over ice cream, waffles, etc.




    Thursday, June 19, 2014

    CHICKEN WITH FIGS AND BLUE CHEESE

    I got this email today from Family Circle and thought some of you chicken lovers might like it. You know I won't be making it!

    • 1 1/2 cups  low-sodium chicken broth
    • 1/4 cup  balsamic vinegar
    • tablespoon  grated orange zest
    • 3/4 teaspoon  salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon  black pepper
    • 8 ounce package dried Mission figs, stems removed
    • tablespoons  vegetable oil
    • pounds  boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    • large onion, thinly sliced
    • tablespoons  flour
    • 16 ounce tube prepared polenta
    • 2/3 cup  crumbled blue cheese

    1. In a small bowl, stir together broth, vinegar, orange zest and 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper; set aside. Coarsely chop figs.
    2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to skillet and cook 5 minutes per side or until browned. Remove chicken to slow cooker and add onion to skillet. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Pour in broth mixture and bring to a boil. Pour skillet contents into slow cooker and add figs.
    3. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours.
    4. Meanwhile, prepare polenta following package directions. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 tsp salt into chicken mixture. Serve polenta with chicken and fig mixture; divide blue cheese among servings.

    Nutrition Facts
    Servings Per Recipe 6

    • Amount Per Serving
    • cal.(kcal)459
    • Fat, total(g)17
    • chol.(mg)160
    • sat. fat(g)5
    • carb.(g)42
    • fiber(g)5
    • pro.(g)37
    • sodium(mg)997


    Monday, June 16, 2014

    SLOW COOKER HONEY-ORANGE CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

    • Another recipe for all you chicken lovers out there!
    • 1/3 cup honey
    • 2 teaspoons orange zest
    • 2 tablespoons orange juice
    • 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
    • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
    • 12 medium chicken drumsticks (3-3 1/2 pounds), skin removed (see Tip)
    • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
    • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

    1. Combine honey, orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce (or tamari), garlic, ginger, vinegar and crushed red pepper in a small bowl.
    2. Coat a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add drumsticks, pour in the sauce and mix to coat. Cover and cook until an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the meat without touching bone, 2 to 3 hours on High or 4 hours on Low.
    3. Transfer the drumsticks to a bowl. Very carefully pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a medium skillet. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil until reduced and syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes. Pour the sauce over the drumsticks and stir to coat. Serve sprinkled with cilantro and sesame seeds.
    Yield: 6 servings of 2 drumsticks
    Per serving: 245 calories



    Saturday, June 14, 2014

    CHEESY CHICKEN, BACON, & TATOR TOT BAKE

    When I saw this today I thought of the hundreds of readers out there who are always wanting chicken recipes. If you are a regular on my blogs you know I do not allow chicken in my mouth so this is for all you! Enjoy!


     
    Crock Pot Cheesy Chicken, Bacon, & Tator Tots is a delicious and super easy meal to put together! Your whole family will love it!
    Author: 
    Recipe type: main
    Ingredients
    • 1 (32 ounce) bag tater tots
    • 3 ounce crumbled bacon pieces
    • 1 lb skinless chicken breasts
    • 1½ cups grated colby cheese
    • 1½ cups grated monterey jack pepper cheese
    • ¾ cup milk
    • salt and pepper

    Instructions
    1. Grease the bottom of the crock pot
    2. Layer ½ the tater tots on the bottom of the pot
    3. Sprinkle ½ of the bacon pieces on top of the tator tots
    4. Combine the two cheeses, and sprinkle ⅓ of it over the bacon and tots
    5. Top cheese with the chicken breasts
    6. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper to taste
    7. Top chicken with another ⅓ of cheese
    8. Sprinkle with other ½ of the bacon pieces
    9. Add remainder of the tater tots
    10. Top with final ⅓ of the cheese
    11. Pour milk over the top
    12. Set crock pot to high and cook 4-5 hours (3 was perfect for me)

    Thursday, May 29, 2014

    PEACH OR APRICOT BUTTER

    4 (1-lb 14-oz each) cans peaches or apricots, drained
    3 to 4 cups sugar
    2 teaspoons cinnamon
    1 teaspoon cloves

    Drain fruit and remove pits; puree fruits using blender or food strainer.  Pour into crock pot, Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on high 8-10 hours. Remove cover during last half of cooking. Stir occasionally.

    Variation: Fresh peach or apricot butter: Wash, peel, pit and cook fruit until soft. Add sugar when cooked (using 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar to each cup of fruit). Add spices and cook as directed above.


    Friday, April 18, 2014

    CHEESE TOPPED SWISS STEAK

    2 lbs beef round steak, approx. 1-inch thick
    1/4 cup flour
    1 tsp salt
    1 celery stalk, chopped
    2 carrots, peeled and chopped
    1/4 cup chopped onion
    1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
    1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce
    1/2 cup grated American cheese

    Cut steak into 4 serving-size pieces.

    Combine the flour and salt in a shallow plate or pie pan; dredge meat in mixture, coating both sides. Place meat in a crock pot/slow cooker.

    Add the celery, carrots, onion, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour the tomato sauce over all.

    Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours.

    Just prior to serving, sprinkle the cheese over the meat.


    Saturday, February 8, 2014

    SLOW COOKER MIGAS

    6 large eggs, lightly beaten
    1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
    1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
    1 cup grated Jack cheese
    1 cup grated cheddar cheese
    1/2 cup salsa
    1 tsp cumin
    1 tsp garlic powder
    1 tbsp fresh minced oregano
    1/2 cup milk
    2 1/2 cups tortilla chips, broken up (This is a great way to use up chips that are getting stale.)

    Combine all the ingredients together in a slow cooker or crock pot; mix together thoroughly.

    Place lid on cooker and cook on low 4 to 6 hours or on high 2 to 3 hours.

    Yield: 6 servings.


    Saturday, January 25, 2014

    CHEESY POTATO SOUP

    6 cups peeled and chopped potatoes
    2 1/2 cups water
    1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
    2 tsp instant chicken bouillon granules
    1/4 to 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
    1 1/2 cups shredded American cheese
    1 can (12-oz) evaporated milk
    4 strips bacon, fried, drained on paper towels, crumbled, for garnish
    Thin sliced green onion for garnish

    In a 3 1/2 to 4-qt slow cooker or crock pot, combine the potatoes, water, yellow onion, bouillon, and pepper. Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8 to 9 hours or on high 4 to 4 1/2 hours.

    Stir the cheese and milk into the soup and continue to cook 1 hour on low or 30 minutes on high.  Smash potatoes slightly if you like a thicker soup.

    Ladle into soup bowls and top with crumbled bacon and green onions.

    Yield: 4 servings.

    Wednesday, January 22, 2014

    SPICY CHICKEN STEW

    This is a recipe I got from Cooking Light magazine.

    • baking potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), peeled and cut into chunks (3 1/3 cups) 
    • (10-ounce) package frozen whole-kernel corn
    • celery stalks, chopped 
    • carrots, peeled and cut into chunks (1 cup) 
    • onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices 
    • garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 cup bottled salsa 
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast 
    • skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 10.5 ounces) 
    • 2 1/2 cups fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
    • (6-inch) fresh corn tortillas, cut into strips
    • Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
    1. Place first 6 ingredients in an electric slow cooker. Stir in salsa and next 3 ingredients (through pepper). Place chicken on top of vegetables, and add broth. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
    2. Remove chicken from slow cooker; shred with 2 forks. Return chicken to slow cooker. Stir tortilla strips into stew. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

    Monday, January 20, 2014

    CROCK POT BEEF FAJITAS

    1 1/2 lbs beef flank steak
    1 cup chopped onion
    1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch strips
    1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & chopped
    1 tbsp chopped cilantro
    1/4 tsp garlic powder
    1 tsp chili powder
    1 tsp ground cumin
    1 tsp ground coriander
    1/2 tsp salt
    1 can (8-oz) diced tomatoes
    12 (8-inch size) flour tortillas
    Suggesting toppings:
    sour cream
    guacamole
    shredded cheese
    salsa

    Cut the flank steak into 6 portions.

    Combine the meat, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, coriander, and salt in a crock pot/slow cooker.  Add the tomatoes.

    Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours.

    Remove meat from crock pot to a cutting board and shred using two forks; return to cooker and stir.

    To serve heat tortillas, if desired, and spread the meat mixture into the tortillas.  Use any or all of the suggested toppings. Roll up the tortillas and enjoy.


    Friday, January 17, 2014

    TACO MEAT LOAF FROM TOH

    I just got this recipe in my emails from TOH. Two things I love are tacos and meatloaf so just thinking about this combination has my mouth watering.  To be fair, I just got this today so I haven't tried it yet. But have you ever gotten a bad recipe from Taste of Home?

    • 1 cup salsa
    •  2 eggs, lightly beaten
    • 2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
    •  1/4 cup packed brown sugar
    •  2 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce
    • Cut four 20-in. x 3-in. strips of heavy-duty foil; crisscross so they resemble spokes of a wheel. Place strips on the bottom and up the sides of a 3-qt. slow cooker. Coat strips with cooking spray.
    • In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into a round loaf. Place meat loaf in the center of the strips. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until no pink remains and a thermometer reads 160°.
    • Combine the ketchup, brown sugar and hot sauce; pour over meat loaf during the last hour of cooking. Let stand for 10 minutes. Using foil strips as handles, remove the meat loaf to a platter. Yield: 8 servings.

    • Note from TOH: Originally published as Slow-Cooked Taco Meat Loaf in Simple & Delicious March/April 2007, p47

    Wednesday, January 15, 2014

    LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP

    • 30 ounces bag frozen, shredded hash browns
    • 10 3/4 ounces cream of chicken soup
    • 32 ounces chicken broth
    • med. onion, diced
    • 1 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
    • 8 ounces Neufchatel cream cheese
    • 1 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
    • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
    • 1 cup chopped chives or green onions
    • 1 cup sour cream
    • Place the first five ingredients (through the black pepper) in the slow-cooker.
    • Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
    • One hour before you’re ready to eat, add the cream cheese.
    • Let it melt, then stir to fully blend.
    • When serving, top with crumbled bacon, chives, shredded cheese and sour cream, if desired.
    • This recipe is one I received through email from the Real Women of Philadelphia (KRAFT Foods).

    Saturday, January 11, 2014

    SLOW COOKER MOCHA SUPREME

    2 quarts strong brewed coffee
    1/2 cup instant hot chocolate beverage mix
    1 cinnamon stick, broken into halves
    1 cup whipping cream
    1 tbsp powdered sugar

    In a slow cooker, place the coffee, hot chocolate mix, and the cinnamon stick halves; stir to dissolve the hot chocolate mix and to combine.

    Place lid on cooker and cook on high 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until hot.  Remove the cinnamon sticks and discard them.

    Beat the cream in a medium-size chilled bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form.

    Ladle the hot beverage into mugs and top with a dollop of whipped cream.