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.

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)