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.

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.