LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP

• 30 ounces bag frozen, shredded hash browns
• 10 3/4 ounces cream of chicken soup
• 32 ounces chicken broth
• 1 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).
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PERFECT PORK CHOPS

4 small onions

4 (3/4-inch thick) boneless, center loin pork chops

1 tbsp hot olive oil

1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

2 chicken bouillon cubes 1/2 cup boiling water

1/4 cup prepared mustard with white wine

Cut off ends of onions and peel. Cut onions in half crosswise to make 4 thick wheels. Place the onion wheels in the bottom of a slow cooker.

Sear both sides of the chops in hot olive oil in a heavy skillet, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Place in cooker on top of onions. Sprinkle with the pepper.

Dissolve bouillon cubes in boiling water. Stir in mustard. Pour into the slow cooker. Place lid on cooker and cook on high 3 hours or until the pork is cooked through and the onions are tender.

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Entertaining Menus 2007

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.

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HAM BALLS

3 large eggs

3 cups crushed graham crackers
2 cups milk
2 tsp dried minced onion
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 lbs extra-lean ground ham
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1 1/2 lbs ground pork that has been trimmed of fat
nonstick cooking spray

Beat eggs slightly in a large mixing bowl.  Add the crushed crackers, milk, onion, pepper, and ground meats; mix well.

Form the mixture into 24 balls, using 1/2 cup for each ball.

Make the TOPPING:
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp dry mustard

Combine all the topping ingredients in a small bowl until well mixed.

Layer the meatballs in a lightly sprayed 6-quart slow cooker or crock pot.  Pour topping over the meatballs.
Do this in layers, meatballs, topping, meatballs, topping if necessary.

Place lid on cooker and cook on high for 1 hour.  Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook 3 to 4 hours until meatballs are cooked through.

Ham Balls

SMOKED SAUSAGE, SAUERKRAUT, AND APPLES

1 can (14-oz) sauerkraut, rinsed and drained well

1 lb smoked sausage, cut into chunks
3 medium Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into eight wedges each
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp caraway seeds (or use Bavarian-style kraut instead of regular)
dash of freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup apple juice

This recipe works best in a 3-quart cooker.

Layer half the sauerkraut in the bottom of the cooker; top with (in order given) sausage, apples, brown sugar, caraway seeds, and pepper.  Spread the remaining sauerkraut over the top.  Pour the apple juice overall.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until the apples are tender.

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STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

1 cup ricotta cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pesto sauce
6 skinless boneless chicken breasts, pound out thin
salt and pepper to suit your taste
1/2 (10 1/2-oz size) can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup white cooking wine
fresh basil leaves for garnish, if desired

In small mixing bowl combine the cheeses and pesto; place a dollop on each of the chicken breast.  Roll chicken breast around the mixture and secure with a wooden toothpick.

Season rolls with salt and pepper then place in crock pot or slow cooker.

In a mixing bowl whisk together the soup, milk, and wine (or chicken broth); pour over the chicken in the cooker.

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

Garnish with fresh basil when serving, if using.
NOTE: REMOVE TOOTHPICKS BEFORE SERVING!

file photo for reference only - not this exact recipe

LENTIL & CANADIAN BACON SOUP

4 cups water

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp thyme

2 cans vegetable broth

2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces

 1 cup chopped potato

1 medium onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, cut into small pieces

1 16-oz pkg dried lentils, sorted and rinsed

6-oz Canadian bacon, chopped

Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting 8 to 9 hours or until the lentils are tender. Stir well before serving. Garnish with sour cream, if desired

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CREAMED CORN

• 3 (15.25-ounces) cans whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper 
  
  
• 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into thin slices

• Place corn into a slow cooker. Stir in milk, sugar and pepper until well combined. Without stirring, top with butter and cream cheese. Cover and cook on high heat for 2-3 hours.
• Uncover and stir until butter and cream cheese are well combined. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 15 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES

2 large parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tbsp fresh tarragon, minced
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp brown sugar

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot or slow cooker.  Stir to thoroughly coat the vegetables with the seasonings, butter, and brown sugar.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

Serves 6.

file photo for reference only - not this exact recipe

ZESTY ITALIAN BBQ MEATBALLS

Meatballs:
2 lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp dry mustard
2 eggs beaten

Combine all the above ingredients in a mixing bowl; mix well and form into approximately 40 meatballs. Place in a shallow baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, drain off fat, transfer meatballs to a slow cooker or crock pot.

Sauce:
1 1/2 cups favorite bottled bbq sauce
3/4 cup tomato paste
1/3 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water, as needed
1 tsp liquid smoke

Combine the sauce ingredients in a bowl, mixing well.  Pour sauce over the meatballs in the cooker.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or on high 2 hours.  Stir halfway through cooking time to baste all the meatballs.

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SLOW COOKER TURKEY BREAST I

5 slices bacon

1 5 1/2-lb bone-in turkey breast (skin removed)

1/2 tsp garlic pepper

1 can (10 1/2-oz) turkey gravy

2 tbsp flour

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dried sage

1. Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook until evenly brown. Drain and crumble.
2. Spray a slow cooker with cooking spray. Place turkey in the slow cooker. Season with garlic pepper. In a bowl, mix the bacon, gravy, flour, Worcestershire sauce, and sage. Pour over turkey in the slow cooker.
3. Cover slow cooker and cook turkey 8 hours on Low.

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USING HERBS IN YOUR CROCK POT/SLOW COOKER

Did you know when you add herbs to foods you cook in a slow cooker it makes a difference?  Dried herbs should be added at the beginning of the cooking time but most fresh herbs should be added near or at the end of cooking time.  When fresh herbs are added at the beginning they will lose not only their color but also their flavor by the end of the long cooking time used in slow cookers.  There is one exception to the fresh herb rule and that is rosemary.  Rosemary can withstand the long hours of slow cooking and may be added in the beginning.

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LAND O' LAKES CHICKEN CHOWDER

1 1/4 poundsboneless skinless chicken breast halves or turkey, cut into 1-inch pieces

8 small new red potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 large (1 cup) onion, chopped

1 (16-ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables

2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth

1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram leaves

2 teaspoons garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup Land O Lakes® Half & Half

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 (8-ounce) container onion and chive-flavored cream cheese, softened

Topping

2 tablespoons Land O Lakes® Butter

1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs

Combine all chowder ingredients except half & half, cornstarch and cream cheese in 5-quart slow cooker. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to-8 hours, or High heat setting 4-5 hours or until potatoes are tender.

During the last cooking hour, combine half & half and cornstarch in small bowl until smooth; gradually stir into chicken mixture. Cover; cook on High heat setting until mixture is thickened.

Meanwhile, melt butter in 1-quart saucepan until sizzling; add bread crumbs. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside.

Just before serving, stir cream cheese into chowder until melted. To serve, sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon topping.

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SLOW COOKER NAVY BEAN SOUP

Ingredients

1 lb of dry white beans soaked and drained (navy or northern)

2 lb of meat (ground beef, chicken, turkey, sausage (I used 1lb italian sausageand 1 lb ground chicken)

1/2 c chopped onion

10 c chicken stock or bullion

1 can cream of onion soup

1/2 c grated carrot

Season to taste

Instructions

Brown meat

Add all ingredients to a 7-8 qt slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

This may be divided for smaller quantities and smaller slow cookers.

WARM PUMPKIN-BLUEBERRY CAKE

Nonstick cooking spray

3/4 cup canned pumpkin 

1/2 cup half-and-half

2 tbsp packed brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup cold butter, cubed

3/4 cup fresh blueberries

1 tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 tbsp melted butter

1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted 

Coat a 4-quart oval slow cooker with cooking spray. In a medium bowl stir together pumpkin, half-and-half and brown sugar; set aside. 

In a large bowl stir together 2 cups flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1/4 cup cold butter until pieces are pea sized. Add pumpkin mixture all at once to the flour mixture. Stir just until combined. In a small bowl combine blueberries with the 1 tablespoon of flour by tossing until berries are coated. Fold the berries into the batter.

Spoon batter into the slow cooker and pour maple syrup and 2 tablespoons melted butter over the batter in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with the pecans. Cover and cook on high setting 2 to 2 1/2 hours. If possible, carefully rotate crockery liner halfway through cooking time to ensure even cooking. Turn off cooker and carefully remove the lid to avoid condensation from dripping on the cake. Completely cover the opening in the slow cooker with paper towels, place lid on top. Cool 30 to 45 minutes. Run a thin knife around the inside of the crockery liner and remove cake from cooker. Cool completely on a wire rack. (I imagine mine being served from the cooker.)

slow cooker favorites volume 2

SLOW-COOKED ENCHILADA DINNER

I love Mexican food and I find that Taste of Home Recipes are almost always very good.  Having said that, I will say I have not yet tried this recipe.  I got it this morning from a friend who credits it to Taste of Home and that is good enough for me!

1 lb 90% lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (15-oz) Ranch-Style Beans
1 can (10-oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies, do not drain
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 (6-inch) flour tortillas

In a large skillet cook the beef and onion until the beef is no longer pink, drain.

Stir the beans, tomatoes, bell pepper, chili powder, salt, cumin, and black pepper into the beef mixture.

Combine the cheeses in a small bowl; set aside.

Cut 3 25-inch by 3-inch strips of heavy-duty aluminum foil and crisscross so they resemble spokes of a wheel.  Place onto the bottom and up sides of cooker.  Spray with nonstick cooking spray.

Place two tortillas in the cooker, overlapping if necessary; top with a third of the beef mixture then 1/3 of the cheese.  Repeat layers twice.

Place cover on cooker and cook on low for 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Use the foil strips as handles to remove from cooker to serving platter.

SPINACH DIP WITH BLUE CHEESE AND BACON

4 slices bacon

1 cup coarsely chopped sweet onion

2 14-oz cans artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped 

1 10-oz pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 cup olive oil mayonnaise

1 brick (8-oz) cream cheese, cut up

4-oz blue cheese, crumbled

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp dry mustard

Assorted crackers and/or pita chips for dipping

In a medium skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Crumble bacon, cover and chill until ready to use. Cook onion in 1 tablespoon of the bacon drippings for about 5 minutes or until tender.

In a 3 1/2 or 4-qt slow cooker combine onion, artichoke hearts, spinach, bell pepper, mayo, cream cheese, blue cheese, garlic and mustard. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours (do not cook on high setting) or until cheese melts and dip is heated through. Stir in the bacon before serving.

May be served immediately or kept warn, covered, on warm setting up to 1 hour. Serve with the crackers and/or pita chips.

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CROCKPOT STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

6 bell peppers, green, red, or orange (washed, topped, and seeded)

1 tbsp shortening

1 1/2 lb ground beef

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 small onion, chopped

1 tsp salt

1/8 black pepper

1/8 tsp basil

1/2 cup ketchup

1 8-oz can tomato sauce 

Heat shortening in skillet and brown beef.  Combine meat and next 6 ingredients.  Stuff bell peppers.  Arrange peppers in large crock pot (may be stacked if necessary).  Pour tomato sauce over peppers.  Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Personal note: Sometimes I like to use 2 red, 2 green, and 2 orange bell peppers for color and replace the ketchup and tomato sauce with a favorite pasta sauce.

Note: I got the main ideas for this recipe from Recipes4Living over a dozen years ago.

FORGOTTEN JAMBALAYA RECIPE

This is a Taste of Home recipe that was submitted by a lady from my neighboring city of Coppell, Texas several years ago.

1 can (14.5-oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14.5-oz) beef or chicken broth
1 can (6-oz) tomato paste
3 celery ribs, chopped
2 medium green bell peppers, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 tsps dried parsley flakes
2 tsps dried basil
1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 1/4 tsps salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 lb smoked sausage, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 lb uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Hot cooked rice for serving

In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, broth and tomato paste. Stir in the celery, green peppers, onion, garlic and seasonings. Stir in chicken and sausage.

Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until chicken is no longer pink. Stir in shrimp. Cover and cook 15-30 minutes longer or until shrimp turns pink. 

Serve with rice. 

Yield: 11 servings.

RIVAL CROCK-POT SMOTHERED STEAK

1 1/2 lbs chuck or round steak, cut in strips

1/3 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 large onion, sliced
1 - 2 green peppers, sliced
1 lb can tomatoes
1 4-oz can mushrooms, drained
2 tbsp molasses, optional
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 10-ounce package frozen green beans, french-style, optional

Put the steak strips, flour, salt and pepper in crock-pot.  Stir well to coat steak.  Add all the remaining ingredients.  Cover and cook on High 1 hour then turn to Low for 8 hours. (High: 5 hours). Serve with rice.

Note: This is a recipe that came in the booklet pictured below that came with my first crockpot in the 1970s.

CHICKEN GNOCCHI SOUP

2 15-oz jars Alfredo sauce

1. 2 cups water
2. 2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
3. 2 16-oz. pkgs potato gnocchi
4. 2 cans chopped spinach
5. 1 can creamed corn
6. 1 10-oz evaporated milk

    

    Add all ingredients except gnocchi to the slow cooker and combine well.

1. Cook on high for 2 hours or low 4 hours.
2. Add gnocchi to soup and combine well. Cook for 1 hour longer on low.
3. Fills a 6 qt slow cooker to capacity. Cut recipe in half for a 4 qt. cooker.

Note: If you have leftovers to warm later, add a little water.  Soup thickens when it sits.

As you know, I am not a chicken eater.  I saw this recipe and thought my family would like it and you might want it, too.  I cannot give my opinion of this recipe either good or bad.  This recipe is from Marty's Musings.

SLOW COOKER PEACH COBBLER

4 cups fresh, peeled, sliced peaches

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup baking mix
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsps butter
vanilla ice cream for serving

Spray interior of cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Add the peaches, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and cinnamon; stir to mix.

In a medium mixing bowl combine the baking mix, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla until well blended.  Pour this mixture over the peach mixture in the cooker.  Cut butter into slices and arrange over all.

Place the lid on cooker and cook on low for 2 hours and 45 minutes.  Turn cooker to high and cook another 30 minutes.

Serve warm with ice cream.  Yummy!

file photo for reference

DUTCH APPLE PUDDING CAKE

nonstick cooking spray

1 can (20-21 oz) apple pie filling

1/2 cup dried cherries, cranberries or raisins

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup milk

2 tbsp butter, melted

1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

1 1/4 cups apple juice

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1 tbsp butter

Whipped cream for serving, optional

Toasted chopped walnuts for garnish, optional

Lightly coat a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray, set aside.

In a small saucepan bring apple pie filling to boiling. Stir in the dried fruit. Transfer to the slow cooker.

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the milk and melted butter, stir just until combined. Stir in the 1/2 cup of walnuts. Pour mixture and spread evenly over the apple mixture in the cooker.

Foor the sauce, in the same small saucepan, combine apple juice, brown sugar and the tablespoon of butter. Bring to boiling. Boil gently, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Carefully pour sauce over the batter in the cooker.

Place lid on cooker and cook on high for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until a toothpick inserted near the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove crockery insert from the cooker (if possible) or turn off cooker. Cool uncovered, 30 to 45 minutes.

To serve, spoon warm cake and sauce into dessert dishes. Top with whipped cream and chopped walnuts, if desired. 

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BALSAMIC GLAZED PORK TENDERLOIN

2 pork tenderloins, approximately 3 lbs total

2 tsp ground sage
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 cup water, divided
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce

Lay the tenderloins in the bottom of a large crockpot or slow cooker; rub with the sage, salt, pepper.  Pour half the water in the bottom of the cooker; add the pressed garlic. Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 6 hours.
In a small microwave-safe bowl combine the remaining water, brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, and soy sauce.  Cook on high for one minute; whisk and cook another minute or until thickened.   Pour half the mixture over the tenderloins and continue cooking for another hour or two.

Before serving, warm the remaining glaze and serve with the tenderloin.

from Shugary Sweets over a dozen years ago

HEAVENLY CROCKPOT DESSERT

1 box Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 eggs
1 pouch Betty Crocker Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

Mix all ingredients together and put into a crockpot that has been sprayed lightly with cooking oil spray.
Place lid on cooker and cook on low approximately 3 hours.

Delicious served with ice cream.

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