EASY CHEESY HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

1 (26 to 32 ounces) bag of frozen hash browns

1 (8-ounces) container of sour cream

1 can (10.5-ounces) cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup onion, chopped fine

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup butter melted

salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl add the hash browns thawed or frozen, sour cream, soup, onion, shredded cheese and melted butter.

Mix to combine. Spoon hash brown mixture into a greased 4 quart slow cooker.

Sprinkle salt and pepper on top cover, and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until done. The casserole should be crispy on the sides and bubbly throughout.

Source: I got this recipe from recipelion in 2011.

QUINOA WITH SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS

1 can (14.5 oz) reduced sodium chicken broth

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup cider vinegar

2 tbsp stone-ground-mustard

2 tsp honey

2 pkg (12-oz each) Italian-flavor cooked chicken sausage, halved lengthwise and sliced

3 medium-size yellow, green or red bell peppers, seeded and cut into bite-size pieces

1 medium sweet onion, cut into thin wedges

1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese or crumbled feta cheese

In a 4 to 5-quart slow cooker combine the first give ingredients. Add sausage, peppers and onion.

Cover and cook on low 4 to5 hours or on high 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Stir gently before serving. Top servings with cheese.

Yield: 6 servings

recipe idea and picture slow cooker favorites volume 4

LEMON GARLIC CHICKEN

1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley


In a bowl, mix the oregano, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture into chicken. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken in butter for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Place chicken in a slow cooker.

In the same skillet, mix the water, lemon juice, garlic, and bouillon. Bring the mixture to boil. Pour over the chicken in the slow cooker.

Cover, and cook on High for 3 hours, or Low for 6 hours. Add the parsley to the slow cooker 15 to 30 minutes before the end of the cook time.

Serve over pasta or as desired.

 File Photo

 

SWEET ONION AND RED BELL PEPPER TOPPING

4 large (8 cups) sweet onions, thinly sliced (Vidalia onions are great for this recipe.)

4 large (6 cups) red bell peppers, thinly sliced

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp canola oil

2 tsp celery seed

3/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp salt

In a 5 or 6-qt slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Place lid on cooker and cook on low 4 to 5 hours or until veggies are tender.

Serve with a slotted spoon.

Serving suggestions - on hot dogs, bruschetta, etc.

Source: I got this recipe around a dozen years ago from TOH.

EASY DIRTY RICE

1/2 lb bulk Italian sausage

2 cups water
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Brown sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat, stirring to break up. Place in a slow cooker.

Stir the remaining ingredients, except parsley, into the cooker with the sausage. Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 2 hours or until the rice is tender. Stir in the parsley before serving.

Yield: 4 servings

file photo for reference

SUMMER VEGETABLE CURRY

3 cups cauliflower florets

1 can (15 to 15-oz) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

8-oz green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

8-oz new potatoes, coarsely chopped 

1 cup sliced carrots

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/3 cup golden raisins (optional)

1 can (14.5-oz) can chicken broth or vegetable broth 

3 to 4 tsp curry powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1 can (14-oz) unsweetened coconut milk

3 cups hot cooked rice

1/4 cup shredded fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup chopped dry-roasted peanuts (optional)

in a 4 to 5-quart slow cooker combine the first seven ingredients. Stir in broth, curry powder, salt and red pepper. Cover and cook on low5 to 6 hours or on high 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Stir in the coconut milk. Serve over rice and top with the basil leaves and peanuts, if desired. 

Yield: 6 servings 

recipe and photo Slow Cooker Favorites Volume 4

BEAN POT MEDLEY

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can red beans, rinsed and drained
1 can Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 can baby lima beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup water
2 1/2 tsp cider vinegar
1 tsp dry mustard
2 bay leaves
1/8 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and stir to combine. Place lid on cooker and cook on low 6 to 7 hours or until the onion and peppers are tender.

Before serving, remove and discard bay leaves.

file photo

COOKED CHICKEN FOR VARIOUS USES

1 medium onion, sliced
2 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts and/or thighs
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder

Layer bottom in the bottom of a 5-quart slow cooker. Add the chicken pieces over the onion; sprinkle with the spices.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low 4-5 hours until cooked through but not dry.

This chicken is excellent to cut up and use in stir-frys, salads, casseroles, etc. Good sliced for sandwiches or shredded for use in enchiladas, tacos, etc.

Variation: Sprinkle chicken with 2 tablespoons light soy sauce for use in Chinese recipes, if desired.

Note: May be frozen for later use.

BRATS WITH ONION

1 package Bratwurst

1 onion
apple juice
Dijon mustard (optional)

Brown the sides of the brats in a skillet on the stove. (This will let them still have a nice coloring afterwards like the grill).

Meanwhile, slice your onion.

If desired, mix some apple juice with a couple spoonfuls of Dijon mustard.

Place a layer of onions on the bottom of the crockpot. Top with the brats, and place the rest of the onions on top. (If desired you could also slice up a green pepper to put in here as well. I personally like it with peppers and onions, but my husband is a brat purist).

Cover the brats with apple juice*.

Put on lid and cook in crock pot for 5-6 hours on low or until juices runs clear. Because you browned them beforehand you may not actually cook them that long.

Remove when done and serve with crusty or hogie buns and whatever condiments you like. 

*There are plenty of recipes out there for cooking brats in beer in a crockpot. I don't drink beer, so therefore this is with the apple juice substitution. 

Source: Recipe Shoebox as Bratwurst in a Slow Cooker.

Note: I haven't made these yet, but a friend made them for a church function and they were a hit.

CASHEW CHICKEN

• 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (About 4 pieces)
• 3 Tablespoons Cornstach
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp canola oil
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 4 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 4 Tablespoons ketchup
• 2 Tablespoons sweet chili sauce
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 cup cashews

1. Combine cornstarch and pepper in resealable food storage bag. Add chicken. Shake to coat with cornstarch mixture.
2. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker.
3. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sweet chili sauce sugar, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes, and cashews in small bowl; pour over chicken. (I like my cashews to be softer so I add them during the cooking process, if you want more of a crunch, add them right before serving)
4. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours.
5. Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.

Source: Chef in Training years ago

SWEET SOUR MEATBALLS

2 eggs

1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 lb bulk pork sausage

1 lb ground beef

3/4 cup apple jelly

1/3 cup spicy brown mustard

1/3 cup apple juice

1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Dash of hot pepper sauce

Preheat oven to 375-degrees. 

In a large bowl beat eggs with a fork. Stir in breadcrumbs, onion, milk, salt and pepper. Add sausage and ground beef, mix well. Shape mixture into 36 meatballs. Place meatballs in a shallow baking pan and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until cooked through. Drain off fat.

Place meatballs in a 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker. For the sauce, in a small bowl stir together the remaining ingredients. Pour over meatballs. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours or on high 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serve immediately or keep warm, covered, on warm setting up to 2 hours.

Yield: 6 servings.

slow cooker favorites vol 4

UNCLE JACK'S MAC AND CHEESE

This old-time cafeteria-style macaroni and cheese comes from Southern Living Magazine.

1 (16-oz.) package elbow macaroni

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 (12-oz.) can evaporated milk

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 teaspoons table salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 cups (16 oz.) shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

Vegetable cooking spray

1. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Stir together cream, next 5 ingredients, cooked macaroni, and 2 1/2 cups cheese in a large bowl.

2. Pour macaroni mixture into a lightly greased (with cooking spray) 6-qt. slow cooker; sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese over macaroni mixture.

3. Cover and cook on HIGH 3 hours; reduce slow cooker to LOW and cook 1 hour.

SL photo

 

SLOW COOKER CABBAGE ROLLS WITH V8 JUICE

I love cabbage and by extension cabbage rolls.  A friend of mine posted this recipe on facebook probably over a dozen years ago. I love V8 juice so I just knew this would be good. I was right.

•1 large head cabbage
•1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
•3/4 cup quick-cooking rice
•1/2 cup chopped green pepper
•1/2 cup crushed saltines (about 15 crackers)
•1 egg, lightly beaten
•1 ounce onion soup mix
•1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
•1 can (46 ounces) V8 juice
•Salt to taste
•Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

•Cook cabbage in boiling water just until leaves fall off head. Set aside 12 large leaves for rolls; drain well. (Refrigerate remaining cabbage for another use.) Cut out the thick vein from the bottom of each reserved leaf, making a V-shaped cut; set aside.
•In a large bowl, combine the tomato sauce, rice, green pepper, cracker crumbs, egg and soup mix. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.
•Place about 1/3 cup meat mixture on each cabbage leaf; overlap cut ends of leaf. Fold in sides, beginning from the cut end. Roll up completely to enclose filling. Secure with toothpicks if desired.
•Place cabbage rolls in a 3-qt. slow cooker. Pour V8 juice over rolls. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until filling reaches 160°. Just before serving, sprinkle with salt and cheese if desired

file photo

ANGEL CHICKEN

This basics of this recipe are from an old Midwest Living magazine years ago.

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/2 pounds)

1 8-oz. pkg. fresh button mushrooms, quartered

1 6-oz. pkg. fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced (I use button, again)

1/4 cup butter

1 0.7-oz. pkg. Italian dry salad dressing mix

1 10-3/4-oz. can condensed golden mushroom soup

1/2 cup dry white wine (May substitute chicken broth, if desired.)

1/2 of an 8-oz. tub cream cheese spread with chives and onion

Hot cooked rice or angel hair pasta, for serving

Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the dry salad dressing mix. Using a wire whisk, stir in the soup, wine or broth, and cream cheese spread; stir until melted and smooth.

Cut up mushrooms and place in bottom of slow cooker; place chicken over the mushroom. Pour the sauce over the chicken.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 5 hours.

Serve with the hot rice or pasta, if desired.

file photo

 

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 saucepan - 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

from myfridge.com

ROOT BEER BARBECUED CHICKEN WINGS

This recipe for wings is a little different since it uses root beer.

Approx. 12 -14 Chicken Wings, thawed
1 bottle Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Barbecue Sauce {18 oz.}
1/2 can A&W Root Beer

Place Chicken Wings in Crockpot.
Cover with lid and cook on High for 2.5 hours.
After 2.5 hours, remove juices from crockpot.
In small mixing bowl, combine Root Beer and BBQ Sauce and stir well.
Pour mixture over chicken.
Cover, and cook for 30 minutes more, or until done.

the file photo

TANGY CHERRY BARBECUE SAUSAGE

1 cup finely chopped onion

2/3 cup cherry preserves

1/4 cup no-salt-added tomato paste

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tsp ground chipotle chili pepper

2 lb light cooked smoked Polish sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

In a 2-quart slow cooker, combine the first 5 ingredients. Add the sausage and toss to coat.

Cover and cook on low 4 hours. Serve immediately or keep warm covered and on low for up to an hour, stirring occasionally.

Yield: 36 servings

recipe and photo slow cooker favorites vol 4

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.

MEATBALLS AND SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (preferably ground round)

2 eggs

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

Olive oil

1 can (28-oz) tomato puree

1 can (6-oz) tomato paste

1 can (10 3/4-oz) can tomato soup

1/4 to 1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese

1 tsp olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

Sliced mushrooms, canned or fresh

Combine ground beef, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Form into 16 meatballs. Brown in olive oil in a skillet.

Combine tomato puree, tomato paste, tomato soup, cheese, 1 teaspoon olive oil and garlic in a slow cooker. Add meatballs and stir gently to coat. Cover cooker and cook on low 5 to 6 hours. Add mushrooms and cook 1 to 2 more hours.

Serve over hot spaghetti. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

photo from cozi

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.

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.

the file photo

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! 

 

CHINESE VEGETABLES

1 bunch celery, sliced on the diagonal

1 large onion, sliced

1 can (14-oz) bean sprouts, drained

1 pkg (16-oz) frozen Asian vegetables

1 can (8-oz) sliced water chestnuts, drained

2 (4-oz each) cans sliced mushrooms

1 tbsp sugar

3 tbsp. low-solium soy sauce

3/4 cup water

1/4 tsp black pepper (or more to your taste)

Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker (ideally 4-quart).

Cover and cook on low 3 to 6 hours, depending on how soft or crunchy you like your veggies.

file photo of this recipe

CHEESY CHICKEN, BACON, & TATOR TOT BAKE

When I saw this today (back in 2014), 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: Stacey

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)

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.

file photo for reference