CHERRY COLA CHOCOLATE CAKE

 

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

NACHOS

1 lb ground beef

1/4 cup diced onions

1/4 cup diced green bell pepper

1 jar (13.4-oz) taco sauce

1 can (15-16 oz) refried beans

1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted

1 pkg (1.25 oz) dry taco seasoning mix

salt to taste

1 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed

Tortilla chips 

Shredded lettuce

Chopped tomatoes 

Sour cream

Brown beef, onions, and bell pepper in a saucepan. Drain well.

Combine the beef mixture, taco sauce, refried beans, soup, taco seasoning, salt and Velvetta cheese in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high 1 hour, stirring occasionally until cheese is fully melted.

Serve immediately with the chips, lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream.

Yield: 8 servings

Variation: Instead of serving as nachos, you could serve as a dip straight from the cooker that has been set to warm.

SPICY HONEY SRIRACHA DIP

1 lb ground chicken

1 pkg (8-oz) cream cheese, cubed

1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chicken broth

2 to 4 tbsp Sriracha chili sauce

2 tbsp honey

Tortilla chips

Chopped green onions for garnish, optional

In a large skillet, cook chicken over medium heat until no longer pink, 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it into crumbles, drain. Transfer to a greased 3-qt slow cooker. Stir in cream cheese, cheddar cheese, broth, chili sauce and honey.

Cook, covered, on low for 3 to 4 hours or until cheese is melted, stirring every 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the green onions, if using and serve with the tortilla chips.

recipe and photo TOH 2025

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.

 

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.