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, September 30, 2013

EASY SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE


2 cans (18-oz each) sweet potatoes, drained and mashed
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp + 1/3 cup brown sugar, divided
1 tbsp orange juice
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp butter, melted

Lightly grease a crock pot or slow cooker.

In a large mixing bowl mix the sweet potatoes, 1/3 cup margarine, granulated sugar and the 2 tablespoons of brown sugar. Beat in the orange juice, eggs, and milk. Transfer the mixture to the greased cooker.

In a small bowl combine the pecans, flour, and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Spread this mixture over the sweet potato mixture. Place lid on the cooker and cook on high 3 to 4 hours.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

FORGOTTEN JAMBALAYA RECIPE

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

Monday, September 23, 2013

CROCK POT BUFFALO PULLED CHICKEN

As most of you know by now, I simply do not put chicken into my mouth!  However, most of you request chicken recipes and my family members all love chicken.  I got this recipe from A Family Feast.

Ingredients
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • 1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast
  • 1 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Franks' RedHot Original sauce
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
  1. In a large slow-cooker, spray the bottom and sides of the insert. Add chicken in single layer.
  2. In a microwave safe bowl or saucepan, melt butter. Add 1 cup of hot sauce and cumin and stir to combine. Pour over chicken.
  3. Cover and set on high for four hours.
  4. When done, remove chicken and shred with two forks and place in bowl. Stir liquid from pot and add ¼ cup to shredded chicken. Add two tablespoons (or more if you like it hotter) of Franks' hot sauce and mix well.

Friday, September 13, 2013

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES

I got this perfect for Fall recipe from Urban Nester.

8 T of pumpkin puree
8 T of vanilla
2 t of cinnamon
8 cinnamon sticks
4 cups of strongly brewed coffee
6 cups of milk
8 T of sugar
whipping cream [optional]


Combine the milk and coffee, and pour into the crockpot. Whip together the other ingredients [minus the cinnamon sticks and whipping cream] and pour into the crockpot. Mix together well.
Cover the crockpot, and cook on high for 2 hours.


Yield: 8 servings


Wednesday, September 11, 2013

CROCK POT SAUSAGE & VEGGIES WITH PEPPERS

A friend of mine posted this on her facebook page.  I thought it was worth sharing.  I will try this as I have grandkids who love sausage.

1 pound smoked sausage, cut in pieces
6 potatoes, peeled and halved
1 large onion, peeled and sliced or chopped
3 or 4 large carrots, scraped and cut in pieces
1 large green pepper
1 large red sweet pepper
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth or 2 cups
1 package onion soup mix
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
 
Place sausage and vegetables in crock pot.  Mix together the broth, onion soup, spices and Worcestershire sauce and pour over the vegetables.  Cook on low for 5 or 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours until the potatoes and carrots are done.  Makes six to eight servings. 

Monday, September 9, 2013

SWEET SPICY SLOW COOKER BAKED BEANS

Slow Cooker Baked Beans
thehalfbakedlife.com
Serves 8

A slow cooker baked bean recipe that is sweet, spicy and loaded with flavor.

Prep Time 12 hr
Cook Time 10 hr

Ingredients

4 slices cooked bacon - crumbled
2 cups dry navy beans - soaked and drained
1 onion - chopped
3 tbsp molasses
2 tbsp ketchup
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
4 1/2 cups water

Instructions

Fill a large bowl with water to cover the beans with 1/2 inch-1 inch of water. Soak for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best.

Pick out the ones that float to the top, drain and rinse

Cook bacon and crumble

In a large bowl combine remaining ingredients, taste and adjust seasoning if needed

In a large slow cooker place beans and sauce and stir gently

Cook on low for 8 hours, check and continue cooking until desired consistency is reached. We cooked ours for 9 hours.




Notes
Each serving (about 1/2 cup) is 2 points

**Calories: 81 Total Fat: 0.7 g Saturated Fat: 0.3 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0.7 mg Sodium: 592.2 mg Total Carbs: 17.8 g Dietary Fiber: 2.7 g Sugars: 12.6 g Protein: 1.7 g

Thanks Lavonne Lea Rae for sharing this recipe with us.

Monday, September 2, 2013

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.