MIXED BEAN POT

1/2 lb lean ground beef

1 small onion, chopped
8 bacon strips, chopped
1 can pinto beans, do not drain
1 can butter beans, rinsed and drained, reserving 1/4 cup liquid
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp molasses
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Brown ground beef, onion, and bacon in medium saucepan over high heat.  Stir in the beans and liquid; set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the ketchup, molasses, and mustard; mix in the sugars.  Stir the ketchup mixture into the beef mixture and mix well.  Transfer to the slow cooker or crock-pot.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours or until heated through.

Serves 6 to 8.

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SPIRAL PASTA WITH TURKEY MEATBALLS

2 cans (14.5-oz each) no-salt-added tomatoes with juice

1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce
1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup grated carrot
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (or 1/2 tsp dried basil)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp sugar
black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tbsp milk
1/4 cup dry Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
8-oz uncooked spiral (fusilli) pasta

Combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, onion, carrot, basil, garlic, thyme, sugar, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and the bay leaf in a crock-pot or slow cooker.  Using a large spoon, gently break up the tomatoes.  Place lid on cooker and cook for 4 to 5 hours.

About 45 minutes before the end of the cooking time, prepare the meatballs.  To prepare, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine the ground turkey, egg, and milk together well.  Add the milk; blend in the breadcrumbs and parsley and 1/8 tsp black pepper.  Wet hands and shape the mixture into small meatballs.  Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and arrange the meatballs on the baking sheet.  Bake for 25 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.  Add to the slow cooker or crock-pot.  Replace lid and cook for another 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

Prepare the pasta according to the package directions; drain.

To serve, divide pasta into 4 serving shallow bowls.  Remove bay leaf from meatball mixture.  Divide the meatballs and sauce evenly over the pasta in the bowls.  Garnish as desired.

 Note: This photo came with this recipe.

CHICKEN FAJITAS WITH BBQ SAUCE

BARBECUE SAUCE:

3/4 cup chopped green onions
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (14.5-oz) crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tbsp cider vinegar
2 tsp chili sauce
dash of Worcestershire sauce

Combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker or crock-pot; cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 hours.

FAJITAS:

3/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut lengthwise into strips
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 cup sliced onion
2 cups tomato wedges
4 (6-inch) flour tortillas, warmed

Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray and add the chicken.  Cook over medium heat to brown.  Reduce the heat in the cooker to low and add the browned chicken, peppers, and onion.  Stir until all are well coated.  Cover and cook approximately 4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Add the tomato and cook another 30 to 45 minutes or until heated through.

Serve the mixture with or on the warmed tortillas.

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CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE

4 large chicken breasts

1 can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/2 cup diced celery
1 cup minute rice

In a crock-pot or slow cooker combine the 3 types of soup, and the rice.  Place the chicken on top of the rice/soup mixture.  Add the celery over the chicken.  Place lid on cooker and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 4 to 5 hours.

Yield: 4 servings.

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BEEF AND BARLEY

1 1/2 lb boneless beef chuck roast

1 cup pearl barley
1/2 lb mushrooms, halved if small, quartered if large
4 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 medium - large carrots, chunked
2 medium leeks, white and light green only, sliced
1 cup tap water
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 sprig fresh thyme
4 cups beef broth
1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

In the slow cooker or crockpot, combine the roast, barley, mushrooms, celery, carrots, and leeks.  Add the water, thyme, salt and pepper.  Stir in the beef broth and soy sauce. Cover and cook on low, without lifting lid, for 8 hours.

Remove lid and skim off any excess fat; transfer the meat to a plate and shred into bite-size pieces.
To serve, dip the barley/vegetable mixture into 4 shallow bowls and top with the meat.

Yield: 4 servings

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OLD WORLD SAUERKRAUT SUPPER

3 strips bacon, cut into small pieces

1 1/2 tablespoon flour
2 large cans (No. 2 1/2) sauerkraut
2 small potatoes, cubed
2 small apples, cubed
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons caraway seeds
3 lbs Polish sausage, cut up into pieces
1/2 cup water

Fry the bacon until crisp; drain.  Add flour to bacon drippings and blend well.  Stir in sauerkraut; mix well.  Place sauerkraut mixture and bacon pieces in crock-pot.  Add all other ingredients; stir together thoroughly.  Cover and cook on Low for 7 to 9 hours. (High: 3 to 4 hours.)

This is another recipe from the little recipe book pictured above.  It came with my first

MOSTLY FAT-FREE HOT CHOCOLATE

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

5 1/2 cups fat-free milk, divided

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 can (14-oz) fat-free sweetened condensed milk

1 (3-in) cinnamon stick, optional

30 miniature marshmallows

Place the cocoa in a 3-quart slow cooker or crockpot. Gradually add 1 cup of the fat-free milk, stirring with a whisk until blended.  Add the remaining fat-free milk, vanilla, and sweetened condensed milk. Stir with a whisk until completely blended. Add the cinnamon stick, if desired. Cover and cook on low 4 to 8 hours. Discard the cinnamon stick and whisk well before ladling into mugs to serve. Top each mug with marshmallows.

Yield: 10 three-fourth cup size servings.

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APPLES AND PEARS SAUCE

1 1/2 lbs apples (preferably Gala), peeled and sliced

1 1/2 lbs Anjou or Bartlett pears, peeled and sliced

1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup raisins

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tbsp water

1 tbsp cornstarch

Place the fruits and lemon juice in slow and toss gently.

Combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, and butter, stirring well. Add the pecans, raisins and cinnamon, stir gently.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low setting 5 1/2 hours.

In a small bowl combine the water and cornstarch, stirring until smooth. Stir into the fruit mixture. Replace the lid and continue to cook on low about 20 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Serve with ice cream, over pound or angel food cake, etc.

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PROVENCALE CHICKEN DINNER

4 (approximately 6-oz each) skinless, bone-in chicken breast halves

2 tsp basil

1/4 tsp salt

1/r4 tsp pepper

1 cup diced yellow bell pepper

1 can (15-16 oz) navy beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (15-oz) pasta ready chunky tomatoes, do not drain

Place chicken in a slow cooker and sprinkle with the basil, half the salt and half the pepper.

Place the remaining salt and remaining pepper with the remaining ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.

Place lid on cooker and cooker chicken on high setting for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 more hours.  Spoon the bean mixture into each of 4 shallow bowls and top each with a chicken breast half. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings

Per serving: Approximately 238 calories, 32 g protein, 24 g carbs, 550 mg sodium

file photo used for reference only

EASY MOCK SWISS STEAK

2 lb boneless beef chuck eye roast

1/4 cup steak sauce
1 medium onion, sliced into thin rings
1 can (14 1/2-oz) diced tomatoes
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water

Cut the roast into bite-size pieces and place in a crock-pot or slow cooker.  Add the steak sauce (I recommend A1 but use your choice) and stir to mix.  Top with the onion slices; pour the undrained tomatoes overall.  Place lid on cooker and cooker on low 9 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours.

Combine the flour and water together until smooth; stir into the beef mixture.  Replace lid and cook about 5 more minutes until juices are thickened, stirring a couple of times.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings 

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CHILI SLOPPY JOES

3 lbs lean ground beef

1 cup chopped onion
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/4 cups ketchup
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
5 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp prepared mustard
3 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp chili powder
Hamburger Buns for serving

In saucepan or skillet brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic; drain excess fat and rinse with hot water.

In a slow cooker or crockpot, combine the ketchup, bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, mustard, vinegar, and chili powder stirring until well combined.  Stir in the drained beef mixture.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low setting 6 to 8 hours. 

To serve, spoon meat mixture on hamburger buns and serve with a relish tray, coleslaw, or other condiments.

Yield: 8 to 10 sandwiches

 Note: File Photo

NECTARINE SYRUP TOPPING

1 1/2 cups water

3 tbsp sugar
1/2 cup fresh basil, finely shredded
1 cinnamon stick
8 fresh nectarines, pitted and quartered
1 tbsp lemon juice

Combine the water, sugar, basil, cinnamon stick and nectarines in a crockpot or slow cooker.  Place lid on cooker and cook on high 2 to 3 hours.  Remove the nectarines and set aside.  Remove the cinnamon stick and discard.  Let the syrup cool then strain.

Stir the lemon juice into the strained syrup, place nectarines back into the syrup.

This is a great topping for ice cream, pound cake, etc.

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HEARTY PORK CACCIATORE

1 can (14 1/2-oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (6-oz) tomato paste
2 green bell peppers, chopped
1 pkg (8-oz) sliced fresh mushrooms
1 small onion, chopped
1 lb pork tenderloin
1 tsp oregano
2 cups whole-grain penne, raw
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

Pour the tomatoes and tomato paste into a slow cooker or crockpot; stir together to blend well.  Stir in the bell peppers, mushrooms, and onion.

Cut the pork into 8 to 10 pieces approximately 1/2-inch thick.  Sprinkle the oregano over the meat; place into the cooker.  Using the back of a large spoon, press the meat into the tomato mixture.  Place the lid on the cooker and cook on low 4 to 5 hours or on high 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

Cook the penne according to the package directions, omitting salt called for. 

Transfer the meat to a plate leaving the sauce in the cooker.  Cover meat with foil to keep warm. 

Mix the cornstarch and water together until smooth; add to the sauce and stir.  Cover and cook another 6 to 8 minutes until thickened.

Drain the penne and spoon into serving bowls.  Top with the meat, sauce, and cheeses.

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PINEAPPLE CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS

3 lb chicken legs

1/2 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup pineapple jam
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp fresh grated lemon peel
3/4 cups pineapple chunks, drained

In a small shallow bowl combine the preserves, jam, soy sauce, ginger, and lemon peel; dip chicken legs, one at a time, into the mixture and place into a crockpot or slow cooker.  Pour any remaining mixture over the chicken.  Add the pineapple chunks and mix thoroughly.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low 4 to 6 hours or on high 2 to 3 hours.

Remove chicken and the pineapple chucks to a broiler pan.  Broil approximately 10 minutes until chicken is browned.  Turn to brown both sides!

Note: This is a file photo.

HAM AND CHEESE HASH BROWNS

1 1/2 cups diced ham

5 cups frozen hash browns
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 cup frozen peas
1 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp paprika

Combine all the ingredients together in a crock-pot or slow cooker.  Place lid on cooker and cook approximately 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high.

Yield: 8 servings

 

Note: File Photo

POT ROAST WITH HERB GRAVY

1 (3 to 4 lbs) beef arm or chuck roast

3 tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsp canola oil
1 beef bouillon cube
1/2 cup boiling water
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/4 tsp basil
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
flour to thicken gravy

In a shallow dish or pie plate, combine the flour, salt, and pepper; dredge the roast on both sides through the flour mixture.

Heat the canola oil in a large skillet and brown the roast on both sides.  Remove meat to a slow cooker or crock-pot.

Dissolve the bouillon cube in the boiling water; combine with the bay leaves, marjoram, basil, garlic salt, and parsley flakes.  Pour the mixture over the roast.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or until the meat is tender.  Remove meat to a heated platter to keep warm.

Remove and discard the two bay leaves.  Add flour as needed to the cooking liquid and stir together well.  Cook on high a few minutes to thicken to gravy consistency.

Serve with gravy as a side to the meat.

 

Note: File Photo