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