ROUND STEAK WITH ONION

2 lb beef round steak about 3/4-inch thick

1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
couple dashes black pepper
2 tbsp canola oil
1 medium to large yellow onion, sliced
1 can (10 3/4-oz) condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/3 cup cold water
3 tbsp flour

Trim any excess fat from the round steak and cut steak into 6 equal portions. Coat meat in the 1/4 cup of flour; pound gently with a meat mallet. Sprinkle the meat with the salt and pepper.

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the meat, on both sides, in the skillet. Remove meat from the skillet and place in slow cooker or crockpot. Discard the drippings from skillet, reserving about a tablespoonful.

Cook the onion in the reserved drippings in the skillet; stir in the celery soup, oregano, and thyme to blend well. Pour the soup mixture over the meat in the cooker. Place the cover on the cooker and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours.

Measure out 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid and place into a saucepan. Blend the cold water slowly into the 3 tablespoons of flour; stir into liquid. Cook, stirring, until thickened and bubbly. Season, if needed. Serve over the steak pieces.

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SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TERIYAKI

1 lb chicken, diced

1 cup chicken broth

½ cup teriyaki sauce
⅓ cup brown sugar
3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp sesame seeds

hot cooked brown rice for serving
 
Combine chicken broth, teriyaki sauce, brown sugar and garlic cloves in large bowl.

Add chicken to sauce, and toss to combine.

Pour chicken mixture into crock-pot.

Cook on low 4-6 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.

 

Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Serve over the hot cooked rice and spoon over extra sauce if desired.

 

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VEGETABLE STEW WITH CORNMEAL DUMPLINGS

3 cups chopped, peeled butternut or acorn squash

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

2 cans (14.5-oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can (15-oz) Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup water

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp dried Italian seasoning, crushed

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cornmeal

2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

1 tbsp snipped fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 tbsp milk

2 tbsp vegetable oil

1 pkg (9-oz) frozen Italian green beans

Paprika

In a 3 1/2 to 4-quart slow cooker combine squash and mushrooms. Stir in tomatoes, beans, water, garlic, seasoning, and pepper. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours.

Shortly before serving, for dumplings, in a medium bowl stir together flour, cornmeal, cheese, parsley, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl combine egg, milk, and oil. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture just until combined.

If using low setting, turn to high. Stir in green beans. Drop dumpling dough by tablespoons on top of mixture in cooker; sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook for 50 minutes, leaving the lid on.

Yield: 6 servings

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ASIAN-STYLE POT ROAST

1 (2-lb) boneless beef chuck roast

1 tbsp cooking oil

1 1/2 cups hot water

1/4 cup black bean garlic sauce* 

1 tsp instant beef bouillon granules

1 tbsp sugar, optional

1 med-size red bell pepper, cut into strips

1/2 med-size white onion, sliced into thin strips

1/2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed

3 tbsp cornstarch

3 tbsp cold water

Hot cooked brown rice for serving, optional

Trim fat from meat. Heat oil in skillet and brown meat on both sides, drain off any fat.

In a 4 to 5 1/2-quart slow cooker, stir together the hot water, garlic sauce, bouillon granules, and sugar if using. Add the bell pepper, onion, and green beans. Place the seared meat atop the veggies.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low 10 to 12 hours or on high 5 to 6 hours.

Transfer meat to a meat platter and cover with foil to keep warm.

Be sure heat is on high to make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir into the cooking juices. Return lid to cooker and cook 15 minutes or until the sauce is slightly thickened.

To serve, use two forks to separate beef into serving portions and serve with the veggies and the rice, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings

Per serving: 261 calories, 9g fat (2g sat), 89 mg cholesterol, 10g carbs, 34 g protein, 470 mg sodium

file photo of similar recipe

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OLD FASHION STYLE CHICKEN AND NOODLES

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders
2 cans cream of chicken soup, undiluted
4 cans (10.5 oz each) chicken broth
1 stick butter, cut up
1/2 tsp garlic powder
14 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp dried parsley flakes
1 pkg (24-oz) frozen noodles

In your slow cooker or crockpot combine the chicken, soup, broth, butter, garlic powder, pepper, and parsley.  Stir to combine well.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.  Remove chicken and shred; return to cooker.  Stir in the frozen noodles, replace cover and cook for another hour until noodles are cooked through.

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TURKEY BREAST WITH ORANGE SAUCE

1 large yellow onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried rosemary
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 2-3 lbs boneless skinless turkey breast
1 1/2 cups orange juice

Place onion over bottom of slow cooker.

In a small bowl or a cup, combine the garlic, rosemary and pepper; set aside.

Lay turkey breast on a cutting board and with a large slicing knife cut slices at 2-inch intervals about 3/4 way down the turkey. Rub the garlic mixture between the slices.

Place turkey, cut side up, over the onions in the cooker. Pour orange juice overall.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low 7 to 8 hours.

To serve, cut slices through and serve with the sauce in the cooker.

Garnish with fresh orange slices or wedges and sprinkle with fresh rosemary, if desired.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

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BEEF AND VEGGIES IN RICH SAUCE

1 pkg (8-oz) baby carrots

1 pkg (8-oz) sliced fresh mushrooms
1 medium-size green bell pepper, cut into strips
1 ( 2 1/2 to 3 lb) boneless beef chuck roast
1 can condensed golden mushroom soup, do not dilute
1/4 cup beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 packet (1-oz) dry onion soup mix
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp water
4 cups hot cooked buttered noodles for serving, optional
Chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro), for garnish, optional

Place veggies in slow cooker and place the roast over veggies.

Combine the mushroom soup, broth, Worcestershire, onion soup mix, and pepper in a mixing bowl; mix together well. Pour mixture over the roast and veggies.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low setting 8 to 10 hours until meat is tender.

Remove roast to a cutting board and cover with foil. Allow to stand 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.

Meanwhile, blend the cornstarch in the water until smooth (a small whisk works great); stir into the cooker. Cook another 15 minutes or until broth is thickened.

To serve, place the sliced beef and veggies with gravy over the noodles. Garnish with the parsley or cilantro, if desired.

Yield: Approximately 8 servings

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EASY CHICKEN CHOWDER

3 cups cubed cooked chicken

1 can (14-oz) chicken broth
2 cans (10-oz each) cream of potato soup
1 large onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, sliced
1 pkg (16-oz) frozen corn, thawed
3/4 cup water
2/3 cup heavy cream

Combine all ingredients, except cream, in a 5 - 6 quart slow cooker. Place lid on cookers and cook 3 to 4 hours on low.

Add the cream, stir and cook another 15 minutes until heated through.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

THE SOUTHERN PLATE'S PULLED PORK BARBECUE SANDWICHES

This is the pork barbecue sandwich I really enjoy!

Ingredients

• Pork Roast (approximately 5 pounds)
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar (that is one and a half cups, not eleven cups ~giggle~)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Put roast in slow cooker and sprinkle salt and pepper over. Pour cider vinegar over. Cover with lid and cook on low for twelve hours (I cook it overnight). Remove pork roast and shred with forks (this will be very easy). Drain juices from slow cooker, reserving two cups of liquid. Return pork to slow cooker. To the reserved liquid add: Brown sugar, hot sauce, and crushed pepper flakes. Stir well. Pour over shredded pork and place lid back on. Place on low or warm setting until ready to serve. Can be made ahead of time and refrigerated, reheating in the microwave.
2. I estimate this to make enough for about eight sandwiches, give or take.
3. *This sauce is not spicy. If you prefer a spicier sauce double the hot sauce and crushed red pepper flakes. Add more to taste.

BEEF AND BROCCOLI

2 lbs sirloin steak or boneless beef chuck roast, sliced thin

1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 Tbsp. cornstarch
4 Tbsp. water
1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
Hot cooked rice for 4 for serving

Whisk together the broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and garlic in the crock pot or slow cooker.

Place slices of beef in the liquid and toss to coat. Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.

After 4 hours, whisk together cornstarch and water in small bowl. Pour into the crock pot and stir to mix well. Add the broccoli and gently stir to combine. Replace lid on cooker and cook 30 minutes until broccoli is tender and sauce is thickened.

Serve over the rice. 

Yield: 4 servings

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