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.

Friday, June 10, 2022

BACON CABBAGE WITH APPLES

6 slices bacon, fried, drained on paper towels, crumbled into large pieces
1 head (approx. 2 lbs) cabbage, sliced
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 Granny Smith apples, cored, quartered
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1 cup hot water
1 tbsp sugar
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp of the bacon drippings

Layer ingredients in a slow cooker or crock-pot in the following order: cabbage, bacon, onion, salt, apples, pepper, sugar, vinegar, bacon drippings, and water.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low approximately 8 hours or on high about 3 hours until cabbage is tender.  Stir well before serving.
I prefer this type of cooker for this recipe but to each his own.  I like these ingredients spread out in layers rather than so stacked.
Yield: approximately 6 servings

Thursday, June 9, 2022

CROCKIN' GIRLS PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

This recipe makes a great cake, so I wanted to share it with you.  It is from the Crockin' Girls.

1 box of pineapple cake mix (prepare according to box)
2-3 eggs (will be listed on the box)
vegetable oil (will be listed on the box)
Milk (use instead of water on the box)
1 Can of pineapple rings or 1 fresh pineapple cut into 8 rings
1 Can of maraschino cherries
1 small bag brown sugar
  
Spray 6-quart slow cooker with bakers joy or spray and flour lightly.
 
Lightly coat the bottom of the slow cooker with brown sugar.
 
Place pineapple rings of pineapple on top of the brown sugar. Insert one cherry in the middle of each pineapple ring.
 
In a separate bowl, make box cake according to the package directions and pour batter into the slow cooker.
 
Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
 
Remove crock from the base & let cake cool for about 10-15 minutes.
 
Place a platter over the top of the crock and flip crock over, letting the cake fall onto the platter. Serve as is or top with fresh pineapple and cool whip.         
 

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

SPICED BEEF AND APPLE STEW

This recipe is an old Kraft Foods/McCormick Seasonings Recipe which is why it calls for McCormick seasonings.  Normally I do not list ingredients by brand but since this is their recipe, used with permission, I will leave their name in the ingredients.  This is a great dish so I thought you would probably enjoy having the recipe.  The picture is theirs, too.

4 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Cumin Seed 
1 1/2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes 
3 tablespoons flour 
1 tablespoon oil 
1 3/4 cups Kitchen Basics® Beef Stock 
1 can (6 ounces) frozen apple juice concentrate, undiluted 
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Thyme Leaves 
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Allspice, Ground 
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Black Pepper, Coarse Grind 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks 
2 medium firm red cooking apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1 1/2-inch chunks

Heat small skillet on medium heat. Add cumin seed; cook and stir about 2 minutes or until fragrant. Immediately pour out of hot pan to avoid over-toasting. Set aside.

Coat meat with flour. Heat oil in large saucepan or Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add meat in batches; cook 5 minutes or until browned. Place meat and remaining ingredients in slow cooker; toss to coat well. Cover.

Cook 8 hours on LOW or 4 hours on HIGH. 
 
Thicken with additional flour, if desired.

file photo

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

HOW TO COOK FROZEN MEATS IN A CROCKPOT OR SLOW COOKER

It is okay to put frozen meats directly into your slow cooker or crockpot, however it is best to make these changes to your recipe.
  • Before placing the meat into the cooker add a cup of warm liquid (broth, water, etc - whatever liquid your recipe calls for).
  • Do not preheat the cooker before adding frozen meat.
  • Cook the recipe for an additional 4 to 6 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high.

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Friday, October 11, 2019

CLEANING WOODEN CUTTING BOARDS

This is a post from my health blog. I am sharing on my food blogs as this is important information.
Bacteria can grow in the deep knife cuts on wooden cutting boards because wood is porous and nearly impossible to clean.  A quick wipe is not enough to kill the germs on such a board.  To be sure you are getting rid of all the germs, soak wooden cutting boards in 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water for at least 2 minutes.  Wash the board with hot soapy water following the soaking.

file photo

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

CROCKPOT RANCH PORK CHOPS

A friend posted this on facebook. It is good so I thought I would share it with you.