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.

Sunday, June 30, 2024

SWISS STEAK

 

3 lb round steak, trim off fat

1/3 cup white whole-wheat or garbanzo bean flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp basil
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tbsp coconut or olive oil
1 large yellow onion, sliced
1 large green bell pepper, sliced lengthwise
1 can salt-free stewed tomatoes
water

Cut steak into 6 to 8 serving-size pieces; sprinkle with the basil, salt and pepper; dredge through the flour.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the meat on both sides. Transfer meat to at least a 4-quart size slow cooker.

In the same skillet, brown the onion, garlic, and bell pepper; add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Pour tomato mixture over the steak in the cooker. Add enough water to cover the steak.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until meat is tender.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings.
Per serving: Approximately 296 calories, 13 g (3 g sat) fat, 11 g carbs, 33 g protein
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 vegetable 4 lean meat, .5 fat

File Photo

Saturday, June 29, 2024

ARTICHOKE CHEESE DIP II

1 lb shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup artichoke hearts, drained, chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded & chopped fine
2 garlic cloves, minced
dash of freshly ground black pepper

Place all the ingredients in a crock pot or slow cooker; mix together thoroughly.  Place cover on cooker and cook on high setting for 1 hour.

Serves approximately 15 people


Thursday, June 27, 2024

CHICKEN-VEGETABLE-NOODLE SOUP

 

2 medium onions, chopped

5 medium carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 (2-3 lbs) whole chicken
1 cup noodles, cooked just until until starting to get tender, drained
2 tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
dash of garlic powder
1 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, minced
2 tbsp lemon juice

Combine the onions, carrots,  and celery in the slow cooker or crockpot.  Add the noodles and the chicken.  Combine the dried parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder and sprinkle over all.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours. 

Carefully remove the chicken from the cooker and place on a large plate.  Allow to cool slightly then remove the chicken from the bones.  Return the chicken meat to the cooker; discard bones.  Cover and cook for another 30 minutes on high.

Before serving, skim any fat from the soup, add the Italian parsley and the lemon juice.

Serves 6 to 8.
File Photo

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

HOT DOG SLOPPY JOES

 

8 to 10 hot dogs cut-up into 1-inch pieces

1 can (15-oz) chili beans
1 can (6-oz) tomato paste
1/4 cup ketchup
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 tsp prepared mustard
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt, optional
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
hot dog or hamburger buns

Place all the ingredients except the cheese and buns in a crock pot or slow cooker; stir to combine well.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.  Approximately 10 minutes before serving, if using, stir in the cheese to melt slightly.  Serve on the buns.

Yield: 6 sandwiches

File Photo

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

TURKEY BREAST WITH HERBS

 

1 (approx. 4 lb) turkey breast

1/8 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup fresh sage, minced
1/4 cup fresh tarragon, minced
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch

Make a rubbing compound by mixing the butter, sage, tarragon, pepper, salt, and garlic together in a small bowl.  Using your hands, rub this compound all over the turkey breast.

Place the turkey in a crock pot or slow cooker and place lid on the cooker.  Cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high setting 4 to 5 hours.

Remove the turkey from the cooker and place on a serving platter with elevated sides; set aside.

With the cooker on high setting, slowly whisk the cornstarch into the cooking liquid.  When the sauce is thickened and smooth, pour over the turkey, slice and serve.

Yield: 8 servings
File Photo

Monday, June 24, 2024

CHOCOLATE MOCHA BREAD PUDDING

 

1 cup butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups chocolate milk
1/4 cup strong black coffee
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup raisins, optional
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup toasted, chopped pecans
4 cups state white bread, cut into cubes or bite-size pieces

In large mixer bowl, beat the butter, sugar, and cinnamon using mixer.  Add the eggs and beat until fluffy.  Mix in the milk, coffee, currants, and raisins, if using.  Using a large spoon or silicone spatula to fold in the chocolate chips, pecans, and bread cubes.

Lightly grease, or spray with a nonstick cooking spray, the crock pot or slow cooker.  Add lid and cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high for about 3 hours.

 File Photo

Saturday, June 22, 2024

SLOW-COOKED CHICKEN CONTINENTAL


1 pkg dried beef
8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
8 slices bacon
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 can undiluted cream of mushroom soup
1 small can mushroom stems & pieces, drained; optional

Spray the bottom of the crockpot or slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray and turn cooker on high.  Arrange the dried beef over the bottom of the pot.  Wrap each of the chicken breasts with a strip of the bacon; arrange over the beef.  Top with the mushroom stems and pieces, if using.

In a small bowl, blend the flour into the sour cream.  Add the soup to the sour cream/flour mixture and stir with a whisk until smooth and thoroughly combined; pour over the chicken.  Place lid on the cooker and reduce heat to low, cooking for 8 to 10 hours or leave cooker on high for 4 to 5 hours.

This is a good recipe to serve over hot buttered noodles with a salad for an easy meal.
file photo
 

Friday, June 21, 2024

CROCK-POT CHICKEN AND CARROTS


1 whole chicken, cut-up
6 carrots, cut into chunks
1 large yellow onion, cut into eights
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/3 soup can of water (or white wine, if preferred)
Brown rice for serving, optional

Layer the carrots, onion, and chicken pieces in the crock-pot (or slow cooker).  In a small bowl combine the soup and the water until smooth.  Pour the soup mixture over the chicken and vegetables.  Place lid on cooker and cook on low 8 - 10 hours.  Remove the chicken from the cooker and remove the skin and bones.  Shred chicken into large pieces and return to cooker.  Stir well to combine the chicken with the carrots and onion.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over the brown rice, if desired.

Serves 4 to 6
file photo


Thursday, June 20, 2024

BEEF, SAUSAGE, CHEESE DIP

  

1 lb lean ground beef

1 lb Italian sausage
1 lb Velveeta or similar cheese product (I like the Mexican-blend Velveeta)

Turn cooker on low setting.

In a large skillet combine the ground beef and Italian Sausage, brown, stirring to break up; drain well in a colander.

Into a large microwave safe bowl, cube the cheese; add the drained meat.  Microwave on high for two minutes.  Stir well to melt all the cheese and blend the mixture.

Pour the mixture into the crock pot or slow cooker that is being preheated to keep warm for serving.

Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips, fresh veggies, etc.

Note: File Photo

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

RASPBERRY-RHUBARB COMPOTE

3 cups sliced fresh rhubarb (or thawed frozen rhubarb)

3/4 cup water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 tbsp quick-cooking tapioca
2 containers (6-oz each) fresh raspberries
grated zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp finely chopped crystalized ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine the rhubarb, water, sugar, honey, and tapioca in a slow cooker or crockpot.  Press the mixture down to form an even layer.  Place lid on cooker and cook about 2 1/2 hours on high setting or 5 hours on low setting, or until the rhubarb is tender.

Approximately 35 minutes before the end of the cooking time, stir in the raspberries, lemon zest, ginger, and cinnamon.  Replace lid and cook on high until the mixture begins to simmer and the raspberries are tender.  This will take about 30 minutes.

Before serving, stir in the vanilla until well blended.

Yield: 4 servings of approximately 3/4 cup
Per serving: 191 cal, 0 g fat, 0 mg chol, 8 mg sodium, 49 g carbs, 2 g protein, 206 mg calcium
WW Points = 3

NOTE:  This is a recipe from Weight Watchers.