Slow cooker ideas!!!

Kara - posted on 01/23/2009

The easiest slow cooker recipe:

One whole chicken, sprinkle with paprika, salt and pepper. Cook on low 5-8 hours or high 3-5 hours. Make a side and a veggie and dinner served in a matter of minutes!

My kids love chicken this way. My daughter requests "chicken bones"--her name for the meal--all the time. It is so moist and favorful after cooking in its own juices all day!

Another super easy one:

Wash baking potatoes, poke each potato with a fork a few times to let out steam, place in crockpot. Bake all day on low (I never tried high for this but it probably could be done). Serve with cheese, broccoli or California mix veggies, sour cream, etc.

Other favorites are jambalaya, shredded pork (just throw the roast or tenderloin in...I will add BBQ sause to half of it for sandwiches and save the leftovers for tacos, enchildadas or cuban sandwiches), or any type of soup (you just have to add cream or milk toward the end). I love allrecipes website. Even if recipes don't say "crock pot" you can usually adapt them...hopefully you'll love your crockpot as much as I do. I wouldn't want to live without it!

Mandy - posted on 01/23/2009

If you go to sobeys in the spice section they have about 6 different packages that have receipes..they are fabulous!!!

Madeline - posted on 01/23/2009

Quoting Erin:

Yes! I just made the easiest dinner last night and everyone loved it! All you do is put frozen chicken breasts and a jar of salsa in the crock pot. Mine was in from about 7:00 am - 5:00 pm. It was perfect! Someone else suggested adding some velveeta cheese at the end...I may try that next time.

I do chicken, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup salsa, can of corn (drained), can of black beans (drained).  cooked on low for 7 - 8 hrs.   For the last 1/2 hr. I add a block of cream cheese. mmmmm

Dawn - posted on 01/23/2009

I found a cookbook called The Slow Cooker Bible. I found it at Waldens Book store. I love it. It has a lot of good recipes and most need ingredients you have in the house.

It even has a recipe for quesadillas that was really good.

I do my chili in our slow cooker and it is so good. I also do Sweet and Sour meatballs too. Pot roas is another really good slow cooker meal, so is sausage and saurkraut.

Amber - posted on 01/23/2009

Red Wine and Rosemary Beef - A slow cooker recipe

Cooking oil 1 tbsp.
Boneless cross-rib roast 3 lbs.
Cooking Oil 1 tbsp.
Thinly sliced onion 1 cup
Garlic cloves, minced (or 3/4 tsp powder) 3
Dry red (or alcohol-free) wine 1/2 cup
Prepared beef broth 1/2 cup
Dried Cranberries 1/3 cup
Sprigs of fresh Rosemary 3
Salt 1/2 tsp.
Pepper 1/2 tsp.
Water 2 tbsp.
Cornstarch 4 tsp.

Heat first amount of cooking oil in large frying pan on meduim. Add roast. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Transfer to 4 - 5 quart slow cooker.

Heat second amount of cooking oil in same frying pan on medium. Add onion. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until softened. Add garlic. Heat and stir for about 1 minute until fragrant. Spread on roast.

Combine next 6 ingredients in same frying pan. Heat and stir on medium for about 1 minute until hot, scraping any brown bits from bottom of pan. Pour over roast. Cover. Cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 4 to 5 hours. Remove and discard rosemary sprigs. Remove roast to large serving platter. Cover to keep warm. Skim and discard any fat from surface of liquid in slow cooker.

Stir water into cornstarch in small cup until smooth. Add to liquid in slow cooker. Stir well. Cover. Cook on High for about 15 minutes until boiling and thickened. Makes about 3 cups sauce. Cut roast into thin slices. Serve with sauce. Makes 12 servings.

Teresa - posted on 01/23/2009

Crockpot Meatloaf: 2 lbs.lean burger and 1 lb. pork sausage. 1 box Stove Top stuffing. 2 or 3 eggs. Mix in Masterpiece BBQ sauce instead of tomatoe sauce, until gooey but holds it shape. 1 yellow onion finely chopped. 2 or 3 chopped cloves fresh garlic. We like even more than that! Put thin layer of Masterpiece BBQ sauce over the top after you press it into the slow cooker. Smash it down really good before topping with the sauce. Put the lid on. Cook 3-1/2 to 4 hrs. on high temp. Check the center for doneness. Totally delicious! My husband invented this version. My favorite!

Cherie - posted on 01/23/2009

Hi All,I have a easy chicken recipe - thawed boneless chicken - 1 bottle of italian dressing-1/4 cup of parmesan cheese Mix dressing and chhes together and pour over chicken,carrots and potaoes .Turn crockpot on low for 8 hours or high for 4hours and enjoy!

Jen - posted on 01/23/2009

i just posted a recipe for slow cooker posole - it's really yummy!

Nicole - posted on 01/23/2009

Oooh I'll have to try the crock pot meatloaf! That sounds really good.

Erin - posted on 01/23/2009

Yes! I just made the easiest dinner last night and everyone loved it! All you do is put frozen chicken breasts and a jar of salsa in the crock pot. Mine was in from about 7:00 am - 5:00 pm. It was perfect! Someone else suggested adding some velveeta cheese at the end...I may try that next time.

Tracie - posted on 01/23/2009

I'm not sure if you've heard of this cookbook yet but I love the Fix It & Forget It books!!! I have the regular one. i think there is an entertaining one and a 5 ingredients or less one. They are great!!! One of my fav's is to  Put seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom and mix up 2 cans of crm of chicken soup, 1/3 cup white wine, about 1/2 cup parm cheese and put on top. Sprinkle with more parm and cook on high for 2-4 hours. YUMMY!!!

Pat - posted on 01/23/2009

I make chili in my slow cooker. I don't really have a set recipe. I use a large can of tomato sauce, stir in a little garlic, some black pepper, cayene pepper, paprika, red pepper if I have it, chili powder and 1 can of red beans. I let that slow cook most of the day. Then about an hour before we want to eat I brown some hamburger and mix in onion and green pepper and put chili pepper in that too. Once that's finished, I add it to the sauce and let it cook for about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour. Then we eat. I find that if you put the green pepper and onion in to cook all day, they kind of dissolve or get mushy.



Hope this helps.

Katie - posted on 01/23/2009

Easy Italian Beef

-3 to 4 lb. rump roast

-2 packets Good Season dry Italian dressing 

-1 can beef broth

-1 can water

-1/2 C pepperochinis or peppers(depends on your tastes)

Place rump roast in slow cooker, fat side up. Sprinkle packets of seasoning over the top of roast. Add in beef broth and water. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. An hour before serving add in the peppers. Shred before serving. Can serve over bread, on buns, or alone. Serves a family if six. So easy!

Katie - posted on 01/23/2009

Easy Italian Beef

-3 to 4 lb. rump roast

-2 packets Good Season dry Italian dressing 

-1 can beef broth

-1 can water

-1/2 C pepperochinis or peppers(depends on your tastes)

Place rump roast in slow cooker, fat side up. Sprinkle packets of seasoning over the top of roast. Add in beef broth and water. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. An hour before serving add in the peppers. Shred before serving. Can serve over bread, on buns, or alone. Serves a family if six. So easy!

Alice - posted on 01/22/2009

Quoting Audrie:

I make my own plain yogurt and use it when a recipe calls for sour cream. It definitely saves money.
1/2 gallon whole milk
1/2 C. store bought yogurt
1 - Dump milk in crockpot cook on low 2 1/2 hrs.
2- Unplug. Leave cover on, let sit 3 hrs.
3- After 3 hrs - scoop 2 C. of warm milk into a bowl add yogurt whisk and dump all back
into crockpot whisk again.
4- Put lid on crockpot. Keep unplugged and wrap in heavy towel. Go to bed for 8 hours. In morning will be thickened. Blend in favorite fruit. Chill in plastic contains will last up to 2 weeks.

This is so interesting.....who knew you could make yogurt in a slow cooker......thanks for posting.

Ellen - posted on 01/22/2009

Beef Stew:

2-3 lbs stew meat cubed

18- new potatos (canned)

2 lbs mini carrots (produce section)

2 cans tomato soup

2 packages of McCormick Beef Stew seasoning

1 can water



Mix 2 cans of soup, seasoning mix, water at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the rest of your ingredients. Cook on high 8 hours.

I like mine on bread & butter.

This makes a lot, so you can cut it half if there is only 3 people eatting.

Madeline - posted on 01/22/2009

Just made Chili today.  It was very easy.

1 lb of ground beef (browned)

1 15 oz can black beans

1 15 oz can Pinto beans

1 10oz can of Rotel

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 15 oz can chopped tomatoes

1 medium onion, finely chopped (I sauteed it with meat first)

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

salt & pepper to taste

I served it over brown rice and with corn bread on the side.

Laurie - posted on 01/22/2009

I have three crockpots (I know, isn't that crazy?.. three different sizes..).. but I love to put something in in the morning before I go to work and have it ready when I get home. (along with a loaf of bread in one of the breadmakers) I don't think I can improve on any of the recipes above though, although I got a couple great macaroni and cheese recipes for my daughter's cookbook that I haven't tried yet.. here's one:



CROCKPOT MAC AND CHEESE



Ingredients:

8 oz of macaroni

½ stick melted butter

1 can evaporated milk

1½ cups milk

2 eggs

3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste



• Cook macaroni in boiling water for five minutes then drain and pour into crock pot

• Combine evaporated milk, regular milk, eggs, melted butter, salt and pepper in medium bowl – stir well

• Pour over macaroni and stir

• Add 2 cups of cheese to macaroni and mix well

• Add remaining cheese on top (1 cup)



Cover and cook for 2 hours on high

Michelle - posted on 01/22/2009

Oh yeah,  make sure you try the crockpot liners.  They are made by Reynolds and they are about $2/box.  They make cleanup a breeze.  You can find them at the store near the Ziploc storage bags.

Michelle - posted on 01/22/2009

Hi Adele,

  I am a consultant for Homemade Gourmet.   Since I started using Homemade Gourmet's products I cook with my crockpot every week.  It's so easy!  We have a ton of crockpot recipes though!  Most recipes only require one of our mixes (which is around $4) and a couple other ingredients.  For example you can make Garlic Basil Chicken by adding our Garlic Basil seasoning, chicken and a can of diced tomatoes.  That's it!  It's delicious and so easy!  Please feel free to contact me for information or you can visit my website at www.homemadegourmet.com/michellethomas ...Good Luck!

Madeline - posted on 01/21/2009

Soak the crockpot over night.  Clean up will be easier. 

Stephanie - posted on 01/21/2009

I LOVE my crock pot... except for clean up...BUT there are now bags you can put in your crock pot to help with that yes I know they are called EZ liners on line but they also sell them in the stores... don't get discouraged... go on line All recipes is a good site to get recipes and trust me you will LOVE the crock pot too... good luck and have fun...

Jenifer - posted on 01/19/2009

BBQ Pulled Pork is one of my favs! I put in a pork shoulder, add 1 bottle of regular bbq sauce and 1/2 bottle of mustard bbq sauce and let it cook for about 7 hours. Just shred the meat right in the cooker and stir into the sauce. Then just heap it onto french rolls. I like mine with a little shredded cheese on top... Yummy!

Madeline - posted on 01/19/2009

I love my slow cooker and try to make dinner at least 2x a week in it.  Just got a new one for Xmas and love it.  I made LENTIL SOUP today:

1 1/2 cups dry lentils (I used 2 cups because we do not like a lot of liquid in lentils)

2 carrots cut up

2 celery stalks cut up

1 small onion diced

2 or 3 cloves of garlic, crushed

2 beef bullion cubes

salt & pepper

6 cups of water

Combine all ingredients and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

I serve it with elbow pasta.

Brandy - posted on 01/19/2009

I LOVE my slow cooker!!! I am on my second one. I like hearty meals so I take

3 cans Minestrone soup

3 cans Rotel

2 cans Ranch Style beans

1 or 2 LBS. hamburger (browned & drained)

1 onion (diced)



Mix all ingredients together and let cook on low for about 4 to 6 hours!!

Enjoy!!

Jennifer - posted on 01/19/2009

One of my family's favorites.

Sweet-N-Sour Pork

Slow cooker recipe, great and easy

2 LBS Pork Shoulder or loin, cut in bite size pieces

1 green pepper, cut in strips

½ medium onion, chopped

3/4 Cup shredded carrots

3/4 Cup packed brown sugar

4 TBL corn starch

1 can tomato soup

Juice from can of pineapple chunks

1 TBL soy sauce

1 Lg can pineapple chunks

Instructions

Place pork in slow cooker; add green pepper, onion, and carrots.  In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, corn starch, pineapple juice, tomato soup, and soy sauce.  Stir until smooth.  Pour sauce into the slow cooker over other ingredients.  Cook on low for 5 - 7 hours.  One hour before serving add pineapple chunks and stir.  Serve over rice or noodles.

Audrie - posted on 01/17/2009

I make my own plain yogurt and use it when a recipe calls for sour cream. It definitely saves money.

1/2 gallon whole milk

1/2 C. store bought yogurt

1 - Dump milk in crockpot cook on low 2 1/2 hrs.

2- Unplug. Leave cover on, let sit 3 hrs.

3- After 3 hrs - scoop 2 C. of warm milk into a bowl add yogurt whisk and dump all back

into crockpot whisk again.

4- Put lid on crockpot. Keep unplugged and wrap in heavy towel. Go to bed for 8 hours. In morning will be thickened. Blend in favorite fruit. Chill in plastic contains will last up to 2 weeks.

Sandy - posted on 01/17/2009

Sometimes I just put a pot roast, carrots, potatoes, cup or two of water and a packet of onion soup over the top....cook for 7-8 hours and dinner is ready!

Sandy - posted on 01/17/2009

my favorite...if you like Beef Stroganoff!

1 package of stew meat....2 cans of cream of mushroom soup....1 splash of soy sauce...1 cut up onion....cook on low all day 7-8 hours.. about 30 minutes before you are ready to eat put about 4 oz cream cheese into mixture to melt.....cook some wide egg noodles...pour crockpot mixture over the top of noodles and enjoy! Let me know how you like!

Angela - posted on 01/17/2009

I make a mean chicken, potato and rice soup in my slow cooker.  Buy any veggies and potatoes that you like and cut them up.  A can of chicken broth, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut them into cubes), add your preference of seasonings and rice, top with water.  Slow cook about four hours, or until the rice is tender.

If you want a cream based soup, use a little flour and milk instead of chicken broth! 

This recipe is especially good for these cold winter nights we have been having.  Enjoy!

Kim - posted on 01/17/2009

One of my favorite things to make in the crockpot is Meatloaf. Seriously! Make your favorite Meatloaf recipe (let me know if you need one). Leave it in the bowl for now. Put a layer of peeled potato chunks and carrots cut into 2 inch chunks in the bottom of the crockpot. Then take the meatloaf and shape it into a loaf. I usually make it kind of round instead of rectangular because that's the shape of my crockpot. Set it gently on top of the potatoes and carrots making sure it doesn't touch the sides of the crockpot. Top with your favorite ketchup or BBQ sauce (not too much) and slow cook on low for anywhere up to 8 hours or so. Enjoy! It's absolutely delicious!!

Jennifer - posted on 01/16/2009

I use the Fix it and forget it cook book all the time, I bought mine @ walmart. There are usually several verations of each recipe so you can see some of the different ways to make the same basic recipe. Here is what I made today;

Beef cut into small pieces (I used thin chuck steaks ment for fajitias)

1 onion diced

jar of salasa

1 can of chilies diced

corn frozen or canned (drain if frozen)

can of rinsed black beans

1 cup of boullion (I use vege in most slow cooker recipes adds more flavor)

Dump into cooker in order written and cook for 8 - 9 hours on low.

I served it over tortillia chips with cheese on top. Even the kids liked it.  I have a great sweet and sour repipe on my other computer I'll post it later for you. Enjoy!!!

Rhonda - posted on 01/16/2009

I just got one for Christmas too! I was asking around and a friend told me there are receipe books for crock pots. She told me to got to the book store and there is a ton of them.

Rebecca - posted on 01/16/2009

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

That link is to a woman's blog who used her crockpot EVERY SINGLE DAY last year!!!  She makes all types of things, including side dishes and drinks but there are TONS of meal ideas in there!  She has even had great success cooking salmon in it, I guess.  Anyway, the year is over but all the recipes are there and you can search by ingredient, or she recently made a post about the most popular.  It's great because for each dish she describes how it tasted, how easy it was, and how her family likes it.  Then lots of people comment about how they liked it, so you can get a pretty good idea of whether it's something you'd like.

Mirka - posted on 01/16/2009

p.s. Not sure how much you cook, but we like very saucy/soupy beans in our family thrown over rice. Adjust the amount of water to how many beans you use (1/2 or whole package). 1/2 cup water or tomato sauce will need to be adjusted according to your liking. :)

Mirka - posted on 01/16/2009

Hi Adele,

Didn't it come with a manual & usually small recipe booklet? If so, they're a great way to start. If not, start with pot roast. That's my favorite slow cooker recipe (any, you can google for one if you don't have a favorite). Chili (bean or meat or combo) is a great one too. Also, dried beans turns out fabulous. You can cook them on a low temp overnight into the next day or start it in the morning & simmer all day (usually 8 - 10 hrs). Any dried beans will cook great (follow directions for amount of water on bag). Afterwards, just season with a little mixture of about 1/4 cup tomato sauce, chopped garlic, pepper, onion, salt & pepper, 1/2 cup water. Simmer for 20 - 30 min & they're awesome with your favorite rice/grain.

I hope that gives you some ideas. Good luck!

Meeka