Sunday, December 25, 2005

Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce

For the holidays or any time of year. Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce 1 bone in turkey breast 1 package onion soup mix 1 can cranberry sauce 1/2 cup water Mix sauce, soup mix and water and place in the bottom of the crockpot. Add turkey breast. Cook on high for 2 hours. Then turn to low and cook 4 to 6 hours more. Remove turkey from crockpot, let stand 10 minutes. Slice and serve with sauce.

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Thursday, December 22, 2005

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake

This is so easy to make and very delicious.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 cup boiling water

In a bowl, combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar and baking powder. Add milk, oil and vanilla extract; stir until smooth. Mix in peanut butter. Pour into crockpot. In same mixing bowl, stir together remaining 1/2 cup sugar and cocoa. Gradually stir in boiling water. Pour mixture over batter in cooker. DO NO STIR. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or until a wooden pick inserted comes out clean. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce and nuts.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Converting Recipes For The Crock Pot

Just came across this very imformative article today about how to convert recipes for crock pot cooking.

Adapting Your Recipes for the Slow Cooker

by Sherry Frewerd

Now that you’ve started using your crock pot slow cooker regularly, you’re probably wondering how you can adapt your traditional recipes to use in a crock pot. The ease of preparing a meal with a slow cooker has literally changed the lives of busy families. With the help of their slow cookers, families are eating healthier and consuming less greasy fast-food.

Here are some hints for adapting your favorite traditional recipes for crock pot cooking.

1.) Add vegetables like peas and broccoli to your recipe in the last 15 – 60 minutes. If you’re using frozen vegetables, remember to add them to your crock pot recipe during the last 30 minutes.

2.) Make sure to soak your dried beans so that they are completely softened before adding them to your recipe. If your recipe includes tomatoes, salt, or sugar, then your beans should definitely be soaked before cooking.

3.) If your recipe calls for pasta, any kind of seafood, milk or other dairy products, then only add them during the last 60 minutes of cooking, and cook pasta to just a bit tender before adding them to the cooker. Condensed cream soups are good alternatives to dairy products because they can withstand longer cooking times.

4.) When cooking a recipe with rice, add an extra ¼ cup liquid for every ¼ cup of rice.

5.) Always remember to reduce the liquid in your recipe by ½ when you’re using a traditional recipe in your crock pot.

6.) A good idea for cooking stews and soups that call for vegetables is to put the veggies on the bottom and sides of the slow cooker and then place your meat on top.

Traditional Recipe to Slow Cooker Use:

15-30min traditional = 1.5–2hrs High or 4-6hrs Low in Crock pot

35-45min traditional = 3-4hrs High or 6-10hrs Low in Crock pot

50min-3hrs traditional = 4-6hrs High or 8-18hrs Low in Crock pot

If you’re like most families, your slow cooker supplies lots of food per meal, so you’ll very likely have leftovers. Always remember to never reheat your leftovers in the crock pot. One of the additional rewards of slow cooking is the ability to make lots of food and freeze for future meals. Happy slow cooking!



About the Author: Sherry Frewerd publishes Family Crock Pot Recipes http://familycrockpotrecipes.com and Recipes to Live By http://theres-more-to-life-than-food.typepad.com/recipes_to_live_by . Both sites are full of delicious recipes that families love.

Article Source: http://www.ladypens.com

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Crock Pot Pot Roast

A delicious meal for any occasion.
Pot Roast

3 - 5 lb. beef roast
salt
pepper
2 onions, cut into chunks
4 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
4 potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
3 stalks celery, cut into chunks
10 button mushrooms
2 Tbsps. olive oil

Place all vegetables in crock pot. Heat olive oil in a dutch oven until ripples form. Season roast on all sides with salt and pepper. Brown roast on all sides. Place on top of vegetables. Cover crock pot. Cook in high for 5 - 6 hours or low for 8 - 9 hours.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Crock Pot Ropa Vieja

Traditional Cuban style Ropa Vieja. Serve with black beans and rice.

Ropa Vieja


One 2 ¼ to 2 ½ pound chuck roast or two 1 ¼ pound flank steaks
2 teaspoons fine sea or kosher salt, plus more for seasoning the beef
Freshly ground pepper
Onion powder
3 tablespoons canola oil
½ cup Sofrito
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
Two 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 ½ cups water
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped pimiento-stuffed olives
2 bay leaves
4 celery stalks, with leaves, cut into ¼-inch dice
3 medium carrots, trimmed and cut into ¼-inch dice
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas

Pound the chuck roast or flank steaks out with a heavy meat mallet until about ½ inch thick. Season both sides of the beef generously with salt, pepper and onion powder. Heat the oil in a large, oven-proof, heavy skillet over high heat until rippling. Add the beef and cook it until well browned on both sides, about 10 minutes. Drain or spoon off most of the fat from the pan. Stir in the sofrito, 2 teaspoons salt, and the cumin and bring to a boil. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, olives, and bay leaves. Add beef, sauce to crock pot. Cook on high 4 hours or low 6 hours. Shred the meat coarsely by hand or using two forks. Return it to the crock pot and add the celery and carrots. Cover and cook about 30 minutes more or until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the peas and cook a few minutes more.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Smothered Chicken

Comfort food at it's finest.

Crock Pot Smothered Chicken

1 whole chicken, cut up and skin removed if desired
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 can cream of potato soup (any cream soup can be substituted)
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp pepper

If desired, dredge chicken in flour and brown (this is not necessary to do). Put vegetables in crock pot, then add chicken. sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper, add soups. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Greek Chicken

This chicken makes your mouth water when you smell it cooking. So good!

Greek Chicken

6 potatos, quartered
3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken or a whole chicken, cut up and skinned
2 large onions, quartered
1 whole bulb garlic, minced
2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and quartered
½ c. water
3 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp pepper
1 Tbsp. olive oil
Juice of ½ a lemon
1 small can sliced or whole pitted black olives (optional)
1 red bell pepper, sliced (optional)

Put potatos in bottom of crock pot. Add chicken, onions, garlic. In a small bowl, wisk oregano, sale pepper, water and olive oil. Pour mixture over chicken and potatos. Cover and cook on high for 5 – 6 hours or low for 9 – 10 hours.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Crock Pot Stuffing

Perfect with turkey, chicken for your holiday meals. Crock Pot Stuffing 7 c. dry bread cubes (I use half white/wheat bread ends and ½ corn bread) 1 c. minced white onion (not the dry kind) 1 c. minced celery (fresh, not dried) 1 c. chicken or turkey stock ¼ c. chopped fresh parsley 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. paprika ½ tsp sage ½ tsp. thyme 1 stick butter or margarine Rub crock pot with the butter, cut the remainder in small pieces and set aside. Combine all ingredients including butter and put into crock pot. Cook on low 2 – 3 hours.

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Friday, December 09, 2005

Pasta

Italian Sausage Over Linguini
Lasanga

Italian Sausage over Linguini

Full of flavor, this dish will have your family asking for seconds.

Italian Sausage over Linguini


1 lb. Turkey Italian Sausage, uncooked
1 red bell pepper, roasted and peeled
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
2 jars spaghetti sauce
1 lb. linguini, cooked

Add vegetables to crock pot. Dot with slices of the sausage. Top with sauce. Cook on low all day. Serve over linguini.

Side Dishes

Crock Pot Rice Pilaf
Stuffing

Holiday Recipes

Stuffing
Turkey Breast With Cranberry Sauce

Desserts

Bread Pudding
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake
Crock Pot Cherry Cobbler
Doughnut Pudding
Seven Layer Bars

Crock Pot Bread Pudding

So warm and delicious, this dessert is a sure winner!

Bread Pudding

8 c. day old bread, cubed
2 c. milk
4 eggs
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. raisins

Put bread into a pyrex bowl, set into crock pot. In a mixing bowl, combine next 6 ingredients, beat until smooth. Stir in raisins. Pour over bread, stir gently. Cook on low 3 hours or until center is set.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Crockpot Chili

Probably my most requested recipe from family and friends, this is the perfect cold weather fare.

Crock Pot Chili

1 lbs. ground beef
1 c. dry pinto beans or kindey beans (cooked)
3. c. water (or cooking liquid from beans)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
3 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tpsp. parsley
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1-2 tsp. salt
pinch of brown sugar
pinch of cocoa powder

Brown ground beef, drain. Add all ingredients to crock pot. Allow to simmer 6 hours on low. Serve topped with cheese and sour cream, with rice or crackers on the side.

Crockpot Beef Stew


Simple, satisfying and comforting, beef stew is the best cold weather food.

Crockpot Beef Stew

4 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 onion, chopped
½ pkg. frozen mixed vegetables
1 lb. stew meat
½ can tomato paste
1 pkg. beef stew seasoning
3 c. water

Layer ingredients in order in crock pot. Cook on low 4-5 hours or high 7-8 hours.

Beans

Boston Baked Beans
Chili

Birria

Birria (pronounced "vee-dee-a") is one of the foods I always remember from childhood that would make my mouth water just from the smell. My mom would make this for parties or holidays and although her crockpot started out full, by the end of the night it was empty. This dish is traditionally served with flour or corn tortillas (gorditas are best), pinto beans and Spanish rice.

Birria (my mom's recipe)

1 3 to 5 lb. beef roast (preferably brisket - NOT "CORNED" BEEF BRISKET)
1 large can whole tomatoes, crushed (you can do this with kitchen shears right in the can)
3 large carrots shredded
1 large white onion, sliced very thin
2 celery stalks, sliced thin
1 jar medium sized Spanish olives, sliced
Seasonings to taste: salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, garlic powder

Put roast in the crock pot. When roast is done (8 hours on low or 4-5 hours on high) remove it from crock and shred. Remove any fat and save the broth. Layer in the crock pot in equal amounts as follows: meat, tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, olives, broth. Repeat layers. Allow to heat for 30 minutes so flavors can blend.

Vegetables

Baked Potatos
Creamy Cheesy Crock Pot Potatos

Baked Potatoes

Probably one of the simplest recipes you can prepare in the crock pot, and also the biggest time saver. Much better texture than just popping them in the microwave.

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Prick potatos with a fork. Wrap each one in foil. Put them in the crock pot and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. DO NOT ADD WATER!

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Taco Soup

This soup is great for the cold weather, it's hearty and filling and loaded with flavor.

Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 can diced tomatoes, with juice
1/2 c. frozen corn
1 c. pinto beans, cooked and drained
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c. hominy, drained
1 can green chilies, drained
salt and pepper to taste.

Combine all ingredients in a large pot or crock pot and cook until vegetables are tender. Serve topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips.

Aloha Chicken

This is one of my absolut favorite recipes, I found it on WAHM.com and have prepared it many times. My family loves this served with white rice and California Mix vegetables.

Aloha Chicken

Chicken pieces of your choice or boneless chicken breast
1/2 bottle of Terriaki Sauce
1 Can of Pineapple

Put the chicken in your crock pot
Pour half the bottle of Terriaki Sauce on top
Pour in the juice from the pineapple

Let this cook all day on low! 1/2 hour before you are ready to eat, dump the pineapple in it. This is great served with steamed broccoli and noodles or rice.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Crock Pot Chili

Awesome cold weather fare... this doesn't last very long in my house.

Crock Pot Chili


1 lbs. ground beef
1 c. dry pinto beans or kindey beans (cooked)
3. c. water (or cooking liquid from beans)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
3 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tpsp. parsley
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1-2 tsp. salt
pinch of brown sugar

Brown ground beef, drain. Add all ingredients to crock pot. Allow to simmer 6 hours on low. Serve topped with cheese and sour cream, with rice or crackers on the side.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Chicken

African Chicken Stew
Aloha Chicken
Almond Chicken
Apricot Chicken
Chicken and Stuffing
Chicken Curry
Greek Chicken
Smothered Chicken
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Tropical Chicken

Tropical Chicken

I came up with this recipe one day when I wanted a new and different recipe for dinner. It was a hit. I served it with rice but it would also be excellent with potatoes.

Tropical Chicken


1 chicken, cut up
1 bell pepper diced
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, sliced
1 c. orange-pineapple juice
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. ketchup
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. Lea and Perins Worshteshire sauce
dash of Chinese 5 Spice Powder

Put vegetables in crock pot, top with chicken. Whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over chicken and vegetables. Cook on high 4 - 6 hours or on low 7- 8 hours.

Aztec Stew

An excellent recipe for the cold weather, I created this last winter and it is a keeper.

Aztec Stew


1 lb. cooked shredded chicken
1 Envelope Taco Seasoning
1 small can tomato sauce
2 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 c. frozen corn
1 small can black beans (drained)
1 onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 c. hominy, drained
1 can green chilis, drained
2 c. chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large pot or crock pot and cook until vegetables are tender. Serve topped with shredded cheese, sour creme and tortilla chips.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Soups and Stews

Aztec Stew
Baked Potato Soup
Crock Pot Potato Soup
Beef Stew
Chili
Posole
Taco Soup

Welcome to Crockpot Adventures!

After a few months of blogging about my adventures in feeding my family on a tight budget, I began to realize that a large majority of my cooking is done in the crock pot. In my not so humble opinion, a kitchen without a crock pot is not a kitchen. So in honor of the ever so humble, yet oh so useful slow cooking device I have started this blog. I have added all the recipes already found on my other blog, Chef Michele's Adventures and will be adding many, many more. Stay tuned for a variety of recipes from all over the world that will virtually prepare themselves while you attend to more pressing things. Happy Cooking!

Friday, December 02, 2005

Boston Baked Beans

These are so much better than the canned kind. This recipe makes a lot, but don't worry because they freeze well and you can thaw them in the microwave.

Boston Baked Beans

Serves 8 to 10

2 pounds dried pinto or navy beans
1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 large onion, minced
dash ground cloves
12 ounces salt pork
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Sort and rinse beans. Boil salt pork in water for about 10 minutes to render some of the fat, drain and place in crock pot. Add beans. Combine remaining ingredients and add to crock pot. If necessary, add enough water to cover beans by 1/2 inch. Set on low and cook 8 to 12 hours. For the last 50 to 60 minutes of cooking, uncover beans, and, using tongs or a long fork, pull the pork to the surface. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Serve.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Apricot Chicken

Sweet, tangy and satisfying... this recipe is sure to please! I serve this over rice.

Apricot Chicken


1 can apricots (make sure to peel them, they still have the peels onion the can)
1/2 c. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. dried minced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. Chinese 5 Spice Powder
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp honey

Drain the apricots (save the juice) and peel them, put them in a mini food processor and puree them. Pour the puree in a bowl and whisk the juice back in. Add the rest of the ingredients and whisk well. Pour over chicken and marinade then bake or put chicken in crock pot and pour marinade over it over the chicken and cook until done.