Four Crock Pot Recipes For Fall

Fall is upon us, and there's no doubt it's nice to come home to a warm home-cooked meal! If you let your crock pot do the work for you, you can get dinner ready in the morning and it will be there waiting for you at dinner time. You'd be surprised how many meals can be prepared in a crock pot. Here are just a few:
Crock Pot Lasagna

1 box rigatoni, cooked
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef, browned & drained 1 lg. pkg. sliced pepperoni
1 green pepper, chopped
2 lg. pkg. grated Mozzarella cheese
2 lg. cans pizza sauce
1 med. onion, chopped
8 oz. mushrooms
Green olives, sliced

Begin with layer of sauce on bottom of crock pot. Stir all remaining ingredients together. Place in crock pot and cook on low for 5 hours.

Crock Pot Pork Chops
6 to 8 lean pork chops
1/2 c. flour
1 tbsp. salt
1 (10 oz.) can chicken and rice soup
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. oil

Coat pork chops in mixture of flour, salt, dry mustard, and garlic powder. Brown in oil in skillet. Place browned pork chops in crock pot. Add can of soup. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8
hours or on high for 3 1/2 hours.

Crock Pot Meat Loaf
2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 lb. ground sausage
2 med. onions, finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 c. sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 c. bread or cracker crumbs
1 1/2 c. milk

Soak bread or cracker crumbs in milk. Mix meat, seasonings, and soaked crumbs thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix sour cream and mushroom soup. Make meat mixture into loaf and place in crock pot. Pour the sour cream-soup mixture over top. Cook in crock pot 10 to 12 hours on low.

Crock Pot Stew
3 pounds lean stewing beef, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1/2 cup beef broth
1 can (10-1/2 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can (4 oz.) sliced mushrooms, drained (opt.)
Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 8 to 12 hours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Rachel_Paxton/8504

Cooking Chili in a Crock-Pot - How Chili Should Be Done!

The slow cooker, or crock-pot, is one of the most convenient ways to cook food. And cooking chili in a crock-pot is no different. Seriously, how convenient is it to just throw all the ingredients in one cooking device and let it sit for several hours, or even overnight? Plus, it makes cleanup a breeze. Besides my rice cooker, my crock-pot is one of the easiest to use appliances I own, and pretty much makes perfect food every time I use it.

When I'm planning on having people over, I can use my crock-pot to make a stew, or throw in some meat to cook overnight, and it's preparation I can do hours in advance. Letting me enjoy my friend and not be tied to the kitchen. Many times I can just prepare what I'm going to make the night before and just let it cook overnight. That way the next day, I can prepare whatever other dishes I'm making and concentrate on getting the house or backyard ready for company.

Chili is one of those classic "All American" dishes that everybody seems to love. You can add many different kinds of meat, like chicken, sausage, ground beef or ground turkey. You can even make it vegetarian style for those health conscious folks. It's perfect for weekend barbecues and goes great with everything. And did someone mention hot dogs? Oh yeah, great on those too!

I've personally never been to a chili cook off, but I understand the competition can be pretty fierce. Recipes are closely guarded secrets usually handed down from the generations. My recipe is pretty simple, but that's just how I like things. Sometimes simpler is better!

Basic chili (cooked in crock-pot)
Ingredients:
3 one pound cans kidney beans, drained
2 one pound cans whole tomatoes, cut up
2 lbs. ground beef
2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
1 cup celery, diced
1 clove garlic, finely minced
6 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
Brown the ground beef in large skillet on medium high heat. Drain and cut the tomatoes into large bite sized pieces. Gather all the ingredients in and put in the Crock-pot in the order listed. Give it a good stir. Cover and cook on low for 10 to 12 hours.

This makes a pretty large batch, so be prepared for left overs. This would be great on hot dogs or just eaten right out of the bowl. You could easily serve 6 to 8 adults with this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Bill_Lingle/1007838

Cooking Ground Beef in a Crock Pot

Crock pot cooking is the perfect and simplest method for cooking ground beef, beef stew, pork, lamb or any type of tough veal. The crock pot is a personal favorite kitchen appliance of active moms. The crock pot just does all the work out of their favorite recipes. They just have to put the ingredients in a crock pot, add water, and wait until it is perfectly cooked. Sometimes, they can just leave it and do other work or chores while dinner is cooking.

Cooking ground beef or meat has a different technique from ordinary meat. Sauté or brown ground beef first. This would allow you to get the extra crunch when eating it at the end.
Health conscious citizens should not doubt the nutritional value of cooking ground beef. It is an excellent source of protein and other important vitamins that aids in bone development. Protein also helps aid in strengthening the immune system.

Slow cooking becomes different in the sense it takes a very long time to cook anything. Meat or any recipe would at least take 2 hours. Cooking meat on low can take up to eight hours. Thus, skin and excess fats should be trimmed off the meat. There is no need to worry about flavor or tenderness while cooking using the crock pot. Moisture and flavor are sealed in. Excess oils would just add unpleasant texture to your dish. Hence, buy lean parts of meat when making and cooking ground beef.

The cheapest parts of meat are also the best ingredients for slow cooking. It can survive long hours of slow cooking in your crock pot. So, in the morning, put all the ingredients of your favorite stew or roast and by the time you come home, the slow cooker has taken care of everything else. We'll whatever you do; it is a well-known tip not to open the lid frequently. Once heat escapes, you'll need to extend cooking by 30 minutes. Milk or dairy products, some herbs, and vegetables should also be added at the last hour to preserve crispness. Food is kept warm for a long period, too, even if the crock pot had already been turned off. So, the food travels well.

Soups are perfect slow cooker recipes. You let the meat and spices simmer for a long while and when it's done, the strong flavors are just amazing. Chicken soup and other homemade recipes are very good in uplifting the spirits after fighting a bout of colds or after a hard day's work.

There is no doubt that the crock pot is a nice little helper at home. Cooking ground beef recipes become a very easy chore for the busybody. The internet is now rife with recipes involving desserts like yogurts made by these ingenious cooking devices. Time and time again, people discover fresh takes on cooking using the crock pot. Who knows, you might also discover one of your own.

Ray Morris is co-founder of the ever popular web site Hamburger-Recipes-And-More.com [http://www.hamburger-recipes-and-more.com] and enjoys sharing grilling and cooking ideas for great ground beef meals!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ray_X_Morris/905205

Keep Dinner Interesting With Easy, Fun Crock Pot Recipes

Everyone knows how hard it can be to come up with new dinner ideas that the family will enjoy. Not only that, but the recipe really should be quick and easy on the cook too. Crock pots are a must-have these days, but after way too many beef stews and gumbos, what can be made that will get them running to the table rather than grumbling away from it?

There are literally hundreds of family favorite crock pot recipes that adults and kids alike love. Easy Ziti  Lasagna, Easy Pulled Pork and Tortilla Chicken are three easy and delicious crock pot recipes that families love and are quick to put together in the morning for a great family dinner later.

Easy Ziti  Lasagna
1 box ziti
2 - 28-oz jars pasta sauce
1 egg
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb sausage
2 tbl olive oil
1 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1 bag Mozzarella cheese
16-20 oz. Ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tsp. parsley flakes
dash salt & pepper

Grease crock-pot, or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Cook ziti according to package directions, drain. Brown and drain meat. Toss pasta with olive oil. Add pasta sauce to mixture, toss well. Stir together parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, egg, 1/2 bag mozzarella cheese, and browned meat. Can sprinkle lightly with garlic powder. Beat together ricotta, 2 eggs, parmesan, parsley, salt & pepper. Pour half of pasta/sauce/meat mixture into crock-pot. Spread entire ricotta mixture over first layer of pasta. Cover ricotta layer with remaining pasta mixture, and cover with remaining cheese. Cover, and cook on low 4-6 hours.

Easy Pulled Pork Crock Pot Recipe
1 (5 pound) pork butt roast
salt and pepper to taste
1 (14 ounce) can beef broth
1/4 cup brewed coffee
Cut roast in half. Rub each half with salt and pepper, and place in the slow cooker. Pour broth and coffee over the meat. Turn the slow cooker to Low, and cover. Cook for 6 to 8 hours, or until the roast is fork tender. Carefully remove the roast to a cutting board. Pull the meat off the bone with a fork.

Crock Pot Tortilla Chicken
1 dozen corn tortillas
3 cans cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup
1 (8oz) pkg. Jack cheese, grated
1 (8oz) pkg. Cheddar cheese, grated
2 cans (4oz each) chopped chiles
1 boiled deboned chicken (3 to 4 cups chopped)
1/2 med. onion, diced

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sherry_Frewerd/4774

Crock Pot Recipes Don't Have to Be Boring

As I was browsing the internet a few days ago, I came across a cooking forum where one post had a comment about how this person never used their crock pot because of the dissociation with their food. They "would never put all the ingredients in the crock pot, walk away for 6 hours, and expect it to turn out just the way they wanted it to."

Honestly, at first I was truly upset. I was frustrated, perhaps even angry. I love to cook and don't find my slow cooker to be an object of estrangement in my kitchen. My thoughts lashed out - this person must not have any children, they must not work, they must have all the time in the world to spend hours preparing dinner each and every night. Personally, I am so accustomed to creating extremely tasty quick and easy meals, I almost consider myself spoiled; I don't ever spend more than 20 minutes preparing dinner.

Then, I began to let go of my frustrations. Perhaps this person was not enlightened to what a slow cooker could truly do, and the amazing benefits it offers. When I was growing up, the only things I remember eating from a crock pot were chili, pot roasts, and pork chops. I was astounded when my aunt at a family reunion put baked potatoes in the slow cooker, unaware at that time of the endless possibilities.

Just recently, I realized how much I dislike preparing dinner. However with my crock pot, there's little to no preparation immediately before eating and that's what I love the most! During the week, we as parents are trying to help kids with homework, occupy toddlers, and feed babies; we don't have the luxury of a lengthy dinner preparation (and those who have dealt with hungry cranky kids know what I'm talking about). Even for those childless adults, the last thing you want to do after a long day at work is spend hours creating dinner. Crawl back into the depths of your kitchen cupboard and dust off your crock pot.

Now don't assume that you're going to be eating pork chops and pot roasts every day. How does Italian Chicken Parmesan sound? How about Hungarian Goulash or Burgundy Stew with Dumplings? Or my personal crock pot favorite, lasagna? (I hate all that preparation and then another hour of baking time for traditional lasagna!) Even Mushrooms and Wild Rice or Peanut Butter Fudge Cake! The possibilities are limitless, from Chicken Parisienne, to Beef Roast with Crimini Mushroom Sauce, to Chicken Cordon Bleu.

So ignore those who leave posts criticizing us crock pot chefs. In my opinion, we're enjoying numerous benefits that they will never understand because it is possible to have a healthy, tasty, exquisite meal without endless preparation prior to dinnertime. Give me 10-15 minutes each morning, and I'll give you a wonderful meal as soon as you walk through your door. It's almost like having your own personal chef!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Natalie_Schloesser/68850

Family Favorite Mexican Crock Pot Recipes

There are so many different delicious crock pot recipes available now days. You can feed your family well, and with variety too. If your family loves Mexican dishes, but you're tired of the same old tacos for dinner, try one of our simple Mexican recipes. Start your meal in the morning and come home to an easy evening of dinner with the family.

These easy Mexican style crock pot recipes are ones your family will love and ask for over and over again. There are three different types: Beef, Chicken and Pasta crock pot recipes listed below. Try one this week and treat your family and yourself to a great meal together.

Mexican Shredded Beef Crock Pot Recipe
4 lbs chuck roast
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 - 4 oz cans green chilies, undrained
3/4 cup hot pepper sauce or to taste
Water

Season chuck roast with salt and pepper. Place in crock pot. Mix together remaining ingredients except water, and spoon over meat. Pour water down along the sides of the crock pot until roast is 1/3 covered. Cover it and cook on high 6 hours. Reduce to low 2-4 hours, until meat falls apart. Shred with forks if needed. Sauce can be thickened with a little flour. This is perfect as a burrito dinner or on buns.

Mexican Chicken Stew Crock Pot Recipe
2 lbs skinless boneless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut small
1 -15 oz can mild salsa
1 -4 oz can diced green chilies
1 -1 ¼ oz package taco seasoning mix
1 -8 oz can tomato sauce
Mix all ingredients together in a crock pot, cook 8 hours on low. Serve with warm flour tortillas, and corn or add it to the finished stew.

Mexican Macaroni and Cheese Crock Pot Recipe
5 to 6 cups hot cooked macaroni, drained -12 oz dry
2 tbs butter
1 can 12 oz evaporated milk
1 can nacho cheese soup
2 cups shredded Mexican Cheddar cheese
1 - 4 oz can chopped green chilies
1 - 4 oz can sliced black olives
3/4 cup thick medium salsa
salt and pepper to taste
Grease your crock pot lightly. Toss the hot macaroni with butter; add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sherry_Frewerd/4774

Recipes ; 6 Simple and Tasty Healthy Recipes for Kids

You might think it's going to be hard and costly, but there is actually a silver lining to creating healthy recipe ideas. Be resourceful and alert as we give you 6 simple but fun healthy delicious recipes for kids.

1. Blueberry Oatmeal Bars

Blueberry and oatmeal gives the perfect combination of flavour and fiber for a healthy recipe. All you need in this recipe is the following ingredients:

• ½ cup oats
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Brown Sugar
• Milk
• Cinnamon
• ½ cup of blueberries
• Apple Sauce
• Egg
• ½ cup whole wheat flour

Procedure: Pour the ingredients in a big bowl, mix and bake inside a preheated oven at 350° F for 20 minutes.

2. Chicken Salad

The word salad may scare off kids but this healthy recipe idea may change the usual reaction. Here are the ingredients that you need.

• ½ cup plain yoghurt
• Salt
• Chopped celery stalk
• ½ cup low-fat mayonnaise
• Black Pepper
• Chopped onion
• Roast chicken
• Lettuce

Procedure: This healthy recipe is very easy to do. Put aside the lettuce and mix all the ingredients gently. Place mixture on top of the lettuce.

3. Classic French Toast

This healthy recipe is a top choice among kids

• 1 piece of egg
• Margarine
• 2 slice of bread
• Milk

Procedure: Beat the egg and pour in the milk. Melt margarine in the frying pan. Dunk the loaves inside the milk and egg mixture and grill both sides in the frying pan over medium high heat for about 3 minutes each side or until the bread is nice and golden. This healthy nutritious recipe for kids can be topped off with a little cinnamon and sugar for added extra sweetness.

4. Strawberry Popsicles

Cold treats can also be a healthy delicious recipe idea for your kids. You should try making one and be amazed on how much they would like this healthy recipe!

• ½ cup canned strawberry
• 2 cups plain yoghurt
• A can of frozen strawberry concentration

Procedure: Pour all the ingredients inside the bowl and mix, do not include the syrup. Place the mixture inside the paper cups and fill to the top. Put a plastic wrap to cover the cup with mixture and put it in the freezer.

5. Healthy Recipe for Snacks

Children love to munch away, so it's better that we know what to serve when their teeth are looking for some action.

• ¼ cup dried up apple
• 1 cup cereal
• ¼ cup crackers

Procedure: Mix the ingredients altogether and put it in a container.

6. Healthy Chocolate Parfait Recipe Idea

• 2 teaspoons honey
• Yoghurt
• Frozen mangoes
• Cocoa Powder
• Vanilla Extract

Procedure: Whisk the vanilla and cocoa powder in a bowl. Add yoghurt and honey until the color turns light brown. Pour 2 tablespoons of yoghurt mixture in the bottom of a clear glass. Sprinkle with sliced frozen mangoes and repeat procedure until the glass is filled up.

See, these simple healthy recipes are so easy to do and surely a mouth-turner for the kids. These are perfect especially if you're too busy to think of a creative healthy recipe for kids and prepare for it. You can serve these healthy delicious recipe ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert for those kids with a sweet tooth. The best thing about these healthy nutritious recipes is that the ingredients are made of healthy substance but yummy flavor.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Thelma_Okoro/2205752

recipes ; Easy, Healthy Dinner Recipes for Weight Loss

Don't be afraid to cook outside of the box when you're trying to lose weight. Choose ingredients that you don't normally cook with, and make something new and interesting to keep yourself from falling prey to cravings for the comfort foods that you normally eat.
Make It Hot - Turkey Chili Dish
If you don't have a lot of time on your hands to stand around a hot stove then using a slow cooker or crock pot can work wonders to create a great healthy chili dish. Here's what you'll need:
1lb Ground Turkey
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Large Spanish Onion
4 Celery Stalks
2 Garlic Cloves
1 half tbsp Cumin
1 tbsp Salt
1tbsp Pepper
3 tbsp Chili Powder
2 Cans Crushed Tomatoes
2 Habanero Peppers Seeded (Use a milder pepper if you're not a fan of spice)
1 Can Chickpeas
Brown the turkey ground in a frying pan on medium heat by crumbling it into the pan for the best allover color; don't overcook your protein, you want to contain the natural juices, rather than losing them altogether. Now you can drain off any excess oil that has come out of the ground and put the meat into your crockpot. Dice onions, bell, peppers, and celery stalks into equal sized chunks rather than tiny pieces that will get lost in the meal, and put them into the pot along with the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Rinse the chickpeas before placing them into the pot along with the tomatoes, which can be added juice and all. Garlic can be peeled and thinly sliced or crushed, and the habaneros, should you choose to use them should be very finely diced. In a slow cooker, use low heat for 5 hours or high for 4, and enjoy. This should serve 6-8 people depending on portion size.

Lose the Bun: Lean Ground Beef and Turkey Dish
Another way to lose excess calories in your meals is by cutting out nonessential simple carbs. Although you should keep complex carbohydrates in your meals, you can swap out barbeque staples like buns with a different vessel.

Half lb Lean Ground Beef
Half lb Ground Turkey
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
1 Pinch Cayenne
1 Small Onion
1 Cup Quinoa
2 Cups Water
1 Lemon Wedge
1 Tomato
1 Head Iceberg Lucette

Peel and dice your onion small then mix together the lean beef and turkey ground in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, and onion until well mixed and form the contents of the bowl into patties. Thickness is up to yourself, but remember that the thicker the patty, the longer it will take to cook in the middle and raw ground turkey is a serious no-no. Set these in the refrigerator and turn on the barbeque to let it heat up while you start on your side dish. Add the quinoa and water to a pot, cover, and bring to a boil reduce and simmer for 20 minutes; when the quinoa is nearing the midway mark place your burgers on the grill. While everything is heating up you can cool things down by prepping lettuce and tomato. Lettuce leaves should be left as whole as possible, while tomato can be cut into slices; place one lettuce leaf per patty on each plate. When the quinoa is finished it should be tender and translucent, squeeze in some lemon and serve. Burgers on lettuce leaves topped with tomato can be accompanied by a spoonful of salsa in place of the usual accoutrements.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Charles_Tate/293364

Eat Healthy With Crockpot Chicken Recipes

There are a number of delicious Crockpot chicken recipes that you can choose from. These dishes are flavorful and can give standard beef recipes a run for their money. The difference is they are created with a delicious cut of poultry and designed to keep the flavors in each dish satisfying and bursting with flavors that will leave even the pickiest eater looking for seconds of the dishes you create. This of course also goes beyond stews and chilies that are often cooked in a slow cooker. Instead, these are meals that might even be found in the oven.

In fact, one the more common Crockpot chicken recipes you will find is barbeque. Since the best BBQ you find is slow cooked to begin with, you can imagine how the meat will be falling from the bone and creating a delicious dish that will have your entire family enchanted by the smell it is giving off and when the final dish is created, there won't be anyone disappointed sitting around the dinner table as they discuss their day over this warm meal.

What you may want to consider is that you can also take this recipe and use your favorite sauces if you already have one you really like or you can create your own. The choice is up to you, of course, you will find a homemade option below that might leave your mouth watering, as it tastes great as well. This recipe will work with other cuts of meats as well, so keep an open mind to the different options that you have and decide on the one that ends up satisfying you.

It is important that you do keep moisture in this mixture for as long as possible as it can burn easily if the liquid gets too low. During the final hour, you can certainly remove the lid and turn up the heat if you choose to create a thicker sauce for your family to enjoy with you. This will, of course, be based on your overall preference. With all this in mind, you can then move forward and create one of the most delicious Crockpot chicken recipes around.

Moist Barbeque Crockpot Chicken
What You Will Need

• 2 pounds chicken pieces
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 diced onion
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup sugar

How to Make It
Take your chicken pieces and wash and dry them. Chicken pieces with bones work better in this recipe, so keep that in mind. Combine all the ingredients inside the crock pot and then add a little water to ensure all the pieces are covered. Cook on low for around 8 hours and then allow to cook on high 30 minutes before serving.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Christine_Szalay-Kudra/414787

3 Easy Vegetable Crockpot Dinners

If you aren't in the mood for beef or need a meal with no meat in it, the following are three recipes you can use with your crockpot.

Recipe #1 - VEGETABLES ITALIAN-STYLE
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium eggplant, cut in 1" cubes
2 to 3 medium zucchini, halved & sliced 1/2"
1 large onion, sliced thinly
12 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 plum tomatoes, sliced 1/4" thick
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 cups tomato sauce
1 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper, to taste
Toss eggplant and zucchini with the 1 teaspoon of salt. Place in a large colander over a bowl to drain for about 1 hour. Drain and squeeze excess moisture out. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute onion,

eggplant, zucchini, and mushrooms until slightly tender. In the slow
cooker/Crock Pot, layer 1/3 of the vegetables (including sliced tomatoes), 1/3 of the the tomato sauce. and 1/3 of the cheese. Sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper. Repeat layering 2 more times. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Serve over rice, pasta, or other grain.
Serves 6.

Recipe #2 - CROCKPOT CHUNKY VEGETABLE CLAM CHOWDER
2 6 1/2 oz cans minced clams
2 c. peeled potatoes, cut into 1/2" cubes
1 c. finely chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 10 3/4 oz cans condensed cream of potato soup
2 c. water
1 c. nonfat dry milk powder
1/3 c. flour
1 c. cold water
4 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and crumbled

Paprika
Drain clams, reserving liquid. Cover clams; chill. In CP combine reserved clam liquid, potatoes, onion, celery, carrot, sugar, salt, and papper. Stir in potato sour and 2 cups water. Cover; cook on low heat for 8 to 10 hours or on high heat for 4 to 5 hours. If using low heat setting, turn to high. In a medium bowl combine nonfat dry milk powder and flour. Gradually whisk in 1 c. cold water; stir into soup. Cover; cook on high 10 to 15 minutes or till thickened. Stir in clams. Cover; cook 5 minutes more. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle each serving with crumbled bacon and paprika. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Recipe #3 - MIXED VEGETABLE BAKE
* 2 cans Creamed corn, 17 oz each
* 2 cans Green beans; cut, 16 oz each
* 2 cans Peas, 16 oz each
* 1 can Tomatoes, 17 oz
* 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
* 1 teaspoon Tarragon
* 1 teaspoon Basil
* 1/2 teaspoon Salt
* Pepper
Combine all ingredients in removable liner, mix well to blend herbs. Place liner in base. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kara_Kelso/5602

Mexican Food Inspired Crock Pot Recipes

In Mexico, it is common to cook a piece of beef or pork over a low heat to break down the fibers and make it as tender as possible. Using a crock pot is an easy way to use this slow cooking method to your advantage. You can set up the meal before you leave for the day and come home to a delicious Mexican meal. Replicating the slow cooking done in Mexico lets you recreate all the great flavors you have come to expect from authentic Mexican recipes, yet using a crock pot lets you use the convenience available today so you don't have to tend the recipe all day long.

Slow cooked dishes can be served with refried beans, Mexican rice or a salad made of raw fruit or vegetables. You could even put the meat and sauce into a tortilla if you like. You could take the meat in this recipe and shred it instead of slicing it if you wish. Recipes from the crock pot can be served any number of ways.

This recipe is not spicy, but it is good to remember that not all Mexican recipes are. If you prefer it to be spicy, simply add in a cayenne or habanero pepper into the pot when you start it up. Remember that seasonings tend to become muted as they blend in the crock pot, so you may need to adjust your spices before serving. You can even switch out vegetables and use what you have on hand. Potatoes, squash and other vegetables would work just as well. Likewise, you could trade out the beef for a pork roast or some chicken or rabbit. Rabbit is a traditional meat that has been eaten in Mexico for generations and it benefits from the moist, slow cooking in the crock pot.

Recipe for Crock Pot Mexican Flank Steak
What You Need

• 2-1/2 pounds beef flank steak or other cut of beef
• 6 canned or fresh tomatillos
• 14 ounce can whole baby corn on the cob, drained
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced finely
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

How to Make It
Trim your steak or cut of beef to remove any fat you can see. Remove the stem and husk from your tomatillos if they are fresh. Chop them up. Drain the baby corn and place it, the chopped onion, and minced garlic on the bottom of a 3 quart crock pot. Place the beef and tomatillos on top. Season with salt, black pepper, oregano, and cilantro. Pour the diced tomatoes over the top.

Place the lid on the crock pot and set the heat on low. Cook for 6 to 7 hours or until the beef is tender.
When the dish is done, remove the beef and slice it crosswise against the grain until you have strips. Adjust your seasonings to taste and serve vegetables and sauce with the beef.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Christine_Szalay-Kudra/414787

Easy Crock Pot Recipes - Beef Burgundy and Country-Style Ribs and Sauerkraut

Crock pot meals are convenient on those busy work nights. Its nice to come home to the tantalizing smell of a well cooked meal waiting for you. The challenge is to find those recipes that are not only quick and convenient, but tasty as well. Here I offer two recipes that are tasty and easy - Beef Burgundy and Country-Style Ribs with Sauerkraut.

This is my version of Crock Pot Beef Burgundy. It is quick to prepare in the morning, especially if you opt to skip the browning process (I usually do.) You can also cook this, well covered, for 2 hours in a 350 degree oven. The cooking time on the Beef Burgundy is 3-6 hours, but the longer you cook it on low, the more tender it will be. I don't usually worry about the time, I put it in before I leave for work and eat whenever the wonderful smells are too much for my willpower.

Beef Burgundy in the Crock Pot
2 pounds Beef Cubes (round steak, sirloin tip, or roast)
1 can golden mushroom soup
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 cup burgundy wine

1. OPTIONAL, but does add good flavor: Brown the beef cubes in a little oil.
2. Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Stir to combine. Cover with lid.
3. Cook in crock pot for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low.
4. Serve over hot noodles or rice.

Country-Style Ribs and Sauerkraut 1 bag sauerkraut ; rinsed, drained 1 onion1 red-skinned apple

2 - 3 pounds country style pork ribs
1 cup beer

1. Put sauerkraut in bottom of crock pot. Add diced onion and chopped apple. Do not need to peel apple. Stir and even the top.

2. Layer country ribs on top of kraut mixture. Pour beer over all. Cover and cook on LOW from 8 to 10 hours.

This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Diane_Watkins/37373

Spicy Chicken Recipe

Cooking at home is one of the things a family can do to have a bonding without spending much. The whole family can be involved with and make the tasks a little bit easier for mom or dad to do. Having a spicy chicken recipe can do wonders for the family. Spicy chicken is just easy to make and requires only the ability to follow the recipe and even your 12-year old kid can do it.

Before you start cooking your very own spicy chicken recipe be sure to get fresh dressed chicken in the supermarket. You can choose either thighs or drumstick, whatever you like. Buy the ingredients as well all fresh, to have it a delicious flavor to it.

There are a lot of variety for spicy chicken recipe, it all boil down to the ingredients you use as spices and other herbs to make the chicken a little bit tastier. The usual ingredients are the following: onion, garlic, salt, pepper, oil, chillies and the chicken. It all depends upon your preference as to what type of ingredients you want to add.

You can search for different spicy chicken recipe of Indian inspire, Mediterranean, or of Asian origin. The difference of these styles is the ingredients used. You might want your chicken to be crispy adding bread crumbs and fry it in a very hot oil over a deep frying pan. The gravy is another thing to make the chicken tastes better. Make it on your own or shop around of pre-made gravy to dip your delicious spicy chicken.

In cooking the spicy chicken recipe, others use the oven, crock-pot or even frying pan. It is up to you where you want to cook your chicken and which is more convenient for you to choose. There is no hard and fast rule in cooking a spicy chicken regarding on what cookware to use, even the ingredients. As long as you like the finish product and cook the chicken well then you did a great job.

Serving spicy chicken recipe should be served hot to make it taste yummy and tempting for adults and even the kids to eat. Served together with mash potato or garlic bread and you are off to go. Have a glass of wine, soda or even orange juice will be a great partner for your spicy chicken. Eat such spicy chicken during lunch time, dinner or even served during picnics with the kids.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Candis_Reade/226487

Cabbage Patch Stew Recipe

This simple recipe is hot favorite among all the family members. It is easy to cook and great to taste. At the beginning of the chilly winter months, it is great when served hot at your table. It takes a little longer to cook but the taste that it will offer you at the end is just awesome. Here is the simple recipe of this delicious soup.

Ingredients
Lean ground beef - 1 pound
1 sliced onion
Ranch-style beans - 1 (15 ounce) can
Ground cumin - 1/4 teaspoon
3 cloves of minced garlic
Chopped cabbage - 2 and 1/2 cups
1 chopped green bell pepper
Stewed tomatoes, with liquid - 1 (14.5 ounce) can
2 stocks chopped celery
Picante sauce - 1/4 cup
One cup water
Pinch of salt or just to taste
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
Directions

Take a large deep frying pan and heat it on medium flame Stir-fry the onion and ground beef until they become golden brown; then, drain the excess fat.

Mix the remaining ingredients such as garlic, ranch-style beans, cabbage, cumin and green pepper in a crock-pot. Mix in celery, stewed tomatoes, picante sauce, beef and water in that mixture. Season it with salt and pepper according to your taste.

Put a lid on to cover the entire soup and cook it for 6 to 8 hours, so that all the ingredients mix well and lend their separate taste to that mixture.

It is best when served hot in beautiful serving bowls with bread. You can serve it with rice also if you really like to do some experimenting. Use homemade cheddar cheese as toppings, grate on the soup, and serve it with homemade onion bread.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/John_B_Ryan/681194

Crock Pot Chili - Easy Recipes For The Best Chili

If you haven't used your crock pot recently, its time to pull it out of the cupboard. Crock pots are perfect for those busy weeknights. Here are 3 different chili recipes for a chilly evening.

Mom's Favorite Chili
1 pound ground beef ; browned, drained
1 can pork and beans
1 can chili beans
1 regular can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Red pepper ; to taste
Salt ; to taste
Mix all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours.

Navajo Beef And Chile Stew
3 pound lean beef stew meat ; cut 3/4 " cubes
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can ready-cut tomatoes with juice - (14 1/2 oz)
1 can diced green chiles - (7 oz) drained
1 can whole-kernel corn - (8 1/2 oz) undrained
1 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
Combine all ingredients, except cornmeal, in a slow cooker, mixing well. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until meat is tender.
20 Minutes before serving:
Turn control to HIGH. Stir in cornmeal. Cover and cook on HIGH 20 to 25 minutes.

No-Bean Chili
2 pounds ground beef
(or cubed lean stew beef)
1 can tomato sauce - (8 oz)
1 can tomato paste - (6 oz)
1 can stewed tomatoes - (16 oz) ; (optional)
2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce ; or more

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. (Add a can of your favorite beans if you wish, but then it wouldn't be No-Bean Chilli.)
This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

Do you need more easy crock pot recipe ideas? Sign up for our newsletter at Easy Crock Pot Recipes [http://www.easysoutherncooking.com/crockpot/crock-pot-chicken.html] and get quick and healthy crock pot recipes delivered to your email regularly.

Diane has just finished a free cookbook of her favorite southern recipes. Download Easy Southern Favorites [http://easysoutherncooking.com/easy-southern-favorites.html]today. These recipes are guaranteed to have them begging for more. Best of all, its free!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Diane_Watkins/37373

Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

With the temptation of fast food, processed meals, and eating out, it's difficult to spend time to prepare good, healthy, home-cooked meals. If you're like many, the last thing you want to do after coming home from work is prepare a gourmet dinner. By using your crock pot and spending 5-10 minutes each morning, you can come home to delicious home-cooked meals without hours of preparation right before dinnertime. Below are three quick and easy chicken slow cooker recipes you're sure to enjoy, and each with 7 ingredients or less!

Salsa Chicken
Ingredients:
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 ½ cups salsa
1 tsp ground cumin
3 tbsp lime juice
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken in slow cooker, pour salsa over chicken. Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours or high 3 hours, until chicken is tender and no longer pink. Stir in cumin and lime juice, cover and cook an additional 15 minutes.
Note: For an extra spicy kick, add a pinch of ground red chili powder with the cumin and lime juice.

Lemon Chicken
Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
¼ lemon juice
1/3 cup water
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp thyme
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken in crock pot. Combine juice, water, garlic, and thyme in a small bowl, pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours.

Ranch Chicken
Ingredients:
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
½ cup water
½ cup sour cream
2 tbsp ranch dressing
2 tbsp flour
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken breasts in crock pot. In a small bowl, combine soup, ranch dressing mix, and water; pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours. Remove chicken from crock pot. Stir in sour cream, ranch dressing, and flour; replace chicken. Cover and cook on high 20 minutes.

Note: Ranch chicken leftovers are perfect for sandwiches, chicken tortilla wraps, or a tasty chicken casserole.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Natalie_Schloesser/68850

Crock Pot Cooking With Beef

When it comes to crock pot cooking, Beef is perhaps the easiest and most forgiving of all foods to prepare in a slow cooker. Being a simple matter of unwrapping the meat and placing it in the Crock Pot, it really doesn't get any easier than this. If you're stumped for some ideas for slow cooking meat, here are some suggestions that will tantalize your palate.

Roast Beef is considered the most versatile of meats for Crock Pot cooking as it can be seasoned in so many ways. When cooking roast beef in a slow cooker, it is essential to add some water to aid in the marinating process. Why not cube the beef, add some red wine to the mix and have a delicious and continental Boeuf Bourguignon? Though Boeuf Bourguignon sounds ultra-fancy, it's actually a simple, French dish that we call Beef Stew. The difference is the meat being braised in the red wine. Imagine the delight and surprise of your family or guests when presented with a member of the haute cuisine family? They'll think you slaved for hours and your secret can be that you didn't! Add some egg noodles at the end, or as a base to this dish, serving the meal on top, and it becomes not just heartier but more eye appealing, if that's possible.

Another suggestion for beef is meatballs. Once considered a difficult dish, requiring you to stand over a hot stovetop cooking several meatballs at once, with a slow cooker, this can become one of your favorite dishes, given the ease with which you can prepare them! With a couple pounds of hamburger, season it or not,
shaped into balls, you can create a number of tasty meals for your family and friends, including meatball subs with the simple addition of a jar of spaghetti sauce. Along these lines is an easy recipe for Swedish Meatballs. Mix together hamburger and sausage, some various seasonings, add some mushroom soup and you have a delicious appetizer or main course, served over rice or egg noodles. Make sure to let the kids mix the mixture with their hands. It might seem disgusting but it is great fun for the little ones and they can feel as though they are helping you make dinner,

Chili is probably the simplest of recipes to create in and for a Crock Pot. Everyone has a favorite chili recipe somewhere in the recesses of their mind or recipe box. The nice part is there is no need to pre-cook the meat, leaving you free to leave the house from the moment you combine the ingredients and set the slow cooker on either high or slow-and-low. Not only do you gain the time to do other things but also the meat will take on the wonderful flavors of the spices and sauce in which it is cooked. Chili aficionados will ask for your recipe each time they dine on your chili!

As stated previously, beef is the most forgiving of the mistakes cooks can sometimes make but it is also the most versatile, given its many forms, whether it has chopped, whole, tenderized or ground. There's not much you can't do with beef. So, go ahead, buy your beef with the confidence of knowing both simple and exotic recipes are just a day away with a Crock Pot in your kitchen!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lisa_Paterson/3776

Convenient Cooking Methods With Crock Pots

Slow cooker is one of the versatile tools famous for making soups and stews. Cooking can be left unattended for hours. It has a removable pot made from ceramic glaze or porcelain, along with a lid and housing that contain a thermostatic electric heating element. Crock pots can both be utilized as a cooking container and a heat reservoir.

Operation
Slow cookers come in different sizes, from 16 oz to 7 quarts. There are different temperature settings used - low, medium, high, and keep warm options.

Slow cookers typically operate at an approximate of 200 °F in low setting. It is 300F on high setting.
Medium heat is qualified at 225 to 250F,

Raw food with water or stock can be placed inside the pot, covered and switched on. Some foods need to be preheated. Some slow cookers can switch automatically from cooking to warming (160 °F to 165°F). The heating element can stop at a constant temperature when maximum heat is reached. Vapor turns to liquid and transfers heat back to the food.

Cooking Techniques
Most slow cookers come with free recipe booklets and guidelines. Here are some methods that may help cooking with a crock pot:

Browning Meats - Raw ground meats can be added directly to the crock pot, but browning it first will give better flavor and texture. It will also reduce meat fats. A roasted meat does not need to be browned at all.
Dried Beans - There are 3 methods of cooking beans on a crock pot:

o Beans can be cooked on a high-heat setting until tender.
o Another way is to cook about 2 to 3 hours on high heat and switch to low-heat for the next 8 to 10 hours.
o beans are cooked for about 2 hours in the traditional way. Turn off the crock pot and let it sit for about 8 to 24 hours. Other ingredients can be added. You can then cook this on low heat for about 8-12 hours until it is done. This method is best for baked beans because it allows the flavor to blend.

Vegetables - Chop root crops like carrots and potatoes no larger than 1-inch thick. Chop thinly because they take longer to cook compared to leaf vegetables.

Rice and Pasta - Cook rice with ¼ extra liquid or ¼ cup of uncooked grain rice for better results. Cook pasta only until it becomes slightly tender. Do not overcook.

Liquids - Liquids easily evaporate in the cooking process. It is always safe to add a little extra when needed.
Herbs and Spices - Spices and ground herbs easily lose taste when added early in the cooking process. It is best to add them when the dish is nearly done.

Soups - To make a thinner soup, add more water after cooking. For milk-based soups, one or two cups of water is enough. Stir in milk during the last hours of cooking.

Most crock pot cooking can be made into one dish. Use a single pot to reduced washing chores. Cooking on lower temperatures make cleaning easier.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_Urmann/39183

Crock Pot - Pigs in a Blanket Cabbage Rolls Recipe

When it comes to crock pot cooking (using a slow cooker), I enjoy using mine all year long. One of the recipes I enjoy making in it are Cabbage Rolls, which are also known as Pigs In A Blanket.
This recipe does take some preparation time, but is well worth your efforts.

To Prepare Cabbage: Fill a large stock pot with water and bring to a rapid boil. Take the core out of each head of cabbage. Place head into boiling water, cover and cook for 5 minutes, remove from water immediately. With one head, start taking the leaves off, being careful not to tear them. They should be pliable, if not, place back into the water for an additional minute or two.

Cabbage Rolls
2 large heads cabbage
2 to 3 lbs. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
6 cups cooked rice
1 hot pepper, finely diced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 can tomato soup
1/2 can warm water

Fry the lean ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat until it's not longer pink; drain grease. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef mixture with cooked rice, diced hot pepper, paprika and salt, set aside.

On a clean surface, such as a cutting board, place 2 to 3 tablespoons of meat mixture onto the center of the cabbage leaf. Overlap the sides of the leaf and roll. Repeat until your meat mixture is completely used up.
Place rolls into your slow cooker (crock pot) and pour the can of tomato soup over top along with a 1/2 can of warm water. Turn the dial to high heat, cover and slow cook them for 4 hours or until done.
If desired, you can freeze the left-overs for up to 6 months in your freezer as this recipe will make approximately 25 to 35 cabbage rolls.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shelly_Hill/301893

Crock Pot - Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

During the fall and winter months, I enjoy making hearty soups and stews in my crock pot for my family. I love the fact that I can spend a few minutes in the morning preparing it, put it into the slow cooker and walk away...a few hours later, our dinner is hot and ready to enjoy.

The following recipe was given to me by my 83 year old great aunt about 25 years ago. To this day, I still enjoy making it for my family. If you don't like okra, you can certainly omit it from the recipe. At times, I have actually substituted the okra with some fresh green beans or green peas, and the stew was just as delicious.

Old-Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe
2 lbs. beef cubes
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 onion, finely chopped
1 cup beef bouillon
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons table salt
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
4 carrots, peeled and sliced in 1" sections
1 cup celery, chopped
4 potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
4 medium-sized turnips, peeled and quartered
4 1/2 cups water
1 cup partially cooked okra

In a large frying pan, heat up the vegetable oil over medium heat. Brown beef cubes on all sides.
In your crock pot combine the browned beef cubes, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, onion, bouillon, pepper, salt, granulated sugar and the vegetables listed in the recipe. Pour in 4 1/2 cups of water and stir so that everything is combined.

Cover and set the dial to high heat and slow cook for 6 hours. Remove lid and stir in flour if it is needed to thicken the soup. Replace lid and turn the dial to low heat and simmer for 1-2 additional hours.
This recipe will make 6 hearty servings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shelly_Hill/301893

Crock Pot Chili - Easy Recipes For The Best Chili

If you haven't used your crock pot recently, its time to pull it out of the cupboard. Crock pots are perfect for those busy weeknights. Here are 3 different chili recipes for a chilly evening.

Mom's Favorite Chili
1 pound ground beef ; browned, drained
1 can pork and beans
1 can chili beans
1 regular can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Red pepper ; to taste
Salt ; to taste
Mix all ingredients in crock pot. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours.

Navajo Beef And Chile Stew
3 pound lean beef stew meat ; cut 3/4 " cubes
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can ready-cut tomatoes with juice - (14 1/2 oz)
1 can diced green chiles - (7 oz) drained
1 can whole-kernel corn - (8 1/2 oz) undrained
1 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 tablespoon yellow cornmeal
Combine all ingredients, except cornmeal, in a slow cooker, mixing well. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until meat is tender.
20 Minutes before serving:
Turn control to HIGH. Stir in cornmeal. Cover and cook on HIGH 20 to 25 minutes.

No-Bean Chili
2 pounds ground beef
(or cubed lean stew beef)
1 can tomato sauce - (8 oz)
1 can tomato paste - (6 oz)
1 can stewed tomatoes - (16 oz) ; (optional)
2 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce ; or more
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. (Add a can of your favorite beans if you wish, but then it wouldn't be No-Bean Chilli.)
This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Diane_Watkins/37373

Easy Meals - From Freezer to Crockpot

Dinner in a rush?
It is 6 p.m., you just got home from work, you have 1 hour to feed your family and get back out the door to a practice/game/recital/meeting and you have no idea what's for dinner.

Does this sound like a common story in your life? I admit, it happens to often in my life as well. What a difference it makes when you have a meal figured out, even better - have it already prepared and ready to eat!

I received in the mail this week an ad for a meal prep business. It is a great service where you can go to their kitchen and prepare freezer meals, or purchase ready prepared freezer meals that you simply heat and serve.

I looked through the menu and ingredients and decided that I could do better myself. So I did some thinking and planning and in less than 2 hours (after the grocery shopping) I had 10 meals in my freezer ready to go (and one of those included a meal for 10 for my family over the holiday weekend).

I have written before about the beauty of the slow cooker ("crock pot"), so I won't go into detail on how to use your slow cooker. But instead focus on making ahead meals to make using your slow cooker even easier! If you simply take 15 minutes in the morning for meal prep, put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, when you get home dinner is hot and ready to serve.

So now let's take it even one step further.
1. Spend 1-2 hours on the weekend, prepare several meals and put them in your freezer.

2. One day ahead, remove tomorrow's meal from the freezer, place in the refrigerator to thaw.

3. In the morning (when life is busy), simply empty your freezer container into the slow cooker. Turn on low heat and arrive home to a delicious smelling house and dinner ready to eat.

Tips for freezing meals
1. Place meat into your freezer container last so when you pour it into the slow cooker it will be on the bottom.

2. Remove all the air out of your freezer container to maintain freshness.
3. Make 2 of each meal and store for up to 3 months.
4. Though more tender foods such as legumes and fish work well in the slow cooker, I recommend sticking to firmer meats such as pork, chicken and beef for freeze-ahead slow cooker meals.

Meal ideas
Simply place the ingredients into a freezer container in the layers listed below. Remove all of the air from the container, label your container with meal name and date of storage and place in the freezer.

You can find lots of recipes for slow cooker meals, but it isn't necessary. You can use some basics that you and your family enjoy and put together an array of different flavor options.

1. Start with vegetables or fruit you enjoy - sweet peppers, white or sweet potatoes, winter squash, onions, apples, pineapple. Chop pieces to uniform sizes.

2. Add flavors you love. Adding dried herbs and sauces to your freezer packet works well. For the most flavor add fresh herbs or other finishing touches such as citrus (orange, lemon, lime), cheeses or high quality olive or nut oils before serving.

a. Asian flavors may include basil, brown sugar, curry, garlic, ginger, sesame or soy sauce.

b. Italian flavors may include basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, sun dried tomatoes, or marinara sauce.

c. Mediterranean flavors may include capers, feta cheese, garlic, olive oil, olives, oregano, parsley ortomatoes.

d. Mexican flavors may include cilantro, chilies, coriander, cumin, corn, lime, paprika.

3. Add protein - chicken, pork or beef. Often the cheaper and fattier cuts of meat work wonderfully because they will remain tender. Leaner cuts such as pork tenderloin or white meat chicken breasts will become drier with slow cooking.

Nutty Chicken
Chop 2 cups fresh broccoli, 2 large carrots and place in freezer container. Place 3-4 chicken breasts in container (for 4 servings). Mix together ½ C soy sauce, 1 TB maple syrup, 2 tsp. cornstarch, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp. fresh ginger. ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper and ½ C chicken broth until combined. Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables. Remove air and seal freezer container. Label bag and date. Use within 3 months and top with sliced green onion and slivered almonds before serving.

There are endless options of meals you can prepare - find some interesting recipes or use the simple steps above to create your own. Give it a try and enjoy the benefits: reduced stress, money saved on eating out, a well nourished family - the effort is worth the benefits! Happy cooking!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lynda_Enright/1815370

Quick and Easy Beef Stew Recipes for the Crockpot

With the cold weather facing us, I know you're thinking of what new, easy meals you can prepare for your family! And if you're like most of us, time is of the essence!

I come from Boston, and beef stew was always a cold weather mainstay in our home growing up. The problem, however, was that it never came out the same way twice! Even with a standard handed-down-for-generations recipe, my mother could never get it to come out right consistently.

Years later I had the same recipe, and encountered the same problem. I could never figure out what was going wrong, but loving beef stew the way I did, I was bound and determined to find solutions to being able to whip up a delectable stew that was perfect every time I made it.

The major issue was always the broth and its seasonings. I figured if I could replace the typical "water, flour and fat drippings" with something that was totally fail-safe, I'd be good to go! So that's exactly what I did!
Try these two recipes for yourself and I guarantee you won't be fussing and fuming with homemade broth again!

NOTE: When purchasing stew beef over the years I have noticed that different stores have a few different ways of packaging the meat. Some of the stores prefer selling the cubes in huge chunks that will need to be cut up when you get home, and other stores already have cut the cubes into the appropriate size for simply placing into the crock pot immediately without any further prep work needed.

Also be careful of how you treat the fat content. In order for any meat to really taste good, you need fat. Don't go crazy cutting off all the fat... let it be! Cut off any grizzle you see, but leave the fat.

Beef Stew with Mushrooms
· 2 - 3 pounds of stew beef. (Don't buy the lean beef... you do need a bit of fat just for the flavor)
· 1 family size can of condensed mushroom soup (I've even used store brands and they are quite acceptable)
· Add to slow cooker. Cook for four hours on low. If possible, stir it a few times.

I typically don't add anything else because my family loves this served over mashed potatoes with a side of either a salad or vegetables, but you can adjust any additional ingredients to suit your family's preferences.

Tomato Based Beef Stew
· 2 - 3 pounds of stew beef. (Don't buy the lean beef... you do need a bit of fat just for the flavor)
· 1 family size can of condensed tomato soup (Again, I've even used store brands and they are quite acceptable)
· 1 envelope of instant onion soup
· ½ cup water
· Add to slow cooker. Cook for four hours on low. If possible, stir it a few times.
· About ½ hour before it's done, add a few cans of vegetables. I add peas, carrots, string beans and a can of sliced potatoes. You can add whatever you like best.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marie_Duffoo/218103

Quick and Impressive Moroccan Beef

This Moroccan beef dish is impressive to serve and yet simple to make. If you expect guests and yet feel that you have no time for a home cooked meal, this may be a good bet. This dish comes from the North Africa tradition where most meat dishes are cooked long and slow. They are not cooked in what we would recognize as a slow-cooker, however, this recipe is adapted to a slow-cooker or crock pot and maintains the flavors of North Africa.

To serve a family of four, plan on cooking about three pounds of beef, an extremely generous serving. However, your mileage may vary depending on the size of your crockpot. As for cuts of beef, try roasts, steak cuts, or even tenderized round steak. You cannot miss with this recipe. The slow cooking is extremely forgiving.

Steps
1. If your meat is not already in pieces as stew meat would be, then cut your meat into serving-sized pieces.

2. For each pound of beef peel and grate one large onion. The onion not only adds flavor, but also thickens the broth because it is grated so finely.

3. Place the grated onion in a bowl with
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon saffron threads

4. Mix the seasonings and onion thoroughly.

5. Toss the onion mixture with the meat in the slow cooker.
6. Add one cinnamon stick.

7. Dot the top of the mixture with butter, about three tablespoons.

8. Pour in about 2 cups of water and cover with one bunch of cilantro, spread over the top.

9. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours depending on how much meat you have in the pot. Six hours is adequate for a pound.

10. For each additional pound duplicate the amount of seasonings listed here. You don't want to skimp. The succulence of this dish has been a winner with everyone to whom we have fed it.

11. In the last hour of cooking add some dried prunes to the pot, about 6 prunes per pound of meat. This may sound strange if you grew up on pizza, but the end result is splendidly flavorful.

12. When ready to serve, lift off the cilantro and discard. Place the pieces of meat on your favorite serving platter and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

A nice menu to accompany this meat is a large green salad with vinaigrette dressing and steaming hot quinoa. You will have great company fare with little work on the part of the cook. Enjoy and rake in the compliments!

Alexander V. Martin enjoys healthy eating and cooking, especially iron-rich foods like beef, in fact foods for depression. He promotes Amazon's highly rated depression book, Rebuild from Depression.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alexander_V._Martin/641432

Making Family Memories With This Easy CrockPot Apple Butter Recipe

Fall is closing in on East Tennessee. You can see it in the trees and feel it in the air. It happens to be my favorite time of the year, not just because October first is my birthday but because I love the smells and feel of fall.

One of my favorite memories was my Granny Laura cooking her Apple Butter recipe, over an outdoor fire, in a large copper bottom pot. The apple smells floating through the air as my aunts and mother would peel, core and slice the apples for their mother to cook down to a deep red brown color. Granny Laura would add her spices and stir the hot mixture of sugar and apples until she was satisfied she had made the best apple butter possible.

It was an all day affair. My cousins and I would play in the yard. At times, we would be called to bring more wood to the fire as to keep the apple butter cooking at the same temperature at all times. Most times my Grandpa Birdine would be in charge of the fire but he was known to wonder off until Granny Laura called his name, loud and clear, for him to come back and stoke the fire or to keep one of us grandchildren away from the flames.

When Granny Laura deemed the apple butter was done, clean canning jars would be brought to her and filled one by one. Grandpa Birdine would tighten each jar lid then turn the jar upside down so the heat of the apple butter would speed the sealing of the jar.

One of my aunts or my mother would make a big pan of biscuits so could sample our day's work. Nothing can beat the taste of warm apple butter, cold butter and a hot homemade biscuit, on a cool fall night.
While I can't be part of your own Apple Butter making memory, I do want to give you this recipe that you can make in your own kitchen. Maybe it will give your family one of their favorite fall memories, too.

Easy Crock Pot Apple Butter
Cooking on high, it takes all day to make this flavorful apple butter but because you are cooking in a crock pot you can go away and do other things while it cooks.

Ingredients:
12 - 14 sweet-tart apples (like a Winesap)
2 cups apple cider or juice
sugar
ground cinnamon
ground allspice
ground cloves
freshly ground nutmeg

Preparation:
Lightly spray the inside of the crockpot with your favorite cooking spray. Don't peel, but wash, core and quarter the apples. Put in crockpot. Stir in cider or juice. Cover and cook on high for 2 - 4 hours.
Put the soft cooked fruit in food mill to remove skins and any stray seeds. Measure fruit back into the crockpot. For each pint (2 cups) of fruit add: 1 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon allspice, 1/2 ground cloves and 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg. Stir well. Cover and cook on high for 6 to 8 hours.

Stir every 2 hours. Remove cover after 3 hours to allow fruit and juice to cook down. Spoon into hot canning jars and proceed according to canning jar directions. Or spoon into freezer containers. Allow apple butter to cool and then store in freezer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Faylee_James/151323

Quick Weight Loss - Quick Weight Loss For Vegetarians

People often assume that just because we are vegetarians or vegans, that the weight just melts off or isn't there. This isn't always the case! We all have a little bulge to shed. This is why I am going to tackle the topic: vegetarian weight loss today.

In my experience, losing weight as vegetarian will consist of a balance between vegetables, fruits, nuts, or other sources of good fat which will boost your energy and leave you feeling full. Your vegetarian weight loss diet should consist of a large amount of vegetables, moderate amount of fruit and a moderate amount of food that contain healthy fats such as nuts, avocados, or certain oils like flax seed.

Another popular topic is carbohydrates. They are an ideal source of energy for the body because they can be converted readily into glucose, the form of sugar that's transported and used by the body. However, too many carbohydrates will upset your blood sugar level. Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice or nuts provide long-term health benefits, act to control your appetite and sustain your energy levels. On the other hand, glucose from simple carbohydrates are released faster into your blood which causes a fluctuation in your blood sugar level and ultimately leads to less stable energy levels in your body. So in order to achieve quick weight loss you should be eating more complex carbohydrates and eliminating refined simple carbohydrates such as chocolate and soft drinks.

In a nutshell, the vegetarian weight loss diet should consist of a large amount of vegetables, a moderate amount of fruit and a moderate amount of food that contain healthy fats such as nuts, avocados, or certain oils like flax seed. Consume more complex carbohydrates than simple ones and you will be well on your way towards quick weight loss. There are many wonderful recipes available online that centers around the combination of these foods.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jessica_D_Anderson/206609

Easy Recipes For Chicken Breasts

There are hundreds of ways to prepare chicken. In this article you'll find recipes for; garlic chicken, mushroom chicken and lemon chicken, 3 very different flavors.

I personally always use chicken breasts, however chicken thighs can almost always be substituted if your preference is dark meat. Since chicken thighs are smaller than chicken breasts increase the number of chicken pieces in any given recipe.

I also prefer the taste of kosher chicken and so never use salt in my recipes as kosher chickens are salted during the processing period. I also always thoroughly wash the chicken and then pat dry prior to beginning the seasoning process.
Garlic Flavored Chicken

4 chicken breasts (you can use either skin on, or skin off chicken pieces)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ cup dry bread crumbs
¼ cup olive oil
2 teaspoons crushed garlic

In a sauce pan, combine the garlic and oil. Heat over very low heat so that flavors mix. Combine the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a dish that you can roll the chicken pieces in. Generously dip the chicken in the garlic and oil mixture, then roll in the cheese and bread crumb mixture. Bake as you would normally bake chicken, about an hour at 350 degrees.

Note: if you use an oil or bread crumbs that are garlic flavored, your chicken will have additional garlic flavor.

Mushroom Flavored Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can of milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Pour one can of the cream of mushroom soup into a baggie and marinate chicken several hours. Cook chicken about 35 minutes in a 350 degree oven. While chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Combine the salt, pepper, milk, cream of chicken soup and the other can of cream of mushroom soup. Mix well. Remove chicken from oven and pour the sauce over the chicken and bake for at least 20 more minutes or until chicken is done.

Note: You can also add cut up mushrooms to the baking pan for additional flavor.
Lemon Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1/3 cup lemon juice
½ cup butter or margarine
½ cup flour
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon minced onion
salt and pepper to taste

Lightly dust chicken with flour. Melt butter and then coat chicken with butter. Put remaining butter in baking dish. Cook for 30 minutes in a 375 degree oven. During cooking, brush chicken with butter a few times.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Mix together the lemon juice, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Remove chicken from oven and baste with sauce. Cook an additional 25-30 minutes, basting with the sauce a few times during cooking.
I hope you enjoy these 3 different flavors of chicken.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Audrey_Okaneko/34332

Lemon Chicken Recipe - Do You Prefer Breast Or Thigh?

Are you a breast or thigh person might seem an odd question to be asking but it does bear some relevance to your choice of lemon chicken recipe. Traditionally most chicken lemon recipes use chicken breasts but you can use a whole chicken and I personally prefer to use just the thighs. You see lemon is acidic and in my opinion, this balances out really well with the dark meat from the thighs and the fat from the chicken skin. If you're watching your weight, you don't have to eat the skin.
Marinade for extra flavor
A great tip to really penetrating the chicken with a gorgeous lemony flavor is to make up a marinade of lemon juice, lemon peel, thyme, garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Score the skin of each chicken thigh in a couple of places and then pop them into a freezer bag along with the marinade. Gently move the bag about so that all the pieces are covered and then place in a bowl to refrigerate for a couple of hours. During this time all of the lovely zingy lemon flavor will penetrate the skin and get deep down into the flesh of the chicken. Once you are ready to cook them, remove from the bag and lay them on a baking tray. Keep the marinade and lightly brush each thigh with melted butter. Halfway through cooking, turn the pieces and base lavishly with the reserved marinade. Serve on a bed of rice with a little of the juices trickled over. Mmm

Chinese Stir fry
Most restaurants and indeed, most countries, seem to have their own versions of lemon chicken dishes. One of my favorites, using chicken breast this time, is a variation of a classic Chinese dish which uses stir frying as opposed to deep frying and makes this a more healthy option. It's made by coating the chicken slices in an egg white batter and then stir frying them in a mixture of stock, lemon juice, soy sauce, onion and white wine, allowing the liquid to reduce to a thick sauce. If you're watching your weight, an even healthier option is to omit the batter and steam the chicken strips. A lemon sauce can be made in a small saucepan and then poured over the steamed chicken.

A short history lesson
The first records of chicken being used as meat go back as far as 600 years BC when it appeared on Babylonian Carvings. It was also one of the most commonly used meats in the Middle Ages. Chicken consumption in the United States grew rapidly during World War Two when beef and pork were hard to come by. No one knows for sure who first invented lemon chicken but it was thought to have come from the Middle East.

Exotic chicken
Staying with the Middle East, an exotic version of the dish, which some of you may really enjoy, is to make up a simple mix of brown sugar, lemon juice, white wine vinegar and water. Then slice a lemon, or two and arrange the slices in the bottom of a baking dish along with some dried figs. Place the thighs on top of this and pour over the vinegar mix. Cook for about 50 minutes, basting half way through. Serve on a bed of rice or with a green salad, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Hopefully this has given you a few ideas and whether you are a breast or thigh kind of person, you can use either to make a simply wonderful lemon chicken recipe that will delight friends or family.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Patrick_M_Edwards/897761