Showing posts with label cooker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cooker. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Slow Cooker Creamy Turkey Dinner Recipe
Q: Can you make a creamy turkey dinner with mushrooms without using a can of condensed soup?A: Absolutely.
I havent bought condensed cream of something soup for about 10 years. I know this because Ive been married 11 years, and I know that during that first year of marriage I used this "wonder soup" a lot.
lots and lots. quite often, even.
I stocked up when the cans were on sale, and I gave myself a pat on the back when I saw them all lined up in the cupboard.
There is nothing wrong with using canned condensed soup.
Once in a while.
I dont personally buy or use it anymore because of our gluten allergy, and I although Ive learned there are non-glutenized soups now on the market, I still dont buy it because Ive gotten used to cooking without.
Im pretty much the furthest thing from a food snob. I figure whatever gets food on your table at the end of a busy day is good, whether thats Taco Bell, a frozen lasagna, gloppy condensed soup, or 365 (366) days of food from a crockpot. Its your choice.
This recipe was inspired from one of my early condensed soup crockpot meals I made (OFTEN) as a newlywed. This is a good dinner to eat in front of the TV while balancing a paper plate on your lap, sprawled out in an inflatable chair.
I miss our inflatable chairs!
The Ingredients.
serves 4-6
2 pounds turkey breast, cut in chunks
1/2 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 onion, thinly sliced
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 tablespoon dried parsley (unless you have fresh, then use about 1/4 cup at the very end)
1/2 cup half and half or heavy cream
1 cup frozen green beans (I like the long thin ones, not the thick weird ones they give you in the school cafeteria)
The Directions.
Use a 4 quart slow cooker. Put the turkey into the bottom of your cooker, and pour on the beef broth and balsamic vinegar. Add onion, mushrooms, and dried parsley. Stir a bit to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for about 4. If you only have a 6-quart slow cooker, this will cook much faster, unless you increase the quantities. Remember that slow cookers work the best when theyre at least 2/3 of the way full.
If you are going to use a 6-quart, check after 4-5 hours on low, or 2-3 on high.
If youd like the turkey super tender and shreddy, cook for a longer period of time on low.
Stir in the heavy cream and green beans. Cover and cook on high for another 30 minutes, or until beans are thawed and heated through. Serve over cooked pasta.
The Verdict.
My kids wanted me to call this "Winner Winner Turkey Dinner" (theyve watched a bit too much of Guy Fieri, lately). I liked the combo of beef broth with the touch of vinegar when paired with the mushrooms. Its tasty, and you dont end up feeling like you ingested a weeks worth of sodium.
Adam ate two plates, and took the leftovers to work for the next days lunch.
Im going to keep my eyes open for an inflatable arm chair.
Spinach Bisque Slow Cooker Recipe
You know the cozy feeling you get at the end of a long day when you put on your worn flannel pajama pants and throw a holey afghan over your shoulders so you can cuddle on the couch with a really good book?
This soup creates the same feeling: pure bliss and comfort.
In a bowl.
The Ingredients.
serves 8
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (it was buy1 get1 free day when I made the minestrone!)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used a gluten free baking mix)
2 cups milk (I used low fat)
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (16-ounce package) Velveeta, cubed
The Directions.
Use a 4-quart slow cooker. Put the spinach into the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the chopped onion. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the butter and flour to form a roux (you could do this on the stovetop, but I usually melt the butter in the microwave and then stir in the flour) Slowly add the milk and water to the bowl. Add salt and nutmeg. Stir well to combine, and then pour mixture into your slow cooker on top of the spinach.
Add velveeta. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours, or until the onions are translucent. Stir well before serving in soup bowls (or bread bowls if youre fancy!)
The Verdict.
This is a creamy and decadent soup that will definitely take the chill off a cold day. The kids lapped their servings up as an afternoon snack before heading out to the soccer field. This was plenty filling for me, but Adam had his with a salami sandwich for dinner.
How to Make Perfect Fudge in the Slow Cooker
I started reading about Intermittent Fasting this week which naturally got me to find a way to make fudge.
I know.
I dont understand me, either.
Dont wait until the Holiday season to make fudge again. This is SO easy a four-year-old could do it (unless her mom shoos her out of the kitchen so nobody knows how much fudge got eaten in the name of Quality Control).
The Ingredients
serves 10-20 (or Adam and Me on date night)
3 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 tablespoon salted butter
cooking spray to spray down the crock
parchment paper or non-stick foil to line a 9 x 9 baking pan
The Directions
Use a 4-quart slow cooker. If you only have a 6-quart, thats okay, but it will melt faster, so keep an eye on your chocolate.
Spray the crock well with cooking spray (if you are using a Ninja, Id still spray it down).
Dump everything into the pot. Cover, and cook on high for about 1 hour, or on low for about 2 hours. Stir every 30 minutes. Once the chocolate has lost its form and can be stirred into a liquid state, spread it out into a lined 9 x 9 baking pan.
Chill in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 4 hours) before cutting into bite-sized squares.
The Verdict
Its perfect. I wondered how the consistency would be without marshmallow fluff, but the condensed milk made the same sort of smooth texture with the chocolate as I wanted.
Because the mixture doesnt need to get boiled to a candy-making boiling point, this is a great recipe for kids. If youd like to, go ahead and add chopped nuts or candy canes for a peppermint version.
Long Live Fudge!!
never miss a recipe! sign up for the newsletter (s) and get everything delivered right to your inbox!
Fruit and Horseradish Cream Cheese Appetizer Spread Slow Cooker Recipe
Im not a foodie. I am perfectly happy with a can of EZ Cheese and a bag of Tostitos Scoops pretty much always.
But.
Some of my friends are slightly more sophisticated than this and would prefer to steer clear from cheese in a can (I know, I know, theyre missing out...)
so.
Save the canned cheese for another occasion and instead wow your friends with a terribly easy yet pretty-darn-impressive spread that you made all by yourself in your very own slow cooker.
The Ingredients.
serves 8
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 tablespoon jarred horseradish
1/3 cup apricot preserves
1/4 cup dried cranberries (the mini boxes are perfect!)
crackers or salted corn chips for serving
The Directions.
Use a 2-quart slow cooker. Unwrap the cream cheese and put it into your cooker. Top with the horseradish and preserves. Pour in the dried cranberries. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours, or on high for 1-2. Serve with your favorite crackers (I used plain rice crackers, if youre gluten free, the Nut Thins by Blue Diamond are great, too) or corn chips. Pita chips (obviously not GF) would be good, too!
If you do not have a 2-quart slow cooker, thats okay! Put an oven safe dish directly into the stoneware insert--something like this or this or this. Then load your dip ingredients into it. Use oven mitts when removing the dish!
The Verdict.
These ingredients sound *so* wonky, but I promise they melt together into a really savory dip with a sweet kick from the cranberries and apricot jam. My kids ate kind of a lot more than I expected them to, and Adam and my grandma really enjoyed it.
Im off to BlogHer Food for the weekend. I dont expect to find many cans of EZ Cheese... :-)
more fun dips:
brie with candied pecans and cranberries
artichoke dip
taco dip
sundried tomato dip
mommy crack
crab dip
super duper garlic dip
Guess whats new at BlogHer? Today, were learning to decode your teens texting lingo and how to dissuade bullying, gossip, and all around bad phone etiquette. There are five discussions happening and every comment left equals a $0.50 donation to DoSomething.org. What are your thoughts on teen texting/cell phone use? Share your thoughts, feelings, and opinions!
I am helping to promote this program because BlogHer is paying me GREAT GOBS OF MONEY to do so, and I : 1) like BlogHer, 2) like money, and 3) DoSomething.org is a worthwhile organization that helps teens start or find a social cause and then go DO SOMETHING about it. win-win-win!!
I am helping to promote this program because BlogHer is paying me GREAT GOBS OF MONEY to do so, and I : 1) like BlogHer, 2) like money, and 3) DoSomething.org is a worthwhile organization that helps teens start or find a social cause and then go DO SOMETHING about it. win-win-win!!
super easy Slow Cooker Artichoke Pasta Recipe
Look at that pasta dish---
yum.
This is a vegetarian meal (although you certainly can add chicken if youd like) fit to serve company. This is also a great weeknight meal for a busy family, and one the kids will enjoy.
Everyone likes pasta!
The Ingredients.
serves 4 large adults (can easily squeeze in a few kids, too)
3 (14.5-ounce) cans Italian tomatoes (diced, stewed, your choice) (do not drain)
2 (14.5-ounce) cans artichoke hearts in water, drained and lightly chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup pimento-stuffed olives
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (to add later)
1 pound freshly cooked pasta (to add later; I use brown rice penne or fusilli from Trader Joes)
The Directions.
Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour the tomatoes into your crockpot. Lightly chop the drained artichoke hearts and toss them in. Add garlic and olives. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. If you are adding chicken, cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or until chicken is no longer pink.
Stir in heavy cream and hot, cooked pasta before serving.
*If you are out of the house all day, you can still make this by using a programmable slow cooker. Set it to turn to warm after 5 hours on low. The warm setting will work for a full 12 hours, and will keep your food nice and hot (but not still cooking) until you arrive home. Stir in the heavy cream. Cook pasta according to package instructions and toss with the sauce.
garnish with shredded parmesan cheese, if desired.
The Verdict.
I really like this sauce. Ive served it to dinner guests a few times, and my parents have taken home leftovers. My kids eat the sauce, but prefer eating it separately from the cooked pasta.
The olives provide enough of a salty flavor that additional seasoning is not required. So easy!
other great pasta dishes:
traditional lasagna
buffalo lasagna
pesto lasagna
American chop suey
sundried tomato and caper pasta
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Beef Curry Slow Cooker Recipe
I love curry. I didnt always --- growing up, I thought curry was spicy and I never ordered it in a restaurant, and always shied away when it was offered, assuming it would be too spicy and just not my thing.
Boy, was I wrong. Curry isnt spicy, its just pure and totally awesome flavor.
I now cant seem to get enough.
Adam and I had a date night a few weeks ago and we went to an Afghan-cuisine restaurant that came highly recommended by some friends. It was amazingly fantastic, and Ive been craving curried anything ever since.
I threw this in the crockpot yesterday, and it satisfied my craving -- and the best part was that I had absolutely EVERYTHING in the house already. You might, too!
The Ingredients.
serves 4-6
3 pounds meat (I used beef. You can use turkey, pork, lamb, goat, poodle (kidding, just kidding...) or a tofu/meat substitute).
1 tablespoon curry (* see below note)
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 head garlic, peeled and smashed (approx 10 cloves)
1 large onion, peeled and sliced
1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk (full fat is best)
(optional, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to prevent curdling that sometimes can occur if your pot gets up to a boil. See here, for more information.)
salt to taste at the table
The Directions.
Use a 6-quart slow cooker. My meat was frozen solid and I did not do anything to it at all. If you have thawed meat, you might want to cut it into bite-sized chunks. If you dont do this, prepare yourself to cut the meat or shred it later.
Put the meat into your slow cooker and add the curry and garam masala. Flip the meat over a few times to get the spices evenly distributed, or if youre feeling brave, rub the spices directly onto the meat. Add in the smashed garlic cloves and onion slices. Pour the entire can of coconut milk (include the paste!) on top.
Cover, and cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours. Tofu and poultry wont take as long to cook -- check after 6 hours on low, 3 to 4 on high.
I served our beef curry with brown basmati rice and a baked sweet potato. I did add salt to my own dish and Adam salted his, but the kids didnt ask so I didnt offer.
* note: Adam and the kids liked this a lot, but I, personally, would have liked a more pronounced curry flavor. If you are a big fan of curried food, Id suggest upping the curry to 1 1/2 tablespoons, or maybe even a whole 2 tablespoons.
The Verdict.
The coconut milk mixed with the curry and garam masala creates a velvety sauce that I could suck up with a straw. As noted above, I would have liked an even more pronounced curry flavor but my family disagreed and thought it was fine as-is. I do believe in this case the better your spices, the better the results. If your curry powder doesnt have a beautiful, enveloping aroma because its been in the back of the cabinet for a few years, you might really want to invest in a new bottle.
I hope your November is going well so far! If youre gearing up for Thanksgiving and are looking for some tried-and-true Thanksgiving dishes to make in your slow cooker, here are the reader favorites.
dont forget to visit the giveaway page, weve got some cool stuff!
Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos
I was searching through the archives, and found this post I wrote during my 2008 Challenge about her birthday (theres also a caramel apple recipe). It made me cry this morning; Im turning sappy in my old age!
anyhow.
Ive got a great easy recipe for this weeks meal plan. Depending on the size of your hunk of meat (I used beef, you can certainly use lean pork, or a bunch of turkey or chicken thighs) this meal can easily be stretched into a next-day soup or casserole.
The Ingredients
serves 6
3 pound hunk of beef (pot roast, tri-tip, rump roast; frozen is just fine!)
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained (or 1 cup frozen)
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes (whole can)
1 (4-ounce) can fire roasted diced chiles (whole can, I used mild)
1 (1.25-ounce) packet taco seasoning (check for hidden gluten, or make your own)
Homemade Taco Seasoning:
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
The Directions
Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Place the meat into the bottom of your pot, and add the black beans, corn, tomatoes, and chiles. Sprinkle in the taco seasoning, and stir carefully with a large spoon to distribute spices. Cover, and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Using two large forks, shred meat completely and stir well. Serve in taco shells with your favorite toppings.
The Verdict
This is a big hit in my house. Adam and the girls (and me too!) really love Mexican food and could easily eat this once a week. I like that the beans and the corn help stretch the meat and I can fill us up rather inexpensively.
Have a great week! Im headed to Philadelphia (Ive never been before, and am excited!) to appear on Good Day Philadelphia on Tuesday morning to help publicize the Ninja Cooking System. If you live in the area, wave at the TV! :-)
other taco-type recipes you might like:
Shredded Beef Korean Tacos
Easy Taco Night
Creamy Tacos
Taco Dip
Carnitas
Slow Cooker Baked Bean Round Up
it was blissful.
and then it ended.
I now have a sore throat from all the yelling...
Were trying to camp as many weekends as we can this summer. Were not doing anything spectacular -- just staying close to home and testing out different campgrounds within an hour or two from the house. We are the proud new owners of a tiny pop-up tent trailer, and we love it. I must admit that Im not the best camper in the world, but Im really trying to get better. I love the idea of unplugging for a bit here and there, and I think its important for the kids to get dirty and not freak out when they come across bugs. Im acutely aware that Im raising three girls, and am trying my hardest to expose them to as much as I can and foster self-sufficiency.
the best part of the pop-up? It has outlets. For the crockpot(s). A bit of comfort from home is not a bad thing, right?
Top 10 Baked Bean Recipes:
1. Bourbon Baked Beans
2. Potluck Beans
3. Boston Baked Beans
4. Lima Bean Casserole Cassoulet
5. Mexican Black Beans
6. Honey Lentils
7. Cowboy Beans
8. Barbecue Beans and Weenies
9. Baked Beans with Jalapeño and Apple
10. Baked Bean Soup
Have a wonderful and safe Fourth of July. Enjoy your family!!
other stuff:
* lots of giveaways are happening on the Giveaway page!
* I wrote a freelance article on Potty Training for the What to Expect website
* theres nothing here. I just felt like I needed three asterisks.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Slow Cooker Cheese Fondue Recipes a double dip edition!
We had friends over for fondue night, and I was dying to use my Crock-Pot trio. My friend Jennifer loves sundried tomato dip, so I put that in, along with beer and cheddar fondue, and a goat cheese with thyme spread.
Read more »
We (2 adults, 4 children) pretty much filled up on cheese and we didnt end up ordering take-in for dinner, but instead went out for dessert after the appetizers!
I made crustini out of a loaf of brown rice bread (food for life, pink package) for our dippers, and we also had carrot sticks, celery sticks, and raw cauliflower. We used all the dipping items, but greatly preferred the crustini for all (the cauliflower got fed to the guinea pigs the next day. they were thrilled.)
yummy crustini:
1 loaf pretty dense bread (I used food for life rice bread)
olive oil
salt
pepper
---Cut each slice of bread into thirds, and brush olive oil on each side. Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on each side. Bake on a lined or greased cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 7-8 minutes on each side, or until nice and toasty.
Beer Cheese Fondue
The Ingredients.
serves 8
1/2 small yellow onion, peeled and finely diced
1 garlic clove, minced
4 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (1 cup)
8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
1 (12-ounce) bottle of beer (Redbridge, by Anheuser Busch is gluten free)
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
The Directions.
Use a 2-quart slow cooker. Put the onion, garlic, and cheeses into your cooker. Stir in the cornstarch and dry mustard. Crush the caraway seeds (Jennifer says to use a mortar and pestle, but I dont have one, and instead crushed them in a ziplock with a small mallet). Add them to the pot. Pour in the beer. Cover and cook on low for 2to 4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. Add salt and pepper before serving, adding more to taste if necessary.
Thyme for Goat Cheese
The Ingredients.
serves 4 to 6
1 (11-ounce) package fresh goat cheese
2 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme leave, plus more for a garnish
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
The Directions.
Use a 2-quart slow cooker. If desired, place an oven-safe ramekin into the bottom of the cooker that youd like to use for serving. Otherwise, plan on serving this right out of the crock.
Put the cheese into the pot (or ramekin), and press the thyme leaves into the top. Drizzle olive oil on top and add black pepper. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, or until cheese has softened and become easy to spread. Lift inserted dish (CAREFULLY! use oven mitts!) out of the slow cooker and serve on the table with your favorite dippers.
The Verdict(s).
Fondue night rocks. End of story.
Basic Overnight Oatmeal Slow Cooker Recipe
Ive gotten a few emails about overnight oatmeal, and Ive been experimenting. Because of the way the Internet is, Ive figured out a VERY BASIC overnight oatmeal --- the oats are regular rolled and not "fancy" steel cut, and the oats are cooked in water, not milk.
If you want to change-up the water for cows milk, or almond milk, or hemp, soy, coconut, lactaid, fairy, or unicorn milk: go for it!
but water works, too!
The Ingredients:
serves 4-6
2 cups rolled old-fashioned oats (NOT quick cook) (I use certified gluten free oats)
4 1/2 cups water (or liquid equivalent)
The Directions.
Use a prepared (thats coated in cooking spray or butter) 4-quart slow cooker. If you only have a 6-quart, increase the quantities by 50%. You can freeze the leftovers in little sandwich bags, if youd like.
Put the oats into your slow cooker and stir in the water. Cover, and cook on low for 7 hours.
Stir in the morning.
The result is creamy, bland, tasteless oatmeal. You can add stuff at the table: honey, sliced fruit, brown sugar, etc.
WHAT MY KIDS LIKE:
2 cups rolled oats
4 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mix (1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 nutmeg, 1/8 cloves)
2 small granny smith apples, diced (I leave on the skin because Im terribly lazy)
In the morning they sprinkle on a bit more cinnamon and they like sliced bananas, too. What theyd REALLY like is for me to let them add brown sugar, but I dont.
because Im terribly mean, too.
The Verdict.
The rolled oats disappear and become porridge-like. There is no longer a chew to the oats --- my kids like this a lot because its the most similar to the little packets of sugar-laden oatmeal.
This is a very easy way to get a hot breakfast on a busy morning.
I played around with the timing for those who dont have a programmable slow cooker, and if you do low for 7 hours you will be just fine. If you sleep longer (Im jealous), itll just get a bit dried out on the edges, but you can easily fix that by stirring in some milk.
Enjoy!!
New on Totally Together: The Art of Saying NO
Slow Cooker Marmalade Curry Chicken Recipe
Its the first day of school. The baby is at my feet playing with computer cords and chewing on my slippers. Shes crawled in and out of her sisters room a few times, and seems genuinely surprised that they arent there to shove her back out. The American Girl dolls smell faintly like spit-up.
I dont know anything about this.
nothing at all.
Heres a super simple chicken dish you can throw into the pot before you head out the door to conquer the world. Or the PTA.
same thing.
The Ingredients.
serves 4
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves or thighs
1 (18-ounce) jar orange marmalade (it can be sugar-free organic if thats the kind of thing that makes you happy. its all good.)
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I didnt find this hot. if youve got a wussy palate, dont use so much.)
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup chicken broth
The Directions.
Use a 4 quart slow cooker. Put the chicken into the bottom of your slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the marmalade with the dry spices and chicken broth. Youll end up with a slimy orange gel that smells like ginger. Pour this on top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours, or on high for about 4. If when fully cooked the chicken isnt quite as moist as youd like, you can cut it into strips, then return it to the pot to soak in even more of the yummy sauce. Serve over brown basmati rice.
The Verdict.
The chicken gets a neat brown shiny glaze when its cooked in this sauce. We all really liked the flavor, and there was hardly any left for my lunch the next day. Danielle, whos an EMT in New Jersey sent me this recipe. She really likes how she can rely on the crockpot to deliver a healthy, hot meal with very little time invested on her end. Theres no chopping in this meal, but if youd like to throw in some carrots, onion, or celery---go for it!
Thank you, Danielle!!
other quick and easy chicken dishes:
margarita chicken
brown sugar chicken
apricot chicken
bacon and cheese chicken
balsamic chicken w/ veggies
chicken parmesan
chicken cordon bleu
cream cheese chicken
salsa chicken
Slow Cooker Dry Rub Pork Roast
Youll love this pork. Unless you dont like pork. Then you should use a beef chuck roast or something similar.
I had a frozen pork butt/shoulder in the freezer and wanted to make a pulled pork of some sort but wasnt feeling in the mood for barbecue sauce. I threw together this dry rub in a few seconds using pantry staples, and was really happy with the end result. The meat is perfect--- not gloppy wet, not dried out ---- just perfectly seasoned with a very pleasant flavor.
The secret is the anise. Dont be scared that your meat will taste like black licorice --- Im a red vine kind of girl (THEY ARE NOT GLUTEN FREE!) -- and always steered clear of anything black licorice, and I promise you that the anise just gives a lovely flavor youre not going to be able to recreate without it. A bottle will last you for quite a while, and if you have extra, my friend Jenny made some awesome cookies using anise.
The Ingredients.
serves 6 - 8
1 onion, peeled and sliced into rings
3 to 4 pounds pork roast (butt/shoulder)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground corriander
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon anise seeds
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 to 2 limes, for serving (optional)
The Directions.
Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Place the onion rings into the bottom of your cooker, and spread them apart a bit with your fingers. Place the pork directly on top --- my meat was still frozen. If there is netting on your meat, cut it away.
In a small bowl, combine the sugar and all dry spices to create a rub. Using your fingers, rub this all over the meat, flipping a few times to ensure good coverage.
Cover, and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until meat has lost shape and pulls apart easily with a large fork.
Serve over a bed of rice or quinoa, or stuff into pita pockets, lettuce leaves, etc.
I squeezed a bit of lime onto our servings, and enjoyed the contrast in flavors, but its certainly not necessary.
We had enough leftover for me to reheat on the stovetop (or in the Ninja!) with a 1/2 bottle of barbecue sauce the next day for sandwiches.
The Verdict.
I used to be allergic to pork; this last pregnancy re-programed my body, and Im so happy that I can now add this meat into our meal rotation. I like how this seasoning blend doesnt create an overly sweet or sticky or gloppy meat --- not that those features are bad --- I just wasnt particularly in the mood for that, and this fit the bill!
in other news:
I made a DIY standing desk for myself out of an ironing board!
Im going to be on the Rachael Ray show again next
have a wonderful day!!
Slow Cooker Big Easy Meatloaf Recipe
Its the summer! And evidently that means that I neglect the computer.
oops! Sorry about that.
But I have been crockpotting, and Id like to share a meatloaf I threw together that we enjoyed out in the yard.
I really appreciate that I can use the crockpot on a hot day and not have it heat up the house the way the oven or stove does. I also appreciate that the kids and I can be out in the yard playing in the water instead of hanging out in the house while I tend to dinner.
The Ingredients
serves 4-6
1 pound lean ground turkey or beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 fully cooked andouille sausage links (6-ounces, total)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
The Directions
Use a 6-quart slow cooker. I put a metal loaf pan into the slow cooker and baked the meatloaf in it (no need to add water, just put the loaf pan into the crock), but if youd prefer to not use a loaf pan, you can just make a blob with the meat and put it directly into the crock.
Anyhow, take the casing off of the sausage, and chop it into pieces. Toss it in a mixing bowl with the ground meat, all the spices and the beaten egg. Mix well; I always use my hands. Shove the meat mixture into a 9 x 5 x 3 baking pan and put this pan into an oval crockpot (or plop the meat blob into the crock all alone).
Cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3 to 5 hours. Youll know the loaf is done when its brown on the top and it starts to pull away from the sides. If youre not using the loaf pan, the meat will cook faster---check after 4 hours on low, 2 to 3 on high.
When thoroughly cooked, turn off and unplug the cooker and let the meat sit for about 15 minutes before removing from the pot.
The Verdict
I loved how the andouille sausage livens up this meatloaf (which can sometimes be pretty darn boring). I also liked that I was able to use up the two sausages I had roaming about the freezer and a package of ground turkey meat. We ate our meatloaf in the yard with some potato wedges. The kids always dip meatloaf into A-1 sauce.
always.
more meatloaf!
traditional meatloaf
blue cheese and cherry meatloaf (sounds weird, but its totally good)
I havent started reading The Help yet, have you? I ordered it through Amazon, and sent it off with Grandma with strict instructions not to bring it back until July 1 so I could meet a few writing deadlines. She read it in three days, and LOVED it. Im so looking forward to diving in!
brand new in the GF/CF world: My friend Diane just released her new cookbook, available for download. Its a great price, and a wonderful resource. She is also offering an affiliate program if youd like to help out with advertising (this is not an affiliate link, btw, just helping to get the word out!).
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Entertaining With Your Slow Cooker
Do not read this as "Entertaining Your slow Cooker." Even though I anthropomorphize probably more than I should, I do draw the line somewhere. :-)Were fast approaching the season for entertaining. The Holidays bring about many reasons for getting together, and many different ways to utilize your slow cookers so you can get out of the kitchen and enjoy your guests.
This past weekend I fired up the Crock-Pot Trio, and brought it to a friends house for a Halloween Party. I put in three different dips/appetizers:
Sundried Tomato Dip
Brie with Apricot Topping (this gets a lot of mileage. Its a favorite with my friends)
Sausage, Cream Cheese, and Rotel Dip (aka "mommy crack")
The Trio works well, but the cord is terribly short and each of the 3 (2-quart) inserts has a spoon slot, which means you have to put down a layer of foil while cooking/heating so your food doesnt dry out. This isnt much of a problem, but it is something to be aware of while using.
We arent hosting any big parties this year, but in the past have really utilized my collection of slow cookers to prepare and serve hot appetizers, beverages, side dishes, and a variety of main courses. I love it that I can put the food on early in the day, then tend to the other chores around the house while dinner cooks itself.
I also appreciate the opportunity to mingle with
guests as they arrive instead of fiddling in the kitchen.The slow cooker is also an excellent way to bring a dish to a friend or neighbors house who is hosting the main event. Oven and stove top space can be hard to come by, but theres always
an extra outlet available--even if it means plugging the cooker into an outlet in the garage.
What are your favorite ways to use
your slow cooker for entertaining? If you have any great recipes that work well to serve large groups, or any slow cooker entertaining stories, please leave them in the comment section. We could all use some new ideas for parties this time of year!related:
Slow Cooker Holiday Food
A Slow Cooker Party
Also!
I have a post up at BlogHer.com where I ask YOU about your childrens play habits.
and, Books Inc, Burlingame, CA will be hosting a book signing/launch party for Make it Fast, Cook it Slow this Friday evening, November 6, at 6:30 pm. Im going to be giving away a brand new Crock-Pot eLume--its gorgeous. If you are in the area, Id love to meet you!
Friday, March 13, 2015
Slow Cooker Chickpea Stew Recipe with Italian Sausage Tomatoes and Pesto
 |
| Chickpeas, Turkey Italian Sausage, Tomatoes, and Pesto make a delicious slow cooker stew! |
When I first started blogging I probably thought everyone loved Chickpeas (also called Garbanzo Beans) as much as I do, but now I realize some of you aren't all that enthused about these ultra-nutritious beans. If you're one of those people who's not especially a chickpea fan, I hope you'll trust me when I promise that this Slow Cooker Chickpea Stew with Italian Sausage, Tomatoes, and Pesto is truly amazing. Hanging out in the slow cooker with the spicy turkey Italian sausage and tomatoes makes the chickpeas creamy and full of flavor. And the seasonings in this recipe are perfect, with the addition of a small amount of the pesto at the end a flavor-boosting way to finish the dish. If you try it I bet you will like it, but if I can't convince you that this combination with chickpeas is really, really good, I hope you'll try this recipe with another type of beans!
Click to continue reading
Slow Cooker from Scratch Celebrates a Year of Slow Cooker Food!
 |
| A Year of drool-worthy recipes from Slow Cooker from Scratch, and many are South Beach Diet Friendly! |
A year ago I started my second blog, Slow Cooker from Scratch, and what a year of slow cooker deliciousness it's been! I was a pretty committed slow cooker user even before I started this new site, but this blog spotlighting slow cooker recipes that use from-scratch ingredients has really opened my eyes to the variety of things that can be made in the slow cooker. Slow Cooker from Scratch is what's called a "curated" blog, which means I don't cook and photograph all the recipes myself, but they are carefully selected by me. And since I'm focused on recipes that are South Beach Diet friendly, it's no surprise that many of the recipes I'm choosing to highlight on the new blog are things that might appeal to readers from Kalyn's Kitchen.
Click to continue reading
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken Recipe with Lime and Melted Mozzarella Low Carb Gluten Free
 |
| Flavorful chicken is cooked in the slow cooker with salsa and lime, then it goes under the broiler with cheese! |
This Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken with Lime and Melted Mozzarella is a new recipe for A Month of Daily Phase One Recipes, and I'm pretty sure this four-ingredient recipe will become a favorite for lots of my readers who like flavorful dishes that use things you usually have in the house. But if anyone is looking at the photo and thinking it doesn't look like a slow cooker dish, let me share how it took Jake and me three attempts to come up with this final version of the dish (which we thought was perfect.)
Click to continue reading
Slow Cooker Spicy Brown Rice and Black Bean Cheesy Bowl Vegetarian Gluten Free
Use the CrockPot to cook this Spicy Brown Rice and Black Bean Cheesy Bowl and keep the kitchen cool.
When you live where it's hot in the summer, using the slow cooker to cook amazing food without heating up the house is one of the best tricks I know. In fact, on my slow cooker site I feature Slow Cooker Summer Dinners each year, and this Slow Cooker Spicy Brown Rice and Black Bean Bowl would make a perfect summer dinner cooked in the CrockPot. It took me a couple of tries to get this recipe just right, and for the final version I had the wild idea of cutting up some cubes of string cheese and stirring them into the rice and beans mixture for the last 30 minutes of cooking time, so this is a spicy brown rice and black bean cheesy bowl. Everyone likes cheesy don't they? I tested several versions of this out on my niece Kara and her family, and they gave the thumbs up to the version with cheese, but it's definitely optional if you prefer it without the cheese.
Click to continue reading
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Recipe for Spicy Slow Cooker Soup with Ground Turkey Pinto Beans Red Bell Pepper and Green Chiles
 |
| A spicy slow cooker soup, with Hatch Green Chile Enchilada Sauce adding some heat. |
(For Phase One Fridays I highlight Phase One recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this Spicy Slow Cooker Soup with Ground Turkey, Pinto Beans, Red Bell Pepper, and Green Chiles is a tummy-warming soup that includes green enchilada sauce to add lots of flavor. I love this sprinkled with grated cheese, enjoy!)
Ever since I made the Layered Mexican Casserole with Chicken and Green Chiles I find myself grabbing a few cans of Hatch Green Chile Enchilada Sauce whenever I'm at the grocery store. There are other good brands of green chile enchilada sauce, but Hatch brand seems perfect to my tastebuds, and when I wanted to spice up this spicy ground turkey and pinto bean slow cooker soup the Hatch enchilada sauce plus a can of diced green chiles gave me just the right amount of heat. I loved the soup with a little grated cheese sprinkled on top, and for those who'd like even more heat, Green Tabasco Sauce is the perfect thing to add to your soup at the table.
Ever since I made the Layered Mexican Casserole with Chicken and Green Chiles I find myself grabbing a few cans of Hatch Green Chile Enchilada Sauce whenever I'm at the grocery store. There are other good brands of green chile enchilada sauce, but Hatch brand seems perfect to my tastebuds, and when I wanted to spice up this spicy ground turkey and pinto bean slow cooker soup the Hatch enchilada sauce plus a can of diced green chiles gave me just the right amount of heat. I loved the soup with a little grated cheese sprinkled on top, and for those who'd like even more heat, Green Tabasco Sauce is the perfect thing to add to your soup at the table.
Click to continue reading
Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef Stew with Rosemary and Balsamic Vinegar Low Carb Gluten Free Paleo
 |
| A tummy-warming beef stew for the adults to eat while kids are eating candy! |
(For Phase One Fridays I highlight Phase One recipes from the past that have been my personal favorites, and this recipe is one I'd love to make on the weekend so I'd have leftovers to eat for lunch of a quick dinner during the week. If you're not a slow cooker fan, there are directions at the end for making this on the stove.)
On Halloween night you know the kids aren't going to want to eat anything but candy, so why not make this slow cooker beef stew with lots of adult flavors to keep the grown-ups happy? You can start this mid morning and by dinner time it will be ready to go. If you'll be gone all day, just do the advance prep the night before, refrigerate the ingredients in a plastic container, and put the cold ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook all day while you're out. I'd love this with a dollop of sour cream on top, but no matter how you eat it, this stew is loaded with flavor. (There are also stove-top instructions if you don't have a slow cooker.)
On Halloween night you know the kids aren't going to want to eat anything but candy, so why not make this slow cooker beef stew with lots of adult flavors to keep the grown-ups happy? You can start this mid morning and by dinner time it will be ready to go. If you'll be gone all day, just do the advance prep the night before, refrigerate the ingredients in a plastic container, and put the cold ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook all day while you're out. I'd love this with a dollop of sour cream on top, but no matter how you eat it, this stew is loaded with flavor. (There are also stove-top instructions if you don't have a slow cooker.)
Click to continue reading
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)