I've gone a bit Crackpot... (sharing slow cooker recipes)

At least that's what Billy is starting to call it.  So what stopped me in the past from dragging out the crock-pot unless it was for New Years Black Eyed Peas? The first obstacle was I just really had no idea how to use it, second; finding recipes, marginally healthy meals that the kids will eat without too much complaining. Both of these problems have been solved by two Moms in South Texas who started a Facebook page a month or so ago that went completely viral.  It led to a website www.crockpotgirls.com, which is way easier to navigate than the FB page.  It's really just a depository for all kinds of tips, tricks and recipes.  I've been pleasantly surprised by the variety of meals I've been able to make.  I even still get the kids involved in the prep sometimes.  I thought I would pull a few of the favorites and post them here. Also, be sure and pick up some of those crock pot liners (near the tin foil on the paper goods aisle) it sure did remove the last obstacle to using that crock, clean up is breezy with those. Also got a good list from Sweetpeas and Pumpkins blog. 


Since I find a majority of my recipes (both crock & not) online I needed a good way to file them.  I had been using Evernote for other things as I can upload just about anything to it from my Ipad/Iphone and keep records organized.  You can email directly to your Evernote account and with the JotNot app I can also scan anything with the iphone camera, upload it and organize it.  Everything is accessible from the website and both apps.  I find it especially useful for recipes.  You can tag each note which makes it really easy to find what you're looking for.  For instance, I have chicken thighs and want to use the crock so I just click on chicken and crockpot.  Or I'm in HEB & there's a deal on pork butt, so I can find pork butt recipes on my phone & get what I need while I'm there. Really handy! 


 On to recipes! The favorite has been the super easy ones, which is cool but kinda disappointing as it doesn't afford me much credit.


Easiest dinner of all time... BBQ Chicken... 


1 package of frozen chicken legs or thighs, sprinkle on a little bbq seasoning to taste. The original recipe calls for a little water, but I've found I don't really need it. Cook on low 8-10 hours or high 5-7.  Again, the original recipe I found says to put in a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce in a few hours before you eat, but I make my own sauce.  Do whatever you like, but I swear it comes out delish! I took 5lbs of this to a pot luck the other night and it was a hit.  


Pot Roast

Ingredients

• 1 (4 -5 lb) beef roast, any kind
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) packages brown gravy mix, dry
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) packages dried Italian salad dressing mix
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) packages ranch dressing mix, dry
• 1/2 cup water

Directions

1. Place beef roast in crock pot.
2. Mix the dried mixes together in a bowl and sprinkle over the roast.
3. Pour the water around the roast.
4. Cook on low for 7-9 hours.

Yeah, seriously, that's it... I usually dump potato chunks, baby carrots & onions in about halfway through.  You can put it under the roast too from the beginning if you like 'em mushy like my brother does. You can also add seasoning to your taste, but the mixes are really salty so don't add any of that! 




Hint: If you want to shred either of these for sandwiches or tacos get out your hand mixers instead of a fork.  You can shred with that right in the pot easily. 


Lemon Chicken

Ingredients 4 + Chicken breasts (depending on how many you're cooking for) 

1/4 cup olive oil 

1 cup lemon juice 

4 cloves garlic,minced 

1 tsp oregano 

1 tsp seasoned salt (or regular) 

1/2 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp pepper 

How to make it 

Place chicken in crock pot Whisk all other ingredients in bowl and pour over chicken. Cook for 6-8 hours on low.  The kids thought it was a little sour, but I liked it. Light and fresh.

Tamale Pie

1/2 pound lean ground beef 

1 medium onion, chopped 

(1/2 cup) 2 cups red kidney beans (from 19-oz can)drained, rinsed 

1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce 

1 pouch (6.5 ounces) cornbread & muffin mix

1/3 cup milk 

2 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted 

1 egg 1/2 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese (2 ounces) 

1 can (4.5 ounces) chopped green chiles, undrained 

1/4 cup sour cream 

4 medium green onions, chopped (1/4 cup) 

1.In nonstick skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in beans and enchilada sauce.

2.Place beef mixture in 3 1/2- to 4 1/2-quart slow cooker. In medium bowl, stir cornbread mix, milk, margarine and egg just until moistened (batter will be lumpy). Stir cheese and chiles into batter. Spoon over beef mixture in slow cooker.

3.Cover and cook on low heat setting 5 to 6 hours or until toothpick inserted in center of cornbread comes out clean. Serve with sour cream and green onions

I made this one last night, Billy & I loved it the boys said "I'd eat it again".  Of course I had to leave out the kidney beans, I wish I would have put in some refried beans instead. This will be a great winter staple!Also, I used from scratch cornbread since I didn't have any jiffy on hand.  Worked fine.

Garlic Lime Chicken

Garlic Lime Chicken 

5 chicken breast halves

1/2 cup soy sauce 

1/4 Cup lime juice 1 Tbsp. 

Worcestershire sauce

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp. dry mustard 1/2 tsp. ground pepper

cook on high 4-6 hours or on low 6-8 hours. 

This is just a good base for lots of things, occasionally I use honey or brown sugar to change it up.  

Balsamic Chicken

Balsamic Chicken: 

4-6 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts 

2 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes 

1 onion thinly sliced (Not chopped) 

4 garlic cloves 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

2 tblsp olive oil 

1 tsp each: dried oregano,basil, and rosemary 

1/2 tsp thyme ground black pepper and salt to taste 

Pour the olive oil on bottom of crock pot place in chicken breasts, salt and pepper each breast put sliced onion on top of chicken then put in all the dried herbs and garlic cloves pour in vinegar and top with tomatoes Cook on high 4 hours, serve over angel hair pasta 

Again a good one to play with - change it up as you like.

And here are a couple bonus that I haven't tried yet but intend to soon. 

Apple Cinnamon Crockpot Oatmeal

steel cut oatmeal 

•2 apples, peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (2-1/2 to 3 cups chopped)

•1-1/2 cups fat-free milk

•1-1/2 cups water ... 

•1 cup uncooked steel-cut oats 

•2 tablespoons brown sugar 

•1-1/2 tablespoons butter, cut into 5-6 pieces 

•1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

•2 teaspoons ground flax seed

•1/4 teaspoon salt 

Coat inside of 3-1/2 quart (or larger) slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all ingredients to slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on low for 7 hours. Store leftovers in refrigerator. Freezes well. To reheat single servings: Put 1-cup cooked oatmeal in microwave proof bowl. Add 1/3 cup fat-free milk. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Continue cooking for 1 minute.

I just can't seem to think about breakfast at 10pm! But I swear I'll have oatmeal this weekend, I'm setting the ICal reminder now. The following I'll make for my next Sunday Family Dinner that I can get Cody to come over for...

Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork BBQ 

Make the rub: 2 T brown sugar

1 T paprika 

2 t salt 

1/2 black pepper 

Combine and rub on a: 4-6 pound whole pork butt or shoulder Place in the slow cooker: 2-3 onions, quartered pork shoulder on top 

Mix with sauce: 2/3 apple cider vinegar 

4 t worchester sauce 

1 1/2 t red pepper flakes 

1 1/2 t sugar 

1/2 t dry mustard

1/2 t garlic powder 

1/4 t salt

1/4 t cayenne pepper 

Combine and pour 1/4 of this mixture over the roast, saving the rest for serving the sandwiches. Cook on low for 10-12 hours, or high 5-6 hours. Remove the roast, let cool a bit, and pull/shred with two forks (pork should just fall apart). Serve with remaining sauce. 

   That's all for now, I'll add some as I go.  I've got some deserts that I'd like to try but wait till the next pot luck so I don't have a crock of caramel rice pudding around the house.  Also I found a pumpkin latte recipe for fall... If you have one for me to try please point me in that direction.  I have my second Expedia interview in an hour, if that goes as I'd like it to then I'll need as much crock pot help as I can get to keep all the boys fed!