My Slow Cooker
June 20, 2008 by Karen Weideman
Filed under recipes, time saving
I think when most people think of the slow cooker and the things that we cook in it, they think winter. I know that was my first thought before I learned that the slow cooker can be my best friend. I have learned that you can cook almost anything in your slow cooker and it really saves lots of time. On those busy summer days when you want to be at the pool but you feel like you need to cook instead, pull out your slow cooker. Several of my friends say that this way of cooking is not for them but I have some tried and true recipes for the slow cooker.
Roasted Chicken
1 whole chicken (approx. 3-5 pounds)
Salt and pepper (or any seasoning of your choice)
Wash chicken inside and out (remove anything inside). Sprinkle with seasoning. Place three balls of aluminum foil in the bottom of your slow cooker (this will be a rack for your chicken). Place the chicken in, breast side down, and cook on low for six to eight hours. (This recipe is from Amy at www.momadvice.com)
Italian Beef
1 chuck or round roast (5-6 pounds)
1 package of Good Season’s Zesty Italian Mix
1 package of onion soup mix
Fresh garlic (we like a lot but you can use as much or as little as you like)
1 large can of beef broth
2 bay leaves
Pinch of salt
1 ½ tablespoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 green pepper sliced
Mix all ingredients together in crock pot. Cover and cook on low setting for 18 hours or on high for 7-9 hours.
Macaroni and Cheese
8 oz. dry elbow macaroni (cooked)
3-4 cups shredded sharp cheddar, divided
12 oz. can of evaporated milk
1 ½ cups milk
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp. black pepper
Chopped onion to taste
Combine all ingredients except 1 cup cheese in greased slow cooker. Sprinkle reserve cup of cheese over top
Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours. Do not remove lid or stir until the mixture has finished cooking.
These recipes are just a few to get you started. There are endless resources for slow cooker recipes on the internet. An interesting blog you might want to visit is Crockpot 365. Stephanie has committed to cooking in her crock pot everyday for year. You should go check it out because she has made some awesome meals in her slow cooker.
Tami is a former teacher. She is now a stay-at-home mom and has four children. She enjoys writing about their everyday life and the adventures that motherhood brings. You can find her at Muddlin’ Thru Motherhood.
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Not to mention you are being thrifty by not turning on the oven and heating up the house when it is already blazing outside!
I use my slow cooker at least once a week.