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.

Each hour today, we are blogging for charity.  Please consider making a donation to The Children’s Hunger Fund. 

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Ingredients:

• chicken (I used 4 boneless breasts)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (I used the ones with green chilies)
• green salsa (such as the kind made by Herdez)
• minced garlic
• sliced onions
• sliced bell peppers
• salt and pepper (I used Goya Adobo seasoning, which is one of our faves!)
• 14 oz can of kernel corn, drained
• 15 oz can of black beans, drained and chopped or mashed

In a crock pot, put in your chicken, tomatoes, about 3/4-1 cup of green salsa, about 1 cup of sliced onions, some sliced bell peppers (if you wish), about 3 cloves minced garlic (I used the bottled minced) and salt and pepper (or Goya Adobo seasoning). Cook the chicken for about 3-4 hours, until tender.

Take the chicken out of the crock pot and set it on a plate or cutting board to let it cool some. Drain the juice out of the vegetables, reserving some of the liquid. Put the vegetables back into the crock pot. Add the can of drained corn and drained black beans. Cut up or shred the chicken and put it back into the crock pot. Add a little more of the green salsa (about 1/4 cup) and some of the liquid from the vegetables that you drained (about 1 cup). Stir all this together and allow it to cook for another 15-20 minutes.

Use the chicken in tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. Yummy!

We had enough of this chicken to feed our family of four and then some to freeze for another meal. I also served this recipe with Spanish rice. We topped our tacos with cheese and sour cream and a bit of fresh, homemade salsa (pico-de-gallo). Sorry, I wish I had a picture to share.

Enjoy!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Better Homes & Gardens is one of my favorite websites.  They always have lots of great ideas and recipes.  When it’s cold outside, you know you want something warm and comforting to eat.  I like the easiness of crockpot recipes.  Check out these links from BH&G.  There are over 50 recipes to choose from.

Slow Cooker Pork

Slow Cooker Soups

Slow Cooker Chicken

Slow Cooker Beef

Check out these other crockpot recipes.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Slow Cooker Pizza

1 1/2 lbs ground beef or bulk Italian sausage
1 med onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 box rigatoni, cooked
7 oz jar sliced mushrooms, drained
3 oz sliced pepperoni
16 oz jar pizza sauce
10 oz mozzarella, shredded
10 oz cheddar, shredded

Brown meat and onions in saucepan.  Drain.  Layer 1/2 of each of the following, in the order given, in slow cooker:  meat and onions, green pepper, noodles, mushrooms, pepperoni pizza sauce, cheddar and mozzarella.  Repeat layers.  Cover ad cook on low 3-4 hours.

Note:  keep rigatoni covered with sauce so they don’t become dry and crunchy.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

The carnival is hosted by Slow Cooker Recipes.  I’m looking forward to trying the Sweet & Sour Chicken.  There are many crockpot recipes, including desserts, that sound yummy!  Enjoy!

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

1 – 8 oz. box of macaroni noodles, cooked and drained
3 c. grated cheddar cheese (use mild and/or sharp, according to taste)
3 eggs
1 lg. can evaporated milk
1 stick butter (melted)

Combine eggs, milk, and melted butter in mixing bowl.  Pour over cooked and drained macaroni in crockpot. Stir.  Add two cups of cheese and stir.  Cover the top with remaining cup of cheese.  Cook on low for 2  1/2 – 3 hours.  Absolutely delicious!!

Another time saving tip:  You may want to spray your crock pot with cooking spray before adding the ingredients.  This will probably help with clean up time.

Here are some other macaroni & cheese recipes I found online.  Good comfort food.  Yummy!

Easy Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Quick & Easy Macaroni and Cheese
Chicken & Macaroni Casserole

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

In a previous post

Pumpkin carving – includes stencils, carving instructions, tips for picking out and caring for a pumpkin, and other pumpkin decorating ideas

Halloween Food & Entertaining – includes ideas for parties, recipes for food and drinks, tips for decor and games

E-Cards - send a friend or family member a spooky e-card

Crafts for Halloween – quick and easy Halloween craft that you could do with the kids

Quick & Hearty Fall Meals – recipes for one dish meals, crock pot meals, and stews

Hottest Costumes – costumes ideas for adults, babies, kids, and even pets

Videos – videos of craft and costume ideas

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Post from: Thrifty Mommy