Friday, January 14, 2011

Crock Pot:: Input Requested!!!!!

Ok, so I have a love-hate relationship with the idea of Crock Pots. I know, they can be so handy. So many of you around me have sung their praises until I finally decided that the third try would be a charm and got a great deal on Black Friday. (Yes, this is my THIRD Crock Pot and my THIRD try at loving one)

Always before, I used it a few times and was always so dissatisfied with the results that I got rid of it. This time, I am determined to find some recipes that we like!

A couple of things you should know:

* I don't like food cooked in the Crock Pot ALL day! So, I just put it on later - this has revolutionized my thinking. I don't know why I thought I had to put it in the morning or wanted to do it in the morning or whatever, but changing this way of thinking has helped tremendously.

* I don't fill my Crock Pot very full. Refer to note above, this is why our food was always way overcooked!

* I don't like tomatoes and SO many Crock Pot recipes include tomatoes. Enough said.

Would you please help me to love my new Crock Pot?! If you have a great recipe that is tried and true and you'd be willing to share - please e-mail me or leave it in the comments (or a link). I would be so grateful!! Please send all your non-tomato-y recipes (see note above).

Now, here's one for you - since Crock Pot lovers always seem to be on the lookout for new recipes!

Teriyaki Chicken (four hours on low)

Boneless Skinless Chicken - place in Crock Pot

Mix together:
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. oil
2 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. minced garlic (fresh or from the jar; not dried)
1/8 tsp. chicken bouillion

Pour over chicken and marinate overnight. Pull out of fridge about four hours before dinner and cook on low. Serve with rice and stir fry veggies! This was originally a recipe for Grilled Teriyaki Chicken from Taste of Home - but I have successfully tried it on my family and we agreed it was yummy!

A second recipe we tried were these sandwiches - delish! (HT: Amy!)

Can't wait to see your recipe ideas! Thanks for sharing!

53 comments:

pippasmum said...

I heard a woman interviewed on Focus on the Family, Jonni McCoy, and she has a great cookbook, Healthy Meals for Less. We love all of her crockpot chicken recipes (and they don't cook all day!) My husband and I don't tend to love beef in the crockpot (it always seems to taste like stewing beef when it is done) but these chicken recipes are delish.
One hint I found is that many of the crockpots on sale now are as big as 6 quarts but most recipes call for a 3 1/2 or 4 quart crockpot. Using one that is too big ruins most recipes. Good luck!

Bonnie said...

First off, if a recipe has dried herbs DON'T put them in until about an hour before serving. The flavor of them cooks off.
Second, I don't use our crock-pot often either, but I do like it for days when we will be gone a lot, all day cleaning days, or the day before any company might be coming and I'm getting ready for it.

Have you seen the Fix It and Forget It cook book?
Truthfully, I don't think its worth the price, so check your library first.
I think Gooseberry patch has a slow cooker book too.

Lastly, a few recipes:
Throw in a beef or pork-roast and a bottle (or homemade) of BBQ sauce. Cook until the meat easily shreds. Chicken breast would work too.

A tasty, and totally unhealthy roast beef is made by mixing together a can on mushroom soup and a package of onion soup, add a bit of water to thin it some, pour over roast and cook on low until done.

Dripped Beef*
3-4 lb. chuck-roast
1 tsp. salt (I usually skip this one)
1 tsp. seasoned salt (but I don't skip this one)
1 tsp. white pepper (just use regular)
1 TBSP. rosemary
1 TBSP. dried oregano
1 TBSP. garlic powder
1 c. water
(adjust seasonings as you see fit)
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker, cook on low 6-7 hours.
Shred meat with 2 forks and serve over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles or on buns
This is one of our favorites, except I use venison instead of beef (as I do in pretty much all beef recipes).
* Ignore the herb rule for this recipe.

I made this beef stew, and even my husband who is not a stew fan liked it
http://crabapple-kitchen.blogspot.com/2010/11/slow-cooker-herbed-beef-stew.html

One more thought, if a recipe requires noodles, cook them separately and add at serving time. Only took once for me to figure that one out, it was akin to eating flavored glue!

Can't wait to see what others are making with their crock-pots, and to try that recipe you linked to!

Bonnie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Annie said...

This is one that my family loves! It also seems to be one I fall back on every time we have houseguests. I usually cook it for 4-6 hours on low, or 3-4 on high (if I forget to get it ready ahead of time). The meat is fall off the bone tender, and because it's not covered in a sauce, leftovers can be used for just about any recipe.

I do skin the chicken (as mentioned in the recipe). However, I save the skin and add the carcass to it to make stock. The spice rub gives it a wonderful flavor.

I'll look for links to the others we like. Enjoy!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/crockpot-rotisserie-style-chicken.html

More than Survival said...

I LOVE my crock pot!!!! Could not survive without it.... :)
Here are a few recipes I have posted before on my blog that use the crock pot. I'm sure that once you find recipes that you love you will really enjoy the freedom the crock pot offers.
Blessings! Heather

Chicken and rice soup:
http://choosingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2009/10/using-my-secret-weapon.html

Savory Chicken sandwiches
http://choosingsimplicity.blogspot.com/2009/02/march-simple-family-supper-menu-kit.html

Chris Worthy said...

I don't eat meat, but my family does. Italian Drip Beef has become a huge hit around here (link below). For barbecue, I throw in a Boston butt roast, a little Liquid Smoke, salt and pepper and let that cook until it falls apart. Serve it on buns with sauce. Beans, soups and chili are terrific in the crock pot.
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/02/drip-beef-two-ways/

being molded said...

I will DEFINITELY be checking back on this post. I have never really liked my crock pot either. Though I have a large one and just ercently learned, as you mentioned, how full they need to be to cook properly. We recently, after having no working oven for 3 weeks, tried this recipe http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/hoe-down-bbq-chuck-roast/
I put it in later and cooked it on high. It was yummy!! And the roast was really affordable.
Hoping others share some good recipies!!

Anonymous said...

http://recipesdealsetc.blogspot.com/2010/03/crock-pot-orange-and-apricot-pork-chops.html here is one of my favorites. also, a whole chicken is super easy this way http://recipesdealsetc.blogspot.com/2010/02/crocpot-wednesday-whole-chicken.html I agree with Annie, 365 crock pot has a huge variety of healthy recipes. Good Luck!! :)

Carol @ Pure Sugar said...

I love my Crock Pot and use it often! Here are some links to recipes I've made:
Chicken & wild rice soup: http://puresugar.net/?p=101

Lazy Stuffed Peppers (you can substitute spaghetti sauce if you don't like chunky tomatoes): http://puresugar.net/?p=906

Country Coq au Vin: http://puresugar.net/sugarandspice/?p=30

I also have a potato soup recipe that is great, but I don't have it typed up. LMK if you'd like it and I'll e-mail it to you :-)

HandmaidforHim (Dawn Gray) said...

I love my crockpot and use it so much we wear them out and have to buy a new one every couple of years! I have lots of tomato-y recipes, too, but will spare you :0)

Susie's Million Dollar Casserole
6 Potatoes--chopped
1 lb. ground beef--raw
carrots--chopped
onion--chopped
1 can green beans
1 can veg. beef soup
1 can cream mushroom soup

Layer veg. in crock pot
Break up ground beef on top
Spread soups over beef. Do not stir.

Cook on high 4-5 hours.

Italian Beef
1 sirloin tip roast
2 pkts Zesty italian dressing (dry)

Put roast in crock pot. Pour dry packets over roast. Turn crock pot on low. Cook overnight. The next morning, take a fork and tear the roast apart and let it sit in the juices for a couple of hours. Ready to serve on Hamburger buns. This is great for Sunday after church.

Farmhouse Chicken and Dressing
6 frozen chicken breasts
2 c. onion
2 can cr. of chicken soup
2 can chicken broth
3 c. herb seasoned stuffing mix
2 c. cornbread stuffing mix
2 c. celery
1 tsp. black pepper

Place chicken, soups, celery, onion, and black pepper in crock pot. Cook on high for 3 hours. Add in stuffing mixes. Cook for 2 more hours. (this feeds my family of 5--that includes a husband and teenaged son that eat a LOT). You might need to cut this recipe in half.

If you have any questions, please ask! I hope your family will love these recipes, too. Happy Crock Potting.
Dawn Gray
wildwood2010@yahoo.com
sonshineinthewildwood.blogspot.com
wildwoodchristmastreefarm.com

Tasha said...

I love crock pot cooking. I probably use it about twice a month. Here is one of my new favorites! Hope you enjoy!
http://thefontenotslife.blogspot.com/2010/10/fiesta-chicken-and-more.html
Let me know if this does not come through.
Tasha

Brenda said...

Hi Monica,
I know I am a complete stranger to you, but I am blessed by your blog every morning!! I just couldn't keep quiet at this post today because I too never could understand the joys of the crock-pot until.....

http://brenda-lifeinmyshoes.blogspot.com/2009/07/fridays-fabulous-family-recipe_17.html

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2007/12/alphabetical-listing-of-recipes.html

And our favorite...(this recipe actually won first place at our church's "crock-pot cook off!!")

http://brenda-lifeinmyshoes.blogspot.com/2009/10/fridays-fabulous-family-recipe.html

The last recipe here is like a Thanksgiving meal in a crock-pot and is delicious when coming home from Sunday morning church!!!

Thanks for your delightful blog!!

ktquilts said...

I love my crockpot, and we use it at least twice a week. It is easier than eating out. The best recipe resource that I know of is a blog:
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

Free recipes that have been tested by a real family!! Perfect. We have found some of our favorite recipes ever there. Many are things that you would typically not think of for the crockpot. Lots without tomatoes!!

Blessings,

KT

Amy said...

We often will cook a frozen turkey breast. Just season it well. Pour in one can of chicken broth and turn on low. It can cook all night and be ready for lunch or dinner. Many times I do this on Saturday night so that after church we walk in the door and lunch is almost ready. It stays moist and we always have leftover meat for soup, pot pie, or sandwiches.

The same can be done with a roast...although it really does need all day to get tender. The meat always seems tough if you only cook 4 hours. Layer veggies like potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery. Put well seasoned roast on top of veggies. Pour a can of beef broth over and let it go on low. I often put this in frozen on Saturday night also.

We use our crockpot all of the time. I hope you find some recipes that will make you love yours. God bless.

Flannel Jammies Farm said...

I use my crockpot at least once a week, but I follow a vegan diet, ssssooooo... what do I cook in there? BEANS! Dried beans are a wonderful, protein-filled, and inexpensive staple. I usually soak the desired beans (pinto, black-eyed pea, navy, black, etc.) overnight with water covering them a couple of inches; drain, rinse, and pop them in the crockpot the next day covered with a couple inches of veggie broth and maybe some onion, carrot, and celery. Let them cook on low all day or on high for 4 hours or so. I serve beans with rice, with cornbread, with fresh salsa in the summer, in burritos, in chili, in soups, etc., so it's a great timesaver to have cooked beans on hand. Enjoy your new crockpot adventures!

*carrie* said...

Ha--I didn't realize this!

I use my crockpot a couple times a week. I saw someone else mentioned the Fix It and Forget It Cookbook. I borrowed it from someone and copied a dozen recipes down. We've liked many of them, and I think you would, too.

I never start my dish in the morning--I do it after lunch.

Trish said...

Monica, I received a CP when I got married and it sat in my cabinet for about 7 years. Once I pulled it out and started using it...well, now I use it at least twice a week! I adore it! For recipes, I suggest The Crock Pot Lady... She doesn't know it, but she's one of my best cyber-friends! Her website is www.crockpot365.blogspot.com She had a goal of using her crockpot every day for a year (2009) and to post the recipes and the "verdict" of each recipe. She finished her project, but she still posts recipes and has written 2 books. Having said all that, here's the recipe that causes my husband and all 5 of my kids to rejoice and call me blessed when I make it.

Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

2-3 skinless/boneless chicken breasts
1 jar alfredo sauce (I usually use Ragu)
1 pkg bowtie pasta
1 c. mozzerella cheese - shredded


Pour the sauce into the crockpot and lay the chicken breasts on top. Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4 hours. When you're close to dinner time, go ahead and cook the noodles according to the package. While the noodles are cooking, remove the chicken from the CP and chop or shred into bite-sized pieces. Once the noodles are done, drain and add to the CP. Add the chicken and stir it all to combine. Sprinkle the cheese on top and allow to melt (about 5 miutes). Serve.

P.S. I don't know what size CP you have, but I've made this in a 4qt and a 6qt CP and haven't had any problems with either size.

Anonymous said...

I make ham and scalloped potatoes in the crock pot, and it is really good.
Peel and thinly slice potatoes. I use my food processor for this step.
Layer potatoes, grated cheddar cheese, and ham. Repeat several times. Top all with a can of cream of chicken, mushroom or celery soup. I like the taste of the cream of chicken soup.
You can cook on high for about five hours, or low all day.
Just check to make sure the potatoes are done.
nancyr

Mrs. K said...

Try adding a can of beer or soda to your roasts for pulled pork or beef. Yummy.

When you're through all your dinner recipes and ready to try a dessert, this one is my favorite. http://coveredandprayingtowngirl.blogspot.com/2008/12/slow-cooker-chocolate-pudding-cake-with.html. It will look liquid-y on top even when it is done so make sure you check it when the time is up but digging a spoon into it. SO, so, yummy (and try it with raspberry sauce - divine).

You can also adapt Hashbrown Casserole to the crockpot by swapping Velveeta for the cheddar. I will often use the time bake feature on my oven for the main dish and put the Hashbrown casserole in the crockpot. Cornbread Casserole can be made in the crockpot as well.

Kendra Fletcher said...

I pretty much love every recipe from Cook's Illustrated/Cook's Country/America's Test Kitchen. This Hearty Beef Stew Recipe is no exception:

Slow-Cooker Hearty Beef Stew
12/2010

Serves 6 to 8
5 pounds boneless beef chuck-eye roast , cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Salt and pepper
4 onions , chopped fine
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 bay leaves
1 pound carrots , peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound parsnips , peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound red potatoes , scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
2 tablespoons Minute tapioca
2 cups frozen peas , thawed


1. BROWN MEAT Pat beef dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook half of beef until well browned all over, about 8 minutes. Transfer to slow-cooker insert and repeat with additional 1 tablespoon oil and remaining beef.

2. BROWN ONIONS Add onions, 1 tablespoon oil, and ¼ teaspoon salt to now-empty skillet and cook until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until paste begins to darken, about 2 minutes. Slowly stir in broth, soy sauce, and bay leaves and bring to boil. Transfer to slow cooker.

3. WRAP VEGETABLES Toss carrots, parsnips, potatoes, remaining oil, ½ teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Place vegetables on one side of large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Fold foil over vegetables to form packet that will fit in slow cooker; crimp edges to seal. Stir tapioca into slow cooker; set vegetable packet on top of beef.

4. SLOW COOK Cover and cook on high until beef is tender, 6 to 7 hours (or cook on low 10 to 11 hours). Discard bay leaves and transfer vegetable packet to bowl. Carefully open packet (watch for steam) and return vegetables and any accumulated juices to slow cooker. Stir in remaining thyme and peas, cover, and let stand until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Kendra Fletcher said...

I pretty much love every recipe from Cook's Illustrated/Cook's Country/America's Test Kitchen. This Hearty Beef Stew Recipe is no exception. I even won a little crock pot recipe search contest with it ;D

Slow-Cooker Hearty Beef Stew
12/2010

Serves 6 to 8
5 pounds boneless beef chuck-eye roast , cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Salt and pepper
4 onions , chopped fine
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 bay leaves
1 pound carrots , peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound parsnips , peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound red potatoes , scrubbed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
2 tablespoons Minute tapioca
2 cups frozen peas , thawed


1. BROWN MEAT Pat beef dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook half of beef until well browned all over, about 8 minutes. Transfer to slow-cooker insert and repeat with additional 1 tablespoon oil and remaining beef.

(continued in next comment)

Kendra Fletcher said...

2. BROWN ONIONS Add onions, 1 tablespoon oil, and ¼ teaspoon salt to now-empty skillet and cook until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until paste begins to darken, about 2 minutes. Slowly stir in broth, soy sauce, and bay leaves and bring to boil. Transfer to slow cooker.

3. WRAP VEGETABLES Toss carrots, parsnips, potatoes, remaining oil, ½ teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Place vegetables on one side of large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Fold foil over vegetables to form packet that will fit in slow cooker; crimp edges to seal. Stir tapioca into slow cooker; set vegetable packet on top of beef.

4. SLOW COOK Cover and cook on high until beef is tender, 6 to 7 hours (or cook on low 10 to 11 hours). Discard bay leaves and transfer vegetable packet to bowl. Carefully open packet (watch for steam) and return vegetables and any accumulated juices to slow cooker. Stir in remaining thyme and peas, cover, and let stand until heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Anonymous said...

Here's a few simple ideas. I often will put Polish sausage and sauerkraut in the crock pot at about 2 pm on low and it is easily ready at 6-6:30. Easy and good.

Wad up balls of aluminum foil and put in bottom of crock pot. Season a cut up chicken to your liking and place on top of foil. Cook on low 6 -8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. It really tastes like baked chicken.
Kristina

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

You are so a woman after my own heart. I think I'm the only person in my group of friends that doesn't like tomatoes either!!! I do have some recipes without tomatoes in them. As I come across them, I'll happily share them with you :) :) My friend Sarah, found a really nice used Hamilton Beach slow cooker at Goodwill y esterday for $5.99. It's in excellent condition...and the crock pot part of the slow cooker is rem ovable...so I can clean it easy!!! I don't really enjoy cooking either...I can, but I don't enjoy it. Although I'm proud of myself...because I've made an awful lot of homemade meals lately :) :) Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather :) :)

Angel said...

I was just like you, I gave so many crock pots away because I just didnt like them!


You can cook it for a little while on high, or a long time on low..
I refuse to put a crock pot on when I am not at home!

This was the recipe that won me over:
Crock Pot Enchiladas.
http://angelnavywife.blogspot.com/2007/10/crock-pots.html

I just tried this one this week and it was a big hit:
http://angelnavywife.blogspot.com/2011/01/super-easy-crockpot-soup.html

Chili:
http://angelnavywife.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-makes-husband-happy.html


I also often toss some chicken and salsa in, and let it cook for awhile to have shredded chicken for enchiladas/tacos etc, so I can homeschool and have dinner cooking at the same time!

Anonymous said...

Monica ~ We moved "off grid" about 3 1/2 years ago and I don't have the power to run a crockpot now since they are on for such a long period of time. I really miss mine! I used it mostly for breakfast grains and cooking beans. I cook my beans on the wood stove now, but I miss the crockpot breakfasts ♥ Here's one of our favorites:

Corn Millet Porridge
4 Cups Water
1/2 Cup Cornmeal
1/2 Cup Millet
1/2 Cup Coconut
1 t. Vanilla
Place all ingredients in crock pot at bedtime. Cook on low overnight. In the morning stir and serve with pear sauce (we love it with home canned pears blended in the blender) & honey ♥

P.S. You can also bake potatoes in the crockpot. It works nice in the summer when you don't want to heat up the house too.

Smith said...

Pulled Pork

1-lb pork loin
1 can of root beer
bbq sauce of choice
hamburger buns

Place pork loin in crockpot and cover with root beer. Cook on low 7-8 hours OR high 4-5 hours. Drain, shred with 2 forks, mix in bbq sauce, place on buns, enjoy.

This is a great recipe to double, triple, etc. for larger gatherings. I hear it's perfect for satisfying the ravenous appetite of teenage boys ;)

Lisa @ Simply Things Family said...

Here is a ham recipe that we make. It does go all day, but I am sure you could cut the time down:

http://simplythingsfamily.blogspot.com/2009/04/tuesday-tastes.html

I also made country ribs for the first time in my crock pot the other day-delicious! I got the recipe from the OAMC cookbook for families.

What size did you get? Our doesn't seem big enough for our family of 5.

Anonymous said...

Hi Monica! I found this site last year when I was looking for some good crock pot recipes: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2007/12/alphabetical-listing-of-recipes.html

Stephanie the crock pot lady has some great ideas. A couple of my favorites - not meals necessarily - are crock pot applesauce and beans - cooking with dried beans. She has some great stuff on her site. I also tried making yogurt in my crock pot which did turn out ok, but needed some adjustment, and I haven't gotten back to trying it again.

Have fun with all your new ideas!

Terri
Madison WI

Mom said...

Oh my goodness -- you've gotten lots of great ideas! :) I intend to try some of these myself. Another good source for crockpot recipes is on the FlyLady website. Love you! Mom

Merry Jo said...

I love to put a whole roaster chicken in the crock pot, along with some water, bouillon if you'd like, and a few spices (not much). You do need to let it cook all day on low (I'm not sure why you don't like to do that...), but by dinner time, it just falls off the bone! Then you usually have leftover chicken to use in soup, casseroles, etc. LOVE IT!

May said...

Hey Monica,
I don't LOVE my crock pot, but I do like being able to come home from church with lunch ready to be served on occasion. The most common thing I use it for is to cook a roast. I do not like veggies cooked in the crock pot as they seem to either come out over or under done, sometimes both at the same time. I just rub the roast with spices and place it in the pot. Then I pour chicken or beef broth over it and that's it. I start it on high about 8:30, before we leave for church and it is done when we get home at 1 (it is normally falling apart, so you could probably take it out much sooner.

One thing to remember is the pot must be at least half full to cook properly.

Julie said...

You sure have gotten lots of suggestions!
As others have mentioned, I find the Crock Pot Lady really helpful. (http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/). I really enjoyed making yogurt from the directions on that site, but since milk is really expensive here and never on sale, it's just more economical for me to buy yogurt.
I've found that if I'm making any kind of shredded meat in the crock pot, it tastes much better if I shred it and then let it cook at least another 30 minutes.
One of my favorite recipes is so simple, and it doesn't need to cook all day:
Place two boneless chicken breasts in crock pot and cover with a bottle of your favorite Italian dressing. Cook 2 to 4 hours until chicken is tender. Shred chicken with forks (you don't have to take it out of the crock pot.) Let cook another 30 minutes or so. Serve over rice or pasta.

Pamela said...

My husband is going to love this recipe. I can't wait to try it. I don't use the crock pot often but I like to do my ham in it until it falls apart. I put my green beans right into it for a few hours.

After we have a meal with ham, I put the bones back in with Great Northern Beans and we have ham and bean soup.

Anonymous said...

Check out homeschoolfreebieoftheday.com TODAY- there is free downloadable Crockpot Cookbook there today. I'm still trying to fall in love with my slowcooker. I'm not quite there yet! :)

Melissa said...

I had NO IDEA you didn't like crockpot cooking! How could I not know this! I have a ton of recipes at home without tomatoes. Even better...I have a crockpot cookbook you can browse. I'm still perplexed!

Jen said...

I am not a HUGE crock pot person but I do use it successfully on occasion! :-) This is one of our favorites!

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 tsp garlic salt

Mix soups and garlic salt together in separate bowl.

Spray crock pot with Pam. Lay 3 chicken breasts in bottom and top with half of soup mixture. Add next three chicken breasts and top with remaining soup.

Cook on low 4-5 hours. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes. The sauce is great over broccoli as a side dish too!

Enjoy!

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

Personally, I hate chicken cooked in a crockpot. Something weird happens to the texture and flavor. Yuck.

BUT, I like it for everything else. Pork and beef cook up so tenderly in the crock! One of the easiest things is simple to put either a pork or beef roast (doesn't really matter the cut) into a crockpot and pour BBQ sauce over it. When it's done, shred it and add more BBQ sauce. Makes great sandwiches. I use this a lot when I have to feed hungry teens at church, as picky eaters like this, too.

becka said...

I use my crockpot often, especially on Sundays. I actually have two of them--a smaller one and a larger one. The large one is a Hamilton Beach and has a timer where you can set it to high or low for a certain number of hours and then it will switch to warm mode. This is great--no more overcooked meals. I have quite a few crockpot recipes on my blog: beckasblog.ivman.com

Kelly said...

The more you use it the more you will like it especially since you are a homeschooler.
We live in Michigan and it is not fun to bbq in the snow. But I love bbq chicken. Use thighs, maybe 8 or so add your fave bottle of bbq sauce, 1/3 c. italian dressing (liquid, not powder) and 1/3 c. honey. Either do a quick fry first on the chicken in the skillet to reder some fat and get rid of or cut off extra fat or skin. Then pile in pot, pour mixed sauce over and cook in the afternoon. Freeze leftovers and you have a meal waiting.
Any recipe I read that says 3 hours in oven or stovetop, I do in the crockpot.
Spray the pot and clean up is a breeze. They have bags but cooking in plastic creeps me out, too many chemicals. Good luck.

Paige said...

Wheat berries for breakfast?
spray inside of crockery w/ pam spray. Pour in three cups water and one cup wheat berries. Add a bit of salt and one tablespoon olive oil. Let cook overnight (it's not all day! It's all night!). Add honey and butter in the morning. YUMMY hot cereal. SO filling and good for you too.

Stephanie said...

I love my crockpot. : ) Some of our favorite tomato-less recipes are:

http://herdofsteph.blogspot.com/2009/10/crockpot-comfort-food-angel-chicken.html (this is my blog, fyi)

http://herdofsteph.blogspot.com/2008/10/boomamas-souptacular-crockpotolooza-or.html

The Crockpot 365 blog is a great resources, too! Some of my favorites from her site are:

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/autumn-sausage-casserole.html

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/09/crockpot-applesauce-chicken-recipe.html

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-brown-sugar-chicken-recipe.html

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/05/crockpot-cream-cheese-chicken-recipe.html

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/06/crockpot-chipotle-chicken-with-sweet.html

Happy cooking. :)

Michelle said...

Another vote for the crockpot365 blog! I've gotten several good recipes there.

I most often use my crockpot for pot roast with onions and carrots (I do mashed potatoes separately... I think potatoes in the crock pot are mealy and icky) and soups. Any soup that you would otherwise cook on the stove can be cooked in the crock pot instead. Chili is great, too! :)

Jon and Sarah said...

I cook my meatloaf in my crockpot. It works great for Sunday lunch. I usually cook it on low for 4 hours.

Anonymous said...

The one recipe my family loves is Roast. All I do is throw the roast in and add between 1/2 and 3/4 of a 2L bottle of coke. I then cook 6-8 hours. We don't like gravy so this works really well for us... though I've never made gravy.

MJ @ 517 Creations said...

Have you tried Pioneer Woman's Drip Beef? It's DELICIOUS! She cooks hers in a dutch oven on the stove, but I cook mine in the Crock Pot (I put it on about noon for dinner at 6ish) and it's fabulous.

Here's the link:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/02/drip-beef-two-ways/

Mom2Five said...

My crockpot is often my best friend when I plan to use it. Two very simple general meals....
one is BBQ Chicken and Baked potatoes. All that is needed then is a salad.
Just put chicken in the crockpot and pour a bottle of your Fav. BBQ sauce on top. Then wash and poke potatoes. Wrap each potato in alum. foil and then nake a layer of potatoes on top of the BBQ chicken. This cooks most of the day or until you check it and feel it's done. So very good and simple.

Another is for beef roast. I simply place the roast in my crockpot. I open one package of onion soup mix (powder) and sprinkle it on top. Then open a small can of mushroom pieces and pour on top (with juice too- DO NOT drain the mushrooms.) Allow to cook most of the day and it falls apart and has a wonderful flavor and is moist! you can also add potato, carrots &/or onions in with this to cook too if you wish!
Enjoy! Many more recipes spring to mind like a meatball soup we like and I just made peach cobbler in a crockpot but the two I listed are so easy and extremely good!
I hope you soon start thnking of your crockpot as a real mother's helper!!
Mom2Five

Tina Leigh said...

So many crock pot recipes call for things that are loaded in fat and extra calories, ie cream of whatever soups. I guess it is all in what you're looking for. When my kids were at home, I didnt mind those recipes as much. Now, I use it mostley for cooking dried beans. I will not ook them any other way BUT in the crock!
A good dried bean soup to try is the "15 Bean Soups" that you find where all bags of dried beans are sold. There is a "Cajun 15 Bean Soup", and a "Ham 15 Bean"....both I love. I think they both call for a can of tomatoes but I have left them out before and either of them are still great!
I never throw away anything from a ham, so I use ham bone/and or pieces in either of these soups. So good and good for you!
Sometimes I will cook a whole bag of Limas but instead of using water, I use chicken broth. I put lots of onions in a pot of pintos......I love dried beans and frequently we have them without meat. Wish I had some now!!!!

a mom of many said...

I just recently was sen this link! Thought someone else may find it helpful also :).
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2007/12/alphabetical-listing-of-recipes.html

pippasmum said...

I totally agree with everyone else, the crockpot blog by Stephanie O'Day is amazing! I personally don't like to use processed ingredients if I can help it and her recipes are great for being made with natural ingredients and tasting good. One thing I learned from her is that fish can be done nicely in the crockpot - you top it with the flavouring and wrap it in foil bundles and cook it for 2 -3 hours. We have really enjoyed these two recipes:
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/03/crockpot-sweet-and-spicy-salmon-recipe.html

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/09/crockpot-fillet-of-sole-with-pesto.html

Be sure to let us know if you find anything that you like!

Heather said...

I followed the link to French Dip Sandwiches, and they're on the menu for this week! I've always wanted to make really yummy sandwiches like you'd get at a restaurant, and these look so good! Thanks for the link.

Mary Ann said...

I didn't have time to comment the other day and I see you've already gotten a lot of ideas!

I second the Crockpot 365 blog. Lots of yummy recipes. We like the rotisserie-style chicken that was already mentioned here plus she has directions for Baked Potatoes in the crockpot that turn out really well. I've used this idea for our Sunday potluck and it was well received.

I was given a crockpot cookbook as a new bride which I love. It is "101 Things To Do With A Slow Cooker". I also have the sequel. It is great. Lots of easy recipes and with the exception of some meats, most do not require cooking before throwing it in the pot. These little books are inexpensive on amazon and half.com. Your library may also have them. The Fix It and Forget It cookbooks are also great. I checked one out from the library and we've loved every recipe that I've tried from it so far.

Pay attention to the size of crockpot needed and also time required to cook. Most crockpots do not cook evenly unless they are at least half full. And newer crockpots tend to cook faster than old ones. I usually shave an hour or two off (sometimes half!)the cooking time for my 5 quart- it cooks really fast and can even burn if not well-attended. I have an 8 quart that cooks the same as most recipes instruct.

I usually fill my crockpot the night before and refrigerate or right after breakfast and then start it around lunchtime. The only things I'd cook all day would be mostly soup or when I'm making broth.

Apple butter, apple sauce, dried beans, yogurt are all wonderful things to make in your crockpot. So don't limit yourself just to entrees!

I hope you will learn to enjoy your crockpot and use it as a faithful servant as I have!

Kaira said...

My favorite easy crock pot dish:

leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken shredded or chopped into small pieces (pork or beef would work fine too)

A cup (approx) of salsa

2 cans of black beans

Let simmer until you are ready to eat it, everything is already cooked so it's just staying warm.

Serve in warm tortilla, garnish if you'd like or just eat as is.

I love this because it is just so easy and we warm this for lunch and often make 2 meals out of it. It's perfect for days when I have no time.