Crock pot dinners

[cheapdiva]

On the resolution thread, Evelyn mentioned getting her first crock pot. I have lived with a crock pot in my kitchen for years - can't imagine not having one. Raising 4 kids and working pretty much full time meant crock pot dinners or cassaroles I could put together quickly the night before.

I am sure all of you have great recipes for the crock pot, let's hear them!

Here is my all time favorite - I have served this many times for guests who think I have slaved all day -HA! And it was traditional that we had this every Christmas eve when I was growing up - and my mother did cook it all day in a dutch oven. I just revised it so it takes 10 minutes to throw it in the pot.

Beef Bourginon

2# beef cut into pieces
1# baby carrots
1 jar of pearl onions - don't drain the liquid, just dump into pot
6 oz. tomato paste
1 c. red cooking wine or sherry
bay leaf
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp oregano

Put all into pot - cook on low for 8 hours
Red wine will be a little heavier tasting, sherry a little sweeter. I have done half and half which seems to be my husband's favorite.
Serve with heat & serve rolls or french bread and a side salad.

To thicken sauce you may want to leave the lid off the pot for the last 30 minutes. This is one of those dishes that is better the second day reheated!

[Ladybug]

Don't forget this thread! It has a lot of great recipes, if I remember correctly!

http://community.cottageliving.com/showthread.php?t=1773

[Evelyn]

Wonderful!!! I might make Cheapdiva's recipe on new years day. And I just checked the archives with the link from Ladybug and there are more recipes there!!

I think this crock pot might change my life!!! Deb had mentioned that she has her house lights on a timer so that when she is walking towards her house after work it looks welcoming. Well, I thought hey, I could do that too so that when I arrive home after work there were a few lights on, the heat going and some delicous smell from my hot dinner in the air!

Have a great new year's eve everyone.

Evelyn

[dedavis]

So yesterday I found a 2 1/2 quart crock pot with removable earthenware pot. It was only $15 brand new (made in China... guilt about outsourced jobs, pollution, trade deficit). However the deed has been done, and I am ready to start cooking. I think the first thing I will try is that crock pot lasagna.

Does anybody cook beans in theirs? How long does it take?

Deb

[cheapdiva]

If the lasagna is great - post the recipe. I am making Cuban mac & cheese on Thursday (not in the crock pot). Will let you know how it turns out.

[Lisa S]

...'I could do that too so that when I arrive home after work there were a few lights on, the heat going and some delicous smell from my hot dinner in the air!'...

That's one of the things I like most about my crock pot. It's almost like having your mother live with you without the angst! (Only kidding, mom.)

[Memmey]

I'm telling your Mother....;)

[RoseMary]

Deb, I cook beans in my crockpot all the time. I think I usually cook them about 6 hours~on high (sometimes I have to add a little more water to them). I like to cook them outside in the crockpot in the summer to keep my house a little bit cooler.

R~Mary

[Ladybug]

Mom made this Sunday. It's delicious!

Slow-cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 pound shredded, cooked chicken
1 (15 oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes, mashed
1 (10 oz.) can enchilada sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chiles
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups water
1 (14.5 oz.) can chicken broth
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 (10 oz.) package frozen corn
1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
7 corn tortillas
vegetable or olive oil

Place chicken, tomatoes, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles and garlic into slow cooker. Pour in water and chicken broth and seasonings. STir in corn and cilantro. Cover, and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 3-4 hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil. Cut tortillas into strips and spread on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until crisp, about 10-15 minutes.

Garnish soup with tortilla strips, cheddar cheese, avocadoes, cilantro and fresh lime juice, if desired.

[RoseMary]

Yum!!! That sounds delicious. I'll have to try it. Thanks for the recipe, Ladybug!

[Evelyn]

I just filled my crockpot with a whole chicken and a few other things I had on hand but, if I had seen April's tortilla soup recipe I would be making it now!!
Thanks April it looks delicious....I might make it this weekend.

Everyone is right about crockpots.....I love mine. I work fulltime, my husband is in school, life always feels busy and cooking during the week can sometimes be a chore. Both of us love filling the pot and we are always surprised at what the other makes.......

Evelyn

[RoseMary]

April, does your mom use any specific brand of enchilada sauce? Some taste so different from each other, so I wanted to use the best one!

In case I haven't welcomed you to the board~Welcome, Evelyn!

[dedavis]

For the inaugural run of my new crockpot, I made April's lasagna--she posted the link back there somewhere. I modified it a little bit, but it was delicious! I highly recommend the italian sausage. We actually have an Italian grocery, so I can get it freshly made here in town. It's heavy on the garlic and spices, so I mixed it with some ground chicken and added more oregano, basil, black pepper. All those flavors mix during the cooking.

I'm going to love having the crockpot for the rest of the winter. Keep those recipes coming!

Deb

[Ladybug]

Deb, please post how you modified the recipe. I actually think the recipe (which I got from another board) is a bit bland, but I haven't come up with a satisfactory modification. Fresh Italian Sausage? Yummmm!!!

[dedavis]

Let's see. I used no-boil lasagna noodles. Also some of the garden tomato sauce I canned (remember last fall when I was in the food frenzy?), basil I dried, and other italian herbs. Since I don't eat dairy products, I made bechamel sauce with soy milk and used it in place of the alfredo sauce. I also added spinach leaves to each layer, but you could put in slices of green pepper and/or zucchini. The fresh italian sausage added a lot of flavor.

Deb