While I love beef roasts in the oven, especially for the holidays, I super-duper-love beef roasts made in the slow cooker for everyday meals, or for Sunday supper. Comfort. Warm. Hearty. Flavorful. And affordable too. I may purchase a nicer cut of roast for a holiday feast, but for everyday meals a round roast will do just fine. And my frugal cooking heart does a leap … [Read more...]
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
I have a problem. But I know it's a problem and I'm working on it. Each week is different, some weeks better than others. Here is my problem: I bite off more than I can chew. (Not with food...with our schedule.) While I crave simplicity and flexibility, I also know that I don't like to be bored. So if I'm not working, then I've got a fun activity scheduled. (Remember that … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Refried Beans
This is the next recipe in the 31 Days of Slow Cooker Meals series. I may or may not have a little tex-mex food problem. Evidence here. And here. Oh, and over here. That was just in the last few weeks during all my conference travels. Two of those outings were a day apart from each other. It's a problem. It's also a problem taking 6 people out to dinner at a … [Read more...]
Best Tips for When to Add Rice & Pasta to Slow Cooker
Making some meat or chicken with a sauce in the slow cooker can make for a wonderful meal. But cooking the rice or pasta “on the side” is not always necessary. With many recipes, you can add the rice or pasta right in and let it cook during the last bit of cooking. However, adding rice or pasta in at the beginning with the meat means you are going to have a mushy mess at the … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Pear Blueberry Crumble
I hope y'all have enjoyed the first few recipes in this month's 31 Days of Slow Cooker Recipes series. This is the first new recipe that I'm sharing in the series...and I can't wait to share the other new ones with you in the coming days and weeks! This Pear Blueberry Crumble recipe is adapted for the slow cooker from a similar recipe in my One Dish Dinners Cookbook. I … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Egg Casserole with Sausage and Red Pepper
I love the versatility of the slow cooker. I recently discovered the art and science of overnight slow cooking. I love the idea of waking up to a hot breakfast, ready in the slow cooker. And I love the idea of slow cooking a batch of granola or grits, and that it's waiting for me to enjoy in the morning. This recipe works beautifully in the slow cooker. There are no … [Read more...]
Cumin Pork Roast with Black Beans
I have a kid who doesn't like beans. He'll eat a few bites, but with hesitation! The other three kiddos have no issues with beans...in fact, last night the baby (toddler, really!) had beans and bean juice all over him. It was on his chin, his chest, his arms, his legs. He had a bib on, but he really needed a 'body bib.' When we eat spaghetti, I generally remove all of his … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken with Spring Vegetables
I rarely. I mean rarely. Like practically never. Ever. Maybe once every 2 years. Look at other cookbooks. I use my own all the time (for reference in baking or to check if I've done that recipe before or to replicate a flavor combination, but cook it differently.) A few weeks ago, I was clearing out a cabinet above the kitchen desk. I was really looking for books to put into … [Read more...]
Overnight Slow Cooker Baked Oatmeal
I really wasn't sure if this was going to work. I've been wanting to try it for some time. I read on my friend Stephanie's blog that she made it and it worked. I read her advice and tips and decided to go for the 'overnight' concept. Because I wanted it nice and warm in the morning for my boys! It worked. Totally worked. Didn't burn on the edges. Was completely cooked … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Mango Chicken
Colorful. I love colorful food. Tasteful. I love tasteful food. (Who doesn't right?!) What you see above is what came straight out of the slow cooker. No styling, no color editing, what you see is what you get. I think this is slow cooker food at its finest! Oh and the #2 reason that I love slow cooking it's usually dump and run. This is one such recipe and I love that … [Read more...]