Beef Stroganoff in the Crock Pot

Beef Stroganoff in the Crock Pot

Ingredients
1) 1 1/2 pounds top round steak
2) 1 medium onion
3) 2 Tablespoons chopped parsley
4) 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
5) 8 oz. sliced mushrooms (I use baby bellas)
6) 3 cloves garlic
7) 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
8) 1 cup low sodium beef broth
9) 1 cup plain greek yogurt

Directions
1) Chop onion
2) Mince garlic
3) Place steak in crock pot
4) Top with onion, parsley, black pepper, mushrooms and garlic
5) In a separate bowl, combine flour and broth and whisk until flour is completely dissolved.  (I sometimes warm the broth a little before doing this)
6) Pour liquid over steak and spices
7) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours
8) Take some of the liquid from the crock pot and temper the yogurt before adding it to the mixture. 
9) Mix in the yogurt - the steak will probably shred as you do this
10) Serve over whole wheat noodles and ENJOY!

Chicken Cacciatore in the Crock Pot

Chicken Cacciatore in the Crock Pot

Ingredients
1)  6-8 skinless chicken thighs - can be boneless or with a bone
2) 1 medium onion
3) 1 red pepper

4) 1 green pepper
5) 1 8 oz package of mushrooms
6) 4 cloves of garlic
7) 1 large can of stewed tomatoes
8) 1 tsp oregano
9) 1 can tomato paste
10) 3 tablespoons of chicken stock

Directions
1) Chop onion
2) Slice peppers into thin strips
3) Slice mushrooms
4) Mince garlic
5) Place everything except chicken into crock pot and stir
6) Place chicken thighs on top of liquid and push down until covered with tomato mixture
7) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
8) Enjoy!!

Cream of Potato soup - Crock Pot

Cream of Potato soup - Crock Pot

Ingredients
1) 1 tablespoon olive oil
2) 1 medium onion
3) 1 clove garlic
4) 1 lb of red potatoes or 2 cups
5) 2 cups lowfat milk plus 2 tablespoons
6) 2 cups vegetable broth
7) 1/4 teaspoon paprika
8) 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions
1) Dice onions
2) Mince garlic
3) Peel and cube potatoes
3) Saute onions in olive oil for about 5 minutes
4) Add garlic to onions and saute for another minute
5) Add onions, garlic, potatoes, milk, broth and paprika to crock pot
6)  Stir to combine
7) Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours
8) About 15 minutes before the end of the cooking time, combine 2 tablespoons milk with 2 tablespoons cornstarch and mix until smooth.
9) Add to crock pot and mix
10) Let all of that cook for another 15 minutes or until the liquid is thick
11) Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!!

Green Beans in the Crock Pot

I usually roast all of my vegetables but sometimes you just don't want to turn on the oven.  This recipe is perfect for those days. 

Green Beans in the Crock Pot

Ingredients
1) 2 pounds of fresh green beans
2) 6 strips of bacon
3) 1 medium onion

Directions
1) Clean green beans and snap off ends
2) Cut bacon strips in half
3) Cut onion into small pieces
4) Add bean, bacon and onion into crock pot
5) Add just enough water to cover the green beans
6) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours
7) Enjoy!

 

French toast in the crock pot

French toast in the crock pot

Ingredients
1) 1 loaf of challah bread
2) 6 eggs
3) 2 cups of milk
4)  2 teaspoons cinnamon
5) 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions
1) Cut challah into cubes and place in a mixing bowl
2) Whisk together eggs, milk, cinnamon and vanilla
3) Pour egg mixture over bread and mix until egg mixture is soaked into bread. 
4) Spray inside of crock pot with non-stick cooking spray or coat with butter
5) Place egg mixture into crock pot
6) Cover and cook an low for 6 hours 

Short Ribs in the Crock Pot

Short ribs are so amazing and literally melt in your mouth.  This recipe does not disappoint. 

Short Ribs in the Crock Pot

Ingredients
1) olive oil (for searing the ribs)
2) 2 pounds bone-in short ribs
3) 1 medium onion
4) 1 carrot
5) 1 piece of celery
6) 1 bay leaf
7) 1 cup red wine (okay, so maybe not so clean ;)
8) 1 cup beef stock
9) 2 tablespoons honey
10) salt and pepper

Directions
1) slice onion
2) cut carrot and celery into bite sized chunks
3) Place onion, carrot, celery and bay leaf into crock pot
4) In a skillet, heat up enough olive oil to cover the bottom This is when this crock pot would com in handy! - Crock pot that you can sear meat in
5) Season the ribs with salt and pepper
6) Brown the ribs on all sides and place on top of vegetables in the crock pot after browned
7) Pour wine, beef stock and honey over meat and vegetables
8) Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours

Hearty Vegetable Soup in the Crock Pot

I just love having soup on hand. I bring it for lunch, have it for dinner with a salad - it's great!!

Hearty Vegetable Soup in the Crock Pot

Ingredients
1)  1 medium onion
2) 2 cloves garlic
3) 1 sweet potato
4) 2 carrots
5) 2 stalks celery
6) 2 cups fresh green beans
7) 1 small yellow or green zucchini
8) 1 tomato
8) 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
9) 1/8 teaspoon allspice
10) 1 teaspoon paprika
11) 1 bay leaf
12) 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
13) 2 cans Cannellini beans

Directions

1) Chop onions

2) Mince Garlic

3) Cut sweet potato, carrots, celery, green beans, zucchini into bite sized chunks

4) Rinse Cannellini Beans

5) Place everything listed in ingredients in crock pot and stir

6) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours

7) ENJOY!!!

French Dip - Crock Pot

Here is a great way to use some of those caramelized onions you made!!!

French Dip  - Crock Pot

Ingredients

1) 3 lb lean beef round roast

2) 2 cloves garlic

3) 2 cups of beef broth

4) 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

5) 1/4 teaspoon pepper 

6) 1 bay leaf

Directions

1) Place beef in crock pot

2) Mince garlic

3) Combine garlic, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce and pour over beef

4) Add bay leaf

5) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until meat flakes apart easily with a fork

6) Take out beef and strain the broth

7) Use beef and caramelized onions (from the other recipe) to make sandwiches and dip in broth.

Caramelized Onions in the Crock Pot

I love caramelized onions but never have the time to make them. Once I found out that you can do it in the crock pot, I was incredibly happy.  I use them with eggs, grilled chicken, salads - almost anything!

Caramelized Onions

Ingredients
1) 6 large onions
2) 3 tablespoons olive oil


Directions
1) Thinly slice onions
2) Place onions in slow cooker
3) Drizzle oil over onions
4) Cover and cook on low for 10 hours

ENJOY!!!!

Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot

Pulled pork can be used so many ways - sandwiches, tacos, on salad...You name it.  Make this and use it however you please.


Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot

Under the pork

Ingredients
1) 3 lbs pork shoulder
2) 1 onion -sliced
3) 2 tablespoons olive oil
4) 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
5) 1/2 cup honey
6) 2 garlic cloves - minced
7) 3 tablespoons paprika (this makes it delicious)

Directions
1) In a bowl, combine, olive oil, vinegar, honey, garlic and paprika
2) Line the bottom of the crock pot with onions
3) Place pork on top of onions.
4) Pour liquid over pork - try to cover all sides of meat
5) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours
6) Shred meat with fork and ENJOY!

Oil, vinegar and honey mixture

I leave the skin on while cooking

The skin easily peels off when done

YUMMY!!!

Chicken Thighs or Legs in the Crock Pot

Chicken Thighs or Legs in the Crock Pot

Ingredients
1) 8 bone in, skin-on chicken thighs or legs or a combination of both
2) 6 carrots - peeled and cut into half inch pieces
3) 1/4 cup Ketchup - I try to use the no sugar added or this...  Honey Ketchup
4) 1/2 cup Braggs or low sodium Soy Sauce
5) 1/2 cup honey
6) 3 cloves of garlic - minced
7) 1 teaspoon dried basil


Directions
1) Mix together, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, garlic and basil
2) Place thighs and carrots in crock pot
3) Pour ketchup mixture over thighs and carrots
4) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours

Spaghetti Squash in the Crock Pot

I love spaghetti squash and while it is easy to make, this recipe makes it even easier.

Spaghetti Squash in the Crock Pot

Ingredients
1) Spaghetti Squash
2) Water

Directions
1) Cut a few slits in the spaghetti squash
2) Place in slow cooker with 1 1/2 cups water
3) Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours

After the spaghetti squash is cooked, cut in half and spoon out the seeds.  Then, you will be left with wonderful deliciousness.  If I'm looking for a simple side dish, I add some pasta sauce and shredded cheese and voila! 

Enjoy!!

Orange Chicken - slow cooker style

Most Friday nights are movie nights in my house.  We order Chinese food, watch a movie and then eat ice cream - not the healthiest of eating nights.  This recipe can definitely take the place of some of those unhealthy choices.

Orange Chicken - slow cooker style

Ingredients
1) 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
2) 1 cup orange juice - I try to buy all natural OJ - no sugar added, etc.  Bonus points if you squeeze your own : ) Just strain the pulp out before using it.
3) Zest from 1 orange
4) 1/4 cup coconut aminos, Braggs liquid aminos or lite soy sauce
5) 2 cloves of garlic
6) 1 tablespoon cornstarch or 2 tablespoons flour

Directions
1) Cut chicken into bite sized chunks
2) Mince garlic
3) Place chicken, orange juice, zest, aminos or soy sauce and garlic into crock pot
4) Mix everything together
5) Cover and cook on low for 6 hours
6) Remove chicken and whisk in cornstarch or flour until desired thickness
7) Place chicken back in and cook for another 15 minutes
8) Enjoy

Zucchini and Tomato Side Dish- crock pot

I always seem to have an abundance of zucchini in the summer.  This is my favorite way to use it. 

Something I always make but never actually follow a recipe for is googootz (I have NO idea if that's how you spell it).  It is a zucchini and tomato mixture that is so easy and delicious you will want to have it on hand all the time.  I have used it as a side dish as well as a main dish.

Zucchini and Tomato Side Dish

Ingredients
1) 5 medium sized zucchini either green, yellow or a combination
2) 2 large tomatoes
3) 1 large vidalia onion
4) 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
5) 1 egg


Directions
1) Cut zucchini and tomatoes into chunks
2) Dice onion
3) Place zucchini, tomatoes and onion into crock pot
4) Cover and cook on low for 6 hours
5) Crack egg in a bowl and whisk - slowly add some of the hot liquid from the crock pot into your egg and keep whisking and adding mixture into egg until the mixture is almost hot.  I know this sounds confusing and if you mess it up, it's not a big deal.  The egg will just look a bit like a scrambled egg ; )
6) Add hot egg mixture into crock pot and mix together with zucchini mixture
7) Add parmesan cheese to crock pot and mix
8) Enjoy

Use as a side dish or pour over rice or pasta as a dinner.

Eggplant and Chick Pea Casserole - crock pot

Ever since I started the 21 Day Fix (Feel free to contact me - I LOVE this program) I have been obsessed with Eggplant.  I usually put it in the oven but have recently been using it in my slow cooker.  This stew is awesome.

Eggplant and Chick Pea Casserole

Ingredients

1) 1 medium onion

2) 2 eggplants
3) 4 cloves of garlic
4) 2 teaspoons cumin
5) 2  15 ounce cans of diced tomatoes
6) 2 15 ounce cans of chick peas

Directions

1) Chop onion
2) Cube eggplant (keep skin on)
3) Mince garlic
4) Place onion, eggplant, garlic, cumin, tomatoes and 3/4 cup of water in crock pot
5) Stir to mix all ingredients
6) Cover and cook on low for 6 hours
7) Drain and rinse chick peas
8) Add chick peas to crock pot mixture and cook on low for another 30 minutes.
9) Enjoy!!!

Applesauce in the crock pot

I've been posting lots of dinners and some people still haven't tried them all.  I figured I would post something different.  Once I found out that some applesauces had high fructose corn syrup, I started making my own. Sooooo easy

Applesauce in the crock pot

Ingredients
1) 12 apples
2) 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
3) 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4) 1/2 cup water


Direction
1) Peel and core apples and cut into chunks
2) Place apples, cinnamon, vanilla and water into crock pot
3) Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours
4) Depending on how chunky you like your applesauce, you can either mash it with a fork or put it in a blender.  I use this Hand Blender and do it right in the pot.

This recipe can be changed however you like.  If you like it a bit sweeter, you can add some brown sugar or use apple cider instead of water.  I sometimes add nutmeg too and ALWAYS add more cinnamon.  It's my favorite!

Garlic Lemony Chicken in the Crock Pot

I like making this recipe overnight and taking this chicken for lunch over salad!!

Garlic Lemony Chicken in the Crock Pot

Ingredients
1) 4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts or 6 boneless/skinless chicken thighs (I like thighs sooo much better)
2) 1/2 vidalia onion
3) 2 lemons
4) 4 garlic cloves
5) 2 cups of chicken broth

Directions
1) Cut onion into rings
2) Slice lemons (keep rind on the circles)
3) Dice garlic cloves
4) Put chicken broth in bottom of crock pot
5) Place onions in broth on bottom
6) Place chicken breasts or thighs on top of onions
7) Place lemons and garlic on top of chicken
8) Cover and cook on low for 8 hours
9) Enjoy