Moms in School

Steph & Michaelann have inspired me to post this thread. We were sharing how we love to use the crock pot. So does anyone have a really great crock pot recipe? Something tried and true? Or maybe you have something unique for the crock pot? Let's share it here. Let's see how many we can get!

Of course now I need to go scope out a recipe. I'll be back to post it later!

I could go on and on and on...usually I don't follow a "recipe" though - I add meat, veggies, a liquid and seasonings/spices. Millions of combos and possibilities. Some of my favorites...

Chicken Verde

4 boneless, skinless breasts
2 jars favorite green salsa
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use the low sodium/low fat one)

At the end I shred the chicken, then add about 8oz sour cream. We eat it over brown rice or as a filling for whole wheat tortillas.

No name - LOL

4 boneless, skinless breasts - seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and about 1-2 T italian seasoning
2 cups chopped carrot
1 pkg sliced mushroom
2 chopped bell pepper
1 chopped onion
1 jar spagetti sauce

We shred the chicken at the end and either serve over whole wheat pasta or as a stew

Chicken noodle soup

Season 4 boneless breasts with poultry seasoning, garlic/onion powder, salt, pepper. Sear well in a super hot skillet on the stove to get a nice carmelization/crust. Don't worry about cooking through. Transfer to crock pot. In the pan from the chicken cook 1 onion chopped, 4-5 ribs celery chopped, 1 pkg. baby carrots chopped. Sautee until just softening and deglazing the pan. Add to crock pot. Add one can cream of chicken soup and 2 cartons worth of chicken broth (not sure how much that is - I use the square cartons) I put in a couple pinches of italian seasoning and probably 1-2 tsp of poultry seasoning. The last 30 minutes I added whole wheat egg noodles.

Chili

2 pounds lean ground beef, browned
2 cans kidney beans
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans black beans
2-3 cans diced tomatoes
1-2 bell peppers, chopped
1 onion chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
1 can tomato paste mixed with 2 cups water
chili powder (we use about 3 T regular, with about 1-2 tsp chipotle chili powder)
2 tsp cumin
salt/pepper

I add more water mixed with tomato paste as needed.

I have more on my other computer I will post later.

Stuffed Cabbage Casserole

* 1 pound lean ground beef
* 1 small onion -- chopped
* 4 cups chopped cabbage
* 1 green pepper -- chopped
* 1 cup brown rice -
* 2 cup vegetable broth
* 6 ounces tomato paste
* 15 ounces diced tomatoes -- undrained
* 2 tablespoons vinegar
* 1 tablespoon splenda
* 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Brown beef and onion in skillet; drain well. Combine all ingredients in crockpot.

Lentil Mushroom Barley Casserole

5 c water
3 vegetable bouillon cubes
8 oz sliced fresh mushrooms
1 c uncooked pearl barley
1 c lentils, dried
1 c carrot, chopped
3/4 c onion, chopped
1/2 c green pepper, chopped
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
1 c low fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded & divided
salt (at least a teaspoon)

3 tbsp unsalted sunflower seeds

Mix water & bouillon in a pot. Bring to a boil, stirring till cubes dissolve.
Pour into a 5 qt crockpot. Stir in mushrooms & next 8 ingredients. Cook on LOW
6 hrs until barley is tender & water is absorbed. Discard bay leaf. Stir in 1/2
cup cheese. Spoon mixture into bowls & sprinkle with remaining cheese & seeds.

*** I just use beef broth rather than the whole water/bouillon thing.
I've also added browned, lean ground beef

Tuscan Chicken

2 cups sliced red onions
1 cup sliced fennel bulb
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15-ounce) can white (cannellini) beans, rinsed and drained
1 can reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 (5-ounce) skinless chicken breast halves (with bone)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 cup sliced roasted red peppers (from water-packed jar)
4 cups chopped Swiss chard leaves

Arrange onions, fennel and garlic in bottom of slow cooker. Place beans on top of vegetables. Pour over chicken broth.

Season chicken all over with salt and pepper and place on top of vegetables and beans in the slow cooker. Sprinkle rosemary over chicken. Place roasted red pepper slices on top of chicken. Arrange Swiss chard all around chicken.

***I didn't really "stack" it like this - I just throw it all in! And I chop the roasted peppers.

WOW! I am in awe.
OK--so I'm with you in that I tend to throw things in, but not nearly as creative as yours. I'm definitely going to print those out.

For a beef stew for my family of 5:
1 lb cubed beef
5 potatoes cubed
6 carrots cut into chunks
2 onions cut into chunks
4 cups of beef broth (sometimes I'll add a little red wine too)
2 T cornstarch for thickening

Toss everything into the pot except broth and cornstarch.
Dissolve the cornstarch into the broth & pour over the top.
Season to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder,etc.

I have a cookbook for slow cooker recipes. I'm going to raid it and see if there are any other ideas in there.

One of my favorite favorite websites is the year of crockpotting blog (http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/) I usually use mine mostly for making "convenience foods" like chicken stock (1 whole chopped up chicken + carrots + celery for 24 hrs) or beans that can be frozen. I need to get back in the habit of starting something every morning--it was my savior when I was working, but it's become less utilized since I've been a SAHM.

Thanks for inspiring me, and I'm sure we'll be trying your recipes soon, MichaelAnn!