I don’t know about you, but my crockpot was one of the first gifts that was purchased for me when it was time for me to move out into this big scary world on my own. For a while, it really just sat in the cupboard. At one point ~ I decided it was time to start using it ~ and then it just took up space on the counter. The truth is we are all busy. Whether we’re stay at home mom’s, students, full time employees or a combination of any of the hats us women wear now a days ~ there aren’t always enough hours in the day to get everything done that we need to, and still provide our family with a nutritional dinner on the table each evening.
So why not fully utilize the crockpot, and all of its amazing glory?
I’m going to highlight for you some of my crockpot favorites so you can see how easy it all really can be.
1. ~ A Basic Pot Roast ~
You will need:
- 1 bag mini carrots
- A roast (any top of bottom or round roast)
- 4 potatoes, cubed
- 1/2 an onion, cubed
- 2 cups beef broth (again you can use cubes)
- Garlic Salt & Italian Seasoning
Put the roast in first, cover and surround with potatoes, onions & carrots. Add beef broth, and seasoning.
If you do this first thing in the morning, cook on low all day. Meal will be ready when you are. If you’re making it later in the day, put it on high for the first 3 hours and then turn it down.
2. ~Beef Stew~
I want to provide you here with a quick disclaimer. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED if you do not have all of the ingredients that are required in a recipe. If you don’t have garlic powder? It’s not the end of the world if you use salt. Don’t have a bay leaf? Season your dish up with some italian seasoning or parsley. Just wing it!
- 1 bag mini carrots
- 3 potatoes, cubed
- 2 lbs. beef chuck, cubed (in a lot of butcher departments you can find this done for you)
- 2 cups water
- 2 beef bouillon cubes
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 bay leaf
- salt & pepper
- 2 onions, chopped
- 1 rib celery, sliced
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/3 cup cold water
Combine all of the ingredients except the flour and cold water. Mix well. Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours. When it’s time to eat, dissolve the flour into the water and stir into the mixture. Turn the crockpot on high and cook for about 10 minutes, or until thickened. Enjoy.
3. ~ Beef Stroganoff ~ I love this recipe because I can exclude the mushrooms and it’s no longer deadly (yes, I have a mushroom allergy, weird, I know).
You will need:
- 1 lb. round steak, cubed
- 1 Tbsp. shortening
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 10 3/4 oz can cream of celery soup
- 4 oz can mushroom pieces, drained
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt
If you’d like ~ you can brown the meat in the shortening in a saucepan prior to cooking. If you do so, add onions and celery and saute until they’re tender. Them combine all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and get on with your day. I recommend serving over hot egg noodles, but this is your kitchen.
4. ~ Reuben Sandwiches ~
You will need:
- 1 lb. can sauerkraut (fresh if you can get it, mmmm!)
- 1 lb. sliced corn beef brisket
- 1/4 lb swiss cheese, sliced
- Sliced rye bread
- Thousand island dressing
Drain the sauerkraut until it’s very dry (use paper towels to absorb the moisture) and place in the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange a layer of corned beef slices over the sauerkraut and top with cheese slices. This one you’ll want to cook on low for 4 hours.
When dinner time is upon you, simply toast the bread and spread generously with the thousand island dressing. Spoon ingredients from slow cooker onto the bread maintaining the different layers ~ and enjoy!
Alright, so there’s your mission for the week. Pull out the crockpot and make it happen! More recipes coming soon!
Sincerely,
~Nikki
No comments:
Post a Comment