Crock Pot Meals

Most of the Moms today also have jobs outside the house. Crockpots are a great way to prepare a dinner in the morning and have it ready to eat for dinner. I love mine and use it a lot. It is nice to come home knowing that dinner is going to be ready. With little effort I can have dinner on the table in no time at all. Over the years I have cooked many meals in crockpots. Following are a few of my favorite recipes.

Seven Layer Casserole with Ground Beef

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup uncooked rice, washed and drained
1 cup whole kernel corn, drained
dash salt and pepper
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce and 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 to 1 pound extra lean ground beef, uncooked and broken up
dash salt and pepper
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
4 strips bacon, cut in half
shredded cheese, if desired for topping

PREPARATION:
Place ingredients in a buttered 1 1/2 quart casserole in order given. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour. Uncover and cook 30 minutes longer, until bacon is crisp. If desired, top with shredded cheese the last 10 to 15 minutes.Seven layer casserole serves 4.


Home-Style Ribs

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 to 3 lb. country style pork ribs, boneless
1 tbsp. oil
1 large onion, quartered & sliced 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick
.
Sauce:
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup tomato ketchup
1 tbsp. prepared mustard
3 tbsp. brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
Dash black pepper
2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon celery seed

PREPARATION:
Trim excess fat from ribs. In a large skillet, brown ribs in oil; transfer to the slow cooker. Place onion slices over the pork ribs. Combine all remaining ingredients; pour over ribs and onions. Cover and cook on low for 8 - 10 hours Serves 6


All Day Crockpot Chicken

INGREDIENTS:
Marinade:
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
dash ground allspice
dash ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
.
Chicken and Remaining Ingredients
6 chicken breast halves
6 to 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoons butter
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
1 small bell pepper, green or red, seeded, cut in strips
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold milk
1/4 cup cold water

PREPARATION:
Combine marinade ingredients in a non-reactive container with lid or a large sealable food storage bag; blend well. Add the chicken to marinade; cover or close bag and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight.
Place the marinated chicken in the slow cooker. Add marinade to cover chicken. Sauté mushrooms in the butter, then add to chicken and marinade in slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours. About 1 hour before done, add mandarin orange sections, green pepper and ginger; stir well. When done, mix together the cornstarch, milk and cold water, then gradually add into the slow cooker while stirring; cover and cook 15 minutes longer, until thickened.
Serves 6.

Cheesy Slow Cooker Chicken

INGREDIENTS:
6 boneless chicken breast halves, without skin
salt and pepper, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup

PREPARATION:
Rinse chicken and sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix undiluted soup and pour over chicken in a Crock Pot. Cook on low 6 to 8 hours. Serve over rice or noodles.Serves 6.
Everybody loves Chili!

Black Bean Chili With Beef

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup cooked black beans
1 lb. stew beef, cubed
2 tablespoons bacon drippings or vegetable oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green peppers
1/2 cup diced green chile peppers
3 tbsp. tomato paste
3 to 4 beef bouillon cubes, or beef base
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 tsp. salt and pepper
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mild Cheddar cheese
PREPARATION:

Brown stew beef in bacon drippings or oil with onion and green pepper. Combine all ingredients except cheese and cook 6 to 8 hours on low.Serve hot in bowls with a little cheese sprinkled over each serving.


Another Chili

Crockpot Chili

INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds ground round, browned and drained
2 cans kidney beans (15 ounces each) , canned, drained
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
4 tablespoons chili powder
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
6 ounces black olives, pitted and drained
1/2 cup water

PREPARATION:
Brown and drain ground round in skillet.
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and mix thoroughly.
Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Rick's Note: Goes well with grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese sprinkled on top.Can be frozen and then reheated in a sauce pan later in the week for quick dinners


Beef Pot Roast with Sour Cream

INGREDIENTS:
4 to 5 pound lean chuck roast
1 clove garlic, mashed
salt and pepper to taste
1 large carrot, chopped
1 rib celery, chopped
1 small onion, sliced
3/4 c. sour cream mixed with 3 Tbs. flour and 1/2 cup dry white wine

PREPARATION:
Rub roast with garlic and season with salt and pepper. Place in the Crockpot and add chopped carrot, celery, and sliced onion. Cover and cook on low 10 to 12 hours. Add sour cream mixture 30 to 40 minutes before done. Serve with hot cooked noodles.

I sometimes double the sour cream mixture


Italian Sausage Spaghetti Sauce

INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds Italian sausage (sweet, hot, or mild)
48 to 54 ounces spaghetti sauce, about 2 large jars
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
green bell pepper, sliced thin
1 lg. onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
3/4 cup water

PREPARATION:
Place sausage in skillet and cover in water. Simmer 10 minutes; drain. Meanwhile, place all remaining ingredients in the crockpot. Cut Italian sausage into large chunks and add to the pot; cover and cook on LOW 4 to 5 hours.
Increase to HIGH and cook 1 hour longer. Serve sauce over spaghetti and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serves 10 to 12.