Cooking Crock pot crazy

[sherry7]

I didn't read the whole thread but wanted to share my favorite crockpot recipes since I LOVE using my crockpot!

- Beans - I cook all my beans from dried in the crockpot because it's effortless basically. It's much cheaper than canned beans as well. I put the cooked beans in freezer bags and then just pop them in the micro when I want to use them.

- Yogurt - I follow the crockpot lady's advice and it turned out great. So much cheaper than the yogurt I was buying.

- I like this spinach with noodles and cheese recipe. I put it on low though, not high as she suggests.

What do you have to do to prep the beans? I'm assuming rinse them, but do they need soaked overnight too? And, approximately how long to they take to cook? Thanks!

 

[Plantlady]

What do you have to do to prep the beans? I'm assuming rinse them, but do they need soaked overnight too? And, approximately how long to they take to cook? Thanks!

I do beans.

I soak overnight (after rinsing, sorting, ect)

then, the next day I drain the water, and give it fresh water, covering the beans completely, and cook on low for at LEAST 9 hours. (7am to 5pm)

I don't know what the magic number is, for how long to cook. But, once I forgot to turn them on, and did so at like 10, and they were NOT soft by dinner time. So.. now, I turn them on at 7, before leaving for work, and dinner's served at 5. Always done perfectly.

 

[sherry7]

I do beans.

I soak overnight (after rinsing, sorting, ect)

then, the next day I drain the water, and give it fresh water, covering the beans completely, and cook on low for at LEAST 9 hours. (7am to 5pm)

I don't know what the magic number is, for how long to cook. But, once I forgot to turn them on, and did so at like 10, and they were NOT soft by dinner time. So.. now, I turn them on at 7, before leaving for work, and dinner's served at 5. Always done perfectly.

Thanks! I always cook my beans on the stove...never thought about using the crock pot.

 

[MazdaUK]

Any recipes using diced pork? (Not including beans - the boys won't touch). I've got tomatoes and stuff. And bisquick

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Has anyone tried crockpot lasagna?? Recipes I've read online call for browning the meat and cooking the noodles first. I don't mind browning the meat first, but cooking the noodles too seems like a time waster.

 

[piratesmate]

Has anyone tried crockpot lasagna?? Recipes I've read online call for browning the meat and cooking the noodles first. I don't mind browning the meat first, but cooking the noodles too seems like a time waster.

I've made the one called Almost Lasagna that's in the index, but it calls for cooking the meat & pasta first. I always have browned meat in the freezer anyway, but was doing the noodles. DH told me the last time that he didn't want me to make it anymore because it seems to cook unevenly. It always seems to burn in one spot before the middle is done. So I've just gone back to making it in the oven w/o cooking the noodles or just baked ziti with the meat tossed in. He likes that better - although I really liked the crockpot stuff enough to cook the noodles separately. LOL

 

[MazdaUK]

I did the Betty Crocker version and it worked a treat Wouldn't say serves 8 though

 

[etoiles]

I do beans.

I soak overnight (after rinsing, sorting, ect)

then, the next day I drain the water, and give it fresh water, covering the beans completely, and cook on low for at LEAST 9 hours. (7am to 5pm)

I don't know what the magic number is, for how long to cook. But, once I forgot to turn them on, and did so at like 10, and they were NOT soft by dinner time. So.. now, I turn them on at 7, before leaving for work, and dinner's served at 5. Always done perfectly.

Ditto. I cook beans the same way. I highly recommend rinsing them and after soaking dumping the water and getting fresh for cooking. I read an article from a lady that reminded me that dried beans are not washed at all so may have dirt, mouse you know what, etc... on it and so always wash them!

Then after cooking them I divy them up into plastic bags or containers and pop them in the freezer. When I need them during the week I take them out and microwave them until thawed. Super easy.

 

[etoiles]

Has anyone tried crockpot lasagna?? Recipes I've read online call for browning the meat and cooking the noodles first. I don't mind browning the meat first, but cooking the noodles too seems like a time waster.

I made this recipe from everyday food (vegetarian version). No noodle cooking first. It was decent and cooked throughout & evenly.

 

[mel63]

Can't get them here in the North. I love them. So easy to make. I have only made salted ones, but I am sure you can make cajun and other flavors, by adding seasoning to the crockpot.

1 pound of raw peanuts (or as much or as little as you want and will fit in the crockpot)
water
salt

Put peanuts in crockpot, cover with water add salt. Cook on high for couple of hours. I think I cook them about 4 -5 hours.

Peanuts float, so you can weigh them down by putting a plate on top or just stir them periodically.

Yum!

 

[Kirby]

I tasted boiled peanuts at an orange grove not far from WDW that we stopped at on our way home. How much salt do you add and are they shelled?

 

[mel63]

I tasted boiled peanuts at an orange grove not far from WDW that we stopped at on our way home. How much salt do you add and are they shelled?

No, they are not shelled. Make sure you use raw peanuts, not roasted. I just pour some salt in. The water should be slightly salty. Maybe a Tablespoon or so, depending on how much water I use. Less, if you add other seasoning that contains salt.

You may need to rinse off the peanuts first to remove any excess dirt that may be on the shells.

 

[Kirby]

Thanks! I'll have to try this next time my son is in town from college. He and I were the only ones that liked the boiled peanuts. My husband and daughter definately did not.

 

[piratesmate]

I've gathered a few recipes from other threads & updated the index.

Also, there is a new thread that may have been brought over from the Budget board. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2063370

I've indexed their recipes & included them in a separate section so you'll know where to find them. It included a few links that hadn't been posted here - at least I think they're new:

- old thread from Budget board: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1646479
- "Crockpot Lady" blog http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/
- Corned Beef & Cabbage in the crock thread: thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2119508

And another cookbook was mentioned: Fresh from the Vegetarian Slow Cooker by Robin Robertson

From the Weight Watcher's thread...

This is my favorite and easy too!

Taco Soup 1 cup = 1 pt

48 oz jar of Randall White Great Northern Beans (Drain & rinse)
2 cups of Whole Kernel corn (2-11 oz cans)
2-28 oz cans of Diced Tomatoes Del Fratelli Seasoned
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup water
1 pkg of Taco Seasoning Mix
1 pkg of Hidden Valley Ranch Party Dip

Mix all of the above ingredients in a crock pot or pot on stove. Bring to a boik and simmer 15-20 minutes. Serve hot. Makes 10 cups.

I don't use the whole Taco packet, just half. I also make a batch and put it in the glad containers and freeze it. Great for lunch!

 

[MazdaUK]

What can I do with it in the crockpot for tomorrow evening?

 

[MazdaUK]

Browned first or not? (and how? oven or skillet?)
stir or not?
Tomatoes or BBQ?
Pasta added or cooked separately??

TIA!

 

[storzo]

Browned first or not? (and how? oven or skillet?)
stir or not?
Tomatoes or BBQ?
Pasta added or cooked separately??

TIA!

How I do it:

Not Browned
Not Stirred
Tomato Sauce
Pasta Cooked Separately

 

[storzo]

I have some ribs. I was going to just throw them in with bbq sauce. Any better ideas?

 

[MazdaUK]

I've gone down the "pasta separately" route - I love the idea of the whole lot in the crockpot, but the pasta was going a bit gluey. And definitely the tomato sauce is best

 

[Torontogal]

I'm no great cook, but I've been inspired by all the crockpot posts, and I've used mine quite a lot the last few weeks. Mostly I use a jar of sauce, with either chicken or sausages - even though it's ready made sauce, it's still so nice to come in from work and smell something cooking. We have been eating much earlier too, which is great for my dd as it means she gets to bed ontime.

The last one we did was chicken curry -and it was delicious - I just made the rice when I got in and dinner was ready when the rice was done.

Bev

Care to share your chicken curry recipe? Thanks!