Crockpot and Easy Meals "Index post 372"

[Heidict]

Is it possible that my crock pot is bad?? I have one that I got years ago and it has a ceramic crock. I made the chicken/salsa/blk bean/ corn/ cr cheese recipe today with frozen boneless breast and it only cooked for 4 hours on high and the chicken was still dry....wth???? Not to mention the color of the dish was not appealing at all. Ive tried other recipes with frozen boneless breast and its always dry. Should I get a new crockpot? I have yet to cook something in there that i liked

I used to have this problem also with my old crockpot. Not sure what the problem was. My sister bought us a new one for christmas a year or so ago and we haven't had any problems since. Everything turns out yummy and juicy. Thankfully, she got us the one that is all digital and will automatically go to warm once the cooking time is done. This has helped saved many a meal in this house. Not fun to walk in after work and smell burnt food.

My contribution is beer bratwurst. Take 2pkgs of Johnsonville Brats (or any thin-skinned bratwurst) & brown them in a skillet. You don't have to cook them through, just brown the outsides. Put them in a crockpot (you can stack them) & pour a bottle of German beer over them (I like Paulaner but Warsteiner is good as well). Cook them on low all day. We eat them like hot dogs with sauerkraut or wtih no bun & a good mustard to dip them into. Everyone loves them & the leftovers are even better.

Brats and beer. Is their anything better? I'm going to have to try this one real soon. The German in my is crying out!!

Originally


Hi - I just wanted to add and say that my family also loved this recipe (although I used mango salsa and low reduced fat cream cheese) over rice. Then yesterday I made stuffed poblano peppers with it and it was even bettter! I took the saved leftovers and shredded the chicken, then I halved the poblano peppers (a mildly hot pepper) length wise and stuffed them with the chicken. I placed them in a baking dish with a thin amount of taco sauce in the bottom and cooked them until the peppers were roasted until soft and the chicken heated thoroughly, (about 1/2 hour or so at 350 - btw, I'm a cook that improvises so the temp/time is approximate!) Then I sprinkled some low fat shredded mexican cheese mixture (e.g. Kraft or any other brand) on top of the peppers and baked for about 5 - 10 minutes until the cheese melted. My family liked this dish even more as we like a little 'heat' and this just hit the spot -btw, on the side I also served some Goya boxed yellow rice mix which was very easy to make too - yummy !!

Hope someone tries this easy and use of crockpot leftovers without anyone thinking it was made in the crock - btw, I love this thread!

Sounds like it would probably work well in some roasted anahiem also. I may have to pick up some poblano's when I go to the store and try this with the leftovers.



I noticed that a lot of these meals go great with rice but sometimes, I don't even have time to throw that on the stove. Plus, I suck at cooking rice. Never comes out good. I have tried the microwavable bag ones and hated them. I think mine tasted better.

On a whim I grabbed a bag of Uncle Ben's brown & wild rice mix, the microwavable one. Pop it in the microwave and in 2 minutes you have a side dish. To say I was scared to try it would be an understatment, but I did. Plus it's a lot healthier then white rice and I figured why not.

OMG!! It is incredible and delicious and cooked perfectly. My DH, a Puerto Rican who is very, very particular about his rice, even loved it. So glad I discovered this and now have a whole bunch of them in my pantry. They say to cook for 90 seconds, but I always do a full 2 minutes and found that it works better. Just thought I would let you know.

Quick, easy and healthy!! Perfect side dish a lot of these great crockpot meals.

 

[ceecee]

I have gotten the Steamers rice as well I think it's Bird's Eye and it's good, about half the price of Uncle Bens, which is a little better though. The Steamer veggies are a great quick side.

 

[Heidict]

I have gotten the Steamers rice as well I think it's Bird's Eye and it's good, about half the price of Uncle Bens, which is a little better though. The Steamer veggies are a great quick side.

Is that the frozen one?

Yeah, the Uncle Ben one is $2 and something and only yields about 2 cups. Not really a bargain.

 

[elgerber]

I have gotten the Steamers rice as well I think it's Bird's Eye and it's good, about half the price of Uncle Bens, which is a little better though. The Steamer veggies are a great quick side.

I've never tried the steamers rice, but the steamers corn is excellent!!! My dh commented on how good it was, and it's the only corn I can buy now.

 

[ceecee]

Is that the frozen one?

Yeah, the Uncle Ben one is $2 and something and only yields about 2 cups. Not really a bargain.

There's frozen and have tons of different kinds.

 

[njsweetP]

Looks like we're going to be snowed in tomorrow, so I have all the makings for the chicken and dumplings! Can't wait...I'm going to add a bag of frozen veggies in with it too. Should be really good!

 

[thelionqueen]

Not for a crock pot but good and easy to make.

Tater Tot Casserole
1 1/2 - 2 pounds hamburger
1 Family Size Can Cream of Mushroom soup
1 Bag tater tots
1 8oz bag Colby Jack Shredded Cheese

Cook Hamburger with salt and pepper until done breaking it up as it cooks.
Drain Well.
Mix meat with Cream of Mushroom Soup warm slightly.
Spread into bottom of 9x13 cake pan.
Place tater tots on top of above mixture. (laying them neatly out to form rows).
Cook 35-40 min at 350 deg.
Spinkle cheese on top (I use about 3/4 of the bag) and place back in oven till cheese is melted.

Let set 10min before serving.

I am trying this one tonight!!

 

[Heidict]

There's frozen and have tons of different kinds.

I will have to check for those the next time I'm at the store.

Okay, time for a couple of our favorites.




HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN

10 boneless & skinless chicken thighs (I used bone-in and just took off the skin and they worked great)

1 20-oz can pineapple tidbits

3/4 cup honey

3/4 cup reduced sodium soy sauce

3 Tbsp ketchup

2 gloves crushed garlic

Put chicken in slow cooker. Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, ketchup and garlic in bowl. Pour over chicken.

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Stir in pineapple tidbits before serving.




STEAK WITH ONIONS

2-2 1/2 lb boneless beef bottom round steaks, trimmed and cut into 6 equal pieces.

1/2 cup steak sauce

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

4 cups sliced mushrooms (for those who don't like fungus, sub bells peppers)

1 chopped onion

salt and season to taste

Put steak and steak sauce in a ziplock bag and marinate for 1-8 hours. (I always do this the night before).

Brown steaks in oil over medium high heat for a couple of minutes each side.

Layer mushrooms, onions and steak in slow cooker. Deglaze the frying pan with a small amount of water and add juices from the pan to the slow cooker and sprinkle in salt and pepper.

Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4-6 hours.

 

[Echo queen]

Crockpot Chicken with Black Beans and Cream Cheese

I just put this in the crock.

 

[minnie1012]

I made this last week, it was okay but the cranberries burnt! Guess I cooked it too long...the meat was tender though.

I misread the cooking instructions so that is why mine cooked less : ) I started it too late so I wasn't able to cook as long. I did 4 hours on high and then only an hour and half on low and it came out fine and the cranberries weren't burnt.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Not sure if this recipe is on this thread but we are having it tonight... Very easy..

Cheesy Ham and Potatoes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups diced ham
8 medium potatoes, peeled
1 green pepper
1 can (10oz size) cheddar cheese soup
2 thinly sliced onions
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Directions:

Layer ham, onion, potato, green pepper in a slow cooker. Sprinkle with cheese. Pour soup over all. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 5-6 hours.

(I use turkey ham and it is very good)

 

[ski_mom]

Not sure if this recipe is on this thread but we are having it tonight... Very easy..

Cheesy Ham and Potatoes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups diced ham
8 medium potatoes, peeled
1 green pepper
1 can (10oz size) cheddar cheese soup
2 thinly sliced onions
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Turn this recipe into a puzzle! [click]

Directions:

Layer ham, onion, potato, green pepper in a slow cooker. Sprinkle with cheese. Pour soup over all. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 5-6 hours.

(I use turkey ham and it is very good)

This sounds great - I'm always looking for ham recipes because my family loves ham. Do you just leave the potatoes whole?

 

[ceecee]

Crockpot Chicken with Black Beans and Cream Cheese

I just put this in the crock.

That's what we're having tonight too! We're snowed in, so I made something that I had all the ing. for. I guess since it's a little soupy I'll serve it over tortilla chips? Rice???

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

This sounds great - I'm always looking for ham recipes because my family loves ham. Do you just leave the potatoes whole?

No I peel and slice thin. It only takes me a few minutes and I dislike undercooked potatoes.

 

[chrismiss56]

Hi

I love following this thread.....

Does it matter which size crockpot or slow cooker you use.

I have a 6 qt slow cooker - with the kids moved out it is only DH and I.

I have been looking for slow cooker recipes for the 2 of us and many of them recommend a 3 1/2 qt - 4 qt slow cooker. I really don't want to buy a new one.

Does it matter? Can I somehow make the 6qt smaller?

Thanks!!

 

[NC State]

We had the creamy pork chops and they were great, it's a keeper for us! The cream cheese was lumpy but I'll do better next time.

 

[charming23]

Not sure if this recipe is on this thread but we are having it tonight... Very easy..

Cheesy Ham and Potatoes

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups diced ham
8 medium potatoes, peeled
1 green pepper
1 can (10oz size) cheddar cheese soup
2 thinly sliced onions
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Directions:

Layer ham, onion, potato, green pepper in a slow cooker. Sprinkle with cheese. Pour soup over all. Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 5-6 hours.

(I use turkey ham and it is very good)

That sounds delish. We are making a ham on sunday and this sounds perfect to do with some of the leftovers.

 

[Echo queen]

Crockpot Chicken with Black Beans and Cream Cheese

I just put this in the crock.

This was very good, we loved it.

 

[Heidict]

Had the Chicken and Black Beans with Cream Cheese last night. We loved it. My DH kept saying how good it was and that it was a keeper.

 

[thelionqueen]

I made the tater tot casserole and it was yummy!

I don't know that our bodies could handle that amount of fat very often, but it sure was good!