Crockpot and Easy Meals "Index post 372"

[donaldndaisy]

I love beef roasts and beef stews but I despise mushrooms. What is a good alternative to cream of mushroom soup that I can use? I also want my roast to have dark brown gravy, not grayish looking gravy which sometimes happens. What will improve the look of beef gravy?

A great replacement for cream of mushroom, would be cream of onion or celery. Also, have you considered using a beef broth, as your base? You can use canned broth or boullion cubes. If you're cooking with beef, also, consider a splash of worscheshire or red cooking wine, to your base.

 

[donaldndaisy]

I never worry about it...I cook any chicken recipe with frozen chicken all the time...it just has to cook longer is all. I actually prefer it to start frozen, that way I don't have to worry about it being overcooked when I get home....hence my appliance timer for the times it's all thawed out.

You can do a cold thaw. Just remove the chicken from the packaging and place it in a pot or large bowl, of water. Let it thaw for about 30 minutes (by the time you get out of the shower and change into some comfy clothes, it should be ready).

 

[donaldndaisy]

i have read thru this whole thread and wrote down my favorites! i love using my crockpot because dinner is ready when we get home from work. Does your family ever have the same thing every week? well, in ours we have lima bean and connecuh sausage or red beans/rice.

Limas are easy peasy:
1 bag of large limas
1 package of your favorite sausage
little bit of chopped onion
1 garlic clove

brown sausage/ cover limas with water in pot
add everything and cook on low for 8 hrs
serve with cornbread(can u tell i live in the deep south?)

Red Beans/Rice
I use the blue runner brand creole style red beans (2 large cans)
1 package of favorite sausage
1 can red kidney beans
chopped bellpepper
chopped onion
1 garlic clove
1 can of beer
put in pot on low for 3 hrs( i also brown my sausage before)

for my pot roast:
brown my roast
sliced onion/carrots/potatoes/garlic
add all of this to pot/pour 1 can cream of mushroom soup
cook on low for 8 hrs

i will stay on this thread because i love quick and easy meals!!
thanks dissers!!

I've been meaning to try something with lima beans

 

[kghickey]

My family loves this one!

1-1/2 lb pork tenderloin
12 oz. bottle heinz (or store brand) chili sauce
16 oz can cranberry sauce (I've used both whole berry and smooth)
2 Tbsp. brown sugar

1. Place tenderloin in slow cooker.
2. Mix up other ingredients in a bowl. Pour over pork.
3. Cook on high 4-5 hours, then on low for 3-4.

Serve over white rice.

 

[cnlmom]

This is not a whole meal for some, but is for me!!!


Sauteed Mushrooms

I made this in a small crockpot.

Whole raw fresh mushrooms
(I put in enough to fill the crockpot)
about 4-8 tablespoons of butter depending on taste (and how many calories you want to consume)
a few good hard shakes of soy sauce
a package of dry onion soup mix
enough water to fill the crockpot halfway.

I put on low for 5 or so hours.


The mushrooms will look like a ton, but they cook down.

There really is no precise measurments, however I used two and a half packages of mushrooms.

I am next going to experiment with adding some different spices, maybe instead of the soup mix, use a beef bullion cube and garlic???

 

[charming23]

One of my favorite Crockpot recipes is Potato and Double Corn Chowder

Ingredients
1 can evaporated milk
1 can creamed corn
1 can whole kernel corn
8 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
1 bag square hashbrowns
2 tablespoons worchestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

I serve with a dallop of sour cream on top

*also if you find that there is not enough liquid I add in a can of chicken broth since the starch from the potatoes really thickens it up.

 

[calablovedisney]

Hope this isn't a repeat, but here is a really tasty, quick and easy chuck roast recipe.

ingredients:
chuck roast
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 can cranberry sauce

put the onion soup mix in bottom of crock pot. Put the roast on top of that and the cranberry sauce on top of the roast. cook on low for approx. 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4.
I have not tried this, but you can add a little red wine to the sauce left in the pot and make a gravy. We just like it without the gravy though.

 

[IDoDis]

My favorite crock pot meal to date!
THANKS!!!!!

Made this one last week, too! It was really good!

 

[kghickey]

Hope this isn't a repeat, but here is a really tasty, quick and easy chuck roast recipe.

ingredients:
chuck roast
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 can cranberry sauce

put the onion soup mix in bottom of crock pot. Put the roast on top of that and the cranberry sauce on top of the roast. cook on low for approx. 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4.
I have not tried this, but you can add a little red wine to the sauce left in the pot and make a gravy. We just like it without the gravy though.

Thanks!!! 3 ingredients? Right up my alley. I am going to try this tonight!

 

[Cinerbelle]

Every Year around this time I always check the disboards for new crockpot recipes. I have used many yummy recipes. It is definately a good time of year for crockpot meals and Easymeals for all the people on the go! Here are a couple of new Budget friendly meals that I have used lately.


Split pea Soup
Ingredients
1 bag of split peas
1 ham bone/(can use hamhocks)
2 carrots peeled
1/4 of cup onion
2 celery stalks diced and use stems
1 or 2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup fresh parsely or 2 tbs dried parsely
1 and 1/2 qts of water
layer ingredients do not stir cook 4-5 hours on high or 7-10 hours on low
Right before serving remove bone and shred in meat to the soup


I made this one today!

I put this in the crock pot very late Friday night and had such a YUMMY warm lunch on Saturday. I was great! Thanks!!!

 

[Cinerbelle]

All of these sound great. I'm going to try the split pea soup tomorrow. Heres one of mine that I'm making today for the first time:

1 chuck roast
1 pkg dries italian dressing
1 can beer
1 jar of pepperocinis

cook all day in crock pot

good to shred and put on buns

Have never had it, sounded good, looks good, and smells good!!!

I made this yesterday to have during the football games and it turned out fantastic.. hubby LOVED it!!

 

[ekatiel]

I made the Chicken n' Dumplings today. It was FAN-freakin-TASTIC!!! Thanks for the recipe !! --Katie

 

[floridascgirl]

I made the chicken & dumplings tonight, too!!! They were a huge hit.

 

[kghickey]

Hope this isn't a repeat, but here is a really tasty, quick and easy chuck roast recipe.

ingredients:
chuck roast
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 can cranberry sauce

put the onion soup mix in bottom of crock pot. Put the roast on top of that and the cranberry sauce on top of the roast. cook on low for approx. 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4.
I have not tried this, but you can add a little red wine to the sauce left in the pot and make a gravy. We just like it without the gravy though.

Tried this tonight and it's great! I used "beefy onion" soup mix and added about 1/2 cup of water. I could see adding some veges. Thanks again!

 

[jodifla]

wow! great recipes to try! thanks, all

 

[Nette]

I love beef roasts and beef stews but I despise mushrooms. What is a good alternative to cream of mushroom soup that I can use? I also want my roast to have dark brown gravy, not grayish looking gravy which sometimes happens. What will improve the look of beef gravy?

It slows you down a bit, but if you want brown gravy in a crockpot, the best way to start is to brown the beef on all sides before adding it to the pot. Everytime we omit this step we get gray meat.

 

[Mom21]

Made the chicken with black beans, corn, and salsa in the crockpot. Didn't add the cream cheese. DD hates mexican food, but loved it. Ate the leftovers for lunch. it was a bit dry so next time I don't think I'll drain the corn. Served it over rice. Cheap and oh so easy

 

[paper1225]

Did not see this when skimming through the pages..........but got this recipe a while back from the disboards-family loves it!

1 2.5 or 3 lb bag frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 pkg dry italian dressing
1 jar of sliced peppercini's
add all to crockpot (including juice from peppercini's)
easier to mix if you put peppercini's and italian in first and mix, then add ckn. Cook on high till boil, then simmer on low the rest of the day......will fall apart by serving time.........Serve on bed of lettuce with salsa and sour cream!

Yummy!! (and low calorie)

 

[Jsme]

I made a twist on Chicken and Rice tonight.

I put 1.71 lbs of chicken breast into tender size. I coated them with season salt and garlic powder. Place them in the bottom of your crock pot. Add one FF Cream of chicken soup and 1/2 can of water. Cook on high for 3 hours. Add another can of chicken soup without any water and shredded cheese. I just put a nice size handful in the mix.

I did not add my rice to cook in the crockpot. I have found a lot of times with rice it will cook all of your liquids up. I had the chicken and the sauce over brown rice.

We thought it was much better than the normal chicken rice recipes.

I am going to make white chicken chilli tomorrow. If it goes well I will post the recipe.

 

[Jsme]

Someone mentioned a recipe with beef roast and cranberry sauce.

I make a pork loin similar to that recipe.

I normally buy a large pork loin from Aldi and cut it in half. It is still several pounds.

Just put this in your crockpot with 1/2 t0 3/4 can of the cranberry sauce and a packet of dry vegatable soup mix. I normally cook most things on high gor 3 hours because my crockpot cooks hot and fast.