Crockpot Obsession

Alright y'all!

I know it's been forever since I posted. I kind of got into a food rut and got busy…and insert every excuse you can imagine. I wanted to come back to the blog with a really useful post. One that could change your kitchen, forever. Ok, maybe that's too much hype but I do have a post that I think is completely worth your time. It's about my love of an appliance.

Yep, I love an appliance. I may love more than one but today I'm focusing on the CROCKPOT! I could use mine everyday. In truth, I have used it several days in a row this week and have plans to continue using it for several more. I thought that since I already had all my recipes out for the week, I could share them with you.

First, I need to talk to those of you who are fearful of leaving a crockpot plugged in and running while you are out of the house. Apparently, there is a large number of you out there. They are designed for that purpose. They use less power than your DVR and get less hot. If your neurosis will not allow you to leave the house with an appliance plugged in, I would like to remind you that your refrigerator stays plugged in, as does your stove, microwave, coffee pot, etc. Do I need to go on?

Second, you don't need the fanciest crockpot. The one you got for a wedding gift will work. Even if it has ivy and flowers on it, it will do just fine. Most recipes say 4-6 hours or 6-8 hours but I've found that it's a mere estimation. Most recipes will be just fine if they go a little longer. If you have a plug in timer, like those for your Christmas lights, you can use it for your crockpot, too. I have never found that necessary, but I thought I'd throw it out there.

Now to the main event…the recipes! Some are repeats and others are brand new to the blog. Here's a week's worth of meals to keep your crockpot on overdrive and your fridge full.

Meal 1 - Roast with Carrots and Onions
Don't let the simplicity of this meal fool you. It is amazing! I've had friends beg for this recipe. I would pay $15 per plate for it at the finest restaurant.

1 3-4 pound boneless roast beef (chuck or round roast)
1 pound carrots, cut into chunks
1 cup broth, chicken or beef
½ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 cloves garlic, chopped

Place beef in the crockpot and cover with carrots. In bowl, mix all ingredients and over meat and carrots. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Remove and shred. Serve with carrots and mashed potatoes. Yum!!!

Meal 2 - Crockpot Refried Beans (adapted from 100daysofrealfood.com)

I changed just a few things from the original version and serve it with the frozen mixed veggies that you can steam right in the bag. The kids and parents agreed it's really great.

1 onion, diced
2 cups dry pinto beans, rinsed
½ fresh jalapeño, seeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
¾ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons cumin
6 cups water
1 cup shredded white cheese
Salsa
Shredded cabbage
Sour cream

Combine first 8 ingredients in slow cooker. Cook on high for 8 hours. Using a mug or ladle, dip out excess liquid.
Mash remaining beans with a potato masher and add extra liquids if needed. Steam veggies according to directions. Season them with salt and pepper. Spoon out beans and sprinkle with cheese. Serve with a "salad" of cabbage, salsa, and sour cream.

Meal 3 - Lemon Garlic Crockpot Chicken
This meal is perfect for those of you that hate touching raw meat. I recently saw a news article that said raw chicken shouldn't be rinsed due to cross contamination. This frees me from doing too much raw handling. Don't throw away the bones because you're going to need them for making chicken stock tomorrow. So easy and about $1.50 to make 6-8 quarts of stock.

1 whole chicken, giblets removed
3 lemons, 2 halved, 1 sliced
2 heads of garlic, tops cut off and loose paper removed
4 sprigs of rosemary
2 tablespoons poultry seasoning or season all

In your crockpot, place halved lemons and garlic heads cut sides up. These will hold up the chicken and allow the juices to pool without soaking the chicken. Season chicken with seasoning and then place slices of lemons and rosemary sprigs on top of chicken. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Remove chicken and cut up for dinner. Serve with roasted vegetables and whole grain side like quinoa or brown rice. Don't forget to save the bones and giblets for the stock.

Meal 4 - Chicken Stock
Ok, so this isn't technically a meal but it will turn into one or many depending on the size of you crockpot.

Chicken bones and giblets from one chicken
1 onion, quartered
2 ribs of celery, chopped big
2 carrots, chopped big
3 cloves of garlic, papers removed
herbs, I used parsley and chive but you can use any of your favorites, fresh or dried
5 peppercorns
2-3 tablespoons of salt

Place everything in a crockpot and cook on low overnight or 8-10 hours. Strain through a mesh colander. I've found that you can sanitize your mason jars and fill them with the hot broth. They will seal themselves as they cool. Put them in the fridge for up to a month. Don't forget to label it with a date.

Meal 5 - Apple Butter
This also isn't a meal. Though by adding biscuits, pancakes, or crepes, it could easily become one. I love apple butter but most is full of sugar. I finally found a recipe that uses all whole, real foods. This can be canned and processed to last for a year or canned frozen or refrigerated. The options are unlimited. Makes 5-6 pints.

21 whole Medium-sized Apples (use A Sweet Variety like Jonathan, Gala Or Fuji)
4-½ cups Unsweetened Apple Juice
6 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
3 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
1/3 teaspoon Sea Salt

Core and slice apples with skin on. Place in a 6 qt. or larger crockpot with all of the other ingredients. Stir mixture a few times to coat the apples evenly with the liquid and spices. Cover cook on low for 12 hours. Use an immersion blender to blend apple mixture to a smooth consistency. At this point you can use any of the methods for storage above. If you water can it, boil for 10 minutes in water bath.

Meal 5 - Tinga Tostadas Crockpot
I’ve converted this recipe into a Crockpot classic. This dish looks super simple but tastes like a million bucks. It's a classic Mexican dish that would make a great Taco Tuesday recipe. You've got to try this one!

4 large chicken breasts
3 cans diced tomatoes with juices
1 clove garlic, minced
4 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced or mixed in a food processor
1/2 cup chicken stock
3 softball sized onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup olive oil

Place all ingredients in Crockpot on low for 8 hours. Shred chicken breasts with two forks. Serve on crispy tortillas with sour cream, shredded cheese and lettuce.

I hope you'll set your crockpot free from it's hiding place and create some really amazing home cooked meals for your family. You can easily double these and freeze for later use.

With full crockpot and happy family,

Brooke