Currently viewing the tag: "crock-pot"

Homestyle Mac & Cheese

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macandcheese

 

Well, apparently today is National Cheese Day! Who knew? So in honor of that, here’s a recipe that turned out great (according to the toughest critics ~ my kids!) Creamy & delicious. Awesome comfort food. And easy, easy, easy.

Inactive prep. time: 12 hours. Active prep. time: 20 minutes. Cost: Less than $10. Serves: 6 – 8.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 tablespoons buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups of cheddar cheese (grated)
  • 1 16-ounce package elbow macaroni

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Add heavy cream and buttermilk to a medium-sized bowl, stir, & let sit out overnight (12 hours) at room temperature (roughly 74 degrees). The cream will thicken & be roughly the consistency of yogurt. That’s what you want. (If you aren’t going to use it right away, you can cover the bowl with plastic wrap & put it in the refrigerator for use later.)
  2. Coat Crock-Pot with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Add cream/buttermilk combination you just made overnight to the Crock-Pot.
  4. Add salt & black pepper to the Crock-Pot & stir.
  5. Add cheese to Crock-Pot and stir.
  6. Cook macaroni according to the package directions, drain, then add to the Crock-Pot and stir.
  7. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours or until cheese is melted.
  8. Enjoy!

Please keep in mind that cooking times may vary so the first time you make a recipe, keep an eye on the Crock-Pot. You may need to adjust the amount of cooking time.

FYI ~ I made Buttermilk Biscuits to go along with the Mac & Cheese using this fabulous recipe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hearty Bean & Ham Soup

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Hearty Bean & Ham Soup

 

So my husband loves bean & ham soup. He tells me this turned out delicious. Then he called me awesome. So this one’s a winner. Prep. time: about 20 minutes. Costs less than $10. Feeds 6 – 8.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 1 1/2 cups small white beans, soaked overnight in cold water
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)
  • 1/2 pound ham steak, cubed and the skin edge cut off
  • 3/4 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 cup carrots, peeled & chopped into cubes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 3 1/4 cups water
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried-leaf thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a large bowl, add beans and enough cold water to cover by at least two inches. Let stand overnight.  (And if you forget to do this the night before, you can do the quick method, which is to put the beans in a large pot, cover with hot water by at least two inches, & bring to a rapid boil on the stove. Let it boil for two minutes, then remove from heat, cover & let it sit for an hour).
  2. Drain beans & rinse with cold water. Pick out any loose skins you see.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat on the stove. Add the ham, onion, celery, & carrots, stirring often until browned, about five minutes or so. Add the garlic & cook for another minute, stirring often.
  4. Add all the ingredients from step 3 into the Crock-Pot, making sure to scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet into the Crock-Pot.
  5. Add the chicken broth, water, tomato paste, thyme, salt, pepper, & bacon to the Crock-Pot and stir.
  6. Add the beans to the Crock-Pot & stir.
  7. Cover and cook for 8 hours on LOW or 5 hours on HIGH.
  8. Using a large spoon, crush some beans against the side of the Crock-Pot, enough so that you get the consistency you like, then stir.
  9. Enjoy!

Please keep in mind that cooking times may vary so the first time you make a recipe, keep an eye on the Crock-Pot. You may need to adjust the amount of cooking time.

 

 

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Decadent Homemade Hot Chocolate

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Decadent Homemade Hot Chocolate

Well, if you’re a chocoholic & can’t ever get enough chocolate (like me!), then this is the recipe for you. Prep. time: about 5 minutes. Costs less than $10. Feeds 8 – 10.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips (60% cacao)
  • 5 ounces milk chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 cups whole milk
  • 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a medium saucepan, mix bittersweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, & heavy cream.
  2. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until melted.
  3. Remove from heat and pour into crock-pot.
  4. Add vanilla extract, whole milk, & sweetened condensed milk to crock-pot & stir.
  5. Cover & heat on HIGH for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until hot.
  6. Enjoy!

Careful, it’ll be hot.

Please keep in mind that cooking times may vary so the first time you make a recipe, keep an eye on the crock-pot. You may need to adjust the amount of cooking time.

 

 

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Cheddar Cheesy Potatoes

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Cheddar Cheesy Potatoes

Need an easy side dish that tastes great & doesn’t cost too much? Here’s a fantastic choice. Prep. time: about 10 minutes. Costs less than $10. Feeds 6 – 8.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 8 medium potatoes, peeled & sliced thin
  • 1 cup bacon, cooked & torn into small pieces
  • 2 cups Cheddar cheese (1 1/2 cups, then 1/2 cup)
  • Sprinkle of salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Using 1/3 of the potatoes, make a layer in the crock-pot.
  2. Sprinkle 1/3 of the bacon over that.
  3. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of Cheddar cheese over that.
  4. Sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Repeat, making layers until all the ingredients are used.
  6. Melt butter and combine with heavy cream, stir.
  7. Pour butter/cream evenly over ingredients in the crock-pot.
  8. Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 3 1/2 hours.
  9. Turn crock-pot off and remove cover. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese over top. Put the cover back on & let sit 10 minutes.
  10. Enjoy!

Please keep in mind that cooking times may vary so the first time you make a recipe, keep an eye on the crock-pot. You may need to adjust the amount of cooking time.

 

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Caramel Mocha Latte Love Potion*

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Caramel Mocha Latte Love Potion

What I love about cooking is that you really can reach a person’s heart through his/her stomach. I know because I’ve done it. And not only that but you can find your own heart, too. Adding a splash of this or taking away a dash of that, you can find out how much passion you have, how much you’re willing to risk, what really matters to you. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you’ll also get ideas for other things (& not just recipes either), this idea sparking that idea flashing into another idea. Like anything creative, too, it’s about connecting with people and making them feel something. And this crock-pot recipe for a love potion* (a.k.a. caramel mocha lattes) will make you & them feel joy.

Prep. time: 5 minutes. Cost: Less than $5. Serves: 6.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 2 8-ounce cups strong brewed coffee (I used Starbucks Espresso grounds or you can just double the amount of coffee grounds you normally would use to brew coffee)
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/2 cup liquid caramel** (I used Hershey’s Caramel Topping for ice cream ~ comes in a glass jar)
  • 1/2 cup liquid chocolate** (I used Hershey’s Hot Fudge Topping for ice cream ~ comes in a glass jar. Follow the label directions & microwave with the cap off for a minute before pouring)
  • Whipped-cream and chocolate shavings (optional but highly recommended)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Add all of the above except whipped-cream & chocolate shavings into the crock-pot.
  2. Stir.
  3. Cover & cook on HIGH for 1 hour.
  4. Stir then ladle into mugs (refrigerate any leftover).
  5. Top with whipped-cream and chocolate shavings (optional).
  6. Be careful, it’ll be very hot.
  7. Enjoy!

*Love potion results not guaranteed.

**You can play around with this, use less or more depending on how sweet you like your mocha lattes.

 

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Fabulous Turkey Stew

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Fabulous Turkey Stew

Well, Thanksgiving’s coming. Know what that means? Yes, some gratitude. But also, lots of leftover turkey. Here’s a recipe to use up some of that while making everyone even more grateful at the same time. Serves 8 – 10. Assuming you already have the turkey, it costs less than $15. Prep. time: this one’s a little more involved; it’ll probably take you 30 minutes. I separated it into sections to, hopefully, make it easier & less confusing. Don’t get scared off, though, it’s really not that hard & it is delicious.

STEP ONE: YOU’LL NEED:

  • 4 – 5 medium potatoes (peeled & diced)
  • 1 16-ounce package of baby carrots
  • 1 1/2 cups of celery (chopped)
  • 1 16-ounce package of frozen corn (kernals, not on the cob)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Set all this aside, you’ll need it shortly.
STEP TWO: YOU’LL NEED:
  • 8-ounce ham steak, cut into cubes
  • 1 1/2 – 2 pounds of turkey, already cooked & cut up/shredded

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Set aside, you’ll need it shortly.

STEP THREE: YOU’LL NEED:

  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon marjoram leaves
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley leaves

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Mix all the above in a small bowl & set aside.
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Take 1/3 of all the vegetables from Step One and make a layer in the crockpot, add in 1/3 of the ham & turkey from Step Two in a layer over top, sprinkle 1/3 of the spices from Step Three in a layer over top of that.
  2. Repeat, making layers until all ingredients are used.
STEP FOUR: YOU’LL NEED:
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 cups turkey broth or turkey drippings (if you have them saved from Thanksgiving)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 2 cups heavy cream

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Melt the butter over low/medium heat in a large saucepan.
  2. Add chopped onion and cook until butter is melted (make sure to stir so it doesn’t burn).
  3. Sprinkle in flour slowly (if you go too fast, it’ll clump).
  4. After it’s mixed together and the consistency of paste, remove from heat & slowly stir in the 2 cups of turkey broth.
  5. Add the salt & pepper.
  6. Return saucepan to the stove, bring to a boil over medium heat, and stir constantly until mixture is thick and smooth (like gravy).
  7. With saucepan still over the heat, stir in lemon juice & cream until fully blended.
  8. Remove from heat & pour this mixture evenly over the top layer in the crock-pot. Do not stir.
  9. Cover crock-pot & heat on HIGH for 4 hours or until the vegetables are soft.
  10. Enjoy!

 

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Blueberry Breakfast Bread

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Blueberry Breakfast Bread

Want something yummy to serve for breakfast? Got 10 minutes & a crock-pot? Here’s a recipe that, so far, has made everyone who’s tried it happy. Serves 8 – 10. Costs less than $10.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups blueberries (if using frozen, make sure they are thawed, rinsed with cold water, then well-drained)
  • powdered sugar
  • fresh blueberries to garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
  2. In another bowl, beat egg then stir in milk, melted butter, and vanilla.
  3. Add flour mixture to egg mixture & stir until blended.
  4. Add in blueberries & stir.
  5. Coat crock-pot with non-stick spray.
  6. Add mixture to crock-pot.
  7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until edges start to brown & a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let cool for about 10-15 minutes then remove the bread from the crock-pot.
  9. Serve warm with powdered sugar sprinkled over top & fresh blueberries as a garnish.
  10. Enjoy!

Please keep in mind that cooking times may vary so the first time you make a recipe, keep an eye on the crock-pot. You may need to adjust the amount of cooking time.

 

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Restaurant-Style Fettucini Alfredo

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Restaurant-Style Fettucini Alfredo

How hard is it to find a decent alfredo sauce at the store?  Impossible, I think.  I’ve tried.  This recipe makes alfredo sauce that tastes like you got it at an Italian restaurant, and it only takes you about 5 minutes prep time and 45 minutes to cook. Costs about $12. Feeds about 6, maybe 8, people.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 8 tbsp. (1 stick) butter
  • 2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream
  • 1 1/3 cup shredded Gruyere cheese (in the specialty cheese section of the supermarket)
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 16 oz. fettuccine noodles

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Melt butter in the microwave & add to the crock pot.
  2. Add cream & both cheeses.
  3. Cover and heat on HIGH until it’s melted and bubbly (about 45 minutes), careful not to burn it (stir if edge starts to brown).
  4. Cook noodles according to package directions then drain (don’t rinse).
  5. Add noodles to crock pot & stir.
  6. Sprinkle any remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
  7. If you like, add grilled chicken on top.
  8. Enjoy!

Please keep in mind that cooking times may vary so the first time you make a recipe, keep an eye on the crock-pot. You may need to adjust the amount of cooking time.

 

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Ridiculously Easy Pulled Pork

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Ridiculously easy pulled pork

So this one is easy, easy, easy. It’ll probably take you all of 15 minutes to put together. Depending on how much each person eats, it’ll feed 6-8 people. Cost is less than $20, the majority of that is for the pork.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 5-6 pounds pork roast or pork ribs (boneless is easier, but bone-in will work, too)
  • 1/2 tsp – 1 tsp. salt (depending on how salty you like it)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Put the pork in the crock pot.
  2. Add just enough water to cover.
  3. Add salt.
  4. Cook on HIGH for 8 hours.
  5. Drain in a strainer (pull out any bones & fat at this point and discard)
  6. With a fork, stir and separate the meat until it looks like strands.
  7. Put the meat back into the crock pot.

At this point, make one of two choices:

  1. Add your favorite BBQ sauce and stir; heat on LOW for another 30-45 minutes. OR
  2. Use the BBQ sauce recipe below.

BBQ SAUCE RECIPE:

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1 cup chili sauce
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp packed dark-brown sugar
  • 1 cup liquid honey

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Combine all the above ingredients in a saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil then turn down the heat.
  3. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Pour over pulled pork in crock pot and stir.
  5. Serve immediately by itself or on a bun.

 

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Award-Winning Chili

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Award-winning chili

This chili recipe won at a chili cook-off where I used to work.  Granted, there were only about a dozen entries.  And I knew all the judges and worked closely with one of them, but still . . . an award!  This recipe got a little gold trophy (plastic and fit in the palm of your hand, but still . . . a trophy!) and a $15 prize.  Plus, once you cook the meat, the whole thing only takes about 5 minutes to put together.

YOU’LL NEED:

  • 1 pound of ground beef or turkey (or not, if you want vegetarian)
  • 2 14.5-ounce cans of Diced Tomatoes with Green Pepper & Onion (you can go fresh, too: 2 large tomatoes, 1 medium green pepper, 1 small onion, all diced)
  • 1 16-ounce can of Kidney Beans (drained & rinsed with cold water or I use Bush’s Best Chili Beans in Mild Sauce so I don’t have to drain & rinse them)
  • 1 6-ounce can of Tomato Paste (I use Roasted Garlic version.  If you go with fresh garlic, put in 1 clove minced)
  • 2 tablespoons of Chili Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 cup of water (you can play around with this; add less ~ 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup ~ if you like your chili thicker)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Brown the ground meat, drain, and set aside.
  2. Mix everything else together in the crock pot.
  3. Add the meat into the crock pot and stir.
  4. Cover and set the crock pot to low.
  5. Cook for 6 hours.
  6. Enjoy!

SERVE WITH:

  • Cornbread
  • Cornchips
  • Cheddar cheese on top
  • Or go Cincinnati-style and put it over your favorite pasta.

COST: 
Less than $10.

 

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