How many times have you been planning meals and came up disappointed when you discovered you didn't have time to make the meal you wanted? Most people will not even think of putting a recipe in the crockpot unless it is written expressly for the crockpot. Did you know that many standard recipes could be converted to crockpot recipes?
The low setting of most crockpots is around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The high setting is about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. An hour of cooking on the high setting is about the same as 2 to 2.5 hours of cooling on the low setting. You will find that most recipes for crockpots recommend cooking the food for around 8 to 10 hours on low.
Advice for Converting Recipes to Use in a Crockpot
When you convert a recipe to the crockpot, there are a few tips you will want to keep in mind. You will want to reduce the amount of liquid the recipe calls for. In the crockpot, liquid does not evaporate. You normally wind up with quite a bit of liquid at the end of cooking time. Reduce the amount of liquid you add to the dish by half, unless you are also using rice or pasta.
The spices you use may need to be adjusted. Ground spices may lose some flavor over many hours of cooking, so do not add them until the last hour of cooking. Whole spices will have their flavors intensified by long cooking times, so you may want to reduce them by half.
If you plan to make chicken soup or other liquid-based meals, only add enough liquid to cover the other ingredients. You can add more liquid towards the end of cooking time if needed. If you are making a cream soup, do not add the dairy products until close to the end to prevent curdling and separating.
You can make dried beans in the crockpot. Cook them overnight on low instead of spending the time soaking them. Add your beans and then cover them with water. Add a teaspoon of baking soda. In the morning, drain the beans before combining them with your other ingredients. Bean soup, chili, and other tasty meals can then proceed in the crockpot as usual.
Not All Foods Love Crockpots
Be aware that some foods do not fare well when cooking for 8 to 10 hours. Rice, pasta, seafood, some vegetables, and dairy products are all too delicate for such long cooking times. When making a dish that contains these ingredients, do not add them until the last couple of hours before serving when your pot is set on low. If you are cooking on high, hold off until the last hour before adding these delicate ingredients. If you really must have milk added to a recipe early on, try evaporated milk.
Browning your meat can be done before adding it to the crockpot to add that lovely coloring. Browning may also reduce the fat content a little bit on some kinds of meat. Browning is optional, however. Roasts can turn out very flavorful in the crockpot with or without it
Crockpots save time and make mealtimes easy and delicious. If you want to explore more options for your crockpot, check out ChickenNoodleSoups.com for some delicious recipes and crockpot tips. It is easy to make nutritious, home cooked meals using your crockpot.
If you are looking for some great recipes or tips on cooking chicken soups and stews of your own, the site will be very helpful. Whether you want a quick and easy soup, a creamy one, or an old fashioned chicken stew, you are sure to find it there. Recipes like our classic chicken noodle soup recipe and many more chicken soup recipes.
If you are in the mood for chicken stew with an international, flavor our any other type of wonderful chicken soup we have a selection that is sure to fit the bill.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KC_Kudra
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Cooking Poultry in the Slow Cooker
Of all the meats you can cook in a crock-pot, poultry is probably the one that benefits the most from the slow, low temperature-cooking indicative of slow cookers. If given several hours in which to marinate in the juices and seasonings, your poultry will come out of your Crock Pot not just flavorful but tender and falling off the bone.
One suggestion for cooking poultry in your Crock Pot is chicken wings and your favorite barbecue sauce, watered down a bit to cover the meat. Instead of using water to "water down" the barbecue sauce, how about some Burgundy Wine or Cabernet Sauvignon, lending a certain continental flair to your meal? The same could be done for chicken thighs or boneless breasts, though with the thighs, a dark meat, perhaps a nice blush?
Though chicken wings are always a favorite, if you have guests coming and prefer something that "looks" more labor intensive, how about a nice Chicken Marsala? Mix together some flour, salt and pepper to use as a coating for the boneless chicken breasts. Lightly brown the chicken in some olive oil and place in the crock-pot. With the juices and flour, add some Marsala wine and mushrooms, stirring until a nice gravy is formed. Add this to the crock-pot as well and let simmer for about 5 hours on low. Serve on a bed of your favorite pasta, though I suggest either Angel Hair or Linguini.
For a Middle Eastern flavor, how about a nice Chicken Satay, which will do very well in the crock-pot? While traditionally considered a skewer type meal, Satay is a wonderful meal, on or off the stick. Simply flatten four chicken breasts, a cup of soy sauce, some sugar to taste, about a teaspoon, pepper to taste, roughly two tablespoons of curry powder, and several cloves of minced garlic to taste. If you'd like a little citrus tang, add either lime or lemon juice to the mix. Stir all together into the crock-pot and set on low for five to six hours. When you return home to the delicious aroma of curry, make a fast and wonderful dip for the Satay in the form of peanut sauce. Peanut sauce can be made by simply combining peanut butter, lemon or limejuice, minced garlic, some water, brown sugar and a bit of ginger to taste. This can be heated on the stove or in the microwave, however you prefer though some cooks will add it directly to the meal.
As stated previously, poultry and crock-pots just seem to go together in an extremely good way, helping you to create delicious, easy to make poultry meals for your family. Crock Pot meals don't have to be plain to be made in a crock-pot, with the only thing standing between your and out of the ordinary meals from the crock-pot is your imagination. Don't be afraid to try something new in the way of cooking as it is like Harriet Van Horne (1930's and 40's newspaper columnist and movie critic) says, "Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all."
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Paterson
One suggestion for cooking poultry in your Crock Pot is chicken wings and your favorite barbecue sauce, watered down a bit to cover the meat. Instead of using water to "water down" the barbecue sauce, how about some Burgundy Wine or Cabernet Sauvignon, lending a certain continental flair to your meal? The same could be done for chicken thighs or boneless breasts, though with the thighs, a dark meat, perhaps a nice blush?
Though chicken wings are always a favorite, if you have guests coming and prefer something that "looks" more labor intensive, how about a nice Chicken Marsala? Mix together some flour, salt and pepper to use as a coating for the boneless chicken breasts. Lightly brown the chicken in some olive oil and place in the crock-pot. With the juices and flour, add some Marsala wine and mushrooms, stirring until a nice gravy is formed. Add this to the crock-pot as well and let simmer for about 5 hours on low. Serve on a bed of your favorite pasta, though I suggest either Angel Hair or Linguini.
For a Middle Eastern flavor, how about a nice Chicken Satay, which will do very well in the crock-pot? While traditionally considered a skewer type meal, Satay is a wonderful meal, on or off the stick. Simply flatten four chicken breasts, a cup of soy sauce, some sugar to taste, about a teaspoon, pepper to taste, roughly two tablespoons of curry powder, and several cloves of minced garlic to taste. If you'd like a little citrus tang, add either lime or lemon juice to the mix. Stir all together into the crock-pot and set on low for five to six hours. When you return home to the delicious aroma of curry, make a fast and wonderful dip for the Satay in the form of peanut sauce. Peanut sauce can be made by simply combining peanut butter, lemon or limejuice, minced garlic, some water, brown sugar and a bit of ginger to taste. This can be heated on the stove or in the microwave, however you prefer though some cooks will add it directly to the meal.
As stated previously, poultry and crock-pots just seem to go together in an extremely good way, helping you to create delicious, easy to make poultry meals for your family. Crock Pot meals don't have to be plain to be made in a crock-pot, with the only thing standing between your and out of the ordinary meals from the crock-pot is your imagination. Don't be afraid to try something new in the way of cooking as it is like Harriet Van Horne (1930's and 40's newspaper columnist and movie critic) says, "Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all."
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Paterson
Crockpot Recipes - My Favorite Crockpot Recipes
Crockpots are such a wonderful invention! At last, a way to come home from a long day at work only to find a hot cooked meal ready and waiting for us! Crockpots save us money as well as time, and in these difficult economic times, any way to save money while not sacrificing flavor is an A+ in my book. Below are 10 of my favorite crockpot recipes. I hope you enjoy them as well.
16 BEAN SOUP
1 package 16 Bean Soup
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon crushed oregano
2 cans no-fat chicken stock
Additional water to cover
3 stalks celery chopped
3 carrots diced
1 large onion chopped
3 cloves garlic sliced
1 pound turkey Italian sausage sliced
2 cans stewed (or diced) tomatoes
Combine first 5 ingredients (liquid should cover mixture by 1"-2") in Crock Pot Cook on high for 2 hours Add remaining ingredients and shift cooker to low and cook for additional 3 hours For more zing, add cayenne or crushed red pepper when adding second set of ingredients. Serve as complete meal or over rice. Freezes well.
BAYOU GUMBO
* 3 tablespoons Pillsbury Best All Purpose Flour
* 3 tablespoons oil
* 1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
* 2 cups frozen cut okra
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (12-ounce) package frozen shelled deveined cooked medium shrimp, rinsed
* 1 1/2 cups uncooked regular long-grain white rice
* 3 cups water
In small saucepan, combine flour and oil; mix well. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes or until mixture turns reddish brown. Place flour-oil mixture in 3 1/2 to 4 quart Slow Cooker. Stir in all remaining ingredients except shrimp, rice and water. Cover; cook on low setting for 7-9 hours. When ready to serve, cook rice in water as directed on package. Meanwhile, add shrimp to gumbo mixture in slow cooker/Crock Pot; mix well. Cover; cook on low setting for additional 20 minutes. Serve gumbo over rice.
CHEESE AND POTATO CASSEROLE
2 lb. pkg. frozen hash brown potatoes (partially thawed)
2 (10 oz.) cans cheddar cheese soup
1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 can French fried onion rings, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine potatoes, soup, milk, and half the can of onion rings; pour into greased slow
cooker/Crock Pot and add salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or high for 4 hours. Sprinkle the rest of the onion rings of top before serving. Makes 6 servings.
CHICKEN CHILI
2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, deboned, cut in 1/2" chunks
Celery heart
1 med. onion
2 cans stewed tomatoes, sliced
16 oz. med. salsa or picante sauce
1 can chick peas (or 1 pkg. pkg.
white kidney beans)
6 oz. mushrooms
Olive oil
Brown chicken in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Chop celery, onion and mushrooms. Combine all ingredients in large slow cooker/Crock Pot, stir and simmer on low heat for 6-8 hours. Serve with bread or taco chips. *If you like it spicy, use hot salsa or picante sauce.
CHILI
2 lbs. ground beef
1 lg. onion
1 lg. green pepper
1 lg. jalapeno pepper
Chili powder to taste
Garlic salt to taste
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Sugar to taste
2 cans crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato puree
1 can kidney beans
2 cans chili hot beans
Brown beef. Saute chopped onion and green pepper in grease. Mix beef, onion and green pepper. Add spices; let stand 1 hour. Add tomatoes, tomato puree, beans; cook in Crock Pot all day. Best if refrigerated and warmed the next day.
CREAMY SPINACH DIP
* 8 ounces Cream cheese, cubed
* 5 ounces Frozen chopped spinach
* 2 tablespoons Pimento, diced
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/4 teaspoon Garlic salt
* 1/4 cup Whipping ceram
* 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
* 2 teaspoons Onion, finely chopped
* 1/2 teaspoon Thyme
Combine cream cheese and cream in Crock Pot. Cover and heat until cheese is melted, 30 to 60 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and heat 30 minutes. Serve with raw vegetables, crackers, or bread pieces.
CROCKPOT BROCCOLI SOUP
4 c. water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 c. diced potatoes
1 bag frozen, chopped broccoli
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2-1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
Mix water, bouillon cubes, onions, potatoes and broccoli in a crock pot. Cook on high until broccoli is thawed. Add cream of chicken soup and cheese, to taste, to mixture. Turn crock pot on low and cook for 2 hours.
CROCKPOT CHEESY BACON DIP
2 pkgs (8 oz) cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
4 cups shredded Colby-Jack Cheese
1 cup half-and-half
2 T mustard
1 T chopped onion
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
Place cream cheese, Colby-Jack cheese, half-and-half, mustard, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper sauce in crock pot. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, on low 1 hour or until cheese melts. Stir in bacon; adjust seasonings. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
CROCKPOT CORN CHOWDER I
6 slices bacon, diced
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 c. diced peeled potatoes
2 pkgs. (10 oz each) frozen whole-kernel corn, broken apart
1 can (16 oz) cream-style corn
1 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. water
In skillet, fry bacon until crisp; remove and reserve. Add onion and potatoes to bacon drippings and saute for about 5 minutes; drain well. Combine all ingredients in CP; stir well. Cover and cook on Low setting for 4 to 7 hours. Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Cantrell
16 BEAN SOUP
1 package 16 Bean Soup
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon crushed oregano
2 cans no-fat chicken stock
Additional water to cover
3 stalks celery chopped
3 carrots diced
1 large onion chopped
3 cloves garlic sliced
1 pound turkey Italian sausage sliced
2 cans stewed (or diced) tomatoes
Combine first 5 ingredients (liquid should cover mixture by 1"-2") in Crock Pot Cook on high for 2 hours Add remaining ingredients and shift cooker to low and cook for additional 3 hours For more zing, add cayenne or crushed red pepper when adding second set of ingredients. Serve as complete meal or over rice. Freezes well.
BAYOU GUMBO
* 3 tablespoons Pillsbury Best All Purpose Flour
* 3 tablespoons oil
* 1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
* 2 cups frozen cut okra
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
* 3 garlic cloves, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
* 1 (12-ounce) package frozen shelled deveined cooked medium shrimp, rinsed
* 1 1/2 cups uncooked regular long-grain white rice
* 3 cups water
In small saucepan, combine flour and oil; mix well. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes or until mixture turns reddish brown. Place flour-oil mixture in 3 1/2 to 4 quart Slow Cooker. Stir in all remaining ingredients except shrimp, rice and water. Cover; cook on low setting for 7-9 hours. When ready to serve, cook rice in water as directed on package. Meanwhile, add shrimp to gumbo mixture in slow cooker/Crock Pot; mix well. Cover; cook on low setting for additional 20 minutes. Serve gumbo over rice.
CHEESE AND POTATO CASSEROLE
2 lb. pkg. frozen hash brown potatoes (partially thawed)
2 (10 oz.) cans cheddar cheese soup
1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk
1 can French fried onion rings, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine potatoes, soup, milk, and half the can of onion rings; pour into greased slow
cooker/Crock Pot and add salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or high for 4 hours. Sprinkle the rest of the onion rings of top before serving. Makes 6 servings.
CHICKEN CHILI
2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, deboned, cut in 1/2" chunks
Celery heart
1 med. onion
2 cans stewed tomatoes, sliced
16 oz. med. salsa or picante sauce
1 can chick peas (or 1 pkg. pkg.
white kidney beans)
6 oz. mushrooms
Olive oil
Brown chicken in 1 tablespoon olive oil. Chop celery, onion and mushrooms. Combine all ingredients in large slow cooker/Crock Pot, stir and simmer on low heat for 6-8 hours. Serve with bread or taco chips. *If you like it spicy, use hot salsa or picante sauce.
CHILI
2 lbs. ground beef
1 lg. onion
1 lg. green pepper
1 lg. jalapeno pepper
Chili powder to taste
Garlic salt to taste
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Sugar to taste
2 cans crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato puree
1 can kidney beans
2 cans chili hot beans
Brown beef. Saute chopped onion and green pepper in grease. Mix beef, onion and green pepper. Add spices; let stand 1 hour. Add tomatoes, tomato puree, beans; cook in Crock Pot all day. Best if refrigerated and warmed the next day.
CREAMY SPINACH DIP
* 8 ounces Cream cheese, cubed
* 5 ounces Frozen chopped spinach
* 2 tablespoons Pimento, diced
* 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
* 1/4 teaspoon Garlic salt
* 1/4 cup Whipping ceram
* 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
* 2 teaspoons Onion, finely chopped
* 1/2 teaspoon Thyme
Combine cream cheese and cream in Crock Pot. Cover and heat until cheese is melted, 30 to 60 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and heat 30 minutes. Serve with raw vegetables, crackers, or bread pieces.
CROCKPOT BROCCOLI SOUP
4 c. water
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 c. diced potatoes
1 bag frozen, chopped broccoli
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2-1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
Mix water, bouillon cubes, onions, potatoes and broccoli in a crock pot. Cook on high until broccoli is thawed. Add cream of chicken soup and cheese, to taste, to mixture. Turn crock pot on low and cook for 2 hours.
CROCKPOT CHEESY BACON DIP
2 pkgs (8 oz) cream cheese, softened, cut into cubes
4 cups shredded Colby-Jack Cheese
1 cup half-and-half
2 T mustard
1 T chopped onion
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
Place cream cheese, Colby-Jack cheese, half-and-half, mustard, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper sauce in crock pot. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, on low 1 hour or until cheese melts. Stir in bacon; adjust seasonings. Serve with crusty bread or crackers.
CROCKPOT CORN CHOWDER I
6 slices bacon, diced
1/2 c. chopped onion
2 c. diced peeled potatoes
2 pkgs. (10 oz each) frozen whole-kernel corn, broken apart
1 can (16 oz) cream-style corn
1 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. water
In skillet, fry bacon until crisp; remove and reserve. Add onion and potatoes to bacon drippings and saute for about 5 minutes; drain well. Combine all ingredients in CP; stir well. Cover and cook on Low setting for 4 to 7 hours. Makes about 1 1/2 quarts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Cantrell
Cooking With a Crockpot - It's Slow Good
It is easy to come home to a hot dinner every night when you use your crockpot. Taking the time to fill up the crockpot in the morning will reward you with a delicious meal in the evening with no fuss. When you get home, just dish everyone up, and have a wonderful meal.
Easy Crockpot Cooking Tips
There are a few tips that will help your crockpot meals turn out perfect every time. First, never overfill the crockpot. Make sure when you are filling it up that the pot is between half and three-quarters full. Too full, and your food will not cook enough. If the pot is too empty, the food will cook too quickly and you will come home to a dinner that is overdone.
Fresh vegetables should be placed in the bottom of the crockpot because they take longer to cook than your meat. You may have trouble believing it, but try putting them on top and see what happens. Frozen vegetables should be placed on top of your meat since they do not take long to cook.
If you take the time to brown your meat before putting it in the crockpot, the fat will get rendered a bit and the natural sugars in the meat will caramelize. Your meal will look more appetizing, and you can deglaze the pan afterwards and add the delicious drippings to the crockpot for flavor. It also helps if you remove any skin or excess fat from your meat before you start.
When to Add those Tender Ingredients
Ingredients that are tender, such as tomatoes, peas, and other soft foods should be added in the last half hour or so of cooking. Dairy should be added only a short time before you serve as well. When you add dairy products, make sure your temperature is on low so they will not curdle. Thickeners like cornstarch can be added during the last hour of cooking. Place the crockpot on high so their thickening qualities are activated. Rice and pasta should be added during the last 45 minutes or so or they will tend to turn to mush.
Do not remove the lid during cooking unless you need to add additional ingredients. Try to do this all at once so you do not lose too much heat. Each time you open the lid; you should add another 30 minutes to your cooking time.
What Can You Make with a Crockpot?
Following these simple suggestions makes cooking in the crockpot easy and fun. Your crockpot can be used to easily make just about anything. Roast pork and beef work well in the crockpot. Add a whole chicken or chicken parts with your favorite sauce for a tender, tasty meal. Stew works well, as does soup. Side dishes can also be made in the crockpot. Vegetable dishes, rice and lentil dishes are all easy to make while you are away.
Amazingly, you can even bake in your crockpot! Desserts like cakes, sweet breads, and boiled peanuts can be made easily without using your oven. The versatile crockpot is a tool everyone should have in his or her kitchen.
Crockpots save time and make mealtimes easy and delicious. If you want to explore more options for your crockpot, check out ChickenNoodleSoups.com for some delicious recipes and crockpot tips. It is easy to make nutritious, home cooked meals using your crockpot.
If you are looking for some great recipes or tips on cooking chicken soups and stews of your own, the site will be very helpful. Whether you want a quick and easy soup, a creamy one, or an old fashioned chicken stew, you are sure to find it there. Recipes like our classic chicken noodle soup recipe and many more chicken soup recipes.
If you are in the mood for chicken stew with an international flavor, or any other type of wonderful soup recipes we have a selection that is sure to fit the bill.
Nothing but chicken soups of all kinds. Also find informative articles related to chicken soup's health benefits and other interesting information like soup cooking tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KC_Kudra
Easy Crockpot Cooking Tips
There are a few tips that will help your crockpot meals turn out perfect every time. First, never overfill the crockpot. Make sure when you are filling it up that the pot is between half and three-quarters full. Too full, and your food will not cook enough. If the pot is too empty, the food will cook too quickly and you will come home to a dinner that is overdone.
Fresh vegetables should be placed in the bottom of the crockpot because they take longer to cook than your meat. You may have trouble believing it, but try putting them on top and see what happens. Frozen vegetables should be placed on top of your meat since they do not take long to cook.
If you take the time to brown your meat before putting it in the crockpot, the fat will get rendered a bit and the natural sugars in the meat will caramelize. Your meal will look more appetizing, and you can deglaze the pan afterwards and add the delicious drippings to the crockpot for flavor. It also helps if you remove any skin or excess fat from your meat before you start.
When to Add those Tender Ingredients
Ingredients that are tender, such as tomatoes, peas, and other soft foods should be added in the last half hour or so of cooking. Dairy should be added only a short time before you serve as well. When you add dairy products, make sure your temperature is on low so they will not curdle. Thickeners like cornstarch can be added during the last hour of cooking. Place the crockpot on high so their thickening qualities are activated. Rice and pasta should be added during the last 45 minutes or so or they will tend to turn to mush.
Do not remove the lid during cooking unless you need to add additional ingredients. Try to do this all at once so you do not lose too much heat. Each time you open the lid; you should add another 30 minutes to your cooking time.
What Can You Make with a Crockpot?
Following these simple suggestions makes cooking in the crockpot easy and fun. Your crockpot can be used to easily make just about anything. Roast pork and beef work well in the crockpot. Add a whole chicken or chicken parts with your favorite sauce for a tender, tasty meal. Stew works well, as does soup. Side dishes can also be made in the crockpot. Vegetable dishes, rice and lentil dishes are all easy to make while you are away.
Amazingly, you can even bake in your crockpot! Desserts like cakes, sweet breads, and boiled peanuts can be made easily without using your oven. The versatile crockpot is a tool everyone should have in his or her kitchen.
Crockpots save time and make mealtimes easy and delicious. If you want to explore more options for your crockpot, check out ChickenNoodleSoups.com for some delicious recipes and crockpot tips. It is easy to make nutritious, home cooked meals using your crockpot.
If you are looking for some great recipes or tips on cooking chicken soups and stews of your own, the site will be very helpful. Whether you want a quick and easy soup, a creamy one, or an old fashioned chicken stew, you are sure to find it there. Recipes like our classic chicken noodle soup recipe and many more chicken soup recipes.
If you are in the mood for chicken stew with an international flavor, or any other type of wonderful soup recipes we have a selection that is sure to fit the bill.
Nothing but chicken soups of all kinds. Also find informative articles related to chicken soup's health benefits and other interesting information like soup cooking tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=KC_Kudra
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Easy Apple Butter Recipe and 2 More Delicious Crockpot Recipes
Preparing delicious and long lasting meals is easy when using a Crockpot. Apple butter, apple coconut crisp and apple cranberry compote recipes are 3 great Crockpot recipes. Here are the 3 recipes for you to prepare at home:
1. Apple Butter
This can be made in a slow cooker/Crock Pot or oven at 325 degrees for 3-4 hours.
Ingredients:
- 4 qts. unsweetened applesauce
- 7 C. granulated sugar
- 1-1/3 C. brown sugar
- 5-1/3 T. cider vinegar
- 5-1/3 T. lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon. cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon. allspice
- 1 teaspoon. ground cloves
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker/Crock Pot or roasting pan.
- Cover and cook 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Remove lid and continue cooking until excess liquid cooks away (turn to low as necessary) Slow Cooker 5-8 hours, oven 3-5 hours Seal mixture in hot jars and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
Makes approximately 8-10 pints
2. Apple Coconut Crisp
Ingredients:
- 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled & coarsely sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butterscotch or caramel ice cream topping (fat-free is fine)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 cup quick rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Directions:
- In a casserole 1 1/2-quart baking dish that fits in the slow cooker/Crock Pot, combine apples with
coconut, 1 tablespoon flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Drizzle with the ice cream topping.
- Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl with a fork or pastry cutter and sprinkle over apple mixture.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until apples are tender.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
3. Apple Cranberry Compote
Ingredients:
- 6 cooking apples, peeled, slice
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel
- 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cups port wine
- sour cream , (low fat)
Directions:
- Arrange apple slices and cranberries in slow cooker/Crock Pot.
- Sprinkle sugar over fruit.
- Add orange peel, water and wine. Stir to mix ingredients. Cover, cook on low 4-6 hours, until apples are tender.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucille_Green
1. Apple Butter
This can be made in a slow cooker/Crock Pot or oven at 325 degrees for 3-4 hours.
Ingredients:
- 4 qts. unsweetened applesauce
- 7 C. granulated sugar
- 1-1/3 C. brown sugar
- 5-1/3 T. cider vinegar
- 5-1/3 T. lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon. cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon. allspice
- 1 teaspoon. ground cloves
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker/Crock Pot or roasting pan.
- Cover and cook 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Remove lid and continue cooking until excess liquid cooks away (turn to low as necessary) Slow Cooker 5-8 hours, oven 3-5 hours Seal mixture in hot jars and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
Makes approximately 8-10 pints
2. Apple Coconut Crisp
Ingredients:
- 4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled & coarsely sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup butterscotch or caramel ice cream topping (fat-free is fine)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/2 cup quick rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Directions:
- In a casserole 1 1/2-quart baking dish that fits in the slow cooker/Crock Pot, combine apples with
coconut, 1 tablespoon flour, 1/3 cup brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Drizzle with the ice cream topping.
- Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl with a fork or pastry cutter and sprinkle over apple mixture.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until apples are tender.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.
3. Apple Cranberry Compote
Ingredients:
- 6 cooking apples, peeled, slice
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel
- 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cups port wine
- sour cream , (low fat)
Directions:
- Arrange apple slices and cranberries in slow cooker/Crock Pot.
- Sprinkle sugar over fruit.
- Add orange peel, water and wine. Stir to mix ingredients. Cover, cook on low 4-6 hours, until apples are tender.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lucille_Green
Delicious Crockpot Chicken and Ham Chili
This very simple chili is made with chicken and ham but ground beef could be substituted for the chicken and or ham if desired. The recipe was based on a number of (edible) experiments in an attempt to match a particular commercial chili originating in Texas. This brand is so popular that I am told that some people who have moved out of the area ordered cases of cans of it shipped to their new residences. I believe the "magic" ingredient that makes this dish stand out is the use of refried beans in place of pinto beans. Because of the high starch content, the refried beans help thicken this dish and also hel spread the marvelous flavor. It's so easy to make, I don't see any reason to buy commercial canned chili, not that I have anything against it. How long has it been since you ate "a steamin' hot bowl of X brand chili" Ah -that's too long. Try this one, I think you will like it. To find 600 plus other free recipes visit my website. Hope you'll like the website too!
Crockpot Chili
16 oz. ham, cooked, diced
2 cps chicken, cooked, diced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cps, yellow onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cp chicken stock (or water)
(1) 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
3 cps refried beans, cooked
2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
1 - Combine all the ingredients in the crock pot and cook on high for 5 hours
Comment - This chili can be made with some sauted ground beef if desired. The taste is great either way. Hope you like it!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Ernhart
Crockpot Chili
16 oz. ham, cooked, diced
2 cps chicken, cooked, diced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cps, yellow onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cp chicken stock (or water)
(1) 28 oz can of diced tomatoes
3 cps refried beans, cooked
2 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
1 - Combine all the ingredients in the crock pot and cook on high for 5 hours
Comment - This chili can be made with some sauted ground beef if desired. The taste is great either way. Hope you like it!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Ernhart
Wonderful Chicken, Potato, and Gravy Crock Pot
This delicious chicken crockpot recipe was developed after experimenting with quite a few ingredient compositions. I the cream of celery soup gave a better flavor than the cream of mushroom soup usually used. The other ingredient that helped in the flavor department is the smoked sausage. Most of my own recipes use chicken or fish as the base "meat" ingredient, but in this case I think this is a case where "less is more" because of the high flavor concentration of the sausage. Having worked in many labs during my career, it's a great feeling to be making experiments you can eat, something you can't do in most chemlabs.
Ingredients:
3 chicken drumsticks, skin on, bone in
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans cream of celery soup
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 medium potatoes, prebaked, cooled and peeled
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground thyme
1 bay leaf
3 oz smoked sausage, sliced crossways about 1/8" thick
1 cup chicken broth (or water)
Instructions:
1 - Add the olive oil to a skillet, then saute' onion until translucent.
2 - Add garlic and cook for no longer than 1 minute. (gets bitter if you don't)
2 - Remove with slotted spoon and put in slow cooker.
3 - Add chicken pieces to same skillet and lightly brown for about 5 minutes.
4 - Add the chicken and all the other ingredients to the crock
pot and cook on high for 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender.
Comment - Words to describe this crock pot meal are hard to find but scrumptious comes to mind, along with unbelievably delicious!
I know you'll just love this one! - Frank
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Ernhart
Ingredients:
3 chicken drumsticks, skin on, bone in
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans cream of celery soup
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 medium potatoes, prebaked, cooled and peeled
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 chicken bouillon cube
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp ground thyme
1 bay leaf
3 oz smoked sausage, sliced crossways about 1/8" thick
1 cup chicken broth (or water)
Instructions:
1 - Add the olive oil to a skillet, then saute' onion until translucent.
2 - Add garlic and cook for no longer than 1 minute. (gets bitter if you don't)
2 - Remove with slotted spoon and put in slow cooker.
3 - Add chicken pieces to same skillet and lightly brown for about 5 minutes.
4 - Add the chicken and all the other ingredients to the crock
pot and cook on high for 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender.
Comment - Words to describe this crock pot meal are hard to find but scrumptious comes to mind, along with unbelievably delicious!
I know you'll just love this one! - Frank
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Ernhart
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