Category: SLOW COOKER / CROCK POT / NINJA FOODI

CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE ala Slow Cooker

CHICKEN TACO CASSEROLE
6 tablespoons butter
6 tablespoons Wondra flour
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 cup WHOLE milk
1 cup chicken broth
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
1 cup sour cream
1 can original ROTEL tomatoes
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained WELL
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (see recipe below)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag FRITOS
1 small tomato, chopped
1 SMALL bunch green onions, sliced thin

  • Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Melt the butter in heavy saucepan.
  • Blend in flour and salt. Cook until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in liquid.
  • Return to heat and cook, constantly stirring until smooth and thickened.
  • Whisk together the white sauce and sour cream until smooth.
  • Add in taco seasoning, salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Stir in Rotel tomatoes, black beans and 1 cup of the cheese.
  • Spread mixture into slow cooker insert.
  • Top with chicken pieces in a single layer if possible.
  • Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours* until chicken is cooked through.
  • Remove chicken and shred with 2 forks.
  • Mix chicken back in.
  • Top with Fritos and remaining cheese.
  • Cover a few minutes JUST until cheese melts.
  • Top with chopped tomato and green onions.
  • Serve immediately.

NOTES:

  • Time varies based on chicken breast sizes.
  • I accidentally bought re-fried black beans this time actually liked it too.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
1 tablespoon of chili powder
2 teaspoons of onion powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of oregano
1 teaspoon of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 tsp cornstarch
3/4 cup water

  • Mix all the dry ingredients together and use with your taco meat.
  • Pour the water in the pan and cook just like you would for tacos.
  • The amount above is the same amount that is in one packet of taco seasoning mix at the store.

BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE

BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/4 cup Bleu cheese dressing
1/4 cup Frank’s original hot sauce
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups spiral pasta, cooked and drained

  • Melt the butter in heavy saucepan.
  • Blend in flour and salt. Cook until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in liquid.
  • Return to heat and cook, constantly stirring until smooth and thickened.
  • Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Stir together the soup mixture, dressing, hot sauce and half of the cheese.
  • Fold in onions and celery.
  • Spread into slow cooker.
  • Top with chicken.
  • Cover and cook on low 4 hours until chicken is cooked through.
  • Shred chicken and fold into sauce.
  • Fold in prepared pasta and remaining cheese.

BUTTERMILK PORK CHOPS ala SLOW COOKER

This recipe is so SIMPLE, but leaves you with the satisfied feeling of having had a fine gourmet meal.  The pork chops turn out fork tender and the sauce blends to make its own gravy!  There is the added bonus of changing up the flavors by just changing the soup flavor 😀

BUTTERMILK PORK CHOPS ala SLOW COOKER
6 LARGE boneless pork loin chops
1/4 cup WONDRA
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound mushrooms, thickly sliced
1 small bunch green onions, sliced
1/3 cup favorite white wine
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 can cream of ???? soup (today I use broccoli cheese to compliment the veggie of choice)
1 cup buttermilk
Prepared pasta

  • Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Generously season pork chops with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Dredge pork chops in flour, shaking off excess.
  • Heat oil in large skillet.
  • Sear pork chops and transfer to slow cooker in a single layer if possible.
  • Add butter to skillet and when frothy add onions. Saute a minute or so.
  • Add mushrooms, sauteing and stirring 5 minutes or so until tender.
  • Add wine and loosen bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add chicken broth, stirring to blend.
  • Pour mushroom mixture over pork chops. Cover and set to low 3-4 hours.

 

  • Whisk together soup and buttermilk until smooth.
  • Pour over pork chops. Cover and cook another 30 minutes.
  • Remove pork chops to a platter.
  • Stir soup into mushrooms and onions to create a uniform sauce.
  • Season to taste.
  • Serve over egg noodles.

SLOW COOKER BUTTER CHICKEN MEATBALLS

SLOW COOKER BUTTER CHICKEN MEATBALLS
1 pound ground chicken
1/2 pound ground pork
1 LARGE egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon garam masala
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Mix everything together until well blended.
  • Form into 1 inch meatballs. It will make about 36.
  • Coat the slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place meatballs in the slow cooker.
  • Prepare sauce.

SAUCE
1 small shallot, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Wondra
1/2 cup chicken stock
8 ounces tomato sauce

  • Heat butter in small skillet over medium heat.
  • Whisk in flour until golden.
  • Whisk in chicken stock until well blended.
  • Whisk in tomato sauce until well blended.
  • Season to taste.
  • Pour sauce over meatballs.
  • Cook covered on low for 3 hours  or until cooked through.
  • Serve with rice or mashed potatoes.

COFFEE POT ROAST ala SLOW COOKER

COFFEE POT ROAST ala SLOW COOKER – serves 4
2 pounds boneless chuck roast, quartered**
2 Medium onions, halved and wedged
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup brewed coffee
1/4 cup Bragg’s liquid amino acids
8-10 small gold potatoes, scrubbed and pricked with a fork
3 LARGE carrots, rustic large cuts

1/4 cup cornstarch
6 tablespoons cold water

  • Place half the onions in the bottom of the slow cooker.
  • Top with the garlic followed by half the beef. Repeat the layers.
  • Whisk together the coffee and liquid aminos.
  • Pour over beef.
  • Cover and cook on low until meat is tender, about 8 hours.
  • At 6 hours add the carrot pieces.

  • Whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Add to cooking juices, stirring to blend.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH (about 30 minutes) until gravy is thickened.

NOTES:
**The original recipe was for slow cooking, but I prefer the oven unless I’m going to be gone all day. If I use the oven I DO NOT quarter it. If using the oven adjust the roasting time to 2-3 hours of covered and undisturbed roasting with the potatoes and carrots.

The original recipe had you slicing the onions thin. BUT, if you halve it root to tip and then wedge it you not only get thin pieces, you also get MORE flavor when you cut the onion in this direction.

The original recipe did NOT call for browning the meat, but I find you get a juicier roast with more flavor if you do so when roasting in the oven.

HONEY ORANGE PINEAPPLE CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER

HONEY ORANGE PINEAPPLE CHICKEN ala SLOW COOKER serves 6-8

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup orange pineapple juice
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup QUALITY honey
1/4 cup apricot pineapple preserves
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce
1/4 cup Heinz Chili sauce
8 ounce can crushed pineapple
1 small can Mandarin orange segments, drained WELL
1 small onion, finely chopped

1 cup sliced carrots
Prepared rice
chopped green onions for garnish

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together orange pineapple juice, lemon juice, chicken broth, honey, preserves, brown sugar, cornstarch, teriyaki sauce, Chili sauce, Country Bob’s sauce and crushed pineapple.
  • Spray slow cooker insert with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place chicken breasts in slow cooker in as shallow a layer as possible.
  • Top with onion and carrot pieces.
  • Pour juice mixture over top.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
  • Cover and cook 1 hour more.
  • Top with Mandarin orange segments, turn off heat, cover and let sit 5 minutes.
  • Serve over hot cooked rice. Top with fresh chopped green onions.

COWBOY BEANS ala SLOW COOKER and GREEN CHILE CORN BEER BREAD

It’s cold, wet and windy up here in the Pacific Northwest as a series of winter storms have been moving through one after another.  It’s the kind of weather that wants to make you turn over, pull the covers over your head and go back to sleep – the kind of weather that makes me crave serious comfort food.  One of our favorite comfort foods for this weather is Cowboy Beans. The best thing about this recipe is that it cooks ALL day in the slow cooker and the aroma makes the house smell cozy and homey. BE SURE AND SOAK YOUR BEANS OVERNIGHT THE DAY BEFORE YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS RECIPE.

As this recipe cooks your beans will start absorbing the flavor AND the color.  They actually become more and more tasty in the days that follow.  I usually make BEER Bread with this and it’s a HUGE hit.

COWBOY BEANS serves 6
1 pound navy beans
1 small onion, chopped
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 pound ground beef
4 slices thick bacon, chopped
1 cup water
3 cups beef broth
1 cup Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ sauce
1/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Bragg’s liquid aminos

  • Rinse your beans and drain.
  • In a large skillet brown bacon pieces over a medium heat until browned and ALMOST crisp. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon to drain on paper toweling.
  • Add beef to bacon grease browning and crumbling to small pieces until cooked through. This adds are flavor! Drain well of excess grease.
  • In slow cooker whisk together the water, molasses, apple cider vinegar, liquid aminos, brown sugar and beef broth with garlic powder.
  • Stir in beans, ground beef and bacon pieces until well blended.
  • Cook covered on high 6 hours.
  • Stir in BBQ sauce,
  • Cover and cook another 2 hours or until beans are tender.

NOTE: BE SURE AND SOAK YOUR BEANS OVERNIGHT THE DAY BEFORE YOU WANT TO MAKE THIS RECIPE!

These beans make for wonderful leftovers too.  We really like them over hamburger patties like the old chili sizes from Bob’s Big Boy.

GREEN CHILE CORN BEER BREAD

3 1/2 cups self-rising flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 small can chopped green chiles, drained WELL
1 can Green Giant white shoepeg corn, drained WELL
12 ounces Beer
1 stick butter, divided 6 + 2, melted

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Whisk together flour, sugar and salt.
  • Add 6 ounces melted butter and beer.
  • Add green chiles and corn.
  • Knead together uniformly, but DO NOT OVERWORK.
  • Form into a well oiled loaf pan.
  • Pour remaining 2 ounces of butter over top.
  • Bake 50-60 minutes until cooked through.

WHISKEY MOLASSES SHREDDED BEEF with APPLE CARROT SLAW

WHISKEY MOLASSES SHREDDED BEEF ala SLOW COOKER with APPLE CARROT SLAW
2 1/2-3 pound Beef Bottom Round Roast, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 cup whiskey (I like Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey)
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
6 ounces tomato paste
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 cup molasse1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

  • Place roast in 4-6 quart slow cooker.
  • Combine whiskey, 1/4 cup vinegar, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, molasses, maple syrup, honey, salt and pepper; pour over roast.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH 4 to 6 hours or on LOW 8 to 10 hours, or until beef is, fork-tender.
  • Remove roast from slow cooker; shred with 2 forks.
  • Skim fat from sauce as needed.
  • Return beef to slow cooker.
  • Serve beef with slaw.

ALTERNATE COOKING METHOD This recipe can also be made in a pressure cooker.

  • Place beef Bottom Round Roast in pressure cooker; add 1/2 cup beef broth.
  • Close and lock pressure cooker lid. Use beef, stew or high-pressure setting on pressure cooker; program 60 minutes on pressure cooker timer.
  • Use quick-release feature to release pressure; carefully remove lid.
  • Shred beef; return to pressure cooker.
  • Combine cooking liquid, whiskey, 1/4 cup cider vinegar, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, molasses, salt and pepper in small saucepan and simmer 20 to 25 minutes until desired consistency is reached.
  • Combine sauce and shredded beef.

APPLE CARROT SLAW

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 cups shredded carrots
2 cups diced granny smith apple
1/4 cup golden raisins

  • Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar, mayonnaise and remaining 2 tablespoons brown sugar in large bowl.
  • Add carrots, apples and golden raisins; toss until well coated.
  • Season with salt and black pepper, as desired.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.

CAJUN CREOLE CHICKEN, RICE & BEANS

Cajun seasoning adds the unique flavor to this meals and provides you with just enough spiciness and bite to make your taste buds stand up and pay attention.

CAJUN CREOLE CHICKEN THIGHS with SLOW COOKED RICE & BEANS
1 can black beans**, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups long grain rice
2 medium tomatoes, rustic chopped
1 red pepper, small chopped
1 shallot, halved and sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
3 1/4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon + 1  teaspoon (divided) SLAP YA MAMA cajun spice
2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs
1 tablespoon avocado oil

  • In a 6 quart slow cooker combine the beans, rice, tomatoes, red pepper, shallot, garlic, parsley, broth and 1 1/2 teaspoons SLAP YA MAMA seasoning until well combined.
  • Sprinkle the chicken thighs with the 2 tablespoons SLAP YA MAMA.
  • Heat avocado oil in a large skillet (preferably cast iron).
  • Brown chicken pieces on both sides until golden, about 5 minutes per side.
  • Place in slow cooker, skin side up.
  • Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours until chicken is cooked through. Rice will be saucy!

**The original recipe calls for a traditional red bean, but I personally HATE red beans and always substitute black beans.

SALISBURY STEAK MEATBALLS

Who doesn’t love a classic salisbury steak? We have all eaten it at some point growing up. Salisbury steak was mom’s way of keeping it homestyle while stretching the budget too. Now I have a recipe that still does that, but works as an appetizer or a pot luck dish and utilizes the slow cooker so you don’t heat up the kitchen. 😀

SALISBURY STEAK MEATBALLS – 24 meatballs
1 medium Vidalia onion, halved and sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 pound button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced thin

  • Place the onion slices, minced garlic and mushrooms in the bottom of the slow cooker.

MEATBALLS
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 cup PLAIN breadcrumbs
1/2 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon each FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • In a large mixing bowl thoroughly combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, milk, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
  • Form 24 meatballs of equal size.
  • Gently arrange meatballs in slow cooker on top of the onions and mushrooms. (About 2 layers)

GRAVY
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon each FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water

  • Whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
  • Pour over the meatballs evenly.
  • Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until meatballs are cooked though and still tender.
  • Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meatballs, onions and mushrooms to a serving platter.
  • In a small bowl whisk the cornstarch and water together until smooth to form a slurry.
  • Whisk the slurry into the crock pot until well blended.
  • Add the meatballs, onions and mushrooms back into the slow cooker.
  • Adjust the seasoning to taste, cover and cook on low another 30 minutes.
  • Serve over noodles or mashed potatoes.

CHICKEN in BACON RANCH GRAVY ala SLOW COOKER

This is a wonderful fall or winter recipe!

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN with BACON GRAVY serves 4
adapted from Sarah Olson

1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
FRESH ground pepper, to taste
4 sprigs FRESH thyme
2 bunches green onions, sliced thin
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
6-8 slices bacon, diced and cooked crisp
1 Pioneer country gravy packet dry mix DO NOT PREPARE PER PACKAGE
1 Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing packet dry mix DO NOT PREPARE PER PACKAGE
2 1/4 cups water
1 cup heavy cream

  • Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray.
  • Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
  • Generously salt and pepper the chicken breasts.
  • Add the garlic, green onions and bacon.
  • Lay thyme sprigs on top.
  • Whisk together the gravy mix and ranch dressing packets water until smooth.
  • Pour the gravy mixture over the chicken.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Remove the chicken and shred with 2 forks.
  • Stir heavy cream into gravy mixture until well blended.
  • Return chicken to gravy mixture and stir to coat well.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes.

 

BEEF & BROCCOLI ala SLOW COOKER

CHINESE BEEF & BROCCOLI ala SLOW COOKER serves 4

1 1/2 pounds chucks roast
4 leeks, (whites and light green parts only) halved and cut into pieces
6 cloves garlic, whole and unpeeled**
6 thin slices ginger, unpeeled**
1 red jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
1/3 cup beef broth
1/4 cup dry sherry
3 tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2-3 cups broccoli florets
Cooked rice

  • Combine leeks, garlic, ginger and jalapeño pieces in slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle with the flour and toss to coat. If using the meat in pieces, add meat, then flour and toss with the flour.  Otherwise nestle meat into vegetable mixture after tossing veggies with the flour.
  • Whisk together Hoisin sauce. beef broth, liquid aminos, brown sugar and rice wine.
  • Pour over meat, cover and cook on low 7 hours.

 

  • Remove meat to cutting board to rest.
  • Discard garlic and ginger.**
  • Slice meat against the grain into bite size pieces.
  • Add meat back to slow cooker along with broccoli florets.
  • Increase heat to HIGH and cook 5-10 minuses more until desired broccoli consistency.
  • Serve over rice.

NOTES:

  • **I use a small cheesecloth spice bag for these so they are easier to discard at this stage or you can peel them, chop smaller and leave them in.
  • You can cut the cooking time in half by chopping steak into small bite size pieces first.

LINKING TO: CELEBRATE YOUR STORY, CRAFTASTIC MONDAY, DISHING IT & DIGGING IT, NIFTY THRIFTY SUNDAY, SHOW & TELL, SUNDAYS AT HOME, SUNDAY’S BEST, THAT DIY PARTY, JCOOKING & CRAFTING WITH J&J, INPIRATION MONDAY , INSPIRE ME MONDAY , MADE BY YOU MONDAY, MAKE IT PRETTY MONDAY, MELT IN YOUR MOUTH MONDAY, MERRY MONDAY, MIX IT UP MONDAY, MOTIVATE ME MONDAY, PROJECT INSPIRED, SHOW AND SHARE, TUTORIALS & TIP, DIY TUESDAYS, LOU LOU GIRLS FABULOUS PARTY, THE SCOOP, TREASURE BOX TUESDAY, TUESDAYS AT OUR HOME, TUESDAYS WITH A TWIST, CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS, SHARE YOUR CUP , WINTER BLUES WEDNESDAY, WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY, SHOW ME WEDNESDAYS, WOW US WEDNESDAY , CREATIVE CIRCLE, DAGMAR’S PARTY, HOME SWEET HOME, FAVORITE THINGS, GRACE AT HOME, HOME MATTERS, PIN JUNKIE PIN PARTY, TALK OF THE TOWN, BLOGGER’S PIT STOP, HANDMADE HANGOUT, PRETTY PINTASTIC PARTY, SHARE IT ONE MORE TIME, SWAY SHAREFEST, WHAT TO DO WEEKENDS PARTY, BOUQUET OF TALENT PARTY, INSPIRE-BE-INSPIRED, RAE GUN BLOCK PARTY, I’M LOVIN’ IT, THIS IS HOW WE ROLL THURSDAY, FULL PLATE THURSDAY, FOODIE FRIDAY, SOUPER SUNDAY, BETH FISH READS, SATURDAY SPARKS, AMAZE ME MONDAY, INSPIRE ME TUESDAY, SHARE YOUR STYLE, OVER THE MOON