Crock Pot Meals - Save Money and Time With Easy and Healthful Slow Cooker Meals

There are a lot of benefits of making meals in a crock pot. Chances are, you have one stored away somewhere! Dig it out and give it a try - you will be glad you did! A couple of the benefits you will reap are:

Save electricity.
A slow cooker uses just 100 watts of electricity: using it once a week for eight hours at a time will only cost you twenty cents a month in electricity!

Save time.
It is easy to toss the ingredients into the crock pot in the morning and come home from work to a delicious home cooked meal!

Most crock pots come with a recipe booklet - if you no longer have it or just want some new ideas, I am including some recipes. You can also find many more free recipes by searching for them online.
My favorite crock pot meals are the very easiest to make:
Roast Beef
 
Brown a beef roast (I like to use chuck roast) in a large pan on the stove just until nice and brown on both sides, then put it in the crock pot and season it to taste (I only use salt and pepper). Turn the crock pot on low and cook until the roast is done to your liking. (How long will depend on the size of the roast and how done you want it - I like it super tender to the point of falling apart, so I usually cook it for 5 - 8 hours.) To get a more concrete idea of how long to cook a roast, ask the butcher when you buy the roast, use a meat thermometer or see the guidelines in your crock pot instruction guide.

Pork Roast
I cook a pork roast the same way I cook a beef roast, except I do not brown it before putting it in. My favorite is a butt roast, which falls apart and makes wonderful barbecue sandwiches! You can add barbecue sauce as it cooks if you want to.

Roast Chicken
To roast a whole chicken, simply put the chicken in (after washing it, if you do that), salt and pepper and cook for several hours. I have learned not to overcook chicken - you want it to be done and tender, but not overcooked, or it will not have any flavor left. Use a meat thermometer or check the thickest part of the breast to make sure the meat is no longer pink. After you take the chicken out of the pot, remove the broth and save it - it is wonderful-tasting chicken broth - puts the canned stuff to shame! Strain it and put it in the refrigerator so that the fat will collect at the top and become solid, then you can easily remove it. If you have no use for the broth right away, you can freeze it.

More frugal dinner ideas you can make in the slow cooker.
All of these great crock pot meals are quick and easy to make and cost less than $2. per serving!

• Beef and Bean Chili Nothing beats hearty chili on a cool evening - except maybe having it ready and waiting when you get home from work!
• Crock Pot Lasagna The easiest way to make lasagna! Instead of using all afternoon and every pot in the kitchen, you just assemble this lasagna in the crock pot and come home to a delicious meal!
• Lentil Soup A healthy and money-saving soup that takes very little preparation time and will be ready for dinner when you are!
• Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff An economical version of an elegant dish! It is made with inexpensive stew meat is tender from simmering all day in the slow cooker.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Holly_Beck/455576

Best Crock Pot - Making Homemade Soap

Finding the best crock pot can, sometimes, be a chore. This slow cooking appliance maintains a relative low temperature compared to baking, boiling or frying. Crock pot cooking is suitable for many types of meals: pot roast, beef stew, chili and many more. Another use for the crock pot is making homemade soap!
The crock pot is made of glazed ceramic or porcelain. This kitchen appliance comes in different sizes, shapes, colors, styles and brands. It's found in oval or round shapes, small to large, with dials or electronic controls in blue, red, black, white, brushed stainless steel, chrome, or other various colors.

Some have see-through lids making it easy to watch the contents, as it cooks. The heating element inside heats from the bottom and, partially, up the sides. It cooks and keeps the contents warm inside, for an extended amount of time.

The crock pot may be electronically programmable. Set your contents inside and program the time for it to start and finish cooking. You can have ready to eat meals, at the perfect serving temperature, when you come home from work or school. Now, that is convenient!

Use it in RV's, take camping, to friends, gatherings, or other social events, or just use at home. Some have locking lids, carry handles and travel bags to prevent spills while traveling. It can be used for large groups, small groups, for a family of two or just for one. If you have a soap making business, it's size and portability can be very convenient.

Clean up is easy! It has removable stoneware that is dishwasher safe or can be washed in the sink. Be careful not to burn your hands when removing the inner stoneware. It can get very hot. Turn it off, unplug it and let it cool before cleaning. Be sure to keep the power cord away from water. After cleaning, it's easily stored in a cabinet or on a shelf. It can be left out on a counter top until it's used again.

When making homemade soap the best crock pot is one that is twice the size of its contents. Hot process soap making causes bubbles to pop. Be sure to use the lid to cover hot splattering soap. When mixing or stirring, wear gloves to protect your hands and arms from bubbling hot soap. Also, consider using a long handled wooden spoon to give distance between you and the hot soap.

They are wonderful appliances for hot process soap making recipes. You can learn how to make soap, using a crock pot, roaster oven and other soap making equipment. It's durable, convenient, easy to use and clean. It's the perfect kitchen appliance for making homemade soap! Having the proper soap making equipment can save you time, energy and money! Consider using this small appliance for your homemade soap recipes!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Susan_Katchur/355993

Smart Crock Pot - Slow Cookers Are A Busy Family's Best Friend

Eating out has become a national past time with the average family spending $200 to $400 plus dollars a month on food prepared by someone else. Our busy lifestyles have almost made this a necessity for making sure that our families have an opportunity to eat a warm meal. But nutritious and healthy meals are not a top priority for most restaurants and our national health has suffered as a result. A smart crock pot provides a viable solution for preparing your family healthy, nutritious meals that are ready when you walk in the door at night. Here are the advantages to owning a smart crock pot and making them a main stay for your preparing family's meals.

The cost to purchase a slow cooker ranges from $9.99 on up with the average price for a slow cooker, larger enough to produce a meal for a family of 6, around $19.99. That is significantly less than the cost to feed a family of 4 at any fast food restaurant.

Most recipes for slow cookers don't require long extensive lists of ingredients and the items that most recipes rely on are readily available in the supermarket. Less expensive cuts of meat are perfect for use in the smart crock pot. Due to the low temperature and the length of time required to cook the meal, you can take an inexpensive cut of meat and turn it into a tasty tender meal.

Slow cookers are very energy, cost and time efficient. They do not heat up the kitchen in the summer time and they the only pot that needs to be cleaned when the meal is done. Once you place the ingredients in the pot, there is no tending necessary, you can walk away and come back hours later to a complete meal. Can it get any easier?

It is easy to modify the recipes to make them lower in calories, sodium and fat by using fat-free, lower sodium or salt free materials. There are very, very, very few recipes that involve anything that has been deep fried and should a recipe call for anything that is high in calories or fat there is always a substitute that will work.

Smart crock pots are more than just for cooking pot roast. It is fun to explore all of the versatile possibilities that you have when cooking with this convenient and appealing method of meal preparation. You save time, money and the ease of cooking a healthy family meal with a smart crock pot can help bring the family back to the kitchen table to enjoy quality time at the end of the day and share stories about the day's events.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/William_J_Price/809259

Crock Pot Beef Stew - Can It Be Interesting?

Crock Pot Beef Stew can be delicious and interesting.
We often get asked for new and interesting recipes. People seem to get 'stuck' with their crock pot and struggle to find new recipes.

The standard basic, slow cooker beef stew is to put in the vegetables first, then add the meat and pour a can of soup over the whole thing.

Now, this is delicious. But....
There are times when you want to do something else. Times when you want something a bit more gourmet.
One of the easiest ways to do something new is to find a conventional oven beef stew recipe. And adapt it for the crock pot so as to create your own original crock pot beef stew recipe.
Now this is when most people seem to go weak at the knees and start to panic.

Relax. Truly it is easy. You can do this.
Firstly, you know to put the vegetables in first and then the meat (so that it all cooks). So you are part way to converting that recipe already.

Next, examine the other ingredients. Because the crock pot cooks with the lid on, you will need less liquid. So reduce the amount of water, wine or stock that is in the recipe.

The other thing is to note that herbs sometime loose their intensity in the long cooking process. So an hour before serving, sneak a taste - it's ok, I do it all the time.

And add some more if needed.
At the same time just check the fluid levels. More than likely there will be too much liquid.
Just get a tablespoon or two of corn starch (corn flour), mix with a tablespoon of water and stir in. Put the lid back on and allow to cook for a while longer.

Give it a try. Just think the recipe through first. And you will soon have a delicious crock pot beef stew recipe that the family loves.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lisa_Paterson/3776

A Guide to Using Your Crock Pot

In the summer time I use my crock pot even more than I do in the winter time as its just too hot to heat up the oven. You can make just about anything in a crock pot these days such as: Soups, Stews, Main Dish Meats, Desserts, Breads, Cobblers, Vegetables and more. Here are some great tips to help make your crock pot cooking even easier.

Crock Pot Cooking Tips
#1. Peel and chop the vegetables the night before, cover and keep them refrigerated.

#2. The night before, trim fat from meat and cut meat into the desired sized pieces, cover and refrigerate.

#3. Thaw frozen vegetables and meat in the refrigerator, never thaw at room temperature.

#4. Brown meat according to the recipe directions. You can brown your meat the night before and then refrigerate.

#5. Serve cooked food from your slow cooker or it's removable liner to save on washing extra dishes.

#6. Slow simmering produces a mellow blending of flavors, but whole herbs and spices may give more flavor than usual, while ground herbs and spices may give less flavor.

#7. Remember to remove bay leaves and whole peppercorns before serving food.

#8. Some vegetables, especially onions and carrots, often take longer to cook than meat. Always place them at the bottom of the slow cooker.

#9. To assure even cooking of meat, be sure there is some space between the pieces to allow for circulation of heat and seasonings.

#10. Both regular and quick cooking rice need 4-5 hours to cook on your low setting, on your high setting it will take 3-4 hours so plan ahead. You may prefer to cook the rice on your stove top or in your microwave and then add into your crock pot recipe.

#11. Pasta needs stirring while cooking to prevent it from sticking to one another. It is best to cook the pasta on your stove top until its just tender and then add into your crock pot recipe.

#12. When converting your favorite recipes for the slow cooker, reduce the amount of liquid since the slow cooker lid gives a tight seal and retains steam.

#13. Pour your liquids in last.

#14. Fill your slow cooker at least 1/2 full for the best slow cooking results.

#15. Tender vegetables such as fresh mushrooms, tomatoes or zucchini will only need to be added for the last 45 minutes of cooking time, otherwise you could over cook them.

#16. To prevent milk, cream and sour cream from curdling, add near the end of the cooking time and just heat through.

#17. Coating pot roasts and stew meat with flour helps to thicken the broth as it cooks.

#18. If you have too much liquid in your slow cooker, you can remove the lid and cook on high for the last 25 minutes.

#19. Resist the urge to lift the lid. The heat that you lose will add as much as 30 minutes to the cooking time. If you have to stir, resume timing when the mixture starts to bubble up again.

#20. Cooking for 1 hour on high is the same as 2-2 1/2 hours on low.

#21. After the food has finished cooking, it can usually be held in the slow cooker for an hour on the low setting without over cooking it.

#22. If food is not done within the stated time in your recipe it could be because you overfilled your slow cooker or you took off the lid too many times. Adjust your cooking times accordingly.

#23. Slow cooking at the low setting is better for tenderizing cuts of meats (brisket, pot roasts, etc).

#24. Take time to trim and remove excess fat from your meat before slow cooking to reduce the amount of fat that accumulates during cooking.

#25. You can use a slice of bread to skim off excess fats or you can use a slice of lettuce leaf.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shelly_Hill/301893

How to Make Stuffed Bell Peppers in a Crock Pot

This is my recipe for making stuffed bell peppers in the crock pot. These are perfect for taking to a pot luck or as an easy dinner idea. I like to serve them with mashed potatoes, but they make a nice meal that requires no side.

Cooked peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for about 1 to 2 days. After that they start to get soggy. If you need to store them longer, then it would be best to freeze them. I've never frozen them so I'm not sure if they would still be good after thawing.

List of Ingredients:
6 Large Peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange)
1 Package of Lean Ground Beef (mix with ground pork if you prefer)
1/2 of an Onion finely chopped (substitute scallions if you prefer)
5 Garlic Cloves finely chopped (garlic powder works also)
1/2 Cup of Rice (white rice that has been rinsed)
1 Jar of Tomato Sauce (Sauce of your choice - I used mushroom flavored sauce)
Seasonings (I used Tarragon, Parsley, and Garlic)
Other items needed:
Crock Pot
Two Frying Pans
Sauce Pan with Lid
Mixing Bowl
Spoon to Mix With
Measuring Cup

Brown ground beef in a pan. This usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes depending on whether or not you preheated your pan. Its important to brown the meat, but don't overcook it. In a separate pan, fry garlic and onions until tender. Onions and garlic should be slightly brown. Wash your rice thoroughly. In a pan, add 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of rice. Boil the rice for about 15 minutes. Once everything is ready to go; mix the ground beef, garlic, onions, and rice in a large bowl. Add tomato sauce to the mixture. Add seasonings and mix. Wash 6 bell peppers, remove the tops and seeds. I like to use a combination of red and green bell peppers. For best results, use the largest bell peppers that you can purchase for the market or grocery store.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Laura_D./1507363

Pork Recipes For the Crock Pot

Oh, you have to love pork! For so many delicious foods to come from one place is remarkable. Pork is one of the easiest foods to prepare, as there is much you can do with it. From barbecue sandwiches to roasts to sausage, pork provides so much variety that making it is not the hard part; it's the deciding what to make next that will present the problem! Cooking pork in the Crock Pot will render some of the tenderest meat found anywhere and you'll want to serve it again and again. If you're in a bind for what to do next with pork, here are a few simple pork recipes for the Crock Pot.

The first suggestion to come to mind has to do with how wonderful pork and apples go together, as though they were made for each other from the beginning. If making something in the slow cooker with pork, whether it's pork chops, a roast or ham, how about using apple juice combined with a small amount of corn starch to pour over it? Make sure to add some chopped apple for some extra flavor. To really dress things up a bit, toss in some fresh cranberries, honey, cloves and nutmeg for an aromatic fall meal.

Another nice idea for pork would be some good-sized ham steaks with pineapple juice and chunked or mashed pineapple on top. Have some cherries ready on the side to add some bright colors to this tasty meal. Kids and most adults as well, love ham. Adding these few simple items will turn a good meal into a great meal! Your family will love you for it and you'll love the ease in clean up following a slow cooker meal. A wonderful substitute for the ham steaks could be a pork roast. The juices from the pork roast will enhance the good flavors emanating from the roast will blend, blending with the other ingredients to help create an appealing gravy for mashed potatoes.

Barbecue pork for sandwiches is always a welcome meal in any household and it's one the whole family will enjoy. This particular recipe, however, will take longer than the usual four to six hours due to the firm belief that any good barbecue, no matter the cut, is best served in the manner of "slow and low". The "slow" in this phrase means over as much time as possible without ruining the meat while the "low" means at the lowest temperature possible, without drying out the meat. In this recipe, start it the night before, on the lowest setting possible, and prepare to abandon yourself to it when you come home the next evening.

In the Deep South, where Elvis and Barbecue is King, great pride is taken in the preparation of their barbecue and recipes are handed down from one generation to the next. When preparing the meat (generally the cut is a pork loin or small shoulder), create a mixture of vinegar, water, Worcestershire sauce, powdered garlic and powdered onion, finely chopped onion and salt and pepper to taste. Cook the pork cut in this for several hours, adding your favorite barbecue sauce only in the last two or three hours, if at all. In the south, it's preferred to add the barbecue sauce to the sandwich, rather than the meat, and a good dollop of Cole slaw on the sandwich is always welcome.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Lisa_Paterson/3776

How to Cook a Meatloaf in a Crock Pot

Crock pot has definitely made cooking for dinner easier especially for busy housewives who only want to prepare a healthy and sumptuous dinner for the family in spite of a hectic schedule. Having found a place in modern kitchens, this can be left unattended for hours at a time while away attending to other tasks and can be back with a warm meal waiting. One dish that is best cooked in a crock pot is meatloaf.

There are different versions of how to cook them and I have one version of my own from the basic and just added some twist by using some other additional ingredients. I usually cook this on special occasions but with a slow cooker around you can have it as long as you want. Before sharing with you a recipe, I'd like to share some helpful tips in cooking meat loaf in a crock pot too.
Useful Tips:

1. Select cheaper cuts of meat as this works best with crock pot cooking because it has less fat contents and the long and slow cooking makes the meat very tender. And since its is cheaper, definitely it can help stretch the budget.
2. Just fill the crock pot with ½ or full to cook the food properly.
3. To remove the meat loaf easily when done, make a foil handle that is about 24 inches long that is folded lengthwise. Place at the bottom of the crock pot with ends hanging on the top edge.
4. Line the bottom of a crock pot with a cooking bag sprayed with a cooking spray inside to make cleaning easy if it has no removable liner. If possible, buy it with a removable liner.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground pork
• ¾ cup bread crumbs
• ½ cup finely chopped carrots
• 6 tbsp. minced green and red bell pepper
• ¼ cup onions, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 cup sweet pickle relish
• ¼ cup raisins
• 3 whole eggs
• ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
• 3 tablespoons catsup
• 1 tbsp. cornstarch
• dash of liquid seasoning
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 3 hard-cooked eggs, quartered
• aluminum foil

How to make the meat loaf:
Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl thoroughly except the hard-cooked eggs.

Divide into portions of your desire. Place a portion on a piece of aluminum foil, flatten and place the hard-cooked eggs at the center and cover with half of the mixture and roll to tightly shape into logs. Pat edges to seal. Do the same with the rest of the portions. ( It is advisable that size of the loaf fits the crock pot with enough space for air to ensure proper cooking).

Place the loaf in a crock pot. ( Place crumpled foil at the bottom of the pot to keep the loaf out of the fat drippings).
Cover with the lid and cook the meat loaf to low for 8 hours.

Let it cool, slice into rings and serve with catsup or mayonnaise for a dip or any of your favorite food sauce.

Makes 4 - 6 servings
This can be served as cold cuts or slightly fry before slicing into rings. Eat together with freshly cooked rice for a perfect meal.

Refrigerate extra meat loaf and get back to it when you feel some cravings for it again.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Marichu_Coning/872434

Two Easy To Make Crock Pot Stew Recipes for a Tasty Snack

If you like experimenting in cooking, then some of the crock pot stew recipes could be all you need to get started. You do not have to be a professional to make a great delicacy. All you need to do is follow a few steps to the letter and the result will be excellent. With these kinds of stews, you may get recipes from all over the world like the Thailand, Mediterranean, Arabia and Italy among others. Great chefs have already prepared and tested most of the recipes and all you need to do is go to the shop, get the right ingredients and start doing your thing.

With the Mediterranean stew, you may need to have 2 well sliced zucchini, 1chopped egg plant, 1onion cut, a red /green pepper with seeds and sliced,3 big size tomatoes,2 cans garbanzo beans rinsed and drained, ground black pepper, salt, 1 packet egg noodles cooked, 1 can artichoke hearts packed in water. Cooking this recipe does not require any wisdom. Just mix all the uncooked ingredients together in a crock pot and stir. Cook the meal for 8 minutes under low heat. Serve the noodles first then top up with the stew. The food is ready for consumption.

You may also choose to go for a vegetarian diet by making this simple beans and vegetables stew recipe. Here are few ingredients that go with it. Dry beans, 2cups veggie juice, 1/3cup apple/pineapple juice, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/2cup parsnips chopped, ½ cup mushrooms, 1 onion sliced, ½ cup celery chopped, 1tablespoon basil, parsley all dried, bay leaf, 3 cloves garlic smashed, black pepper, 1 cup cooked pasta or rice and water. Making this recipe a reality, one needs to soak the beans overnight then drain them and put in a crock-pot. Mix the soy sauce, vegetable juice, pineapple juice, and cover with water. Let them cook for 2 hours then mix vegetables, aromatic plants, spices, and let cook for up to 5 hours under low heat until the vegetables are tender. Add the rice or pasta and cook for another 1 hour. The stew is ready for serving.

After comparing the two crock pot stew recipes, you will realize that they are delicious and also nutritious. The only thing left for one to do is to practice by following the directions available then you will surely enjoy the outcome. Do a lot of research and get to know about all the recipes you may come across. This information is not enough to satisfy your curiosity thus it is a recommendation for one to read widely.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/G._Smitty/518368

Crock Pot - Pigs in a Blanket Cabbage Rolls Recipe

When it comes to crock pot cooking (using a slow cooker), I enjoy using mine all year long. One of the recipes I enjoy making in it are Cabbage Rolls, which are also known as Pigs In A Blanket.
This recipe does take some preparation time, but is well worth your efforts.

To Prepare Cabbage: Fill a large stock pot with water and bring to a rapid boil. Take the core out of each head of cabbage. Place head into boiling water, cover and cook for 5 minutes, remove from water immediately. With one head, start taking the leaves off, being careful not to tear them. They should be pliable, if not, place back into the water for an additional minute or two.

Cabbage Rolls
2 large heads cabbage
2 to 3 lbs. lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
6 cups cooked rice
1 hot pepper, finely diced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 can tomato soup
1/2 can warm water

Fry the lean ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat until it's not longer pink; drain grease. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef mixture with cooked rice, diced hot pepper, paprika and salt, set aside.

On a clean surface, such as a cutting board, place 2 to 3 tablespoons of meat mixture onto the center of the cabbage leaf. Overlap the sides of the leaf and roll. Repeat until your meat mixture is completely used up.

Place rolls into your slow cooker (crock pot) and pour the can of tomato soup over top along with a 1/2 can of warm water. Turn the dial to high heat, cover and slow cook them for 4 hours or until done.

If desired, you can freeze the left-overs for up to 6 months in your freezer as this recipe will make approximately 25 to 35 cabbage rolls.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shelly_Hill/301893

Baking Desserts in Your Crock Pot

Did you know that you can bake delicious desserts using your crock pot? These days, you can cook or bake, just about anything in your slow cooker.
Here are a few tips to get you started.

1. As a rule of thumb, it's not a good idea to remove the lid during cooking. Removing the lid releases the heat and steam, which can add-on additional cooking time.

2. When making 'sticky' types of desserts, spray the inside of your pot with non-stick cooking spray. A light coating will do.

3. When cooking breads and cakes in your slow cooker, you will want to use the 'high' setting. The 'low' setting is too low to give your cakes and breads the texture that you are trying to achieve.

4. High-Altitude Cooking. Allow more time than given in the recipe at high altitudes, over 4,000 feet.

5. If you don't own a kitchen timer, invest in one. When I use my slow cooker to make desserts, I use a timer to remind me when they are done. I don't want to over-bake my desserts.

Here are 3 easy dessert recipes for you to try out in your Crock Pot.
Cherry Cobbler
1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 c. white sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
non-stick cooking spray

Coat the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Pour in the cherry pie filling. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the melted butter, milk, and vanilla. Mix until well blended. Spread evenly over the cherry pie filling. Cover, and cook on High for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the topping comes out clean.

Lemon Pudding Cake
3 eggs, separated
1 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/4 c. lemon juice
3 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 c. milk
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/8 tsp. salt

Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form, set aside. Beat egg yolks, blend in the lemon peel, juice, butter and milk. Combine flour, sugar and salt, add to the egg-milk mixture, beating until smooth. Fold into beaten egg whites. Spoon into slow cooker pot, cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours.

Apple-Cranberry Dessert
6 cooking apples, peeled and sliced
1 c. fresh cranberries
1 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. grated orange peel
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. port wine
1 container sour cream

Arrange apple slices and cranberries in crock pot. Sprinkle sugar over fruit. Add orange peel, water and port wine. Stir to mix ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until apples are tender. Serve warm with the juices, topped with a dab of sour cream.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Shelly_Hill/301893

Dinner Time Is Better With Crock Pot Casserole Recipes

If you're looking for ways to make dinner easier, then consider your slow cooker. Dinner time is often a hurried and dreaded time of day because finding new ways to create tasty and easy meals gets harder all of the time. You can even make delicious crock pot casserole recipes that are just as good and even easier than the traditional casserole recipe.

Everyone is familiar with casseroles and know how great they are for family meals, work parties or church potluck dinners. There is a casserole recipe for just about any type of dish, and your slow cooker makes it even better because you don't have to do anything except prep the ingredients and put them in the pot. You can choose from a variety of recipes from yummy beef and potato casseroles to pasta or vegetable side dish casserole recipes.

One dish cooking is a favorite whether from a slowcooker or a skillet, and casseroles fit the bill completely. Most casserole recipes can be the main dish and side at the same time; all you need to do is add another vegetable or a delicious green salad and crusty bread and you're set. Dinner will be done and you didn't have to spend too much time in the kitchen after work. Your family will adore these recipes, even picky eaters who have a tendency to turn their noses up to new foods.
Here is a great recipe to try out with your family this week:

Easy Turkey and Pasta Crock Pot Casserole
1 lb ground turkey
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup flour
1-1/4 cup hot water
2 tsp beef bouillon
6 oz ziti pasta
1 can (2 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 cup sour cream

Cook ground turkey in a skillet along with the onion until tender; drain and put into pot. Add the salt, Worcestershire sauce, and flour. Put in the hot water and bouillon and mix very well. Cover and let cook on low for 4 hours or high for 8 hours. About 30 minutes before cooking time is over, cook ziti pasta as directed on package. Add cooked pasta, mushrooms, and sour cream and stir. Replace cooker cover and cook on high for 15 minutes. Will serve 4.

Crock pot casseroles are a great way to get dinner on the table while giving your family delicious food that they already love. You can find a large variety of easy recipes online that can help you plan a week or month's worth of recipes that fit your budget and family's tastes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sherry_Frewerd/4774