Crock Pot Recipes Don't Have to Be Boring

Review On Crock Pot Recipes Don't Have to Be Boring

As I was browsing the internet a few days ago, I came across a cooking forum where one post had a comment about how this person never used their crock pot because of the dissociation with their food. They "would never put all the ingredients in the crock pot, walk away for 6 hours, and expect it to turn out just the way they wanted it to."

Honestly, at first I was truly upset. I was frustrated, perhaps even angry. I love to cook and don't find my slow cooker to be an object of estrangement in my kitchen. My thoughts lashed out - this person must not have any children, they must not work, they must have all the time in the world to spend hours preparing dinner each and every night. Personally, I am so accustomed to creating extremely tasty quick and easy meals, I almost consider myself spoiled; I don't ever spend more than 20 minutes preparing dinner.

Then, I began to let go of my frustrations. Perhaps this person was not enlightened to what a slow cooker could truly do, and the amazing benefits it offers. When I was growing up, the only things I remember eating from a crock pot were chili, pot roasts, and pork chops. I was astounded when my aunt at a family reunion put baked potatoes in the slow cooker, unaware at that time of the endless possibilities.

Just recently, I realized how much I dislike preparing dinner. However with my crock pot, there's little to no preparation immediately before eating and that's what I love the most! During the week, we as parents are trying to help kids with homework, occupy toddlers, and feed babies; we don't have the luxury of a lengthy dinner preparation (and those who have dealt with hungry cranky kids know what I'm talking about). Even for those childless adults, the last thing you want to do after a long day at work is spend hours creating dinner. Crawl back into the depths of your kitchen cupboard and dust off your crock pot.

Now don't assume that you're going to be eating pork chops and pot roasts every day. How does Italian Chicken Parmesan sound? How about Hungarian Goulash or Burgundy Stew with Dumplings? Or my personal crock pot favorite, lasagna? (I hate all that preparation and then another hour of baking time for traditional lasagna!) Even Mushrooms and Wild Rice or Peanut Butter Fudge Cake! The possibilities are limitless, from Chicken Parisienne, to Beef Roast with Crimini Mushroom Sauce, to Chicken Cordon Bleu.

So ignore those who leave posts criticizing us crock pot chefs. In my opinion, we're enjoying numerous benefits that they will never understand because it is possible to have a healthy, tasty, exquisite meal without endless preparation prior to dinnertime. Give me 10-15 minutes each morning, and I'll give you a wonderful meal as soon as you walk through your door. It's almost like having your own personal chef!

Read more

Fast Crock Pot Recipes! Easy to Make and Never Boring Crock Pot Chicken Recipes!

Read Review On Fast Crock Pot Recipes! Easy to Make and Never Boring Crock Pot Chicken Recipes!

Tired of the same old crockpot recipes? I'm going to give you 2 that are different, so easy and delicious! What's worse than the same old chicken, carrots and potatoes? That's a good meal, but you get tired of it quickly. So here are a couple that are a little bit different. There are 2 things you need to remember when it comes to crock pot cooking.

1. Don't put frozen meat in the crock pot. Slow cookers bring up the temperature of meat slowly. That's the point isn't it? But if meat doesn't reach 140 degrees within 4 hours, you run the risk of developing bacteria in your food. We don't want this, so no frozen meat. No matter what other recipes say.

2. All crock pots cook differently. Timing will vary for each one. However, you must be absolutely sure that your crock pot brings food up to 140 degrees when on LOW. If it doesn't, you need a new one. So, get a meat thermometer and test it.

Now here are those recipes - 2 of my family's favorites.

Crock Pot Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

1 1⁄2 pounds chicken breast or tenders
2 packages (8 ounces each) white mushrooms, cut into thirds
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, cut into chunks
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into pieces
1 1⁄2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish
1 1⁄2 cups whole milk 1 package (1 pound) fettuccine Spray bottom of slow cooker with cooking spray and arrange chicken in a single layer. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and paprika. Top with mushrooms. In medium sauce pan over medium heat, stir together remaining ingredients, except for the pasta. Stir constantly. Heat through and pour over chicken. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours or HIGH 4-5 hours. You can add broccoli to crock pot about 2 hours before serving. Serve over hot fettuccini.

Crock Pot Merlot Chicken

2 1/2 to 3 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken pieces 12 oz sliced fresh mushroom, your choice 1 large onion, chopped 2 tsp minced garlic or 2 cloves minced 3/4 cup chicken broth, low sodium 1 6oz tomato paste 1/4 cup Merlot or any dry red wine ( if you absolutely won't use red wine substitute chicken broth) 2 Tbsp quick cooking tapioca 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil or 1 1/2 t. dried basil 2 tsp sugar 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 t. black pepper 2 cups cooked noodles 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano

Place the mushrooms, onion and garlic in slow cooker. Place washed chicken pieces on top. Combine broth, tomato paste, wine, tapioca, dried basil (if using), sugar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Pour mixture over the chicken and cook on Low for 7 to 8 hours or on High for 4-5 hours. If you are using fresh basil, stir it in after the chicken is cooked, shortly before serving. To serve, spoon chicken mixture over cooked noodles. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve with a salad and you're done.

Read more