Category: slow cooking

Posted in Food, Main Dish, slow cooking

Tender Three-Packet Beef

Posted on by lmc

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While Memorial Day weekend is usually all about grilling and opening up the pool for the summer, it seems the weather doesn’t necessarily feel like cooperating this year. After a beautiful morning sunrise, yesterday’s weather turned cloudy and a bit chilly. Instead of grilling, as I had planned, I popped a roast into the crock pot and headed outdoors to spruce up the backyard. This recipe couldn’t be any easier to prepare. I always keep these seasoning packets in the pantry for when I’m in the mood for a no-hassle meal. This is one of the most tender and flavorful roast recipes that I have ever tasted.

Tender Three-Packet Beef

3-5 lb. beef roast
2 cups of water
1 packet brown gravy mix
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1 packet Italian seasoning mix

In a mixing bowl, combine water with the three seasoning packets. In a lightly sprayed crock pot*, place roast beef. Pour seasoning mixture over the roast and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

* I use a 6 quart crock pot for a 5 lb. roast.

Posted in Food, Main Dish, slow cooking

Spicy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Posted on by lmc

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Three simple ingredients, one delicious sandwich! If you like spicy, this sandwich is for you. On chilly fall mornings, when we head off to the Northwestern or Purdue University football games, this is one of our favorite take-alongs. I just unplug the crock pot and pack this deliciousness into the back of the car.
Yesterday, after days of warmer than usual weather, the skies turned gray, the heavens opened up, and the strong winds brought a stiff chill to the air. It reminded me so much of a fall morning, I pulled out a few chicken breasts and plugged in the crock pot. By the time the kids came home from swim practice, the chicken was done and the sandwiches were ready. That’s my kinda meal!

Spicy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

6 chicken breasts, boneless/skinless
1 stick of butter or margarine
1 12 oz. bottle of Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce

Place the stick of margarine or butter in the bottom of a 4-6 quart crock pot. Then add the chicken breasts. Cook on low setting for 6-8 hours, covered.
When chicken is thoroughly cooked and quite tender. Shred the chicken with two forks. Pour in the bottle of Frank’s Red Hot sauce and combine well. Serve on your favorite sandwich rolls.

Posted in breakfast, Brunch, Food, slow cooking

Hearty Crock Pot Oatmeal

Posted on by lmc

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I have three swimmers in the household so I am constantly replenishing the food supply. Swimmers are a dedicated breed. They are out of the house every weekday morning at 5:00 am and they stroll in the door around 6:00 pm every evening. This means I need to provide them with plenty of food during the school day so that they have enough energy to make it through until dinner. I send breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack with my children every day. Packing three meals for three kids everyday can be a trying task.
This recipe is nutritious, hearty, and packed with lots of whole grains and plenty of protein. Throw all of the ingredients in the crock pot before heading to bed. Wake up to the irresistible smell of cinnamon, apples, vanilla, and raisins. Pack warm oatmeal in individual plastic freezer jars and pop them into the fridge or freezer. During the week, pull a jar out of the fridge and pop it into the microwave for a delicious, hearty, breakfast that packs a powerful punch and is sure to get you through the morning.

Hearty Crock Pot Oatmeal

1 cup STEEL CUT oats
2 cups milk
1½ cups water
1 apple, peeled and chopped
½ cup raisins
2 Tbls. butter
1 Tbls. gound cinnamon
3 Tbls. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients thoroughly. Pour into crock pot sprayed well with cooking spray. Cover pot, set to LOW and let cook for 6 hours or until smooth and creamy. YUM!