The cold weather has arrived, and the first holiday meal is complete. With the non-stop hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s hard to find the time to cook. That means it’s the perfect time to put your crock pot to use!
It’s a simple as filling up your crock pot in the morning, hitting a button, and coming home in the afternoon to a warm, delicious meal ready to be served. Crock pots are great for making big batches of food that you can save and serve again later in the week, or freeze for use later in the winter. You don’t have to be an expert to conjure up a hearty crock pot meal, and we’ve provided some recipes for inspiration! There are plenty more on the Internet, but these are a start! Happy slow cooking!
Slow Cooker Oats
Ingredients
1 cup steel cut oats
3 ½ cups water
1 cup peeled and chopped apple
½ cup raisins
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preparation
Place the steel cut oats, water, apple, raisins, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla into a slow cooker. Stir to combine and dissolve the sugar. Cover the cooker, set to low, and allow to cook for 6-7 hours (for firm oats) or 8 hours (for softer texture).
Note: it is important to use steel cut oats and not rolled oats! Rolled oats will result in a mushy mess.
Recipe from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-oats/
Crock Pot Chili
Ingredients
1 lb browned ground beef (or turkey)
2 14oz cans chili beans
2 28oz cans diced tomatoes
1 tsp garlic
1 ½ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tsp cumin
Preparation
After browning the ground beef (or turkey), place all ingredients in the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Top with cheese if desired.
Recipe from: http://momswithcrockpots.com/2014/09/crock-pot-chili/
Slow Cooker Roast Chicken & Potatoes
Ingredients
1 whole chicken, skinned (4-5 lbs)
4 or 5 garlic cloves
1 onion, quartered
4 or 5 golden potatoes
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp dried thyme
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp black pepper
Preparation
Make sure there is enough room in your slow cooker for both the potatoes and chicken. Scrub the potatoes and prick with a fork, then wrap in foil. Place on the bottom of your slow cooker. Remove chicken skin, clean out the cavity, and rinse the whole thing under water. Pat dry with a paper towel. Stuff the cavity with onion and garlic. In a small bowl, combine the seasonings and rub onto chicken. Place the chicken over the potatoes, breast side down. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 8 hours.
Recipe from: http://www.cakestudent.com/slow-cooker-roast-chicken-potatoes/
For more great easy & healthy recipes, check out our WIC pages here.
For more information about Gallatin County WIC, go here.
