Crock Pot Meals

[thistlebloom]

I broke the lid to my ancient crockpot, the one we got as a wedding gift.
I wonder if that burnt orange color was picked on purpose for me....prophetic somehow....anyway a friend who visits thrift stores regularly measured my crock and found a Pyrex casserole dish with a lid that fits perfectly.
I had been using a glass pie plate, which worked fine, but she thought it was tacky.
Kid#1 gave me a pretty stainless and black one last Christmas and I love it.
It's really great for cooking pintos down for refried beans too. In the summer it doesn't heat the kitchen up and we can have burritos for dinner.

 

[canesisters]

A couple of weekends ago I tossed a cup of dry navy beans and a cup of dry white beans (not sure of the name) into the crock pot. Added a box of beef broth (qt?) and a bit more water. Left it on low all night. The next morning I added a pound of browned ground beef and 1 small chopped onion and let it sit on low till lunch. I was cooking for someone who has some diet restrictions and I thought I was going to have to do a lot of dressing up for it to taste good to me but it was DELISH!! No salt, pepper, etc needed.
Served it with home made cast iron skillet cornbread.

 

[Rhodie Ranch]

I love throwing a package of pinto beans or any kind, add water to cover and then another 2" and let it cook away. Then take your potato masher and smoosh it down in the crock pot about a dozen times. Add sour cream or cheese and its a delish side dish.

Also to make bone broth, which I just did two days ago, buy the cheapest most horrible looking beef bones, incl marrow bones. Place in crock pot, add some garlic and cover with water. Add about 1/4 c of vinegar. Cook on low for 24 hours. Strain, saving bits of beef. Set broth in refrig over night, then skim off hard fat. You're left with the most nutritious beef jelly when heated turns into broth. YUM!

 

[majorcatfish]

major love it so simple !! I almost want to leave work and head to supermarket. What is au jus mix ? Steve not sure why, but I think missing lid was so funny!!

au jus is basically Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, white or brown sugar, garlic, onion and beef broth...
Mccormick's makes a great au jus gravy mix packet...

sorry it took so long to reply but was repairing the floor cleaner all day still not done, how they bent the scrubber carriage is beyond me....

 

[Jared77]

At the station we regularly use the crockpot. It will default to a "keep warm" setting so if we are gone when it's done dinner doesn't get burned. That's a great option if you have it or are looking to replace your crockpot.

Head over to http://allrecipes.com and in the search put in your meat and something like simple crockpot recipe and you'll get a ton of choices.

We've done lots of different dishes from hearty classics to, SW flavors
and. Even a number of Asian flavored dishes all with just a few simple ingredients. Open a can or measure off so much of this, lid goes on, set the timer and we're good. It's WAY more than just stew and chili. I love corned beef brisket, red skin potatoes and cabbage from the crock pot.

Be prepared to portion off leftovers and store for fast easy meals from the freezer for when you come home tired and don't want to cook. Into the microwave and you're eating good in no time.