Tag Archive | rice

33 Crock Pot Recipes You Can’t Live Without

Whether it’s pot roast, spicy meatballs, chili, or even chocolate pudding, the crock pot does just about everything. I use it at least once a week and will be forever grateful to my Mother for giving me my first crock pot when I graduated from college. Granted, there have been a few failures–usually due to forgetting I had something in the crock pot and arriving a few hours later than planned to a pot of mush–but there have been so many more delicious successes. So today’s post is a fun tribute to the crock pot and all of the yummy things you can do with it. Before I get started, I get this question a lot so I’ll go ahead and answer it now: What crock pot do I personally use and why? I have the Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker. crockpotI’ve owned a couple over the years but this is my favorite for a couple of reasons. 1) It has little clamps so I can seal down the lid and not worry about sloshing if I’m transporting food in my car. Been there, done that, and it’s no fun cleaning chili out of the floor of your car in the freezing cold. 2) It’s programmable so for recipes that call for 8 hours of cooking time it means I don’t have to rush home because the timer setting just switches to WARM when it’s done. 3) It has a meat thermometer/probe so you can set the crock pot to switch to warm as soon as it reaches a certain internal temp. I actually first gave this crock pot to my Mom as a present but was so impressed by it that I scooped one up for myself.

Onward we go to 33 amazing recipes!

Soups:

Copycat Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup

Soup on the table

Recipe: https://missbutterbean.com/copy-cat-panera-bread-crock-pot-broccoli-cheddar-soup/

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

chicken noodle

Recipe: http://www.food.com/recipe/slow-cooker-chicken-noodle-soup-198707

Classic Crockpot Chili

chili

Recipe: http://busycooks.about.com/od/hotsouprecipes/r/crockpotchili.htm

White Bean Chicken Chili

white bean chicken chili

Source: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/white-bean-chicken-chili

Chicken & Dumplings

chicken and dumplings

Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Chicken-and-Dumplings/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Main Dishes:

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

pulled pork

Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Pulled-Pork/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=slow%20cooker&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page

Slow Cooker Carnitas

carnitas

Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Carnitas/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=slow%20cooker&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page

Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken

lemon garlic chicken

Recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/kathleen-daelemans/slow-cooker-lemon-garlic-chicken-recipe/index.html

4 Ingredient Balsamic Pot Roast

Plated Pot Roast

Recipe: https://missbutterbean.com/4-ingredient-crock-pot-balsamic-pot-roast/

Slow-Cooker Pepper Steak

pepper steak

Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Pepper-Steak/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Chicken Tikka Masala

Tikka Masala

Recipe: http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/2012/10/19/chicken-tikka-masala-crockpot/#.UqigJcRDuM0

Crock Pot Copycat P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef Plated

Easy French Dip

frenchdip

Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Easy-Slow-Cooker-French-Dip/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Crockpot Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Recipe: http://laurassweetspot.com/2013/06/12/crockpot-brown-sugar-balsamic-glazed-pork-tenderloin/

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

turkey breast

Recipe: http://www.southernplate.com/2013/10/slow-cooker-turkey-breast-my-little-thanksgiving.html

Crock Pot Fettuccine Alfredo

fettucini alfredo

Recipe: http://www.raininghotcoupons.com/crock-pot-chicken-fettuccine-alfredo-recipe/

Au Gratin Garlic Potatoes

Au Gratin Potatoes

Recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/au-gratin-garlic-potatoes

Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken

buffalo chicken

Recipe: http://wannabite.com/crockpot-buffalo-chicken-recipe/

Slow Cooker Lasagna

lasagna

Recipe: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-lasagna/23546794-7262-47be-9ca4-e12c900399a1

Slow Cooker Italian Beef for Sandwiches

italian beef

Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Italian-Beef-for-Sandwiches/Detail.aspx?evt19=1

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

sweet and sour chicken

Recipe: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-sweet-and-sour-chicken/c91a2eff-3da0-4dec-842e-92a672b67075

Sides & Appetizers: 

Crock Pot Mac ‘N’ Cheese

macncheese

Recipe: http://thestir.cafemom.com/food_party/149688/the_ultimate_crock_pot_mac

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

baked potatoes

Recipe: http://www.garnishwithlemon.com/2013/10/28/crock-pot-baked-potatoes/

Slow Cooker Cheesy Bacon Ranch Potatoes

cheesy bacon ranch potatoes

Recipe: http://therecipecritic.com/2013/09/slow-cooker-cheesy-bacon-ranch-potatoes/

Bourbon Lit’l Smokies

bourbon litl smokies

Recipe: http://www.tammileetips.com/2013/10/crock-pot-bourbon-lil-smokies-hillshire-farms-litl-smokies/

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

green bean casserole

Recipe: http://www.tammileetips.com/2013/11/crock-pot-green-bean-casserole/

Crock Pot Sweet & Sour Meatballs

meatballs

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/07/17/sweet-sour-crockpot-meatballs-recipe/

Crock Pot Au Gratin Garlic Potatoes

Au Gratin Potatoes

Recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/au-gratin-garlic-potatoes

Desserts: 

Crock Pot Apple Betty with Almond Cream

Apple Betty

Recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/apple-betty-with-almond-cream

Slow Cooker Pineapple Upside Down Cake

pineapple upside down cake

Recipe: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-pineapple-upside-down-cake/f4a52245-95d2-403d-9d8b-320d6b9f485e

Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake

lava cake

Recipe: http://eclecticrecipes.com/slow-cooker-chocolate-lava-cake

Slow Cooker Turtle Upside-Down Cake

turtle cake

Recipe: http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/slow-cooker-turtle-upside-down-cake/44f373e8-7467-4bbd-9e2c-eb74eb37cd4e

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

hot chocolate

Recipe: http://www.mrshappyhomemaker.com/2010/12/creamy-crockpot-hot-cocoa-best-ever/

Crock Pot Copycat P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef

Mongolian Beef PlatedIf you’ve ever eaten at P.F. Chang’s, you know you’re always in for a treat. Everything on their menu is so stinking good. Unfortunately, the closest P.F. Chang’s we have is about 45 minutes away so it’s rare that we get to enjoy eating there. I love, love, love their Mongolian Beef so it was a happy day when I came across the recipe in one of Todd Wlbur’s copycat books. While it was pretty close to spot on I have made some changes which I think make it taste more like the original and also make the recipe crockpot-friendly. The result is to die for! The beef is tender and tangy and the sauce it cooks in thickens up nicely to pour over rice or noodles. It’s an easy crock pot recipe to put together in the morning and the smells you come home to are heavenly. I hope you enjoy the recipe as much as my family does! And if you like a little heat, try adding some Sriracha to the sauce. 🙂

Crock Pot Copycat P.F. Chang’s Mongolian Beef
Serves 4

  • 1 pound flank steak or london broil
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 4 large green onions, sliced into 1 inch chunks
  • 1 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup Hoison sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • Green Onions, finely sliced for garnish

Directions: 

1. Turn your crock pot on low while you start preparing the ingredients. Spray the interior of your crock pot with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Cut the steak into thick stir-fry size pieces, making sure to cut against the grain of the meat.

Whole Steak

 

Sliced Meat

Dredge the pieces of steak into the cornstarch, making sure both sides are well coated.

Dredged Pieces

Place the coated steak in the bottom of the crock pot and discard any leftover cornstarch.

Dredged Pieces in Crockpot

3. Layer sliced green onions over the steak.

Green Onions over steak

4. In a small mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients and whisk until well blended.

Sauce mixture

Pour sauce over the steak. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or on LOW for 4-5 hours.

Sauce over steak

Serve over rice or noodles and garnish with green onions. Enjoy!

Mongolian Beef Plated

Coconut Chicken Curry

Plated curry.I love Indian cuisine with it’s complexities of flavors and perfect harmony of ingredients. That’s why I was ecstatic when a friend gave me this amazing recipe a few years back, which I consider a phenomenal chicken curry which hits all of the right notes. It also happens to be ridiculously simple and quick recipe to whip up so I frequently make it for busy weekday dinners. This is also a versatile dish so I like to mix it up sometimes by adding in veggies like carrots, potatoes, eggplant, peas, etc.

Coconut Chicken Curry
Makes 6 servings

  • 3 Tablespoons butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon curry
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 (12.5 ounce) can coconut milk *You can use light coconut milk but I don’t recommend unsweetened coconut milk
  • 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into small bite-size pieces *I think the thighs have better flavor but you can certainly use breasts if you prefer.
  • 1 (14 ounce) can of diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped *I love cilantro so usually add more but you can adjust the amount to suit your taste.
  • Cooked basmati or jasmine rice to serve with the coconut chicken curry

Directions:

1. In a large skillet or medium soup pot, over medium heat, melt the butter and sauté garlic.

sautéd garlic

Add the spices and salt and sauté for a few minutes, stirring constantly.

sautéd spices

Add the sugar and onions and sauté for several minutes.

2. Add the coconut milk and chicken and bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium.

Raw chicken in pot

Simmer until chicken is cooked all the way through, approximately 10-15 minutes.

Chicken cooked

3. Once chicken is cooked all the way through, add the tomatoes and chopped cilantro.

Added tomatoes and cilantro

Serve in bowls over rice and enjoy.

Plated curry.

 

Easy Cheesy Steak Taquitos

My boyfriend, Tom, has an unequaled love for taquitos. If he had to eat one meal for the rest of his life, taquitos would happily be on his menu. Unfortunately, the frozen variety are fried and filled with preservatives and all sorts of junk. While frozen are super quick and easy, homemade are actually almost as quick and easy but so much better for you and even better tasting. This is also a super kid-friendly meal so you can get your little helpers in the kitchen. My favorite thing about this meal is that you can use up leftovers to make them by substituting out the meat and veggies for practically anything you have that you need to use up.

Cover

Makes 12 taquitos

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small onion
  • 6 ounces steak, chopped into bite-size pieces
    • I used strip but you can use also use  flat iron, top sirloin, London broil, etc,
  • 1/2 cup of corn
  • 1 cup of Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onion
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 12 (6-inch) flour or corn tortillas
  • 12 toothpicks
  • Sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for dipping, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a medium sauté pan, add olive oil and cook onion for 1-2 minutes on medium high heat. Add chopped steak and cook until no longer pink in the center. Remove from heat and allow to cool while you work on the rest of the filling.

Grilled steak and onions

In a small bowl, mix corn, cheese, green onion, salsa, and taco seasoning  until well blended.

Filling mixture, without steak and onions

Mix in the cooled onion and steak mixture.

Filling mixture

To ensure your tortillas are nice and pliable for rolling, wrap the tortillas in a couple damp paper towels and microwave on a plate for 30-45 seconds. This is also a great tip for taco and fajita night!

Working on a cutting board, lay out a tortilla and spread 3 heaping tablespoons of filling all over the tortilla.

Tortilla with filling

Roll up tightly, from bottom to top and fasten the seams with a toothpick. Continue rolling up the rest of the tortillas and then place on the baking sheet, about an inch apart.

Spray the tops of the taquitos with olive oil cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes, or until brown and nice and crispy.

Remove from baking sheet and cool for 5 minutes.

Don’t forget to remove the toothpicks before serving!
Plated Steak Taquitos

I serve with a side of Spanish Rice and little bowls of sour cream, salsa, or guacamole so guests can pick their favorite condiment. This will definitely be a huge hit and is also a great recipe idea for game day nibbles.