Crock pot recipes

[Grace]

I'll post the Cheesy Ravioli recipe tomorrow

We loved it

[orangemm]

A tip for the holidays and your crock pot...don't throw out the turkey carcass after your yearly feast. Break it up and cram it into the crock pot, add carrots, onion, celery, a bouquet garni and enough water to cover it.

Cook on high for at least 12 hours; you can leave it in for 24. The aroma is heavenly and at the end you will have a lovely turkey stock to use for soups, stews, etc.

Strain the stock and refrigerate immediately. When completely cool, skim the fat off the top.

Tip: I overfilled my pot and saw liquid bubbling over the top, so I just put a pizza pan under it to catch any overflow.

ETA: if it is bubbling a lot, turn it down to low.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

This thread inspired me to get a crock pot- I had never used one before. I bought one at a thrift store for $5 and so far, I've made this lentil soup:

Ingredients:

* 2 cups lentils
* 4 cups water
* 8 cups vegetable broth
* 1 onion, diced
* 3 stalks celery, sliced
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tsp salt
* 1/4 tsp black pepper
* 1/2 tsp oregano
* 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
* 2 tbsp red wine vinegar

Stir together all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

It actually called for more liquid than my crockpot could hold, so I added less water. It was easy and turned out well. A lot of recipes posted sound really yummy, but unfortunately they probably have too many calories to try right now since I am really trying to lose some weight...maybe if I cut them in half I could try some. Or maybe someone has a good low-calorie recipe?

[slick]

Yesterday I made baked beans in my crock pot. Took 12 hours to cook because I didn't bother to par boil the beans - just soaked them the night before. It turned out quite good - although I've had better.

Next weekend I'm going to try that chicken/mushroom soup recipe.

[beeniesmom]

The pork BBQ was the bomb.

[Grace]

Yesterday I made baked beans in my crock pot. Took 12 hours to cook because I didn't bother to par boil the beans - just soaked them the night before. It turned out quite good - although I've had better.

I do baked beans in the oven - 6 hours at 325°. They get soaked overnight and then parboiled. I think they are fantastic, as does my husband. Would be glad to share the recipe - if you're interested.

[Randi]

Is this the kind you use?

[jennielynn1970]

where'd you get Smoked Turkey? Only thing I'm picturing is deli meat and I know that isn't right.

It's an actual whole smoked turkey that we get from a turkey farm. They smoke the entire turkey. Tastes just like ham, but better for you.

[shais_mom]

It's an actual whole smoked turkey that we get from a turkey farm. They smoke the entire turkey. Tastes just like ham, but better for you.

hmm I've only ever seen turkey legs smoked in the grocery - will have to check out what I can find.

[jennielynn1970]

Is this the kind you use?

Rival makes some nice crock pots. Mine looks a lot like that one, but red. They are fantastic for stews and soups. You have to get one Randi!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Just made this yesterday, and it's basically whatever I had on hand, and it turned out so darn yummy, I can't tell you.

I took 1/4 of a smoked turkey that had been cooked, and used the meat from it and the broth from cooking it.

Take the broth, put it in the crock pot. Add in a bag of green lentils, a small bag of baby carrots, 3 potatoes cubed, an onion chopped, and a bunch of cilantro chopped. Add about 1 tsp salt (not much since salt from the smoked turkey is already in the broth. Add enough extra chicken broth to cover the veggies.

Let simmer all day long, until the lentils break down and the starches come out and thicken it to a stew like consistency. Add back in the smoked turkey just before serving.

I made home made baking powder biscuits, cut into shapes with autumn cookie cutters (pumpkins, apples, scary cats) and served them with the stew.

I love lentils and have been wanting an easy crock pot recipe for them. I think I'll try this next weekend. I'm going to use my trusty canned chicken though. Smoked meats always upset my stomach for some odd reason. It sure sounds yummy though. Thanks for sharing!!!

[momoffuzzyfaces]

This thread inspired me to get a crock pot- I had never used one before. I bought one at a thrift store for $5 and so far, I've made this lentil soup:

Ingredients:

* 2 cups lentils
* 4 cups water
* 8 cups vegetable broth
* 1 onion, diced
* 3 stalks celery, sliced
* 2 carrots, chopped
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 tsp salt
* 1/4 tsp black pepper
* 1/2 tsp oregano
* 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
* 2 tbsp red wine vinegar

Stir together all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

It actually called for more liquid than my crockpot could hold, so I added less water. It was easy and turned out well. A lot of recipes posted sound really yummy, but unfortunately they probably have too many calories to try right now since I am really trying to lose some weight...maybe if I cut them in half I could try some. Or maybe someone has a good low-calorie recipe?

This sounds yummy too. My crock pot is only 3 and half quarts so I'd had to adjust this too.

One thing to make some of the recipes a bit healthier is using Campbells Healthy choice cream of soups. They are more expensive but lower in fat and stuff.

[jennielynn1970]

hmm I've only ever seen turkey legs smoked in the grocery - will have to check out what I can find.

You could use those too, I suppose. Cook up a bunch of them, get the broth from them, and debone the legs. Use the meat and the broth for soups.

[Grace]

CHEESY RAVIOLI CASSEROLE

½ tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup chopped onion
½ clove garlic, finely chopped
1 jar (26 ounces) four cheese flavored tomato pasta sauce
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 package (25 ounces) frozen filled ravioli – your choice of fillings. I used cheese.
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/8 cup chopped fresh parsley


Spray cooker with cooking spray. In 12” skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender. Stir in pasta sauce, tomato sauce and Italian seasoning.

Place 1.5 – 2 cups of the sauce mixture in cooker. Add ravioli; top with mozzarella. Pour remaining sauce over top.

Cover. Cook on LOW setting 6 hours. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

My cooker size is 4 quarts, and this fits just fine.

[Grace]

one more -

ITALIAN MEATBALL STEW

1 bag (16 ounces) frozen, cooked Italian style meatballs – thawed
1 cup frozen, small whole onions
½ teaspoon salt
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes with Italian-style herbs, undrained

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
2 ½ cups frozen bell pepper and onion stir-fry, thawed & drained
¼ cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)


In 3.5 to 4.5 quart slow cooker, mix meatballs, onions, salt and tomatoes.

Cover; cook on LOW setting 6 hours.

In small bowl, blend flour and water until smooth. Stir flour mixture into stew. Stir in bell pepper and onion stir-fry. Increase heat to HIGH. Cover; cook 15-20 minutes longer, or until stew has thickened and bell peppers are hot. Sprinkle individual servings with cheese.