Slow cooker recipes for warm weather?

[MyMelody]

Does anyone have lighter recipes for the slow cooker that will work well with the warm weather we're starting to get? A lot of the recipes I have are a bit heavy (thick sauces, starchy, etc), but I'm still hoping to be able to use this timesaver! TIA!

[Luckybustert]

One thing I do is put a whole chicken in there and just let it cook all day - no water or liquid added. It turns out like the rotisseried chickens you buy pre-cooked in the grocery store. I usually rub some seasoning on the bird before putting it in the crockpot - I especially like the Emeril's seasoning for this. (I take the chicken off the bone and then throw the bones and some water back into the same crockpot - great broth!) Another thing you could cook in there is sausages, like bratwurst or polish sausage. Or a roast with tomatoes and cabbage, or other vegetables, is nice too. Another thing I like is to cook a pork roast in the crockpot. I'll shred it and use half for kahlua pork and cabbage, and I'll use the other half for BBQ pulled pork sandwiches (with coleslaw on the sandwich itself - yummy!)

[mauimagic]

Am glad you started this MyMelody - haven't used my cp for a while and I know it will help us to eat better!! Am thinking of using it at night and putting the food away so can have cold meals in the evening. Ginger chicken would be perfect for this - cook the chicken with some broth and sliced ginger (save the broth for a cold or hot soup - then use the cold chicken with sauce!! Need to look up the sauce recipe now!!

[MyMelody]

I need to pick up a whole chicken when I go shop -- thanks for the reminder, Lucky! And Maui, please do find that ginger sauce recipe! Sounds yummy :-)

One thing I have done is to take turkey tenderloins and dump in a can of ro-tel or some salsa, plus cumin, garlic, and chili powder, then cook and shred for tacos or burritos.

[lovestoread]

I , too, thank you for this thread....I love my crockpot, but I feel that I use it mostly for the heavier, comfort food..winter meals...so I hope this gets a lot of response...was the whole chicken fresh or frozen????

[lisaflex]

when it warmer out i do bbq chix iin the CP

put in whole crst of chix. cover w/ bbq sauce. take out and shred put on a bun and dinner is served along w/ some cold couscous salad!

[Contrary Housewife]

I do corned beef in the summer, without vegetables. Then scrape off the outside layer of fat and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Chill well, then slice for sandwiches.

[mauimagic]

I'll post the recipe for the ginger sauce as soon as I find it, but for now the ingredients are:

fresh gingrer - grated
oil
chopped green onion
soy sauce

measurements late!!

[sunshine]

Baked potatoes or ranch potatoes as sides for grilled meats.

taco or wrap fillings - chicken, pulled pork, etc.

Beans for salads. . .cook from dry state, cool and add to salads

[dcompton]

I use it mostly just to cook meats - pork (for barbeque), beef roast, chicken breasts. Then I use the meat for sandwiches or in quick skillet dishes.

Especially with the chicken, I cook a big full crock at once and freeze most of it to use in pasta or fried rice later.

[Libby]

Here's the recipe for the https://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...e-chicken.html

Was thinking you could also do meatballs for a sammy? Or make soups in the crockpot - its kinda 'lighter' vs roast w/taters etc. There's also desserts that can be done in the crock as well but I'm not familiar with them.

[MomToTwoBoys]

We do sloppy joe meat over basmati rice when it's warm out.

I can post the sloppy joe recipe that's perfect for the crockpot and is gluten free at the same time.

I also do a meatloaf in the crockpot that has brown rice, red peppers, ground turkey, etc. We usually eat that with rice as well. You can also put the meatloaf on sandwiches and eat them if you prefer a lighter meal.

[McD]

I hae a recipe for philly cheesesteak sammies made in the crockpot/ Its very filling, very yummy.

I'll post in the cookbook tonight.

[hollyhill]

Maui, I'd lovethat recipe! Sounds great.
And Mom to Two boys can you post your meatlaof reipe. I've never done meatloaf in the crocpot before...

As far as desert goes... I make fruit crisps in the crockpot.
Use any fruit crisp recipe ( the kind with oatmeal, flour, butter brown sugar topping) and layer it in the crockpot... fruit filling first then topping. Put on high for 3 hours and it is done.

I use in season fruit making it an inexpensive treat. Right now I am using lots of Rhubarb. Free from the garden =)

[marjorie]

Fruit butters, stuffed peppers, spag sauce.