[Domestic Gal]

Well I had this all typed up last night and was proofreading when we lost power.
So I had to redo it all UGG!

Since the weather is either hot or going to be getting hot for everyone. I thought that I would try and use me crockpots (I have 4) as much as possible.
I have also been following the blog where the women is using her crockpot everyday this year. She has inspired me to try and use mine as much as possible.
I will post my recipes, changes and review of the recipes that I use.

I have been gathering recipes for a few weeks now and can't wait to try them all.

I own a 1 quart crockpot ( it does not have any low, high just plug in and it is on)
3 1/2 quart low, high dial
6 quart stay and go crockpot (you can time how long to cook and then it goes to warm)Great for when you are gone all day.
7 quart (this one got replaced with the 6 quart as it cooks really hot)

I also am only going to buy perishables for the month of June so I have to use what I have on hand.

I will post my recipes, changes and reviews of the outcome so if anyone wants to try them they can.


I cooked our entire dinner in the crockpots yesterday.

Beef Broccoli

1 lb. beef (steak, roast, stew meat)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tbls. white wine or apple Juice
2 Tbls. apple cider vinegar
1 Tbls. Br. sugar
2 tsp. sesame oil
2 Cloves garlic smashed or chopped
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 bag of thawed broccoli florets
Directions
Add liquid to the crockpot
chop garlic add to mixture
stir in spices

slice meat thinly, toss with the liquid and spices to coat.

cook on low for 6-8 hours
depending on thickness of meat thicker pieces take longer.

An hour before serving add the bag of broccoli.
Stir to coat and cook for another hour.
Serves 4-5

Serve over rice.

I used my 3 1/2 quart crock for this recipe but I am sure any size would work.
I cooked it 6 hours on low.

Changes I made

I used low sodium soy sauce.
I use olive oil instead of sesame oil
I used 1 tsp. jarred garlic instead of fresh
I added about 6 fresh sliced mushrooms
I added a couple of shakes of dried onions
I used steamfresh broccoli and cooked in the microwave and then added it and only cooked for 15 more minutes.

Reviews

This is very good. DH raved over it.


Brown Rice

I used my 1 quart crock for this

2 cups water
1 cup brown rice

I cooked it for 4 hours.
Makes 4 servings
No changes

Reviews
Turned out just like on the stove without cooking on the stove for 45 minutes.

Crockpot Triple Chocolate Surprise

1 1/2 Cups water
1 reg. box brownie mix
1 Large box instant choc. pudding
1/2 cup choc. chips
2 eggs beaten
1/2 Cup sour cream
3/4 cups oil.

Place all ingredients the order given in the slow cooker and mix well.
Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 on high. Done when it pulls away from the sides.
Serves 10-12

Changes I made

I only had 2 sm. boxes of pudding so used both
Used butterscotch chips
used 3/4 cups lite sour cream
Only used 1/2 cup oil (that is why I increased the s.c.)

Used the 6 quart crockpot for this.
Cooked it 5 1/2 hours on low. Took lid off the last 1/2 hour so moisture would cook off the sides and top.

Reviews
This is very moist. Almost to moist for me. I think I will only use 1 sm. box of pudding next time and just and normal S.C. and 1/2 cup oil and see how it is.

Today I will be using my crockpot to make fresh green beans.
I have made this a lot when fresh beans are available.

Crockpot Fresh Green Beans.

Fresh green beans (as many as you need for you family)I use about 1 lb. for the 4 of us.
1 pk of salt pork

Wash and nip green beans.
Slice or you can leave beans whole.
Put in crockpot add salt pork
cover with water.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Depends on who crisp you like them.
I use the 3 1/2 quart crock for these.

Changes you can make.

If you are making a small amount you can cut the salt pork in half.
You can add onions and or sliced mushrooms.

Reviews
We all like these.

If anyone wants to join me please feel free. Please share your recipes.

 

[PoorRichardsGirl]

Thanks for the tip about the crockpotting every day blog. I hadn't heard of it before. Very cool!

I think maybe I'll try my sloppy joe stuff in the CP today. It's easy already, but there'd be less last-minute attention using the CP.

 

[IntlMom]

This is a great idea. Why do I tend to forget about my crockpot??? That for the inspiration.

btw - can you link the "crockpot blog" you were talking about?

thanks

 

[IntlMom]

Never mind. I found it:

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

 

[FrugalGypsy]

Thanx for the tips.
I call my crockpot my "best friend". During the summer months I use it almost daily.

 

[baxjul]

I will do this. Today I have baked beans in the crockpot, we will cook hot dogs ont he grill!

 

[mcphlips]

I never think about using my crockpot in the summer. That is so silly of me. Usually it is just a winter time thing. I have a crockpot cookbook I'll have to drag out and check out.
I have a very larget crockpot, and don't tend to think about cooking sides in it. I'll have to look into this. Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[kozzy]

I love my crockpot! I use it alot all year long!
In the summer, it helps because the stove or oven isn't heating up the house!

 

[hunertime]

I'll use mine also. Using the crock pot saves use on eating out. If the food is ready when we get home I can't use the excuse I'm too tired to cook. I'm in

 

[perSue]

i'm in!!!

it's not so much the heat that bothers me when time to cook... it's the humidity!!!

if it's humid, i aint going NEAR the kitchen. :down:

so i think this is a GREAT challenge... now i've gotta find a bunch of recipes to make.... for my non-meat-eating self & family.

 

[Janbee]

I am in! This will help me to get a little more organized as well.
I am going to try to have as many no spend days as possible from now to the 4th of July I am only going to buy perishables for the month of June unless its free, I will also have to use what I have on hand. I need to get my freezer used down so that there is room for ice.
I am going to look for a recipe right now.

 

[Janbee]

Here is what I am putting on in the morn before I leave for work.

SMOTHERED STEAK

4 pork Cube steaks
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cubes beef bouillon
2 c. water
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped celery
2 tbsp. vinegar

Roll in steaks in flour, salt and pepper. Brown on both sides in hot oil. I did that today as we had steak sandwiches for dinner. I got a super deal on these cube steaks as I had some $1 off meat coupons that were about to expire and these were packaged two steaks in a package and they cost from $1.34 to 1.79 a package so I paid .34 to .79 for each package so I paid less than two dollars for 6 cube steaks.:tmi:
Anyway I a going to get two dinners out of them and a lunch for me or my son. Yea!

 

[Domestic Gal]

It is cold and rainy here today so I am making some chili. Need to use up the cans of chili beans anyway.

Here is my recipe. DH is not fond of chili but will eat mine.

1 lb ground meat (beef, chicken, Turkey)
1 small onion
2 14 oz cans of diced tom.
2 15 oz cans of chili beans
1-2 cups of water or tom. Juice
Salt, pepper, chili powder (to you liking)

Brown meat with onion.
put everything in crokpot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

I added some aduki beans as I had a small amount in the freezer

 

[chevy_chick95]

awesome blog! i love it!

 

[favesis37]

i am in, i usually don't use mine that often, but i booked mark that site and will use some recipes

 

[cissylu]

I alway`s use mine to cook dried bean`s . I`ll have totry useing it more. I have 2 cp. 3q.and 6q.
domestic gal this is a great idea thank`s so much.

 

[Moor]

i'm in. this would be great with me working all day. i could put dinner in before i left and it would be done when i get home!
i use it to make beans and chili, but that's about all. so i will definately be using it more now!

 

[Holly]

I love my crockpot summer and winter , but I don't mind cooking on my stove or having the oven going even in real hot weather.
On the hotest day of the summer I make the hottest spaghetti and hot sausage I can. ( its what my mom did so I do it in her memory )
What can I say I'm weird. lol

 

[favesis37]

i just made creamy chicken to serve over noodles tomorrow. it is so yummy

 

[Janbee]

Taco soup will be the menu tomorrow night.
I have hamburger meat that needs to be used.

1 pound ground beef -- browned and drained
2 packages taco seasoning mix
1 16oz can tomatoes with green chilis -- undrained
1 16oz can tomatoes diced
1 16oz can black beans -- undrained
1 16oz can kidney beans -- undrained
1 16oz can corn -- undrained
1 can black olives -- chopped or sliced
1 medium onion -- chopped (frozen)
1/2 bell pepper -- chopped (frozen)


Place everything in a large crockpot, add water, if necessary, to fill. Cook on Low for 5 or more hours until flavors are blended. Top each bowl with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese. Serve with sour cream, taco chips and salsa on the side. Serves 8.