Slow Cooker, Day 4

Sometimes, you just want to throw things in a slow cooker, walk away and come back a few hours later and eat.

Is that too much to ask?

And sometimes, you don't want to go to the store and buy unique ingredients or dirty six bowls and pans before your slow cooker meal even starts to cook.

Here I am, saving the day. Here are five of my favorite ways to get dinner on the table without utilizing one brain cell to prepare. Lovely visual.



(background image via)

1. Throw in however many chicken breasts you need for your crowd at dinner that night, a packet of taco seasoning (or any Mexican inspired spices you have!), 4-8 oz. cream cheese (based on the chicken breasts amount) and a jar of salsa. As a bonus, if you have a can of corn or any beans on hand, feel free to throw those in, as well. Cook on low for 4-6 hours and shred to use in tacos, fajitas, taco salad or quesadillas.

2. Line the bottom of the slow cooker with sliced red apples, top with boneless pork chops, sprinkle with cinnamon and more sliced apples. Pour in 1/4 c. water for moisture. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with stuffing.

3. Same as #1, throw in however many chicken breasts your need for dinner that night. Pour one can Coke/Dr. Pepper/Pepsi/Root Beer (your choice!) and enough BBQ sauce over chicken until covered. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes or shred for sandwiches, salad or chicken salad!

4. Line the bottom of your slow cooker with sliced bell peppers and a sliced onion. Pour about 1/2 cup-1 c. Italian salad dressing over the veggies. Once again, throw in those chicken breasts! (Can you tell we always have a bag or two of frozen chicken breasts in the freezer?) Sprinkle salt, pepper and cumin over the chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve as fajitas or in quesadillas! This is one of my favorites!

5. A twist on Thanksgiving! Dump a bag of frozen veggies in the slow cooker (peas and carrots are good), top with 4 chicken breasts, a can of cream of mushroom soup and a box of stuffing, prepared. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high 3-4. A meal in itself! Maybe get some pie for dessert!

Let me know if you try any of these recipes! I think you'll find yourself rekindling your love affair with the slow cooker.

Enjoy!
Laura