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Crock pot recipes are something that we all need on hand. They are such a convenient way of preparing a meal. It has saved a lot of working families the hassle of cooking when we get home from work. Putting on a simple meal in the crock pot and letting is cook all day results in a feast fit for a king when you get home. Some people refer to them as slow cookers. Although they are basically the same, in reality the names are not. There is a story behind the crock pot.

History of the Crock Pot

In the late 1930’s an inventor by the name of Irving Naxon wanted a patent for device that he created. It was based on a story from his mom about having to cook a sort of stew for their holiday. The stew cooked all night and then the oven was cut off or put out and the residual heat finished cooking the meal. They would then serve the meal on Sunday.

The patent he requested was based on a devise that heated the food evenly in an inserted pot and was actually portable. He received his patent in the 1940’s and it was a huge hit. In the 1970’s, he sold his patent to Rival Manufacturing and it was then names the Crock Pot. So what we call as crock pot is a two-fold name. It describes the device and also is the Brand name of the device. However, over time we have come to know this device as a slow-cooker.

In the 1980’s, the sale of crock pots declined. This may be also due to the introduction of the microwave, prosperity and more people eating out at fast food places. However, there doesn’t seem to be many households today that doesn’t have a crockpot or slow cooker in their home.

Crock Pot Dishes Recipes

I love to cook. Cooking in the crock pot makes it simple. Soups and stews are my favorite. In the winter, on a cold day, nothing feels better than a cup of hot soup or stew. Especially after all the ingredients have had a chance to cook together. The flavors infuse together and makes the overall meal incredible. Cooking a stew on the stove is good, but nothing tastes as good as a stew or soup that has been cooking in a crock pot for at least 4-5 hours.

If you would like some simple crock pot dishes, I have some great recipes to share with you. These are my favorite dishes. My family loves them. They work great for a simple family meal or double the recipes for family get togethers or parties. My first is potato soup.

ALL THESE RECIPES CAN BE CONVERTED INTO VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN DISHES!!!

Creamy Potato Soup

This is simple and easy recipe. Just takes a few simple ingredients and you have a meal for any occasion.

1. 6 Medium potatoes
2. 1/2 cup of onions
3. 2 cups of cooked chicken. You can use beef or shrimp.
4. 2 cans of condensed creme of mushroom soup or condensed chicken soup.
5. 1/2 cup of chives
6. 1 box of Swanson’s chicken broth and chicken broth from cooked chicken
7. 1-1/2 tablespoon of rosemary.
8. 1/2 tablespoon corn starch to thicken
9. Salt and pepper to taste
10. Bacon bits, sour creme and shredded cheese for toppings

Prep and Cook:

Boil the chicken until done. Then shred or cube the chicken. Save the stock for later. Then add all the other ingredients into the pot together. If you don’t want to cook the chicken, then add the chicken first, cook for 2 hours in crock pot, then add the other ingredients. Cube the potatoes. I leave the skins on for more flavor and added fiber.

When complete, serve in a bowl and top with bacon bits and chives. Place on table and serve with some warm bread or dinner rolls and a glass of white wine. And Wallah…Dinner!!

Beef Stew and Rice – Crock Pot Recipes

How many of you have eaten beef stew and rice? I grew up eating this with some cornbread and sweet tea. However, it was cooked on a stove, on low heat, all day. Well, I have since then started cooking it in a slow cooker. Comes out with such an amazing taste. The beef is tasty and tender. Add in onions, peppers and some carrots and you have a meal like grandma used to make.

Here is how it goes:

What you need is simple. Get about 2 pounds of stewed beef, 1 pound of hamburger meat, 2 polish sausages, 1 cup of onions, 1/2 cup of red, yellow and green bell peppers each, 1 tbs of rosemary, 1 tbsp of dill, 1 box of Swanson’s beef stock, 2 beef bouillon cubes, 1/2 cup of whole carrots, 6 medium potatoes, 2 bags of mixed veggies, salt and pepper to taste.

Then all you do is cook your meats first then add it all into the crock pot. If you are going to work for about 6-8 hours, then cook it on low or medium. If you are hanging around the house, start it early in the morning on high and it should be ready by lunch time. Steam some rice to add to finished stew. Then bake some cornbread. Serve with a Cabernet or Merlot and you have a fine meal. Double the recipe and you have a meal for any gathering or event.

Homemade Chili – My Favorite

As I have just stated, this is my favorite dish. My family loves it. I cook if often in the winter. I make it thin like a soup or thick like a stew. Either way it is delicious with some saltines, cornbread or tortilla chips. Sprinkle with some sour cream, chives and cheese and there is nothing better to eat. Serve by itself as a one-dish meal or add a salad or corn on the cob for a full meal. It is really up to you how you want to serve it. Here is my recipe that I have used for over 30 years. It looks like a lot but it absolutely delicious!!!

INGREDIENTS: 

1. 2 pounds of hamburger meat.  You can choose which meat you want to add.
2. 1 package of smoked sausage links
3. 1 whole chopped onion
4. 4 whole chopped bell peppers- 1 red, 1 yellow, 1 red and 1 green
5. 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
6. 1 small jalapeno pepper – optional for spicy flavor
7. 3 cans of beans – 1 black bean, 1 kidney bean, 1 pinto bean or 1 bag of your favorite dried beans.  If using dried beans, let them soak over night in cold water.  This helps release the gas within the bean. 
8. 2 cans of corn
9. 1 cup of baby carrots diced
10. 2 celery stalks
11. 1 cup of red wine – not sweet
12. 3 tablespoons of chili powder or to taste
13. 1 tablespoon of brown sugar
14. 1 teaspoon of crushed red peppers – if you opt not to use Jalapenos. 
15. salt and pepper to taste 
16. water to cover

Cook in a crock pot at least 6 hours on high. Meat and all. This is one recipe that you don’t need to precook the meat. Just make sure that the hamburger is fresh and seperated. However if you want chunks of meat, just drop it in. Stir occasionally to keep if from clumping excessively. Serve with your favorite bread. If you want, you can add salad and a veggie for a full meal. Here you can serve with any wine of your choice. This is really a meal that compliments any wine. The wine will enhance various flavors in the chili based on which wine you choose.

Something a little extra:

My southern sweet tea. Everyone raves about my tea. It is a simple to make but you have to make sure you do it correctly to make sure it tastes just right. It starts with the correct pot. I have a pot just for my tea. It is well seasoned and only used for tea making. So here goes. True Southern Sweet tea.

Need a 2 quart pot filled with water, leaving about 2 inches from the top. I use Lipton tea – 7 individual tea bags, not family size. However, you can use any tea of your choosing. I add 2 bags of flavored tea, usually peach or blueberry. Again, you can use your own favorite here. Cook on stove until is just starts to boil. DO NOT BOIL!!! Once you see is starting to boil, turn down and steep for about 15-20 minutes. After the time is complete, transfer tea into your container but add your sugar first. In the South, we like sweet tea. So don’t be afraid to use the sugar. I use 2 cups of sugar to a gallon tea container. So pour tea from pot into container. Here is the trick, squeeze the bags to remove as much flavor as possible. Then stir contents. Add water after mixing to fill your container. You can serve it hot over ice or chill and serve later over ice. Nothing is better on a hot summer day than a glass of cold, sweet Southern Iced tea. Except, maybe a glass of white wine or Rose.

Conclusion:

I hope this gives you some ideas on how to use your crock pot or slow cooker. However, if you would enjoy some great Southern-style recipes, read my blog on some of my best Southern dishes. Save yourself some time. Cook in a crock pot!!!