Just because it's summer doesn't mean I have to stick to eating salad every night. Instead of turning on the oven and making the house even hotter than it already is, the slow cooker is an excellent option. You can cook just about anything without creating your own heat wave.
Crock pot meals aren't just for your grandmother or super busy families on the go; they're actually a really great way to slow cook meat or well, just about anything! Also, don't think that just because you're using the crock pot that the meal will end up being really unhealthy. The Crock Pot Kalua Pork from Skinny Taste is actually a really healthy option, especially when served in a lettuce wrap.
If you're looking for a crowd pleaser, try the Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese from Whisk and a Prayer. Toss the ingredients in before bed and when you wake up you'll have a delicious surprise. Here are some delicious ways to keep your kitchen cool and clean but still delicious:
• Italian Pot Roast, Better Homes and Gardens
• Crock Pot Kalua Pork, Skinny Taste
• Jimmy Fallon's Crock-Pot Chili, Martha Stewart
• Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese, Whisk and a Prayer
• Latin Crock Pot Chicken, What's On My Menu
Related: CrockPot Meals: How to Braise in a Slow Cooker
(Images: as linked above)
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Anybody have a really good vegetarian main course crock-pot recipe?
thanks! i just injured my hand which is making cooking hard. I'm fine working one handed but its hard to keep the bandages dry and clean while cooking and cleaning up. Crockpot stuff isnt a bad idea for the time being.
Any kind of stew-like vegetarian dish is easily made in a slow cooker--I like vegetable curries but don't have a specific recipe. I checked out a book from the library titled _Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker_ (or similar, might have been NYM's Crockpot) awhile back that had some recipes that looked really good.
@facciata
the kitchn had a great recipe for slow-cooker enchiladas a while ago. You can mix and match ingredients according to what you have on hand / what you want. I love it with mushrooms and zucchini!
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/main-dish/easy-dinner-recipe-slowcooker-black-bean-enchiladas-127016
@facciata
This is my favourite slow cooker recipe. So cheap and easy.
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/main-dish/slowcooker-recipe-curried-vegetable-and-chickpea-stew-067520
Thanks in the comments section for the vegetarian recipes!
Find the blog a year of crock potting, she has some really good crock pot recipes and is so honest about what worked in a crock pot and what did not.
My favorite crockpot dish: take a rack of ribs and add one diced onion. Top with barbeque sauce (I like the Joy of Cooking's scratch recipe). Cook on low for 6 hours until the meet falls of the bone.
I'm guessing I could also do this recipe with frozen chicken thighs or pork.
On really hot days I put the slow cooker in a secluded place on my deck, plugged in to an outside outlet. It keeps the cooking smells from overwhelming my non-air conditioned home.