Around this time of year, slow cooker recipes start to diminish as more and more folks turn to cooking meals using fresh vegetables and barbecuing outdoors. But slow cookers can have it both ways. They are handy for hearty stews in the fall and winter, but can turn out surprisingly light fare in the spring and summer months.
Sure they take up counter space, but slow cookers are wonderful to keep around in the warmer months for everything from overnight oatmeal and velvetty rice puddings to light curries and lemony grains. We scoured the internet to try and find lighter recipes that would allow your slow cooker to stay firmly in its place. All season long.
Try a Recipe:
• Overnight Slow Cooker Oatmeal - Real Mom Kitchen
• Greek Chicken and Vegetable Ragout - Eating Well
• Lemon Garlic Chicken and White Bean Stew - The Prepared Pantry
• Wild Rice Medley - Coconut and Lime
• Slow-Cooked Vegetarian Collard Greens - The Culinary Life
• Lemon Garlic Chicken with Shitake Mushroom, Farro, and Sweet Potato Pilau - Epicurious
• Vegetarian Chilli - The Food Network
• Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks with Lemon, Dill and Feta - Food and Wine
• Slow Cooker Rice Pudding - Cafe Mom
• Slow Cooker Curry- The Family Dinner
Related: Lemon Braised Chicken and Beans with Mint Pesto
(Image: Faith Durand)
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I sometimes use mine to make ratatouille. It's nice to make a summer dish without heating up the kitchen at all. It only needs to cook about 4 hours though, not a whole day.
Sounds yummy:) My crockpot gets a weekly workout year round.
Made Spanish chicken Monday & enjoyed leftovers in other dishes.
Always a hit here.
This is really helpful! I bought a slow-cooker last year specifically to avoid (or at least minimize) heating up the kitchen in the summer. But I was mostly finding (or gravitating towrad!) the more wintry recipes like roasts, stews, etc. Psyched to try some of these!
discerning, what other recipes do you make in your slow cooker and love? i need some more tips
Thanks for including my lemon and garlic chicken and white bean stew recipe from The Perfect Pantry. I love using my slow cookers in the summer, to keep the heat down in my kitchen.