Crock Pot Cooking

1. Crock pots use less energy to cook food than an oven according to the Consumer Reports website (www.consumerreports.org.).

2. Cheaper cuts of meat cooked slowly in the slow cooker in ample amounts of liquid come out tender and juicy. Purchasing cheaper cuts of meat lowers my grocery bill.

3. Crock pot cooking saves time. Once the meat and/or vegetables and liquids are placed in the crock pot, I am free to go on my merry way, knowing that the meat and veggies will be tender when I return. There is no need to boil, turn or otherwise tend to the meal.

4. A slow cooker can keep almost any dish at serving temperature without burning it when I'm entertaining.

5. Meat can be taken from the freezer and placed in the crock pot to cook, eliminating thawing time.

6. Crock pot meals are ready when I am. When I open my front door after a long day at work, the aroma of my crock pot dinner hits me almost as soon as I turn the key.

7. Using the slow cooker allows me to prepare a meal using fewer pots and pans, and there are plastic liners available for crock pots which allow for quick and easy washing.

8. I can be out doing my own thing, and my family can be at home enjoying a home-cooked meal.

Here are some easy recipes to help you begin your own love affair with your crock pot:

CHICKEN WILD RICE SOUP
1 C wild rice
6 C water
1 C milk
4 T. butter
½ packet dry onion soup mix, chopped onion, onion powder or onion salt
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can chicken or 1-2 chicken breasts (cut into small pieces)
Pepper to taste
Cook in crock pot on low heat for 8-12 hours

MEAL IN A CROCK POT
1 pork or beef roast (frozen or thawed)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Chopped onion, carrots, celery or other vegetables
Peeled potatoes cut into small chunks or slices
Enough water to cover vegetables
Season as desired (salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder)
Cook on low heat for 8-12 hours

MEATBALLS WITH GRAVY
Frozen meatballs
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can water
Peeled potatoes cut into small chunks
Cook on low heat for about 8 hours

TURKEY MELT SANDWICHES
Cook a turkey breast in the crock pot for 8 hours or until done.
Shred turkey and add:
3 C American cheese, diced
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
Small onion or onion powder
½ C Miracle Whip
Cook in crock pot on low for 3-4 hours.
(You can cook the turkey breast ahead of time, shred it, and freeze the turkey until you're ready to make the sandwiches.)
Serve the turkey melt mixture on buns.

Get your crock pot out of that cupboard and start using it. You'll wonder how you ever got along without it!