Ann’s Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
The summer heat has hit hard this year with temperatures well into the 90s and higher, and with the humidity factored in it’s downright unbearable some days. Though we use the slow cooker much less in the summertime, on days like this it’s actually a lifesaver. No hot stove, hot oven, or hot grill, just the slow cooker working its magic. Michael’s mom has used this recipe for years and doesn’t know where she got it, but it’s an easy recipe for pulled pork. It’s slightly sweet, not smoky like our chipotle sauce, and a hit with the kids. During out last visit, she had both slider and regular size buns, and the sliders were perfect for the boys. Read more
Slow Cooker Paprika Chicken
April 22, 2010 by Andrea
Filed under Main Course, Poultry
Though the days are getting warmer and the summer daylilies have just started to bloom, I still feel the urge to pull out the slow cooker on cool spring mornings. When most of our days are swirling with activity, it gives me a sense of accomplishment to get a meal going in the slow cooker. I know that dinner will be ready later and I can focus on the boys and their needs or the endless to dos and errands and avoid the rush to get something ready for dinner at 5 p.m. when they are all standing around the kitchen telling me that they are starving. Read more
Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
March 8, 2010 by Andrea
Filed under Main Course, Pork
Each afternoon when the boys come home from school, they have one thing on their minds: food.
“Mommy, I’m hungry.”
“Mommy, when are we going to eat?”
“Mommy, what’s our snack today?”
“Mommy, I’m starving. What’s for dinner?”
“Mommy, I don’t like that.”
“Mommy, I just want a lollipop for dinner.” (When Monkey Boy said that, I had to look away so he wouldn’t see me giggle.”) Read more
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast and Gravy
December 28, 2008 by Andrea
Filed under Grow Your Own, Poultry
Christmas Day is one day out of the year that we really like to relax with the kids and still have a traditional meal while keeping it easy. Ham with all the trimmings is a Christmas Day meal for my family, while Michael’s family does turkey. This year our compromise was to do turkey on Christmas Day and ham on New Year’s Day.
In keeping with the easy and relaxing theme, we decided to cook a whole turkey breast in the slow cooker, which gives a tender and juicy bird and keeps the oven available for baking rolls or pie or whatever else might be on the menu. My inspiration for this recipe comes from Elise’s mom, who makes a great turkey. We’ve used her recipe the last two Thanksgivings with success, and I adapted it for a slow cooker turkey breast.
On Christmas morning I walked out to the garden and cut some sage, thyme, parsley, and oregano, all of which flavored the bird and the gravy. Read more
Slow Cooker Squash Stew with Garbanzo Beans and Red Lentils
November 13, 2008 by Andrea
Filed under Soups & Stews
Our kitchen counter is covered with five different types of squash, a few steps up from our normal routine of acorn and butternut squash. On my last squash run, I came home with sweet dumpling, delicata, buttercup, acorn, and butternut and plans for all of them, mostly revolving around roasting and soups. And of course I wanted some photos of the squash pile.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup with Five Peppers and Ham
May 11, 2008 by Andrea
Filed under Pork, Soups & Stews
It’s May and I want to dream about picnics and cooking outdoors. We thought summer was well on it’s way when temperatures climbed into the 80s a couple weeks ago, then we were startled with the cold front that came through yesterday bringing lots of rain and dropping temperatures back into the 40s. Everything is damp and the chill in the air makes for perfect soup weather, especially if it’s a little spicy like this one I warmed up for lunch. It tastes great with a slice of cornbread on the side or crumbled in the bowl, and makes me feel all warm inside. I needed that pick-me-up as I watched a river run through our backyard, cutting a swath in the garden. At least it wasn’t in the house! Maybe the mud pit will dry out enough that we can finish planting this weekend.
I like to make this soup in the slow cooker because it is so easy for a busy day, or even for overnight. The ham bone goes in for lots of flavor, but if you want a vegan option then skip the bone and use a rich homemade vegetable stock instead of water. Also, if you add the salt late rather than the beginning of the cooking process, the beans will be more tender, so hold that salt!
