Seven Simple Suppers!

I've said it before and I will say it again, I LOVE THE CROCK-POT (or slow cooker as some call it).  I'm always in favor of plopping the crock-pot on the kitchen counter, filling it up at the start of the day and by evening enjoying a rich, flavorful meal.  Simple suppertime!  I love it! 

Here are 7 delicious crock-pot recipes for you.  Making dinner in the morning makes the day brighter!  Don't believe me?  Try it!

#1  Mushroom Chicken

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 pkg dry chicken gravy mix
• 10 3/4 oz can cream of mushroom or chicken soup
• 1 cup white wine
• 8 oz pkg cream cheese

Put chicken in slow cooker.  Sprinkle gravy mix on top.  In separate bowl, combine soup and wine and pour over gravy mix.  Cover cook on low 8 hours.  During last 30 minutes of cooking time, stir in cream cheese.  Before serving, remove chicken and whisk the sauce until smooth.  Serve chicken and sauce over noodles and rice. 

#2  Family Favorite Casserole

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups diced potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
• 1 1/2 cups peas
• 1 1/2 cups macaroni, cooked
• 10 3/4 oz can cream of celery soup
• 1/2 lb cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt

Cook beef and onion in saucepan until brown.  Drain.  Combine all ingredients except macaroni and milk in slow cooker.  Cover.  Cook on High 4 hours, or 8 to 10 hours on low.  Add the macaroni and milk during the last 15 minutes.

#3  Easy Roast

• 3-4 lb beef roast
• 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
• 14 1/2 oz can stewed tomatoes

Place roast in slow cooker.  Cover with onion soup and tomatoes.  Cover.  Cook on low 8 hours. 

#4  Slow Cooker Beef Sandwiches

• 2 - 3 lb chuck roast
• 1 pkg dry onion soup mix
• 12 oz can coke

Place meat in slow cooker.  Sprinkle soup mix over meat.  Pour coke over all.  Cover.  Cook on low 8 hours.  Shred the beef, mix with barbecue sauce and serve on buns. 

#5  Stuffed Green Peppers

• 6 large green peppers
• 1 lb ground beef, browned
• 2 Tbsp minced onion
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Cut peppers in half and remove seeds.  Combine all ingredients except peppers and cheese.  Stuff peppers with ground beef mixture.  Place in slow cooker.  Cover.  Cook on low 6 to 8 hours.  Sprinkle with cheese during last 30 minutes.

#6  Au Gratin Potatoes and Ham

• 10 potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup fully cooked ham

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.  Cover cook on low 7 - 8 hours.

#7  Chalupa  (one of our favorites!!)

• 3 lb pork roast
• 1 lb dry pinto beans
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1 Tbsp dried oregano
• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 4 oz can chopped green chilies
• water

Cover beans with water and soak overnight in slow cooker.  In the morning remove beans (reserve soaking water) and put roast in bottom of cooker.  Add remaining ingredients, including the beans and their soaking water.  Add more water if needed to cover all the ingredients.  Cook on high 1 hour and then low 6 hours.  Remove meat and shred with 2 forks.  Return meat to slow cooker.  Cook on high 1 more hour.  Serve over a bed of lettuce (and we put Frito's!) and top with grated cheese and onions and tomatoes (and we add sour cream!).  YUMMY!!  This makes 12 - 16 servings and is great for entertaining.