One of the things I am trying to do to be healthier this year is to eat out less. The time that I am most likely to break down and order out is dinner. By the end of a long day of running after an almost two year old boy I am pretty much pooped. When I feel like that I am most likely to throw in the towel and order in some dinner.
One way that I have found to help myself is to rely on my crock pot. Sometimes I make a whole meal in the crock pot but normally I only make part of the meal as I've found that many of the crock pot meals that I know how to make are not very good for you. Today I am putting some chicken tenderloins in the crock pot with a box of low sodium chicken stock. I will let that cook for 8 hours on low. Then this evening I have the most time consuming part of dinner finished.
I love making chicken this way because there is so much you can do with it. You can make soup, pot pie, chicken sandwiches, or just serve up that super tender chicken with some rice and veggies. I also love that I have leftovers to make lunch out of for tomorrow.
What are your favorite things to make in the crock pot? Do you find yourself ordering food because your tired at the end of the day? What tricks do you have for making a quick and yummy dinner for your family?
I am with you!! Meat is the hardest part of the meal to get done and the crock pot is a brilliant help...I always like to have something made fresh (rice or pasta or a salad or whatever) to go with the crockpot schtuff so it doesn't all seem overbaked, you know?
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I cook in my (small) crock pot is Red Beans. I need to get a bigger one so I can cook a varitety of foods.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow. I am now following back. I look forward to reading more of your blog. Have a great day.
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My family is so picky so I can't hardly try new recipes, though I love trying new things. I cook some chicken breasts in the crockpot with some barbeque sauce in it. I pour just a little bit of water to thin up the sauce a little bit but my family of men eat that pretty well. Goes great with some mashed potatos!
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I love to make lasagna, pot roast, stews in my crock pot. I have 4 different sizes. :) I am a bit obsessed hehe.
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My crock pot is one of my best cooking buddies! I'm going to give your recipe a try! Rice and vegs sound so good with it!
ReplyDeleteLove my crock pot, too! I'll make several pounds of chicken, beef, or pork loin, and then divide it for several different dinners. Definitely a time-saver.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I are huge crock pot fans! Having a 8 & 4 yr old the last thing my wife and I look forward to is making dinner. We do things like meatballs, sausage(fantastic), and even ham! The possibilities are endless with that great invention!!
ReplyDeleteYUMMMMM Your house for dinner!
ReplyDeleteI love making spaghetti sauce in the crock pot...I think my favorite part about it is coming home and opening the front door to that wonderful smell! :)
ReplyDeleteCrock pot is a good kitchen help. There are lots of things one can do with it. Thanks for linking up to Get Connected Tuesday Blog Hop. Following you.
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I love my crock pots and have quite a few of them. Right now there are two in my kitchen making our suppper.
ReplyDeleteI need to use my crock pot more. I tend not to use it much because I need expand my crock pot recipe collection. Right now the only thing I really use it for are roast and chili. I have never made chicken before. We usually do the boneless breast too. I will have to try yours.
ReplyDeletePS Anyone know the best way to cook dry beans? I know it is cheaper than canned, but we tried last week and the result was a pile of mush. :-/
I do that all the time too! I end up using the chicken for enchiladas, casseroles, pizzas... it's such a time-saver isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI don't have a crock pot sigh. hubby and I have been scouting for one but then we ended up buying this thing called thermomix. We bought it last year and it does save me a lot of time for preparing meals!
ReplyDeleteSpanish Pinay
@An Ordinary Housewife: I cook dried beans in the crock pot. I cook them on low. I use about 3 bags at a time to fill up my large crock pot. I usually cook them for at least 12 hours. You will need to test them after 8 hours and then I would say every two hours after that until some of the beans split open. I bag mine and freeze them in smaller amounts. Hope that helps a little!
ReplyDeleteDo you soak them first or just put them straight in dry?
DeleteI soak them overnight :D
DeleteThis sounds really good and I always like easy!
ReplyDeleteVisiting from Thirsty for comments :-)
My post is here:
http://bonkersinbarnhart.com/dance-moms-beware-here-comes-horse-mom/
we LOVE our crock pot!!!!
ReplyDeleteMight have to try this recipe! Visiting from Wonderful Weekend Blog Hop. Followed via GFC.
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Have a WONDERFUL weekend.
I need to try this! I'm a new follower via the weekend blog hop. I am excited about making your blog a daily read! I do hope you'll come visit and follow us too
ReplyDeletetia @ two birds on a wire.