What do you make in your crock pot?

[lucille]

Pinto beans! I soak dried pintos overnight and then put them in the crock pot with a ham bone, cumin, chili powder and usually some garlic powder and onion poweder and enough water to cover well. I let it run the low cycle. They are good as is. We did this and then made them into refried beans per a recipe I found online and froze the extra. They were way better than canned refrieds and probably cheaper.

I have done chickens in the small crock pots if you buy a smaller sized chicken. Leg quarters work really well too.

[mcnerd]

Originally Posted by Milehimama

You can make chicken PARTS in it - throw in a quarter or two, or a couple of breasts.

What is totally awesome is to place an entire FROZEN Chicken or Cornish Game Hen in the crockpot -- though you may want to thaw it enough under running water to remove the insides -- and just let it cook all day. Don't add anything, not even water. It not only thaws but the meat falls off the bones when you are ready to eat and you have delicious broth.

You now have something to use that rock-solid frozen bird in your freezer that you always forget to get out ahead of time to thaw.

[jkuo13]

Chili works real well in a slow cooker. We've done polenta in the slow cooker before. If you're into Asian sweet soups, I can vouch that cooking red bean soup works really well in a slow cooker.

[mcnerd]

Originally Posted by gt0163c

A few years ago, my friend shared her crock pot recipe with me. She called it "Pig in Pot".

Here is a similar recipe, Hawaiian style:

Crock Pot Kalua Pig

"Simple & easy way to make Kalua pig that didn't require banana & ti leaves"
Start to Finish Time: 24 hours
Serving Size : 12
Preparation Time :0:10

6 pounds Pork butt
1 1/2 tablespoons Hawaiian sea salt
1 tablespoon liquid smoke flavoring

Pierce pork all over with a carving fork. Rub salt then liquid smoke over meat. Place roast in a slow cooker.

Cover, and cook on Low for 16 to 20 hours, turning once during cooking time.

Remove meat from slow cooker, and shred, adding drippings as needed to moisten.

NOTES : If you can get your hands on the Hawaiian sea salt use it, otherwise chef Ming Tsai of Blue Ginger sells sea salt in a jar at Target. It's coarse and salmon pink in color & is about $3.99 for a 4 oz. container.

[yourbeginnings]

This weekend we made BBQ. Around 8AM we tossed 4 pound loin of pork into the crock pot and did not have to do anything with it until about 4PM. After straining the pork, we just took a fork and separated the meat. Next just placed the pork back into the crock pot, and poured in our favorite BBQ and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. For about $12, this turned into 10 BBQ sandwich's for over 3 days.

[amyschiff]

One of my favorites is stuffed cabbage

[Frugal Fannie]

You should check out the book "Fix It and Forget It" from the library. I've made: chili, lasagna, whole roasted chicken, whole turkey breast, Cranberry Pork Loin, Cranberry Pudding, and jambalaya.

[spedteacher]

Dry beans are one of the cheapest, healthiest foods out there. Sort and rinse your dry beans, any type (with a small crock you better start with no more than 1/2 lb until you see how much they swell). Throw the beans in the crock and fill the crock nearly to the top with water. Turn on low and depending on your altitude and the heat of your crock pot, they should be ready in 6 to 8 hours. You might want to practice on weekends until you know how much your beans will swell, and how much water you may need to add after the first 3 or 4 hours. A couple hours before you want to eat, you can add chopped fresh vegetables, carrots, onions, celery, and so on. Do not salt anything until the beans are cooked, or they will take forever to get soft. You can add leftover ham, or sausage if you want, either at the beginning, or fully cooked at the end. Bean soup, beans to mash for refries, beans to add to any other recipe all can come from that crock and will be super cheap.

Chicken thighs, cooked without skin, with tomatoes, onions, peppers and seasonings you like with just a 1/2 cup of water then served over rice or noodles make another wonderful meal that you can do with a small crock for just a couple people.

Eventually you may want a bigger crock, leftovers taken to work and heated in the micro is a great way to save on lunches for working couples, and any time you make a big pot of beans, soup or stew, individual meal servings (packaged in the size need for both of you) and thrown in the freezer can save the cost of a restaurant meal on those nights when you are too busy or tired to cook.

Enjoy. Experiment and delight in the money this little appliance can save you!

[Tovah]

This is a family favorite...

Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing

• 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts. About 6 pieces.
• 1 box Stove Top Stuffing mix (I used savory herb)
• 1 jar Heinz Fat Free Chicken gravy
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
• 1 cup chicken broth

Spray the bottom of the crockpot with Pam and lay the chicken at the bottom of the crockpot. Pour the broth over the chicken. In a bowl, mix together the dry stuffing mix, celery, and gravy until slightly moistened. Heap over the chicken in the crockpot. Cook 6-7 hours on low.

[Dani]

I love the Crock Pot for using the cheapest, otherwise tough cuts of meat. Chicken thighs are very cheap but hold up well in a crock pot, and the pre-cut beef stew chunks are also very affordable.

I like allrecipes.com's crock pot/slow cooker section for free recipes.