Many times my crockpot becomes a crappot. What ever left over veggies and meat I have, I sprinkle it with seasoning and throw it all into the crappot crockpot. So many people have been asking me for crockpot recipes. I don’t have any one specific recipe to share at the moment, but here is a guide to help you create an easy, delicious meal.
First, the LOW-DOWN ON CROCKPOTS:
- Great for roasts (chicken, beef etc) pulled pork or pulled _____ and stews/soups. One of my friends even baked pumpkin bread in a crockpot. Hopefully she’ll comment below 😉
- It doesn’t take much time to prepare.
- When you come home, the house smells magnificent and there’s no more work to be done.
- After a long day out, you can eat right when you’re hungry!
Ok now LET’S GET COOKING: Decide what you want to make: ROAST, STEW/SOUP, PULLED CHICKEN/PORK/BEEF
ROASTS: Pick out your ingredients:
-Meat (skip if you are a vegetarian): Use meats with lots of marbling and or bone intact. This will keep it juicy and add flavor.
-Veggies: Carrot, celery, onion and any type of potato are great veggies to start with. Don’t be afraid to branch out but use two to three different veggies. I also like using artichoke.
-Seasoning: Kosher/ sea salt, pepper, and fresh garlic cloves are simple. I love using different season mixes from The Spice House on Wells St. (Comment below to find out my current favorite.
- Leave meat in one big chunk and add the veggies around it. Veggies are cut in 1inch to 2inch pieces. If you are using a full chicken, you can even stuff the chicken with some veggies and spices. If I’m using a seasoning mix or rub, I like to mainly season the meat and just add salt/pepper to the veggies.
- Add in a little bit of water at the bottom to keep things moist.
- Turn the pot on and and leave sitting for at least 6 hours. Low vs. high depends on your pot and how long you want to leave it cooking.
STEWS/SOUPS: Pick out your ingredients (see above) but add 32 ounces of stock (veggie or meat) and or water.
- Cut up the veggies into small bit size pieces and buy meat from your local deli/farmer specific for stews (just ask whoever is helping you)
- I don’t use rice or noodles because I stay away from grains for my own health reasons. Potatoes are plenty filling.
- Turn the pot on and and leave sitting for at least 6 hours. Low vs. high depends on your pot and how long you want to leave it cooking.
- If you want things more chopped up, when everything is done cooking, take a whip or hand held blender to the pot.
JUST MEAT, PULLED _____
- Use meats with lots of marbling and or a cut with a trim of fat on it.
- Line your crockpot with tinfoil for easy clean up.
- Season meat and place in the pot with most of the fat on the top (keeps moist). Then add about 1/2inch of water in the bottom.
- After it’s done cooking, pull apart the meat with two forks.
**When having left overs, keep some of the juice to reheat the food with.
If you don’t already have a crockpot, ’tis the season to invest in one. Always go for the bigger size, even if you live alone (best to have left overs or people over). I hope this gives you the confidence to get crackin’ on your own crappot crockpot!
