Slow cookers, or crockpots, are a great time saving appliance. They work though electrical heating and cook over a number of hours in what an oven would do in just one. What makes them fantastic is that you can set out a meal in the morning and have it slowly cook all day. When you come home from work there’s a meal all ready for you without the work. We have collected 10 great recipes from around the internet that show just how versatile a slow cooker is. All of these recipes use fresh ingredients, but a crockpot can cook from frozen. To make a freezer to slowcooker meal, take all the ingredients and prepare them like the recipe calls for except for the cooking. Freeze all of the ingredients in a plastic bag until needed. Then, in the morning, peel off the bag and put the ingredients into the slow cooker on low. As the machine heats slowly, the ingredients will thaw and then cook without any issues. Not all ingredients can handle freezing, so experiment and have fun!

 

1. Slow Cooker Bread. This is probably the most amazing idea, but you can make fantastic bread in the slow cooker. Check this recipe out for a how-to on baking in a crockpot.

[Source: artisanbreadinfive.com]

2. Slow Cooker Soup. Many soups use tough cuts of meat and require a very long cooking time to make it tender. This is perfect for a slow cooker!

[Source: bettycrocker.com]

3. Slow Cooker Roast Chicken. Larger slow cookers can hold a lot of food, and many can fit a whole chicken. A great idea is to layer your vegetables and potatoes on the bottom and the chicken on top to make an entire meal.

4. Slow Cooker Apple Sauce. For busy parents with young chicken, home made apple sauce can seem impossible to make because of how long it cooks. By using a slow cooker, it does all the work for you.

[Source: genevievesguerillakitchen.blogspot.ca]

5. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese. Turn this multi-step process into one easy prep by making your mac and cheese in the crocpot. These recipes use the natural starch from your pasta water to thicken the cheese sauce and keep it from splitting.

6. Slow Cooker Cake. Like the crockpot bread, cake is easy to make in the slow cooker. It is guaranteed to be moist as the air recirculates in the machine and steams the top.

[Source: blessthisfood.blogspot.ca]

7. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken. This three ingredient dinner is packed with a punch of heat. The chicken shreds easily because it is so moist. Use it in sandwiches, on pizza, or with salad.

8. Slow Cooker Roast Beef. Many people are familiar with slow cooker stews, but you can make a whole roast in the appliance. Braise it before to maximize the flavor, and then cook it with some wine for a great meal.

9. Slow Cooker Chili. Put the slow cooker to work bringing out the flavors in chili. The longer it cooks and sits together, the happier the spices are. Chili is a very healthy meal packed with protein and fiber. There’s no excuses not to make it when it’s so easy with a crockpot.

[Source: foodiecitymom.com]

10. Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes. This Thanksgiving, when your oven is busy with turkey and dressing, save some space by cooking your mashed potatoes in your slow cooker. If you like your mash with garlic, add it in right at the beginning so the garlic cloves can mellow out with the potatoes.

[Source: repeatcrafterme.com]

Angela Nightingale

If you want to know the best cupcake shop in any major city in America, just ask Angela. This girl knows her sweets, and she isn't shy about letting you know that your german chocolate cake needs more chocolate. If you want to find Angela on any given day, she's probably looking up reviews to decide where to grab lunch, or in her downtime, binge-watching the latest 'it-series' on Netflix.

There is nothing quite as satisfying as eating soup on a cold or dreary day or for when you're feeling under the weather.
Fall might just be my favorite season. It's the season that is welcome after a well-enjoyed summer.
Adopting a plant based lifestyle does not mean you sacrifice on flavor and big hearty meals.
When it comes to an easy dinner, two words come to mind - CROCKPOT and LEFTOVERS (shame on you if you thought I was going to say...
Easter often calls a common centerpiece at your family dinner, and that's ham. So, pressure's on!
What is my favorite appliance in my kitchen? Aside from my Kitchen Aid Mixer, it's my Crockpot!
As the days get chillier and our homes get toastier, the craving for a flavorful, hot drink is always present.
When it comes to potlucks, there's one classic dish that always seems to make the table, and that's crockpot meatballs.
Looking for a warm breakfast that fills the house with the aroma, waking everyone with an appetite for a delicious homemade...
Like the newly popular kitchen gadget, the Instant Pot, the slow cooker still makes the top favorite kitchen gadgets to have.
Potlucks are a year-round thing. Family gatherings, office luncheons, community events and of course - the holiday season.
Are you tired of making the same meals over and over again? Perhaps you're feeling uninspired in the kitchen.
Advertisement
Food
Reasons You Need More Coconut Oil In Your Diet