Low-Carb Favorites In the Crockpot

After being on a low carb diet for a while, we learn how to create tasty meals using ingredients that replace those bad carbs. The surprising thing is, we end up liking some of those good carbs even better!

Once we find ingredients that work well, why not look for ways to cook them easier? Enter the crockpot.

Just because you're on a low carb diet doesn't mean you have to give up this wonderful kitchen appliance.
Let's take a look at some of our favorite low carb foods combined with our favorite cooking tool - the crockpot.

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti Squash cooked (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For those low carb dieters who crave their pasta, this tricky little vegetable has got you covered. After cooking a spaghetti squash, you are treated to a faux noodle much like spaghetti noodles that can be served on a plate with sauce just like any other pasta.

You can create a meat sauce in the crockpot, cut a spaghetti squash in half, and stick it into the sauce to cook. After the sauce is ready, just remove the spaghetti squash, shred the inside of the squash with a couple forks to produce the 'noodles,' and serve your saucy spaghetti meal.

Almond Meal and Almond Flour

Every low carb dieter needs to keep this ingredient in their pantry. Almond meal can be used any time you need to replace a filler in recipes. For instance, one of our favorite recipes is stuffed peppers. Replace the rice in the stuffing with coarse ground almond meal and you will get a delicious taste that holds together just like rice or breading.

Here's another substitute that really shines using almond flour. For any old crockpot recipe that calls for a can of cream of anything soup, create a substitute using almond flour, butter or oil, and some milk or broth, cooked together until thick and creamy. Any time you have to produce a roux, white sauce, or creamy soup, just replace the words 'flour' with 'almond flour' and you've got yourself a low carb sauce.

Kale

When we start a low carb diet, one of the foods we see right up there at the top of the 'good carb' list is greens, often referred to as "dark leafy greens." For some, the first green that comes to mind is spinach. It's readily available in all seasons in all regions. It's a prolific crop.

Now, fresh spinach is just fine as far as nutrition and fiber goes. But, if you have ever thrown a handful of spinach into a hot skillet, you know how fast it wilts and disappears. You can just imagine what happens to spinach in a crockpot, over low heat, for hours. This is where kale comes in. This green is not only packed with nutrients, but it is also crockpot friendly. Kale is sturdy, giving it the ability to cook a long time and maintain its texture. Kale is not wimpy when it comes to flavor, either.

Chowder. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Seafood

The crockpot may not be your first thought when it comes to cooking seafood. We know we don't want to cook seafood too long, so why would we even think to put it in the crockpot for hours on end? The reason is simple: the crockpot cooks food at a steadily regulated low temperature, perfect for seafood.

When planning a seafood chowder, for instance, consider putting all the ingredients, except the seafood, in the crockpot so flavors can blend nicely. Then, fifteen to twenty minutes or so before serving, add the seafood, stir, and let the crockpot gently finish cooking.

After the seafood is cooked through, you can turn off the heat, stir in your milk or cream for your chowder, and enjoy. The low and slow method of crockpot cooking is actually perfect for seafood. No more accidental boiling, which we've all done trying to watch a pot on the stove top. And we know what boiling does to seafood! This just may be the answer to fool-proof seafood dinners.

We know when we start a low carb diet, we have to forget about those old crockpot recipes that are heavy on the potatoes, rice, noodles, and canned soups. But, we love our crockpot! Thankfully, there are plenty of options for using ingredients on your approved low carb list in new, healthier and delicious ways... right in your crockpot!

Be sure to check back later this week for some tasty low-carb crockpot recipes....

4 Tips for Converting Low Carb Recipes To Your Crockpot

Perhaps you've been on a low carb diet for a while and have quite a collection of recipes. That's great. You may have even converted some of your own higher carb recipes to low-carb recipes already. That's great, too.

Now you've decided to get your crockpot out again. But, when you look at your recipes, you're wondering if there is any way you can make the same dishes in your crockpot that you made in the oven or on the stove top.

Yes, there are ways to convert your favorite low carb recipes so you can enjoy the convenience of your crockpot AND your low carb lifestyle. Let's take a look at a few tips to keep in mind when using your crockpot to create the low-carb meals you already love.

Beef Stroganoff (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Watch the Liquids

Probably the most important thing to keep in mind is the liquid content. The crockpot is made to create more liquid rather than evaporate liquid. If a recipe is quite watery already, you will make it more watery if you add the same liquid you did in the stove top recipe. You will want to use less liquid in most recipes in most cases. If you are making a dish that requires cooking down, you won't get the same results. When a recipe calls for a reduction in liquid, you could scoop out some of the liquid, pour it in a saucepan, and reduce it on the stove top. There are ways to make it work. You just have to plan ahead.

2. Beware of Super Lean Proteins

We love our lean proteins, I know. But, in the crockpot, you have to remember that you'll need plenty of moisture to cook those lean proteins without drying them out. Again, that's where the increased liquid comes in. The lid on the crockpot is designed to produce condensation, dripping moisture into the contents. This helps keep meats moist, but you will have to add liquid when you cook lean meats as they contain very little moisture. (This is actually a good thing - low and slow is the healthiest way to cook meats!) Just remember when you're cooking lean meats for a long period of time at low heat, they will need a little help to stay moist and tender.

3. Season At the End

The most surprising difference in crockpot cooking to me is the seasoning. If you add the same amount of seasoning you would in a recipe you make on the stove top, then cook it in the crockpot, chances are you will experience a bit of overload on the taste buds. Herbs and spices tend to intensify during the long cooking time required in the crockpot. You will want to start by cutting your seasonings, including salt and pepper, in half during cooking. Then taste and add more just before serving if you wish. Fresh herbs are especially susceptible to this intensifying of flavor. Some may even get bitter. Better safe than sorry - just add them at the end.

4. A Note On Browning and Sauteing

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is a personal preference. I know the idea behind the crockpot is to throw all of the ingredients in together, turn it on, and walk away. And, I know that many of your regular recipes probably call for browning meat and sauteing onions, celery, and other vegetables. The truth is, browning and sauteing can improve the look and flavor of the ingredients when using the crockpot. For the same reasons you brown and saute for an oven or stove top recipe, you may want to do the same before you put the ingredients in the crockpot. This is one area where you may not want to change your regular recipe instructions. Just go ahead and get out your skillet and use the same method, then put everything in your crockpot and carry on.

Many recipes you enjoy on your low carb diet can be tweaked to work in your crockpot as well as on the stove top or in the oven. Whether you have stir-fry recipes, grilled specialties, favorite casseroles, or delicious soups, stews, or chowders, give your recipes a try in your crockpot. If you keep in mind these few differences in cooking methods, the end result will be delicious and satisfying.

Crockpot Recipe: Classic Hungarian Goulash

This easy and delicious version of Hungarian goulash is a snap to make in the crockpot, and makes a great, hearty meal for a cool fall evening!

Classic Hungarian Goulash - In the Crockpot

(Serves 6-8.)

Ingredients:

Hungarian Goulash. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
1 cup chopped onion
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 bay leaf
1 cup sour cream
hot cooked wide egg noodles
freshly chopped flat leaf parsley to garnish

Directions:

• Put the beef and onion in crockpot.
• In a bowl, stir together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, then sprinkle into crockpot and gently stir to coat the beef well.
• Pour the diced tomatoes into the crockpot, carefully distributing evenly over the beef, then add the bay leaf.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours or until beef is fork tender.
• Take bay leaf out and add sour cream to crockpot, stirring gently.
• Allow sour cream to get warm, then turn heat off and serve immediately.
• Spoon over hot cooked wide egg noodles and sprinkle fresh parsley on top of each serving.

Hungarian Cuisine Slow Cooker-Style

If you want to talk about a cuisine that's rich in flavor and texture, you definitely want to include Hungarian cuisine.  The evolution of Hungarian cuisine came about due to influence from neighboring countries Germany, Italy, and France.  Hungary has a history of making one-pot meals, so it would seem like an easy style of cooking for a beginner to learn, and perfectly suited to cooking hearty fall meals with your slow cooker.  Let's take a look at some of the ingredients and cooking methods that make this cuisine unique.

Paprika and More

Hungarian Gulash. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The best thing about Hungarian cuisine is it is not complex.  There are simple ingredients used and basic cooking techniques applied such as frying, baking, and boiling.   Paprika is known to be a key ingredient in many Hungarian dishes to give them more flavor.   This, along with garlic, lard, onions, and sour cream give these dishes a distinctive taste not found anywhere else.  

The meat stew known as 'goulash' is a favorite in Hungarian cuisine.  Locals rely on a supply of  pork and beef for their meals, which is one reason it’s hard to find dish without meat anywhere in Hungary.   A wide array of vegetables are used, however, and some types of fish can be found and cooked for a healthier menu choice. 

Each region in Hungary has its own selection of favorite foods and recipes.   As the land changes, so do the types of fresh foods that grow in that area.  Hungarians take pride in what they cook and want to showcase their culinary art by creating dishes full of sweet aromas and hearty flavors.  Some dishes may not be welcome by the sensitive stomach, but if you can handle the spice and rich meats, this is one of the most distinctive cuisines in the world and shouldn’t be missed.

Hungarian Meals and Slow Cooker Cooking

In the early history of Hungarian cuisine, most dishes were cooked all together in one kettle.  For this reason, using a slow cooker to cook modern Hungarian meals is a great way to create an authentic meal with ease and less stress.  With the world at our fingertips through the internet, it’s easy to find recipes that you can throw together for a Hungarian feast.  

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What better recipe to try in the slow cooker than the Hungarian favorite, goulash?   For an authentic taste you will need a few simple ingredients including paprika, onions, garlic, and tomatoes.   Small cuts of beef are added, soaking up the flavor of the seasonings and spices.  You can choose to serve with noodles or without, depending on how you like it.

You can choose to make other classic recipes like chicken paprikash or chicken and dumplings in the slow cooker as well.   Both of these recipes require a few easy to find ingredients.  Because these well known recipes are so simple to make, it is a great starting point for beginners who want to try their hand at Hungarian cuisine.

You don’t have to spend a ton of time going through cookbooks and finding odd ingredients you’ve never heard of to cook a Hungarian meal.  Most of the things you will need are already in your fridge or pantry.  Take advantage of your slow cooker and immerse yourself in Hungarian culture and cuisine without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Italian Cooking: Crockpot Style

Italian cuisine is not nearly as difficult to master as some may believe. In fact, when you throw a crockpot in the mix, it becomes nearly effortless. There are many ways to create a delicious Italian meal with just a little organization and preparation. Here are a few tips and ideas that can turn your kitchen into an Italian bistro – crockpot style.

Get Ingredients Ready

Ravioli Marinara (Mangia Trattoria) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the most important things to remember when using the crockpot is to have all the ingredients you need on hand. Having the right ingredients for a crockpot meal is very important since the reason for cooking in a crockpot is convenience. If you are trying to throw a meal together fast in the morning, you don't want to be running to the store when you are trying to save time. With a little bit of preparation you can have a stocked pantry and refrigerator in no time.

A few of the ingredients you want to stock would be fresh or frozen vegetables, especially onions, garlic, celery, tomatoes, and green bell pepper. Fresh or dried herbs such as basil and oregano should always be in the kitchen. Then of course you'll want meat, chicken, seafood or other protein of choice on hand. Frozen meat is fine as long as it's sized right and cooks long enough in the crockpot to cook thoroughly. Olive oil, pasta, cheese, and wine are a few other must-have’s when creating a delicious Italian feast.

Get Recipes Ready

Start searching for crockpot recipes now so you are ready when the time comes to cook something Italian style. You don't need a whole arsenal of recipes to get started. Here are just a few classic Italian dishes to keep in mind.

Cheesy Tortellini – There are some variations to this recipe but for the most part you can keep it as basic and simple as you want. You will need ground beef or Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and any vegetables you want to add to the slow cooker. A few favorites tend to be mushrooms and tomatoes. Once the sauce has been slow cooking all day, you can throw in the tortellini and some cheese to top it off. When the pasta is tender, you are ready to serve and enjoy.

Spaghetti all' arrabbiata (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce – This is a true favorite that you really can’t go wrong with. You can combine ground beef with Italian sausage, onions, tomatoes, and seasonings of your choice such as garlic, basil, and oregano. Let this mixture cook all day in the crockpot to develop all that flavor. Then when it's dinner time, just cook the spaghetti pasta and you are ready to dig in.

There are a few things that you can do ahead of time that will ensure your meal has the best flavor. You can start my browning the meat before adding it to the crockpot. You can also saute the veggies in olive oil or butter before adding them to the crockpot. This will mean a little extra effort on your part but the end result is worth the trouble.

The crockpot has been a favorite tool for busy families and will continue to have a place in our homes, and our hearts. Pick out a few favorite Italian dishes and put your crockpot to work for you. With just a little preparation and a few simple steps, you can create an Italian meal in your crockpot that will draw everybody to the dinner table with a smile on their face!

Recipe: Crockpot Caribbean Isle Style Black Beans

This spicy stew reminds me of my Jamaican honeymoon! Mangoes, ginger, and spices bring a summery flavor to this hearty dish, and while the taste is exotic, you probably already have many of these spices in your cupboards - if not, they're very easy to find at any grocery store.

And since it's made in the crock-pot, you can leave it to cook for several hours without heating up the house, and won't have to worry about standing over a hot stove cooking it.

Caribbean Isle Style Black Beans
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

6 cups cooked black beans (a pressure cooker makes this fast and easy)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 mangoes, cubed
1 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
3 Tbsp grated fresh ginger root
1 1/2 tsp paprika
2 tsp fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ground cayenne

Directions:

• Put all the ingredients in crockpot
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours.
• Serve hot in bowls.

Recipe: Beer-Braised Beef Roast Dinner

This tasty one-pot recipe has lots of healthy veggies and hearty, rich flavors! This is a great one for preparing the ingredients ahead of time to save time when cooking. Just dice the meat and chop all the veggies and store in the refrigerator until ready to cook. It will make this delicious one-pot meal a snap to prepare - and it's also easy to adapt to the crockpot.

Beer-Braised Beef Roast Dinner In A Pot
(Serves 6-8.)

Ingredients:

Beef roast w/veggies. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3 lb organic or grass-fed beef roast (chuck, blade, shoulder)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 Tbsp cooking oil, divided
2 medium size onions, cut into thin wedges
2 medium red or yellow potatoes, cut into thin wedges
2 medium carrots, cut into long chunks
2 cups fresh green beans, stems removed
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup flour
1 cup beer
1 cup tomato juice
1 tsp dried crushed thyme

Directions:

• Season beef all over with salt and pepper.
• Get out a big heavy pot, add 1 tablespoon of the oil in, put pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, put the beef roast in and let brown completely on first side, then flip and let the second side brown completely. Don't flip it over and over again. Remove beef roast from pot to a plate and set aside.
• Put the other 1 tablespoon of oil in the pot and let it heat, then add in the onion, potatoes, carrots, and beans; cook, stirring, until veggies start to soften, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Sprinkle the flour in the pot and stir until the flour turns light yellow in color.
• Add the beer, tomato juice, and thyme, stir to combine and let come to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
• Set roast back into pot on top of veggies, cover, and simmer slowly on low heat for 2 to 3 hours or until beef roast falls apart when pierced with a fork. (You could also do this step in a crock pot - just put all ingredients in crockpot and cook on Low for about 6 hours.)
• Serve beef with all the veggies alongside. 

More Tasty & Easy One-Pot Recipes:
   

Crockpot Recipe: Sweet Curried Lamb

This delicious meal utilizes the ease of crockpot cooking to make a complex and flavorful dish very simple to prepare. Rich lamb pairs well with the sweetness of apples and raisins, kicked up into something special with curry and spices. Put this in the crockpot in the morning, and enjoy this ethnic dish at the end of a long day, without having to spend hours standing over the stove. Just steam some rice and you're ready to eat!

Sweet Curried Lamb
(Serves 6-8.)

Ingredients:

Lamb curry (Photo credit: pelican)

2 lbs lamb meat, cubed
2 medium onions , diced
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced
3 Tbsp golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts, any mix you like
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1 lemon, juiced and zested
2 Tbsp curry powder
1 Tbsp brown sugar, packed
1/8 tsp Tabasco sauce
1 garlic clove, minced

Directions:

• Put onion, apple, raisins, nuts, and lamb in crockpot, in that order.
• In a separate bowl, put the remaining ingredients, whisk, then pour evenly over the ingredients in crockpot.
• Cover and cook at LOW for 8 to 9 hours. Stir once half way through cooking.
• Serve over hot cooked rice.

Tips for Cooking One-Pot Meals - Dutch Oven vs. Crock Pot

Since man first set fire to a piece of wood, cooking has been evolving in all directions. We sear, fry, grill, smoke, bake, braise, boil, steam, and simmer. Preferred cooking methods have changed often through time. Not surprisingly, we have developed some favorite cooking methods to get the most flavor out of certain foods, as well as to save time and money.

The crock pot, which was very popular in the 1970s, has enjoyed a rediscovery of sorts. The convenience, energy savings, and time savings of the crock pot has attracted a whole new fan.  The 'set it and forget it' group is back! And, with the new and improved crock pot designs, efficiency and ease of use is a big seller.

Dutch ovens. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At the same time, the Dutch oven has had a rebirth, as well. Beautifully designed enameled models are becoming more and more popular in today's kitchen. We also have the dedicated cast iron fan who has loved their favorite Dutch oven for decades. With both styles - the traditional 'campfire' style cast iron Dutch oven and the colorful enamel Dutch oven - we have plenty of options to enjoy.

So, how do we decide which method is best for making one pot meals? Let's take a look at a few reasons you might choose one or the other, or both.

Heat

Browning meat before adding it to a dish is usually a good idea. This method adds not only color and flavor, but sears the meat to seal the juices. It also provides those nice 'browned bits' on the bottom of the pot that recipes often call for deglazing with a liquid. This flavor cannot be ignored.

A crock pot is not designed to get hot enough on the bottom to sear protein. You won't get 'browned bits' and you won't be able to create a roux with flour and butter effectively in a crock pot.

You will also not be able to saute onion, celery, or garlic before adding the remaining ingredients in a crock pot. Again, the temperature on the bottom of the crock pot simply will not work well. You can try to turn the crock pot to high and add the ingredients, but the results will not be the same as cooking on a stovetop.

To solve this, you can brown the meat and saute the vegetables in a separate skillet over high heat, then add the ingredients to the crock pot. You could then deglaze the skillet to get up the 'browned bits' and add them to the crock pot. This works, but it does require more steps and more clean up.

The Dutch oven wins this argument. Browning and sauteing, when desired, is best done in the same Dutch oven you are using for your meal preparation, both for flavor and for clean up.

Ease

You can't argue the fact that putting ingredients in the crock pot, setting it and forgetting it, has its advantages. If your home life is chaotic after school and after work, walking into the house and having a crock pot meal all ready to eat is a plus.

Recipes for crock pot meals that take eight, nine, or ten hours are never difficult to find, meaning even if you are away from home for that long, you can still come home to a delicious meal in the crock pot.

Meals can even be prepared the night before, with veggies, meat, and liquid all layered in the crock pot insert and put in the refrigerator. Then, in the morning, just put the insert in, plug it in, and turn the heat to low.

Some crock pots have more sophisticated timers that you can set to turn on when you want and even lower the temperature to keep it warm until you get home.

The crock pot wins this argument. Nothing beats the ease of having everything together and just setting a timer to start when you leave, and be ready when you get home. If you don't do any browning in a separate pan, clean up is easy, too.

Simmering

When you put a Dutch oven on top of a burner on low, you have one disadvantage over a crock pot; the heat source is direct. You will have to check and stir the contents often. If the burner is set low enough to keep the contents from sticking or burning on the bottom, you may not get enough heat to keep the rest of the contents simmering.

The major parts of a crock-pot, namely the heating component, the ceramic pot and a glass lid. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's true that the crock pot is surrounded by heat, allowing the contents to simmer more evenly.  But, not all crock pots have a lot of temperature control, which could mean the contents are simmering too fast even on the low setting.  If your crock pot has only a high and low setting, there isn't much you can do to slow the simmer down if it's already set on low.

Of course, many of the newer, heavier Dutch ovens are made so well that the heat is distributed evenly around the entire bottom and up the sides. And, many crock pots now come with a wide range of temperature settings to help maintain a slow simmer.

There is a lot to consider here. Basically, neither the Dutch oven nor the crock pot is the clear winner in this argument.  The Dutch oven must be watched and adjusted, while the crock pot has a more even simmer, but it could be too fast with no adjustment available. This is strictly a personal preference, and depends on the equipment you have and the meals you are making.

Conclusion

The simple fact is, there are pros and cons to both the Dutch oven and the crock pot. Searing and browning is important for many dishes, so you may want to cook in a Dutch oven to keep everything in one pot. Or, your lifestyle may require meals ready the moment you walk in the door, which would best be served with a crock pot for easiest preparation and clean up.

In my opinion, you need both. If the cost and storage space works, invest in a good Dutch oven and a good crock pot that will meet your family's needs.  Having both pieces of equipment in your kitchen will open up a whole world of perfectly prepared delicious one-pot meals!

And be sure to check back here throughout this month for some simple and tasty one-pot recipes!

   

Recipe: Louisiana Crockpot Chili

Chili is a natural fit for the slow cooker, with a medley of ingredients and spices that blend together over several hours of low-heat cooking, creating layers of hearty flavor. This Cajun version includes the Louisiana flavors of sausage, pork, red pepper, and tomatoes for a delicious twist on chili that will have everyone coming back for second helpings!

Louisiana Chili Time
(Serves 8.)

Ingredients:

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 lb andouille sausage, diced
1 lb ground pork
2 big onions, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz size) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz size) can diced tomatoes
1 (28 oz size) can kidney beans, drained (or 1 cup dry beans, rinsed and soaked)
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp chili powder
dash or two hot pepper sauce
pinch instant chicory or coffee (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• In a heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the andouille sausage and ground pork until pork is lightly browned; break it up as you cook it.  Remove with a slotted spoon and put in crock pot.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the crockpot and stir well.
• Cover, set on Low, and cook 6-8 hours, until veggies and beans are soft and flavors are blended.
• Taste and adjust seasonings. Add a bit of water to thin it out if desired.
• Serve hot with crusty bread on the side.

Give Your Slow Cooker A Kick With Cajun Flavors

Cajun cooking originated in the Southern swamplands, bayous, and farmland. The Cajun people were hard-working and lived under very stressful conditions. Their meal choices revolved around local foods that were easy to find. To save time and money, and to feed as many people as they could, meals were very often cooked up in one big pot. This makes using a slow cooker for Cajun cuisine a natural.

The one thing you can be sure of is you can cook up Cajun foods in your slow cooker with great success and enjoy those potent Cajun flavors we have all come to love.  As a matter of fact, the key to great Cajun cooking is to simmer the dish for many hours, and that is why slow cooker cooking and Cajun foods go hand in hand.  Let's take a look at some dishes and the ingredients and seasonings that make them stand out from other southern cooking.

Cover of Slow Cooker Cooking

Cajun Meets the Slow Cooker

Jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, and stew are all easy to cook in the slow cooker.  Why?  Because they're not complicated or fussy.  The neat thing about this type of ethnic cooking is recipes are not set in stone.

When recipes were passed from one generation to the next, ingredients were substituted as needed because of what was available at the time. That is probably why there are so many different variations of the same recipe. Shrimp, oysters, crab, wild game, fish, pork, beans, okra, tomatoes, and rice are all staples in Cajun cooking, but are specific to regions.

Because Cajun foods have an exotic multi-layered flavor and that 'bite' we love, many people think that the recipes call for dozens of different or complicated spices and mixes, but that is not so.  There are really just a few very recognizable spices and condiments that give Cajun food its unmistakable taste.  The following are considered essential in every Cajun kitchen and are perfectly suited for the slow cooking method we love – slow cooker cooking.

Cayenne pepper is the most common spice used in this type of cooking. The mature pepper is ground into a fine powder and is used in conjunction with white and black pepper to give recipes a potent kick.

Gumbo powder, called filé powder, made from ground sassafras leaves, is used in gumbos, soups and stews not only to flavor the food but to thicken the sauce as well.

Etouffee (Photo credit: /\ \/\/ /\)

Tabasco sauce is one Cajun spice most of us are familiar with. It is used in cooking and as a condiment on the table. You will find other hot sauces to enjoy, but you don't want to eliminate Tabasco sauce from your kitchen.

Creole mustard is also a common ingredient found in Cajun cuisine. Although it is often used as a spread for sandwiches and as a dip, many recipes also call for it as an added ingredient in sauces, marinades, and other dishes.

Cajun slow cooker cooking is very flexible and tasty. Whether you want exotic dinners or just plain old good eating, Cajun foods and flavors fit the bill. Because many Cajun dishes are traditionally slow-cooked in one pot, you will find it easy to transform your favorite Cajun meals and make them right in your slow cooker.  All you need is the right ingredients, spices, and a little imagination.  Oh, yes, and a hearty appetite!

Be sure to check back later this week for some tasty Cajun recipes you can make in your crockpot!

Recipe: Beef Pozole Stew

Pozole, or hominy, is a common staple in Southwest cooking. Cheap and versatile, it's mild corn flavor lends itself well to many classic Southwest dishes, such as this one - a variation of which was often eaten by cowboys around the campfire in the old Southwest. It can be made either on the stovetop or in a crockpot. (The crockpot variation instructions are shown in parentheses.)

Beef Pozole Stew

Ingredients:

Pozole! (Photo credit: sea turtle)

1 Tbsp high-heat cooking oil
2 pounds lean beef, cubed small
1/4 cup cilantro
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 oz tomato paste
15 oz stewed tomatoes
1 can (29 oz) white hominy (pozole)

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large heavy Dutch oven until hot, add the beef and sear quickly until browned nicely.  
2. Turn heat down to low and add to the skillet the cilantro, salt, pepper, onion, and garlic and cook gently until the beef is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. (If using a crockpot, add just the onion and garlic to the beef and cook until vegetables start to soften. Then add mixture to crockpot and add other ingredients.)
3. Now add to the Dutch oven the tomato paste, tomatoes and hominy. (Add these to crockpot with the other ingredients and mix well.)
4. Continue to cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Be sure to stir often. You can add some water if the stew is too thick. (Cover crockpot and cook on low about 4 hours.)
5. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper if desired.  Serve hot in bowls.

Find More Delicious Southwestern Recipes Here:

American Indian Cooking: Recipes from the Southwest, by Carolyn Niethammer
In this 191 page book you'll discover some of the culinary traditions that the Indians of the Southwest used to make. You'll find 150 authentic recipes like yucca hash, hominy and so much more.

The Food of Santa Fe: Authentic Recipes from the American Southwest, by Dave Dewitt & Nancy Gerlach
In this 144 page book you will find some of the most delightful, authentic traditional dishes of New Mexico. Not only does this book provide recipes for you, it also gives you some geographical and historical context as well.

The Southwest Table: Traditional Cuisine from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, by Dave DeWitt
Enjoy a taste of the American Southwest in this 288 page book. This book provides almost 200 recipes of exquisite cuisine from Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico. Not only does the author provide you with all these recipes, he provides some cooking terms and ingredients that are specific to Southwestern cuisine.

   

Southwest Cuisine In Your Slow Cooker

In a world where everything moves at such a fast pace, it’s nice to know that you can depend on a nice, home-cooked meal when you return from a long day at work.  In the world of southwest cuisine, there are many recipes that can be turned into a slow cooked delight.  The colors, flavors, and carefully chosen ingredients are what makes America's southwest cuisine stand apart from other regions.  What are some of the reasons for using a slow cooker for your southwest meal?  Let's take a look.

Timing

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We live in a world where everything seems to move at the speed of light.  This 'microwave' society has its benefits, but a good home-cooked meal is not one of them.  Between work, kids, and family events, we often feel we don’t have time to turn around much less come home and prepare a meal from scratch.  That’s where the slow cooker comes in.   With a small amount of preparation time, you can throw a bunch of ingredients together and leave the slow cooker to its own devices while you go about your day.  Then, at the end of the day, your family can all sit down together and enjoy a tasty meal.

Healthy

The slow cooker allows you to prepare a balanced meal that you may not otherwise have the time to do.  Also, you don’t have to add the extra cooking fat that you may use in other methods.  The slow cooker preserves the natural juices and flavors of the foods you are cooking and allows them to blend together to create a hearty, healthy meal.  Slowly cooking vegetables in their own juices means no more throwing nutrients down the drain in the boiling water. If you have a vegetarian in the house, the slow cooker works wonders for meat-free meals, as well. 

Save Money

You can also view the slow cooker as an energy saver.   It doesn’t take up nearly the amount of energy that it would to fire up the oven and have it going for hours.  And, since the idea of the slow cooker is to cook at a low temperature for a long time, slowly cooking and tenderizing your food, it’s also possible to buy cheaper cuts of meat.  Your slow cooker will produce tender, juicy, tasty meals out of the most humble ingredients.

(Photo credit: Tobyotter)

Versatile

Not only can you create well balanced meals in the slow cooker, but you can also make a wide array of appetizers, snack foods, and even beverages.  Hot dips and sauces, along with a variety of tiny bites are perfect in the slow cooker.  Shredded chicken  taquitos and mulled sangria are definite crowd pleasers that are easy to make and serve right out of a slow cooker.  Imagine preparing a snack or beverage the 'normal' way, then tweak it a bit and prepare it in the slow cooker instead.

When it comes to cooking southwest cuisine, we can see there are many reasons why the slow cooker should be put to work in the kitchen.  It saves time and money while making it possible to have a filling, delicious, and nutritious meal or snack waiting when we're ready to sit down and enjoy.

For some tasty Southwest recipes for your slow cooker, be sure to check back later this week!

Low-Carb Recipe: Crockpot Mushroom Soup

This tasty low-carb recipe will cook in your crockpot while you're busy with other things, and it takes hardly any prep time. Makes a great side dish or quick lunch. For more protein, add 2 cups cooked diced chicken or beef (works great with beef stew cubes - just lightly brown them and add with rest of ingredients) - then set and forget!

Crockpot Mushroom Soup
(Serves 2-4.)

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp light oil
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced or grated
2 cups chicken broth or stock
1/2 cup half-and-half
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese optional

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the mushrooms and cook until soft and slightly browned.
2. Add the onion, cooking until transparent.
3. Add the garlic, cooking for 1 more minute. Scrape this mixture from the skillet into your crockpot.
4. Add the chicken broth, stir.
5. Cover crockpot, set heat on LOW, and cook for 5 to 6 hours.
6. Turn heat off, remove cover, stir, and add half-and-half, stir. Taste and add salt and pepper as desired.
7. Let sit for 5 minutes, then serve in soup mugs.
8. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Low-Carb Recipe: Crockpot Pot Roast And Vegetables With Savory Gravy

This classic comfort food, the pot roast, is good old-fashioned low-carb cooking at its best! An easy dish to make in the crockpot, with this one, you can have a delicious dinner waiting for you when you get home from work - just prep the vegetables the night before, and put everything in the crockpot before leaving in the morning. It will cook slowly all day, releasing the nutrition form the meat, and creating its own savory gravy. Yum - I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!  (Note: If you don't have time to brown the meat, it's fine to put it in the crockpot uncooked - it just won't have quite the same depth of flavor.)

Crockpot Pot Roast And Vegetables With Savory Gravy
(Serves 6.)

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: sundaykofax)

3 lb boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat and tied with butcher string to secure
coarse black pepper to taste
light oil for browning meat
3 large carrots, peeled and coarse cut
3 stalks celery, coarse cut
1 large yellow onion, peeled and cut into 8 wedges
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup dry red wine or beef broth
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp crushed dried thyme
2 large bay leaves
salt
* (Optional: 1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 Tbsp cold water, or substitute almond flour mixed with water.)

Directions:

1. Sprinkle roast all over with black pepper. (Add salt if desired.)
2. Spray a heavy non-stick skillet with cooking spray or coat with oil. Put skillet over medium-high heat.
3. When skillet is hot, add the roast and sear until browned well, flipping after side is browned - do not flip continually, just once per side. Brown all over, not just 2 sides.
4. Arrange the carrots on the bottom of the crockpot, then the celery, then the onion, and sprinkle the garlic over all evenly.
5. Set the browned roast on top.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the wine, tomato paste, Dijon mustard, thyme, and bay leaves, then pour gently over the roast and vegetables. 
7. Cover the crockpot, set the heat to LOW, and cook 8 to 9 hours or until beef is fork tender.
8. When done, remove beef and vegetables to a platter.  You may thicken the gravy at this point if desired.  Turn heat on crockpot to high.  Mix the cornstarch and cold water (or almond flour and water) in a cup until dissolved, then stir into the crockpot and stir until liquid thickens; turn heat off.
9. Spoon vegetables on each plate and serve thin slices of beef alongside.  Spoon the thickened gravy over all. 

* (Note: Cornstarch is not low carb, but the almond flour option is low carb. Another low-carb option is to add okra to liquid and allow to cook together for 5 minutes.  Eggplant is another low-carb thickener.)

Fun Halloween Cooking Ideas

Whether you are cooking a feast for adults for Halloween, or looking for some great kid-approved recipes, there are plenty of resources online for some excellent spooky recipes for All Hallows Eve. There are some basic rules that will help the meal preparation and presentation go a little more smoothly. Hopefully the advice below will help you get through your spook fest and enjoy a great dinner too!

Halloween cupcakes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most people who have a huge Halloween party will find that they will be interrupted throughout the evening with trick or treaters seeking the perfect treat. While we want to enjoy the ghosts, goblins, kings, and princesses gracing our stoop we also do not want to burn the food we are working hard to prepare. For this reason we need to select foods that require little attention during the preparation process rather than foods that are quite time consuming and attention demanding.

Crock pots are a blessing to have around on a night like Halloween. You can start the food cooking well before the little goblins begin their appointed rounds and have the dishes you've prepared kept warm while you're waiting for guests to arrive or doling out treats at your front door. You can even cook normal favorites in the crock pot or cook them on the stove and use the crock pot to keep them warm.

 Some excellent spooky crock pot ideas include spaghetti "veins". Prepare the sauce and the noodles ahead of time separately. Mix the sauce in the noodles and keep them warming together in the crock pot. Meatball eyes are another crock pot favorite. Stuff the meatballs with one stuffed olive eyeball and place in spaghetti sauce. Bat wings (which are actually chicken wings) with your favorite sauce are also excellent in the crock pot. Sloppy Joes can also be prepared and kept warm in the crock pot then served open faced over buns with small triangle cheese slices for eye and a pickle for eyeballs and a large triangle of cheese for the mouth.

(Photo credit: NatalieMaynor)

Another great Halloween cooking idea is to prepare as much as possible ahead of time. There are all kinds of frightening and ghastly goodies that can be made ahead of time and stored for the big day. Make convenient offerings such as dips that can be made cold and used for veggies, which can also be chopped ahead of time and stored in the fridge for the big day. Cookies can be baked and decorated and stored in advance. Deviled egg mice can be made earlier in the day and stored in the fridge on waxed paper.

The Internet is full of great recipe ideas for delicious and devious Halloween desserts, snacks, and treats. There are far too many to try them all. However, if you have favorite foods that are easy to prepare and a good party food you might want to search the internet for a way of making the food more appropriate to a Halloween theme. For example, you can make your own pizza a little spookier by decorating it with things such as a Jack O' Lantern face made with pizza sauce - use cheese triangles for the eyes and teeth, etc.. There are plenty of things you can do to raise the fear factor even on family favorites if you use a little creativity and give it a fancy name (like spaghetti brains or veins).

The most important thing about Halloween as a holiday is that it gives children of all ages the perfect excuse to use their imaginations and play pretend. The food you cook doesn't have to be too terribly spooky in order to be a perfect fit for the theme of the day. A few simple adjustments, and a lot of imagination can make any meal so much more Halloween worthy in the end.

Crockpot Recipe - Baked Apples

Here in Ohio, summer apples are just starting. While this may sound like a fall recipe, baked apples with a little yogurt actually make a nice, light summer breakfast. Just put them in the crockpot the evening before, and you'll have a tasty treat ready in the morning! Or of course you can have them for dessert....

Crockpot Baked Apples
(Serves 6-10)

Ingredients:

6 large baking apples (Rome or York work well)
2 TB lemon juice
2 TB butter, melted
3 TB brown sugar
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

• Peel, core, and cut apples in half. Place in crockpot.
• Drizzle with lemon juice & butter.
• Sprinkle sugar & spices over.
• Cover and cook on "Low" 4  hours (or 2 hours on "High."
• Serve hot, with vanilla ice cream, or cold, with yogurt for breakfast.

Find More Easy & Tasty Crockpot Recipes Here:
   

Recipe - Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce

You don't have to slave over a hot stove all evening to have a tasty plate of home-made spaghetti. Enjoy spaghetti anytime with this easy vegetarian sauce recipe you can make right in the crockpot and have ready when you come home from work. (If you prefer it with meat, you can brown some sausage or ground meat of your choice in a skillet and then add it to the other ingredients before leaving for the day.) Then just boil up some pasta and you're ready to eat! This is a great way to add some extra veggies to your diet - like eggplant - the kids won't even know! If you have extra, this recipe also freezes well.

Crockpot Spaghetti Sauce (Vegetarian)
(Makes 3 qts.)

Tomato paste & garlic (Photo credit: Wikiped

Ingredients:

1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 (10-oz) cans tomato puree
1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
2 c. water
1 c. chopped onion
1 diced bell pepper
2 stalks diced celery
1 small eggplant, peeled and diced small (optional)
1 cup mushrooms, washed and sliced (optional)
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 1/2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp minced fresh garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3 TB extra virgin olive oil

Directions: 

• Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Stir well. Cover and cook on "Low" for 8 hours. (Or "High" for 4 hours.)
• Serve hot over freshly cooked spaghetti or pasta of your choice. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

More Tasty & Simple Crockpot Recipes: 
   

Beat the Summer Heat with Crock Pot Cooking

Most areas of the country this summer are experiencing record-breaking heat - including here in Ohio. On days like these, there are few places you'd rather be than in a hot kitchen! There are many things you can do however, when it comes to cooking a nice home made meal that don't require traditional stove top or oven cooking. Learn to utilize some creative ways of cooking that don't heat up the house, such grilling out, or using the crock pot, in order to truly beat the summer heat and keep your cool while preparing a nice home-cooked meal for friends and family.

Oval Crock Pot (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, how does crock pot cooking really help beat the heat? Simply put, the crock pot in and of itself puts off far less heat when cooking than an oven or stove top. This is the first and possibly the best reason to utilize the crock pot in your summer meal planning. You should also consider the fact that by not heating the house by using your stove top or oven you are also preventing your air conditioning (or other cooling methods) from working overtime in order to compensate for the additional heat that other cooking methods introduce.

This makes crock pot cooking a win-win situation as the costs involved in operating a crock pot are far less than the costs involved in operating a stove or oven in general. Whether electric or gas, your stove and oven are often serious energy hogs. Add to that the fact that you are not raising the temperature in your home by traditional means of cooking and you are using even less electricity.

In general most people think of crock pots as designed for comfort foods and hearty winter meals. The truth is that the crock pot should be one of your best loved and most often utilized cooking methods if you can manage it. When it comes to cooking with a crock pot, the options are almost limitless. Almost anything that can be baked can be made in the crock pot and many, many more wonderful and enticing meals and treats as well.

The Benefits of Crock Pot Cooking

In addition to the cost benefits mentioned above, when it comes to crock pot cooking there are several other benefits that are well worth mentioning. First of all, the bulk of the work involved in crock pot cooking takes place early in the day when you are refreshed rather than at the end of a hectic work or play day. This means that you are less likely to forget an ingredient or make other mistakes that often occur as we hurriedly prepare a dinner when we are exhausted from the activities of our day.

Mongolian Beef with rice and noodles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Second, many great crock pot recipes include vegetables to insure we are getting the nutrients we need. So often, when preparing a meal at the last minute, vegetables and other side dishes are left out in favor of expedience. Crock pot cooking in many instances is a complete meal in one dish. Also, several recent studies have shown that meats cooked using slow, moist heat (like in a crock pot) are much healthier for you than grilled or fried meats. So using a crock pot to prepare meals may be a healthier way to go in general.

Another great reason to use a crock pot for your summertime cooking is the ease of clean up. Unlike pots and pans, most crock pot meals are made in one dish. This means that there will not be as many dishes to be either hand washed or loaded into the dishwasher (or if you are like me-both) afterwards. You can spend less time cleaning just as you spent less time slaving over a hot stove. Oh wait! Make that no time slaving over a hot stove.... Once clean up is complete you can get back to enjoying the sun set, chasing the lightening bugs with your little ones, or just waiting for the first star.

While there will never be a one-size-fits-all best cooking method, crock pot cooking comes very close. If you have a crock pot collecting dust somewhere in the back of your pantry it is time to get it out, dust if off, and dig up some great summertime crock pot cooking recipes. (Check back later this week for some ideas.)


Crock Pots Are Available in Many Different Sizes to Suit Your Family: