Saving time and money in the kitchen!

I've been reading blogs for a while now, reading and thinking to myself "you should do this".  I've got so many ideas and things I would love to share! But, as organized as I am, my thoughts can be kind of all over the place!  So, with school starting up again and time and money being short, I decided to start my blog with some of my favorite slow cooker recipes.

Slow cooker (crock pot) recipes are my favorite!  I think that every busy person should have an arsenal of crock pot recipes at their disposal!  I mean, when you've just put in an 8 hr day at work (not including the hours before work getting the kids ready for school--and the hrs after work picking them up and running around doing errands) who really wants to spend another hour or two in the kitchen getting dinner ready?  And who has that much time?  Not me!!

Not only do crock pot recipes save you time, they can save the budget too.  That less expensive cut of meat has just become the most tender and flavorful piece of meat you've ever eaten!

Now, with that in mind, the three recipes I'm sharing with you today can be used with any cut of meat.  I may say "pork chops" but that doesn't mean that you couldn't use a cheaper cut like a pork steak or even a cheap pork roast cut into individual portions before cooking.  Same with beef.  I may say "sirloin" or "fillet" but you could use a chuck roast or steak or any piece of beef you can get on sale!  That's what's great about the crock pot!  It will make those cheaper cuts of meat tender, and cooking it slow allows flavors to infuse your meat!

Slow cooker Apricot Pork Chops 

4 pork chops (boneless, with bone, steak, whatever!)

1 cup dried apricots, chopped

1 cup apricot nectar (peach and mango nectar work well too)

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or a little more to taste)

3 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper (or to taste) 

2 cups baby carrots

Combine all ingredients in 3-4 quart slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 8 hrs or until meat and carrots are tender.  Serve over rice or egg noodles.

serves 4.

Another version of this is to use 1 cup of apricot preserves and 3/4 cup water instead of the apricots and nectar. (omit the honey when using the preserves)

Slow cooker Spicy Peanut Chicken

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken (thighs or breasts-doesn't matter!)

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1/4 cup orange juice

1 onion, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped jalapenos (or green chilies if you prefer it a little less spicy)

(optional) pinch of red chili flakes

Cut the chicken into 2 inch pieces.  Put in the crock pot.  Mix the remaining ingredients together in a bowl and pour over the chicken.  Cook 7-8 hrs until done.  Serve over couscous, rice, or angel hair pasta.

(we prefer angel hair!)

serves 4

Beef with Broccoli

1 pound beef (any cut that isn't too fatty)

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup minced onion

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 16 ounce package broccoli florets (thawed and drained of liquid)

1 medium onion chopped (in a little bit larger chunks) or you can use an 8 oz bag frozen pearl onions

1 6 ounce can water chestnuts

1 10 ounce can beef broth

1/4 cup cornstarch

In a bowl, combine ginger, salt, pepper, garlic, minced onion, and soy sauce and whisk together.

Cut beef into strips (going across the grain to ensure it is tender) and make the strips about an inch or so long.  You want them to be small enough to just pick up with your fork and eat!  Put the meat into a resealable bag and add the soy/ginger mixture to it.  Marinate the meat over night (or at least 4 hrs).  

Put the meat and marinade, drained water chestnuts, larger chopped onion, 1/2 cup of water, and 1/2 cup beef broth in the crock pot.  Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hrs. (until beef is tender)  Add the broccoli during the last hour of cooking time.  ***Now, this part can vary depending on your crock pot****  Combine cornstarch with 1/2 cup water and add to clow cooker, stir well.  Cover and cook until thickened. Some slow cookers will not get hot enough to make the "sauce" thicken so you may have to drain the liquid into a pot and thicken it on the stove top.  (I have to do this as my crock pot will not get hot enough to thicken the sauce.)  Serve this over cooked rice. 

Serves 4.

It's harvesting time!  I will be sharing some of my favorite fresh veggie recipes soon!  I would love your input on what you'd like to see from me next.