Sweet Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin

INGREDIENTS

Pork:
• 2 pound boneless pork loin roast, trimmed of large fat pockets
• 1 teaspoon ground sage
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced or crushed
• 1/2 cup water
Glaze:
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, light or dark
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, combine the sage, salt, pepper and garlic. Rub the spices all over the roast. Place the pork roast in the slow cooker and pour in the 1/2 cup water. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Near the end of the cooking time for the roast, combine the ingredients for the glaze in a small saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
2. Remove the pork from the slow cooker, shred and place on a platter or plate. Drizzle the glaze over the pork and serve.

From: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Sweet Cafe Rio Pork

Time: 5-8 hours slow cooking

Yield: 8 servings 

1   3 lb pork loin roast (be sure the roast is completely thawed)
1   16 oz jar salsa (2 C salsa)
1 can green chilies
½ C brown sugar
1 can black beans, undrained
Tortillas
Cheese
Lettuce
Tomato

1. In the bottom of a large crock pot mix salsa, green chilies, brown sugar, and black beans.
2. Add the pork roast and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours depending on how hot your crock pot cooks things.  
3. Take the meat out of the Crockpot and shred it up with a fork.
4. Return meat to the Crockpot and cook 1 more hour.
5. Serve on tortillas with cheese, lettuce and tomatoes.

Homemade Yogurt

Here is the way I did the yogurt in the crock pot.  I really turned out great!  The younger two kids really liked it.  I do sprinkle a little smidgen of sugar in mine.  Adelaide likes a little honey.  I put fresh raspberries and blueberries on mine while Adelaide likes fresh strawberries! 

 

I have only made this twice and it has worked great both times!

 

(I think that the crockpot I use is six quarts.)

 

1 gallon whole milk

1/2 cup yogurt with fat in it.  Don't use fat free!  Check also on the label to make sure it has live cultures.  I used plain Yoplait once and then a full fat organic one that I got at Trader Joes down here.

You also will need a candy thermometer.  I got one at Walmart for like six bucks.

 

Pour the milk into the crockpot.  Cook on low for about five hours until the temperature of the milk reaches 180 Degrees. (Mine takes about 4 1/2 hours.  I'm sure crockpots will vary!)

 

Let milk sit until the temperature reaches 105 degrees.  This can take several hours!

 

Once the temperature reaches 105 put a 2-3 cups of the warm milk in a bowl and whisk in the yogurt.  Pour into the crockpot with the rest of the milk and whisk together.  Wrap the crockpot in a large bath towel and place in the oven.  (You'll need to take out an oven rack!)  Leave in the oven overnight.  No you don't need to have the oven on.  It just keeps it out of drafts. 

 

In the morning you have yogurt!  You can save 1/2 cup of this yogurt as a starter for your next batch. 

Loriann

Green Chile Stew

Ingredients: 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin, cut into 3/4-inch cubes 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained 2 (7 ounce) cans diced green chiles 2 yams, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces 4-5 red potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1 can black beans, drained 1 can kidney beans, drained 1/2 onion, coarsely chopped

5 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon salt ground black pepper to taste 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce 1 cup frozen corn 3 cans chicken broth 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1.

Combine the pork, tomatoes, green chiles, yams, potatoes, beans, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce in a slow cooker.  Pour in broth. Cover, and cook on Low until the pork is very tender, 6 to 7 hours.

2.

Stir in the frozen corn, recover, and cook until the corn is hot, 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with shredded Cheddar cheese to serve.   This is a revised version of the recipe I found.  You can do it like this OR don't use the roast as it says.  When I make the pork shoulder roast I make an extra one.  Towards the end of the cooking time I cut up the left-over roast and put it into the crock pot to heat up.  from Loriann

Crock Pot Ham Potato and Leek Soup

Crock pot ham potato and leek soup

 

1 onion, finely diced

2-3 stalks celery, diced

2 leeks, diced (If you haven't used leeks before just use the white end.  Be SURE you pull back the sections and wash them.  They get lots of dirt in-between!)

2 cups water

2 cans chicken broth (Or more.  I use whatever it takes to cover the ingredients in the crock pot.)

5 large potatoes, diced (Or more.  I use red or the gold ones.  I don't use russets very often.)
1 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. dill weed (Yes dill!  Don't leave it out!)

3/4 tsp. black pepper

1/2 c. all-purpose flour

1 cube butter

2 cups half-and-half cream

1 12 ounce can evaporated milk

1 thick slice smoked ham diced

grated sharp white cheddar cheese

 

Sauté onion, celery and leeks until translucent.  Place in crock pot with potatoes, water, broth, and seasonings.  Cook on high for and hour and then turn to low.  Cook 6-7 more hours.  Make a rue out of the butter and flour.  (Melt butter and add in flour.  Mix well.)  Add in half-and-half.  Cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and starts to bubble.  Stir in evaporated milk.  Heat.  Pour over all ingredients in the crock pot.  Add in the ham.  Cook on low about another half an hour.  Stir in cheese and cook until melted. 

from Loriann

Slow Cooker, Banana & Coconut Milk Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Servings: 7 (3/4-cup) servings

Ingredients

• 2 medium ripe bananas, sliced (approx. 2 cups)
• 2 (14 oz) cans light coconut milk*
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1-1/2 tablespoons butter, cut into 5-6 pieces, optional (omit or substitute margarine for lactose-free, vegan)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional garnishes: additional sliced bananas, chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts, toasted coconut, maple syrup, additional brown sugar, additional coconut milk or butter

Directions

Coat inside of 3-1/2 quart (or larger) slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all ingredients (except optional toppings) to slow cooker. Stir, cover, and cook on low for 7 hours. Spoon oatmeal into bowls; add optional toppings, if desired. Store leftovers in refrigerator. Freezes well.

To reheat single servings: Put 1-cup cooked oatmeal in microwave proof bowl. Add 1/3 cup milk or water. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir. Continue cooking for another minute, or until hot.

Recipe can be doubled in 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Increase cooking time 1 hour.

from Loriann

Crock pot chicken for tacos

1 1/2 C brown sugar
1 1/2 C medium salsa
4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts

Put chicken in bottom of crock pot. Pour sugar and salsa mixture over the chicken. Cook on low 6-8 hours until chicken shreds easily. Serve in soft tortillas with all the fixings for a taco. Really good with the Copy Cat Tomatillo Dressing.

Mushroom Wild Rice

2 1/4 cups water
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed beef consomme, undiluted
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup, undiluted
3 (4 ounce) cans mushroom stems and pieces, drained (I only use two and I chop them up nice and small so the kids don't know they are in there!)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup uncooked brown rice
1 cup uncooked wild rice

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients; stir well. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until rice is tender.

by Loriann

Smothered Pork Chops {Slow Cooker}

printed from melskitchencafe.com

*Note: I like to serve these smothered pork chops over rice or mashed potatoes. Also, if the gravy in the last step doesn't thicken well, mix another tablespoon of cornstarch to 2 tablespoons cold water and add it to the hot liquid. Let it come to a boil to ensure it thickens properly. Finally, I have doubled the pork in this recipe and kept all the other ingredients the same and there was plenty of gravy to smother the doubled pork.
*Serves 6


Maria's note: We loved these. My gravy turned out a little too thin, but that can be remedied with the cornstarch. I recommend serving the bacon on the side so that the bacon doesn't go limp in the gravy.

5 slices bacon, chopped
6 bone-in pork loin chops, about 3/4-inch thick
Salt and Pepper
2 yellow onions, peeled, halved and sliced into 1/2-inch thick half moons
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold water
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

In a large skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until lightly browned, about 5-6 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the drippings in the pan. If you have more than 2 tablespoons drippings, drain the excess. If you don't have quite that much, supplement with canola oil. When the bacon is cool, transfer to a small bag or tupperware and refrigerate until later.
Heat the skillet with the drippings over medium or medium-high heat until rippling and hot. Meanwhile, pat pork chops dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook pork chops until they are golden brown on each side, about 2 minutes per side, cooking them in batches in the skillet if your skillet isn't big enough to hold all six at a time in a single layer. When golden on each side, transfer the chops to the slow cooker and repeat with remaining pork.

Pour off all but 1 teaspoon of fat from the skillet; add onions, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup water to empty skillet. Using a wooden spoon, scrape browned bits from bottom of the pan and cook over medium-high heat until onions are soft, about 4-6 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour onion mixture over chops in the slow cooker. Add broth, soy sauce and remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar to skillet, bring to a boil and add bay leaves. Pour mixture over onions in slow cooker.

Cover slow cooker and cook on low until pork is tender, about 8 hours (or cook on high for 4 hours).

When ready to serve, carefully transfer chops to serving platter with a large spoon and tent with foil. Discard bay leaves and pour liquid through a mesh strainer into a saucepan, reserving the solids. Transfer solids to a food processor or blender with 1 cup liquid and blend until smooth. Stir the blended mixture back into remaining liquid in the saucepan. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and remaining 2 tablespoons water together in a small bowl and stir into sauce. Cook over medium heat until thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar, season with salt and pepper, pour over chops and sprinkle with reserved bacon and parsley. Serve.

Hearty Beef Stew (Slow Cooker)

This recipe is from Mel's Kitchen Cafe--I used a cross-rib roast because they were on sale. I cut it up into 1 inch pieces as was specified in the recipe below.

*Note: this stew recipe has a few steps that I am going to strongly encourage following – even if it makes you roll your eyes to have to go to the work/mess of browning meat before adding it to the slow cooker. I get it, I do! But let me emphasize that there is a reason this stew has more flavor and deliciousness than any other slow cooker stew I’ve had – and I believe it is because of the few minutes you have to spend at the beginning browning up the meat, onions and quickly bringing the sauce to a simmer. Browning = flavor. Now, if you absolutely refuse to do it…don’t worry, I’ll still like you. Go ahead – throw it all in – but don’t tell me before you do or else I’ll spend the day cringing. Also, unless you can find prepackaged stew meat in large pieces, it pays to buy a whole chuck roast and cut it up yourself, plus if you look for chuck roast on sale, it will probably save you a penny or two!

*Serves 6-8

5 pounds boneless chuck roast, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 medium yellow onions, finely chopped
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or beef broth
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 bay leaves
1 pound carrots, peeled, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound red potatoes, washed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons Minute tapioca
2 cups frozen peas

After the meat has been cut into chunks, pat it dry with a paper towel and season all the pieces with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat until the oil is rippling and hot. Cook half of the beef until it is well browned on each side, about 4 minutes. No need to cook it all the way through – just get some great brown color all around. Toss the meat in the slow cooker and follow the same process with the second half of the meat (you may need to add another tablespoon of oil to the pan if it looks a little dry). Remove the meat to the slow cooker, trying to keep as much oil in the pan as possible.

Return the skillet to medium heat and add the onions and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until the onions are translucent and golden, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the broth, soy sauce, 1/2 teaspoon thyme and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil and transfer it to the slow cooker, pouring it over the meat.

In a large bowl, toss the carrots, potatoes, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. On the counter, lay out a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil (use two sheets of regular foil on top of each other if you don’t have heavy-duty). Place the tossed vegetables on one side of the foil. Fold the foil over the vegetables and crimp the edges really well to form a little foil packet that will fit in the top of your slow cooker. Stir the tapioca into the slow cooker. Place the foil packet of vegetables on top of the stew, cover the slow cooker, and cook on high for 6-7 hours or low for 10-11 hours.

When the stew is finished cooking, carefully remove the foil packet from the top of the stew. Discard the bay leaves from the stew. Carefully open the foil packet (be careful of steam that may escape as you open it!). Return the vegetables and any juices to the slow cooker and gently mix them into the stew. Stir in the frozen peas and let them rest in the stew for 5-10 minutes, until they are heated through. Serve.

Recipe Source: adapted from Cook’s Country Dec/Jan 2011

Sweet and Spicy Slow-Cooker Chicken

www.mykitchencafe.blogspot.com

I liked this with a little sour cream and grated monterey jack cheese rolled up in a tortilla. I did put some in the freezer, and I'm going to try it in a soup.

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (14 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I used 1/4 teaspoon)

Coat the inside of your crockpot with non-stick cooking spray. Place all ingredients in the crockpot. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours, or until chicken shreds very easily with a fork. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Chicken will absorb liquid after it is shredded.) Serve in tacos or however your little heart desires.

*Freezable Meal: I freeze the leftovers in a freezer-safe container and let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving the next day. I reheat over medium-low heat in a saucepan on the stove.

Crock-Pot French Dip

1 Beef chuck or rump roast (preferably rump)
2 Cups water
½ Cup soy sauce
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme leaves (for powder use 1/4 tsp)
1 Bay leaf
3-4 Whole black peppercorns (pull out after cooking)

Place beef in crock pot. Mix other ingredients in bowl and pour in crock . Cook on low 5-6 hours. Shred beef and return to pot with one sliced onion. Simmer ½ hour. Skim off fat. Serve with rolls. Dip sandwiches in broth.

Feijoada (Brazilian Black Beans)

2 T. olive oil
2 C. chopped onions
2 T. chopped garlic
2 bay leaves
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Ham bone
1 C. diced ham pieces
½ lb. black beans (soaked over night apx. 8 hours)
6-7 C. water
Hot Sauce

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, add oil. When oil is hot add onions and garlic. Crush bay leaves and add to pan with salt and pepper. Saute about 5 min. Add ham bone, ham, beans, and water. Simmer until the beans are tender about 3 ½ hours. Serve over white rice. I have also made this in the crock pot after I cooked the onions and garlic. It is one of my favorite things to use a left over ham bone.

Taco Soup

2 Cups dry pinto beans

1 C dry black beans

1 C wheat

1/2 lb. ground beef

3 cans tomato soup

8 oz. frozen corn

1 pkg. taco seasoning

Put beans and wheat in a large pot. Add 12 cups of water. Let it soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain water.

Add 16 cups of fresh water. Bring to a boil. Cover pot. Reduce heat and simmer for 90 minutes. Drain water.

Cook ground beef and drain grease.

Add all ingredients ( cooked beans & wheat, tomato soup, frozen corn, and taco seasoning) to a large crock pot. ADd 1 1/2 soup cans full of water.

Cook on low 6 hours.

Tangy Pork Chops

6 lean pork chops

1/2 tsp. salt (optional)

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 medium onions, chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 large green pepper sliced

1 can (14 1/2 oz) stewed tomatoes

1/2 C ketchup

2 Tb cider vinegar

2 Tb brown sugar

2 Tb Worcestershire sauce

1 Tb lemon juice

1 beef bouillon cube

2 Tb cornstarch

2 Tb water

Place chops in a slow cooker; sprinkle with salt if desired and pepper. Add the onions, celery, green pepper and tomatoes. Combine ketchup, vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and bouillon; pour over vegetables. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into liquid in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until thickened. Serve over rice if desired.

Crock-Pot Pork Chops

6 lean pork chops

1/2 C flour

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 can chicken and rice soup

2 Tb oil

Dredge pork chops in a mixture of flour, salt, dry mustard and garlic powder in a ziplock baggie.

Brown both sides of pork chop in oil in a large skillet. Place browned pork chops in crock pot. Add can of soup. ( I use 2 cans because we like the rice) Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours ( hight 31/2 hours). Serve over rice.

Crock-Pot Chili

1 lb ground beef
1 C chopped onion
1 C chopped green pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 (16 oz) cans pinto beans, undrained (or whatever kind you prefer)
1 T chili powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp pepper
Brown ground beef with onion and green pepper. Remove excess grease. Transfer to crock-pot. Add remaining ingredients, stir to blend. Cover and slow cook 7-8 hours.

Cherise gave me this recipe.

Crock-pot Pork Chops

3/4 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C soy sauce
1/2 C ketchup
1/4 C honey
2 T cider or white wine vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
6 pork loin chops
1 medium onion, sliced

In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Place pork chops in crock-pot and cover with sauce. Place onion on top. Cover and cook on low for approximately 4-5 hours (depending on thickness of chops).

Crock-Pot Spaghetti Meat Sauce

½ lb sweet Italian sausage (optional)
1 lb hamburger
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, seeded & chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T sugar
1 T salt
2 tsp leaf basil
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
2 can (16 oz each) Italian style tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste

Brown meat; drain well. Add to crock-pot with remaining ingredients; stir well. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Can add sliced mushrooms and olives the last hour of cooking. This sauce freezes very well.

Crock-Pot Cream Cheese Chicken

2-4 skinless chicken breasts
2 T melted butter
1 pkg dry Italian seasoning mix
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz cream cheese
½ C chicken broth
½ C onion, chopped
salt & pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste

Place chicken in crock-pot and drizzle with butter and sprinkle with Italian seasoning mix. Cook on low 4 hours (longer if using bone-in chicken). In medium sauce pan, brown onion in 1 T butter. Add cream cheese, soup, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth. Pour sauce over chicken and cook additional 30 minutes in crock pot. Serve over hot cooked rice or pasta.