CrockPot/Slow Cooker Recipes

    Now that it is officially autumn, it is time to pull out the crockpot and make some good work of it.  Nothing is easier than throwing some ingredients into the crockpot and turning it on and a few hours later a nutritious and super delicious meal is waiting.  Here are some of my favorite crockpot recipes.

1.  How to cook a Turkey breast in the crockpot!

Cooking a Turkey Breast in the Crock pot

     2.  Cooking ribs in the crock pot.

BBQ ribs

     3.  Dr. Pepper Shredded Chicken in the Crock Pot:

Dr. Pepper Shredded Chicken

     4.  Complete Chicken Dinner in the Crock pot:

Complete Chicken Dinner in the Crock Pot

     5.  The Perfect Crock Pot Roast Dinner

All the roast fixin's in the crock pot!

Roast Dinner

     6.  Crock Pot Swiss Steak!

Swiss Steak

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My Top Casserole Dishes

   I don't know about you but I love casseroles.  There is something very comforting about a casserole to me and on busy nights, nothing beats being able to throw some stuff together in a pan and being able to serve my family a hot and delicious meal!

    In no particular order, here are my top 7 casserole dishes:

     1.   Pizza Tater Tot Casserole:

Pizza Tater Tot Casserole

     2.  Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole:

Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

     3.  Tater Tot Casserole:

Tater Tot Casserole

     4.  Mexican Tater Tot Casserole:

Mexican Tater Tot Casserole

     5.  Chicken Dorito Casserole:

Chicken Dorito Casserole

     6.  Cheeseburger Casserole:

Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburger Casserole

7.  Mexican Chicken Casserole:

Mexican Chicken Casserole

    So, which one of my casseroles are your favorite?

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Hot Apple Cider Cinnamon Spice Mix

     This recipe is for homemade Hot Apple Cider Cinnamon Spice mix and it is simply amazing.  Transform any apple juice, red wine, or apple cider into a lovely and aromatic drink that will turn cold days and cold nights into a comforting experience.  It just smells and tastes like the holidays!

    Not only does it taste amazing but it also makes a great gift.  Friends, family and colleagues all love getting this around the holidays.  It's a great way to show appreciation and love to so many people.

Hot Apple Cider Cinnamon Spice Mix

3 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp. cloves

     Put all the ingredients into a bowl.

     Stir well and pour into jars.  This recipe makes enough to fill four small jelly canning jars.  

    

     Each jar will make about 50 cups of spiced cider, etc. 

     To make spiced apple cider:  Heat one cup of cider, wine or juice until hot, add in 1-2 teaspoons of the mix.  Stir to dissolve and enjoy. 

     You can also sprinkle this mix into rice pudding or oatmeal!  Yum!

     For more easy DIY spice mixes, see my taco seasoning, my chili seasoning mix, or my dry rub for chicken!

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Southern Dry Rub Recipe for Chicken

     One reason I love using this dry rub is because is seals the skin against moisture loss so all of the great juices are trapped on the inside of the chicken.  When the chicken is cooked, you'll have one of the juiciest, moistest pieces of chicken you'll ever eat! 

A piece of chicken that I used my dry rub on.

    This dry rub recipe is so easy to throw together and it is super versatile!  I prefer to use this dry rub primarily on chicken but you can also use it on pork or beef if you desire.  This recipe fits nicecly into a one quart canning jar and makes enough rub for 8-10 pounds of meat.  For me and my family, this rub has the perfect amount of paprika and chili powder in it.  It gives the meat just a touch of heat and that is how we like it but if you like things hotter, just adjust the recipe and add a bit more paprika or chili powder or even add in some cayenne pepper.

Southern Dry Rub Recipe for Chicken

1 1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. paprika

1/4 c. onion powder

2 T. salt

2 T. garlic powder

1 T. pepper

1 T. chili powder 

2 tsp. oregano

2 tsp. rosemary

     Put all the spices into a bowl.

    

    Stir well and pour the blend into a wide-mouth, 1 quart canning jar and put the lid on it until you are ready to use.  

    To use the rub, sprinkle the rub generously over your meat and let it sit for about 30 minutes before cooking.  Great on the grill or in the oven.   

   Other spice blends I make include:  taco seasoning and chili seasoning mix. 

    Also, if you like this, be sure to check out my shake 'n bake recipe.

 

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Rainbow Soup Mix In a Jar

     I love making the "gifts" in a jar"...not only to give as gifts but it is nice having some on hand for days/nights I don't really like trying to figure out what I'll make up for my family's meal.  This Rainbow Soup Mix is so easy to put together and turns out super pretty.  It looks like something you would find at a craft market and not only that, it makes a really good and hearty bean soup!

     Rainbow Soup Mix In a Jar

3/4 c. dried red beans

3/4 c. dried green split peas

3/4 c. black eyed beans

3/4 c. lentils

Spices:

2 T. dehydrated onions

2 T. beef or chicken bouillon granules

2 T. dried parsley flakes

2 tsp. dried basil

1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. black pepper

1 tsp. oregano

The spices that go into the Rainbow Soup Mix

    Get a quart sized, wide-mouthed jar.  Place each type of bean into the jar in layers.  You can substitute any type of bean you like as long as you do a variety of colors of beans.  You want it to look pretty.  

    Take all the spices and place into a small ziplock baggie. Place the baggie of spices into the jar on top of the last layer of beans.  Flatten them down and put the lid on the jar.  You can decorate the lid if you are giving it as a gift.  

    Attach the following directions for making the soup:

     Remove the spice bag and set aside.  Rinse the beans thoroughly and then place the beans in a microwave safe bowl and cover it with 1 1/2-2" of water.  Cover loosely with plastic wrap.  Microwave on high for 15 minutes; rotating the bowl after 7 1/2 minutes.  

    Carefully, remove the bowl from the microwave and drain the beans.  Rinse the beans thoroughly.  Place the beans into a large pot and cover with 8 cups of water.  Pour in a 15 oz. can of crushed tomatoes and the contents of the spice baggie.  Stir.  Place a lid on the pot and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat to low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender.  Stir occasionally.

    I also love to throw in a ham hock or some diced ham.

    This soup in a jar is good for 1 year.

Isn't it lovely?!

   

 

    If you like soup-mix-in-a jar recipes, here are 2 more I know you will love:  Chicken and Rice Soup Mix in a Jar and Potato Soup Mix in a Jar.

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Cherry Dump Cake Recipe

    If you are not sure what a dump cake is, it's just as the name implies.  It is a cake where you just dump a few ingredients together and bake and you get an awesome dessert out of it.

     It really is the queen of easy dessert recipes.  It's pretty much foolproof. As long as you can open up a few packages and pour them into a cake pan, then you're golden!  

      The cake turns out so pretty due to the bright red of the cherries and it is such a super moist and delicious cake.  My secret added ingredient that makes my Cherry Dump Cake so much better than others out there is almond extract.  Almond flavoring and cherries pair together perfectly.

Cherry Dump Cake

2 (21 oz.) cans of Cherry pie filling

1 box of yellow cake mix

1 stick of butter, melted

1 tsp. almond extract

   

    Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9"x13" cake pan with cooking spray. 

    Pour your pie fillings into a bowl and stir in the almond extract.  Stir well.  Pour the cherry pie fillings into your cake pan.

      Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the top.

    Slowly pour the melted butter over the top.  It won't cover all of the dry mix and that is okay.  Just do your best.

     Bake for 25-27 minutes or until the top is golden brown.

   

     If you should still have dry patches of cake mix over your cake after baking, simply dip up some of the cherry filling over the dry patch and bake for a few more minutes.  

   Makes 12 servings with 28 grams of carbs per serving.

   Here are two other dump cake recipes that are really good:  Oreo Dump Cake and Crockpot Apple Dump Cake.

 

 

 

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Potato Soup Mix In A Jar Recipe

    I love easy and not much is easier than mixing up some mix-in-a-jar recipes.  Not only do they make wonderful gifts but they are also nice to have on hand for a quick and easy meal or midnight snack!

     Once mixed up, this potato soup has a smooth consistency that is not too thin nor too thick.  Some recipes for potato soup in a jar comes out looking and tasting like mashed potatoes but not this one.  This one tastes like it should:  a flavorful, aromatic, and delicious bowl of soup!   This recipe is family tested and they all approved of it.  I'm sure your family and friends will like it too.

     It makes a warm and delicious meal in the cooler months.  It only takes some boiling water and the mix for a quick bite.  Besides that, if you decorate the lid a bit, it would make a wonderful gift during the holidays.  I have given this to friends, neighbors, teachers, etc and they all are super appreciative.  

Potato Soup Mix in a Jar Recipe

1 3/4 c. instant mashed potato flakes

1 1/2 c. instant nonfat dry milk powder (not granules)

2 tsp. chicken bouillon granules

2 tsp. minced onion

1 tsp. parsley

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. seasoning salt

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. thyme

1/8 tsp. turmeric

 

    Combine all the ingredients into a large bowl and stir well to mix everything up thoroughly.  

 

 

Pour the mixture into a clean one quart jar and seal.

     Attach the following instructions:  To serve, place 1/2 cup of the potato soup mix in a bowl.  Stir in 1 cup of boiling water and stir gently until smooth.  Eat and enjoy!

     Makes 6 servings.  28 g. of carbs per serving with 12 g. of protein.  

    Here are 2 more recipes I am sure you will love:  Rainbow Soup Mix and Chicken and Rice Soup Mix in a Jar. 

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Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix

     I love making my own spice blends such as taco seasoning or baking mix (like Bisquick) or even my Southern Dry Rub recipe because it's nice to have them on hand whenever I need it.  Sure you can go out and buy your own mix but mixes at the stores contain a bunch of additives and fillers.  Making your own mixes will give you a lot more flavor without a bunch of junk that is not needed that you can't even pronounce.

     This awesome homemade chili seasonng mix comes in super handy for making things like Homemade Chili, No-Bean Chili, and even Beefy Chili Noodles.  This seasoning mix is perfectly  balanced and has so much vibrant flavor.  The mix is also so easy to make that even your kids could make it.

     Most of the store bought mixes of chili have about 5 tablespoons of mix inside of them but many of that bulk is in fillers and anti-caking ingredients so when you make your own, you won't have to use as much.  I have found that you can use half as much and still provide more flavor easily.  I generally use 2-3 tablespoons of my homemade mix per pound of meat or vegetables.

 

 

Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix

 1/2 c. chili powder

3 T. onion powder or minced onion

2 T. paprika

1 T. garlic powder

1 T. oregano

1 T. cumin

1 T. thyme

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. parsley

1 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

1/2 tsp. black pepper

     

      Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and stir well.  Once mixed up, pour into a small "jelly" canning jar.  

     This recipe is super flexible.  If you like your chili spicier, add in more crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne.  If you like it milder, just don't put in any red pepper flakes or cayenne.

     As I mentioned before, use 2-3 tablespoons of this mix in any recipe that calls for an envelope of chili seasoning.  Or use about 2 tablespoons per pound of meat or vegetables.

    This mix can be stored in the sealed canning jar for up to a year but I use it so often that it barely lasts me a few months.

     Chili Seasoning also goes well in any Tex-Mex recipe you have to kick up the flavor.  Or try it in your next omelet!

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