StoneGable: UNLEASH THE POWER... OF THE SLOW COOKER!

We all have busy schedules... and cooking dinner is probably the last thing we want to think about! Especially at 5:00 pm!

A slow cooker can be a LIFESAVER at dinner time...

Make cooking dinner one less thing to take up your time and energy! Remember to use your best kitchen time saver... the slow cooker... also known as the crock pot!

Here, at StoneGable my slow cooker gets a workout weekly! As I am writing this my slow cooker is happily making stock from 2 chicken carcasses! It smells scrumptious!

Whenever I know that my day is hectic and it leaves me no time and energy to prepare a good meal I spend a little time on the early end of the day to get my meal going in the slow cooker!

Meals don't have to be boring or over cooked in your slow cooker! I have found a great slow cooker cookbook filled with upscale and richly flavored food! NOT YOUR MOTHER'S SLOW COOKER COOKBOOK, by Beth Hensperger is an ode to creative, delicious meals. She now has 5 fabulous cookbooks to help your slow cooker turn out the best dishes!!!! Amazon.com has great deals on these cookbooks!

Here are a couple of SG tips that will help you to utilize your slow cooker on those busy days in your life!

~ plan ahead... if you know you are going to have a long day plan ahead to make a slow cooker meal

~ have the ingredients of at least 2 go-to slow cooker meals on hand. This gives you the option of throwing a meal in the slow cooker without a visit to the grocery store. A real time-saver!

~Prepare dinner the night before. Let dinner cook overnight, cool while you get ready for your day and pop the dinner into the frig before you leave the house. When you get home... just reheat! I love to wake up to all the delicious smells working their magic in my kitchen!

Best SG Tip: brown meat, saute veggies and warm spices on your stove top first... before putting them in the slow cooker. This will make such a difference in the final taste of your meal!!!!

Here is a go-to list of StoneGable Slow Cooker Meals ..

~ Braised Short Ribs (one of my favs)

~Taco Cheese Soup

~ Chili (see Tuesday's menu)

~ Killer Fajitas
~French Onion Soup (see Sunday's menu)
~Smoky Pork Chili (another fav)
~Ham Tetrazzini (see Thursday's menu)
~Slow Cooker Ham And Bean Soup
~Beef And More Beef Barley Soup (see Sunday's Men)
~Broccoli Cheese Soup (see Sunday's Menu)
~Black Bean And Pumpkin Chili (see Sunday's Menu)
~Whole Chicken In A Crock Pot With Bonus Chicken Stock (see Friday's Menu)
~Chicken Cicciatore (see Saturday's Menu)
~Tamale Pie With Corn And Black Olives (see Saturday's Menu)
~ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches
~Sausage And Peppers (see Sunday's Menu)
~ORANGE HOISIN CHICKEN (see Thursday's Menu)
~Beef Estofando (Spanish Beef Stew)
~Collard Greens (see Saturday's Menu)
~Classic Meatloaf (see Sunday's Menu)
~Holiday Beef Brisket (see Thursday's Menu~ I made this for Christmas dinner last year)

SOUP'S ON~ SEASONAL SOUP

Remember to

17 comments:

Sonny GDecember 2, 2011 at 11:55 AM
My daughter loves french onion soup, so I must try that one..

thank you for the beautiful food photos and recipes
jjschulzDecember 2, 2011 at 12:28 PM
I just discovered your site and I am in love with it! You take the most wonderful pictures. I just want to step through the computer screen and knock on your front door. =)

I saw that son's blog about youth ministry. My husband and I are in youth ministry, too. So it was cool to see someone else in the ranks.

Anyways, just wanted to tell you that I am following you now and I linked to you from my site this morning.

Blessings,
Jamie
Pinky at Designs by PinkyDecember 2, 2011 at 1:29 PM
Thank you, thank you! I was thinking that I might ask for a slow cooker cookbook for Christmas and her you have given me a LIST of recipes to use!!!!!!!!!! That is so sweet and generous of you. I will also tell Santa about the cookbooks:) Now REST for cryin out loud:):) XO, Pinky
Allyson PecilunasDecember 2, 2011 at 4:02 PM
Girl, I am drooling!! :) Thanks for your sweet comment on my lil ole blog! I thought for sure I was following you, but I am for sure now! Love your blog!
kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenDecember 2, 2011 at 4:27 PM
Thanks for your list of favorites, Yvonne! All those yummy recipes will come in handy for sure. I often use my dutch oven as a slow cooker in a 200 degree oven. That way I can brown my meat & use the same pot for slow cooking.
The enchanted homeDecember 2, 2011 at 5:11 PM
Great list. You have me wanting a slow cooker now! I know a few people who think these are the best invention since the wheel and use them all the time!
I will have to add one to my growing Christmas list!
NoelleDecember 2, 2011 at 7:12 PM
I am going to utilize my slow cooker more this holiday season!! I have tried your Taco Cheese soup a few times and it is a hit with the fam!! I will try some of the others too, I must tell you every time I do your recipes they are a hit with the fam!! I found a slow cooker breakfast casserole on Pinterest, I am going to try it for Christmas!! Thanks for the very sweet comments too! ;)
Shannon@Cozy Home ScenesDecember 2, 2011 at 7:22 PM
Yvonne, your suggestions are good ones for this busy season, especially. Our slow cooker has seen better days so I think Santa will be bringing a new one. Those books sound wonderful so maybe one will be on my Christmas list, too. Have a great weekend!--------Shannon
Blondie's JournalDecember 2, 2011 at 7:22 PM
I love my slow cooker but I admit, I need more recipes. Usually I use it when the fridge is overflowing with vegetables and I have a nice cut of meat. And I agree, you need to brown your meat first or you lose all the flavor.

Thanks so much for the recipes!

XO,
Jane
AnonymousDecember 2, 2011 at 8:03 PM
Hi Yvonne! Oh, thank you for all of these recipes. I use my slow cooker almost every week but not with these tasty sounding recipes! I would love to try the French onion soup! Yum I love that stuff.
Be a sweetie,
shelia ;)
Christa (The Soccer Mom)December 3, 2011 at 8:34 AM
Yvonne,
I've been cooking with you for several weeks now! Your menu is my menu! (Thanks for doing all the planning!)I have tried the french onion soup, the ham and bean soup, orange hoisin chicken and fajitas - not listed here - the one that uses dark ale. They were all so delish. I must say, though, NOTHING beats the chili. I planned to use leftovers this weekend and there are none! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
RettabugDecember 3, 2011 at 9:29 AM
Thanks for the comprehensive list with links to all your slow cooker favorites, Yvonne! I am bookmarking this page for future reference.

I can't believe how simple that Holiday Beef Brisket sounds & yet, I distinctly remember attending a dinner party in FL where the hostess had used cranberry relish in her entree & it was DELICIOUS! That had to be at least 12 years ago & I STILL remember it, so it must have been GOOOOOD!

Can't wait to try it myself.
Hugs & now back to decorating,
Rett
AnonymousDecember 3, 2011 at 4:03 PM
Looking for the Orange Hoisin Chicken receipe. When I click on the link it brings me to a lilac tablescape. Thanks!
Dovecote DecorDecember 3, 2011 at 6:04 PM
You are new to me via Art by Karena. Thank you for entering our holiday giveaway. I have never ventured down the slow cooker avenue. However, I am enticed by an easy chicken stock--the secret to all cooking. I'll be back!
Best,
Liz
Kathy F.December 3, 2011 at 7:35 PM
I can attest to the delicious-ness of the killer fajitas! Made them last year for Super Bowl and they were the best I've ever eaten! Keep 'em coming girlfriend!

Kathy Fritz
Mary Ann PickettDecember 4, 2011 at 1:44 AM
You absolutely have the best titles...Unleash the Power? Brilliant. I love using our slow cooker in Mammoth...so great after skiing. Thanks for the delicious recipes.
AnonymousMarch 10, 2012 at 6:07 PM
I wanted to find the slow cooker recipe for the Tamale but can't find the Saturday menu. All your things look wonderful.