Easter Recipes for the Slow Cooker

Monday, April 15, 2019

If you're hosting, or bringing along something to share this year, I've got you covered. The crockpot slow cooker is your friend. Use it! And enjoy your family.

here are 25 plus ways to use your crockpot this Easter as you entertain your family and friends. There are ideas here for appetizers, side dishes, main course, and even dessert. ENJOY!

Happy almost-Easter!

We host Easter each year (except for when I'm pregnant or have a newborn, which means we haven't done it for the past two years.

But that's not my fault because other people have offered, and I'd just be an idiot to not accept the offers.

So, I still stand by my declaration that we host Easter every year...) and I love it.

Adam usually puts something on the barbecue, our family helps out by bringing side dishes or beverages, and I line up a bunch of crockpots on the countertop.

There are too many of us to all sit around the table, so we kind of eat in shifts.

The kids run around in circles because it's fun for the uncles to "chocolate them up" and the Easter egg hunt out back results in squished flowers, mud tracked indoors, and eventually tears when the egg-grabbing turns a bit too competitive.

It's certainly not a scene Norman Rockwell would have chosen to paint--- but he should have.

Because honestly? The day couldn't possibly be any better.

and I can't wait.

If you're hosting, or bringing along something to share this year, I've got you covered. The slow cooker is your friend. Use it! And enjoy your family.

here are 25 plus ways to use your crockpot this Easter as you entertain your family and friends. There are ideas here for appetizers, side dishes, main course, and even dessert. ENJOY!

Main Courses:

Honey Glazed Ham (this is what we're having!)

Maple Ham

Citrus Ham (aka Christmas Ham)

Mint Glazed Lamb (this is what we're having!)

Lemon and Rosemary Lamb

Traditional Leg of Lamb

Leg of Lamb with Prunes

Side Dishes:

Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Cream Cheese

Company's Coming Potatoes AuGratin

Roasted Vegetables

Best Brussels Sprouts, ever!

Cinnamon Glazed Carrots

Pecan-Topped Baked Sweet Potatoes

Honey Lentils

want more? here you go!

Appetizers:

Apricot-Balsamic Brie

Cranberries and Candied Pecans Brie

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Crab Dip

Roasted Garlic

Taco Dip

Tomatoes with Goat Cheese

want more? here you go! and dips, too!

We have dessert covered thanks to Zest Bakery, but if you don't:

rice krispies treats (hey, the REAL rice krispies are going gluten free in about a month. score!)

holiday pears (not for kids)

want more? here you go!

but whatever you do: DO NOT HARDBOIL YOUR EGGS IN THE CROCKPOT.

you're welcome!

:-)

If you're entertaining, and need a bit of help getting the house in order, no worries. I've got you covered with that, too!

Adam doesn't like pictures of the kids on the Internet, so this is the best you'll get!

Happy Easter!

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Originally posted in 2010 ---

Making shredded chicken in bulk is one of the best ways to use your crockpot slow cooker. When you find a bunch of chicken on sale, bring it home, cook it up, and then you've got shredded chicken for salads, tacos, sandwiches, and pasta!

nice!

Shredded chicken in the crockpot slow cooker from on sale chicken that you cook all day

Happy Monday!

Thank you so much for your wonderful comments and emails about the new baby.

We're all doing really well, and can definitely feel your warm wishes and love floating through cyberspace.

You all are fantastically amazing. Thank you.

The above picture doesn't look like much----it's just a bowl full of shredded chicken.

I felt like sharing, though, because sometimes I get questions on how to utilize the slow cooker for meal planning and for stocking the freezer, and thought this might be helpful.

(and we all know that I am a definite meal planner! :-0 )

While in the midst of my crazy nesting phase these past few weeks, my father-in-law reported that our local grocery store had a sale on chicken quarters for $0.57 a pound.

That's a fantastic price for around here, and I popped on down to pick up a bunch of packages.

Although I did process quite a bit of chicken (de-skinned, and broke into meal-sized portions for future slow-cooked meals!) for the freezer, I also cooked quite a bit so we'd have already-cooked chicken ready to go for lunches, snacks, and dinners.

This is what I did:

buying on sale chicken in bulk to put into the crockpot slow cooker to make shredded chicken

The chicken quarters were bone-in thigh and leg pieces, and they did have skin.

While the chicken was still fresh, I skinned a bunch and threw it into the largest slow cooker I have, which is 6.5 quarts.

I was able to get 8 quarters in the pot. I also filled a 5 quart with 6 additional quarters.

And then I covered with lids and turned them on low for 7 hours.

I did not add water, broth, or any seasoning. You certainly can if you'd like, but I was interested in shredded, naked chicken.

When the time elapsed, I took the lid off and let the chicken cool quite a bit before I handled it.

There was plenty of juice left in the pot---enough to make a soup base if you were so inclined, or for homemade chicken broth (put the bones back in the pot for the broth!)

I then dug through to separate the bones and the chicken.

You can use the chicken in a meal right away that calls for already-cooked chicken, or you can freeze for later use.

This is such a great way to make sure the kitchen and freezer is stocked with lots and lots of already cooked chicken for those busy nights when you can hardly think straight and just want to call for pizza.

Instead, pull out a ziplock of shredded HOMEMADE chicken, thaw it in some hot water, and make a sandwich. Or a taco. Or throw it in pasta sauce.

#youvegotthis!

When chicken in on sale, snag it and bring it home! 7 hours later you've got perfect homemade shredded chicken for tacos, pasta sauce, salads, sandwiches, etc. Long live the crockpot slow cooker!

If you are a Keto-er (keto person? not sure the terminology...) then this is RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY! also, here's more keto-type stuff for you....

cooking in the crockpot slow cooker is one of the easiest ways to stick to your low-carb and keto eating!

more staple ideas:

homemade chicken broth
homemade refried beans
making your own "canned" beans
cooking a whole chicken
rotisserie chicken
homemade cream of mushroom soup
meal planning with the slow cooker

How to Make Key Lime Pie in the Slow Cooker

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

I had a twitter conversation (I know. I think it's a weird way to communicate, too...) with my friend Shirley a few weeks ago about Key Lime Pie. She wondered if I had a crockpot version, and that was pretty much all I needed to go about figuring out a way to make it.

This is the recipe that works! It uses sweetened condensed milk, which as we all know, is pretty much the nectar of the gods. Gosh, I love that stuff.

The Ingredients
serves about 8 if you're disciplined. Otherwise 4.

for the crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs (I use gluten free)
3 tablespoons melted salted butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon lime zest

for the filling:
2 large egg yolks
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 5 limes)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 1/2 lemons)

to put into the crockpot (NOT the batter!!):
1 cup warm water

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker with an inserted 1.5-quart casserole dish (like a Pyrex or Corningware).
You are going to use the crcokpot as a bain-marie, or water bath. In a plastic bag, smash up the graham crackers to make crumbs. Mix the crumbs with the butter, brown sugar, and lime zest.
Press the crust mixture into the bottom of a casserole dish that you sprayed with cooking spray (I took a picture of the spray, but then forgot to use it. oops.)

In a large mixing bowl, use a handheld mixer or a stand mixer to whip the egg yolks, condensed milk, lime juice, and lemon juice together until it's frothy. Pour this evenly over the top of the graham cracker crumbs.

Pour 1 cup of warm water into the bottom of your slow cooker insert, then carefully lower in the baking dish, taking care to not slosh water into your pie.

Cover, and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours, or until the pie is no longer shiny on the edges and the center has set (poke it with your finger. You shouldn't get a bunch of goop on it).

Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) before serving. If you'd like, you can add a layer of whipped cream on top.

The Verdict.

Yeah. This is good. I was ecstatic at how limey this turned out, and how nicely the sweetened condensed milk worked and set up beautifully in the slow cooker. I slightly overcooked one of the tester batches, but it still was fantastic -- the color on top just got a bit darker than I wanted it to, but after covering it with whipped cream nobody could tell.

Make this! You'll LOVE it!!

other totally amazing crockpot desserts:
creme brulee
oreo cheesecake
chocolate mousse
tapioca pudding