Okay, so I’ve been wanting to get more use out of my 7-quart crock pot. It’s just sitting there, you know? So I decided, “This week, it’s all about the slow cooker!” I wanted to find some super easy recipes, nothing fancy, just good, simple food.
The Recipe Hunt
First things first, I needed some recipes. I poked around online, looked at some cookbooks my grandma gave me…it was a whole thing. I wanted stuff I could mostly just dump in and forget about. I finally narrowed it down to seven recipes that looked promising – and used stuff I mostly already had in my pantry.
Prep Time! (Barely)
Honestly, the best part about crock pot cooking is how little prep there is. For most of these recipes, it was just chopping up some onions, maybe browning some meat if I was feeling ambitious, and throwing it all in the pot. I’m talking like, 15 minutes tops for most of them. The chili took a little longer, but it was still pretty easy.
The Waiting Game
This is where the magic happens, right? I’d pop everything in the crock pot in the morning, set it to low, and go about my day. Coming home to the smell of dinner already cooked? Amazing. Seriously, it made my whole apartment smell fantastic, even before I opened the door.
The Taste Test
- The Beef Stew: Okay, this was a classic for a reason. The meat was SO tender, the vegetables were perfectly cooked, and the gravy was rich and flavorful. I served it with some crusty bread for dipping. Definitely a winner.
- The Pulled Pork: This was incredibly easy. Just a pork shoulder, some BBQ sauce, and a few spices. After 8 hours, it was falling apart. I shredded it with two forks, piled it on some buns, and boom! Dinner.
- The Chicken Tacos: I used chicken breasts, taco seasoning, and a jar of salsa. Shredded it up after cooking and used it for tacos, burritos, even salads. Super versatile.
- The Chili: A little more chopping involved with this one (onions, peppers, garlic), but totally worth it. I let it simmer all day, and it was thick, hearty, and delicious. Perfect for a cold evening.
- The Pot Roast: Another classic! Beef roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, and some beef broth. Simple, comforting, and the leftovers were even better.
- The Lemon Garlic Chicken: This one surprised me! Chicken breasts, lemon slices, garlic, and some herbs. It was so bright and flavorful, and not something I would have normally thought to make in a slow cooker.
- The Apple Crisp: Dessert in the crock pot? Yes! Sliced apples, cinnamon, a little brown sugar, and a crumble topping. It was warm, gooey, and the perfect ending to a busy day.
The Verdict
I’m officially a crock pot convert. It made my week SO much easier, and the food was genuinely good. It’s not gourmet, but it’s real, home-cooked food that doesn’t take all day to prepare. I’m already planning my next week of slow cooker meals!
