Slow Cooker Winter Bacon Beef Stew

 

Beef Stew

Honestly, it is hard for me to believe that this is the first time slow cooker beef stew is making it onto the blog. This is one of my favorite crockpot recipes, mainly because it is just so quick to prepare! Well no. Mainly because it is delicious and easy to prepare!

Bacon Beef Winter Stew

 

The great thing about this recipe is that it is super easy to customize. Whether it is swapping out veggies for ones you have on hand, or adding in seasoning that you can’t get enough of, this recipe is very forgiving.

Beef Stew 3

Slow Cooker Winter Bacon Beef Stew

Ingredients

    1. 2 lb bottom round (cut into bite sized pieces, or you can use pre-cut stew beef)
    2. 8 slices of thick cut bacon (chopped, separated into 2 portions)
    3. 2 large bay leaves
    4. 4 whole cloves
    5. 10 whole pepercorns
    6. 1 Dried chili pepper of choice (optional – I used 6 Dried Chile Pequin Chili Podsbecause they are very small)
    7. 2 tsp salt
    8. 2 tsp pepper
    9. 2 tsp paprika
    10. 2 tsp Goya Adobo Seasoning with Pepper
    11. 1 tsp French thyme
    12. 2 medium russet potatoes (cut into 1 inch cubes)
    13. 1 medium purple top turnip (cut into 1 inch cubes)
    14. 1 lb carrots (peeled and sliced to desired thickness)
    15. 1 medium onion (peel, half, then quarter each half)
    16. 3 large garlic cloves (roughly chopped)
    17. 8 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
    18. 14 oz can diced tomatoes
    19. 14 oz Beef Broth
    20. 1 cup water
    21. 1 tsp sugar

Directions:

  • Place your beef in the bottom of the slow cooker
  • Using a fillable a coffee filter, or cheese cloth, or Tea Filter, put ingredients 3 – 6 in the filter and tie off so none of the ingredients can escape
  • Place bag of seasonings in the crockpot on top of the beef
  • In a separate bowl, mix together ingredients 7 – 11 and set aside
  • Add potatoes, turnip, carrots, onion and garlic to the crockpot
  • Sprinkle seasoning mix over the ingredients in the crockpot
  • Add Worcestershire to the crockpot
  • Pour tomatoes, then broth, then water over the ingredients in the crockpot
  • Sprinkle half of the chopped bacon over the top of the dish
  • Turn crockpot on high and cook for 4 hours (or low for 8 hours)
  • When stew is cooked, remove seasoning bag from the stew
  • Stir in sugar
  • Taste stew and add extra salt and/or sugar to taste
  • If crockpot is done before you are ready to eat, turn it on low to keep your meal warm and simmering
  • Before serving, cook the remainder of the chopped bacon in a pan until crispy
  • Remove from pan, using a slotted spoon, onto a paper towel lined plate
  • Ladle stew into serving bowls and sprinkle crispy bacon over the top
  • Enjoy!

Sweet and Sour Slow Cooker Pork Goulash Recipe

On the day I made this, I had an ultimate lazy day. It was the Monday after the Superbowl, I had the day off, and I never got out of my pjs. Yeah, I love those days too!

At about 11am, I brilliantly noticed that if I didn’t get up right then and throw something in the crockpot, we would be eating out of a can for dinner. I knew I had pork, and that was about it.

For some reason I got a craving for my oma’s cooking. Not sure where it came from, but it was strong. And the recipe just came to me. Luckily I had a can of Aunt Nellie’s Sweet & Sour Red Cabbage on hand….I know, what are the chances?

If you have never had jarred red cabbage, go out and get some, right now. It is in the veggie aisle of any grocery. It is perfect as a side dish, just saute half a peeled, chopped apple and half a chopped onion, add the jar of cabbage and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Delicious!

Back on subject. Pork. I used a homemade rib rub on the pork, but you can use any brand of rib rub you find. The flavor of the rub on the pork worked together so well with the cabbage. It really did taste like it came from my oma’s kitchen. I have a feeling she was with me in the kitchen guiding me on this one….

Homemade Rib Rub - Recipe Soon!

Sweet & Sour Slow Cooker Pork Goulash

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb bone-in center cut pork chops
  • rib rub seasoning
  • 16 oz jar of sweet & sour cabbage (such as Aunt Nellie’s)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tbsp butter or margarine
  • salt & pepper
  • 3 tbsp sour cream
  • 1/2 cup room temperature water
  • 2 tsp corn starch

Directions

  • Sprinkle a coating of rib rub on one side of the pork, rub the seasoning in, flip pork and repeat
  • Place the pork in the slow cooker
  • Pour the jar of cabbage and the water over the pork
  • Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours
  • When cooking time is done, remove the pork from the pot to a plate and cover with foil
  • Put the remaining liquid and cabbage in a pot and place over medium heat
  • Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions.
  • Drain noodles, mix in butter and salt and pepper to taste
  • In a separate bowl, mix together sour cream and water, then stir in cornstarch
  • Slowly pour the sour cream mixture into the gravy, stirring slowly
  • Bring the gravy to a low boil and stir. Allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes
  • Add prepared noodles to the gravy, stir well making sure to coat noodles
  • Turn heat down to low
  • Meanwhile, take bones and fat off of the pork
  • Break pork into bite sized piece and place in noodle/sauce mixture
  • Stir well and continue to heat, stirring frequently, over low heat, for 5 minutes
  • Plate and enjoy!

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Slowcooker Thanksgiving Dinner: Its not just for Thanksgiving anymore!

I subscribe to the school that asks the question, why? Why do we only indulge in one of the best meals available once per year. It makes no sense friends. None at all.

Well I am here to tell you we don’t have to stand for this any longer! Stuffing, cranberries, poultry….we can have them any night of the week! And thanks to this recipe, you can have them in your crockpot with pretty much no fuss at all!

I found the base of this recipe on Allrecipes.com, which I love. The reviews weren’t great, but I saw potential in this recipe….and I was really craving stuffing. So, to work I went!

I will remind you that I have an amazing, crockpot thanks to West Bend, which I am sure played a part in this recipe coming out perfectly. I will also warn you to NOT over cook this meal, it will stick to your crockpot and possibly destroy it. However, if you cook this recipe on low for 4 hours only, what you will get is a delicious, comforting, fabulous dinner! Something in this recipe causes the chicken to be extra flavorful and moist, and honestly, addicting!

What is your favorite holiday recipe to pull out any time of the year?

Slowcooker Thanksgiving Dinner

Ingredients

  • 2 split, bone-in chicken breasts
  • 1/2 tsp Goya Adobo or poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp thyme
  • 10 oz cubed stuffing (I used Pepperidge Farm Country Style stuffing – note: NOT the whole bag)
  • 14 oz of whole cranberry sauce (canned or fresh)
  • 14 oz Cream of Chicken soup (I used the 98% fat free)
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced vidalia onions
  • 1 cup water

Directions:

  • Place the chicken breast, skin side up, in the bottom of your slowcooker
  • Sprinkle the chicken with poultry seasoning and thyme
  • In a large bowl, combine stuffing, soup, cranberry sauce, onions and celery
  • Mix together well
  • Pour stuffing mixture over the chicken, making sure it is evenly covered
  • Pour water over the top
  • Cover and cook in your slowcooker, on low for 4 hours
  • You may turn the cooker to warm after that to keep it warm
  • Enjoy!


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#crockpotwed Transcript August 3, 2011

My first Twitter Chat was a resounding success! Thanks to the help of Brian and Isabelle, and the sponsorship of Harvard Common Press!

It was such a success, that we will be back in two weeks, on Wednesday, August 17th, for the next #crockpotwed chat! We will have new cookbooks to giveaway, and we will be chatting all about vegetarian crockpot recipes, so get your creativity slowcooking!

In the meantime, I promised you the transcripts from this past chat, so here they are! There are tons of great recipes and ideas in here! Enjoy, and see you on August 17th!

 

I Don’t Have Time to Make Dinner Dinner Recipe: Pulled Pork and Slaw

Written Tuesday Night at 6:08 p.m.

Okay folks, its crunch time. I have a paper due tomorrow and Glee is on at 8pm. This whole week is like that (minus the necessary tv viewing). So dinner is getting the short end of the stick. Luckily, I put a little forethought into the week, so our bellies will not suffer! To make up for my in-abilities, here is a picture just for pure cuteness:

On to dinner…Tonight I prepped one of the easiest and tastiest lazy meals I know. Slow cooker pulled pork! Now, in less busy times, I would make my own sauce, you know it is a bad week when I use the bottled stuff. But, you do what you can, and Sweet Baby Ray’s really is some good stuff!

I threw in my very favorite cole slaw recipe so you don’t think I am a total waste of space when I have a lot on my plate! I would have loved to have a pile of this slaw on top of my sandwich, it would have been perfect! But you all know how much I love pickles, so that was definitely the next best thing!

Pulled Pork

Ingredients:

  • 2 lb Pork Roast (you can sub chicken breast, turkey or brisket)
  • 1 bottle of Sweet Baby Ray’s Original BBQ Sauce
  • 1 cup water

Directions:

  • Place meat in your slow cooker
  • Pour the sauce directly on the meat
  • Put the water into the empty sauce bottle and shake the bottle to get remaining sauce.
  • Pour water mixture around meat
  • Put slow cooker on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours
  • 30 minutes before eating, use a fork or tongs to shred the meat
  • Allow shredded meat to cook for 30 more minutes

So Good Cole Slaw

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 head cabbage – chopped
  • 2 large grated carrots
  • 1 medium granny smith apple chopped finely
  • 1/2 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup skim milk
  • Juice of 1 medium-large lemon
  • 3 tablespoons vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Mix together cabbage, carrots, and apple
  • In a separate bowl combine mayo, sugar, milk, lemon juice, vinegar and salt & pepper.
  • Mix together w/ wire whisk.
  • Add a little more lemon and vinegar to taste
  • Pour 3/4 of dressing over the veggies.
  • Toss until all is covered.
  • Pour remaining dressing over the top and leave to sit on top of salad.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight
  • Mix-up salad and serve!

Recipe: Our New Fave – Chicken Cacciatore

A couple of weeks ago, I had a very bad NOT cooking week. It was hot out, I was cranky, and all I wanted is take-out chicken wings! So when I woke up that Tuesday morning, I thought I better get that chicken breast cooking in the slower cooker otherwise we will have to break down and order those take-out wings tonight!

I looked in the fridge and found some green pepper and onion, so chicken cacciatore it is! I didn’t have a recipe since I was not planning to cook, so I decided just to wing it and hope for the best.

When I finally got home from work I tasted my creation, and much to my surprise, it was fantastic! I was fully expecting this meal to be a flop, thinking I had not done enough for it to be in the least bit interesting, but it really was perfectly flavored! I had picked up some capers and super fresh ricotta on Sunday, and these were the perfect finishing touches to a great meal.

Since that week, this meal has become a regular in our rotation. I think the Purity Cheese Co. Ricotta (made locally in Quincy, MA.) is a serious crowning jewel on this dish. I pick mine up at Russo’s market. Seriously, you have to stop me from eating the stuff with a spoon…

I digress…here is the 411 on how to make this happen!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast tenders
  • 1 small onion (sliced)
  • 1 medium green pepper (sliced into small strips)
  • 4.5 oz can tomato paste
  • 10 oz can diced tomatoes (I used the ones w/ onion & garlic)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • salt to taste
  • 1-2 tbsp capers
  • Ricotta Cheese

Directions:

  • Place chicken breast in slow cooker
  • Throw in onions and peppers
  • Spread tomato paste over top
  • Pour in diced tomatoes and water
  • Stir carefully
  • Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours
  • 30 minutes before serving, add sugar & capers
  • Add salt to taste
  • Let continue to cook for 30 minutes
  • Make sure chicken is in bite size pieces
  • Serve over angel hair pasta with a scoop of fresh, cold ricotta

Ropa Vieja

I am originally from the Tampa area, where we have a plethora of Cuban food available at any hour of the day. It wouldn’t be un-heard of for my family to stop at La Terecita at 8:30am for a steak sandwich for pops and ropa vieja for me. This is the one delicacy that the Boston area is seriously lacking.
When I arrived home from the market this week, I realized I had purchased too much meat, and I had an extra roast. I headed to my favorite recipe site for inspiration. I looked up recipes from my favorite childhood dish, not at all expecting to be able to make it. To my surprise, not only did I have all of the ingredients on hand, but it is super easy to make!

I served the Ropa Vieja over butter & herb rice, with maduros that do not deserve to even be mentioned (it happens to all of us). So with out further ado, here is my Ropa Vieja recipe adapted from Allrecipe auther MASTER815K. Enjoy!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 pounds beef flank steak or roast (NOT stew meat)
3/4 can beef broth
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 small onion, sliced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
into strips2 cloves garlic or more to taste- chopped
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Directions

1.Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the beef on each side
2.Transfer beef to a slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth and tomato sauce, then add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, cilantro, olive oil and vinegar. Stir until well blended.

3.Cover, and cook on High for 4 hours, or on Low for up to 10 hours.

4. 30 minutes before serving, shred beef and place it back in sauce to simmer. Add 1 cup frozen sweet peas.

5. Simmer for 30 minutes and serve over rice.

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