Tag Archives: slow cooker

“So Nutty” Slow Cooker Snack Mix Recipe

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Nut and Cereal party mix made in crock potRoad tripping it today, needed something yummy for the eldest teenage son and his grandfather to nibble on as we drive off to a college visit. Snack mix, Chex mix, party mix . . . .or, whatever you like to call it is always a big hit with the guys at my house. If seen entire bags of these crunchy munchies devoured for after school snacks, late night study breaks and during football games.

Making this perennial party mix at home is always better, in my opinion, because the ingredients can be controlled. For example, I believe butter is better for you than the vegetable oils in the name brand mix. And, I like to add a lot of nuts – the more the better, it adds that protein you need for longer-lasting energy. Butter, nuts, salt and such – remember, this isn’t a “diet” food, but you can enjoy it in moderation.

win me slow cookerImagine my surprise to find out that you can make snack mix in the slow cooker?! Initially I didn’t believe it would, but I whipped up my own recipe for “So Nutty” Slow Cooker Snack Mix and it worked, it totally worked!  This is a good time to remind you that I’m giving away a slow cooker —  check out the giveaway post and the recipe for Honey Balsamic Slow Cooker Chicken!

 

Okay, so a few comments on the snack mix recipe – the biggest “must tell” is that you can really swap out any ingredient for your favorite cereal, nut or other mix-in. It’s just important to get the ratios right for the butter mixture to be enough  – you’ll need about 8 cups of total volume made up of dry crunchy things and nuts. I used loads of nuts AND  Love Grown Food’s Power Os – that cereal is made partially out of a bean blend (navy, lentil and garbanzo), so you get even more protein! And, I also tossed in some Harvest Snaps Snapea Crisps!

Snack Party Mix made in Crock Pot

“So Nutty” Slow Cooker Snack Mix Recipe

  • 3 cups cereal (I used Love Grown Food’s Power Os)
  • 2 cups small crackers like oyster, Goldfish, Mini Ritz, or pretzels
  • 3 cups mixed nuts (the more types, the better!)
  • ½ cup butter (or oil of choice)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Cavender’s All-Purpose Greek Seasoning (or your favorite)
  1. Mix together cereal, crackers and mixed nuts in 4-qt or larger slow cooker.
  2. Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in Worcestershire sauce and seasoning.
  3. Pour butter mixture over cereal; stir well to evenly coat.
  4. Cook uncovered on high setting for about 60 minutes, stirring frequently. Turn slow cooker to low setting and cook, stirring frequently, for an additional 30 – 45 minutes or until cereal is crisping. Remember to stir!
  5. Remove party mix from slow cooker and cool on baking sheet. Store in zip-top bag.
  6. Makes 16 one-half cup servings.

cooking light snack mixIf you are looking for more snack mix recipes, Cooking Light has a selection of both sweet and savory snack mixes that are big in taste, low in calories and high in fiber.

 

What is your favorite ingredient to put into a snack mix?

 

It’s “So Nutty” Snack Mix in a Slow Cooker! #WhoDaThunk #Recipe

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#SlowCookerMeals – Ancho Mama’s Pot Roast Recipe & Tacos!

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Taught a class on economical cuts of beef last night – ground beef immediately comes to mind when the word “budget” is tossed around. However, top sirloin and chuck roast are both versatile cuts that can stretch your family’s food allowance and still give you that “mmmmmm” satisfaction that comes along a nice, hearty and yet healthy beef dinner.

win me slow cookerI’ve been in slow-cooker mode for the past few weeks and want to remind you about my giveaway for a programmable slow cooker from Hamilton Beach – this modern convenience will transform your life. I broke in this bad boy with Honey Balsamic Chicken (with 3 recipes) earlier this week.  Typically when I pull the slow cooker out of the cabinet, I think of time-honored comfort foods like a fork-tender, juicy pot roast.

 

jennifer fisher thefitfork beef chuckA chuck roast is THE cut of choice when it comes to fall-apart, fork-tender deliciousness.  This budget-friendly hunk of meat may look intimidating, but there is no way you can mess it up with any type of liquid-based, low-and-slow cooking method like braising or the slow cooker. Chuck roast in the slow cooker will rock your world, just add some chopped up veggies, a little broth, the spices you like and then WALK AWAY. IT’S JUST THAT EASY. I now reclaimed the time I need to manage my crazy life and workout routine —  and even indulge in frivolous hobbies  like gardening, reading and catching up with friends.

If you love southwestern foods, you’ll be all over this slow cooker recipe for Ancho Mama’s Pot Roast.  Ancho is just a dried poblano pepper –  this flavor profile adds a mild heat and smoky flavor to recipes. For convenience, I buy ground ancho chili powder at the market – you can usually find the McCormick brand on the spice aisle.

ancho chili slow cooker pot roast

Ancho Mama’s Pot Roast Recipe for Slow Cooker (aka Crock Pot)

  • 1 2 ½ to 3 lb boneless beef chuck pot roast
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 16-ounce container salsa (I used fresh salsa from produce dept.)
  1. Trim fat from meat and cut down, if needed, to fit into 4 qt. slow cooker.
  2. Add onion and corn to slow cooker and top with meat.
  3. Sprinkle garlic, chili powder, pepper, and salt over meat. Pour salsa over spices.
  4. Cover and cook on low heat in slow cooker for 8 – 10 hours or on high heat for 4 – 5 hours.
  5. Transfer roast to rimmed baking sheet and shred. Top with strained corn, onion and salsa mixture.
  6. Serves 8

So how can you serve this delicious dinner – well, one night we usually have it over rice and the next night is TACO NIGHT!  You can’t beat the leftovers on this recipe for tacos, quesadillas or mixed into a breakfast hash.

shredded ancho chili chuck roast tacos

Also, check out these 23 slow cooker meals from Cooking Light — I love this collection of recipes that represent a healthy, balanced eating plan. Easy to make comfort food CAN be good for you!

slow cooker ideas from cooking light

What would you do with the time saved by preparing dinner in a slow cooker? Please share in the comments.

 

 

 

 

Balsamic Honey Chicken – 3 Easy Recipes + Slow Cooker #Giveaway

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This post is sponsored by Hamilton Beach. However, all opinions, suggestions, recipes and content are my own.

Now that we’re well into the back-to-school routine, it’s time to kick back and enjoy the blessings of fall – however these are busy blessings that require chauffeuring, chaperoning and cheering from the stands. So, how am I supposed to provide a hot home cooked meal and gather the family round the table with everyone coming and going and looking at me for a ride? And, when I’m rewarded with a couple rare hours to take a break from mom mode, I’m often finishing up a work project or squeezing in a run  — typically cooking dinner is not at the top of my priority list, even as a food blogger!

slow cooker gone running

You parents with equally over-the-top schedules already know the two lifesaving words I’m going to say – SLOW COOKER! It was only just a few years ago that I fell in love with slow cooking, my prior history with the method was only that of an innocent child dutifully eating her dinner – I have some not-so-fond memories of old-school slow cooker meals. Mom, I know you’re reading this and it wasn’t you, I think mushy carrots and fatty meats were just culinary trends of the 70s.

artichokes in crock pot litehouseThese days, there are many creative and healthy recipes that can be made in a slow cooker. One of my favorite recent creations is a side dish recipe for Slow Cooker Caesar Artichokes. Side dishes, desserts, beverages – all these things can be made in a slow cooker. But, probably the most convenient slow cooker recipe is to make a big batch of beef, chicken or pork that can be rationed out over the week or frozen for later in the month. Since I’m a big fan of doing some global variation of chuck roast in the slow cooker (insane flavor and fall-apart fork tender), I thought I’d branch out and do some chicken breast  — enough to last me through a few recipes for my family of 5!

HB_OCT_33967_slowcooker_blogger_7

Needless to say, I was pretty excited that Hamilton Beach sent me the Set ‘n Forget® 6 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker With Spoon/Lid – the stainless-steel beauty is a real workhorse in the kitchen that will cook up ever your biggest batches in hands-free, stress-free style. It’s really helpful that this particular model has three modes — program, probe and manual. The “program mode” is super convenient for those SUPER busy days – just set the cook time and then when it’s up, the slower cooker automatically shifts over to warm.  To avoid overcooking, I really appreciate the “probe mode” – here you stick a metal probe into the thickest part of a roast or other hunk of meat and, once the internal temperature you’ve indicated has been reached, it switches to warm.

Do you like to bring hot meals to holiday parties or pot luck gatherings? Another useful feature of this slow cooker is that it has travel-friendly clips that lock down the lid so you don’t end up with a big batch of chili all over your car. Want to get in on the fall slower cooker craze? I have a great chicken recipe below that can be used in three meal variations and I’m also hosting a giveaway for the Set ‘n Forget® 6 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker with Spoon/Lid (bottom of post).

slow cooker chicken

You get the idea — shred it up and use it in a zillion quick dinner recipes!

Slow Cooker Balsamic Honey Chicken Recipe

  • 5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup chopped sweet onion (like 1015 or Vidalia)
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 ½ cup balsamic vinegar (don’t use your best)
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Sriracha (this can be omitted if you don’t want spicy)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  1.  Place chicken breasts in bottom of 6-quart slow cooker; cut into pieces if needed. Cover chicken with chopped onion
  2. In medium bowl, whisk together broth, vinegar, ketchup, honey, Worcestershire, sriracha, garlic, pepper and salt. Pour over chicken in slow cooker.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 9 – 10 hours or high for 5 – 6 hours.
  4. Transfer chicken breasts out of liquid and place on rimmed baking sheet. Let cool for 10 minutes and then shred with fingers or fork.
  5. Take 4 cups of cooking liquid (discarding any fat) and place in medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for approximately 30 – 40 minutes or until volume reduced in half.
  6. Drizzle approximately ¾ cup sauce over shredded chicken and lightly toss. Reserve remaining in refrigerator for use in other recipes.
  7. To serve, serve between a bun or with one of the three recipes below. Leftovers may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for 3 months. Serves 20.

loaded bbq chicken baked potato

Balsamic Honey Chicken BBQ Baked Potato Recipe

  • 1 lb. cooked, shredded Honey Balsamic Chicken (recipe above)
  • 4 large russet potatoes
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce (may use reserved sauce from chicken recipe)
  • Suggested toppings: pico de gallo, fresh cilantro leaves and queso fresco crumbles
  1.  Bake potatoes in microwave or oven until steaming and fluffy.
  2. Slice each potato lengthwise (without cutting through bottom) and top with ¼ pound warm shredded chicken.
  3. Drizzle with bbq sauce and favorite toppings.Serves 4.

fig salad with chicken

Balsamic Honey Chicken with Fig & Snap Pea Salad Recipe 

  • 1 lb. cooked, shredded Honey Balsamic Chicken (recipe above)
  • 6 ounces baby spring mix lettuce
  • ½ pound figs, quartered
  • 4 ounces sugar snap peas, halved lengthwise
  • 2 ounces blue cheese crumbles

For dressing:

  •  1/4 cup reserved cooked down sauce from chicken recipe (or any BBQ sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon apple juice
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  1. Divide lettuce among 4 plates and top each portion with ¼ pound shredded chicken.
  2. Add figs and sugar snaps; sprinkle with blue cheese
  3. In small bowl, whisk together sauce, juice, vinegar, oil, parsley and black pepper. Drizzle over salads. Serves 4.

honey balsamic chicken pineapple pepper stir fry

Balsamic Honey Chicken Pineapple Pepper Stir Fry Recipe

You just get the photo today – recipe coming next week so check back!

To enter the giveaway for a Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget® 6 Qt. Programmable Slow Cooker with Spoon/Lid, just follow the rafflecopter instructions below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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#MyAdventure with Artichokes & the Art of Yoga

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Okay, random enough for you – artichokes and yoga?!  Well, actually the pair makes perfect sense to me since discovering new ways to cook favorite foods and pushing myself into challenging and sometimes even uncomfortable situations (literally) are two of the ways I satisfy my adventure-seeking soul.

travel dress lightweight wool

I was very excited, yet a bit skeptical, when Icebreaker.com invited me to try out their New Zealand Merino wool fitness, outdoor and travel clothing for my next adventure. My first thought was wool in August – now that will definitely be a memorable experience! However, this company makes clothing in all weights that perform beautifully in the extremes of weather – cold and hot!  The clothing I ordered didn’t itch like traditional wool, didn’t leave me feeling sticky and clammy like synthetics and was never soggy or stinky like cotton can be.

The Villa Plume Dress (above) is my new favorite dress – which is a huge testament to its awesomeness because I love LOVE dresses and have a closet full to compete! What I appreciate about this 200-lightweight wool dress is that it feels as comfy as wearing my favorite nightgown around town, but is super stylish and dressy enough for business meetings or just heading to the market to shop for – ARTICHOKES! Plus, for summer trips – I just tossed it in my luggage and it came out totally wrinkle-free!

lightweight wool underwear for travel

So, on a trip to Mount Vernon this summer, I packed along some other Icebreaker gear – the Siren Hipkini Underwear. Sorry, you’re not going to get to see me modeling these panties (ha) but trust me – the underwear are under there! While I was traipsing through George Washington’s lower gardens looking at the bounty of fruit and vegetable crops (including one of his favorite — the artichoke!), I thought I was going to melt – it was pushing 100 degrees and the Potomac River humidity was only adding to the sweatfest. Thank goodness for my lightweight wool undies – they wicked moisture right away and were quick to dry. Too bad Martha and her ladies in waiting didn’t have these itty-bitty green bloomers!

merion wool running socks icebreakersI also was able to try out the Women’s Multi-Sport Ultra-Light Micro Socks as I ran around the Mall in Washington, DC – lightweight for summer sports, non-chaffing toe seams and cute colors! I’ll be stocking up on more of these for my upcoming race season!

 

artichoke plant mt vernon

At artichoke growing in the garden at Mt. Vernon.

 

When I got home from #MyAdventure, I really had a hankering for those artichokes I saw growing in George’s garden. I’ve always purchased artichokes already prepared and marinated from my local gourmet store — Central Market has some delish ones on the deli bar.  I’ve seen recipes for grilling artichokes and steaming artichokes the way my mom did back when I was a kid (I remember my parents dipping artichoke leaves into garlic butter as a special appetizer), but I was always a bit intimidated by these big thorny thistles.

Then, I had a light bulb moment – why not make them in a slow cooker? The low, slow cooking method would surely yield a tender treat – and I was right! Plus, I loved the convenience of just popping them in the slow cooker and then leaving to run errands for a few hours rather than standing around in the kitchen waiting for them to steam for 45-ish minutes. Also, instead of a decadent butter dip – I added a drizzle of Caesar dressing and a few Parmesan cheese sprinkles to keep things healthy. It’s a recipe I created for Litehouse Foods; check it out for the rest of the story and more mouthwatering photos!

caesar slow cooker artichokes

Caesar Slow Cooker Artichokes Recipe

  • 3 medium artichokes
  • 3 lemons (divided)
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup white wine or cooking wine
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2/3 cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup garlic croutons crushed into crumbs
  • 4 – 6 ounces Caesar salad dressing (I used Organic Caesar from Litehouse)
  1. Prepare artichokes by first washing under water and shaking dry. Next, cut off stems and remove small lower leaves with paring knife. With larger knife, cut ½” off the top of artichokes to remove the prickly spines. Use kitchen shears to snip off remaining spines on lower leaves. Cut one lemon in half and rub on exposed areas of artichoke to prevent oxidization.
  2. Pour broth, wine, garlic and bay leaf into bottom of 4 quart slow cooker. Place artichokes, bottom side down into slow cooker. Cut second lemon into slices and place a slice on top of each artichoke. Add remaining slices of that lemon to the broth mixture.  Put lid on slow cooker and cook on high for approximately 3 hours, or until softened and leaves pull off easily.
  3. Transfer artichokes from liquid to serving platter. While still hot, gently squeeze to pull apart leaves and stuff with bits of Parmesan cheese and crouton crumbs. Sprinkle remaining cheese and crumbs on tops of artichokes. Drizzle artichokes with Caesar Dressing and serve with third lemon that has been cut up into wedges.

The rest of #MyAdventure focuses on the “art of yoga” or in my case — it’s often “the agony of yoga.” I used to be a very flexible person but that bendiness got left behind a long time ago. However, I’ve been trying to build a few minutes into each day to practice some yoga moves to reclaim my flexibility – I hope the focus on a greater range of mobility will keep me from getting injured in my running and workouts as I get older.  The fitness wear from Icebreaker was perfect for my little yoga session — check out the cool and comfortable Dart Shorts and Sprite Racerback Tank from Icebreaker. These items were ultra-light weight (150 gauge wool) and super soft — almost like wearing nothing!

icebreaker merino wool shorts and tank for yoga

If you haven’t tried working out in wool, you definitely should! Head over to Icebreaker, they are having a great end-of-the-season sale and have free shipping on orders over $99 and have a “love it or send it back” policy with free return shipping. I will definitely be trying out their cold weather gear come ski season – I am always the one that is too cold and I’m not going to let that happen this winter!

Icebreaker provided me with product in return for my review, but did not tell me what to say or how to say it – all opinions are my own!

Have you ever worked out in lightweight wool?

Do you have a favorite artichoke recipe, please share!

A Romantic Slow Cooker Recipe (Yes, Really!) – Orange & Sugar Snap Beef

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Crock Pot Sugar Snap & Orange Beef

I have the perfect dish for you to whip up for your sweetie for Valentine’s Day – my recipe for Slow-Cooker Orange and Sugar Snap Pea Beef! It’s a little sweet, a little spicy and very healthy for your honey. Ladies, they say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and, by the way my husband gobbled this healthy dinner, I’d say this Asian-inspired dinner was a winner. And, men, if you’re looking for a way to impress that someone special, I just want you to know that women think it’s super sexy when guys self-initiate cooking and cleaning up in the kitchen – this crockpot recipe is insanely easy to make and has virtually no clean-up.

February isn’t just about “hearts” in a romantic way; speaking cardiovascularly, it’s also National Heart Month!  I like to use the month of February to “check-in” with my health and show love to my heart with healthy changes in diet and exercise – and renew any of my New Year’s resolutions that have started to slip away! Little changes in the foods you consume, like increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables on your plate and reducing salty, sugary snacks, can add up to big benefits in terms of your overall health. Eating lean protein is important, too! A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers from Penn State University found that people who participated in the Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) study, consuming about 3 to 5 ounces of lean beef daily as part of a heart-healthy diet, experienced a 10 percent decline in LDL “bad” cholesterol.

Asian Orange Beef in Slow Cooker

My recipe for Slow-Cooker Orange and Sugar Snap Pea Beef is the perfect way to put your lean protein plan into motion – plus you get some fruits and veggies to boot! Who knows, you may even reduce your bad cholesterol if you follow the protocols of the BOLD study – I’m happy to share lots of healthy beef recipes with you including Sirloin Cobb Kebabs and Spice Crusted Tenderloin Steaks.  Just search the word “beef” in my recipe collection to find more!

SLow Cooker Ingredients

Slow-Cooker Orange and Sugar Snap Pea Beef Recipe 

  • 2 lb. beef chuck shoulder steak – trimmed and sliced into 2” strips
  • 1/2 cup Litehouse Food’s Tangy Orange Dressing & Marinade *
  • 2 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. Sriracha Chile Pepper Sauce (found on Asian food aisle)
  • 1 Tbsp. Litehouse Food’s Instantly Fresh Ginger
  • 1 Tbsp, Litehouse Food’s Instantly Fresh Garlic
  • 1 large onion cut very coarsely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1 6-oz can mandarin oranges that have been drained (or may use fresh)
  • 1 (8-oz) package sugar snap peas
  1. Add beef, dressing, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, Sriracha and onion to 3-qt or larger slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours until beef is tender.
  2. Turn to high. Remove ½ cup of liquid and stir in cornstarch until dissolved. Stir this mixture back into slow cooker. Add sugar snap peas and oranges; cover and cook on high 10 minutes until peas are crisp-tender.
  3. Serve over brown rice with sauce from slow cooker.

*If you can’t find the dressing in your market, you can order it online at LitehouseFoods.com or substitute ½ cup fresh orange juice