Slow Cooker Recipes To Love

Honey Garlic Chicken

With the New Year behind us, it seems every where I look around the internet, everyone is making resolutions, setting goals and looking for a way to improve their lives in 2014. I'm not big on resolutions, but I have set a few manageable goals for this year. Some are personal. And some are more family oriented. Under both categories I have the word "simplify."

I want to simplify my life, my family time and my home. That means acquiring new skills in home making and the kitchen. I have owned a slower cooker (aka crock pot) for a few years now and periodically pull it out. But I am amazed at how many food bloggers practically live out of their crock pots...or at least constantly feed their families out of them.

I decided increasing my practice and use of slow cookers definitely supported my "simplify" goal in many ways: reduce meal preparation time in the evenings, reduce stress over what's for dinner, and increase adoration from the family at my mad cooking skills. I found tons of slow cooker resources, blogs and free recipes online to get me started. And I am sharing two of my best finds with you here.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

The Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken from Repeat Crafter Me, and featured at Old Fashioned Living, is my new favorite by far. It's simple, delicious and goes with just about any veggie or rice dish I can think of. Very versatile.

My other find is the Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos from Love From The Oven. This will be my go-to crock pot recipe and here's why: It's easy to prepare, my family LOVES tacos and the recipe is so versatile. I can easily substitute shredded beef or pulled pork in for the chicken and get the same delicious result! Plus, I can pair this with tortillas, pita bread, lettuce wraps, served over rice or pasta, or even rolled up enchilada style.

So that wraps up my New Year's goal to simplify and my new favorite slow cooker recipes (free by the way). What are your goals for 2014? I'd love to hear from you in the comments!

Visit Alicia's Recipes to find more simple family-friendly recipes and ideas.

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More Slow Cooker Ideas

And A Little Fun! Have you tried any new slow cooker or "crock pot" recipes in your kitchen lately? Slow cookers are a great tool to make cooking for a family quick and easy. For busy people on the go, or professionals who get home late, crock pots make preparing a nutritious savory meal simple and smart.

I've added a few little treats to go with the fun slow cooker recipes for this week's blog post. Homemade buttermilk rolls go nicely with many crock pot beef or chicken recipes. And coconut cream pie is always a good idea!

Crock Pot Cafe Rio Chicken

Buttermilk Rolls

Crock Pot Chicken Italiano

Coconut Cream Pie

Crock Pot Tomato Spinach Soup

Join the slow cooker fun and try some of our delicious and easy crock pot recipes. Visit Alicia's Recipes for even more free crock pot recipes or connect with us on Facebook for kitchen inspiration and community!

A Bit O' Green For St. Patty's!

St. Patrick's Day Brownies

With St. Patrick's Day around the corner, we thought a little green food was in order!  This fun and simple St. Patrick's Day Brownies recipe is a nice way to celebrate.  We all have a little Irish inside!

Pico de Gallo

Not exactly a traditional Irish garnishment, our Pico De Gallo recipe is packed with green goodness and taste-bud teasers.  The little people won't mind your Mexican topper adding a little sparkle to your meal!

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

And for those of you short on time but long on tradition, try our Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup recipe.  The prep time is minimal and the green result will warm and fill your family.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Enjoy! We love feedback and photos, so if you try one of our recipes, send us a picture and your recipe review and we'll feature both!

Crock Pot Tacos

Today's recipe is...

Crock Pot Tacos

3 lbs. of either beef or pork (shoulder cut or loin)
1 lg. Onion
2 cans either Mexican or Cajun stewed tomatoes
1 (optional) can of chopped green chilies
2 pkgs. Tortillas
1 pkg. grated cheese
1 can olives
1/2 head of chopped lettuce
1 chopped tomato
1 chopped avocado

Brown meat and place in a crockpot or a heavy kettle. Combine the next 3 ingredients. Cook for 6-9 hours on low in the crockpot or 2-3 hours on low in heavy kettle. When meat is completely cooked, shred it with a fork. Serve other ingredients salad bar style. Make their own tacos.

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Butterflied Chops And Potatoes

Today's recipe is...

Butterflied Chops And Potatoes

6 or more medium red potatoes, thickly sliced
1 large onion, quartered and thickly sliced
4 to 6 boneless, butterflied pork chops
1 packet Zesty Italian dressing mix (0.6oz)
salt and pepper to taste

Toss potatoes and onion with salt and pepper; top with pork chops. Sprinkle chops with dressing mix. Cover and cook on low 7 to 9 hours. (a 4 1/2-quart or larger pot will be necessary for the larger number of chops & potatoes.)
Serves 4 to 6.

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Rosemary Chicken

Today's recipe is...

Rosemary Chicken

1 (5-pound) roasting chicken, rinsed and fat removed

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 stalks celery with leaves, cut into pieces

2 small onions, sliced

1 whole garlic head, cloves peeled

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Remove and discard giblets and neck from the chicken. Rinse and pat dry. Trim excess fat. Place rosemary, celery, 1/4 of onion, and 6 garlic cloves in the cavity of the chicken; tie legs together with string. Place chicken, breast side up, in the crock pot. Add remaining onion and garlic. Drizzle lemon juice over chicken; sprinkle with the salt, pepper and paprika. Cover; cook on low for 8 hours.

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Crock Pot Black Forest Pot Roast

Today's recipe for Black Forest Pot Roast makes a delicious meal that cooks all day. Come home and dinner is served!

Crock Pot Black Forest Pot Roast

3.5 pound boneless chuck or round bone roast
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup water
4 dried shitake mushrooms, stems removed, crumbled and rinsed
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup dry red wine
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water

Trim away all fat from the meat. Place in the slow cooker. In small bowl, combine onion, water, mushrooms, ketchup, wine, mustard, Worcestershire, salt, pepper and garlic.

Pour mixture over meat. Cover and cook on LOW for about 8 hours. Remove meat and slice. Keep warm. Turn control to HIGH. Dissolve cornstarch in water, stir into cooker. Cover and cook on High 15 to 20 minutes or until thickened. Serve sauce with meat.

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