Crocktober

last year our late afternoon schedule was a little nutty.

i was gone many afternoons carting kids to/from activities during the time that i would prep dinner and our family would eat dinner.

the crock pot saved dinner time for our family last year.

i could prep dinner in the morning and let it cook/warm in the crock pot all day.

taco meat

chili

soup

baked spaghetti

chicken tetrazzini

spaghetti sauce

etc...

we would come home and have a hot meal ready.

it was perfect.

i have a list of favorite things that would throw in the crock on a rotating basis each week as well that didn't need any prep work.

pork tenderloin - add a 16 oz jar of salsa and 1 1/2 cups brown sugar and have a yummy mexican pork loin or let the tenderloin cook all day with a bit of water and garlic shred it and add a bottle of bbq sauce for bbq pork sandwiches.  i make the entire tenderloin and then freeze the leftovers for a quick easy dinner another evening.

french dip - my all time favorite sandwich.  cook a roast all day with a can of beef broth and a packet of onion soup mix. shred the beef. place beef on a loaf of french bread that has been sliced down the middle. place mozzarella cheese on top of the shredded beef. place the top on the french bread. wrap in aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.  use the reserved liquid for dipping.

our new family favorite: chicken and black bean salsa

this was one of our e-mealz  from last spring

it is easy to prepare and everyone in my family loves it - its a win win!

12.5 oz can chicken, drained {i use chicken breasts i have baked and cut up}

15 oz can of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 c salsa

2 T taco seasoning

1/2 c chicken broth 

15 oz can kernel corn, drained {i use frozen corn}

put all items in the crock pot and cook on low for 2 hours or high for 1 hour.

the recipe called for this to be served over a baked potato.  we have eaten it this way and it is really good.  i also serve it in a tortilla like a burrito and with tortilla chips.

do you have a favorite crock pot recipe?

i am linking up with mel today for crock-tober. i can't wait to add some new recipes to my crock pot rotation.