Re: Good Basic Crock Pot Recipes needed.

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

@Melzie wrote:
@rockygems123 wrote:
@SouthernBee

As @AuntMame suggested I really like Fix it and Forget it, found 2 different versions on Amazon.

I'm a cookbook junkie and my "go to" for books is Thrift Books, a subsidiary of Amazon. Great used books of all kinds at great prices (that vary with quality), free shipping if you spend $15, and deals to earn free books. Also, if there is ever an issue with your order they will fix it. One time I ordered 3 cook books and they sent me 3 novels. They told me to keep the novels, which I donated to the library, and they sent me the correct books at no charge. Another time I got a book with missing pages and they told me to keep it and they replaced it at no charge. My favorite place to buy books and have been buying from them for years.

Didn't know that Thriftbooks is now a subsidiary of Amazon.

They are a good source for cookbooks. Ebay in general is a wonderful source for buying vintage cookbooks.

Good to hear you've had good experiences with Thriftbooks.

I once bought a John Grisham novel or something similar from them. They sent me this humongous economics textbook instead. They wouldn't send me my novel until they had received the return of the economics textbook. It was honking heavy and a huge hassle to ship as I don't drive. After they received it they told me they had shipped the novel to someone else--probably the person who had purchased the economics textbook--and I was out of luck.

Ainhisg · ‎03-09-2010

@SouthernBee I haven't read all the responses, so forgive me if this has been mentioned. I know you are watching your pennies. Do you have a library card for your local library? If not, consider getting one. My library has a huge selection of cookbooks including slow cooker cookbooks, and they add new cookbooks (new releases) all the time. For example, Dolly Parton and her sister have a new cookbook out (not slow cooker--this is just an example in general), so I checked it out. No way would I have ever bought it after seeing it in person. lol In fact, I can honestly say that I haven't bought a cookbook in years after getting them from the library. If I find a recipe I want to try, many times, it's online somewhere (or something similar). Getting cookbooks from the library would save you a ton of money.

Librarys have websites where you can see if they have a book you're wanting, and you put them on hold. When they become available, they send you an email or text. Many libraries have volunteers that will deliver books to people who cannot get to the library easily. Libraries also use apps like Libby or others where you can download books for free. I've looked at a lot of cookbooks (older ones) this way, too.

Using your library would save you money and solve transportation problems. If you do find a cookbook you would like to purchase, then that would be great! Oh...and I've checked out some of those Fix-It and Forget-It cookbooks, and as a very experienced cook/baker, I saw MANY recipes with errors in ingredient amounts, methods, or timing. I don't trust them at all--just m2c.

AuntMame · ‎10-16-2010

@Ainhisg wrote:
@SouthernBee I haven't read all the responses, so forgive me if this has been mentioned. I know you are watching your pennies. Do you have a library card for your local library? If not, consider getting one. My library has a huge selection of cookbooks including slow cooker cookbooks, and they add new cookbooks (new releases) all the time. For example, Dolly Parton and her sister have a new cookbook out (not slow cooker--this is just an example in general), so I checked it out. No way would I have ever bought it after seeing it in person. lol In fact, I can honestly say that I haven't bought a cookbook in years after getting them from the library. If I find a recipe I want to try, many times, it's online somewhere (or something similar). Getting cookbooks from the library would save you a ton of money.

Librarys have websites where you can see if they have a book you're wanting, and you put them on hold. When they become available, they send you an email or text. Many libraries have volunteers that will deliver books to people who cannot get to the library easily. Libraries also use apps like Libby or others where you can download books for free. I've looked at a lot of cookbooks (older ones) this way, too.

Using your library would save you money and solve transportation problems. If you do find a cookbook you would like to purchase, then that would be great! Oh...and I've checked out some of those Fix-It and Forget-It cookbooks, and as a very experienced cook/baker, I saw MANY recipes with errors in ingredient amounts, methods, or timing. I don't trust them at all--just m2c.

Excellent advice!

I've also borrowed many cookbooks from the library.

I agree about the Fix-It and Forget-It books. None of those recipes are tested. Some are good, though, and many are good springboards for figuring out how to cook things you love. The recipes in the slow-cooker book are pretty simple however and (so far, knock on wood) I've never had one that went completely astray.

Shihtzursqmom · ‎06-02-2023

@SouthernB I’ve went through several crockpots throughout the years having worked and needed food ready to eat after work and school for my busy sports playing family
My kids are grown , I have grandchildren and a great granddaughter , I still work and use my crockpot several days a week to come home to a hot meal prepared or mostly prepared
I think a crockpot would work great for you

I cook everything in the crockpot, I just usually Brown most of the meats before adding to the crockpot ( personal preference) but no need )
like others mentioned I’ve made dried beans or even collard greens in the crockpot
I make vegetable soup , Brunswick stew , beef stew , gumbo in the crockpot ,
On busy days I’ve prepped the vegetables the night before and quickly added to the crockpot the next morning along with a meat , set the crockpot then left for work

Here’s a couple of quick to prepare crockpot “ recipes “ for you
I’m from the Deep South lol as a lot of our recipes call for I use a lot of condensed soups / condiments for quick easy dishes but you could make your own soup
I have made homemade cream soups but I was usually in a hurry and trying to feed my family home cooked meals instead of fast foods

Easy pork chop or chicken “ bake “

There’s no specific amounts listed you can make as much as you’d like
Spray the inside of the crockpot well with cooking spray
( or use the liners )
Layer , sliced potatoes, diced or thinly sliced onion on top , ( I have added baby carrots )
Place layer of pork chops , boneless or bone in or boneless chicken ( as stated above I always brown the meat but it’s not necessary , personal preference) seasoned as desired
On top of the vegetables
Finish with a 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup , ( or cream of chicken if using chicken) mixed with a pkg ranch dressing
My husband is a picky eater he doesn’t like the ranch dressing so I don’t use it

I’ve cooked chicken with cream of chicken and a can of cream of celery mixed together pour over the chicken to serve over rice or mashed potatoes or rice
I have prepared a stuffing mix to layer on the top of the chicken/ soup mixture and have an almost complete meal

I’ve made several different Mexican dishes by spraying the crockpot with cooking spray, adding boneless chicken breast and topping with taco seasoning and salsa , cooking on low
It’s an easy start to tacos , enchiladas filling, to serve over rice and beans

As someone else said upthread I’ve made bbq chicken, bbq pork and bbq beef in the crockpot

Also I do a LOT of cooking in our countertop oven
As RedTop said the packet meals are soooo easy
I’ve actually Made those in the crockpot also
I used to let our children prepare their own packets as desired
We’d take a large square of foil , layer sliced potatoes, carrots and onions, then place a hamburger patty , boneless chicken breast, or boneless pork chop on top
Season as desired, for hamburger we use steak sauce on top
, or spoon soups on top for chicken or pork chops
Fold up tightly bake for an hour or so until done

I hope some of these simple ideas can help you since you can’t stand long periods of time
I don’t of course know your situation but could your drs not help to get meals on wheels ?
I know someone whose husband had dementia their Dr suggested meals on wheels because the wife was so overwhelmed , he’s since passed but wife continues to get the meals on wheels I think she said someone in the drs office helped her get it started
Take care

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Sooner @Zhills @Ainhisg @AuntMame @Shihtzursqmom : Hope that I have included everyone. I appreciate you taking time to respond with wonderful ideas and recipes. I doing screenshots to keep and put everything in a note book.

I am really struggling with my bad back but DH doing more to help me in the kitchen and especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We have already ordered our turkey and ham and only needes to be heated. We have ordered from our favorite restaurant our side dishes . They will be made and packaged for the freezer.

Thanks again and enjoy your weekend.❤

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@RedTop : I forgot about the foil packet meals. I made them a lot when I was single.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@SouthernBee I need to mention that we also do boneless skinless chicken and pork tenderloins in the crock pot with some tomato juice or V8 low sodium or even a can of diced tomatoes around it or a little moisture.

But in the long run, rotisserie chickens is what we do now. Take the meat off and make broth from the bones. We freeze the meat and make soup from the bones (which are easier to discard after broth making). Cheapest and easiest thing to eat for us!

SouthernBee · ‎09-16-2010

@Sooner : Thank you. Great ideas. I am looking at my favorite recipes and thinking what could make them easier and cook something to eat and extra to freeze for another meal.

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@SouthernBee wrote:
@Sooner : Thank you. Great ideas. I am looking at my favorite recipes and thinking what could make them easier and cook something to eat and extra to freeze for another meal.

@SouthernBee We are at this too! We make more of everything. We always cook more ground turkey or beef and freeze the extras, always buy at least 2 rotisserie chickens and freeze the meat, and every weekend we have "garbage" soup to clean out the fridge!