Calling All "Crock Pots"!

Recently I've had quite a few requests for crock pot recipes. Therefore this blog is dedicated to all those people out there who own a crock pot and would like to put it to use! 

When I was growing up, we would enjoy crock pot meals a couple of times a week. My mother worked part time and on the nights when she wouldn't get in until 5:15, we'd have a delicious, warming crock pot meal (they were always my favorite).

It wasn't until I met my husband that I realized not everyone owned a crock pot.  He once came over while we were dating in our teens and saw the crock pot sitting on the counter. He asked what is was and I remember looking at him with a blank stare. A few seconds later I realized he was serious ... so I told him it was a crock pot.

"Well what does it do?" he asked. I explained how it cooks a meal for you while you are away. I explained how great this kitchen appliance was as it supplied a warm meal for a busy family. When I told him this he thought it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard! 

You see my husband is 100 percent Italian and crock pots and Italians are an oxymoron. The Italian culture is all about taking the time to make a beautiful meal ... and in his family that is the way things were done.  When I would go to his house for dinner I would be in awe at the meals that were prepared by my now mother-in-law. She would put so much time and passion into making these delcious feasts!  I was in HEAVEN eating at their house!

So, back to the story of my husband thinking this "crock pot" was a joke. We'd always laugh with each other when he'd tell me that I was to never own one when we got married! When we got back from our honeymoon, however, we opened the front door to our new home and on the table was a present and card. We opened the card and it was from my mother. We then opened the present and it was my mother's 1970s crock pot!! We both nearly wet our pants laughing on the floor as we knew my mother did this as a joke to my husband. Although it was a joke, I have been using this crock pot for 4 and a half years now and love ever meal that is prepared in there (and so does my husband)! He now talks about how great it is to have everything all cooked and ready to go and no dishes to worry about after dinner!

If you've read my blogs you know that cooking is my passion. If I had all the time and money in the world, I'd make the most amazing meals on a daily basis as cooking really is theraputic to me. But the reality is I have 2 children under 3 and one on the way. Life is busy ... and I LOVE MY CROCK POT!

Here are two recipes I think you'll enjoy:

*If you have any requests for recipes please let me know and I'll try to help!

Manestra

So...this recipe comes from a wonderful friend of mine.  Her husband is Greek and this is a recipe that has been passed down through his family. She shared it with me and I'm so thankful she did as it's delicious. It reminds me of risotto but without all the stirring!

Ingredients (serves 8-12, definitely enough for leftovers for a family of 4-5)

3 large yellow onions, diced

6 large garlic cloves, minced

6 short ribs (get ones with a lot of meat on them)

2 (32 oz.) cartons of low sodium beef broth (I use Stop and Shop's Nature's Promise)

2 (16 oz.) boxes of orzo (you'll only use 1.5 boxes)

salt and pepper

olive oil

parmesan cheese (a block is best)

Directions

1. Sautee onions in olive oil, about 1/4 cup maybe or a tad more if needed

2. Add garlic when onions are almost translucent. Saute a minute or two more so not to burn garlic.

3. Season with salt and pepper and give a good stir. Add mixture to bottom of crock pot.

4. Place the short ribs on top of onion mixture. 

5. Add 1.5 cartons of broth (be sure broth covers ribs). Turn crock pot on low and cook for 6-7 hours or until meat is ready to fall off bone.

6. Take short ribs out 1 at a time. Use a cutting board to cut short ribs into pieces (making sure to discard large bone and fat). I cut mine into bite size pieces. Or you could shred the meat.

7. Add the meat back to the crock pot along with the 1/2 carton of beef broth and 1.5 boxes of orzo.  Add a little salt and pepper too. Stir and cover.

8. Turn crock pot on high and cook until orzo is cooked perfectly (don't undercook or overcook).  It usually takes about 30 min - 1 hr. I check it a few times and stir it up well.

9.  Dish out into bowls and shave a good helping of parmesan cheese over the top. 

10. Sit back and enjoy this rich, filling and authentic meal!

Chicken Cacciatore

I got a request for an Italian crock pot dish....so here it is!

Ingredients

3 chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

salt and pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 green peppers, chopped

1/2 lbs white mushrooms cut into fourths

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup white wine

1 (14.5 oz.) can whole tomatoes, chopped. Discard liquid

1/2 tsp oregano

1 (14.5 oz.) can tomato sauce

2 cans tomato paste

1 lb. favorite pasta

Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Add the vegetables, garlic and oregano to the crock pot. Add the olive oil and mix well.

2. Salt and pepper the chicken and add on top of the vegetables.

3. Add the wine, tomatoes, sauce and paste. Mix all ingredients well. 

4. Turn crock pot on low and cook for 7 hours.

5. Cook pasta right before you serve this. When serving, mix pasta with desired amount of "Chicken Cacciatore" and enjoy with parmesan cheese.

* If you need to thicken this dish a little to your liking, add more tomato paste. Or you could always add a little heavy cream to make it a creamy.