Can a Chicken Crock Pot Recipe be gourmet? by Lisa Paterson

Find some quick tips to take your crock pot chicken recipe from everyday to gourmet. Can a chicken crockpot recipe really be more than chicken, vegetables and a can of soup?

We often get in the routine of using our crock pot for a couple of regular meals and that is it. But it can be used for heaps of different recipes.

Generally crock pot cooking conjures up images of crock pot chicken soup and slow cooker stew. There is no doubt that these meals are yummy but you can do more.

Neil and I often receive emails asking for a gourmet chicken crockpot recipe. A crock pot recipe that is new and interesting, a recipe that they have not seen before.

And we have heaps of them. Do you know why? It’s not because we are great chefs, because we are not, we are just home cooks like you. But we experiment and regularly adapt conventional recipes.

Yep. We tap into the best chef brains and then just adapt that recipe to suit the slow cooker. And you can do this too. Just remember the basic crock pot principles. Vegetable on the bottom, meat on top and liquid poured over top. It’s that easy.

So keeping in mine these basic rules you can now adapt your favorite oven casserole recipe and conveniently cook it in your crock pot. Now don’t be scared by this idea. It really is that easy and if we can do it, so can you.

First, go and find an oven chicken recipe you would like to try.

Step one is to put the vegetables in the bottom of the crock pot and then the chicken on top. This will ensure that all the ingredients cook in time.

Now to the rest of the recipe.

All you need do is take a look at the ’sauce’ part of the recipe. Generally you will need to reduce the amount of liquid. The recipe will probably have one or a combination of stock, wine or water. Just reduce it so that the veggies are just covered.

Remember to put the lid on, and leave it on.

The good thing is that, if there is too much liquid, it’s not a huge problem.

About half an hour before you want to serve your chicken meal, just mix up a little corn starch with some water and stir it in. Then turn your crock pot on high. By the time you are ready to eat, the casserole will have thickened.

The last step. Due to the long, slow cooking process herbs and spices tend to loose their flavor. So about an hour before serving, take a taste and just add more if required. Congratulations. You have just prepared your first original chicken crock pot recipe. Be sure to send it to Neil and I, so we can put it on our website (www.A-Crock-Cook.com).

Enjoy Cooking!
Lisa “The Crock Cook”

About the Author

Take a look at Lisa’s own delicious crock pot chicken recipes, at http://www.a-crock-cook.com.

An Easy Crock Pot Recipe – Beef Burgundy and Country-Style Ribs andSauerkraut by Diane Watkins

Crockpot meals are convenient on those busy work nights. Its nice to come home to the tantalizing smell of a well cooked meal waiting for you. The challenge is to find those recipes that are not only quick and convenient, but tasty as well. Here I offer two recipes that are tasty and easy – Beef Burgundy and Country-Style Ribs with Sauerkraut.

This is my version of Crockpot Beef Burgundy. It is quick to prepare in the morning, especially if you opt to skip the browning process (I usually do.) You can also cook this, well covered, for 2 hours in a 350 degree oven. The cooking time on the Beef Burgundy is 3-6 hours, but the longer you cook it on low, the more tender it will be. I don’t usually worry about the time, I put it in before I leave for work and eat whenever the wonderful smells are too much for my willpower.

Beef Burgundy in the Crockpot

2 pounds Beef Cubes (round steak, sirloin tip, or roast) 1 can golden mushroom soup 1 package dry onion soup mix 1 cup burgundy wine

1. OPTIONAL, but does add good flavor: Brown the beef cubes in a little oil. 2. Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Stir to combine. Cover with lid. 3. Cook in crockpot for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. 4. Serve over hot noodles or rice.

Country-Style Ribs and Sauerkraut

1 bag sauerkraut ; rinsed, drained 1 onion 1 red-skinned apple 2 – 3 pounds country style pork ribs 1 cup beer

1. Put sauerkraut in bottom of crockpot. Add diced onion and chopped apple. Do not need to peel apple. Stir and even the top. 2. Layer country ribs on top of kraut mixture. Pour beer over all. Cover and cook on LOW from 8 to 10 hours.

This recipe yields 4 to 6 servings.

Do you need more easy crock pot recipe ideas? Sign up for our newsletter at Easy Crock Pot Recipes and get quick and healthy crock pot recipes delivered to your email regularly. Find more quick and easy recipe ideas at Quick and Easy Recipes.

About the Author

Diane has just finished a free cookbook of her favorite southern recipes. Download Easy Southern Favorites today. These recipes are guaranteed to have them begging for more.

Diane Watkins is a traditional southern style cook. She enjoys cooking, teaching, and writing at http://easysoutherncooking.com