Crockpot Recipes

Over 12 years ago, I bought a small Rival 3.5 quart stoneware slow cooker in K-Mart at 1/2 price.  The stoneware is not removable for cleaning, so I always have to do this elaborate cleaning procedure when I'm done because you can't immerse it.  But it's an old friend.  These are crockpot recipes that will be plenty for four or five hungry people.  I'm not big into onion and garlic and usually just used the chopped onion and garlic in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator because I use very little of it, so adjust to your own taste accordingly.

Chili - Beefstew - Meatloaf

Rosemary’s Crockpot Chili 
1.5 pounds extra lean ground beef
2  (15 oz)cans pinto beans
onion and garlic to taste
1 can (15oz) diced tomatoes -save juice
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried oregeno leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Crumble the ground beef into the cooker, add beans, onion and garlic. 

In a medium bowl, stir in tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, water, chili powder, salt, oregano, cumin and pepper until it's blended. 

Stir into meat mixutre.  Scrape down sides of the cooker.

Cover and cook on high for 3.5 to 4 hours or low 7 to 8 hours.

Serve with cornbread.

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Chilly Day Beef Stew
2 pounds stew meat - cut into small 1 inch cubes
1/4 cup flour
1.5 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1.5 cups beef broth
1 teaspon worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon paprika
4 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, diced
onions to taste
1 stalk celery, sliced

Place meat in the crockpot, mix flour, salt and pepper and pour over the meat, stir to coat.  Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix it well.  Cover and cook high 4 to 5 hours, low 10 to 12 hours.  Stir and serve with Turning Leaves Merlot.

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Meatloaf and Potatoes
(this is so incredibly good, I'm starting to drool just typing this!)
2 pounds ground chuck
1/2 cup green pepper chopped
onions to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 cup cracker crumbs
1 egg
1 packet (7/8 oz) brown gravy mix
1 cup milk
6 to 8 small unpeeled potatoes, cut up in small chunks

Mix all ingredients except the potatoes in a large bowl.  Shape into loaf.  Place into crockpot (Use a sling of aluminum foil and put the meat loaf on top of it - easier to get in and out).  Place cut potatoes at the sides of loaf.

Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours.

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