NEW CASTLE —
Turn up the heat — on the crock pot that is.
What's probably the easiest way to cook dinner?
No, not the microwave.
How about the crock pot?
In my opinion, the crock pot is one of the greatest kitchen appliances ever created.
It can be used to cook almost anything. My mother uses the crock pot to cook meatballs and chili. I use the crock pot to cook pot roast and vegetables and my father uses the crock pot to cook boneless chicken breasts. He mixes in some Italian dressing seasoning as well. Tastes great!
There are many dinners in the frozen food aisle dedicated solely to the crock pot. Banquet's Crock Pot Classics: Chicken and Dumplings is quite delicious and smells terrific while cooking.
First time using a crock pot? Check out this instructional video for preparing a Crock Pot Classics meal at http://voices.yahoo.com/video/banquet-crock-pot-classics-219133.html.
Maybe the coolest website for learning more about crock pot cooking is "Crockin' Girls." Their slogan is "Slow Cookin' Mamas in a Fast-Paced World." How great is that? Visit their site at http://crockingirls.com/.
Be sure to check out the Crockin' Girls' "Recipes" section, which is full of great meal and dessert creations. My personal favorite and the main reason for this post this week is the "Butterscotch Pudding Cake." I never thought of making a cake in a crock pot, but wow, their recipe sounds delicious. The recipe can be found at http://crockingirls.com/recipes/desserts/butterscotch-pudding-cake.html.
The Crockin' Girls also have a cookbook coming out in the near future, so if you like the site (as I definitely do), keep an eye out for it the next time you visit the bookstore.
If you have a great crock pot recipe, I'd love to give it a try. Email me at court959@yahoo.com.
Happy slow cooking!
News Bloggers
Related Photos
-
About Courtney Caughey: Courtney is a photo correspondent and a writing contributor to The News. Her “Food for Thought” blog appears each Wednesday.
Discussion
Courtney Caughey: Slow cooking is the best way to crock ‘n’ roll
- News Bloggers
-
-
Lisa Madras: How much do you know about Memorial Day’s rich tradition?
It's Memorial Day today, so, with my blog running on Mondays, I sort of get the short end of the stick on these holidays. It's cool though. I'm more than happy to take a little hiatus from complaining about my problems to pay homage to the men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedoms, including the right that I have to get on here each week and express my views.
-
Josh Drespling: Feeling entitled? It’s time to ‘man up’
Why is it that we all feel entitled? Every turn of the proverbial corner I encounter another segment of our egotistical population that feel they are deserving of specialized treatment.
-
Gary Church: Stop by and visit my gravesite — I’ll catch up with you later
When I worked at the greenhouse, I would go out of my way to please a customer. Sometimes, they would show their appreciation by bringing in a dozen donuts or a pie or two. One gift I received really caught me off guard.
-
Tim Kolodziej: Create a new habit and you’ll acquire a skill
The bad news: Research shows good habits take about three weeks to develop. The good news: Once you develop a good habit, they are as hard to break as bad habits. The key is, you’ve got to start. Somewhere.
-
Courtney Caughey: To busy for a full meal? Try some grab-and-go foods
We've all been there. Life gets in the way of taking the time to stop and eat. I know I get cranky when I haven't eaten and, if I go too long without nourishment, I can't concentrate. But, what if we really can't take the time to enjoy a full meal?
-
Gary Church: Where’s the clutch? And in a related matter, what’s a blog?
When starting a new job, it is customary to go through a training period. Unfortunately, when I started my first job at Welker’s Greenhouse, they did not practice this custom.
-
Lisa Madras: Believe it or not, there are reasons to smile today
What makes you smile? Some days, you just wake up with a smile on your face. The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, Prince (or Princess) Charming has ventured out of your warm, snuggly nest early to put on some coffee and cook you buttery, heart-shaped pancakes, delivered to your bed with a loving gaze and a single, long-stemmed red rose in a crystal vase.
-
Josh Drespling: Good diet/bad diet?
I've been trying diligently to eat right and make healthier choices in what I eat and put into my body. I'm now the guy at the grocery store who reads every label. You know, the guy with his buggy in the way while you’re trying to get in and get out.
-
Gary Church: I know what you’re thinking, but I didn’t become a great guy overnight — really.
Learning to adapt has played a big role in my 37 years of successful marriage. At night, when my wife takes all of the covers and leaves me with only enough to cover half of my body, I adapt. I keep one half of my body warm for a while, then I roll over and get the other half warm.
-
Tim Kolodziej: Struggling? Remember, even ‘regular china’ can sparkle
Ever wish you were bigger, faster, smarter, prettier ... go ahead, pick an “er.” Any “er.” Chances are, the guy sitting next to you at school or the girl in your office feels the same way. That’s because all of us, in a sense, are “regular china.”
- More News Bloggers Headlines
-
