Search Results for: blog crockpot mashed potatoes

Crockpot Mac & Cheese II

You can make comfort food, such as macaroni and cheese on a hot summer day. Just use your crockpot instead of your oven. This macaroni and cheese dish can be paired with a salad to make a full meal, or used as a side dish. It will freeze well, too. Just make sure to reheat it and eat it within three to six months for optimal flavor. If you have a food sealer, you can keep it even longer. This variation on the original crockpot macaroni and cheese sneaks in some extra lycopene for good eye health through the addition … Continue reading →

Comfort Food: Crockpot Mac & Cheese

It seems that we have run out of turkey leftovers. I had wondered how on earth this could be possible, given the fact that we cooked a 21 pound bird and only had to feed five adults and five picky kids. Then I realized the answer: our relatives carted away most of the leftovers. Sigh. Well, I am glad that they are going to enjoy them, but as a result, I actually have to cook dinner tonight. Mourning the loss of all of that turkey and mashed potatoes, I thought comfort food would be in order, and the more simple, … Continue reading →

Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

If you want an extra creamy version of mashed potatoes that is easy to fix, you might want to consider this recipe. Rich and hearty, this mashed potatoes recipe yields a dish that is decadent like a rich savory dish instead of fluffy. For a long time, this was the only mashed potato recipe I prepared during the holidays, because it was requested so often, and it was easily portable. Make sure to stir the edges of your pot at least once, to avoid browning. You can prepare these mashed potatoes in advance, but you’ll get best results when you … Continue reading →

How to Buy a Crockpot

Crockpots (slow cookers) are a favorite tool in a frugal home. Why? Crockpots allow you to put dinner together in the morning or even the night before and have it waiting for you when you are ready. This reduces the chance that you will either purchase expensive pre-frozen or pre-packaged meals for busy nights, or go out to eat. Some studies have shown that crockpots use less energy than does an oven or range, saving you money. Because of the cooking method, crockpots allow you to use less expensive cuts of meat, rendering them tender. There has been a surge … Continue reading →

Crockpot Chicken-A-Roni

Here is a nice warm meal that really puts your crockpot to work. I use it because, while my husband loves those “roni” type prepared food packages, I could do without all of the extra sodium, the extra preservatives (some with MSG) and the extra price attached to those things. By creating my own version in the crockpot, I can preserve the creaminess, taste and texture he loves about the “ronis,” while still keeping it healthy. And truth be told, preparing it all in the crockpot just couldn’t be easier. For this meal, I did a side dish of buttered … Continue reading →

Creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

Why put your mashed potatoes to cook in the crockpot? Because the additional ingredients will meld with your potatoes, giving you amazing flavor. I tend to serve this dish at family gatherings because I can leave the crockpot and guest can help themselves to warm, amazing mashed potatoes. In my opinion, there is nothing worse than cold mashed potatoes, except maybe cold gravy. And the crockpot tend to get food throughly hot, so even with the crocpot turned off, the mashed potatoes will stay steaming for a long time. Although this recipe makes a lot of potatoes, I find that … Continue reading →

Cooking for a Family in Need

This week we are faced with the desire to do some cooking for a family in need. I did a quick meal plan for a few meals plus snacks and quick items. When I added it all up and included disposable packaging, the total cost was more than $125, which is higher than our weekly grocery bill. That would be a blow to our budget, so I made a few changes to allow us to provide hearty, nutritious meals that could be prepared and delivered the same day. I got up very early this morning and got to work putting … Continue reading →

Slow Cooker Basics Part 2

If you want yummy, perfectly cooked slow cooker or crockpot recipes that cost pennies per serving, then keep reading. With a little knowledge, your slow cooker meals will help you reduce your food bill while keeping your family happy. This post is part two of Slow Cooker Basics. If you missed the first post, you can find it here: Slow Cooker Basics. Now, let us add to your knowledge about how to make delicious slow cooker or crockpot meals. Some Food Cooks Faster than Others Vegetables usually take longer to cook than meat does. Don’t worry, you can still cook … Continue reading →

The Easy Way to Cook from Scratch

Cooking from scratch is a great way to reduce your overall food bill. Eating out can cost three or four times as much as cooking at home, on average. Faced with the reality of the savings, why don’t we all cook more and eat out less? Well, one of the main reasons is that the idea of cooking every meal at home when our lives are so busy can seem daunting. Guess what, though? Eating at home can actually be less time consuming than going out in many cases. Plus, if you follow the following advice, you will see that … Continue reading →

How to Save Money on Holiday Pies

I was pricing pies the other day and was shocked to see that a smallish pie costs about $15-16 here. When you consider that you will probably need several pies for Thanksgiving, or the other holidays, (especially since they are smallish), you realize that the pies alone could seriously danger your budget. Of course, one way to save is to make your own pies, or have your guests bring some pies to the gathering. I know, however, that some people can be intimidated by making their own pies and don’t want to ask guests to bring anything (or don’t have … Continue reading →