Crock Pot Sweet Curry

Given the cheap bulk rump we bought recently here’s another crock pot recipe using beef. However if rump is not cheap in your area you can use blade, skirt steak or gravy beef. Just allow another hour in cooking time. This is one of those recipes that I made up on the spur of the moment. It is so easy because nearly everything goes in at the beginning and that’s it except for the yoghurt which is added in the last half hour. You will notice too it contains light agave nectar. This is a natural sweetener than can be … Continue reading

Rich Beef With Olives in the Crock Pot

Since over that side of the world you’re getting into Fall or Autumn as we Aussies call it, I thought I’d start sharing some of the increasing collection of great crock pot meals I’ve been trying lately. Many are adoptions form Slow Cooker by Sally Wise. I’ve just added my own bits and deices, mainly because I can’t seem to follow a recipe without fiddling and experimenting. Of course, I have also been known to make them up from scratch, but that will be the next recipe. This time here’s a rich beef casserole adapted from that Slow Cooker cook … Continue reading

From Potential Disaster to Triumph

I have so been enjoying my new slow cooker. What an improvement on the last one. Since we were getting it with reward points we went for an up market model and one in which you could brown meat in the same pot before turning it onto slow cook. It is a Morphy Richards stainless steel and looks very sleek, rather like I a flying saucer. It’s been getting a lot of use. Even so things don’t always work out as planned. We were going to a birthday party on Sunday afternoon and I was to take the crock pot … Continue reading

Dairy Free Crock Pot Meal

As it’s getting colder here in Australia now that we’re into winter, the crock pot is going to get a lot more use. This is one that I made the other night which is warming, simple to make and tasty. It is both gluten free and dairy free. HINT The type of meat I use depends largely on what is on special. Sometimes it is just as cheap to buy rump steak or blade, than it is to buy chuck steak or gravy beef. So look for what is on special to get the best buy. Often buying in bulk … Continue reading

One-Pot Cooking- A New Cook Book

If you’ve been reading my blogs and recipes you know I’m a no fuss cook, so when I saw a book titled One-pot Cooking how could I possibly resist? Along with the book came a copy of the March issue of Super Food Ideas magazine, which has been around for over 10 years and has a wide readership. I admit I didn’t even know it existed. But the Mexican Chicken Bake on the cover is enough to make me think it will be good too. As a bonus to Super Foods Ideas One-pot Cooking which tells me it has ‘ … Continue reading

Crock Pot Recipes that are Dairy and Gluten Free

I’m a big fan of lentils, kidney beans, black eyed beans and chick peas. They are a way of adding fiber to the diet without it causing too many complaints. Here are two more crock-pot recipes using these ingenious little fiber balls. I mostly use the tinned ones because it involves less preparation time. But you can use the packet lentils if you prefer. HINT When I use packets of black eyed beans, I cook more black beans that I need for this recipe and put them in the freezer for another time. You can do the same with lentils … Continue reading

Crock-Pot Favorites

I’m back from Hawaii where I was able to gorge on my mom’s homemade meals. Fresh fish, tropical fruits and awesome ethnic favorites made their way into my mouth in large quantities. Now, it’s back to reality: Freezing cold temperatures, brutal wind chills and my overworked crock-pot. My slow cooker works overtime during the winter months, and while I long for my favorite Island-inspired dishes, I must say, my crock-pot delivers some tasty dishes with little help on my part. I love being able to cut up ingredients, stick them into the crock-pot, get on with the day, and return … Continue reading

Dairy Free Main Meals For Crock Pot and Casserole.

Since I’m not a fussy and fiddly type of cook, I’m always on the lookout for healthy and tasty recipes that require little preparation time. Here are two really easy dishes to make, one with beef and one using bacon. One is for the crock pot or slow cooker. The other will go into a casserole dish. These recipes are both gluten free and dairy free. Beef Hot Pot Ingredients 16 ounces chuck steak or gravy beef, cubed 1 onion, diced 1 clove garlic, crushed I green bell pepper 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 15 ounce tin kidney beans 1 … Continue reading

Freezer Cooking Tips

Ready to start some freezer cooking? It can save you quite a bit of money when you take advantage of bulk buying and having meals prepared ahead of time. Here are some basic freezer cooking tips that you can use to get started. Go Easy on the Spices Some spices can change or grow stronger when placed in the freezer. Make sure to season lightly. You can usually add more spices when reheating. Know How to Reheat Some foods, especially dairy, may separate when frozen. This usually isn’t a problem if you keep sauces separate from the other parts of … Continue reading

Vegetable Chili

Chili is one of those foods which is excellent for boosting your metabolism, something which is very handy if you are trying to lose weight. It is also a warming food and good for autumn and winter nights. I made this the other night when the weather, which had been hot here, took a sudden dive in temperature. It was just the thing for a cool night. An added advantage is this dish is filling, plus if you make twice as much as you need then it can easily be reheated for a quick meal. For those on special diets … Continue reading