Crockpot Cooking

So one thing you should know about me is that I absolutely, positively HATE to cook. There is nothing about it that I like. It drives me nuts having to prepare everything, then cook it and then by the time it's done cooking, I'm really not hungry anymore or I'm just too frustrated to eat. And then on top of that I have to clean up the mess that I made in the kitchen while cooking dinner and clean the dishes. Just typing this and thinking about cooking is making me cringe.

Now here's another thing you should know about me. I am obsessed with Pinterest.com Greatest thing ever. So on one of my many searches I began to take notice of crock pot recipes. After a few discussions with my mom and some friends who use a crock pot I became intrigued and even went to buy one. (Of course Macy's was sold out of the one that I wanted) But my mom bought me one for Christmas, and I just so happened to have a bunch of recipes pinned. Super simple, throw all the ingredients into the crock pot, set the timer and basically forget about it until its time to eat. And the cleanup, just the one pot!! PERFECT!! Especially for someone like me. I am absolutely loving it!!

This is the crock pot that I have

Since I've gotten my crock pot I have used it 4x. 2 meals were great success's, which I am going to share with you today. 1 didn't work out (baked potato soup, but I am going to try and find a new recipe), and the last, Zesty Italian Chicken and Pasta was too flavorful for me, but my husband enjoyed it.



The first meal I made was Salsa Chicken.

- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (frozen is fine)
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 6 tortillas

Place the chicken in the bottom of the crock pot. Sprinkle taco seasoning on chicken. In a bowl combine the salsa and soup. Pour over the chicken. Cook on high for 4 hours. Shred the chicken with 2 forks and stir in the sour cream. Serve on tortillas as desired. ( I added cheddar cheese to my tortillas )

This meal was so simple, quick and delicious!!! I will definitely be making it again!



The second meal was Chicken and Dumplings.

- 1lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (frozen is fine)
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 cans (10.5oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (14oz) chicken broth
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 4 large flaky refrigerator biscuits (1/2 a can) (I used Pillsbury)

Place the chicken into the crock pot.Top with butter and cream of chicken soup, chicken broth and onions. Cook on high 4-6 hours or on low for 8 hours. After the chicken has cooked, shred it with 2 forks. Cut each biscuit into small pieces (approx 9 each). Add biscuits, mix and continue to cook 30 mins to an hours longer, or until the biscuits are done. (This took an hour in my crock pot.) 

My husband said this tasted almost as good as Cracker Barrel's Chicken and Dumplings :) It was very, very yummy and was nice to eat on a cold night. Comfort food!!!

So there you go. If you have a crock pot, I deff recommend trying out these recipes. And if you don't have a crock pot, I also deff recommend that you go out and buy one!! Take it from the girl who hates to cook, its the most simple thing in the world and the food makes the house smell great all day. Turn it on and forget about it until its ready. You can even cook things over night and leave the house since once the time is up, the crock pot will turn itself off. Genuis!!! 

Happy Cooking! and keep checking the blog for new crock pot recipes!

Oh, and Happy New Year! Who knows what 2013 will bring. Very possibly some new crock pot recipes and a very happy husband who is now getting home cooked meals when he comes home from work!