Slow Cooker Recipes

Ohio, Kentucky Report E. Coli Outbreaks Related to Spinach

2006-09-15T13:33:00.000-04:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio and Kentucky were added to the list of states wtih E. coli breakouts related to tainted bags of fresh spinich, bringing the nation's total 10 states reporting illnesses. One fatality has been reported so far.

Seven people who ate bagged spinach have E. coli, Ohio health officials.

Testing found infections in six people in central Ohio and one person in a southwest county, and all of them said in interviews that they had eaten packaged spinach, said Bret Atkins, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health.

Ohio is the ninth state to report cases of E. coli, linked by Food and Drug Administration officials to bagged spinach. One death occurred in Wisconsin.

No deaths have been reported in Ohio. One person infected in Franklin County, which includes Columbus, has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, in which the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail, Atkins said.

It was unclear how many those infected had been hospitalized. Their ages range from 15 to 46.

Federal health officials have been advising consumers to throw away all fresh bagged spinach because it may be tainted.

"We need to strive to do even better so even one life is not lost," said Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, FDA's acting commissioner.

The FDA warned people not to eat bagged spinach and said washing it wouldn't solve the problem because the bacteria is too tightly attached.

"If you wash it, it is not going to get rid of it," said Robert Brackett, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Nutrition.

The original outbreak was reported Thursday in eight states. Ohio became the ninth Friday, with health officials reporting seven cases there.

Bananas Foster

2006-06-15T14:46:00.000-04:00

Ingredients:

4 ripe bananas, peeled, sliced lengthwise
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup brandy or dark rum
1/2 cup banana liqueur

Directions:

In a large deep skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg, stirring constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon until sugar is melted. Add bananas and spoon the warm sugar mixture over them. Heat until bananas are warmed through and covered with syrup but not mushy.

Combine the banana liqueur with either the brandy or dark rum in a cup.

For safety, REMOVE THE SKILLET FROM THE BURNER BEFORE ADDING THE LIQUOR MIXTURE!

Hold the skillet away from you and add the liquor mixture to the skillet. If the contents of the skillet, especially the butter, is hot enough it will being to flame. If not, start the flaming process with a long kitchen match or something similar. The flaming will continue until all the alcohol is gone. Best served over vanilla ice cream.

Cooking Tip #2: How to melt cheese

2006-04-29T08:39:00.000-04:00

Bring cheese to room temperature before melting. Melt cheese over a low heat to help prevent toughening and separation of oils and liquid.

Cooking Tip #1: Should I buy this piece of beef?

2006-04-21T21:01:00.000-04:00

Make sure the package is cold and has no holes or tears. Excessive liquid in a package may indicate improper storage or beef that is past its optimum shelf life. Look for beef that is firm to the touch. Choose beef that has a nice cherry-red color, without any grayish or brown blotches. The exception is vacuum-packaged beef, which, due to a lack of oxygen, has a darker purplish-red color. When the beef is exposed to the air again, it will turn to a bright red.

Quick and Easy Goulash

2006-04-20T14:30:00.000-04:00

Ingredients:

1 bag of dry egg noodles
1 pound of ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (optional)
1 can of corn half drained or 2 cups of fresh corn
1 can of kidney beans or 1 can of october beans
1 can of condensed tomato soup
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon of oregano
1 small garlic clover, chopped
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook egg noodles according to package directions. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over, garlic and onion over medium heat. Drain grease. Remove from heat and add tomato soup, ketchup, salt, pepper and oregano. Mix well. Drain egg noodles. Combine meat mixture and egg noodles along with the corn and beans. Fold mixture together.

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Sloppy Joe Casserole

2006-04-19T08:20:00.000-04:00

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef or hamburger
1 box of elbow macaroni (about 4 cups)
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup fresh mushrooms, chopped (or 1 can of mushrooms drained and chopped)
1 cup of barbecue sauce
1 cup of ketchup
1/4 cup of steak sauce
1 tablespoon of cumin
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Garlic to taste
Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Directions:

Cook the macaroni in a large sauce pan according to package instructions. Drain can set aside. In a large skillet brown and drain the ground beef or hamburger. Add the peppers and mushrooms to the hamburger and cook over medium heat until the pepper begin to become tender. In a bowl, combine barbecue sauce, ketchup, steak sauce, salt, pepper, garlic and cumin. Mix well. Add mixture to skillet and continue cooking over medium low heat for about 5-8 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove the hamburger mixture from the heat and stir in the macaroni. Fold it all together. Lightly spray a casserole dish with non stick cooking spray. Pour the hamburger and macaroni mixture into the casserole dish. Top with shredded cheese. Cover the dish with foil but leave it loose. Place in a 400 degree over for about 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until cheese is nice an brown, about 5 minutes.

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Emergency Cooking Substitutions

2006-04-13T14:58:00.000-04:00

Dairy Products

Ingredient	Emergency Substitution
Buttermilk, 1 cup	1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon plus enough milk to make 1 cup. Let mixture stand for 5 minutes before using.
Sour Cream, 1 cup	1 cup plain yogurt
Half-and-Half, 1 cup	7/8 cup milk plus 3 tablespoons butter
Yogurt (plain), 1 cup	1 cup sour cream or buttermilk
Eggs, 2 large	3 small eggs
Whole Milk, 1 cup	1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water
Asiago	Parmesan cheese
Ricotta	Cottage cheese
Light Cream, 1 cup	2 tablespoons butter, plus 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons milk
Cottage cheese - pureed, 1 cup	1 cup Sour Cream
Mayonnaise (for salad dressings), 1 cup	1/2 cup plain yogurt and 1/2 cup mayonnaise -OR- 1 cup sour cream -OR- 1 cup cottage cheese, pureed

Baking Products

Ingredient	Emergency Substitution
Active Dry Yeast, 1 package	2 1/2 teaspoons dry or 1/3 cake yeast, crumbled
Baking powder, 1 teaspoon	1/4 teaspoon baking soda plus 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Cake flour, 1 cup	1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon	2 tablespoons all-purpose flour - Simmer about 3 minutes AFTER it has thickened
Flour, 1 tablespoon (for thickening)	1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
Honey, 1 cup	1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup liquid
Self Rising Flour (1 cup)	1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder plus 1/2 teaspoons salt
Semisweet Chocolate, 1 ounce	1 ounce unsweetened chocolate plus 1 tablespoon sugar
Semisweet Chocolate chips, 1/2 cup	3 ounces semisweet chocolate
Unsweetened Chocolate, 1 ounce	3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa plus 1 tablespoon margarine
Powdered Sugar, 1 cup	1 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch processed in food processor
Tapioca, 1 tablespoon	1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Cream of Tartar, 1 teaspoon	3 teaspoons of lemon juice -OR- 3 teaspoons of vinegar
Gelatin, 1 sheet	one 1/4 ounce envelope unflavored powdered gelatin
Maple Syrup, 1 tablespoon	2 teaspoons of maple sugar -AND- 1 teaspoon of water
Baking Soda	There is NO substitute for baking soda
Butter, 1 cup	1 cup margarine -OR- 1 cup vegetable shortening (for baking only)
Flour - Cake, 1 cup	1 cup minus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour - sifted
Shortening, 1 cup	1 cup softened butter OR 1 cup margarine minus 1/2 teaspoon salt from the recipe.
Marshmallows, Mini, 1 cup	8 to 10 regular marshmallows

Seasoning Products

Ingredient	Emergency Substitution
Lemon Peel (Zest), 1 teaspoon	1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
Mustard, dry, 1 teaspoon	1 tablespoon prepared mustard
Fresh Herbs, 1 tablespoon	1 teaspoon dried herbs
Garlic, 1 clove	1/8 teaspoon garlic powder or minced dried garlic
Fresh Gingerroot, 1 tablespoon	1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
Vanilla Bean, 1 inch	1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Allspice, 1 teaspoon ground	1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Apple Pie Spice, 1 teaspoon	1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg plus 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
Pumpkin Pie Spice	1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger plus 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice plus 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Fish sauce	Worcestershire sauce or light soy sauce with salt
Saffron , 1/8 teaspoon	1/2 teaspoon turmeric
Asian Basil	equal amount any fresh basil variety
Tomato Sauce, 2 cups	3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water
Tomato Juice, 1 cup	1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water
Onion, 1 small	1 teaspoon onion powder or 1 tablespoon minced dried onion, rehydrated
Chili Sauce, 1 cup	1 cup tomato sauce, 1/8 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons vinegar (White or Apple), 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, dash of allspice and a dash of fresh ground cloves
Worcestershire Sauce	Bottled Steak Sauce
Spearmint, Dried, 1 tablespoon	1/4 cup fresh chopped mint

Liquids

Ingredient	Emergency Substitution
Lemon, 1 medium (fresh juice)	2 to 3 tablespoons bottled lemon juice
Orange, 1 medium (fresh juice)	1/4 to 1/3 cup orange juice
Amaretto, 2 tablespoons	1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Sherry, 2 tablespoons	1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Marsala, 1/4 cup	1/4 cup dry wine plus 1 teaspoon brandy
White Wine	Bottled White Grape Juice or Apple Juice
Red wine, 1/4 cup	1 tablespoon balsamic or red wine vinegar
Tomato Juice, 1 cup	1/2 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup water
Maple Syrup, 1 tablespoon	2 teaspoons of maple sugar -AND- 1 teaspoon of water
Red Wine - Sweet	Bottled Grape Juice or Cranberry Juice
Worcestershire Sauce, 1 tablespoon	1 tablespoon bottled steak sauc

A ready to eat breasfast

2006-04-09T00:32:00.000-04:00

Ingredients:

32 oz frozen hash browns
1 lb cooked ham cubed
1 onion diced
1 green pepper diced
1 1/2 c shredded cheese (you can mix several types)
12 eggs
1 c skim milk
1 t salt
1 t black pepper

Directions:

Divide potatoes, ham, veggies and cheese so you can create several layers of each in the slow cooker. Start with the hash browns, then ham, onions peppers and last cheese. Repeat until you have several layers. Beat eggs, milk salt & pepper pour over layers in the slow cooker cover and turn on low. Cook for 10-12 hours overnight.

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German-Style Beef Stew

2006-03-27T17:46:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 pound round roast or steak, trimmed and cut in 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 can diced tomatoes, (14.5 oz) undrained
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced carrots
2 medium potatoes, cut into chunks
1/4 cup sherry
1/4 cup dark molasses
1 cup beef broth, bouillon, or water

Directions:

Place beef in slow cooker (Crock Pot). In a small bowl combine flour, celery salt, garlic powder, ground ginger, and pepper; sprinkle over beef. In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, sherry, molasses, and water; pour over beef. Cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours.

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Beef Quesadillas

2006-03-22T08:37:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 lbs ground beef
1 teaspoon Salt
2 tablespoons Chili powder
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Garlic powder or 2 cloves
1 diced Bell pepper
1 diced medium Onion (optional)
2-3 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (or whatever type you like)
salsa
sour cream
1 package of soft flour tortillas

Directions:

In a skillet, brown the ground beef and drain the grease. Add the salt, cumin and garlic and mix well. Add the bell pepper and onion, cook over low heat until they are crispy. Don't over cook them until they are soft. Remove from heat and add about three to four heaping tablespoons of salsa and mix well. Set mix to the side.

In a skillet, add enough oil to cover the bottom and place over medium heat. Place one tortilla into the oil. Add a nice handful of cheese on top of the tortilla. Add about two to three tablespoons of the beef mixture and top with another handful of cheese. Place other tortilla on top and cook for about three minutes. Flip the quesadilla over and cook for about another three minutes. Remove and cut into wedges. Best served with salsa, sour cream and guacamole on the side.

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Breakfast casserole

2006-02-24T09:48:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

5-7 eggs, beaten
2-3 potatoes, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 pound of sausage
1 cup of mushrooms, diced
6-8 slices of bread
1/4 ketchup
Garlic (optional)
Bacon bits
Cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese
Oregano

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Boil potatoes but don't boil them until they are soft. They should still be a little crunchy because they will finish cooking in the oven. Cook sausage and break it into very small chucks. Remove sausage from heat and add the bell pepper and mushrooms, stir. In a large bowl, wisk together eggs, garlic, parmesan cheese, ketchup, oregano and a hand full of bacon bits. Grease a medium casserole dish. Tear bread (all but two slices) into small chucks and cover the bottom of the dish. Lightly cover the bread with cheese. Add sausage mixture and spread evenly. Tear and place the rest of the bread on top. Pour egg mixture evenly over everything. Add as much cheese to the top as you want. Sprinkle some bacon bits on top if you like. Cover dish loosely with foil and place in the oven for about 30 minutes. Do not seal the foil around the dish. After about 30 minutes, remove foil and continue cooking for about 10 minutes.

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Beef & Beer Stew

2006-02-23T10:33:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean beef stew meat, cut in 1-inch cubes
1 clove of garlic, minced
3 carrots, cut in 1-inch slices
2 ribs celery, cut in 1/2-inch slices
3 medium potatoes, cut in 1-inch cubes
1 can of beer
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/3 cup flour

Directions:

Place all ingredients, except butter and flour in the Crock Pot; mix well. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Mix melted butter with flour; add to the stew. Taste and adjust seasonings. Turn to high and cook until thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes.

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Southwestern Black Bean Soup

2006-01-11T12:09:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 pound dried black beans -- rinsed
6 cups beef broth or bouillon
1 large onion -- chopped
2 jalapeno peppers -- seeded, chopped
1 garlic clove -- crushed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground oregano
1 teaspoon ground thyme
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
2 (1 lb EACH) ham hocks
1/3 cup dairy sour cream or plain yogurt
1 large tomato -- chopped

Directions:

In slow-cooker, combine dried beans, broth or bouillon, onions,
jalapeno peppers, garlic, cumin, oregano, thyme, cloves and ham hocks. Cover
and cook on LOW 9-10 hours or until beans are tender. Remove ham hocks;
cool. Shred lean meat; discard skin, bones and fat. Return shredded
lean ham to pot and reheat on HIGH if necessary. Spoon mixture into
individual bowls. Top each with sour cream.

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Taco Soup

2006-01-05T10:52:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef, browned and drained
2 packages taco seasoning mix
1 16oz can tomatoes with green chilis, undrained
1 16oz can black beans, undrained
1 16oz can corn, undrained
1 can black olives, chopped or sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
4 tomatillos (optional), chopped

Instructions:

Place everything in a large crockpot, add water, if necessary, to fill.
Cook on Low for 5 or more hours until flavors are blended. Top each
bowl with a handful of shredded cheddar cheese. Serve with sour cream,
taco chips and salsa on the side.

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Potato Soup

2006-01-03T10:04:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

4-5 Large potatoes, cubed
2-3 Large carrots, chopped
1-2 Celery stock, chopped
2 cups of milk
2 Tablespoon flour
Salt
Pepper
Garlic, fresh chopped or powder, optional
Bacon bits, optional
Water

Directions:

Place potatoes, carrots and celery in crock pot. Add enough water to cover the ingredients about half way. Combine flour and milk. Add flour to milk slowly while whisking to avoid lumps. Add salt and pepper to mixture to taste. Add mixture to crock pot. Add garlic to taste. Add bacon bits if desired. Cook on high for about 4 hours or until potatoes and carrot are fork tender.

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Farmer's Pork Chops

2005-12-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

4 pork chops
1 clove garlic, chopped
Salt & Pepper to Taste
4 medium potatoes, sliced
2 onions, sliced
1-1/2 cup Sour Cream
1-1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions:

Trim excess fat from chops and roll in flour. Brown chops and garlic in
hot fat. Season. Layer in crock pot potatoes, browned chops,and onions.
Blend sour cream, salt, and mustard. Pour over top. Cook on Low 4 - 6
hours.

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Beef Stew

2005-12-29T09:43:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 ½ pounds stew beef
1-2 cups carrots, chopped
3-4 large potatoes, cut into equal small chunks
1 large onion cut into wedges
1 cup of beef broth
1 clove of garlic minced
1 tablespoon flour
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon of worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon steaksaucee
1 tablespoon ketchup

Directions:

Cut stew beef into bite size pieces, dredge in four with salt and pepper. In a skillet, sear meat for about 2 minutes over high heat. Meat should just begin to turn brown. DO NOT OVER COOK. Place meat into crock-pot. Wisk flour into beef broth. In a large bowl combine beef broth mixture, garlic, onion, carrots, potatoes, steaksaucee, ketchup and worcestershire sauce. Gently fold mixture together. Pour mixture over beef. Add bay leaf. Add water until meat is covered. Cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for about 10 hours. Stir occasionally.

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Stuffed Peppers

2005-12-28T09:14:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

6 large Green or Yellow Bell Peppers
1 pound Ground Beef, extra lean
1 cup Rice -- uncooked
1 large Onion -- chopped
1 large Carrot -- shredded
1 teaspoon Beef Bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1 can Condensed Tomato Soup
1 can Water

Directions:

Cut the top off and remove seeds from green peppers. Wash and set aside. Combine ground beef, uncooked rice, onion, carrot, bouillon, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Any other seasonings that you like may also be used: oregano, parsley, garlic powder, etc. Stuff each pepper about 2/3 full (rice will need room to swell up). Stand the peppers side-by-side in the slow cooker. In a small mixing bowl, combine tomato soup and water, and pour mixture over the peppers. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

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Beef and Noodles

2005-12-27T10:47:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

1 pound lean stew meat
1 can Mushroom soup
1 cups water
1 cup beef broth
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup flour
Fresh garlic or garlic powder to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Worcestershire sauce to taste

Directions:

Place stew meat in crockpot. In a mixing bowl combine soup, 1 cup of water, garlic, salt, pepper, and vinegar. Pour over meat and stir. Cook on high for 3-5 hours. Add flour to 1 cup of beef broth and blend with a whisk. Add to crockpot and stir. Continue cooking on low for about an hour or until it begins to thicken. Add one package of egg noodles and water if necessary. Adding fresh mushrooms at this time is optional. Continue cooking on low until noodles become soft, about 15 minutes.

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