Matt and I woke up this morning glad we had a more relaxing day ahead of us. While I attempted to straighten up our apartment (which looked like a tornado had gone through), Matt got to work on some Sunday morning/afternoon waffles (it was about noon when we ate them). Using our favorite waffle mix, Hodgson Mill Instabake, Matt created some delicious waffles (they may have had mini chocolate chips in them too).
I enjoyed my first two waffles with some Stonyfield Farm Fat Free French Vanilla yogurt mixed with 1/2 a banana (really trying to reduce my banana consumption)
I also ate two more waffles with a little bit of buttah – no need for syrup – the chocolate chips are sweet enough!
On the side, 1/2 a Bartlett pear
After lunch, I did 5 loads of laundry and went to the grocery store. I also got dinner in the slow cooker!
I bought this cookbook about a year ago yet have not made anything from it yet.
I had been itching to try the Mac and Cheese recipe and today was the day.
In the slow cooker went evaporated skim milk, skim milk, lots of cheese and 8 oz of whole wheat elbow macaroni. After cooking for 3 hours, dinner was ready.
To add some veggies to this meal, I steamed some broccoli and cooked some spaghetti squash. I mixed the veggies with my mac and cheese – I am definitely a food mixer.
Not the prettiest of meals….
Or unfortunately one of the tastiest.
The spaghetti squash and broccoli were great but the mac and cheese was kinda bland. I used a combination of sharp cheddar and swiss cheese which I thought would be great – but sadly did not lend a very strong cheese flavor. The pasta was also more dry and less ooey gooey cheesy like I thought it would. I do want to try this again – but perhaps add some mustard or garlic powder to the slow cooker.
For dessert, two cookies
September 27, 2009: Use Slow Cooker once a week
According to this website: Slow-cookers use substantially less energy than a conventional electric oven.
Makes sense – your dish is surrounded by the heating element. Less energy is used to heat your big oven.
I have 3 slow cooker cookbooks – a great challenge to try some new recipes.
What is your favorite slow cooker recipe?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Wish I had a slow cooker here at school–then I could make my favorite Pumpkin Pie Steel Cut Oats! (the recipe is on my blog, if you’re interested!)
I need to check out that recipe – I love Pumpkin and Oats!
We just purchased a slow cooker! I made mac and cheese in mine, but used less milk and can of Campbells Healthy Choice 98% Fat Free Cheese and Broccoli soup. It helped add to the cheesiness.
Hi Melissa – that is a great idea – I may try that….
I have several crockpot recipes I make religiously and adore. Some are probably not the healthiest, but maybe you could re-create them to make them healthier!
http://kellycooks.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/best-beef-stew-ever/
http://kellycooks.wordpress.com/2009/08/29/crockpot-smothered-chicken/
http://kellycooksandotheramazingfeats.blogspot.com/2009/03/cafe-rio-pork.html
http://kellycooksandotheramazingfeats.blogspot.com/2009/03/crockpot-ranch-pork-chops.html
http://kellycooksandotheramazingfeats.blogspot.com/2008/10/meatball-subs.html
http://kellycooksandotheramazingfeats.blogspot.com/2008/10/crockpot-french-dip-sandwiches.html
http://kellycooksandotheramazingfeats.blogspot.com/2008/08/pulled-pork-revisited.html
http://kellycooksandotheramazingfeats.blogspot.com/2008/07/roast-beef-blintzes.html
I also sometimes make my chicken noodle soup in the crockpot. I let the chicken, broth, and veggies cook slowly, and then about an hour-hour and a half before serving, I add the noodles.
I love the idea of my slow cooker, but struggle to find recipes that can last the entire work day without things ending up in a charred mess.
I’d love any recipes that you’d suggest that can cook for a long day!
Me too! I will be on the lookout though!
The best purchase I ever got was a slow cooker with an auto-timer. When the time is up it automatically goes down to “warm” so my food never overcooks! (Sorry I’m a bit late to the crock pot party – catching up on the blog!)
Hi Becky – I also have a slow cooker with the auto -timer. I love it too and need to use it more!