Dust off the slow cooker 

It’s obvious I love to cook as I suspect most of you do too. But there are times in everyone’s life that coming home having to cook a meal isn’t always in the cards. When that’s the case don’t immediately assume you need to plan on stopping at another fast food joint or order another pizza. Most of us own a slow cooker.

It’s either high up on a shelf in the pantry out of immediate view or buried deep under a cabinet. Well dig it out, dust it off and follow some of the recipes below. You could have dinner waiting on you when you walk in the door. A wellbalanced and healthy variety of meals could be ready for you for the entire week, prepared by a personal chef such as myself. My friendly services are available, you know. But if not, remember that slow cooking doesn’t always have to be another un-browned roast beef, pale chicken or beef stew. There are tons of dishes that can be made in a slow cooker all the way down to dessert.

– Chef John Strand

Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu

(Serves 6)

Ingredients

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 can of condensed milk 3 chicken bouillon cubes, crushed

1 tablespoon of cornstarch

1 cup milk 6 pieces of sliced ham

6 pieces of sliced Swiss cheese

8 ounces of Italian breadcrumbs

3 ounces of grated parmesan cheese

1/4 cup butter, melted Salt Pepper

Directions Mix together the condensed milk, bouillon, cornstarch and milk in a small bowl until crushed bouillon cubes dissolve. Pour enough of the milk mixture into the slow cooker to cover the bottom. Season the chicken with salt and pepper then layer the breasts over the sauce. Cover with slices of ham and then Swiss cheese. Pour the remaining milk mixture over the layers, stirring a little to distribute between layers. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top of chicken then the grated cheese and drizzle butter over the top. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or 2 to 3 hours on high.

Slow Cooker Garlic lemon and mint red Potatoes

(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients

2 pounds of new potatoes

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

6 cloves garlic halved

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons of butter

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, divided

Directions Place the potatoes and oil into the slow cooker and stir gently to coat. Sprinkle with oregano then add the garlic, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4 hours. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, butter and 2 tablespoons of the mint. Stir until the butter is completely melted. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes so that the flavors can fully blend. Sprinkle with remaining mint.

Slow-Cooked Balsamic Carrots

(Serves 4-6)

Ingredients

1 pound of baby carrots

1 red onion, diced

3 cloves crushed garlic

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions Combine all ingredients and place in a slow cooker. Turn on low and cook for 3-4 hours.

Slow Cooker apple Crisp

(Serves 6)

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 pinch salt

1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup white sugar, or to taste

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

6 cups apples – peeled, cored and chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions Mix flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, 1/2 cup of white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a bowl. Combine butter with the flour mixture using fingers or a fork until coarse crumbs form. Stir in walnuts and set aside. Whisk together 1/3 cup sugar, cornstarch, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Place the apples in a slow cooker, stir in the cornstarch mixture; toss with lemon juice. Sprinkle the walnut crumb topping on top. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours, until apples are tender. Partially uncover the slow cooker to allow the topping to harden, about 1 hour.

Shopping List

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast
Sliced ham
2 pounds new potatoes
6-8 granny smith apples
Lemon juice
Lemon zest
1 bunch fresh mint leaves
1 pound baby carrots
1 red onion
9 cloves garlic
Parmesan cheese
Butter
Milk
Sliced Swiss cheese
1 can condensed milk
Chicken bouillon cubes
Cornstarch
Italian bread crumbs
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Chopped walnuts
Brown sugar
All-purpose flour
Oatmeal
White sugar
Ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg
Ground ginger
Dried oregano
Salt
Pepper