I LOVE MY CROCKPOT!!! Do you love yours?

Im in love with my Crockpot.

Okay, that does sound alittle funny but its true. I call all my electronic devices that help me out my servant girls. My washer, dryer, dishwasher, bread maker and my crockpot! Sometimes I think my crockpot is a gift from Heaven! After a long hard day, your feet are aching, your body hurts, and maybe you have a headache from all the bustle of the day and you come home, walk in the door to the smell of a roast cooking or a soup simmering. Ahhhhhhhh The aroma comes at you and your body starts to relax because you know that dinner is more than 3/4 the way done and its one less thing to think about. Time to switch to relaxation mode, put on your fuzzy slippers, your warm cozy robe, grab a glass of wine, and get ready to spend more time with your family.

I wanted to share with you 5 recipes that are tried and true. I want you to be able to love your crockpot as much as I love mine.

My daddys garlic bread is awesome and compliments any of these recipes. His recipe is near the bottom of this page.

1st recipe:

Italian Sausage and Vegetable stew

(my twins ask for this all the time)

1 lb. Italian sausage (cut into pieces)

1 package (16oz) frozen vegetables of onions, green, red, yellow bell peppers (I use the stirfry vegs. from Costco)

1 can dice Italian style tomatoes undrained (Again I use the Italian stewed tomatoes from Costco)

2 medium zucchini sliced

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Tbsp Italian-style tomato paste

I usually double/triple this recipe.

Cook sausage till browned, drain

Combine sausage, frozen veggies, tomatoes, zucchini, and garlic to slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 4 to 4 1/2 hrs or until zucchini is tender. Stir in tomato paste. Cover and cook 30 min until juices have thickened.

Recipe 2:

Good N Easy Stew

3 lbs stewing beef

1 can condensed cream mushroom or cream of celery soup

1 can sliced mushrooms drained (I normally dont add this)

1/2 cup beef broth

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

I usually double/tripe this recipe

Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Cover and cook on low 10-12 hrs. If you want you can thicken gravy with flour. But I never do. We like it just as it is.

Recipe 3:

Pizza Soup

1 jar (14 oz) of pizza sauce

3 empty jars full of water

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 can diced tomatoes, drained

2 cooked Italian sausage cut into small pieces

1 cup sliced pepperoni sliced in quarters

1/2 T dried Basil

1 T dried oregano

1/2 cup of dried pasta

shredded mozzarella cheese

Add all ingredients (except pasta & cheese) cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours.

30 min before serving add the pasta and turn the crockpot on high.

When serving you can top the soup with mozzarella cheese! Yummy!

Recipe 4:

Beef Barley Soup

2 lbs ground beef, cooked and drained

1 c. celery, chopped

16 oz. can stewed tomatoes , undrained

2 carrots, chopped

1/2 c. barley

2 tsp. garlic powder (I use jarred minced garlic instead)

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 large potatoes, cut into cubes

7 cups water

salt & pepper to taste

Brown meat, drain.

Add all ingredients to crockpot. simmer on Low for 7-9 hrs.

Serve with garlic bread :)

Recipe 5:

Ground beef Stroganoff

2 lbs ground beef

1-2 onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 cup beef bouillon

3 tbsp tomato sauce

1 cup sour cream mixed with 2 tbsp flour (add this mixture 1 hr before serving)

rice or noodles

I usually double this recipe too.

Brown meat, drain.

Put first 7 ingredients into crockpot. Cook on low for 7-9 hours. (3-4 hrs on high)

Stir in sour cream with flour 1 hour before serving. Serve over hot buttered noodles or rice :)

My Daddys Awesome Garlic Bread Recipe:

1 large loaf of french bread.

1/2 -1 stick of butter, (yeap, I said one whole stick) melted alittle to help it spread easier

minced garlic to taste (I use 1-2 tbsp) No vampires here

Grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (man I love this cheese)

Heat oven to 350. Cut loaf of bread long ways in half. Place pieces on cookie sheet. Mix butter and garlic together and spread onto bread. Sprinkle grated cheese on top. Sprinkle loaves with alittle paprika for color. Cook in heated oven for 10-15 min. This garlic bread is to die for. Yummy!

If you have any question regarding these recipes please dont hesitate to ask. Its been a long day and Ive already ate my crockpot chicken breast with salas tacos (man they were good) and had a glass of wine. Ahhhh. My brain is now in relaxation mode. Life is good!