kid favourite

Top 10 Slow Cooker Recipes

 

I'm having a love affair with my slow cooker.  Now that the cooler weather is upon us, I've moved it from the basement shelf to a permanent spot on my counter!

 

The truth is that I didn't open this wedding gift until we had been married 11 years (unbelieveable, huh?). I really didn't know what I was missing! I started to see recipes all over the internet last fall and I had to jump on this retro cooking bandwagon. I finally took it out of the box and never looked back! While the look of my slow cooker could use an update, I sure do love what I can create for my family!

 

Reasons I Love the Slow Cooker:

1. It can cook all day while I work!

2. It is a healthy and simple alternative on those crazy days when you rush to your kid's programs and head for the drive thru.

3. My husband thinks I slaved over the stove...but I really went for a manicure while dinner was cooking!

4.  It is one pot to clean!

5. My kids love to help with the prep work- it is easy and safe for them.

6. There are incredible recipes on Pinterest and spice packages in the grocery store to add to your own imagination!

 

Hearty Beef Chili

slow cooker chili

 

Mexican Chicken

 

Classic Pot Roast

 

Southwest Steak and Potato Stew

 

hearty steak and potato stew

 

Easy Entertaining Meatballs

 

Lemon Herb Drumsticks

slow cooker chicken

Hot Apple Punch

 

Vegetarian Indian Cauliflower

 

Hamburger Casserole

 

 

Turkey and Stuffing Meal in a pot!

 

slow cooker turkey and stuffing

Posted by momstown team on 10/26/2012 - 13:27
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Homemade Granola

Sometimes we're drawn to make a homemade version of an old favourite for a variety of reasons. Our momstown Oakville mama started to make her own homemade granola because her child is allergic to nuts and also to manage costs (why is granola so expensive??).

 

Here's Kelly's recipe for her version of granola - perfect with Greek yogurt for breakfast or sprinkled on fruit for dessert or even tasty on its own!

 

What you need to make your own Homemade Granola:granola rose

2 cups large rolled oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 and 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
3 tbsp canola oil
1/4 apple juice
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped

What you do:

Preheat oven to 300F, line a baking sheet with foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray.

Combine all except the last two ingredients, stirring well to combine.

Spread mixture on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes, tossing once to prevent burning.

Remove from oven and let cool to room temperature. Add the raisins and cranberries and stir. Store in an air tight container.

I have used dried apricots, dates and dried strawberries before and they all tasted delicious too! If you did want to add nuts to this recipe, add 1/2 cup of whichever nut you like and mix it in the the bulk of the ingredients so they toast up in the oven.

As mentioned, I love this granola with greek yogurt but my kids love it with milk. Also makes a great snack when you are out and about, tastes great all on its own!

Kelly adapted this recipe from Rose Reisman's Family Favourites cookbook.  I usually double this recipe as it's very popular in my house and doesn't last long.  You can freeze the granola for up to 2 months.

 

Photo credit

Posted by momstown mama on 07/11/2012 - 20:58
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Cooking with kids: Simple Smoothie

The recipe was very simple – perfect for cooking with kids in our momstown Junior Chef program!

 

smoothie cooking with kids


1 cup of frozen or fresh fruit
1 cup vanilla or flavoured yogurt
1 cup of mango peach juice (or any kind of juice, orange would be great)
1 cup of ice.
Blend and serve to the kis with a straw.

 

smoothie blending


While making the smoothies there are all kinds of teaching opportunities that present themselves to you. momstown Milton talked about measurements and how to use a measuring cup. Identifying each type of berry that you are mixing into the drink. Observing the mixture change colours as it is being blended and figuring out why it turned orange and not purple like the one the other kids made!

 

kids drinking smoothies

Posted by momstown mama on 09/27/2011 - 22:38
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Cooking with kids: Apple Boats

It's apple season - here's a fun thing to do with all those extra apples in your kitchen! Make a fun apple snack with your kids that's a little different than usual.

momstown Oakville loves their monthly Junior Chef program and they "sailed away" with this snack idea.


momstown started out with some arts and crafts as each child created a sail for their egg boats. They cut out the triangle shapes, and glued them together with a toothpick in the centre.

kids boats
Hardboiled Egg Boats
Easiest “recipe” ever – hardboil some eggs, let cool. Allow the kids to help remove the shells and give them a ‘child-safe’ knife to cut each egg vertically down the centre. Lay the egg halves on a plate, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and poke their toothpick sails into the egg “boat”.

 

apple boats


Apple Boats
Wash and dry an apple. Cut the apple into 6 wedges (remove core). Each wedge is the base of the boat ready to be decorated with raisins. Slice cheddar cheese into small triangles and use toothpick to attach the cheese sail to the apple boat.


Who wouldn’t want to go sailing after this snacktime?

Posted by momstown mama on 09/27/2011 - 21:54
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How to make a Pirate's Lunch!

Looking for something different to do with the kids at lunch time? Try to set a Pirate’s lunch up – but be prepared for some mess!

pirate lunchbox
How to do a Pirate’s Lunch:
1.    Have your little pirates pretend to be on their ship.  Sail around for a little while looking for land.


2.    While they are busy on their ship, make a big batch of spaghetti and sauce.  Have it ready to go.  Set aside to keep it warm.


3.    In a box, set aside some odd kitchen utensils that are child safe – a whisk, measuring cups, spatula, wooden spoon etc.  Put in a box.


4.    Wait! While the pirates are sailing, a storm rolls in causing the boat to rock and OH NO! Shipwreck!


5.    Once all your pirates have recovered from the ship wreck and realize they are stranded on the island, it’s probably a good idea to eat.


6.    Realizing that the shipwreck has lost most of your cooking supplies and utensils, your pirates will have to eat with what can be found.  Discover the box of kitchen utensils.


7.    Without looking inside the box, each pirate has to pick their utensil to eat with.  


8.    Have your pirates sit down to their spaghetti and see the fun as they try to eat with the odd utensils.  Be creative with their drink cups too!


After a full lunch, your pirates should clean up and try to get off that island!!
Have fun, matey!

Posted by Momsense Rebecca on 09/07/2011 - 20:05
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