NO TIME TO COOK?



 

GOT A CROCKPOT?

If you ask me, the world is far too busy a place! Amid the hustle and bustle of everyday life, people are spending less and less time in the kitchen. Today, nutritious and delicious home cooked meals often give way to the greasy or just plain fattening fast food that has flooded America's markets. This is not good! Good cooking takes time and if you absolutely don't have the time, then there's the beloved crockpot! It's been around a long time and it's a great tool for keeping the kitchen cool during the hot summer months. To tell you the truth, I don't know a soul that doesn't have one. Mine is used at least once a week during the 100+ degree temperatures we experience in Texas. Our air conditioner works overtime so there's no way I want to heat the kitchen unless I absolutely have to. During the winter months, cooking in a crockpot is great for cooking hearty stews and soups to warm the stomach, heart and soul.

If you don't own a crockpot, you can go to crockpot.com and buy one from the Rival Company (like the one at the top of the page) or go to proctor-silex.com and purchase one there. If you own one, then dig it out, dust it off and clean it up. Stuff it with sweet potatoes and a few other ingredients and you'll have a delicious and nutritious meal that cooked while you were busy accomplishing other things. Further, I'll bet you didn't know that some of your favorite recipes can be cooked right in the crockpot. Below is a simple conversion chart.  

TIME GUIDE FOR CROCKPOTS*

If recipe states

Cook on Low:

Cook on High:

15 to 30 minutes

4 to 6 hours

1-1/2 to 2 hours

35 to 45 minutes

6 to 10 hours

3 to 4 hours

50 minutes to
3 hours

8 to 18 hours

4 to 5 hours

*Please check your crockpot owner's manual first. The above cooking times are only general guidelines.

CROCKPOT BAKED SWEET POTATOES

Did you know that sweet potatoes can be baked in a crockpot? Simply wash several sweet potatoes, drain but don't dry them (you will need some moisture) and place in the crockpot. Cover and cook on low heat for 4 to 6 hours, depending on the size of the sweet potatoes. That's all there is to it.

Here is my absolutely favorite beef stew recipe (for either stove-top cooking or crockpot) that will have your family or friends ooing and ahhing over the spactacular flavor. I serve this recipe for special occasions and it never fails to get rave reviews. Below are  some crockpot recipes as well. Enjoy!

MY FAVORITE BEEF STEW
(From the Kitchen of The Sweet Potato Cafe)
   
2 lbs. beef stew meat, chopped 1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup parsley 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons salt 1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon pepper 2 medium zucchini, sliced 1" thick
1 (16 oz.) can whole tomatoes, 3 small sweet potatoes, peeled
  with juice (reserve juice)   & cut in 1" chunks
1/2 (4.5 oz.) can green chiles 2 ears corn, cut into 1" pieces
  

Brown stew meat in stew pot, half at a time in hot oil. Return meat to pot and add 3 cups water, parsley, salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Purée tomatoes and juice, chiles, onion, 1/2 cup water, garlic, bouillon granules and cumin in a blender or food processor. Add to beef mixture with remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until vegetables are done. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Makes 6 servings. Enjoy!
  
Sweet Potato & Pineapple Pudding
Cran-Apple Pork & Sweet Potatoes
Crockpot Cream of Sweet Potato Soup
Beef Stew With Sweet Potatoes
Lentil Vegetable Stew (Vegetarian)
Pork & Sweet Potato Stew
Betty's Crockpot Sweet-Potatoes
Curried Crockpot Dhal With Sweet Potato
Slow-Cooked Sweet Potato Casserole
Sweet Potatoes With Apples