Crockpot Granola and Granola Bars

Crockpot Granola is not only delicious but it is a snap to make!

I have been a granola lover for years!  When cafeteria food was bad in college I survived almost solely on the stuff.  🙂  There is just something about it that I just love.  My favorite kind is plain Oats and Honey so that way I can add in dried fruit whenever I wish.  I realized a couple of years ago that homemade granola was one of those things I needed to add to my list of things that I can make myself in order to save money.  I also love that I can control the ingredients as well.  You can even make this organic for a small fraction of a box from Whole Foods. 🙂 

Homemade CrockPot Granola:

• In a crockpot combine the following:
• about 5 cups of Old Fashioned Oats-if you add a little more/less it won’t make a big difference
• 1 t. Cinnamon
• 1 t. vanilla or almond extract
• 1 c. shredded coconut
• 1/2 c. oil-I really like to use coconut oil
• 1/2 c. honey-you could use any other type of sweetener you desire.  (I have been meaning to try it with maple syrup as I am sure that would be excellent.)
• 1 c. (or more) additions: nuts, chocolate chips,  or any other dried fruit. 
• Anything else you want to add as well!  It’s your granola so make it however you like. 

Cook for about 4.5-5 hours on low with the lid cracked to allow a little of the heat to escape.  (I usually just keep a wooden spoon in mine.)  If your Slow Cooker cooks extremely fast this may only take 4 hours.  It is done when it turns brown.  You do need to stir it from time to time.  The more you stir it the finer the granola will be.  I stir mine about every hour and it is not very clumpy. 

 

My favorite way to enjoy homemade granola is over a bowl of homemade yogurt with fresh fruit.

Homemade Granola Bars from Granola Mix:

Making granola bars from this mix could not be easier!    Simply combine 2 beaten eggs with 2 cups of granola and bake 15-20 minutes at 350.  Allow to cool and cut into bars.  These are very filling and delicious!

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Pork Roast with Apples & Sweet Potatoes

Can such a simple dish really taste so good?

 

This meal tastes great and is so simple to prepare.  I’m sure that your family will enjoy it as well.  I fixed it a couple of weeks ago when a sweet friend flew to visit.  It was great to come home from the airport and find such a tasty meal waiting for us to eat.  It also takes 10-12 hours so it is perfect for days when you are away from home for a long time.  Sometimes it is hard to find recipes that can cook that long without burning.  🙂 

Ingredients:

• 1 pork shoulder roast (fat trimmed)
• Salt, Pepper
• 4 medium sweet potatoes peeled and sliced thinly  
• 2 Granny Smith Apples peeled and cut into 8 parts
• 1 sweet onion (or regular onion) sliced thin
• 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 c. water
• 1/3 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. butter

Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray.  (I always do this!)  Layer onion slices along the bottom of slow cooker.  Next layer sweet potatoes and then apple slices.  Pour apple cider vinegar and water on top.  Place pork roast on top of sweet potatoes and apples.  Sprinkle brown sugar on top of roast.  Cut butter into small sections and place on top of roast and veggies.  Cook on low 10-12 hours.  Remove and place roast on a serving platter.  Arrange vegetables and apples all around roast.  Enjoy! 

What other ways does your family enjoy pork roast?

 

 

Crockpot Beef Enchiladas

Crockpot Beef Enchiladas

I have been making Crockpot Beef Enchiladas since the early days of our marriage and they are still always a hit!  🙂  They also taste great as leftovers.  I often took them with me for lunch and reheated them in the microwave at Southern. 

In a skillet saute 1 pound ground beef (or turkey), 1 chopped onion, and 1/2 green pepper chopped.

Add in 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies, 1/2 cup water, 1 can of kidney beans (or pinto) rinsed and drained, 1 can of black beans rinsed and drained, 1 t. chili powder, 1/2 t. cumin, 1/2 t. salt, dash of black pepper, dash of red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and simmer about 10 minutes.

Spray crockpot with cooking spray so it doesn't stick. 🙂 Layer 1 cup bean and meat mixture, one tortilla, and 1/4 cup cheese-I use cheddar, Colby Jack or a mixture. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used. Cook on low 5-7 hours.

I usually purchase cheap tortillas that don't fit perfectly in my crockpot. I usually trim off a little of the tortilla to make it fit. Then I take all of the extras and use for the final layer. (I usually use a total of 4-5 8' tortillas.)

Split Pea Soup

Quick and easy Split Pea Soup

If you haven’t ever had split pea soup you must try it.  Don’t let the name scare you off! 🙂  This is delicious, nutritious, and quite inexpensive to make.  It takes a matter of minutes to throw this in the crockpot which is perfect for a busy day.

In a large crockpot combine:

• 1 pound split peas
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 stalks celery (you can actually leave the leaves on)
• 4 carrots
• 1/2 t. minced garlic
• 1/4 t. thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 c. chicken stock
• 2 c. cooked chicken or ham. 

Cook on low about 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.  Before serving puree with immersion blender.  You could also simmer on the stove for 3 hours if you don’t have a crockpot.  I think split pea soup is usually served with ham meat in it, but I found that this was just as good with chicken. 

Elijah loves Split Pea Soup! It was much easier to just let him drink his from a straw. 🙂

Black Beans and Pork over Rice

 

Yummy

Are you tired of your regular pork chop recipe?  Then try this simple (and I mean simple) Crockpot recipe for dinner instead.  I used a tiny 1.5 quart crock pot for this recipe.

Mix together: 3/4 pound pork loin chops chopped into small cubes (remove from the bone), 1/2 t. chili powder, 1/2 t. coriander (ground) and a dash of salt and pepper. 

Place in a small CrockPot and add 1 can black beans rinsed, and 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies.  Cook on high 4 hours or low 6 hours.  Stir in 1/4 c. (or less to taste) of chopped cilantro.  Mash slightly to thicken the mixture and serve over rice.  Yummy quick and easy!