4th of July and Baked Beans

Tomorrow is the 4th of July.  I love the 4th.  It might be because of the history teacher in me.  I love being able to celebrate our independence from England.  Had it not been for those men in 1774, we wouldn't be the country we are today.  Think about what would have happened if they hadn't succeeded in winning the Revolutionary War.  They would have been tried as traitors.  They were going against their mother country.  I also like the 4th of July because it's a time to recognize every soldier who has fought for the United States to keep us safe and free.  As you celebrate this day, remember why it's holiday.  Remember why you get to take a day off of work.  Remember why you are able to have the freedoms that you have.  Remember why you are able to speak for or against your country without fear of being punished.  Remember why you are able to believe and worship as you do, if you do.  Remember why you have rights in court.  Remember everything that our founding fathers fought so hard for.  And remember every soldier who has given of their time and life to protect our freedoms that allow you to celebrate this awesome day.

We moved into our house 12 years ago, as did our neighbors.  Since the first year we moved in we have had a cookout with some of our neighbors and then we shoot off our fireworks.  Then we all park our cars in the street with the headlights pointed where we shot off all our fireworks so that we can clean up our mess.  Every year I usually try something different.  I'm not sure what my trial recipe will be this year, but I do know that we will be having my baked beans.  These were true baked beans in the oven.  Okay - it's July, its hot (triple digit hot), and my air conditioning crapped out last night.  There is no way I'm turning that oven on!  So, I'm going to make it in the slow cooker.  I'm starting it this afternoon because baked beans are soooo much better the longer you let them meld together - kind of like a good chili :).  I get requests for these baked beans all the time.  The original recipe I recieved was quite a long process.  I've modified it to fit my needs and cooking style (quick and easy).  Below the recipe are the changes I have made and how I modified it.  Enjoy!

1 large can Pork and beans (3 lb)

1/2 lb hamburger

1/2 lb sausage 

1 green pepper

2 onions

1/2 cup celery

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp sage

1 TBSP Parsley

1 TBSP Dry mustard

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 TBSP worchester sauce

21 oz. BBQ sauce.

1 lb kielbasa

1. Cook largley cut vegetables until tender.
2. Cook hamburger and sausage until no longer pink.
3. Add meat and vegetables to beans in a 9x13 pan. Add all ingredients except kielbasa.
4. Bake 1 hour at 350.
5. Cut Kielbasa into bite size pieces. Add to beans. Bake for another 30 minutes.

I didn't have any sausage in the house, so I didn't put any in this time.  I used frozen, chopped green pepper and dried minced onion instead of the fresh onion.  I forgot to pick up celery, so, I used some dried celery flakes.  I also add my kielbasa in at the beginning - not at the end, even when I bake it in the oven.  I put it all in my 6 qt slow cooker (barely fits). 

Happy 4th of July - and be safe.

Meatloaf

I like meatloaf - especially the next day.  But I hate how long it takes to bake.  One day I decided to try it in the slow cooker - and it worked great!  Just make your meatloaf as you would normally (I have about 3 or so different recipes I rotate between) and place in the slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours, drain the fat before serving.  Another way to make this easy to do is to prepare your meatloaf ahead of time and freeze it.  I currently have 4 loaves in my freezer.  I just pull one out the day before to thaw in the fridge, then place in your slow cooker.

Here's one of my favorite meatloaf recipes:
1 egg
5 Tbsp ketchup, divided
2 Tbsp prepared mustard
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons onion soup mix
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp cider vinegar

In a bowl, beat the egg.  Add 2 Tbsp ketchup, mustard, bread crumbs, dry soup mix, salt and pepper.  Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.  Form into the shape of slow cooker (oval or round)

Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.  Place meatloaf in slow cooker. 

In a small bowl, combine sugars, vinegar, and remaining ketchup; drizzle over meatloaf.  Cover slow cooker.
(I double the this and pour extra on the last 30 minutes of cooking)

Cook on low 4-6 hours.  Drain fat.  Let stand 5-10 minutes before slicing - this helps to make sure it is set up and shouldn't crumble when you cut into it.

Depending on how lean the meat is that I'm using, I'll add a few tablespoons of milk to help keep it moist as it is cooking.

Crock-Pot Pizza

I like to collect cookbooks - its really an obsession.  I have at least 10 cookbooks for slow cookers.  I have several other types of cookbooks too.  One of the ones I recently rediscovered was the 2002 Taste of Homes cookbook I had on a shelf.   I found this recipe that I had made a few years ago.  It used to be on my regular rotation, but somehow I forgot about it.  So glad I found it to make again.

1 package wide egg noodles (12 oz) - cooked
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 pkg sliced pepperoni, halved (3 1/2 oz)
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (12 oz)
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (12 oz)

Brown ground beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain.  Stir in spaghetti sauce and Italian seasoning.  Coat 5 qt slow cooker with non-stick spray, spread a third of the meat sauce.  Cover with a third of the noodles and pepperoni.  Sprinkle with a third of the cheeses.  Repeat layers twice.  Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until heated through and cheese is melted. 


Personalize the Crock-Pot Pizza with your own toppings - mushrooms, sausage, vegetables, etc.

Cube Steak

4-6 beef cube steaks
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
1 envelope brown gravy mix
All-purpose flour
water
1 Tbsp oil


Dust cube steaks in flour.  Heat oil in large skillet over medium-low heat.  Brown steaks on both sides.  Drain fat.  Transfer to slow-cooker.
Add soup and gravy mixes and enough water to cover meat.  Cover, cook on low 6-8 hours.  Serve with mashed potatoes.

Another alternative that I do a lot is to place the cube steaks in the slow-cooker (I don't always brown them first) and then add 1-2 cans of cream of mushroom soup.  Cover, cook on low 6-8 hours.  Serve with mashed potatoes.

Royal Roundsteak

Royal Roundsteak

1-2 lbs roundsteak or stew meat cubes
1-2 Tbsp oil
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
Hot cooked rice or egg noodles

Trim roundsteak and cut into cubes (you can partially freeze the meat to make it easier to cut).
Heal oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.  Brown meat on all sides.
Combine dry soup mix and canned soup in mixing bowl.  Pour into slow-cooker.  Add browned meat.  Cover, cook on High 6-7 hours.
Serve over rice or egg noodles.

(Crock-Pot 5 or less)

BBQ Hamburger

Tonight we are having BBQ Hamburger for dinner.  This is more like sloppy joes.  My son, who has gotten quite picky, will eat these.  If you brown your ground beef ahead of time, this goes together real quick.  I add onion in when I'm browning my ground beef.  This is also one of the meals tha I will make ahead and freeze for a quick meal later or to take camping.

2 lbs browned ground beef
1/2 c ketchup
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1 can tomato soup
1 tsp dry mustard
1/4c diced onion

Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker.  Mix well.  Cook on low 4-6 hours.  Serve on hamburger buns.

Tavern Burgers

My son will not eat sloppy joes.  I think it has something to do with the fact that he can see the "green and red stuff" in it.  I found this recipe and the first time I made it, he ate three sandwiches.  This is a keeper for my family.  You can also double or triple the batch and put it in the freezer.  Pull it out and warm it through in the slow cooker - quick and easy dinner.

2 lbs ground beef - browned
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup prepared yellow mustard
hamburger buns

Place browned ground beef in slow cooker.  Add ketchup, sugar and mustard - mix well.  Cover, cook on low 4-6 hours.  Serve on buns.

Smothered Steak

This is one I grew up with.  I had forgotten about it until I talked with my mom one day.  I add an extra can of cream of mushroom soup.  When dinner is done, you have gravy!

4-6 beef cube steaks
all-purpose flour
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted.
1 pkt dry onion soup mix
1 soup can milk
Hot cooked mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles

Dust steaks in flour.  Place in slow cooker.  Combine cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, and milk.  Pour over steak.

Cover, and cook on low 6-8 hours.  Server over mashed potatoes, rice or noodles.

Pot Roast

For me, it has to be easy and quick, or I won't even try it.  I always liked roast with carrots and potatoes.  This is how I make mine - although it does take a bit to cut the potatoes.  You can use canned carrots and potatoes if you want.

1 beef roast - 3-4 lbs (I use a larger one then make bbq beef sandwiches with the leftovers)
1 pkt dry onion soup mix
1 cup baby carrots
5-8 baby potatoes, quartered
1/2 cup water

Place roast in slow cooker. Add dry onion soup mix, baby carrots, and potatoes.  Add potatoes and carrots.  Pour water over the top.  Cook on low 6-8 hours.

For a bit of a variation, add in a can of cream of mushroom soup too.