Does late fall conjure up the sight of beautifully colored leaves falling from the trees and the smell of wood smoke in the air. You start craving comforting foods, hearty soups and wrapping up in your favorite sweater. There is no better time to take a break and enjoy gathering around the fire pit in the back yard, sitting with your family and friends, and enjoying the clean, fresh air, a satisfying dinner, and a welcoming fire.
Everyone seems to be so over-scheduled that they can’t find time for a refreshing and rejuvenating break – but it’s not so hard. For any cook of any ability or style, the crock pot can be a great way to cut your time in the kitchen and extend your time with family and friends; put something in the crock pot before you leave for work in the morning and by that evening when you get home, dinner is waiting for you.
It doesn’t take much time at all to make a great meal in a one of these little miracles of the kitchen. The majority of recipes are so basic that they don’t need a whole lot of ingredients and don’t require anytime for you to begin eating them. For instance, before leaving the house for the day, try placing a three to four pound beef roast in the crock pot with a 12 ounce can of your favorite dark soda and an envelope of dry onion soup mix. Just add a favorite blend of herbs and spices like garlic, pepper, thyme and the like, start the crock pot running on low, and by the time your guests start arriving around the old backyard outdoor fire pit, you’ll be ready to feast on pulled meat sandwiches to your heart’s content. Add some chips and pick up some deli-style potato salad for sides and no fuss, no muss, all enjoyment. Keep it in mind to top off the evening through a round of S’mores!
Both crock pots and desserts are fantastic ways to make most of the same relish a wonderful dinner. Everything from cobblers to bread puddings and cakes; yes, even a cake! And it doesn’t stop there, either. Once you get the basics of crock pot cooking down, anything is possible; appetizers, dips, stews, roast chicken, desserts, it’s all possible with just a little preparation and planning, leaving you more worry free time to spend with the ones you love.
