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Because Your Time Is Valuable: Healthy One Pot Recipes For Every Meal

Michele Foley — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:06:31 PST

When you're short on time or don't want to make a mess in the kitchen, skip ordering unhealthy takeout and make a healthy one-pot meal instead. These types of meals require little in the way of preparation or constant attention - just drop your ingredients in the pot and wait for the flavors to meld together. From soups to stews and roasts to hashes, we've got a one-pot meal for every time of the day. And whether you love meat, are a vegetarian, or follow a vegan lifestyle, there's something here for you, too.

Braised Chicken With Tomatoes: Perfect For Between Seasons

Susannah Chen — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:45:25 PDT

This month, I've shifted my focus from Summer cookout food to something a little more soothing, but amidst a San Francisco Indian Summer, I'm not quite ready to plunge into full-blown Fall fare just yet. So in addition to treasuring those timeless staples, I've also looked for recipes that fall (pardon the pun) right in between those two seasons. One such gem is this slow-cooked dish of chicken with fresh tomatoes.

It incorporates the sunny flavor of Early Girl tomatoes with the reassuring tenderness of chicken braised in its own stock. Lighten it up with skinless chicken breast, swap out the sage for tarragon or basil, or use cherry or heirloom tomatoes instead. The result is a sumptuous main meal that's fantastic over grits, polenta, or mashed potatoes. Savor the in-between moment when you keep reading.

Pork Two Ways: Tacos and Posole

Yum Community — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:50:21 PDT

We love repurposing leftovers, and from the looks of it, Lauren does too. Here she shares the story of pork two ways.
I had picked up pork at my local butcher, but wasn't completely sure how I wanted to prepare it. Using what I had on hand and of course, not measuring, I browned the meat, caramelized onions and garlic, and roasted/cleaned two poblano peppers. For even more flavor, I ground up cumin and crushed red pepper flakes and placed everything in the crock pot. I added just enough chicken broth to just about cover the meat and let it cook over night. The next morning, the pork was incredibly tender and perfect for tacos!

There was still a ton of pork, but I am not one for repeat dinners, so I picked up a couple cans of hominy and added it to the pork along with some more chicken broth for a makeshift pozole. The soup topped with cilantro, avocado, salsa, and lime juice was absolutely scrumptious. I love when simple dishes with no recipe turn out so well, I am sure I will be making this again! Sorry about not snapping a photo of the tacos but trust me they were tasty!

Have you turned a leftover into something different and delicious? Share it with us in the community!

Use Your Slow Cooker to Make Lamb Tagine

Katie Sweeney — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:10:43 PDT

Although I would love to be the proud owner of a tagine, a special cooking pot with origins in Morocco, at this point in my life, I don't have the funds or space for this utilitarian cooking vessel. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy a homemade tagine every now and then - I simply use my slow cooker to braise the meat for a long period of time. This lamb version is my current favorite tagine. It combines chunks of savory lamb shoulder with aromatic spices (like cumin, cinnamon, and saffron), sweet dates, and lots of broth. The resulting dish is an exotic blend of flavors and textures that's ideal for entertaining. Get the surprisingly simple recipe after the jump.

What Are Your Favorite Crockpot Recipes?

Katie Sweeney — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 03:15:50 PST

It's freezing in San Francisco, and I think it's high time I broke out my slow cooker. It's a wonderfully useful kitchen gadget that makes cooking a dinner for a crowd easy - while filling your house with an amazing fragrance.

I'm not the only one who is interested in slow cooker experimentation, reader dreamalittledream recently asked the YumSugar Community for crockpot help. She says, "I just got a crockpot and am itching to use it. I've found a ton of recipes online, but I trust YumSugar members more for recipes. Any crock pot recipe that I have to try!?"

Well, I highly recommend blackberry pulled pork, red wine short ribs, classic chili, and Cuban chicken. Also, don't forgot to check out our tips for cooking with a crockpot. I've revealed mine, and now it's time for you to share yours: what are your favorite slow cooker recipes?

Source: Flickr User love♡janine

Berry Tempting: Slow Cooker Blackberry Pulled Pork

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:00:53 PDT

This year, I haven't been able to resist making savory berry recipes: first strawberry spaghetti, then cherry-stuffed tenderloin and blueberry-glazed ribs. And, in my desire to incorporate blackberries into an entrée, I came up with this recipe for pulled pork sandwiches using a blackberry purée. Not only do the ingredients make this dish perfect for the Summer season, but it won't heat up your kitchen because it's cooked over low heat in a slow cooker. Over the course of eight hours, blackberries, hot sauce, ketchup, vinegar, and garlic meld together to become a sweet and tangy condiment that not only highlights the pork roast's natural flavor, but is less aggressively syrupy than traditional barbecue sauce. If you're interested in the recipe, read more.

Get Excited For Cinco de Mayo With Slow-Cooked Carnitas

partysugar — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:00:27 PDT

When it comes to Mexican cuisine, there's nothing quite as satisfying and succulent as carnitas. Delicious in everything from soft tacos to nachos to quesadillas, the juicy pulled pork dish is one of my absolute favorites.

A traditional carnitas recipe consists of pork shoulder that's simmered in lard for a long period of time; the resulting meat is shredded and literally melts in your mouth. With my new found love for the slow cooker and Cinco de Mayo around the corner, I recently decided to make carnitas. This variation is seasoned with chipotle chiles, orange juice, and beer.

I served the savory pork as an appetizer on top of mini soft corn tacos, but feel free to enjoy it however you want. The leftovers made an amazing quesadilla. Learn the super easy technique - seriously, you dump the ingredients in a slow cooker and that's it! - when you

Sunday Slow Cooker: White Beans With Andouille Sausage

YumSugar — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 06:30:46 PDT

I've always cooked with canned beans over higher-maintenance dried beans, but after seeing PartySugar make a beef chili that required no preliminary bean soaking, I decided it was high time I followed in her footsteps.

The perfect place to start? A simple, yet flavorful Cajun stew of andouille sausage, veggies, and Great Northern beans that requires no soaking whatsoever.
Just pop it into the slow cooker, wait four and a half hours, and serve! I'll enjoy it with some dirty rice and sautéed greens. Interested? Then keep reading.

Sunday Slow Cooker: Chicken Stew in White Wine

YumSugar — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 06:30:17 PDT

After a long week of admittedly too much partying, I'm in the mood for an easy, nourishing meal. Tonight, I'll be using my slow cooker to make a bacon-flecked stew with white wine and a whole cut-up chicken, reminiscent of the French countryside favorite coq au vin.

Hours later, when the scent wafting from the crockpot tells me that dinner's ready, I'll enjoy it at the table with the rest of the leftover wine. Sound like a relaxing close to a long, busy week? Then make the recipe yourself when you read more.

Sunday Slow Cooker: Cuban Beef and Peppers

YumSugar — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 06:30:48 PDT

After falling in love with a Cuban-inspired crockpot chicken, tonight I'm cooking along the same vein with a beef and pepper braise that conjures up images of dinner in Havana.

I'll serve the fork-tender flank steak and bell pepper medley over steamed white rice, avocado, and my favorite herb, cilantro. Ready to make your own one-pot Latin meal? Then keep reading.