Del.icio.us
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
With a little advance preparation, you can walk away from your kitchen for an entire day at work or play and return to a hot, savory supper. That's the genius of the slow cooker: Your choice of meat or veggies plus liquid plus hours of low, continuous heat yields tender morsels packed with flavor.
Following are recipes for classic stews and roasts, but we also found some new ideas that include seafood, brisket with an Asian flair, and beef fajitas. So get ready to start up your slow cooker for some hearty fare this winter!
Soups
Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup
Chase away the chills with this classic brew packed with veggies and linguine. A touch of cayenne turns up the heat.
Shrimp Chowder
Since this creamy soup requires only four hours in the slow cooker, you can serve it for a hearty lunch. You can cut down prep time even further by using cooked shrimp from the supermarket's ready-to-go section.
Beef Dishes
Apple and Onion Beef Pot Roast
Try this twist on an old favorite: Simmer boneless sirloin topped with apple and onion slices. The result is a flavorful combination of juices that create a delicious gravy.
Savory Beef Fajitas
There's no need to fire up the grill to make this spicy Southwestern favorite. The beef comes out tender and flavorful in your slow cooker.
Thai-Style Brisket
Take a cue from Asian cuisine the next time you cook brisket. Add peanuts, sesame oil, and cilantro to the pot for a zesty taste.
Poultry
Rosemary Cashew Chicken
The rich, nutty herb sauce in this chicken dish is worth the wait. It's even better when served over pasta.
Mushroom Chicken Cacciatore
Here's how to make a memorable tomato sauce with wine, herbs, and mushrooms. Simmer it with chicken and then serve over spaghetti for a hearty family meal.
Ribs and Chops
Slow-Cooked Short Ribs
Who knew making a tasty barbecue sauce from scratch could be so easy? Use it to smother short ribs for this succulent dish.
Cranberry Pork Chops
The chops stay juicy in the slow cooker, thanks to a sweet-and-sour sauce made with cranberries. Prep work is a mere 15 minutes!
Slow-Cooked Lamb Chops
The only work that's required to make this dish is slicing an onion and rubbing a flavorful mix of seasonings over the lamb. Hours later you'll be rewarded with tender cuts of meat that melt in your mouth.
Vegetarian and Seafood
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
The flavors of olives, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and sweet onion blend together to make a zesty, meatless pasta sauce.
Shrimp Marinara
You won't be sorry you waited for this marvelous marinara to simmer. Add cooked shrimp and spaghetti for an Italian-style meal.
Advertisement 
Your Comments
See all
...