Big Batch Cooking 104

Today, we're talking crockpot! I love my crockpots, I actually have 2, one big oval and one small. I use them for different things. The small makes great soup for 4 or velveeta cheese dip or bbq pork. I use the large one for big batch cooking. This is an entirely different appliance than the slow cooker I posted about earlier.

This weekend I used my large crockpot to make a very large batch of chili. I had a large can of tomato juice that needed to be out of my pantry and so I just made the entire crockpot full. I then let the whole batch cool a little and placed about half of it in freezer containers. One time of cooking equals 4 meals served!

Chicken is another great crockpot meal that will end up giving you at least 2 meals. In an earlier post, I gave a recipe for chicken and dumplings. I use the leftover chicken and broth to make that recipe. When I cook a chicken, I usually cook at least one whole chicken and a couple of breasts (we like that part the best)! Serve the chicken one night and save the strained broth and chopped chicken for chicken noodle soup or dumplings. Sometimes if I have a bag of mixed veggies around, I'll go ahead and add it to the soup mixture so all I have to do is add noodles or cooked rice for a super quick meal.

Roast and pork tenderloin make easy crockpot meals, when I can get roast or tenderloin on sale, I really stock up. I will cook at least 2 roasts and an entire pork tenderloin at one time. I season my roasts with onion soup or beef broth. I'll throw in carrots and potatoes for that nights meal. The second roast goes into the freezer with a little broth for later with mashed potatoes. Meal 3 - save the broth and place some leftover roast into a gallon freezer bag for stew starter. Meal 4 - with whatever roast is left over add some mixed veggies(frozen or canned) a little leftover broth with a brown gravy mix mixed in and place in a 9x9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with a little cheddar cheese. whip up some mashed potatoes, I use the frozen if I'm pressed for time. Place the potatoes on top and bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until it hot all the way through.

Getting the idea? when you fire up that crockpot, make double and freeze for later. Then when you have that day from you-know-where, you can find something yummy in the freezer!

Have a blessed day!