If you recently found a passion for cooking, a slow cooker can be a big help in your learning process. It can help you cook more complicated dishes with just little effort. But as a beginner, it’s ideal to prepare simple recipes first even with the use of a crock pot. Here are simple crock pot recipes you can start with:
Easy Crock Pot Black Bean Soup
What you need:
- 1/2 kilogram uncooked black beans, rinsed
- 2 carrots, grated
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Mix together black beans, carrots, celery, garlic, onion, vegetable broth, water and salsa in a slow cooker. Season with chili powder, cumin and oregano. Stir to combine ingredients well. Cover and cook 6 to 8 hours on high or until beans are tender. When ready, puree the mixture using an immersion blender. Add salt if needed.
Slow Cooked Cheesy Baked Ziti
What you need:
- 1/2 kilogram Italian sausage
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 4 cups ziti pasta
- 2 1/2 cups pasta sauce
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
Brown Italian sausage and onion in a pan over medium high heat. Stir in garlic and season with salt then cook for 1 more minute. Transfer the mixture to a crock pot. Add tomatoes, pasta sauce, chicken broth, basil and parsley to the pot and stir to combine ingredients well. Cover and cook for 6 hours on low or for 3 hours on high. When ready, add pasta to the pot and stir. Cook for 25 to 35 minutes more. When ready, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and cover until cheese has melted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Quick Crock Pot Sweet Ham
What you need:
- 1 cured, bone-in picnic ham (about 3 1/2 kilograms)
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
In a slow cooker, place 1 1/2 cups brown sugar then top with the ham, flat side down. Rub the meat with the remaining brown sugar. Cover and cook for 8 hours on low. Allow to cool for a few minutes before slicing.
No problem if you’re no expert cook, these simple crock pot recipes are made for you!