7. MUSHROOM BARLEY STEW
1 pound mushrooms, 2 sliced carrots, 1 sliced celery rib, 1 diced onion, 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 cup uncooked barley
Extra instructions: add 2 quarts vegetable stock to the slow cooker before cooking
Cook time: 8 hours on LOW
Serve with: hot, crusty bread or rolls
Serves 4-6
8. LENTIL-BUTTERNUT SQUASH CURRY
1 diced onion, 2 cups red or brown lentils, 2 cups diced butternut squash, 1 large sliced carrot, 14-ounce can coconut milk, 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon curry powder, 2 teaspoons salt
Special instructions: Add 4 cups water to the slow cooker before cooking. Check halfway and add more water if needed. If soup is too thick at the end, add more water.
Cook time: 6-8 hours on LOW
Serve with: hot, cooked rice, flatbread, raita
Serves 8
9. Sausage Lentil Soup
12 to 14 ounces sliced kielbasa sausage, 2 cups brown lentils, 2 carrots (diced), 1 celery rib (diced), 1 diced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Extra instructions: For best flavor, brown kielbasa and diced onion, let cool completely before adding to bag (optional, but results in a better flavor and texture), add 2 quarts of water or stock to the slow cooker before cooking
Cook time: 4-5 hours on HIGH
Serve with: fresh bread and/or rice
Serves 6
10. SLOPPY JOES
One pound ground meat (pork, turkey, chicken, or beef), 1 diced onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, 15-ounce can tomato sauce (or 1 6-ounce can tomato paste mixed with 1 cup water), one Sloppy Joes seasoning mix packet
Cook time: 3-4 hours on HIGH
Serve with: buns, veggie fries
Serves 4-6
11. CRANBERRY-MUSTARD PORK
One (3-4 pound) pork roast (loin, shoulder, butt), 2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon brown or Dijon mustard, 1 diced onion, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, zest and juice of 1 orange
Cook time: 8-10 hours on LOW
Serve with: mashed potatoes or rice, steamed broccoli
Serves 6-8
12. BEEF STROGANOFF
2 pounds stew meat, 1 pound sliced mushrooms, 1 diced onion, 1/2 cup red wine, 1 tablespoon beef stock paste (or 2 bouillon cubes)
Extra directions: Add 1 cup water to slow cooker before cooking. Stir in 1/2 cup sour cream before serving (do not add freeze with other ingredients or add at beginning of cooking time or it will curdle)
Cook time: 8 hours on LOW
Serve with: rice or noodles
Serves 4-6