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CHAPTER 1
Soups & Stews
Homestyle Beef Stew
Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 hours
Beef stew is one of those dishes that warms you from the inside out — especially when allowed to simmer and soften to perfection. The natural juices of the beef combine with the vegetables, spices, and sauces in the slow cooker until it all tastes equally amazing. Keep this recipe ready to go in your freezer and you'll always have its comforts when you need them.
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
1½ pounds chuck roast, cubed
PREP DIRECTIONS
3 large white onions, sliced
PREP DIRECTIONS
In a large pan, cook the onions, butter, and brown sugar over low heat for about 20 minutes until the onions have caramelized, then allow them to cool. In a large bowl, combine the onions with the remaining prep day ingredients. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag and pour in the soup mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the soup mixture into the slow cooker, cover it, and let it cook on low for 6 hours. When finished, remove the bay leaf and ladle the soup into individual oven-safe bowls. Top each bowl with a slice of French bread and a helping of cheeses, then place the bowls in the oven to broil for 2–3 minutes until the cheese has melted and browned.
Hearty Irish Stew
Serves 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
This delicious Irish Stew comes together almost effortlessly — all you have to do is slice up some veggies and you have a filling meal your family will love. If your stew looks a little dry toward the end of the cooking time, add a cup of water. Otherwise, you can just dump, cook, and serve!
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
1½–2 pounds chuck roast, cubed
PREP DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag, place it in another large bowl, and pour in the stew mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the stew to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the stew mixture into the slow cooker, cover, and let it cook on low for about 8 hours. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Serves 6–8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6–8 hours
What's even easier and more satisfying than stuffed bell peppers? Stuffed Pepper Soup, which packs all that flavor into a spoonful of liquid comfort. For a healthier version, use lean ground beef, low-sodium beef broth, and a quinoa mix instead of white rice. Serve this soup with a sprinkling of cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
2 pounds ground beef
PREP DIRECTIONS
In a large pan, brown the beef over medium-high heat, then drain it and allow it to cool. Combine all prep day ingredients (including the beef) in a large bowl. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag, place it in another large bowl, and pour in the soup mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the soup mixture into the slow cooker, cover it, and let it cook on low for 6–8 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the rice, cover, and continue cooking.
Beef Chili
Serves 4–6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3–5 hours
You usually reach for hearty stews when you need to warm up, but this Beef Chili is as perfect for sunny summer barbecues as it is for wintry nights. And once you brown the meat, your work is pretty much done, making this an easy dish to whip up for a get-together.
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
1½ pounds ground beef
PREP DIRECTIONS
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
PREP DIRECTIONS
Combine all prep day ingredients in a large bowl. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag, place it in another large bowl, and pour in the chili mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the chili to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the chili mixture into the slow cooker, cover it, and let cook on low for 8 hours. When you're almost ready to serve, remove the chicken to a cutting board or large mixing bowl, shred it, and return it to the cooker. Stir in the cream cheese and heavy cream, re-cover, and cook on high for 15 more minutes.
Sausage and Lentil Soup
Serves 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8–9 hours
Full of protein and savory flavor, Sausage and Lentil Soup is the perfect dish to serve with a fresh crust of bread on a cool day. And it tastes just as good — if not better — as a leftover, so it's also a great recipe for a couple who know they won't have time to cook during the week.
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
12–14 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced
PREP DIRECTIONS
In a large pan, brown the sausage over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2–3 minutes more until they are translucent. Drain the mixture and let it cool. Combine all prep day ingredients (including the sausage and onions) in a large bowl. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag, place it in another large bowl, and pour in the soup mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the soup mixture into the slow cooker, cover it, and let it cook on low for 8–9 hours.
Traditional Chicken Noodle Soup
Serves 5
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 6½–7½ hours
When cold and flu season hits, what's the first thing you reach for? A bowl of the ultimate sick-day comfort food: chicken noodle soup. Of course, it'll taste just as good when you're well. An unexpected splash of lemon juice brightens up this savory soup. Don't shy away from this recipe if you're cooking for one or two — you definitely won't mind having leftovers!
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
PREP DIRECTIONS
Combine all prep day ingredients in a large bowl. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag, place it in another large bowl, and pour in the soup mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the mixture into the slow cooker, cover it, and cook on low for 6–7 hours. Toward the end of the cooking time, remove and dice the chicken. Add the egg noodles and parsley to the slow cooker, re-cover, and cook for 20–30 minutes more. Stir the chicken back into the soup and add the lemon juice before serving.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Serves 8–10
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Give Taco Tuesday a twist with this scrumptious chicken soup! The recipe calls for topping it with cheese and tortilla strips, but don't be afraid to add jalapeños, sour cream, or avocado to the mix. Finish it off with a splash of lime to balance out the savory flavor.
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
PREP DIRECTIONS
Combine all prep day ingredients in a large bowl. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag, place it in another large bowl, and pour in the soup mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the mixture into the slow cooker, cover it, and cook on low for about 8 hours. Toward the end of the cooking time, remove and shred the chicken. Season it with salt and pepper before returning it to the slow cooker and stirring it in. Serve the soup topped with cheese and tortilla strips.
Black Bean Soup
Serves 8
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Black Bean Soup — though flavorful on its own — leaves plenty of room for fresh toppings. Set the table with bowls of shredded cheese, diced tomato and avocado, and sour cream, then let your family members make it their own!
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
PREP DIRECTIONS
Add the chopped onion and peppers to a large pan and sauté them over medium heat until the onion is translucent. Stir in the garlic until it becomes fragrant, about 1 minute. Allow the mixture to cool, then combine it with the rest of the prep day ingredients in a large bowl. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag, place it in another large bowl, and pour in the soup mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the soup mixture into the slow cooker, cover it, and cook on low for about 8 hours. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice about 15 minutes before serving.
Creamy Chicken and Potato Soup
Serves 8–10
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8½ hours
Chicken, potatoes, garlic, and cheese: this tasty dish combines all your favorite foods in one bowl. Because it makes a large batch, it would be perfect for potlucks or as an appetizer at family gatherings. Just put out bowls of toppings, such as crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chives, so that guests can help themselves.
PREP DAY INGREDIENTS
5 cups peeled and cubed russet potatoes
PREP DIRECTIONS
Blanch the potatoes according to the directions here. Combine all prep day ingredients in a large bowl. Label a 1-gallon freezer bag, place it in another large bowl, and pour in the soup mixture. Squeeze the remaining air out of the bag and seal it. Lay the bag flat to freeze.
SERVING DAY DIRECTIONS
Allow the soup to thaw overnight in the refrigerator. On serving day, pour the mixture into the slow cooker, cover it, and cook on low for about 8 hours. Toward the end of the cooking time, remove and shred the chicken. In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and flour. Slowly pour the mixture into the slow cooker, stir in the chicken, re-cover, and cook for 30 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, before serving.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Easy-Freeze Slow Cooker Cookbook"
by .
Copyright © 2018 St. Martin's Press.
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