Since I got a new crock pot for my birthday, I’ve been slow cooking like a mad woman. The sad news is that slow cooking is harder than it seems, and out of about 8 recipes, only two have been good enough to post here on the blog. I hope you know that I would never post something on this blog that I didn’t think was good and tasty, so believe me when I say this take on Brunswick Stew is definitely delicious.
To me, this recipe is what slow cooking is all about. Throw a bunch of frozen stuff in a crock pot in the morning, and when you arrive home in the evening, each ingredient has simmered to perfection, and dinner is hearty and satisfying. It could not be easier.
The sad truth is that as convenient as slow cookers are, different ingredients will always cook at different speeds. The more I try out recipes, the more I’m beginning to think that slow cooking should be reserved for whole cuts of meat, and soup. Can someone give me a recipe that proves this theory wrong? I’d love nothing more than to fill a pot with frozen stuff once a week and come home to an awesome and complete meal.
Crock Pot Brunswick Stew
Soup with hashbrowns! This crock pot Brunswick stew is super satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 bag frozen Southern-style hash brown potatoes
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 cups fat-free lower-sodium chicken broth
- 1 bag frozen green beans
- 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
- 3 chicken thighs cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 c pulled pork chopped
- 2 8-ounce cans no-salt-added tomato sauce
- 1 15 1/4-ounce can whole-kernel corn, drained
- 1 14.5-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a 8 quart slow cookers. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Despite my crock pot woes, do not write off this stew. Its simple, reliable, and perfect for a chilly winter evening.
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Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Betsy,
I agree with you in general about the Crock-Pot and its best use — soups, stews and whole cuts of meat. If you go too far afield, you end up with a mish-mosh of dull flavors. HOWEVER, once in awhile I come up with something that puts the lie to that generality. This is it and I would like you to try it! http://www.shockinglydelicious.com/slow-cooker-country-captain-chicken-with-hatch-chiles/
betsy says
Great! This is just what I’m looking for. Thanks Dorothy!
Carrie says
Betsy,
Thanks for sharing this receipe. I will put it on the menu for next week. Below is my new favorite slow cooker receipe.
Slow Cooker Italian Chicken/Turkey-Pasta Soup
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (I put in frozen and then cut into 1 inch pieces when I get home)
1 c diced carrots (about 2 med. One time I just used a cup of shredded carrots from store. This gave a nice appearance to the soup. I am sure frozen carrots would work also)
½ c halved pitted ripe olives (I have used a can of sliced olives)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
32 oz chicken broth
1 can 14 ½ ounces Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
½ cup uncooked small shell pasta
1. Mix all ingredients except pasta in 3 ½ to 4 quart slow cooker
2. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours
3. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in pasta. Increase heat setting to High Cover and cook 20 to 30 minutes or until pasta is tender. (I use this time to cut up the chicken thighs.
The above is the original recipe that I started with but these are some of the items I have added.
1 lb. Italian sweet chicken or turkey sausage. I squeeze the meat out of the casing right into the slow cooker into tiny little meatballs. I like the way the meatballs stay soft. I never would make the soup without this ingredient.
1 can of northern beans drained and washed
A handful of dehydrated mushrooms
1 to 2 T of dried Italian herbs
1 can of Progressive Roasted Tomato Cooking Sauce (I really like the flavor of this product.)
I serve with a sprinkle of grated Asiago Cheese, slices of hearty Italian bread drizzled with olive oil or flatbreads.
I am thinking of renaming this Italian Dump Soup. I think you can add what ever items you have. I have made it for dinner at the Beach House and for a luncheon of 40 people. Carrie
betsy says
Awesome Carrie! Will give it a try. I’m determined to perfect some crock pot recipes
Maribel Reyes says
It’s dinner time here, so reading this posed a bit of a challenge because now all I want to eat is your stew! Sadly I have none of the ingredients! 🙁 Guess I’ll be grocery shopping soon…
Carrie Harris says
I’m with you on the slow cooker woes…sometimes the results are less than desirable. It is nice to come home to a home that smells amazing, though. This recipe definitely sounds like a win!
Christie Moeller says
MMMMM looks like perfect cuddle on the sofa food!