A slow-cooker is inexpensive, economical and is a great tool to use to transform budget ingredients into a 5-star style dish. It’s time that you make the most out of your weekends by enjoying flavorful home-cooked meals using your crock-pot.
Here are 3 recipes that use healthy herbs and spices that you can try:
Herb-Crusted Slow Cooker Pot Roast
What you need:
- 1/2 kg. pot roast, fat trimmed
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 1 tbsp. honey
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1/2 tsp. celery salt
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
- 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Combine basil, thyme, oregano, celery salt, ginger, garlic powder, mustard and black pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. Cut the fat side of the pot roast with 1/4-inch deep slits (1 1/2 inches apart). Rub the spice mixture all over the roast until covered completely. Pour white wine and honey over the top. Cook the pot roast in a crock-pot for 3-4 hours or until tender. Serve with mashed potatoes or with mixed vegetables if desired.
Slow Cooker Chili Chicken
What you need:
- 3 boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 2 cups green salsa
- 1 3/4 cups cooked corn kernels
- 1 3/4 cups white beans
- 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sliced green chili peppers
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp. ground cumin
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Combine tomatoes, green salsa, corn, beans, chili peppers, onion, oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Stir to combine ingredients well. Place chicken breasts on top of the mixture. Cook on a slow cooker over low heat for 6-8 hours or until chicken flakes easily. When ready, remove chicken, shred completely then return to cooker and stir. Serve warm.
Crock-Pot Spinach Marinara Sauce with Herbs
What you need:
- 3 1/2 cups peeled and crushed tomatoes
- 1 3/4 cups sliced mushrooms
- 1 1/4 cups chopped spinach
- 1/3 cup grated carrots
- 3/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 1/2 tbsps. crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsps. dried basil
- 2 tbsps. dried oregano
- 2 tbsps. salt
Mix together tomatoes, mushroom, spinach, carrots, tomato paste, olive oil, onion, garlic, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, basil, oregano and salt in a crock-pot. Cover and cook over high heat for 3-4 hours. Stir, then cook for 2 hours more over low heat. Pour over cooked pasta and serve immediately.
Forget take-outs for a while – take the time to enjoy a mouth-watering slow-cooked meal with herbs and spices with your family.