Keep it cool with quick fix crockpot dinners

Keep it cool with quick fix crockpot dinners

As summer temperatures soar and Americans head out to enjoy their favorite pastimes, who wants to be stuck in a hot kitchen slaving over the stove. Making hearty hot meals for hungry 

families is a snap when you can toss everything into one pot, set the timer and join the outdoors fun.

Smart cooks know the secret to creating delicious savory meals is as simple as filling a crockpot in the morning and coming back hours later to serve up slow cooked sensations. Cleaning up is also a breeze, when you remember to spray the crock with a nonstick before you pile in the food.

Here are four fool-proof classic favorites that any home cook can put together in less than 30 minutes. All you need are a few simple ingredients and a 4 to 6 quart crockpot, with a timer.

All Day Pot Roast 

3 to 5 lb.* beef chuck, round or rump roast
6 to 8 * medium sized potatoes quartered**
16 oz. pkg. peeled baby carrots
3 medium onions chunked
2 envelopes dry onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can of water
Salt/pepper to taste

Season and place roast in bottom of cooker. Blend dry mixes, soup and water in bowl, then pour over roast. Heap potatoes, carrots and onions evenly over roast. Cover and cook on Low for 10-12 hours or on High for 5-6 hours until meat and vegetables are tender but not dry.

**(hint-used red potatoes and skip peeling)

Saucy Garlic Mushroom Chicken

4 to 6 * bone-in chicken breasts halves or leg quarters
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
16 oz. can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
2 cloves garlic crushed (can be omitted)
¼ cup precooked bacon bits
Salt/pepper to taste

Season and place chicken pieces skin side up in slow cooker. In mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients and add to cooker, Cover and cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours. Serve over rice, pasta or toasted bread.

Tangy Barbecue Pork

3 to 4 lb. * pork butt roast
1 cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup yellow mustard
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
Salt/pepper to taste

Trim fat from roast, season and place in cooker. Mix remaining ingredients and spoon over meat. Cover and cook on High 5 hours or on Low for 8 hours, until meat is fork tender. Slice or break meat apart and serve drizzled with juices.

Ham & Scalloped Cheesy Potatoes

1 lb. ham cubed
2 to 3 lbs. * potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 small onion chopped
2 cups shredded mild cheddar cheese
1 can cream of celery soup
¼ cup milk
Salt/pepper to taste

Divide first four ingredients into thirds. Layer into crockpot in order onions, potatoes, ham and cheese, repeating three times. Combine soup, milk salt and pepper and spoon over top. Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or until potatoes are tender.

Cooking times can vary depending on type of crockpot. Always test for doneness, with a meat thermometer, when cooking a recipe for the first time. * amounts depend on number or size of desired servings.