If you cook it, they will come...

I love the Internet—it’s a library/encyclopedia/dictionary at your fingertips 24/7. Whenever I (or my sons) have a question about something? I can plug it into a search engine and BAM! – instant answer about nine times out of 10.

Lately, for example, I have been Googling recipes. I recently rediscovered my little (2 quart) slow cooker and I don’t like many of the recipes in the cookbook that came with it (Venison? Hello!) So I have been going online to find family-friendly recipes. More specifically I wanted  tried-and-true meals that my picky 5-year-old would eat. And there are PLENTY of websites full of slow cooker recipes.

Chicken

On Facebook, I found the Crock Pot Guys (https://www.facebook.com/crockpotguys) and posed the question. One of the suggestions that came back was  for a Bacon Ranch Chicken (https://crockpotguys.com/2011/09/bacon-ranch-chicken/). (By the way, the picture with this link does NOT do it justice.)

All of the ingredients seemed to be things my kids liked already. Then we tried it. I could not believe how good it was. And the chicken cooked for so long that it got soft enough to shred and the 5-year-old, while not into the egg noodles, LOVES the chicken shreds! Success!

Fish

But now we get into the Lenten season and as Catholics that means no meat on Fridays. But could I make a fish meal that the kids would like (I think fish sticks get boring fast.)? I have made salmon before and it was good. I am going to try a new recipe tonight—probably just adding honey and lemon juice to the pot and see what happens. Should only need to cook for about 2 hours.

Meat

We don’t eat a lot of red meat but I have tried meatloaves and various lasagna recipes in the crockpot made with ground chicken or turkey. While it usually tastes good, in a pot as small as mine, it usually does not scoop out in one piece. It’s more of a glob on the plate.

If you have got questions, suggestions, have a favorite recipe your kids love (let's share) or are looking for a particular recipe, please contact me.