The slow-cooker secret

…is that there is no secret.  There are no tricks you need to know to make a perfect meal.

It’s virtually idiot proof.  [I say virtually, because I’m sure there’s some moron somewhere who did something wrong]  The only way I think you could mess up a crock-pot recipe is by forgetting to plug it in.

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Take this meal, for example.  I made it last week and I just threw things in and hoped for the best.

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The outcome?

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Not too shabby.

Now since I know you’re going to ask me what was in it, I’ll try to recall.  But don’t quote me.

  • barley
  • whole wheat Israeli couscous
  • black beans
  • mango
  • onion
  • red bell pepper
  • garlic gold olive oil infused with garlic
  • vegetable broth
  • salt
  • cilantro

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I was aiming for a Mexi-mash but Kyle said it tasted like Hamburger Helper.  Uhhh…what?  He quickly followed up with an affirmation that it was really tasty, but I’m still unsure of how black beans, pasta, and mangoes turned up tasting like a processed meat dish.  The good news?  My meal was made from real, whole foods.  The bad news?  My newly vegetarian husband’s palette is a fan of Hamburger Helper.

Oh well, it’s just further proof that you really cannot mess up a slow-cooker “recipe”.

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Comments (16)

  1. Katie | @wholelivingimprint.tumblr.com

    So true, you can never mess up a slow cooked recipe and this looks delicious! I love how you added mango into the mix; one of my favs!

  2. Beverly

    Ok – let’s get this on the record…Kyle NEVER had Hamburger Helper at MY house.
    And I can only guess that YOUR crockpot masterpiece far exceeded anything in that box….

  3. Brenda

    Okkkay this has nothing to do with this post (but might i add, i’m not too sure how your meal and hamburger helper could be confused haha it looks delish!) .. i have officially tried Kombucha no.7, 9, and 3 as well as strawberry.. and while i will NEVER give up my unhealthy addiction to starbucks.. even the strongest Kombucha i drink and LOVE now.. and they make me feel great! I need to pick your brain for holiday recipes .. i’m traveling to a family function for Christmas and i have given the host a heart attack by showing up because i’m vegan and they are… well.. cattle ranchers… so i’m bringing my own dish to share! ideas?

  4. Katie @ SerenityintheStorm

    Looks good! I’ve never tried using a crock-pot before, but when I was at Costco the other day, a woman there had a cart overflowing with crock-pots! I’ve been thinking about giving in and trying one.

  5. Elise (Post author)

    why did this lady need multiple crock pots??

  6. Elise (Post author)

    haha. oh boy. ok, well first off, are you bringing a salad? a side? a dessert? warm dish or cold dish?

    maybe a quinoa dish with maple roasted butternut squash, cranberries, and pecans? seems hearty and warm and comforting without being too “out there” for the ranchers’ taste buds.

    lemme know if you want other ideas too though.

  7. Elise (Post author)

    hahahaha. i hope so!!

  8. Katie @ Peace Love and Oats

    I definitely need to experiment with my slow cooker! I’ve only used it once, I think I’m just nervous about how long to cook things and if I would over-cook it!

  9. Deborah

    did u use canned beans or dried? similarly for the rest of the stuff?:) looks gd though 😉

  10. Sarah @blueeyedbarbie.blogspot.com

    haha this is on my christmas wish list. It just seems so convenient, Toss stuff in, add liquid, plug in, go to work, and come home to gloriousness. I dont get why more people especially busy moms dont use these more often.

  11. Caity @ Moi Contre La Vie

    Oh yum! I’ve been wanting to get one, it seems perfectly cozy for fall.

  12. Katie @ Serenity in the Storm

    No idea… The only sane answer I could come up with was that everyone in her family was getting a crockpot as a gift for the holidays…

  13. Kaitlyn@TheTieDyeFiles

    I used to love Hamburger Helper. We called it Handy because of the hand on the box! The ingredients don’t ass up to Handy to me, but it still looks delish.

  14. Ethel

    JAJAJAJA at Kyle’s tasty description. =)

  15. Erin

    You can mess up a crock pot recipe if you add insufficient liquid and leave it on way too long.

    Do not ask me how I know this.

    Love your site!

  16. Elise (Post author)

    haha, ok ok sorry you found the loophole 🙂

Comments are closed.