The days are getting shorter as we enjoy all our fall activities. At the end of the month we celebrate Halloween, and then we shift gears for November. Today let’s think of all the warm and cozy food we enjoy as the weather is colder and darkness lengthens. There’s something so comforting about a hearty, warm meal when you get home. Nothing makes a meal easier than a slow cooker or crock pot. I want to share some of my favorite crock pot comfort food ideas that will fill your home with delicious aromas and warm your heart.
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Comforting Chicken and Rice Casserole
Chicken and rice is served in many cultures with lots of variations in the recipe. I must admit I’ve never meet chicken and rice I didn’t like. This dish is an inexpensive meal which is comforting and filling. I used chicken thighs with bone and skin, but you could try it with other chicken parts. Use a Dutch oven, a large iron skillet, or a casserole dish. The meal can be served with broccoli, green beans, or a salad.
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Crock Pot Mushroom Lentil Barley Stew
I love lentils: They’re packed with protein, very filling and a good source of iron. Woodsy herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme are natural partners to the lentil’s earthy flavor, so any of them (or any combination of them) can go into the crock pot for Mushroom Lentil Barley Stew. Adding mushrooms adds more earthy flavors and in conjunction with barley makes a satisfying comfort food. You can serve with garlic bread alone or over mash potatoes. There is an optional garnish of fresh parsley or vegan grated cheese.
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Slow Cooker Homemade Beef Stew
During the cold days of winter, a steaming bowl of comfort is on my meal plan multiple times a week. Slow cooked meat and vegetables make my heart sing. Today let’s discuss classic homemade beef stew. Growing up I loved my mother’s simmered beef stew cooked on top of the stove for hours. I personally prefer to use a crock pot for ease, but beef stew can be made in the oven, on the stove, or in a slow cooker.
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Slow Cooker Pork & Sauerkraut
Happy New Year! I thought of sharing the recipe for Pork & Sauerkraut today, due to the holiday yesterday. Every culture has a lucky dish that they eat on New Year’s Day. The tradition of eating pork and sauerkraut for luck on New Year’s Day can trace its origins back to Germany. Germans and other pig-raising cultures have been eating this dish for centuries, with immigrants bringing the tradition to the United States. It is the ultimate hearty meal for a cold evening. The pork is perfectly juicy and tender after simmering with sauerkraut and apples. There are tons of pork and sauerkraut recipes online with slight variations. The basis of my recipe comes from an acquaintance of my youth who grew up in Amish country in Pennsylvania.
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Slow Cooker Stuffed Cabbage
Stuffed cabbage is an old-fashioned family favorite. It’s a hearty meal that’s easy to make. Using a slow cooker makes this dish even easier to prepare on a busy day. Make a flavorful combination of ground beef, pork, and brown rice stuffed into pre-boiled cabbage leaves. If you prefer using Italian sausage instead of pork, look for a lower fat variety. Each leaf is then nestled into the slow cooker and the whole thing is topped with a tomato sauce. Come back hours later to a filling and tasty meal. NOTE: If a family member can’t eat cabbage, make them meatballs with the filling and cook it in the sauce.
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Slow Cooker Beef Barley Soup
We’re in the depths of winter, and it’s time for some serious comfort food. My first thought is soups and stews. One of the easiest and heartiest meals, Beef Barley Soup with vegetables is even better when made in a crock pot. It’s filled with tender beef, hearty vegertables, and plump barley. You spend so little time for such a wonderful filling meal. Put it on and leave it alone while you do something else. Add crusty bread or rolls and dinner is served.
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