Creamy tomato slow cooker chicken from Betty Crocker

Betty Crocker is known for sharing some of the best recipes that can be found on the internet. When the following recipe was shared with me via their newsletter, I knew it was one I was going to have to share with you all, and try myself.

CREAMY SLOW COOKER CHICKEN
Ingredients 

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 lb) 
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper 
• 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce 
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained 
• 1 pouch (8 oz) Old El Paso™ roasted tomato Mexican cooking sauce 
• 8 oz uncooked pasta (such as penne or mostaccioli) 
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch 
• 2 tablespoons water 
• 1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (2 oz), if desired 

Directions
1 Spray 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Arrange chicken in bottom of slow cooker. Top with garlic, basil, oregano, salt and pepper.
2 In separate bowl, stir together Alfredo sauce, tomatoes and cooking sauce until well combined. Pour mixture over chicken.
3 Cover; cook on Low heat setting 5 to 6 hours.
4 Ten to 15 minutes before serving time, cook pasta as directed on package. In small bowl, stir together cornstarch and water; stir into mixture in slow cooker. Increase heat setting to High; cook uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer.
5 Serve chicken with pasta; top with cheese.

Expert Tips 

• Combine this creamy tomato chicken with a beautiful garden salad for a perfect, well-rounded meal. 
• If you happen to have any leftovers, pack it up right away for an easy lunch to take to work the next day! 
• Don't have pasta on hand? This chicken dish also tastes great served over rice or quinoa.

Slow cooker French toast recipe

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you are looking for a new-and easier-way to make French toast, try out this fun recipe for the Slow Cooker ! Not only is it delicious, you won't have to keep a vigil in front of your stove while it cooks! It won't be served in nice, neat slices, but who cares when it tastes this yummy?

SLOW COOKER FRENCH TOAST
Ingredients 

• 1 loaf of stale French or sourdough bread, cut into cubes
• 6 eggs 
• 2 cups whole milk or half and half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 

Topping 

• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans 
• Dash of nutmeg 

Instructions 
Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add the cubed bread to the bowl, cover and refrigerate overnight. When you are ready to make the French toast, spray the inside of your slow cooker liberally with non-stick cooking spray. Pour in the bread mixture. In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the topping. Sprinkle on top of the bread mixture. Cover and cook on low for four hours. It can also be cooked on high for two if you are in a rush. When ready to serve, turn off the slow cooker and remove the lid. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. Top with butter, syrup, fresh fruit, etc as desired and enjoy!

Crock pot blueberry French toast recipe

Photo credit: Wikipedia

If you're looking for something new to try for breakfast, this recipe is almost a guaranteed winner! This would make a great holiday brunch.

CROCK POT BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST

• 5 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk or heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup lightly packed brown sugar 
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 cup melted butter 
• 12 slices stale sourdough or challah bread
• 2 cups blueberries 

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla. Set aside. Combine brown sugar, cinnamon and butter in a bowl, making sure to combine well. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mixture in the bottom of a well greased 5 quart crock pot. Place six slices of bread on top of the mixture and top with another third of the sugar mixture and half of the berries. Repeat the layers a second time. Pour egg mixture over the contents of the crock pot, cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, place the crock in the slow cooker and cook on low for three to four hours, until the eggs have set and turned golden. Serve with your choice of whipped cream, fruit topping, syrup or powdered sugar. 

Slow cooked orange carrots recipe

(Photo credit: yum9me)

If you have a hard time getting your kids to eat their veggies, this sweet recipe might help get them on the right track. 

SLOW COOKED ORANGE CARROTS

• 2 (16 ounce) bags of baby carrots
• 1 medium onion, cut in half, sliced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Directions

Place the carrots and onion in your crock pot. Sprinkle with salt. Cook on low until tender, 5-6 hours. While the carrots are cooking, combine honey and marmalade and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until time to use. After the carrots have cooked, drain the liquid from the slow cooker. Pour honey mixture over the carrots and turn the heat to high. Cook for an additional 15 minutes, until sauce is hot. Sprinkle with parsley just prior to serving. 

Drunken pot roast recipe

Cold temperatures have settled back into southern Ohio and now is the perfect time to break out your crockpot and enjoy a delicious, home cooked meal that is low on prep time.

DRUNKEN POT ROAST
Ingredients

• 4-5 pound roast
• bottle of dark beer
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup steak sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 small white or yellow onions, sliced thinly
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Place roast in crock. Whisk together remaining ingredients and pour over top of roast. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8-10.

Cook's Notes

• if you wish to serve your roast with gravy, pour jous into a small saucepan. Skim fat from liquid and bring too a boil. Combine 1/4 cup flour with 1/4 cup cold water. When mixture is smooth, stir into saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook untill desired thickness.
• the leftovers from this roast will make delicious sandwiches the following day. Pile high on a bun, top with some of the cooked onions, sprinkle a little jous on the bun and heat until warm.

Honeyed garlic chicken recipe

This Asian themed entree is made in the crockpot, so it can cook while you are busy with more important things.Very important in these last few days leading up to Christmas.

HONEYED GARLIC CHICKEN
Ingredients

• 1 cup brown rice
• 10 boneless chicken breasts
  
• 3/4 cup honey
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed 
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• dash ground cloves
  
• 20 ounce can pineapple chunks, drained with juice reserved
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cold water

Directions
Place uncooked rice in the bottom of slow cooker and top with chicken breasts. In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, cloves and pineapple juice. Once the mixture is smooth, pour into slow cooker. Cover and cook on high 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked completely through. Add pineapple 15 minutes before serving to heat. When ready to serve, remove chicken from slow cooker. Mix corn starch and water in a small bowl then blend into rice and sauce mixture. Allow to cook for another 10-15 minutes before serving. 

Photo Credit Harmony Bax