This crock pot recipe for apricot chicken is one that I used to make in the 70s, when I first started using my CROCK POT. Tastes have changed since then, and I know mine has a lot, but I recently made this dish again and was surprised that it still tastes just as it did back then and I enjoyed it just as much.  You can use chicken breast or chicken legs for this recipe.  I used chicken breast but I think next time I will try the legs instead.

Apricot Chicken

2 lbs (1 kg ) chicken breast (cut into cubes) or chicken legs

15 oz (410-425g) can apricot nectar

1 pkt (1.5 oz)) french onion soup mix (Maggi or Lipton)

2 teasps curry powder (optional but recommended)

1 teasp ginger powder

15 oz (425g) can apricot halves - drained

2 tabs sour cream (optional)

chopped parsley to garnish

Put all ingredients except the last three into the crock pot and stir well.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Half way through the cooking time add the apricot halves and stir through.  When cooked, thicken if necessary and stir through the sour cream. Serve with rice and vegetables and garnish with the parsley.

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Tags: crock pot apricot chicken, crock pot chicken recipe, Slow cooker

I love the convenience the CROCK-POT gives me for having a home cooked meal on my dinner table during my working week.  I made this little You Tube video and I thought I would share some Crock Pot Love with you.   Its just a bit of fun with some funky music.

Just a note:  I will be adding some more recipes for the holidays in the next few weeks.  I hope you enjoy them and if you have any suggestions please let me know.  I love this time of year especially leading up to Christmas so spread a little crock pot love yourself.

Let’s use our crock pots to make the holiday season a little easier and let’s spend less time in the kitchen and more time with our families and friends.  I love cooking but I love to relax with great food without the work even better.

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Tags: Crock Pot, crock pot love, Dinner, Slow cooker, You Tube Video

Having friends and family coming to visit over the holidays or are you visiting them?  Why not try a new recipe as your Crock-Pot Cooks All Day While The Cooks Away! Try this Cheese and Bacon Dip and let it cook while you entertain your guests and its even easy to make and you can serve it straight from the crock pot itself which also means less cleaning up.  Crock pot entertaining couldn’t be easier.

Cheese and Bacon Dip

16 oz (450g) cream cheese softened and cut into cubes

4 cups shredded cheese (Colby-jack or cheddar)

1 cup half-and-half

2 tablsp mustard

1 tablsp finely chopped onion

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

pinch salt

dash hot pepper sauce (to taste)

1 lb  (450g) bacon cooked and crumbled

Place cream cheese, Colby-Jack or cheddar cheese, half-and-half, mustard, onion, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper sauce in a smaller  (4 quart) Crock-Pot. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, on low for 1 hour or until cheese melts.  Stir in the bacon and adjust the seasonings if needed.

Serve with crackers, crusty bread or tortilla chips.

Entertaining this holiday season can be easy with the crock pot.  Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your family and friends.

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Tags: crock pot recipe, holiday recipe, Slow cooker

Get all of the facts first before you buy your first crock pot. We like choice don’t we, and with crock pots there are plenty to choose from. Know what is the best crock pot for you and your family.

Take into account the following features when choosing your new crock pot:

Brand
The most popular brand is Rival and has the largest selection.  Another popular brand is Hamilton Beach which also has a good selection but there are dozens of brand names out there all trying to convince you they are the best.  Look around and check out the ranges and be familiar with the prices so you get the best crock pot at the best price.

Types
There are simple types of slow cookers that have 2 or 3 settings (high, low, off) and others are smart pot digital crock pots.  With these digital ones you can set the time you want to start cooking, keep warm, or turn off.

There are crock pots in one piece with non removable bowls.  You can also get two pieces with the bowl being able to be taken out to serve the food at the table, to clean, or store the cooked food in the refrigerator. Removable bowls have the advantage with large crock pots that they can be removed easier as they can be heavy.

Sizes
How big is your family and what do you want to cook in it?  You may only need a small crock pot for two or are you cooking for six and need a larger size?  The most popular sizes are 3-4 quarts for small families to a 6-7 quart for large families.

Shapes
Another thing to consider is the shape.  There are two shapes being round and oval.  Round is good for soups and stews and oval is good for cooking larger meats like whole chicken.

Lids
Lids should fit well and the domed ones are the best as they trap the heat and allow it to drip down back into the pot. You can also get a lid which clamps to seal so that it can’t spill when carrying.

Rival was the first crock pot and has the best selection and you probably cant go wrong with them. You can buy them at Department stores or easier still you can shop online at CROCK-POT.COM.  Buying a new crock should be enjoyable so go have some fun.

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Tags: best crock pot, Crock Pot, Slow cooker

Crock Pots or slow cookers are great for busy people.  Ive had a crock pot since the 70s and I used all the time then.  It was put away and got moved around the kitchen cupboards for many years but my lime green crock pot has made a revival for the following reasons:

• Crock pot cooking is simple, healthy and a time saver.

• Crock pots are great for busy families and especially for new mothers,  just add all the ingredients in the morning, turn it on, and leave the cooking to happen while you get on with your day.

• There are many easy crock pot recipes including soups, stews and desserts.

• Crock pots use a small amount of electricity so its a money saver too.

• They come in several sizes from small crock pots that cook enough food for one or two people to medium sized crock pots are often best for families of four or five, and the largest crock pots can serve ten people or more.

• Very little clean up required. Now that’s a bonus.

An electric crock pot or slow cooker usually consists of a removable porcelain bowl which sits inside an outer container that has electric heating elements and some control buttons and switches.  My vintage one has only two settings, low and high, but the more modern have digital programming and automatic settings. My crock pot is round but they also come in oval which is good for cooking whole meats like chicken.

A crock pot is one of the most convenient appliances in a kitchen.  If you don’t have one then you are spending too much time in the kitchen.  Have a look at the great range at Crock-Pot Portable Slow Cooker – Free Shipping! They also have great accessories to go with your new crock pot.  I am hoping I get a new oval crock pot for Christmas ( hint, hint, family).

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Tags: Crock Pot, kitchen appliances, Slow cooker