Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Cookbook (95 page)

Cowboy Beans

Reba Rhodes

Bridgewater, VA

Makes 8 servings

Prep. Time: 20-25 minutes

Cooking Time: 1-2 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.

1 lb. ground beef

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped

28-oz. can pork and beans

1½ cups ketchup

1 tsp. vinegar

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 tsp. prepared mustard

2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1. Brown ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in skillet. Stir often to break up clumps of meat. Continue cooking until meat is no longer pink. Drain off drippings.

2. Spoon meat and vegetables into slow cooker.

3. Add all other ingredients to slow cooker. Mix well.

4. Cover. Cook on Low 1-2 hours.

Note:

This travels well to a potluck or holiday buffet.

Hamburger Beans

Joanne Kennedy

Plattsburgh, NY

Makes 6 servings

Prep. Time: 20-25 minutes

Cooking Time: 2-3 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.

1 lb. ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 15-oz. cans pork and beans

15-oz. can butter beans, drained

15-oz. can kidney beans, drained

½ tsp. garlic powder

1 cup ketchup

¾ cup molasses

½ cup brown sugar

1. Brown ground beef and onion in skillet. Stir frequently to break up clumps. Continue cooking until meat is no longer pink. Drain off drippings.

2. Spoon beef and onion into slow cooker.

3. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well.

4. Cover. Cook on Low 2-3 hours.

Pasta Bean Pot

Donna Conto

Saylorsburg, PA

Makes 8 servings

Prep. Time: 10-15 minutes

Cooking Time: 4-5 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

½ tsp. vinegar

8 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni

28-oz. can stewed,
or
diced, tomatoes

15-oz. can cannellini beans, undrained

15-oz. can kidney beans, undrained

12-oz. can chicken broth

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. parsley

dash red pepper

1. Put all ingredients in slow cooker. Mix well.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 4-5 hours, or until macaroni are tender but not mushy.

Note:

I like to have this soup cooking as my granddaughter and I bake cookies. That frees us from worrying about making dinner.

Keep a bowl of ornaments by the door throughout the season and let guests help themselves when they leave.

Carol L. Miller, Lockport, NY

One-Pot Dinner

Vicki Dinkel

Sharon Springs, KS

Makes 4 servings

Prep. Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 3-9 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4- to 5-qt.

½-1 lb. ground beef, according to your preference

½ lb. bacon, cut in pieces

1 cup chopped onions

2 31-oz. cans pork and beans

16-oz. can kidney beans, drained

1 cup ketchup

16-oz. can butter beans, drained

¼ cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. liquid smoke

3 Tbsp. white vinegar

1 tsp. salt

dash of pepper

1. Brown ground beef in skillet. Stir frequently to break up clumps of meat. Continue cooking until meat is no longer pink. Drain off drippings.

2. Place beef in slow cooker.

3. Brown bacon and onions in same skillet. Stir frequently to brown evenly. Drain off drippings.

4. Add bacon and onions to slow cooker.

5. Stir remaining ingredients into cooker.

6. Cover. Cook on Low 5-9 hours or on High 3 hours.

Calico Beans

Mary Rogers

Waseca, MN

Makes 12-15 servings

Prep. Time: 30-40 minutes

Cooking Time: 3-4 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4- to 5-qt.

1 lb. bacon

1 lb. ground beef

½ cup chopped onions

½ cup chopped celery

½ cup ketchup

1 Tbsp. prepared mustard

16-oz. can kidney beans, undrained

16-oz. can great northern beans, undrained

½ cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp. vinegar

16-oz. can butter beans, undrained

28-oz. can Bush’s Baked Beans

1. Cut bacon in small squares. Brown in skillet, stirring often to brown evenly. Drain off drippings.

2. Spoon bacon into slow cooker.

3. Brown ground beef in skillet, stirring frequently to break up clumps of meat. Continue cooking until meat is no longer pink.

4. Using a slotted spoon, lift beef from drippings and place in slow cooker. Reserve drippings.

5. Sauté onions and celery in drippings until soft. Place vegetables in cooker.

6. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Stir together well.

7. Cover. Simmer on Low 3-4 hours.

Note:

This is a favorite dish that we serve at neighborhood and family gatherings any time of the year. Our children especially enjoy it.