Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Cookbook (98 page)

half a large green bell pepper, diced

half a large red bell pepper, diced

1 medium onion, diced

15-oz. can red beans, rinsed and drained

chopped fresh parsley

chopped fresh cilantro

1. Combine broth, cumin, chili powder, and garlic in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on High until mixture comes to boil.

3. Add pasta, vegetables, and beans. Stir together well.

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

5. Add parsley and cilantro before serving.

Slow-Cooker Kidney Beans

Jeanette Oberholtzer

Manheim, PA

Makes 12 servings

Prep. Time: 10-15 minutes

Cooking Time: 6-7 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 5-qt.

2 30-oz. cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

28-oz. can diced tomatoes

2 medium-sized red bell peppers, chopped

1 cup ketchup

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup honey

¼ cup molasses

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. dry mustard

2 medium red apples, cored, unpeeled, cut into pieces

1. Combine all ingredients, except apples, in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 4-5 hours.

3. Stir in apples.

4. Cover. Cook 2 more hours on Low.

Note:

Tasty, meatless eating!

Zesty Calico Beans

Gloria Julien

Gladstone, MI

Makes 10 servings

Prep. Time: 20-30 minutes

Cooking Time: 2-3 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 5-qt.

1 lb. hamburger

½ cup chopped onion

½ lb. bacon

1 can kidney beans, drained

1 can great northern white beans, drained

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup ketchup

2 large cans baked beans, undrained

4 drops Tabasco sauce

2 tsp. dry mustard

1 tsp. chili powder

1. Brown hamburger and onion together in skillet. Stir frequently to break up clumps of meat. When meat is no longer pink, drain off drippings.

2. Spoon beef and onions into slow cooker.

3. Brown bacon in same skillet until crispy. Remove from drippings and drain. Place bacon in slow cooker.

4. Stir remaining ingredients into slow cooker until well mixed.

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

Edna’s Baked Beans

Sharon Easter

Yuba City, CA

Makes 6 servings

Prep. Time: 5-10 minutes

Cooking Time: 4 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 3½-qt.

1 cup applesauce (not chunky)

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup ketchup

½ tsp. prepared mustard (or use small pkg. hot mustard from Chinese take-out)

21-oz. can pork & beans,
or
2 15-oz. cans

6 hot dogs, sliced ¼”-thick,
optional

1. Stir all ingredients together in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 4 hours.

Variation:

Substitute ½ lb. thinly sliced smoked sausage for hot dogs.

Note from Tester:

This recipe was as good, if not better, the second day. Next time I’ll double the recipe so we’re sure to have leftovers!

Vegetarian Baked Beans

Janice Muller

Derwood, MD

Makes 4 servings

Prep. Time: 10-15 minutes

Cooking Time: 4-5 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.

1 cup picante sauce

¼ cup molasses

2 Tbsp. packed brown sugar

2 tsp. prepared mustard

1 tsp. onion powder

16-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

16-oz. can white beans, rinsed and drained

1 Tbsp. lime juice

1. Mix all ingredients together in slow cooker.

2. Cover. Cook on Low 4-5 hours.

Make more than enough food so you can send a small amount home with your guests. This is especially nice for older friends who find it hard to cook, but any guest will enjoy eating good leftovers.

Leona M. Slabaugh, Apple Creek, OH

Other Main Dish Favorites

Lamb Stew

Dottie Schmidt

Kansas City, MO

Makes 6 servings

Prep. Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 8-10 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 5-qt.

2 lbs. lamb, cubed

½ tsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. oil

2 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

¼ cup flour

2 cups water

¾ cup red wine

¼ tsp. powdered garlic

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

6-8 carrots, sliced

4 small onions, quartered

4 ribs celery, sliced

3 medium potatoes, diced

1. Sprinkle lamb with sugar. Brown in oil in skillet.

2. Remove lamb and place in cooker, reserving drippings. Stir salt, pepper, and flour into drippings until smooth. Stir in water and wine until smooth, stirring until broth simmers and thickens.

3. Pour into cooker. Add remaining ingredients and stir until well mixed.

4. Cover. Cook on Low 8-10 hours.

Serving suggestion: We like this served with
crusty bread
.