crockpot recipes // new tastes

Here's what I"m making this week. I tried to pick a wide variety this week, to test out the different types of meals we like. Matt's rating is at the bottom of the recipe. :)

Mexican Chili with Cornbread Topping
4 servings | 512 calories | 15g Fat/64g Carbs/30g Protein
1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium-sized sweet onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper
1 cup of frozen corn
1 tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 15oz can of tomato sauce
1 box of Jiffy corn muffin mix + the necessary ingredients listed on the box (Jiffy calls for one egg and 1/3 cup milk)
1 beer

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except corn muffin mix in a freezer bag, freeze.
In the morning, put in crockpot, add the beer, cook on low for 8 hours.
Top chili with cornbread batter. Replace lid and cook for one hour on high.
Serve with shredded cheese, as desired.

Matt Rating:
8 // "i liked the cornbread, really good"


Balsamic Pot Roast
12 servings | 305 calories | 6g Fat/32g Carbs/29g Protein
5 lbs beef chuck roast
2 cups of beef broth
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp of salt
1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes
3 cloves of minced fresh garlic
1lb carrots
8 medium-sized red potatoes

Directions:
This is for two meals, so it takes two bags.
Put each chuck roast in each bag.
Then wisk the beef broth, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt, red pepper flakes, and garlic together and pour half in each bag.
Add 1/2 lb of chopped carrots and 4 chopped potatoes to each bag.
This recipe will last in the freezer for about 3 months.
In the morning, put in crockpot, cook on low for 8 hours.
** can use the potatoes to make mashed potatoes and mix broth with some cornstarch for gravy

Matt Rating:
7.5 // "my least favorite so far, but the veggies were good"

Cranberry Chicken
6 servings | 385 calories | 3g Fat/64g Carbs/22g Protein
1 bag of frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 breasts)
2 15oz cans whole berry cranberry sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/2 medium sweet onion, chopped

Directions:
Combine all ingredients, put in freezer bag, freeze.
In the morning, put in crockpot, cook on low for 8 hours.
Serve with green beans and potentially left over potatoes from the balsamic pot roast.

(I think this recipe would be better with pork, but I already had a bag of chicken in the freezer and Matt isn't a huge fan of pork)

Matt Rating:
8 // "pretty good"

Beef and Broccoli
8 servings | 280 calories | 8g Fat/24g Carbs/25g Protein
2 lb flank steak, thinly sliced
1 can beef broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp sesame seeds
1/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 cups fresh broccoli

Directions:
This one takes two bags, one for the meat and sauce (make the sauce first, obvi), and one for the broccoli.
In the morning, put the meat and sauce bag in crockpot, cook on low for 8 hours.
Add broccoli and mix in, cook for an additional 1/2 hour before serving.