With the holidays right around the corner, your inner hostess is likely to be having a full-fledged panic attack. There are centerpieces to create, decorations to put up, and guest lists to curate, along with perfect table settings to plan, unbelievable playlists to program, and dozens of favors to make. It is your job to make sure that the wine is perfectly chilled and the conversation doesn't stop. And on top of all of that, you're supposed to cook a fabulous meal and mingle with guests. How can you keep yourself out of the kitchen and in with the in-crowd? Two words: slow cooker.
This gift from the kitchen-appliance gods is not merely a weeknight quick-dinner helper. This little invention is capable of cooking everything from full menus to quick party appetizers that would otherwise need a ton of TLC.
The morning of your party, you simply throw your ingredients in and let the magic happen. The best part is that come party time, you (and your hands) will be free to mix and mingle with other guests and party dishes.
But what exactly can you use the appliance for? We found five recipes in our archives that will make your party perfect by simply plopping ingredients in a slow cooker.
Coconut-Nutella Pudding Cake Recipe
Fact: Anything with Nutella is awesome. Need I say more? This cake is decadent, delicious, and perfect with vanilla ice cream. Or better yet, with coconut ice cream. That would be awesome. Five stars - double it, if you're having company.
Slow Cooker Coconut-Nutella Pudding Cake Recipe
Chicken and Dumplings
Perfect for a cold, rainy night, chicken and dumplings is a classic American comfort food dish that I originally found a recipe for in the Little Big Book of Comfort Food, but has evolved over time since I began making it in the easiest of all cooking appliances - the slow cooker. I also like to keep the cut of the vegetables large so that they retain some toothsomeness. While not exactly soup, the hot, steaming broth, large cut of tender chicken, aromatic vegetables, and boiled chive dumplings served in a shallow bowl equal a warming, hearty meal.
Click Here to see the Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Pulled Pork
Like most dishes that are made using a slow cooker, the prep is minimal and the bulk of the work is done by the appliance, so with some patience, the pork will be fork-tender and ready to pull without much effort at all.
Click Here to see the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
Sausage and Meatball Bites
This easy slow cooker recipe for sausage and meatball bites makes a great appetizer. It also comes with ten amazing sauces that you can serve with it so that you're basically getting ten recipes in one! Eat this alone, or pick one of the options below.
Click Here to see the Slow Cooker Sausage and Meatball Bites
Carnitas Tacos
As the weather cools down, there is nothing like coming home to an apartment filled with the aroma of meat that has been slow-cooking all day. These carnitas made my kitchen smell amazing, and they were delicious and easy to make, too.
INGREDIENTS
One 2 1/2-pound boneless pork shoulder umin, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chili powder, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/4 tablespoon orange juice
Juice from 1 lime
4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
Corn tortillas, for serving
Picked onions, for serving
Avocado, for serving
Cotija cheese, for serving
DIRECTIONS
Generously season the pork on all sides with cumin, salt, pepper, and chili powder. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the pork to the pan and brown on all sides, approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Add chicken stock, orange juice, lime juice, and garlic to slow cooker. Add pork to slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours. After 8 hours, remove pork from slow cooker and shred the meat with 2 forks. Add back to slow cooker and adjust seasoning as necessary. Cook on high for 20 minutes.
Before serving, re-brown carnitas in a pan over high heat to add an additional crust to the meat.
To assemble, top tortillas with carnitas, then add pickled onions, avocado, and cotija cheese. Enjoy!
Recipe Details
Servings: 8
Click Here to see 6 More Delicious Crock-Pot Recipes
-Lauren Gordon, The Daily Meal
