I have found a new love for my crockpot. Man that little thing does EVERYTHING! Including saving money. My 6quart crock pot cost me $16 bucks at Walmart. I really try not to shop at Walmart but sometimes it is a necessity. I have learned a few things through trial and error with this little thing. Here are just a few reasons why a crock pot will save you money and maybe I can make a convert out of you!
1. It saves energy, saved energy means saved money! Supposedly since they are only about 100 watts, if you use it once a week for 8 hours it only costs you 20 cents! SO BUST OUT THOSE CROCK POTS!
2. You can buy more inexpensive cuts of meat. The more tender the meat the more expensive it is, a stew meat vs. fillet mignon! A crock pot since it is cooked so slowly and at a low temp it makes tough meats tender :)
3. Time is worth a lot in my opinion. Since I work full time and have school to take care of, throwing everything in the crock pot in the morning and having an amazing home cooked meal by evening = priceless to me!
4. Dining out? Geesh, learning from experience this can really break the bank...and your budget! I used www.mint.com to help keep track of how much I was spending and where my money was going. This is a free site and comparing a month of eating out vs. cooking in has saved me almost $200 bucks in a month. THAT IS JUST ONE MONTH!
so... tricks from today
* use www.mint.com to keep track of how much you are spending and where
* cook at home to save mulah
* Crock pot = MAJOR SAVINGS!
My homecooked crock pot meal today
WHITE CHICKEN CHILI
prep time : 10 minutes
cook time: 8 hours
ingredients:
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken
2 cans great northern beans or navy beans
1 can of hominy corn
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can chopped green chilies
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1/2 c sour cream
DIRECTIONS:
1. Place chicken in a slow cooker ( I browned my chicken beforehand since I got a late start today and need it to be done in 6 hours, not 8) DO NOT USE FROZEN CHICKEN... I have read it is not good for you.
2. Top the chicken with beans and then corn
3. In a medium bowl combine the taco seasoning, chilies, condensed soup, and chicken broth. Pour this mixture over top of the ingredients that are already in the crock.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours.
5. Before serving, pull apart chicken so it is somewhat shredded, then stir in the sour cream while it is still pipping hot.
6. ENJOY!
for those of you that are new to the crock pot experience usually they only have two settings, LOW and HIGH. Also once you put the lid on....LEAVE IT. Everytime you open the lid you need to extend the cooking time by 30 minutes.... trust me... let the crock do its job so you can get onto other things :)
**UPDATE**
Okay. So. Chili is done... and well. here are a few alterations I would make to the recipe. The original recipe has turned our fairly bland... hard to believe right? I would double the green chilies and I would either add another half packet of taco seasoning or add a TON of hot sauce.
For those of you that know me know I do NOT like spicy things. So when I say its bland.... it most definitely is. I am saying that after the 8 hour cook time, after pulling chicken apart and adding sour cream, taste your meal.... if it is bland like mine turned out rummage through your cabinets and find either pepper, hot sauce, salt, ANYTHING and add it to it. Let is simmer for another 30 minutes or so then it should be ready to serve others :)
This has turned out to be a hit at the house, it is so easy to refrigerate and reheat... definitely one I will make again (with a few alterations)
Nutritional Facts for Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
Serving Size: 1 (354 g)
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving % Daily Value
Calories 302.5
Calories from Fat 72 23%
Total Fat 8.0 g 12%
Saturated Fat 2.9 g 14%
Cholesterol 56.0 mg 18%
Sodium 996.5 mg 41%
Total Carbohydrate 32.4 g 10%
Dietary Fiber 8.2 g 32%
Sugars 3.4 g 13%
Protein 25.4 g 50%
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