Suppertime Solutions - Savoury Slow Cooker Recipes

Written by ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen

In my home, Slow Cooker Southwestern Beef Stew has become a family favorite. This ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen recipe is simple to prepare, creates a wonderful aroma as you walk through the front door and includes a tasty combination of flavors and textures. If you have a bread machine, try the Flax and Whole Wheat Bread recipe as well.

SLOW COOKER SOUTHWESTERN BEEF STEW

2 lbs. (1 kg) boneless beef chuck steak, cubed
1 cup (250 mL) medium salsa
1 cup (250 mL) barbecue sauce
1 pkg. (35 g) taco seasoning mix
2 cups (500 mL) frozen kernel corn, thawed
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup (50 mL) flour
1/2 cup (125 mL) water
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped fresh cilantro, optional

Combine first 7 ingredients (beef through black beans) in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or until beef is tender. Increase to high heat setting. Whisk together flour and water until smooth. Stir into stew. Cover and cook for 30 minutes or until stew is thickened. Stir in cilantro. May be frozen for up to 2 months. Serves 6.

FLAX AND WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

1 cup (250 mL) water
1 egg
2 tbsp. (25 mL) butter, cubed
3/4 tsp. (3 mL) salt
2 1/2 cups (625 mL) flour
3/4 cup (175 mL) whole wheat flour
1/3 cup (75 mL) flaxseed, coarsely ground
1/4 cup (50 mL) skim milk powder
2 tbsp. (25 mL) packed brown sugar
1 tsp. (5 mL) bread machine yeast

Place ingredients in baking pan of bread machine according to manufacturer’s instructions. Select the whole grain bread cycle. Remove baked bread from pan and cool on a rack. Makes one loaf
(1 1/2 lbs./0.75 kg.).

Cook’s note: To grind flaxseed, use a blender, a mini food processor or a coffee grinder. Do not use a regular food processor.

Using the Slow Cooker

• Use fresh or thawed (not frozen) meat or poultry in the slow cooker.
• If called for in recipe, brown meat or poultry just prior to cooking in the slow cooker. Ground meat must always be fully cooked before adding to other ingredients in the slow cooker.
• Fill the slow cooker at least half but no more than three-quarters full.
• Keep the lid on! Each time the lid is removed, the cooking time may increase by 15 to 25 minutes.
• Ingredients such as pasta, seafood, milk, cream and sour cream should be added to the slow cooker in the last hour of cooking.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the brand and model of slow cooker.

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