Hi, Seniorgal. Below is a good crockpot gumbo. It is easy to half the recipe. Also, you can freeze this for later use.

I really like using the crockpot, too. Are you looking for recipes for soups, beef, pork, etc?

Chicken Gumbo

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 10-ounce package frozen sliced okra, thawed (about 1ý cups fresh sliced okra)
2 links Andouille sausage or any seasoned cooked sausage, such as chorizo (2 to 3 ounces), diced
4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups tomato juice

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the thyme, oregano, salt, bay leaves, onion powder, garlic powder, mustard, cayenne, and black pepper and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute, until the spices are fragrant. Add the okra, sausage, broth, and tomato juice and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaves before serving over rice.
Slow cook it: Combine all the ingredients in a medium to large slow cooker and mix well to combine. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.

This is fast and delicious!

Ham and Potato Soup (Allrecipes)
8 servings
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
3/4 cup diced cooked ham
3 1/4 cups water
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk

Directions

1.Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, ham and water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the chicken bouillon, salt and pepper.

2.In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk as not to allow lumps to form until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.

3.Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through. Serve immediately.

At the supermarket for fast easy fixing, look in the freezer section for Birds Eye Voila skillet meals. There are several varieties to choose from. Nothing to add but water and all that we have tried, we like.

Wow! That is so cool that you are still cooking for you and your husband. You are an inspiration for me and my cooking future!
My 84 year old mother who is now on her own asked me that same question last week. I suggested this recipe because it's easy to make and is full of vegies. Add some rice or some buns and you have a meal. My mom found it really easy to make and had lots of leftovers which she froze.

Ground Beef Chili (from Canadian Living cookbook)

1 T. oil
2 onions, chopped
1 seeded and chopped pepper (any colour)
minced garlic
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 T. chili powder
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (7 oz) tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1 can (19 oz) red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can (19 oz) black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 cup corn
grated cheddar cheese

In Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat and cook the onions, garlic and peppers until soft, 8 -10 minutes.

Add beef and cook til browned. Stir in the spices and salt/pepper and cook for 1 minute.

Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Uncover and add the corn and cook another 15 minutes.

Serve with grated cheese on top.

This recipe makes quite a bit and it is easy to use different spices. Just use what you have on hand. If you want to cut the recipe in half just use one tin of beans and use a smaller tin of diced tomatoes and less water.

(edited to add pepper)

This post was edited by blfenton on Fri, Jun 14, 13 at 13:46

do you know about our recipe archives? There you will find lots and lots of our tried and true recipes including a section of crockpot recipes.
KT Gathering Place
there at the Gathering place you will see up in the top left side links to the various recipe areas.

Here is my completely self created recipe for beef stew in the crockpot and it is definitely tried and true.

Crock Pot Stew
1lg red onion chopped
2lg carrots well scrubbed cut in rounds(do not peel)
2red potatoes cubed(i don't peel)
1pk lipton onion soup mix
1stalk chopped celery
sliced mushrooms(fresh)about a handful(this is optional)
1lb lean stew meat
1can cream of onion soup or cream of celery soup
1/2cup flour
2TBS worstershire sauce
1 1/2to2TBS cajun seasoning(I use Tony Chacheres)
1TBS garlic salt
1soupcan of milk
1soupcan of water
*1cup frozen peas
Spray inside of crock pot with pam.
Put flour and meat in a zip lock bag and shake till coated
Put all ingredients in crock pot, pour meat and flour in crock pot
Mix VERY well (add any other seasonings you desire)
*Put the frozen peas in during the last 30 mins of cooking
Cook on high till potatoes are done (4hrs)
*optional ingredient 1TBS kitchen bouquet(adds flavor)

this one is TandT also and makes a lot so you can have left overs or freeze it.
Black Bean Creole

Ingredients

3 pounds smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
5 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, partially drained
1-1/2 cups onions, chopped
1-1/2 cups green pepper, chopped
1-1/2 cups celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons leaf thyme
1-1/2 teaspoons leaf oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 chicken bouillon cube
5 bay leaves
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 cup water
Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. Cover and cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours. Remove bay leaves. Serve with corn chips, cheese and sour cream. Or over cooked rice.

I enjoy Lean Cuisine spaghetti with meat sauce and mushrooms.

Stouffers makes some great frozen entrees, too. I keep a bag of their Homestyle beef on hand, as I have only myself to cook for and I can take out whatever amount I want. It's really very good.

Hi Seniorgal, you are truly an inspiration for me. Here's a recipe I couldn't imagine being good, but it was outstanding. Seriously delicious.

1 - 2 to 3 lb. pork tenderloin (I used Boston Butt)
1 can of root beer

Put the pork in the crockpot, add the root beer and cook on LOW 6-7 hours. Remove from crockpot, discard juices and shred the meat. (You may want to add just a little juice to the shredded meat.) Serve on buns with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Note: I only shredded part of the meat and cut the rest in portions to put in the freezer.

I always use the crockpot for corned beef. Turns out perfect every time.

Crockpot Corned Beef

1 corned beef brisket, about 3-1/2 lb.
1 large onion, cut into thick slices
3-4 carrots, scraped and cut in 1/2
1 head of cabbage, cored and cut into 8 wedges
10 redskin little potatoes, quartered
2 Tbsp. butter
Salt to taste

Arrange onion on bottom of the crockpot. Place the corned beef on top and add the seasoning packet. (If it didn't come with one add 2 bay leaves, 1/2 tsp. mustard seed and 6 whole peppercorns.) Lay the carrots around the roast. Add just enough water to cover. Cover cooker and cook on LOW 8 hours. After 5 hours add the little potatoes and cabbage.
Note: I only put in 2 or 3 cabbage wedges and about 8 little potatoes. If the carrots are thin, add them when you add the cabbage/potatoes.

This looks like a lot of ingredients, but it's fairly simple and our grownup kids just love it. It makes a crockpot full, so you may want to cut the recipe in half. Or freeze in in meal-size portions.

CROCK POT SPANISH RICE

2 pounds lean ground chuck
2 medium onions, chopped
2 green peppers, chopped
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces) tomatoes
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup rice, (not Minute Rice) uncooked

Brown beef in skillet and drain off fat. Put all ingredients in CROCK-POT. Stir thoroughly. Cover and cook on Low 4-5 hours. (High: 3 hours). This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.

Crock pot chicken & dumplings are very good & easy to do.

Get some boneless chicken breast 1-3 pieces however many you want. Put on the bottom of the crock pot. Add some chopped onion on top, then a can of cream of chicken soup, add enough water to cover all (about 1/2 cup). I add some black pepper then cook on low for about 4 hrs, until tender. I even add some cut up carrots to mine.

about 30 min before you are ready to eat toss in some Flour Tortillas (cut in strips) These will be the dumplings.

Very good!

I agree with joann that flour tortillas strips make wonderful dumplings.

Hi, seniorgal,

Do you still feel like a bride? I just happened onto here and look who I found. You and some great recipes.

Much love and good eating,
Ellie

This thread has been around for a long time and has a lot of good recipes on it...check it out when you have a little time to read all the recipes

Here is a link that might be useful: OAWC

Wow SeniorGal.
I keep forgetting how "mature" you are. I'm in awe that you still cook real meals for you and your hubby. That's amazing, and wonderful.

Sloppy joes are very quick and easy to make.
I've got a baked ziti recipe that makes 2 casseroles, and I always freeze one.

Boneless chicken breasts dipped in melted butter, garlic, dijon and worcestershire, then rolled in bread crumbs and parmesan. Then baked at 375.

Brown sausages, onions and green peppers. Make a "red sauce" using ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, worcestershire and yellow mustard and some water in a bowl. Pour over the sausages and simmer a few minutes to thicken. Hubby loves this one.

Meatloaf and scalloped potatoes are always welcomed here. At least you can have a rest while they are baking.

This post was edited by jasdip on Sun, Jun 16, 13 at 9:43

Senoirgal-your DH is going to eat like a king with all these new recipes-these can be assembled ahead and finished off later in the day!

Pork Chops and Sauerkraut

1-2 lbs sauerkraut
large onion
cubed peeled potatoes (optional)
paprika
pepper
Oven 350 for 1-1 1/2 hours
Empty kraut into roasting pan. Mix in onions and potatoes. Arrange meat on top and sprinkle with pepper and paprika. Add water to just below meat. Bake uncovered until meat is browned a little, then cover.

*can also be cooked in a crockpot on low for 6 -7 hours. Instead of potatoes I sometimes serve over mashed potatoes or home-made german spatulas. Could use noodles too.

Ravioli Lasagna (got this recipe from a KTer)
1 lb ground beef
26 oz jar spaghetti sauce
25 oz bag of frozen ravioli-(thawed preferably, but not a big deal)
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 400. Brown ground beef over medium heat. In a 2 1/2 qt greased casserole, layer 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce, 1/2 the ravioli. 1/2 the ground beef, and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Repeat, topping with the rest of the spaghetti sauce and remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Cover and bake for 40-45 minutes.

Awesome Roast Beef

3 lb chuck roast
a few garlic cloves
10.75 oz can condensed cream of mushroom soup
pkg dry onion soup mix
10.5 oz can condensed beef broth

Place roast in crockpot. Add everything else and cook on low for about 8 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes, noodles, or even add cubed potatoes to the crockpot for an all in one meal!

Baby Back Ribs

2 lbs baby back ribs -cut into 4 portions
18 oz bottle of barbeque sauce
(Optional seasoning mix I make and put in a jar in the pantry-
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tbs paprika
1 tbs kosher salt
1 1/2 tbs pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper)

Tear off 4 sheets of aluminum foil big enough to enclose each portion of ribs. Spray each piece of foil with nostick spray. Brush each of the ribs liberally with barbeque sauce and sprinkle seasoning on each one. Place in foil and wrap tightly and refrigerate overnight or for several hours. Preheat oven to 300. Place ribs still sealed in foil on a tray and bake for 2 1/2 hours. remove from foil and add more sauce if desired.

Lazy Daze Beef
1 lb beef stew meat
1 can golden cream of mushroom soup.

Put beef and soup into casserole and cover and bake at 275 degrees for 4 hours. No seasoning, no water, no effort. Serve over noodles. You can increase to any amount-1 lb meat per can of soup.

This post was edited by lisa_fla on Sun, Jun 16, 13 at 17:37

Here's one that takes only 10 min. to put together, and can ignore until ready.

I have no name for it. :) There are no measurements either, because you add as much as you want, but I suggest filling the whole pan because it cooks down and will give you plenty of leftovers.

1-2 pkgs. Smoked Sausage (skinned makes it faster)
1 head of Cabbage
2 cans (or fresh) New Potatoes, sliced or whole

Spray a large frying pan (like a chicken frying pan) with Pam.

Put in sliced sausage, any way you want to slice it.

Add cabbage wedges on top. Use a lot because it cooks down.

Add Potatoes on top of Cabbage.

Dot with butter or margerine. Sprinkle w/salt and pepper if desired.

Cover pan. Start on high heat, then work down to a low simmer and leave it be for an hour.

After an hour, drain the grease. Take lid off and bring to high heat, stir and crisp up the food. You don't have to crisp it up but it's better.

Serve.

If you haven't been in the frozen food aisle in a few years, you will be amazed at how good they have gotten. Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers Smart Ones, and Healthy Choice have some wonderful dishes.

i'm sure this can be done in crock pot although I use the top of the stove....

1 large container of low sodium chicken broth
fresh cut or frozen package of soup veggies
chicken breast chunked into pieces or left whole (shred when cooked)
added water as needed....

cook on low till veggies are tender, and chicken is cooked through...
add either rice or noodles
we like a creamy soup so add low fat half and half with a
small amount of cornstarch (as if you were making a gravy) note we add only pepper att he end as we find the stock salty enough...add fave herbs as well...