Finally! We moved, but it’s not all smooth sailing yet. We’re living out of boxes and we don’t have a kitchen yet. While our perfect kitchen is being built (which we will be talking about soon), I’m going to have to get crafty. I do have many plug-in appliances (rice cooker, toaster oven, panini press, waffle maker, microwave, etc.) so we’re still going to have a ball here. I think we’re going to be pleasantly surprised with how much I (or you) can do without a kitchen. (Gulp) Determined to eat well every single day without exceptions, here goes…
This was my first time ever using a slow-cooker. My mom never used one. We never learned about them in culinary school. None of the commercial kitchens I’ve worked in stocked this appliance. I always figured that I didn’t need this extra contraption in my kitchen. Well, now that I’m working on just appliances alone, I jumped at the chance when my mom called and said, “Someone gave me a slow-cooker. Do you want it?” I thought, “N—Yea!” I was going to habitually say no, as I have refused these once or twice before, but now things have changed. You gotta take all the help you can get when you don’t have a kitchen. As patient as you all are, I figured you didn’t want 101 ways to use your toaster oven.
I thought about the point of a slow cooker, and it’s really all about the ease. Most people use one so that they can “set-it and forget-it” in the morning, and come home to a cooked meal. The less steps involved the better. The chopping doesn’t even have to be so even and exact.
I wasn’t expecting my first slow-cooker recipe to come out so well, but I was really impressed with it and now I’m turned on to this long over-looked appliance. The Kielbasa & Beans are a play on the American kids’ classic, Franks and Beans. As easy and rustic as it is, there is also a sense of refinement in this dish. The slow and low cooking allowed the beans to absorb tons of flavor from the kielbasa, but not get totally mushy after half a day. I did not add any additional fat (there is fat in the Kielbasa) so it isn’t greasy, but certainly moist. However, there will be some variance (in flavor and fat) depending on the kielbasa used.
Use this as a hearty side dish, or even a main served over rice.
Kielbasa & Beans
~yields roughly 6 cups
- 2 (15.5.oz) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups diced kielbasa
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup water
- 7 cloves garlic, halved
- 1 rounded tablespoon whole grain mustard
Instructions –
Put all of the ingredients in a slow cooker (mine is 6 QT but as small as 4 QT should work too) and turn it on at low setting. Set for 6 hours. Serve it warm/hot.
Can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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OMG OMG OMG I’m so excited you have a slow cooker recipe on here! I will be trying this for sure. Red beans and rice is another dish I would recommend using this appliance, as it’s fan-friggin-tastic. The ease of the slow cooker is one reason to use it, but I have a few other reasons I love mine:
1. Smell. Not only is it nice to enter your home and smell something positively wonderful after a long day, but it’s also wonderful if you work from home. I routinely cook in my slow cooker while working from home as a full-time writer, and there’s nothing greater than smelling the progress of my dinner…although it makes lunch somewhat of a letdown.
2. Tough cuts of meat, namely brisket. Given the difficulties of not having enough time, I truly never have time to even think about ways to tenderize a tough cut of meat, and the slow cooker is my ally in figuring out this conundrum. I know it’s possible to cook on a stove and get the same results, but it’s so much easier to pop that tough baby in the slow cooker–they seldom resist, and meat falls of the bone, shreds with the lightest fork action, etc.
3. Leftovers. I make chicken and beef stock in my slow cooker overnight so I don’t have to even think about it. I slow cook massive cuts of meat, whole chickens, etc., and they become reincarnated dishes later on in the week. You want time-efficient, economical food? Slow cooker is your friend.
don’t lie–you’re hooked now, right? i love my slow cooker, and this is a recipe i’ll definitely be trying!
EMC, you’ve sold me. I’m totally in!
Grace, I definitely had my eyes opened and was open to trying some more recipes, but after EMC’s comment, I think I’m now expecting the world.
I’ve never wanted bean more in my life…looks aaaamazing.
wait until you see how easy and yummy pulled pork from a slow cooker is. you will never want to pay for it in a restaurant again(so cheap to make).
I HAD to have a slow cooker when I registered for my wedding.
I figured a novice chef like me couldn’t screw up big cuts of meat…I could make my own pulled pork and it would be the answer to spending less money (on take out) and being thiner (less take out) I insisted on getting a super expensive one and started printing recipes.
Two years later – I’ve never used it once. My husband won’t let me leave it on while we’re at work. He’s paranoid it’ll burn the house down.
Steve, we’ve made Pulled Pork in the oven before so I’m very curious to compare. Oven is pretty darn easy too.
Tracy, I think a lot of people leave it on while they are gone. I think that’s the point right? Maybe you need to find him a couple of people to convince him, or a favorite recipe to convince him.
I love my slow cooker. Recently upset my husband by calling it my new lover. 🙂 But what can I say? Only my slow cooker greets me with the smell of delicious food when I walk through the doors.
Looking forward to meeting you in Orlando this weekend.
Chefdruck, good way to get a little competition going between husband and slow cooker….see who can win you over. Look forward to meeting you too!
Slow cookers are great for those days when you want to lay around and read a book, watch an old movie, or simply hang out and watch a game (i.e. tomorrow-I see a lazy Sunday coming). I’ve got all the necessary ingredients for the above recipe and tomorrow I’m makin’ it!
Tupper Cooks, I love lazy Sunday….but I haven’t had one in a while. =/ Let me know what you think of this recipe!
@ Tracey_ your comment was too sad to ignore! This Consumer Reports link is for your husband!
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/search.htm?header_health_search.x=35&header_health_search.y=10&query=Slow+Cooker
Mmm, I love great slow cooker recipes. This one definitely counts as one, yummy!
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