crock pot recipe

After our babies were born, meals were one of the most needed, and appreciated gifts we received. Having multiple infants at home meant providing around the clock care, which left very little time for our own self care. Simple things like a hot shower or warm cup of coffee became luxuries and having a nice meal together was a rarity. When someone delivered a meal, we were oh-so gracious. After our gifted meals were depleted, I was faced with the challenge of putting a decent meal on the table. Out of necessity, I learned how to cook more than queso in a slow cooker. With a lot of trial and error, I rounded up a handful of our own family’s favorite slow cooker meals, which I typically prep as freezer meals.

To pay it forward, freezer meals are now our go-to gift for families welcoming new babies. Rather than sending a cooked meal, I add all the raw ingredients into a gallon Ziploc bag and freeze it. Then, when the family is ready to use the meal, they can add it to their slow cooker. To make a complete meal, I also send a whole grain and steam in bag vegetables. Everything is packaged in a plastic bag with a label, directions, and use by date (three months after prep). Before prepping freezer meals as gifts, I always check with the family dietary restrictions and preferences. If you’re looking for some tasty, easy to prep meals for yourself or to gift to others, give our favas a whirl! The last batch of meals I prepped took me 90 minutes and I ended up with 10 meals (half for our family and half to share).

Chicken Taco Bowls

2-3 chicken breasts
1 can Rotel (mild if your family is sensitive to spice)
1 t. minced jar garlic
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed & drained
2 cups frozen corn
1 Tbsp chili powder
½ Tbsp cumin
½ tsp dried oregano
1/2 t black pepper.

Cook on low 4-6 hours, or high 2-3 hours. Shred chicken with a fork. Serve over long grain rice and garnish with shredded cheddar, sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), and salsa. Or, make tacos instead!

**This recipe is good for families on dairy free (without garnish) and gluten free diets.

Adapted from Budget Bytes

Curry Chicken

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
6 oz can of tomato paste
13.5oz can of coconut milk
1 small onion diced
2 cups of frozen mixed vegetables
14.5oz can of tomato sauce
1 tsp minced jarred garlic
3 Tbsp honey
2 tbs. curry powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper (adjust heat as needed)

Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours. Serve over basmati rice or with naan.

** I like this recipe for families on dairy or gluten free diets. You can omit the chicken and add chickpeas for a vegetarian version.

Adapted from from New Leaf Wellness

Orange Chicken

2-4 skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup orange marmalade
1 cup barbeque sauce
3 tbsp. soy sauce

Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours. Serve over steamed brown rice with Asian stir fried vegetables.

Adapted from the Frugal Girls

Creamy Pesto Chicken

2-3 chicken breasts
1 cup pesto
3 Tbs. Ranch dressing mix
1 cup water + 1 tsp. Better than Bullion OR 1 cup chicken broth
8 oz. cream cheese cubed
1 small package of frozen broccoli florets (reserved)

Cook on low 4-5 hours or high 2-3 hours. Shred chicken then add frozen broccoli and cook an additional hour. Serve over long grain rice pasta.

**Avoid this meal for families with tree nut allergies. For a lower fat version, substitute 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt for cream cheese.

Adapted from The Picky Palate

White Chicken Chili

2-3 chicken breasts
2 Tbs. olive oil
2 cups chicken stock
1 small onion diced
2 cups frozen corn
2 cans white beans (drained)
1 can mild Rotel
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
2-3 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours. Shred chicken. Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, and green onion. Serve with cornbread, tortillas, or tortilla chips.

Adapted from Texas Tales

Italian Chicken

2-3 chicken breasts
8 oz. cream cheese cubed
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 package of Zesty Italian dressing mix

Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours. Serve over pasta with a salad or steamed green beans.

Adapted from Stick a Fork in It.

We are currently in a season of welcoming new babies, but freezer meals also make excellent gifts for families grieving a loss, following a hospitalization or surgery, etc.. A homemade meal is a wonderful gesture to warm a friend’s heart.

For other slow cooker and simple meal ideas, check out my slow cooker meals board and Mom & Kid Approved Meals board (this board consists of meals vetted by fellow moms of multiples) on Pinterest.

hugs,

Amber

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The last time we enjoyed a play date with the Bell Quads, I mentioned feeling a bit sad that my kids don’t have the opportunity for class holiday parties. I don’t know why, that just seems to be something fun for little kids to do. Noting the fact that between us we have a full capacity Mother’s Day Out class, Amber suggested we have a little class party of our own for Saint Patrick’s Day. Brilliant!

Originally, Amber intended to hostess this shindig. However, her crew became extremely ill last month and was under quarantine orders for four weeks! I started feeling a bit loony after our week-long escapade with a stomach bug so I can only imagine what she experienced. I invited the Bells to our house in hopes of providing fresh scenery.

Keeping up with the party theme, I dressed everyone in assorted Saint Patrick’s Day attire. Oddly enough, several of them came from hand me down bins. Amber and her crew also dressed the part in shades of green.

Amber brought themed plates and party decor while I served a green meal. For the main course, I wanted to serve a new family favorite (it is a super easy recipe that also happens to be green in color #WINNER). The recipe originally came from Picky Palate, but my family wasn’t fond of it as is. After making several tweaks to the recipe, I came up with one my family demolishes. Seriously, my kids eat 3-4 servings each when I make this meal so I knew Amber’s kids would approve as well. To make the green menu complete, I served steamed broccoli, a tossed green salad, and key lime yogurt bites.

While I was tossing ingredients together for our class party, I prepped two more batches for freezer meals. We have several friends with new babies, and I know freezer meals are among the most appreciated gifts for new moms. In case you want to give this recipe a spin…

While I plated dinner, Amber introduced paint with water books she scored at Target’s One Spot. It was shockingly quiet as these little artists went to work. It really resembled a little preschool class.

When dinner was ready, both Amber and I marveled at how big our kids have gotten. I couldn’t help but reminisce about our first play date that involved doling out several rounds of bottles, assembling four pack ‘n’ plays, and alternating kids through the quad table. It was A LOT of work in those days. Now the eight of them can gather around a dinner and feed themselves using utensils.

Amber’s party plates were really cute, but I really loved them when it was time to clean up after dinner. I simply tossed eight plates into the garbage instead of washing them. After dinner, the kids spent time in the playroom before we changed all eight into pajamas. And, just like “school” all eight gathered on the playroom rug for story time. It was absolutely precious watching all eight sprawled out or crouched around to listen.

When the bedtime hour approached, the quads bid their buddies farewell with hugs (ADORABLE!). George and I tucked our four in, and then I helped Amber load her crew into the Suburban. I’d say it was a ~~“class party”~~ quad play date success!