Table of contents for Slow Cooker - Fall 2024 in Cooking Light

Apple Butter HANDS-ON 15 MIN. TOTAL 7 HR. 15 MIN. This is a great way to make creamy apple butter without having to stand over the stove all day. The subtle spice and sweetness make this the perfect fall accompaniment for toast and other breakfast breads. 4 lb. small Fuji apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (12 cups)¼ cup unsweetened apple juice1 Tbsp. vanilla extract1 tsp. fresh lemon juice½ tsp. ground nutmeg¼ tsp. salt¼ tsp. ground allspice 1. Stir together all ingredients in a 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook until apples are tender, 5 to 6 hours on HIGH or 10 to 12 hours on LOW. 2. Spoon half of apple mixture into a blender. Secure lid on blender and remove center piece to allow steam to escape. Place…

Sweet-and-Sour Chicken HANDS-ON 10 MIN. TOTAL 2 HR. 10 MIN. This lower-sodium version of the Chinese restaurant favorite gains richer flavor when it’s cooked in a slow cooker. The tender chicken is nicely coated by the tangy sauce and the veggies stay crisp. ½ cup unsweetened pineapple juice½ cup no-salt-added ketchup¼ cup rice vinegar¼ cup lower-sodium soy sauce2 tsp. cornstarch1½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1½-in. cubes3 cups chopped red bell pepper2 cups chopped yellow onion½ tsp. kosher salt3 cups cooked rice½ cup thinly sliced scallions1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds 1. Whisk together juice, ketchup, vinegar, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a 6-quart slow cooker until smooth. Stir in chicken, bell peppers, and onion. 2. Cover and cook on HIGH until chicken is done and sauce is…

Roasted Chicken HANDS-ON 15 MIN. TOTAL 5 HR. 30 MIN. This buttery, herby chicken strikes up memories of a classic Sunday roast chicken. It’s great for a main dish on its own, or you can shred it and use for three other recipes. One chicken will yield about 8 cups of shredded chicken. 1 large yellow onion, cut into ½-in. rings¼ cup unsalted butter, softened1 Tbsp. minced garlic1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme, plus more for garnish1⅛ tsp. salt1 tsp. chopped fresh sage¾ tsp. black pepper1 (4- to 5-lb.) whole chicken, patted dry 1. Arrange onion rings in an even layer in a 6-quart slow cooker. Stir together butter, garlic, thyme, salt, sage, and pepper in a small bowl. Remove and discard giblets from chicken. Using your hands, loosen chicken skin;…

Hibiscus-Cranberry Sauce HANDS-ON 10 MIN. TOTAL 2 HR. 40 MIN. Take traditional cranberry sauce in a different direction with the addition of apple. This helps cut the tartness of the cranberries without having to use so much sugar. There is a floral hint of the hibiscus, but it’s not overpowering and blends well with the cranberries. 2 (10-oz.) bags frozen cranberries¾ cup granulated sugar¼ cup pure maple syrup¼ cup water2 Honeycrisp apples, peeled and chopped into ¼-in. cubes (about 2½ cups)⅓ cup dried hibiscus flowers2 (3- x 2-in.) orange peel strips3 (3-in.) cinnamon sticks2 whole star anise4 whole cloves 1. Stir together cranberries, granulated sugar, maple syrup, water, and apples in a 6-quart slow cooker. 2. Place hibiscus flowers, orange peel strips, cinnamon sticks, star anise, and cloves in…

WHY USE A SLOW COOKER? The slow cooker isn’t just a resource for when you lack the time or energy to cook; it’s also the anytime solution for making mouthwateringly tender foods that are full of flavor. Here are some of the other benefits that your slow cooker offers: SAVES PREP TIME AND EFFORT Most of the recipes here limit hands-on prep time to 20 minutes or less. Often, there are just a few simple steps to complete before food goes into the slow cooker. ELIMINATES THE NEED TO TEND FOOD WHILE IT COOKS Once you cover the cooker and set the temperature, you can walk away—even leave home—for hours until the food is ready to serve. USES ENERGY EFFICIENTLY Slow cookers use very little energy, approximately the same amount…

Chicken and Rice Soup HANDS-ON 10 MIN. TOTAL 4 HR. 10 MIN. This comforting chicken-rice soup is reminiscent of congee—an Asian rice porridge. The tender rice is combined with shredded chicken in a gingery broth and topped with scallions, peanuts, soy sauce, and cilantro. 2 lb. bone-in, skinless chicken breasts6 cups unsalted chicken broth1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice4 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced1 (3-in.) piece fresh ginger, finely grated1⅜ tsp. kosher salt½ cup thinly sliced scallions½ cup coarsely chopped roasted unsalted peanuts½ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves3 Tbsp. lower-sodium soy sauceLime wedges 1. Stir together chicken, broth, rice, garlic, ginger, and salt in a 5- to 7-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW until chicken and rice are tender, 4 to 5 hours. 2. Remove chicken from…

Chocolate-Peppermint Sauce HANDS-ON 10 MIN. TOTAL 1 HR. 25 MIN. This rich, decadent sauce has intense chocolate flavor with just the right amount of peppermint. Spoon it over fresh fruit, ice cream, or angel food cake. ⅔ cup fat-free evaporated milk⅓ cup granulated sugar⅓ cup packed light brown sugar½ tsp. vanilla extract¼ tsp. peppermint extract½ cup Dutch-process cocoa½ oz. bittersweet chocolate baking bar, finely chopped1½ Tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed 1. Whisk together evaporated milk, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and peppermint in a 1½-quart slow cooker. Whisk in cocoa until well combined. Whisk in bittersweet chocolate. 2. Cover and cook 1 hour. Whisk in butter. Cover and cook until butter is melted and sauce is smooth and hot, about 15 minutes. Note: This recipe is to be made in a…