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This is totally random but I was typing up a few crock pot recipes for a friend and thought I'd share a few here. The crock pot has become my friend. I often feel like all I do all day is cook (sometimes this is actually the truth). I cook from scratch because of Julia's issues so any help I can get to spare some time in the kitchen is much appreciated.

This is one of those recipes that does just that. Plus, the leftovers are yummy and the girls both dig it! I use Organic Tamari- Wheat Free soy sauce, Trader Joe's Ketchup (no high fructose corn syrup) and it's Julia safe, woohoo!

I hope you like it as much as we do.

Sesame Pork Ribs

3/4 C brown sugar

1/2 C soy sauce

1/2 C ketchup

1/4 honey

2 tbs white wine vinegar (red wine vinegar works fine or even rice vinegar)

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp salt

1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (I omitted it b/c of the girls- can always add it at the table)

5 lbs country style pork ribs ( I always just buy a big pack and have no idea of the weight)

1 medium sliced onion

Garnish: (I only do this if I have green onions on hand)

2 tbs sesame seeds, toasted

2 tbs chopped green onions

In a large bowl, combine the first 9 ingredients. Place onions in the crockpot, add ribs and pour sauce over.

Cover & cook on low for 5-6 hours or until meat is tender. Serve over rice and garnish w/ sesame seeds & green onions.


This one is not Julia safe but was a savior when I was pregnant. I would make a huge batch and freeze it into a few meals. Then come a busy day, pull it out of the freezer, heat it up, cook up some egg noodles and serve!

CROCK POT BEEF STROGANOFF

Chuck Roast or Stew beef (trimmed of visible fat and cubed)
1 pkg. Onion soup mix
3 cans cream of mushroom (cream of chicken or celery or any combination works just fine- Reduced Fat works great)

4 stalks of celery- chopped

1 onion- chopped

Crushed garlic
Sliced mushrooms

Place everything into crock pot. Cook 8 or so hours on low.

Serve over egg noodles. This can be made and frozen to be heated up at a later date.

If you don't have celery, onions, garlic or mushrooms on hand, it still comes out good. I'm a huge fresh garlic fan but once again, it can be left out. Try it once and you can tweak it to how you like it.