Slow cooker "roast" chicken

You don't need a recipe for this. Seriously. 

Step one: Buy a chicken. FYI, my father-in-law once told me that the bone structure of all the chickens you buy at the store are about the same, so buy the biggest one you can find, as the extra money is paying for more meat.

Step two: Open it. Do this in the sink. Obviously. Pull out any "extra" parts. These will be in the rear-end cavity and/or the neck cavity. Drain everything, put the wrappers in the trash, wash your hands, and take the trash out. Yes, now. It will smell really bad if you forget!

Step three: Crumple a few pieces of aluminum foil into the bottom of the inside of the slow-cooker (so the chicken doesn't swim in its own juices). Bring the inside of the slow-cooker over to the sink (where the chicken still is, right?) and put the chicken into it, breast side up. Wash your hands!!

Step four: Sprinkle all over with desired seasonings (Nature's Seasons or Italian seasoning or garlic or whatever). Put it back into the slow-cooker, turn it to low and let it cook for 6-8 hours. The breast meat should be 160F. You can also cook on high for 4-5 hours. 

Step five: Eat! Yum! You can add a slurry of a little cornstarch and cold water to the liquid to make a little gravy. The leftover meat is yummy as chicken salad or on a salad or in a pot pie! 

 

"Mexican" Recipes

It's been awhile. I haven't had many requests for recipes lately, so I've been slacking! But now, I'm going to switch my focus just a teeny bit. My oldest is moving out on his own and needs some easy, inexpensive recipes. Here is the first in the "series". 

Easy Pork "Carnitas"

Carnitas are supposed to be fried in lard, I believe. I don't do that. But this recipe is still pretty yummy!

Pork shoulder/butt or country-style ribs
A bottle of Herdez tomatillo salsa (or another brand - doesn't matter)

Cut the meat into chunks, toss everything into a crockpot and cook 6-8 hours on low, or until you can shred it with a fork. Serve with tortillas and fixings (see the following). If you want a little texture, scoop out the meat and little juice, put it on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for a few minutes, stirring every minute or so, until crispy. Yum!

Crema

I don't know how authentic this is, but it's very tasty on the pork!

1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 tsp chipotle in adobo sauce

Mix and let sit for at least a half-hour for the best flavor.

Coleslaw

Get a bag of coleslaw from the grocery store. You can either mix it with some chipotle ranch dressing or you can make a dressing. I do not have measurements, but here are the ingredients.

Lime juice
Honey (just a touch)
Yogurt or sour cream
Minced onions or scallions
Minced chipotle in adobo sauce (to taste)

Mix and let sit about a half-hour for the best flavor.