As a busy working professional, I don't always have time to make dinner when I get home. Although occasionally I rely on easy meals that I can cook ahead of time and freeze, sometimes I want something a little fresher. But, unless I'm throwing ingredients into a salad bowl, I'm often too tired after work to make anything delicious.
That's why I've fallen in love with my slow cooker. It was by far the best investment I ever made for my kitchen, since I can simply throw ingredients into the big pot before leaving the house and, when I come home after work, my house smells delicious and I have a hot meal waiting for me.
I've made some classic American soups and stews in my slow cooker but now I'm looking for some recipes that will not only be easy and delicious, but also remind me of home and my family. These three dishes were absolutely irresistible.
Read more ¿Qué más? 3 Latin dishes you can cook and freeze.
Slow Cooker Picadillo (recipe courtesy of Kara's Cuisine)
Ingredients:
2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 bunch (6-8) sliced green onions
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
14 1/2 oz. can of diced tomatoes
8 oz. can of tomato sauce
1/3 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/4 cup sliced green olives (with pimentos)
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 cup slivered almonds
4 1/2 cups cooked rice
Directions:
Brown ground beef, green pepper, onion, green onions, and garlic in a skillet until meat is browned. Drain well and place mixture in a slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients through seasonings. Stir well and cover with lid. Cook on high heat for 3 hours. Add slivered almonds to mixture when ready to serve on top of rice.
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Slow Cooker Latin Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans (recipe courtesy of Bite This)
Ingredients:
3 pound(s) bone-in skinless chicken thighs
2 teaspoon(s) ground cumin
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon(s) smoked paprika, or 1⁄2 tsp chopped chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) ground allspice
1 cup(s) chicken broth
1/2 cup(s) salsa
3 clove(s) (large) garlic, crushed with press
2 can(s) (15 to 19 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
2 pound(s) sweet potatoes, peeled cut into 2-inch chunks
1 jarred roasted red pepper, cut into strips (1 cup)
1/3 cup(s) loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Lime wedges
Directions:
Sprinkle chicken thighs with 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot; add chicken thighs and cook until well browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate. Remove skillet from heat.
In same skillet, combine smoked paprika, allspice, chicken broth, salsa, garlic, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin.
In 6-quart slow cooker, combine beans and sweet potatoes. Place chicken on top of potato mixture in slow cooker; pour broth mixture over chicken. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook as manufacturer directs, on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours.
With tongs or slotted spoon, remove chicken pieces to large platter. Gently stir roasted red pepper strips into potato mixture. Spoon mixture over chicken. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve with lime wedges and rice, if desired.
Read more ¿Qué más? How to make abuela's moros y cristianos.
Slow Cooker Green Chili Pork Tacos (recipe courtesy of Let's Dish)
Ingredients:
1 (5 pound) pork roast
1 (16 oz.) bottle salsa verde (green salsa)
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
3 roma tomatoes, chopped
Corn tortillas
Directions:
Place pork loin in slow cooker. Mix together salsa verde and lime juice and pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours. Meanwhile, mix together onion and cilantro in a small bowl; refrigerate. About one hour before serving, remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return to slow cooker, and stir in about 1/2 cup of the onion and cilantro mixture. To serve, place pork mixture into corn tortillas. Top with onion and cilantro mixture and chopped tomatoes.
Do you make Latin food in the slow cooker? What is your favorite recipe?
Images via Kara's Cuisine, Bite This, Let's Dish
