Cold Weather Meal: Slow Cooker Ham & White Beans

While I may live in South Florida, it has had a chill in the air for a week or so now. For us, it comes and goes. Some days it may be 40's in the morning but get to 60's and 70's by day. Then there are some days it just stays cool. It is days like that when I yearn for those meals that we ate in the Midwest. Now, I do know it doesn't have to be cold. But, there is nothing like a cool or winters day and a cold weather meal. 


Since I also work outside the home, some of those meals are difficult to attain unless it is on the weekend. What I rely on heavily is the use of my slow cooker. I can capture the slow cooked taste and not come home from a long hard day at work and cook for hours. Last nights dinner was both... a cold weather meal utilizing my slow cooker. 

Slow Cooker Ham & White Beans

1 lb package dried northern beans
ham bone, hocks, shanks or diced ham (about 1 pound)
2 tsp onion powder
6 cups water
salt & pepper to taste


Rinse and sort the beans. Add the the rinsed beans, onion powder, salt, pepper, and ham to slow cooker. Add water. Cover and cook on low about 8 hours, until beans are tender. Serve with cornbread. I swear by Jiffy :)

Slow Cooker To The Rescue: Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

I want to thank all my loyal readers for sticking with me. Most of you know I hadn't posted since Friday. Both hubby and I were soooo sick. He started Thursday night and was so bad I'd actually not gotten any sleep. We both called into work, he being sick and I from lack of sleep. However, it was a good thing I called in as well. I ended up so sick that I lost three pounds this weekend. Believe me, although I can afford to loose the pounds, it was not in a good way. I am sure I will find them this week.  They are so much easier to find than to loose!

This week, we were not able to have a family meal night nor a Supper Club due to illness. Although we had not cooked at all, I am posting a tried and true recipe that happens to be one of hubbies favorites. While I have posted this under the category 'Slow Cooker To The Rescue', it would also apply to 'Balancing Meal Time'. It is a great family meal and, as it cooks while you are away at work in the slow cooker, allows for more quality family time because you are not tied to the kitchen. I hope you give it a try and love it as we do!

Slow Cooker To The Rescue: Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients 

6 large green bell peppers
2 cups cooked wild rice
1 1/2 pounds ground beef, preferably ground chuck
2 cups chicken stock
1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated ( I prefer shredded Velveeta. It melts the best)
1 large egg
Salt and pepper to taste
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

In a large mixing bowl combine ground beef, cooked wild rice, ½ of the can of chopped tomatoes, onion, cheese, egg, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, salt and pepper.  Mix well.  Cut just the tops off of the green peppers and remove seeds and ribs from inside.  Stuff with ground beef mixture. Place stuffed peppers stuffed side up in a slow cooker and pour stock and remaining tomatoes over. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or on LOW for 8-9 hours.