I never thought  a crockpot could be so versatile.  On a recent challenge with a couple of friends, we came out with a three-course meal cooking recipe; appetizer, main dish and a dessert, all done  with a crockpot!  With the help of our cookbooks, you can work wonders.

Let me share the crockpot recipes with you and try it for yourself.  Maybe you can argue that this may not be a three-course meal, but it sure was a party-saver…

Smoked Sausage And Beans

2 lg. pork-n-beans (3-21 oz. cans)
1 pt. chili sauce
1 c. barbecue sauce
1 c. sweet and sour sauce
1 1/2 lbs. smoked sausage (sliced into bite-size pieces)

On a 12-inch Dutch oven, place all ingredients in Dutch oven. Mix together.
Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

Crock Pot Chicken In Mushroom Gravy

3 whole chicken breasts, halved
1/4 c. dry white wine or chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 (4 oz.) can mushrooms, sliced
Salt & pepper

Place chicken pieces in crock pot. Season with salt and pepper. Mix wine and soup. Pour over chicken. Add mushrooms. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours or high 3 to 4 hours. Recipe may be doubled in 5-quart crock pot.

Spiced Fruit Cobbler

4 cans or 1 qt. fruit
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tbsp. sugar
1 pkg. white cake mix
1 1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. water
2 eggs

Place drained fruit slices in bottom of Dutch oven. Sprinkle with spices and sugar. Blend cake mix, water and eggs.

Pour over fruit mixture. Cover and cook 25-35 minutes at 350 degrees.

Enjoy this simple cooking recipe for your Crockpot  Try this other cooking recipe for your crockpot.

Easy and Tasty Bowl of Chili

Next to music there is nothing that lifts the spirits and strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili When your day has been hard and your soul is longing for the comforts of home, what better to come home to but a delicious bowl of easy and tasty heartwarming chili.

The hearty dish has been a favorite in this country for centuries, and has a vivid and rich history. Much has been written about the origins of chili, but regardless of its beginnings, the fact remains that people love the stuff and can’t get enough of it.

For families looking to cut food expenses, adding chili to the weekly menu is a great idea. The ability to cheaply feed large families was one reason for chili’s popularity in previous centuries, and still remains so to this day.

Everyone has heard stories about how cowboys cooked kettles of chili over open flames on the range during cattle drives. They cooked what they had available, and what would keep good the longest. Chili is always better the next day after all

Hard working folks still love to sit down to a piping hot bowl of chili at the end of the day. The best way to have your chili ready as soon as you arrive home is to cook it in your crock pot.

Here are a few easy and tasty chili recipes to get you started:

Easy and Tasty Crockpot Chunky Chili

1 lb ground beef

1 lb bulk pork sausage

4 cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cans diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained

1 large onion, chopped

1 medium green pepper, chopped

1 envelope taco seasoning

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

Cook the meat in a skillet and drain. Place it into a crockpot. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours.

Freeze the leftovers for up to 3 months.

Easy and Tasty Southwestern Chicken Chili

5 large chicken breasts,chopped

2 cans kidney beans, drained

2 cans whole canned tomatoes

2 cans canned corn

1 yellow onion, chopped

5 tablespoons chili powder

Put rinsed kidney beans on the bottom of the crockpot. Next add Corn. Place 1/2 the Chili Powder on top of the corn and beans. Pile on the chicken slices. Pour in Tomatoes. Cover with remaining chili powder. Cover and cook on High for 8-10 hours.

Add the onion 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy these easy and tasty chili recipes