How to Get in the Crockpot Spirit in 7 Ways

Let me start at the beginning. I asked for a crockpot for Christmas last year, and I got one! But I was so terrified that if I left it alone to cook all day while I was at work, that it would just spontaneously burst into flames and burn down my apartment. I could just never get over that idea. Yes, a little irrational of me, but that’s how I roll. Well, just recently I finally decided to nut up and pull it down from the top of the fridge and start cooking with it!

I decided that using it on the weekend while I was home would work best because then I would know right away if the house was going to burn down or not. And it didn’t! And the meal was a success! But it was quite the adventure to get to this point.

I thought it might be better to just tell you all of the thoughts I had while this crockpot experience went down.

1. “Let me scrub off this layer of dust first”

Well it had sat for so long that it had practically developed a skin of dust on it. Oops. So I had to scrub it down!

2. “Where is the light that says, yes it’s hot/it’s on/it’s cooking?”

There seriously is no light. You just have to trust it’s working. And then you touch it, and then it’s hot, and then that’s how you know.

3. “It’s steaming! A LOT!”

Like a lot! Is that okay? Is the steam going to burn down my house? Oh it’s okay.

4. “It’s not burning the house down!”

Yay! We’re all alive and not on fire!

5. “How do I keep it warm if I’m not ready to eat just yet?!”

Oh, the warming feature you say? That’s genius.

6. “I think this is way too much cheese! Why isn’t it melting?!”

It’s taking along time to melt! Oh wait…it’s slowly starting.

7. “I did it!”

And we have success! It tastes good, it was SO easy! I just cooked the meat and then dumped everything else that was on the recipe in and let it cook for 4 hours and then boom! Dinner for 2 and plenty of leftovers! So excited!

My first recipe was a Tamale Casserole I got out of one of my cookbooks and I was seriously so glad that it turned out so well! Our next attempt will be with some Venison Chili! Stay tuned!

SLOW COOKED TAMALE CASSEROLE from the Taste of Home Cookbook:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 can sliced ripe olives (which I skipped because ew, olives)
• 1 envelope chili seasoning
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Cook the beef in a frying pan until no longer pink.
2. Then combine the egg, milk, and cornmeal until smooth.
3. Then add all the other ingredients, except the cheese into a large bowl.
4. Transfer to a greased slow cooker.
5. Cook on high for 3 hours and 45 minutes.
6. For the last 15 minutes, add the cheddar cheese to melt on top.

So easy! Cook time: 4 hours, 6 servings.

Do any of you use a crockpot for cooking? What are some of your favorite dishes to crockpot? I’d love some ideas!