Slow Cooker Chicken Marrakesh

This Moroccan-style recipe is so easy to make, it might just become a tradition in your household.

Ingredients

• 1 onion, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced (Optional)

• 2 large carrots, peeled and diced

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

• 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 2-inch pieces

• ½ teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon ground turmeric

• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

Directions

1. Place the onion, garlic, carrots, sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, and chicken breast pieces into a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix the cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, parsley, and salt, and sprinkle over the chicken and vegetables. Pour in the tomatoes, and stir to combine.

2. Cover the cooker, set to High, and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened, 4 to 5 hours.

Cook's Note:

You can use chicken thighs instead of breasts, if you prefer. Increase the amount of salt if the flavor is too bland. This recipe is versatile: you can substitute red peppers, zucchini, etc. for other vegetables.

Boilermaker Tailgate Chili

This is the chili recipe for football games. I always prep and cook the chili the night before and then reheat the next day. This is a combination of many different tomato-based chili recipes. Good luck and enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef chuck

• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage

• 3 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, drained

• 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans in spicy sauce

• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice

• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

• 1 large yellow onion, chopped

• 3 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

• 2 peppers green chili peppers, seeded and chopped

• 1 tablespoon bacon bits

• 4 cubes beef bouillon

• ½ cup beer

• ¼ cup chili powder

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon white sugar 

• 1 (10.5 ounce) bag corn chips such as Fritos®

• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

• Step 1

  Heat a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground chuck and sausage into the hot pan, and cook until evenly browned. Drain off excess grease.

• Step 2

  Pour in the chili beans, spicy chili beans, diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the onion, celery, green and red bell peppers, chili peppers, bacon bits, bouillon, and beer. Season with chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, cumin, hot pepper sauce, basil, salt, pepper, cayenne, paprika, and sugar. Stir to blend, then cover and simmer over low heat for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

• Step 3

  After 2 hours, taste, and adjust salt, pepper, and chili powder if necessary. The longer the chili simmers, the better it will taste. Remove from heat and serve, or refrigerate, and serve the next day.

• Step 4

  To serve, ladle into bowls, and top with corn chips and shredded Cheddar cheese.

Slow Cooker Mediterranean Beef with Artichokes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil

• 2 pounds stewing beef

• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and halved

• 1 onion, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped or more to taste

• 1 (32 fluid ounce) container beef broth

• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

• 1/2 cup pitted and roughly chopped Kalamata olives (optional)

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook beef in the hot oil until browned, about 2 minutes per side.

2. Transfer beef to a slow cooker. Cover with artichoke hearts, onion, and garlic. Pour in beef broth, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes. Stir in olives, oregano, parsley, basil, cumin, bay leaf.

3. Cook on Low until beef is tender, about 7 hours.