The 50 Best Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes (4 page)

2 rutabagas, quartered

1 onion, sliced

4 cloves garlic, sliced

1
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pounds lean top round roast, excess fat removed

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teaspoon salt

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teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Pour the wine and water into an oval 4-quart slow cooker. Add the potatoes, carrots, fennel, rutabagas, onions, and garlic. Stir.
   

2. Add the beef. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook on low for 8 hours.
   

3. Remove and slice the beef. Use a slotted spoon to serve the vegetables. Discard the cooking liquid.
   

Skinny French Dip Beef

The long cooking time makes lean meat fork-tender, perfect for stuffing into crusty bread for sandwiches.

Serves 8

Ingredients

2 pounds lean bottom round roast

1 Vidalia or Walla Walla onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, sliced

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Slice the beef into rounds, removing excess fat. Place into a 4-quart slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients.
   

2. Cook 10 hours or until the meat is falling apart. Shred with a fork.
   

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

Try Sonya apples in this sweet and savory dish; they are crisp and sweet.

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 crisp, sweet apples

2 large onions, sliced

4 thick cut boneless pork chops (about 1 pound)

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teaspoon ground cayenne

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teaspoon ground cinnamon

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teaspoon allspice

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teaspoon ground fennel

1. Cut the apples into wedges. Place half of the wedges in the bottom of an oval 4-quart slow cooker along with half of the sliced onions.
   

2. Top with a single layer of pork chops.
   

3. Sprinkle with spices, and top with the remaining apples and onions.
   

4. Cook on low for 8 hours.
   

Smoky Mango Pulled Pork

Serve this on big crusty rolls.

Serves 6

Ingredients

2
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pounds boneless pork roast, excess fat trimmed

1 mango, cubed

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cup chile sauce

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cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon yellow hot sauce

1 teaspoon ground cayenne

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon hot Mexican chili powder

1 habanero pepper, minced

2 tablespoons lime juice

1. Place all ingredients in a 4-quart slow cooker. Cook on low for 8–9 hours or on high for 6 hours.
   

2. When it is done, the meat should shred easily with a fork. Remove the roast from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the pork; set it aside. Mash any solid bits of the sauce in the slow cooker with a potato masher.
   

3. Return the pork to the slow cooker, and toss to coat the meat evenly.
   

Italian Pork Loin

This is an incredibly simple one-dish meal that is packed with flavor.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1
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pounds pork loin

28 ounces crushed tomatoes

1 head roasted garlic

1 onion, minced

2 tablespoons capers

2 teaspoons Italian-blend herbs

15 ounces canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1. Place the pork loin into a 4-quart slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, garlic, onions, and capers. Cook on low for 7–8 hours.
   

2. Add the cannellini beans 1 hour before serving and continue to cook on low for the remaining time.
   

Chinese Hot Pot

Using the slow cooker makes this dish easy to try at home.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 knob fresh ginger, sliced

1 quart chicken stock or broth

2
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cups water

2 green onions, diced

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pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced

3 cloves garlic

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pound pork, very thinly sliced

3 heads baby bok choy, chopped

4 ounces enoki mushrooms

4 ounces cellophane noodles

1. Place the ginger, stock, water, onions, shiitake mushrooms, and garlic in a 4-quart slow cooker. Cook on low for 7–8 hours.
   

2. Add the pork, bok choy, enoki mushrooms, and noodles. Cook on high for 15–30 minutes.
   

Slow-Cooked Char Siu

Char Siu (Chinese barbecue pork) is excellent in egg rolls, wonton soup, fried rice, and stir fries, and is an integral part of Char Siu Bao (steamed pork buns).

Serves 6