Crockpot Breakfast... ICK!

I love cooking with my crock pot.  I only mention this... all the time.

Crockpot Applesauce, Crockpot Applebutter, Crockpot Lasagna, Crockpot Chicken, Crockpot Steak...

But let me take this time to tell you... Crockpot Breakfast... EPIC FAIL!

One of my favorite breakfast ideas is a sausage and potato breakfast casserole that I make.  I'm not sure if there is a recipe for this anywhere but it's those cheesy potatoes that everyone brings to a pot luck with sausage in them - sort of my creation but maybe not - someone else may have thought of this also.  But whatever.

This weekend while I was in the midst of a crockpot explosion with three crockpots on my counter going, I had an idea.  I would make the breakfast casserole and put it in the crockpot to cook for the night rather than getting up making it on Sunday morning. 

Brilliant. 

Genius. 

Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?

Because it was a REALLY BAD IDEA!  That's why!

The next morning when I ran into the kitchen to open the crockpot for a wonderful breakfast... I was disgusted to find a bunt, icky mess that made me gag to even think of taking a bite.  I never even tried it, just simply dumped it in the trash and tried to avoid smelling it.  It was so gross.

I should have known that breakfast casserole in a crockpot was probably not as smart as I thought it was.  I have made crockpot oatmeal and other random breakfast dishes over the years that have always been... disgusting.  Why should this be any different?

Of course this too would be far too over cooked!

So... lesson learned.  Not everything that is super awesome in the oven will be super awesome in the crockpot. 

Hot Beef Sandwiches

One of my favorite things to make in the crock pot for dinner is Hot Beef Sandwiches.  They are quick to put together and make for an easy dinner.  I'm all about ease.  Who doesn't love little to no prep work and even better... no clean up!

There are two recipes that I use for this and they couldn't be more simple.  I don't have a preferred type of roast for either recipe.  I actually just grab what is on sale and looks to be the leanest cut.

Recipe #1

1 2 - 3 lb Roast

1 can of beer

1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix

Place roast in the crock pot, cover with packet of soup mix and can of beer.  Cook on low for 8 hours or until meat falls apart for sandwiches.

Recipe #2

1 2 -3 lb Roast

1 16 oz. jar of Pepperchinies

Place roast in the crock pot and cover with pepperchinies.  Cook on low for 8 hours or until meat falls apart for sandwiches.

Both are great on hamburger or hoagie buns (preferably toasted) and topped with your favorite slices of cheese.  We use American cheese with Recipe #1 and Provolone with Recipe #2.

Getting pictures of food is not my strong suit.  Everyone in my house hits the door starving and grabs the plates out of my hands quicker than I can dish things up.

Crock Pot Cooking

I am a crock pot junkie.  A complete crock pot junkie.  As in, had 5 crock pots until my husband bought me a new big fancy one under the agreement that I would dispose of at least 3.  I still have 4.  I can't help it.  I'm addicted and  have been for my whole adult life.  I have a 7 quart, a 6 quart, a 4 quart and a 2 quart.  Life is just so much easier if I do not have to cook when I get home and crock pot cooking is so easy.

Even with all of these crock pots I still have two I must have.

This one from Cuisinart looks FABULOUS!  This may seem like nonsense but from the time I leave my house in the morning until I get home it is usually at least 10 hours.  So the additional settings, timers and features are like gold to me.  Only one of my crock pots currently has these features.

The second one I NEED is this...

To be able to have meat cooking in one, potatoes in another and a vegetable in the third.  All in one!  Divine.

At any rate, before I got off track on my crock pot obsession, there was a point here.  I thought I would begin to share a few of my crock pot recipes.  Since this is the main form of cooking in my house I have lots and have tried just about everything from lasagna to whole meals all cooked in one crock pot.  It's amazing what you can do in one of these little things!