Crock Pot Orange Chicken

March 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Crock Pot Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken is what my kids usually order when we eat at Chinese restaurants.  By making it at home, we can get our takeout “fix” for less.   Plus, by making it in the crock pot it’s even easier.

If I were to make it again (or if I were cooking for a larger group) I’d probably double the batch.  This version served our family of four with no leftovers.   Now what am I going to eat for lunch today?!

Frugal Tips:  Learn how to make copycat versions of your favorite restaurant foods at home.  It really does help you fight the temptation of blowing your budget by eating out too often!

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Crock Pot Orange Chicken
Cook time: 
Total time: 
 
A crock pot version of your favorite Chinese takeout food! Easy for the busy cook, and easy on the budget.
Ingredients
  • 4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1″ pieces
  • ½ C. flour
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp. ketchup
  • 6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (half the can), thawed
  • 4 Tbsp. brown sugar
Instructions
  1. Coat the chicken pieces in flour and salt mixture. Brown in olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Meanwhile, combine orange juice, vinegar, ketchup and brown sugar. Place browned chicken in bottom of crock pot, then pour orange mixture over it. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. Serve over rice.

  Crock Pot Orange Chicken

Just mix the ketchup, vinegar, orange juice and brown sugar to create the coating/sauce for your orange chicken.

Crock Pot Orange Chicken

Coat all your chicken pieces in flour

Crock Pot Orange Chicken

Brown the chicken in a little bit of olive oil

Crock Pot Orange Chicken

Place the chicken in the crock pot and pour sauce on top

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Crock Pot Indian Food: Chana Masala

January 15, 2013 by 9 Comments

crock pot indian food chana masala

Ever since the new Indian restaurant opened down the street, I’ve been an Indian food junkie.  I wasn’t entirely new to Indian food; we’ve had it when traveling, but my experience was spotty at best.  Slowly, I’ve been working my way through the menu and hitting upon some favorites.  Among them, Chana Masala.  I recently made it at home in the crock pot and it’s super-easy.  Because the main protein in the dish is chickpeas, it’s also frugal –and healthy, too.  Definitely a win-win!

Frugal Tips:  Indian spices are not always cheap, but they’re necessary for authentic flavors in Indian cookery.  Think of them as an investment in frugal cooking.  Over time, the money you save cooking Indian food at home (which is pretty frugal) will more than make up for the initial financial outlay.

3.0 from 1 reviews

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Crock Pot Indian Food: Chana Masala
Cook time: 
Total time: 
 

Ingredients
  • 4 C. water
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 28-oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 1 6-oz. can tomato paste
  • ⅓ C. chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 2 tsp. garam masala
  • 2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • ½ tsp. cayenne pepper (more if you like more of a kick)
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander
  • 1 tsp. turmeric
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 2 cans chickpeas, drained
Instructions
  1. Combine everything except the chickpeas in a crock pot and turn on low for 6-8 hours. Add chickpeas, and cook 2 more hours until they’re tender and have incorporated the Indian flavors. Serve over Basmati rice.

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Crock Pot Schweinbraten: German Pork Roast Recipe

September 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

crock pot schweinbraten german pork roast

How are YOU celebrating Oktoberfest this year?  How about an easy, one-pot German meal?  What’s great about this Crock Pot Schweinbraten recipe is you set it to go in the morning, and return home in the evening to your home smelling like an authentic German restaurant.  The only “work” involved is peeling and cutting the veggies (I used baby carrots to skip that step, making the prep work even easier).  Since all the veggies go in the crock pot along with the pork roast, it’s a true one-dish meal (but don’t forget the beer!).

Frugal Tips:  The pork is the most expensive part of this meal, but it doesn’t have to be.  Look for Manager’s Specials on pork roast when you shop.  At my store, they are indicated with a sticker on the package in the meat department.  Since pork roast freezes well, buy it when you see a great deal and cook it when it’s convenient for you.

Mommysavers members answer the question:  When someone mentions German food to YOU, what comes to mind?

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Crock Pot Schweinbraten: German Pork Roast
Serves: 6-8
 
Ingredients
  • One 3-4 lb. pork roast
  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
  • 2 Tbsp. caraway seeds
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. cracked pepper
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 6 medium potatoes, cubed
  • 3-4 peeled carrots, cut into 2″ chunks
  • ½ C. white wine or apple juice
  • 1 27-oz. can sauerkraut
Instructions
  1. Rub the pork roast with oil. Rub in the caraway seeds, salt, and pepper. Set aside. In the bottom of a 6-quart crock pot, place the garlic, potatoes, carrots. Pour the wine or apple juice over the vegetables. Place the roast on top, top with the sauerkraut and its liquid.
  2. Cook on low all day, 8-10 hours or until pork is done and vegetables are tender.

 

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