Monday, March 9, 2009

Slow-Cooker Monday

My friend Jennifer got a cookbook for her wedding titled "Recipes for the Slow-Cooker." She thought, "That's kinda rude! I may not be great, but I'm not slow!" Then she realized that "slow-cooker" was referring to a crock-pot, not inferring that she was not a good cook! So, I just thought I'd clarify my title. This is, in fact, a recipe for a crock-pot/slow-cooker.

Every Monday evening, my 3 year old has dance class from 6:00-6:45 pm. The one year old goes to bed at 7:00, so my husband either stays home with her or stops by the dance studio and picks her up to take her home. In order for the 3 year old to eat before dance and the hubby and baby to eat when they get home, I decided to make something in the crock-pot every Monday.

I'll be posting these recipes every Monday and if they are new I'll let you know how we rated them! This one is one of my personal faves. It makes 4 servings, and each serving is 8 Weight Watchers points. I usually serve it over rice (a few additional points) because it is a little soupy.

San Fransisco Chops

4 pork chops, 1 inch thick (with or without the bone - I've used both)
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 C red wine (or chicken broth)
2 TBSP unpacked brown sugar
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 TBSP cornstarch
1 TBSP water

Heat oil in a skillet. Add pork chops and brown. Remove chops and place in slow-cooker. Using drippings, saute garlic just until aromatic. Add wine, sugar and pepper flakes. Cook until sugar is dissolved. Pour over chops. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 30 minutes before serving remove chops. Mix cornstarch and water until dissolved. Mix into sauce in the slow-cooker. Add chops. (I usually break up the meat into small pieces at this point. It just falls apart and gets juicier this way.) Cook for 30 more minutes. Serve by itself or over rice.

I know recipes are always better with pictures, but I didn't get pictures taken this time. Try it, though, it's yummy!!!

7 comments:

Jennifer said...

haha, thanks for the shout out there! Maybe I'm "slow" in more ways than not though! :-) We'll have to try this recipe...it looks good!

Melissa said...

Thanks for sharing! We always do crock pot dinners on dance night, too. I'm so stinkin' jealous that your hubby takes L while B is at dance.

I have and love the Fix it and Forget it Lightly cookbook, so if you need some new recipes to try out, let me know and you can borrow it.

Lucy Marie said...

I just stumbled across your blog and I'm so glad I found it. This recipe sounds yummy. I also have a "slow-cooker" day each week. I'm in grad school and Tuesday's I don't get home until 5:45, so I like to come home after a long day of class to dinner already prepared. We get a little sick of stew and chili, so I'm always looking for new slow cooker ideas. Thanks and I look forward to more recipes!

Lucy Marie said...

P.S. Can I add you to my blog roll?

Unknown said...

Sounds fabulous, I could use another pork chop recipe, I don't make them very often, 'cuz I don't have many recipes! I LOVE my slow cooker, so looking forward to more recipes!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

What a great idea to do every Monday. I love slow cooker recipes. Doesn't it feel good to have something planned for dinner and not have to scramble? Thanks for posting this recipe! :)
Carrie

Shannon said...

I'm adding you to my reader...I've missed out on so many posts!! Okay, Landry's birthday party was ADORABLE!!!! Love the animal print decorations and those pom poms!! The cake plate idea is FANTASTIC!! I'm totally stealing it for the next time I use my cake plate. And, I'm going to try your pork chop recipe soon!

Yes, we need to get together again soon!!