#5Faves: Slow Cooker Meals

We've been having some non-NFP related Peak Days up here in Michigan lately. DTE, our electricity provider, designates "Peak Enegy Use Days" for energy usage and encourages us to conserve energy on those days during certain hours. For example, last Friday was a "Peak Day" and we were one of their top 100 customers for conserving energy during the Peak Day's Peak Hours. Pope Francis would be proud.

We had another "Peak Day" yesterday, so I tweaked the A/C so it wouldn't run as much, put on the ceiling fan during Lizzie's naptime, and kept the kids outside in the pool during that time so they wouldn't watch TV or turn on lights. I also prepped our dinner in the morning, so I would only have to re-heat it instead of cook it entirely during peak energy usage time.

I think if I know about DTE's Peak Days with enough notice, I can modify our weekly meal plan to use the crock-pot instead of an oven meal (or better yet - use the grill!). The slow cooker doesn't heat up the house like the oven does (causing the A/C to run more in addition to all that gas & electric use by the stove/oven).

#1

French Dip

I can't even express how delicious this meat is. It is so tender and perfectly seasoned and I could eat the whole thing by myself. I love to make my own buns to go with them too.

#2

Angel Chicken

This one is straight-up comfort food. I've packaged this one up as a freezer meal for my SIL when she had a baby...I just combined all the ingredients (except the pasta, cornstarch, and water) in a gallon sized baggie, placed that sealed baggie into a freezer bag. Gave her the cornstarch in a small baggie and the pasta in another gallon sized baggie, put both of those in the freezer bag too! Then I wrote out quick instructions for her. Her family loved it - including all 4 of the big kids!

#3

Spinach Chicken Noodle Soup

This is another easy one that is a crowd pleaser. My kids love it, my husband loves it, my parents love it. It's miam-miam-miammy. This is another one you can prepare ahead and stick it in the freezer (without the pasta) and pull it out to throw in the slow cooker on a busy day. It is very hearty and really fills up the belly.

#4

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

I LOVE this pulled pork. And this from a girl who does not like pork other than bacon. Extra crispy. Please and thank you.

When I find a pork roast on clearance or on sale, I grab it up and stick it in the freezer so I can put this on the menu plan. It is so easy and delicious and there is a million ways to eat it. I like to make tostadas & quesadillas; Mr. Amen likes to make soft tacos; I eat it straight out of the slow cooker; I make homemade buns to enjoy it on.

#5

Slow Cooker Potato & Sausage Soup

This soup is also another stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal. Crazy filling and delicious. You can use 1/2 the meat without the recipe suffering at all (and saving money!) or eliminate it all together in favor of adding some bacon as a garnishment.

Linking up with both Jenna of Call Her Happy for this week's #5Faves and Dwija for her Easy Slow Cooker & One Pot Round Up.

Miam Miam Monday (Menu Plan) v1

I thought I'd start sharing our family's menu on a weekly basis.

I have always enjoyed cooking and baking, but menu planning was not a priority for me. Over the years, I've found that by planning our family's menus I can save money, time, frustration and sanity.

So here's this week's plan:

Monday

Chicken Caesar Salad

We'll be using some leftover Lemon Grilled Chicken from this past weekend to top some torn Romaine Lettuce, shaved Parmesan Cheese and croutons.

Tuesday

French Dip Sandwiches

I'll make the buns fresh and we'll have veggies on the side.

Wednesday

Teriyaki Chicken & Rice

On the side, we'll have a romaine salad with ginger dressing. Nothing exciting here, just using a marinade/teriyaki sauce I got on sale.

Thursday

BBQ Chicken Pizza & Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

To be honest, I use this pizza dough recipe, then follow the instructions from each of the other two recipes above to make the pizza & breadsticks. The dough recipe makes enough for both the pizza & the breadsticks for our family, typically with leftovers of each.

Friday

Creamy Tortellini

A nice meatless option for a Friday. This is basically frozen spinach tortellini with peas & Alfredo sauce. To speed up my prep and make it more "hands free" I've used Alfredo sauce from a jar, cooked it in a casserole dish topped with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. So delish & easy.

Saturday

Cola Burgers

I'll have to take some pictures and post them later. This recipe is a fun twist on plain burgers. Again, homemade buns would be great, but I may not have time on Saturday to do them. We'll grill some zucchini & corn on the cob to go on the side.

Sunday

Typically, I don't plan a meal on Sundays. We usually spend Sunday evenings with my parents and siblings having a family dinner. I love contributing to that meal with a side, dessert or sometimes the main dish (when my mom'll let me - a.k.a. rarely). 

Since they all know I love to bake, I get frequent requests for desserts from my sister-in-law and sister and I am delighted to try out the recipes for Sunday evenings. Just this past week, my SIL requested these S'more Cupcakes.

And how could I say no to that request?! I couldn't, so I made them. Plus I improvised a S'mores Bumpy Cake. I used my own marshmallow filling because we have an egg allergy in the family. Everyone's eyes rolled back in their heads as they ate 'em. So I know they were goooooooood.

That's this week's plan. I plan breakfasts, lunches and snacks too...but I don't want to overwhelm you with all my crazy at once.

What's your plan for the week? Anything good on the menu? I'm always looking for new things to try and would enjoy hearing your recommendations!

*NOTE: These are NOT affiliate links. I don't benefit financially or in any other way by linking to any of these blogs. Miammiammena.wordpress.com is my food blog which is a personal blog where I try to post my recipes from time to time. All opinions are my own.