Winter Dinner Ideas

Winter is a great time to plan on dinners together as a family!  Days are shorter and many sports are on hold until warmer weather returns.  Having a hot meal together is a nice way to focus on family.

Slow cookers
Slow cooker meals, started when you leave at the beginning of the day and ready when you return, are a delicious and easy way to offer a hot and hearty meal to eat in the winter.  Slow cookers come in several sizes, so find one that is big enough for your family's needs, but not so big that you make more than you can eat. (Or divide up leftovers into smaller meals and freeze them for a quick meal that can be reheated in the microwave!)

Use lots of inexpensive winter vegetables or buy frozen veggies to add to the slow cooker.  Inexpensive cuts of meat like chuck, short ribs, round, shank, and rump are great in a slow cooker and become fork-tender by the time your meal is ready.  Save even more money by cutting your own meat into 1 inch cubes and using dried herbs for flavor and seasoning.

Soups
Soups, too, can be hearty, filling, and inexpensive.  Stews and chowders are usually great winter dinner ideas!  Look for recipes that include plenty of veggies; save money by not using meat and get your protein from lentils and beans.  Try this recipe for minestrone, a hearty vegetable soup with noodles that will please the whole family. 

One last note:  Vegetables in Winter

Don't let winter stop you from offering healthy veggies to your family.  While most veggies aren't in season in the winter, you'll find some that, like cauliflower, are available.  Or used canned and frozen veggies and don't forget canned tomatoes for winter flavor and health!

See more simple recipes at http://eatsmart.umd.edu/

Tips for Crockpot Meals

Who doesn't welcome the yummy smell of a crock pot meal when you walk into a kitchen?  Whether it's a stew, soup or chicken with vegetables, cooking with a crock pot can make meal preparations easy, save time and help stretch the food budget.

Knowing how to use a crock pot (slow cooker) correctly can bring success to your meals.  Follow

these tips to make meals not only tasty but also healthy.

1. Know your slow cooker.  Read and follow the guidelines and recipes found in our slow cooker manual.  Those recipes can provide delicious meals.
2. Give your food space.  For best results, fill a crock pot only one-half to two-thirds full.
3. Layer food carefully.  For even cooking, cut foods into pieces of the same size.  Place firm, slow cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and put meat on the top.
4. Use thawed food not frozen.  For food safety purposes, thaw your meat and vegetables in the refrigerator before putting them into your crock pot.
5. Choose the "right" cut of meat.  Save money by using less expensive cuts of meat like chuck roast, pork shoulder or use a whole chicken.  The moist, low heat of a slow cooker makes these cuts very tender.
6. Trim the fat.  Always cut the fat that you can see from meat and remove chicken skin.  This will make your sauces less oily and much healthier.
7. Keep the lid closed.  Reduce the urge to look at the foods during the cooking time.  Each time the lid is off it adds 15-20 minutes to the recipe time.  No need to stir either!
8. Fill up with dried beans and peas.  Use the crock pot for large batches of bean and lentil soups.  Use some now and freeze the rest for later.  A great way to stretch the budget!  Try the following "Slow Cooker Lentil Soup" on a cold day!

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup
Serves:  6


Ingredients
6 cups water
1/4 cup parsley (chopped fresh or 2 Tablespoons dried parsley optional)
2 teaspoons beef bouillon (or 2 beef bullion cubes)
1 1/2 cups lentils (dry)
2 carrots, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped


Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in slow cooker.
2. Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
3. Serve hot with crackers or bread.

Recipe adapted from Montana State Extension Service.