Crock Pots Can Be Just For 2
Crock pot recipes easily lend themselves to full sized family portions, but they are also a great way to prepare meals just for two. Any meal that can be made for several can be reduced to produce just enough for a couple, or you may even decide to freeze leftovers from large meals that can be simply heated and served when there are only two people eating. Here are some great tips when you want to make a meal built for two:
Keep It Simple
A wonderful meal for two does not have to be complex to be special and delicious. Slow cooker recipes are usually very simple but still provide tastes and textures that seems complicated. Take for example a crock pot roast. Slow cooking ensures the flavors will be sealed in and the meat will stay tender, but preparation is super easy. A favorite of mine even makes gravy as it cooks. Buy any cut of beef you prefer and roll it in flour and spices. I just use salt and lemon pepper, but you can use any spices you love. Mix together a couple cans of cream of chicken soup, water, and a couple tablespoons of the flour/spice mix and pour into the crock pot. Add the floured meat, turn it on high and walk away. As long as the meat is cooked thoroughly, you can’t really mess it up!
If you see that the gravy is too thin, just mix some more flour and water until it forms a paste and stir it in. Let it cook for awhile longer until you reach the desired thickness. To make this roast perfect for two, freeze the remainder for another meal later or cube up the leftovers to make a soup or stew. You may also choose to use sliced of the roast to make open faced sandwiches or other sandwiches that can be easily served two at a time.
By cooking large portion beef crock pot recipes, you can vary how it is served and the sides you serve with it to make it the main ingredient in several different meals so your diners don’t get sick of it before it is all gone.
Spice It Up
Often you have to lower the level of spices you and your significant other actually prefer in a dish to keep everyone in the family happy. When you are cooking only for the two of you, you can really rev up the taste! Crock pot beef curry is so simple and fast but provides a ton of flavor. You can change up this robust stew to include your favorite vegetables. Simple get together some steak (and cut will do), some veggies, and some of your favorite spices. Mix curry and flour together in a bag. The more curry you use, the hotter the dish will be! Cube and wet the steak and place it in the bag with the flour/curry mixture. Shake it up until it is well coated. To get the coating good and even, blow the bag full of air before you shake. It get an extra thick coating on your steak, lightly rewet it after the first coating, put it in the bag, and shake again! Add some cut up vegetables, garlic, and beef broth to your crock pot and stir. Corn, mushrooms, and carrots are great veggies to include, but feel free to use your favorites or the ones you have on hand. You can also add some bacon pieces to the mix for extra flavor. Lay the coated steak gently into the crock pot and forget stirring again so you don’t loose all the coating into the broth. You can prepare just enough to serve two, but you may want to go ahead and make a full pot. You can always freeze the remainder for another meal or freeze it in individual servings for a great meal quick dish later. It is perfect to take to work as a heat and eat lunch your coworkers will envy.
Top It Off
You may already have the perfect crock pot recipe or standard recipe to prepare for your dinner for two. Don’t forget the crock pot also provides a great way to quickly and easily expand the meal into three or four courses! Your crock pot will allow you to have an appetizer or dessert cooking while you prepare the main course. Providing more than one course will make the meal seem very special. Try creating a simple chocolate fondue and fresh fruits or cheeses for a romantic end to your couples’ meal. Cook a crock pot soup to start the meal off right. The remaining soup can be frozen to create an instant appetizer or lunch for the whole family on another day.
Crock pot cooking allows you to easily prepare large portions at once, but you can use the same methods to create meals intended for only two people. It is easy to modify recipes so that they are the perfect size for a couple, or go ahead and make a full pot and freeze the remainder for another time. Your crock pot is a great time saver for full family meals, but it is also great to make a special meal when they are just two!
Tags: beef crock pot recipes | beef crock pot recipes | crock pot beef curry | crock pot beef curry | crock pot pot roast | crock pot pot roast | slow cooker recipes | slow cooker recipes | crock pot recipes | crock pot recipes