Appetizers
Levi’s Sesame Chicken Wings
Shirley Unternahrer Hinh
Wayland, IA
Makes 16 appetizer servings
Prep. Time: 40 minutes
Cooking Time: 2½-5 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.
3 lbs. chicken wings
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1 cup honey
sugar substitute to equal 6 Tbsp. sugar
¾ cup light soy sauce
½ cup no-salt-added ketchup
2 Tbsp. canola oil
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
toasted sesame seeds
1. Rinse wings. Cut at joint. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on broiler pan.
2. Broil 5 inches from top, 10 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker.
3. Combine remaining ingredients except sesame seeds. Pour over chicken.
4. Cover. Cook on low 5 hours or high 2½ hours.
5. Sprinkle sesame seeds over top just before serving.
6. Serve as appetizer, or with brown rice and shredded lettuce for a meal.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 1.5
• Meat, high fat 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 192 (Calories from Fat 77)
• Total Fat 9 gm (Saturated Fat 1.8 gm, Polyunsat Fat 2.3 gm, Monounsat Fat 3.7 gm)
• Cholesterol 22 mg
• Sodium 453 mg
• Total Carb 21 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 21 gm
• Protein 9 gm
Note:
My husband and his co-workers have a potluck lunch at work. I think this is a nice way to break the monotony of the week or month. And it gives them a chance to share. What better way to keep it ready than a slow cooker!
Keep healthy snacks handy! A delayed meal or change in your schedule can happen anytime, so keep snacks in your desk, briefcase, pocketbook, or glove compartment.
Quick and Easy Nacho Dip
Kristina Shull
Timberville, VA
Makes 20 servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
½ lb. 85%-lean ground beef
pepper, optional
onion powder, optional
2 garlic cloves, minced, optional
2 16-oz. jars salsa (as hot or mild as you like)
15-oz. can fat-free refried beans
1½ cups fat-free sour cream
1½ cups shredded reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1. Brown ground beef. Drain. Add pepper, onion powder, and minced garlic.
2. Combine beef, salsa, beans, sour cream, and 1 cup cheese in slow cooker.
3. Cover. Heat on low 2 hours. Just before serving sprinkle with ½ cup cheese.
4. Serve with tortilla chips.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 0.5
• Meat, lean 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 80 (Calories from Fat 27)
• Total Fat 3 gm (Saturated Fat 1.5 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.2 gm, Monounsat Fat 1.0 gm)
• Cholesterol 14 mg
• Sodium 298 mg
• Total Carb 8 gm
• Dietary Fiber 2 gm
• Sugars 3 gm
• Protein 6 gm
Red Pepper Cheese Dip
Ann Bender
Ft. Defiance, VA
Makes 12-15 servings
Prep. Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3- or 4-qt.
2 Tbsp. olive oil
4 large red peppers, cut into 1" squares
4 oz. feta cheese
1. Pour oil into slow cooker. Stir in peppers.
2. Cover. Cook on low 2 hours.
3. Serve with feta cheese on crackers.
Exchange List Values
• Vegetable 1.0
• Fat 0.5
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 49 (Calories from Fat 32)
• Total Fat 4 gm (Saturated Fat 1.4 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.3 gm, Monounsat Fat 1.7 gm)
• Cholesterol 7 mg
• Sodium 86 mg
• Total Carb 3 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 2 gm
• Protein 2 gm
Pizza Fondue
Lisa Warren
Parkesburg, PA
Makes 18 servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 2-3 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
½ lb. 85%-lean ground beef
2 15 oz. cans pizza sauce with cheese
4 oz. grated fat-free cheddar cheese
4 oz. grated reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1 tsp. dried oregano
½ tsp. fennel seed, optional
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1. Brown beef, crumble fine, and drain.
2. Combine all ingredients except tortilla chips in slow cooker.
3. Cover. Heat on low 2-3 hours.
4. Serve with tortilla chips.
Exchange List Values
• Meat, medium fat 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 76 (Calories from Fat 34)
• Total Fat 4 gm (Saturated Fat 1.4 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.9 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.9 gm)
• Cholesterol 13 mg
• Sodium 392 mg
• Total Carb 4 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 3 gm
• Protein 6 gm
Hot Cheese and Bacon Dip
Lee Ann Hazlett
Freeport, IL
Makes 25 servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Ideal slow cooker size: 1-qt.
9 slices bacon, diced
2 8-oz. pkgs. fat-free cream cheese, cubed and softened
8 oz. shredded reduced-fat mild cheddar cheese
1 cup fat-free half-and-half
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried minced onion
½ tsp. dry mustard
½ tsp. salt
2-3 drops Tabasco
1. Brown and drain bacon. Set aside.
2. Mix remaining ingredients in slow cooker.
3. Cover. Cook on low 1 hour, stirring occasionally until cheese melts.
4. Stir in bacon.
5. Serve with fruit slices or French bread slices. (Dip fruit in lemon juice to prevent browning.)
Exchange List Values
• Meat, lean 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 54 (Calories from Fat 28)
• Total Fat 3 gm (Saturated Fat 1.5 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.2 gm, Monounsat Fat 1.1 gm)
• Cholesterol 11 mg
• Sodium 273 mg
• Total Carb 2 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 1 gm
• Protein 6 gm
Cheesy Hot Bean Dip
John D. Allen
Rye, CO
Makes 20 servings
Prep. Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
16-oz. can refried beans
1 cup salsa
2 cups (8 ozs.) shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack and reduced fat cheddar cheeses, mixed
1 cup fat-free sour cream
3-oz. pkg. fat-free cream cheese, cubed
1 Tbsp. chili powder
¼ tsp. ground cumin
1. Combine all ingredients except chips in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on high 2 hours. Stir 2-3 times during cooking.
3. Serve warm from the cooker with chips.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 0.5
• Fat 0.5
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 65 (Calories from Fat 22)
• Total Fat 2 gm (Saturated Fat 1.5 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.1 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.7 gm)
• Cholesterol 11 mg
• Sodium 275 mg
• Total Carb 6 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 2 gm
• Protein 6 gm
Note:
This bean dip is a favorite. Once you start on it, it’s hard to leave it alone. We have been known to dip into it even when it’s cold.
Refried Bean Dip
Maryann Markano
Wilmington, DE
Makes 12 servings
Prep. Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 1-2½ hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
20-oz. can fat-free refried beans
1 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
½ cup chopped green onions
2-4 Tbsp. bottled taco sauce (depending upon how spicy a dip you like)
tortilla chips
1. Combine beans, cheese, onions, salt, and taco sauce in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on low 2-2½ hours, or cook on high 30 minutes and then on low 30 minutes.
3. Serve with tortilla chips.
Exchange List Values
• Starch 0.5
• Meat, very lean 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 56 (Calories from Fat 0)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0.0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.0 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.0 gm)
• Cholesterol 1 mg
• Sodium 270 mg
• Total Carb 8 gm
• Dietary Fiber 2 gm
• Sugars 1 gm
• Protein 5 gm
Slow-Cooked Salsa
Joleen Albrecht
Gladstone, MI
Makes 34 ¼-cup servings
Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 hours
Ideal slow-cooker size: 3-qt.
10 fresh Roma, or plum, tomatoes, chopped coarsely
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, chopped
2 jalapeño peppers
¼ cup cilantro leaves
½ tsp. salt
1. Place tomatoes, garlic, and onion in slow cooker.
2. Remove stems from jalapeños. Remove seeds, too, if you prefer a milder flavor. Chop jalapeños. Stir into slow cooker.
3. Cover. Cook on high 2½ to 3 hours, or until vegetables are softened.
4. Allow to cool.
5. When cooled, combine cooked mixture with cilantro and salt in a blender or food processor. Blend or process to the consistency that you like.
Exchange List Values
• Free food
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 10 (Calories from Fat 0)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0 gm Monounsat Fat 0 gm Cholesterol 0 mg), Sodium 35 mg
• Total Carb 2 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 1 gm
• Protein 0 gm
Reuben Spread
Clarice Williams
Fairbank, IA
Julie McKenzie
Punxsutawney, PA
Makes 52 servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 1-2 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
½ lb. corned beef, shredded or chopped, all visible fat removed
16-oz. can sauerkraut, well drained
1 cups shredded Swiss cheese
1 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
Thousand Island dressing, optional
1. Combine all ingredients except bread and Thousand Island dressing in slow cooker. Mix well.
2. Cover. Cook on high 1-2 hours until heated through, stirring occasionally.
3. Turn to low and keep warm in cooker while serving. Put spread on bread slices. Top individual servings with Thousand Island dressing, if desired.
Exchange List Values
• Fat 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 58 (Calories from Fat 49)
• Total Fat 5 gm (Saturated Fat 1.5 gm, Polyunsat Fat 1.9 gm, Monounsat Fat 1.6 gm)
• Cholesterol 10 mg
• Sodium 113 mg
• Total Carb 1 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 0 gm
• Protein 2 gm
Note:
Low-fat cheese and mayonnaise are not recommended for this spread.
Variation:
Use dried beef instead of corned beef.
Good snack choices include grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Hearty Beef Dip Fondue
Ann Bender
Ft. Defiance, VA
Charlotte Shaffer
East Earl, PA
Makes 10 (¼ cup) servings
Prep. Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
1 cup fat-free milk
¾ cup fat-free half-and-half
2 8-oz. pkgs. fat-free cream cheese, cubed
2 tsp. dry mustard
¼ cup chopped green onions
2½ oz. sliced dried beef, shredded
1. Heat milk and half-and-half in slow cooker on high until steaming.
2. Add cheese. Stir until melted.
3. Add mustard, green onions, and dried beef. Stir well.
4. Cover. Cook on low for up to 6 hours.
5. Serve by dipping toasted bread pieces on long forks into mixture.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 0.5
• Meat, very lean 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 72 (Calories from Fat 6)
• Total Fat 1 gm (Saturated Fat 0.1 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.0 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.1 gm)
• Cholesterol 10 mg
• Sodium 508 mg
• Total Carb 6 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 4 gm
• Protein 10 gm
Variations:
Add ½ cup chopped pecans, 2 Tbsp. chopped olives, or 1 tsp. minced onion in Step 3.
Note:
I make this on cold winter evenings as we sit around the table playing games.
Hot Crab Dip
Cassandra Ly
Carlisle, PA
Miriam Nolt
New Holland, PA
Makes 20 servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 3-4 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3- or 4-qt.
½ cup milk
⅓ cup salsa
3 8-oz. pkgs. fat-free cream cheese, cubed
2 8-oz. pkgs. imitation crabmeat, flaked
1 cup thinly sliced green onions
4-oz. can chopped green chilies
assorted crackers or bread cubes
1. Combine milk and salsa. Transfer to greased slow cooker.
2. Stir in cream cheese, crabmeat, onions, and chilies.
3. Cover. Cook on low 3-4 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
4. Serve with crackers or bread.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 0.5
• Meat, very lean 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 60 (Calories from Fat 4)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0.1 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.2 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.1 gm)
• Cholesterol 9 mg
• Sodium 410 mg
• Total Carb 5 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 4 gm
• Protein 8 gm
Liver Paté
Barbara Walker
Sturgis, SD
Makes 12 (2 Tbsp.) servings
Prep. Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 4-5 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
1 lb. chicken livers
½ cup dry wine
1 tsp. instant chicken bouillon
1 tsp. minced parsley
1 Tbsp. instant minced onion
¼ tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. seasoning salt
1 Tbsp. light soy sauce
¼ tsp. dry mustard
¼ cup light, soft tub margarine
1 Tbsp. brandy
1. In slow cooker, combine all ingredients except butter and brandy.
2. Cover. Cook on low 4-5 hours. Let stand in liquid until cool.
3. Drain. Place in blender or food grinder. Add margarine and brandy. Process until smooth.
4. Serve with crackers or toast.
Exchange List Values
• Meat, lean 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 61 (Calories from Fat 28)
• Total Fat 3 gm (Saturated Fat 0.6 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.6 gm, Monounsat Fat 1.2 gm)
• Cholesterol 137 mg
• Sodium 235 mg
• Total Carb 1 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 0 gm
• Protein 6 gm
Cheesy New Orleans Shrimp Dip
Kelly Amos
Pittsboro, NC
Makes 20 servings
Prep. Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Ideal slow cooker size: 1-qt.
1 slice bacon
3 medium onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
4 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 medium tomato, peeled and chopped
7 oz. (1¾ cups) reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
4 drops Tabasco sauce
⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper dash of black pepper
milk to thin dip, optional
chips
1. Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel. Crumble.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in skillet sprayed with non-fat cooking spray. Drain on paper towel.
3. Coarsely chop shrimp.
4. Combine all ingredients except chips in slow cooker.
5. Cover. Cook on low 1 hour, or until cheese is melted. Thin with milk if too thick. Serve with chips.
Exchange List Values
• Meat, lean 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 43 (Calories from Fat 18)
• Total Fat 2 gm (Saturated Fat 1.5 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.1 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.6 gm)
• Cholesterol 13 mg
• Sodium 90 mg
• Total Carb 2 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 2 gm
• Protein 4 gm
Roasted Pepper and Artichoke Spread
Sherril Bieberly
Sauna, KS
Makes 24 servings
Prep. Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour
Ideal slow cooker size: 1-qt.
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
8-oz. pkg. fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 garlic clove, minced
14-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped finely
⅓ cup finely chopped roasted red bell peppers
crackers, cut-up fresh vegetables, or snack-bread slices
1. Combine Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and garlic in food processor. Process until smooth. Place mixture in slow cooker.
2. Add artichoke hearts and red bell pepper. Stir well.
3. Cover. Cook on low 1 hour. Stir again.
4. Use as spread for crackers, cut-up fresh vegetables, or snack-bread slices.
Exchange List Values
• Fat 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 49 (Calories from Fat 29)
• Total Fat 3 gm (Saturated Fat 1.3 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.7 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.9 gm)
• Cholesterol 8 mg
• Sodium 209 mg
• Total Carb 2 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 1 gm
• Protein 4 gm
Baked Brie with Cranberry Chutney
Amymarlene Jensen
Fountain, CO
Makes 25 servings
Prep. Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 4½ hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 1-qt.
1 cup fresh, or dried, cranberries
½ cup brown sugar
⅓ cup cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. water, or orange juice
2 tsp. minced crystallized ginger
¼ tsp. cinnamon
⅛ tsp. ground cloves
oil
8-oz. round of Brie cheese
1 Tbsp. sliced almonds, toasted
crackers
1. Mix together cranberries, brown sugar, vinegar, water or juice, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on low 4 hours. Stir once near the end to see if it is thickening. If not, remove top, turn heat to high and cook 30 minutes without lid.
3. Put cranberry chutney in covered container and chill for up to 2 weeks. When ready to serve, bring to room temperature.
4. Brush shallow baking dish or ovenproof plate with vegetable oil, place Brie, still in rind, on plate.
5. Bake uncovered at 350° for 9 minutes, until cheese is soft and partially melted. Remove from oven.
6. Top with half the chutney and garnish with almonds. Serve with crackers.
Exchange List Values
• Fat 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 38 (Calories from Fat 23)
• Total Fat 3 gm (Saturated Fat 1.5 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.1 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.8 gm)
• Cholesterol 8 mg
• Sodium 67 mg
• Total Carb 3 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 3 gm
• Protein 1 gm
Hot Artichoke Dip
Mary E. Wheatley
Mashpee, MA
Makes 30 (¼ cup) servings
Prep. Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 1-4 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.
2 14¾ oz. jars marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1 cup fat-free sour cream
1 cup water chestnuts, chopped
2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ cup finely chopped scallions
1. Cut artichoke hearts into small pieces. Add mayonnaise, sour cream, water chestnuts, cheese, and scallions. Pour into slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on high 1-2 hours or on low 3-4 hours.
3. Serve with crackers or crusty French bread.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 0.5
• Fat 0.5
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 57 (Calories from Fat 26)
• Total Fat 3 gm (Saturated Fat 1.2 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.7 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.9 gm)
• Cholesterol 6 mg
• Sodium 170 mg
• Total Carb 5 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 2 gm
• Protein 3 gm
Artichokes
Susan Yoder Graber
Eureka, IL
Makes 4 servings
Prep. Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 2-10 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
4 artichokes
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1. Wash and trim artichokes by cutting off the stems flush with the bottoms of the artichokes and by cutting ¾-1-inch off the tops. Stand upright in slow cooker.
2. Mix together salt and lemon juice and pour over artichokes.
3. Pour in water to cover ¾ of artichokes.
4. Cover. Cook on low 8-10 hours, or high 2-4 hours.
5. Serve with melted butter. Pull off individual leaves and dip bottom of each into butter. Using your teeth, strip the individual leaf of the meaty portion at the bottom of each leaf.
Exchange List Values
• Vegetable 3.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 60 (Calories from Fat 2)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0.0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.1 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.0 gm)
• Cholesterol 0 mg
• Sodium 397 mg
• Total Carb 13 gm
• Dietary Fiber 6 gm
• Sugars 1 gm
• Protein 4 gm
Note:
3 vegetable exchanges = 1 carbohydrate exchange
Chili Nuts
Barbara Aston
Ashdown, AR
Makes 80 (1 Tbsp.) servings
Prep. Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 2½-3 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
half stick (¼ cup) melted butter
2 12-oz. cans cocktail peanuts
1⅝-oz. pkg. chili seasoning mix
1. Pour butter over nuts in slow cooker. Sprinkle in dry chili mix. Toss together.
2. Cover. Heat on low 2-2½ hours. Turn to high. Remove lid and cook 10-15 minutes.
3. Serve warm or cool.
Exchange List Values
• Fat 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 56 (Calories from Fat 43)
• Total Fat 5 gm (Saturated Fat 1.0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 1.4 gm, Monounsat Fat 2.3 gm)
• Cholesterol 2 mg
• Sodium 104 mg
• Total Carb 2 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 0 gm
• Protein 2 gm
Curried Almonds
Barbara Aston
Ashdown, AR
Makes 64 (1 Tbsp.)servings
Prep. Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 3½-4½ hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1 Tbsp. curry powder
½ tsp. seasoned salt
1 lb. blanched almonds
1. Combine butter with curry powder and seasoned salt.
2. Pour over almonds in slow cooker. Mix to coat well.
3. Cover. Cook on low 2-3 hours. Turn to high. Uncover cooker and cook 1-1½ hours.
4. Serve warm or room temperature.
Exchange List Values
• Fat 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 45 (Calories from Fat 36)
• Total Fat 4 gm (Saturated Fat 0.5 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.9 gm, Monounsat Fat 2.4 gm)
• Cholesterol 1 mg
• Sodium 18 mg
• Total Carb 1 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 0 gm
• Protein 2 gm
Eat some avocado, olives, almonds, or sesame seeds today. Small amounts give your body the good fat that it needs.
All-American Snack
Doris M. Coyle-Zipp
South Ozone Park, NY
Melissa Raber
Millersburg, OH
Ada Miller
Sugarcreek, OH
Nanci Keatley
Salem, OR
Makes 48 (¼ cup) servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 2½ hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.
3 cups thin pretzel sticks
4 cups Wheat Chex
4 cups Cheerios
12-oz. can salted peanuts
¼ cup melted butter, or margarine
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. celery salt
½ tsp. seasoned salt
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
1. Combine pretzels, cereal, and peanuts in large bowl.
2. Melt butter. Stir in garlic powder, celery salt, seasoned salt, and Parmesan cheese. Pour over pretzels and cereal. Toss until well mixed.
3. Pour into large slow cooker. Cover. Cook on low 2½ hours, stirring every 30 minutes.
4. Remove lid and cook another 30 minutes on low.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store in tightly covered container.
Exchange List Values
• Starch 0.5
• Fat 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 77 (Calories from Fat 44)
• Total Fat 5 gm (Saturated Fat 1.2 gm, Polyunsat Fat 1.2 gm, Monounsat Fat 2.1 gm)
• Cholesterol 3 mg
• Sodium 174 mg
• Total Carb 7 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 1 gm
• Protein 3 gm
Variations:
1. Use 3 cups Wheat Chex (instead of 4 cups) and 3 cups Cheerios (instead of 4 cups). Add 3 cups Corn Chex.
Marcia S. Myer
Manheim, PA
Apple Butter from Scratch
Joanna Harrison
Lafayette, CO
Makes 6 cups, 2 Tbsp. per serving
Prep. Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 26 hours (yes, that’s right!)
Ideal slow cooker size: 2-qt.
12 tart cooking apples (enough to make about 16 cups)
1 cup apple juice
1 cup sugar
1-1½ tsp. cinnamon
½-¾ tsp. allspice
⅛ tsp. ground cloves, optional
1. Lightly grease inside of slow cooker. Wash, core, and quarter apples. No need to peel them.
2. Place apples and apple juice in cooker. Cover. Cook on low 10-18 hours.
3. When apples are tender, blend in food processor or blender.
4. Return apples to slow cooker. Stir in sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, blending well.
5. Cover. Cook on high 6-8 hours, stirring every 2 hours.
6. Remove lid after 3 hours to allow fruit and juice to cook down.
7. Spoon into hot sterilized jars and can, or store in the refrigerator.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 0.5
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 40 (Calories from Fat 0)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0 gm Monounsat Fat 0 gm Cholesterol 0 mg), Sodium 0 mg
• Total Carb 11 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 9 gm
• Protein 0 gm
Note:
This smells good while cooking and makes a great gift.
Rhonda’s Apple Butter
Rhonda Burgoon
Collingswood, NJ
Makes 24 (2 Tbsp.)servings
Prep. Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 12-14 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
4 lbs. apples
2 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ground cloves
1. Peel, core, and slice apples. Place in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on high 2-3 hours. Reduce to low and cook 8 hours. Apples should be a rich brown and be cooked down by half.
3. Stir in spices. Cook on high 2-3 hours with lid off. Stir until smooth.
4. Pour into freezer containers and freeze, or into sterilized jars and seal.
Exchange List Values
• Fruit 0.5
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 37 (Calories from Fat 2)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0.0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.1 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.0 gm)
• Cholesterol 0 mg
• Sodium 0 mg
• Total Carb 10 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 8 gm
• Protein 0 gm
Ann’s Apple Butter
Ann Bender
Ft. Defiance, VA
Makes 32 (2 Tbsp.) servings
Prep. Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 8-10 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
7 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 cup sugar
sugar substitute to equal ½ cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ tsp. allspice
1. Combine all ingredients in slow cooker.
2. Put a layer of paper towels under lid to prevent condensation from dripping into apple butter.
3. Cook on high 8-10 hours. Remove lid during last hour. Stir occasionally.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 48 (Calories from Fat 1)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0.0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.0 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.0 gm)
• Cholesterol 0 mg
• Sodium 1 mg
• Total Carb 13 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 11 gm
• Protein 0 gm
Variation:
Use canned peaches, pears, or apricots in place of applesauce.
Pear Butter
Betty Moore
Plano, IL
Makes 40 (2 Tbsp.) servings
Prep. Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 11-13 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.
10 large pears (about 4 lbs.)
1 cup orange juice
1 cup sugar
sugar substitute to equal ½ cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
½ tsp. ground allspice
1. Peel and quarter pears. Place in slow cooker.
2. Cover. Cook on low 10-12 hours. Drain and then discard liquid.
3. Mash or purée pears. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well and return to slow cooker.
4. Cover. Cook on high 1 hour.
5. Place in hot sterile jars and seal. Process in hot water bath for 10 minutes. Allow to cool undisturbed for 24 hours.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 1.0
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 56 (Calories from Fat 2)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0.0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.0 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.0 gm)
• Cholesterol 0 mg
• Sodium 0 mg
• Total Carb 14 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 13 gm
• Protein 0 gm
Peach or Apricot Butter
Charlotte Shaffer
East Earl, PA
Makes 48 (2 Tbsp.) servings
Prep. Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 8-10 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 4-qt.
4 1-lb. 13-oz. cans peaches, or apricots
1½ cups sugar
sugar substitute to equal ¾ cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1. Drain fruit. Remove pits. Purée in blender. Pour into slow cooker.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Cover. Cook on high 8-10 hours. Remove cover during last half of cooking. Stir occasionally.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 0.5
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 39 (Calories from Fat 0)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0.0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0.0 gm, Monounsat Fat 0.0 gm)
• Cholesterol 0 mg
• Sodium 2 mg
• Total Carb 10 gm
• Dietary Fiber 1 gm
• Sugars 10 gm
• Protein 0 gm
Note:
Spread on bread, or use as a topping for ice cream or toasted pound cake.
Pumpkin Butter
Emily Fox
Bethel, PA
Makes approximately 6½ cups
Prep. Time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking Time: 11-12 hours
Ideal slow cooker size: 3-qt.
6 cups pumpkin purée
2¾ cups light brown sugar, packed
2½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1. Mix pumpkin purée, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice together in slow cooker.
2. Cook, uncovered, on low for 11-12 hours, depending on how thick you’d like the butter to be. Cool.
3. Serve on bread or rolls for seasonal flair.
Note:
Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
Exchange List Values
• Carbohydrate 0.5
Basic Nutritional Values
• Calories 25 (Calories from Fat 0)
• Total Fat 0 gm (Saturated Fat 0 gm, Polyunsat Fat 0 gm Monounsat Fat 0 gm Cholesterol 0 mg), Sodium 0 mg
• Total Carb 7 gm
• Dietary Fiber 0 gm
• Sugars 6 gm
• Protein 0 gm
