Every mom needs to have a few "emergency" recipes to make from her family when she's just too tired to cook elaborate meals. Slow cooker family recipes are perfect for this!
Why slow cooker family recipes? Whether your family loves pasta, meat or soup, it's as easy as tossing in all your ingredients together and allow your slow cooker to work its magic on them.
Here are some healthy and mouthwatering slow cooker recipes that even the fussiest little eater will love.
Slow cooker family recipes
1. Lasagna
No, we are not kidding. You can make delectable lasagnas using your slow cooker. A non-spicy ratatouille mixture can work perfectly well with your lasagna sheets and your little one will surely relish it.
Don't forget to add mozzarella over the veggies making it a yummilicious combination of tasty and healthy.
Read full recipe here.
2. Thai Style Vegetable Rice
One of the most mouth-watering dishes, Thai rice can be made with ease in a slow cooker. Load it with veggies like edamame, sweet potatoes and carrot to make it healthy.
As the recipe has foods like garlic, curry powder, cumin and ginger, this may be a better choice for your older kids as compared to smaller ones. However, even little foodies will love this, if they like experimenting with flavors.
Add some cashew nuts to garnish the rice.
Here is the complete recipe.
3. Carrot and Lentil Soup
Making this yummy soup is a cakewalk, mom. You can also make it for your younger kids without the spices.
You can ace this recipe with a dash of roasted cumin seeds and chilli flakes that can be a super hit with your older kids who have developed a taste for spices.
You can either make it smooth or leave it slightly chunky. Garnish the soup with a scoop of yogurt or a drizzle of cream. In case of young kids, stick to only yogurt.
Check out the recipe here.
4. Mushroom Risotto
Gone are the days when risottos required you to constantly stir, trapping you in your kitchen. An amazingly tasty and simple risotto recipe can be a winner. Perfect for your fussy eating kids because you can add in as many veggies as you like apart from mushrooms.
The full recipe is here.
5. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These tasty chicken and lettuce wraps are loaded with nutrients for your child and are a perfect snack.
Make sure you are using less oil to keep it healthy and the sauces that you use are safe for kids. Here is how to ace this delectable recipe.
6. Thai Brisket Sandwiches
Another yummy recipe that's easy to make and can be a favorite with your little mischief monster is the Thai style Brisket sandwiches.
You can use a healthy mix of vegetables like scallions and carrots along with meat. The sandwiches can be a great change from the regular meals.
Read the full recipe here.
7. Creamy Vegetable Korma
Mom, you must be wondering if creamy and healthy are two words that can go together. But this delicious and mouth-watering recipe that's loaded with all types of vegetables, is really a great combination of health and taste.
You can serve this with breads like naan. Full recipe here.
8. Shredded Beef Nachos
Nachos just got healthier, mom. A perfect side dish for sleepovers or any other family occasion. Kids will totally love this twist to the classic nachos as you beef it up with lots of yummy and healthy ingredients.
Here is the recipe.
9. Meatballs
An all time favourite with kids, you can add meatballs to a tasty tomato-sauce base. Or you can also add in veggies in the meat mince making it more healthy and flavorful.
The recipe is right here.
10. Sweet and Tangy Chicken
A perfect blend of sweet and tangy, this chicken recipe will be a favourite with the whole family. You can add as many vegetables to this and increase its health quotient.
Read the recipe here.
Mom, here are a few tips to make your slow cooker family recipes tastier and healthier
- Use less oil with fatty foods like meat and cheese.
- Strike a balance by adding fibrous veggies to fatty foods like meat and cheese.
- Kids require more fat as they are highly energetic. So use fatty foods generously, but ensure to stay away from trans fat.
These slow cooker family recipes are an awesome way to show your family some love. So mom, what are you waiting for? Get that cooker ready and spread the magic.
Sources: Family Circle, BBC Good Food, Kidspot
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore