Crock pot makes cooking easy

It’s cold outside and that means hot and hearty foods are the centerpieces of many people’s dinner menus. As such, stews, soups, chili and roasts are ideal options to consider. What’s more, cooking these simple recipes in a slow cooker can make easy work of a delicious and filling meal.

For those who need some slow cooker inspiration, attempt these tried and true recipes for some classic family dishes. Experiment with your own flavors to put a unique spin on these crowd pleasers.

Pleasing Pot Roast

1, 2-pound beef chuck pot roast

1 tablespoon cooking oil

Salt and pepper

1 package onion soup mix

1 large onion, cut into thin wedges

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

4 to 5 ounces beef stock

1 large carrot, cut into thick slices

Trim fat from meat. In a Dutch oven or deep frying pan, brown meat on all sides in hot oil. Sprinkle meat with salt, pepper and onion soup mix.

Place onions and browned meat in a slow cooker. Sprinkle with all spice and add beef stock. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours, or until meat is tender (4 to 5 hours on high setting). Add carrots during last hour of cooking.

Serve with favorite rice or potatoes.

Easy Chicken and Dumplings

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut in small chunks

2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup

1/4 cup onion, finely diced

2 cups chicken stock

2 10 oz packages refrigerated biscuits

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all of the ingredients except for the biscuits in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for 5 to 6 hours. Approximately 30 minutes before serving the meal, tear the refrigerated biscuits into small pieces and add to the slow cooker mixture, stirring gently. Re-cover and let cook remaining minutes until biscuits are fluffy and thoroughly cooked.

One-Pot Apple Cobbler

4 medium tart apples, like Granny Smith

1/2 cup honey

Juice of one lemon; reserve rind and grate

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 stick sweet butter, softened

3/4 cup whole oats cereal (like Grape Nuts, Honey Bunches of Oats, Kashi or granola)

1/2 cup raisins, craisins or other favorite dried fruit

Non-stick cooking spray

Grease the inside of the slow cooker with the cooking spray.

Core, peel and cut up the apples. Place in the cooker with the honey, lemon juice, rind, fruit and cinnamon. Combine the cereal and butter and add to the rest of the ingredients. Cover and cook for 5 to 6 hours on low (2 to 3 hours on high).

Serve with ice cream, whipped cream or caramel sauce, if desired.