Frozen green beans can be thawed quickly by letting then stand in cold water for 5 - 10 minutes, then breaking them apart.

Zucchini skins often have a gritty texture that a quick rinse doesn’t remove.  Use a vegetable wash or gently scrub with a soft vegetable brush under running water.

I always love easy to make slow cooker recipes. I love being able to throw together a few things in the morning, and then have supper ready for that evening. Like tonight, Bill was over an hour late, but the kids and I were able to eat.

1 cup beef broth
1/3 cup Italian dressing
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (I used Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce)
1 tsp oregano leaves
1 lb beef stew meat
4 potatoes
1 bag baby carrots (16oz)
1 large onion, cut into chunks
3 tbsp tastefully Simple Bacon Bacon Seasoning (A couple pieces of chopped up bacon should work too)
3 tbsp flour
3 tbsp water

Mix broth, dressing, BBQ sauce, and oregano in a bowl. Put all remaining ingredients in the slow cooker except for the flour and water.  Pour bowl mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 8 - 9 hours (or 4 - 5 hours on high).

Fifteen minutes before you want to serve, use a slotted spoon and transfer meat and veggies to a serving bowl.  Cover with foil.

In a bowl, mix the flour and water until well blended.  Stir into slow cooker.  Cover and cook on high for 15 minutes.  Spoon over meat and vegetables.

We were so hungry when I made this easy to make slow cooker that I forgot to take pictures!

3 potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 chopped onion
6 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1 inch pieces
2 lbs boneless round steak
1 package dry onion soup mix
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup water

Place the potatoes, onion, and carrots into the slow cooker. Cut the steak into six pieces and place meat on top of the vegetables. In a mixing bowl, combine the soup mix, soup, and water. Then pour the mixture over the beef.

Cover and cook on low for 7 - 10 hours.

To test an egg for freshness, place it in a bowl of cold water.  A fresh egg will sink to the bottom.  An older egg will start to skim the water’s surface.  A stale egg will float and should be thrown away.