Slow Cooked: Aromatics can get the mouth watering early on

One of the benefits of using a slow cooker is coming home after a long day and smelling food that’s been cooking all day.

We compiled a few recipes – not just entrees, either – that use especially aromatic ingredients.

That way, you’ll enjoy your slow cooker and food inside it with more than just your taste buds.

Dilled Pot Roast

Originally from Kathryn Yoder, Minot, N.D. (Reprinted from “Fix-It and Forget-It BIG Cookbook.” Copyright by Good Books (http://www.GoodBooks.com). Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

Makes: Eight servings

Prep time: Five minutes

Cooking time: 7 1/4 to 9 1/4 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4- or 5-quart

2 3/4-pound beef pot roast
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons dried dill weed, divided
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons wine vinegar
4 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup water
2 cups fat-free sour cream

Sprinkle both sides of beef with salt, pepper and 1 teaspoon dill weed. Place in slow cooker. Add 1/4 cup water and vinegar. Cover and cook on low for seven to nine hours. Remove meat from pot. Turn cooker to high. Stir flour into 1/2 cup water. Stir into meat drippings. Stir in additional 1 teaspoon dill weed if you wish. Cover. Cook on high five minutes. Stir in sour cream. Cover and cook on high another five minutes. Slice beef and serve with sour cream sauce.

Creamy Nutmeg Chicken

Originally from Amber Swarey, Donalds, S.C. (Reprinted from “Fix-It and Forget-It BIG Cookbook.” Copyright by Good Books (http://www.GoodBooks.com). Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

Makes: Six servings

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cooking time: Three hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4-quart

6 boneless chicken breast halves
oil
1/4 cup chopped onions
1/4 cup minced parsley
2 10 3/4-ounce cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon sage
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed rosemary

Brown chicken in skillet in oil. Reserve drippings and place chicken in slow cooker.

Saute onions and parsley in drippings until onions are tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour over chicken.

Cover. Cook on low three hours or until juices run clear. Serve over mashed or fried potatoes, or rice.

Vanilla Hot Mulled Cider

Originally from Shirley Unternahrer Hihn, Wayland, Iowa (Reprinted from “Fix-It and Forget-It BIG Cookbook.” Copyright by Good Books (http://www.GoodBooks.com). Used by permission. All rights reserved.)

Makes: 12 servings

Prep time: Five minutes

Cooking time: Five hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 3 1/2-quart
2 quarts apple cider
1/4 to 1/2 cup brown sugar, according to your taste preference
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cinnamon stick
4 cloves

Combine ingredients in slow cooker. Cover.

Cook on low five hours. Stir.

Distributed via Chicago Press Release Services