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Slow Cooker, aka Crock Pot
Started
by Libby
on December 2, 2009
Similar to another post about rice cookers, but I wanted to see what slow cook recipe you all had...
slow cookers are amazing because you can leave them for hours while you're at work or out at play, or whatever, and then come home to an awesome dinner.
From the Blog Fat Free Vegan Kitchen (which I love!!)
Tofu, Tempeh, and Butternut Squash in Slow-Cooked Peanut Mole
(printer-friendly version)
Freezing tofu completely changes its texture, making it chewy and spongy. Be sure to freeze it for at least 24 hours and squeeze out as much water as possible before cooking so that the sauce will permeate it. Tofu can be stored in the freezer for months in its original package and then defrosted in the refrigerator or microwave before using.
1 dried Ancho or New Mexico* chile pepper
1 1/2 cups hot vegetable broth
3 black peppercorns (or 1/8 tsp. ground pepper)
3 allspice berries (or 1/4 tsp. ground)
1 cinnamon stick, broken into pieces (or 1/2 tsp. ground)
3 cloves (or 1/8 tsp. ground)
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup diced fire roasted tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder *(optional--use if New Mexico chile is used above)
1/3 cup natural peanut butter (or 1/2 cup roasted peanuts)
1 slice whole wheat or French bread (or gluten-free bread), torn in pieces
1/2 to 1 chipotle chile canned in adobo
14 ounces reduced fat tofu, frozen for at least 24 hours and defrosted
8 ounces tempeh, cut in 3/4" cubes
1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut in 3/4" cubes
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Cut the dried pepper in half and remove the seeds and stem. Chop it into small pieces and put them in a bowl. Cover with 1/2 cup of the vegetable broth and set aside to soften for about 1/2 an hour.
Place the spices in a spice or coffee grinder and grind to a powder. (If you don't have whole spices, use ground ones in the amount specified and mix them in a small bowl.)
In a small skillet, saute the onion until it begins to brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for one minute more.
Transfer the onion-garlic mixture, ground spices, chile pepper and its broth, tomatoes, and remaining broth to the blender. Add the salt, ancho chile powder (optional), peanut butter, bread, and chipotle pepper. Blend until the mixture is nearly smooth.
Cut the tofu into slices about 3/4 to 1 inch thick. Squeeze each slice between the palms of your hands until all the water is removed. Cut the slices into cubes.
Spray the bottom of the slow cooker with non-stick spray. Spread the tofu, tempeh, and squash on the bottom of the cooker and pour the blender contents over them. Stir to make sure sauce covers all surfaces. Cover tightly and cook on low for 3-6 hours, until sauce is thick and squash is tender. Before serving, check sauce and stir in the sugar, if you like, and salt to taste. Serve over rice or in tortillas.
YOWZA, that sounds good, I adore a good mole!! Thank you! Seriously, I have got to quit my foolin' around and just get a slow cooker - they're so reasonable these days, right? I'm sorry to say I haven't priced one... :blush blush: It would SOOO get me cooking even MORE to set it up and just go about my day and, like you said, come home to an amazing meal like this or any one of TKD's stews and soups - sounds like a real game-changer to me. :)
ahh YES! the slow cooker - i have a ginormous one that is gathering dust.
i always wondered whether food exposed to heat for so long (albeit low) robbed it of its vitamins and minerals?
but am open to use the thing..any other good recipes or links to good sites?
thx!
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