Slow Cooker Cinnamon Orange Pork Chops and Winter Squash

Serves 6 Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash, ends trimmed, sliced, seeded
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 6 pork loin chops, trimmed of fat
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• Juice of 1 orange
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup water

Directions:

1. Lay squash on the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange pork chops over the top and season with salt and pepper.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, cinnamon, orange juice, zest and water. Pour over pork chops. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 to 6 hours or until pork is cooked through and squash is tender. Serve pork and squash with a side of rice or pasta.

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pineapple Chicken

Serves 8 Ingredients:

• 1 (29-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Combine tomato sauce, pineapple, onion, garlic, brown sugar, red wine vinegar and Worcestershire sauce in the slow cooker, stirring to combine. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook on HIGH for 4 to 6 hours. Serve with brown basmati or jasmine rice.

Slow Cooker Creole Beans and Sausage

Serves 8 Ingredients:

• 1 pound spicy chicken sausage
• 1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed, drained
• 1 (16-ounce) can black beans, rinsed, drained
• 2 (15-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or HIGH for 4 to 6 hours. Serve over grits or creamy polenta.