Apple Butter (Slow Cooker)

Apple Butter (Slow Cooker)

I have not enjoyed apple butter for probably 30 years, I need to change that. On my to cook list.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 20 minutes
Cuisine American
Servings 20 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 kilos apples, peeled, cored, and sliced, (6 lbs)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • For the sugars, you can reduce the amount based on the sweetness of your apples.
  • Place the apples as you prepare them into your slow cooker, after they are done, add the sugars, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix together.
  • Set your slow cooker to Low and cook for 10 hours, stirring every 2 hours or so. When the apple butter is thick and dark brown, it is ready.
  • Mash with a potato masher if you would like a chunky version, or use an immersion blender (or pour into a blender) to make a smooth version.
  • Pour into jars and refrigerate covered for up to two weeks or freeze in small containers.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce

Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sounds good, and easy, common ingredients.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Cuisine Asian
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons tomato ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce

Instructions
 

  • Add all the ingredients to a sauce pan on medium heat and whisk to combine, simmer and stir often until sauce thickens to your liking. Taste and adjust sugar to your liking.
  • Remove from heat and let cool, sauce is ready.

Notes

Low cost.
Used in Recipe Listed on this Site:
Mayo Variations

Mayo Variations

Making mayo is not something I have done, nor is it covered here in this, these are just variations you can add to mayo you bought or mayo you have made, enjoy.
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

Fresh Herb Mayo

  • 3 1/2 cups mayo
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fresh tarragon, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped

Caper Dijon Mayo

  • 3 1/2 cups mayo
  • 1/4 cup capers, drained and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Horseradish Mayo

  • 3 1/2 cups mayo
  • 1/4 cup horseradish, fresh grated or drained prepared
  • 2 teaspoons lemon or lime juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Chili Lime Mayo

  • 3 1/2 cups mayo
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons chili sauce

Bacon Chive Mayo

  • 3 1/2 cups mayo
  • 3 slices bacon, cooked crispy and finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon chives, chopped

Instructions
 

  • For each variation, just stir in the ingredients, cover and store in the fridge until use.

Notes

Low cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Real Homemade Ketchup

Real Homemade Ketchup

This does sound like ketchup recipe. This uses a slow cooker to prepare, this does take some time to prepare though.
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups tomatoes, peeled, crushed
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2/3 cup coconut sugar, or brown sugar not packed
  • 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon celery salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to your slow cooker and mix. Set to High setting without using the lid, until mixture thickens, about 10 hours. Stir occasionally.
  • Blend with an immersion mixer until smooth, about 30 seconds.
  • Strain ketchup through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. Pour into a jar and when room temperature, seal jar and store in the fridge.

Notes

Low cost.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States.
Taquería-Style Pickled Jalapeños & Carrots

Taquería-Style Pickled Jalapeños & Carrots

Stephen Connell, United States.
These sound wonderful for tacos or burritos. I am currently waiting on some jalapeno peppers to grow.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Condiment
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 2 pints

Ingredients
  

  • 8-10 jalapeno peppers, cut into ¼ inch slices
  • 2-3 carrots, peeled, cut into ¼ inch slices
  • 1 onion, quartered, cut into thin slices
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, lightly chopped
  • splash olive oil
  • 1½ cups white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon oregano, Mexican type if you have that
  • 8-10 black peppercorns, cracked
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions
 

  • Heat a splash of olive oil in a large non stick pan, then add the onion and garlic, saute for a few minutes, then add the peppers, carrots, oregano, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Saute for just a few minutes.
  • Add the vinegar, water, and sea salt. Bring to boil the reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the peppers turn to an army green color.
  • Fill each jar with the pepper and carrot mixture, top up the jar with the brine. Cool to room temperature, cover and store in the fridge. Can be used after a few hours but wait for a day or two for the flavor to develop.
Garlic Aioli Dip

Garlic Aioli Dip

This dipping sauce comes highly recommended so I am listing it as a stand alone recipe since this would be a great dipping sauce for many recipes. Originally listed with a Cheesy Chicken Fritters recipe on this site, shortcut to that is in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • To make the Garlic Aioli dipping sauce, just add all of the aioli ingredients to a small bowl and mix together. Refrigerate until use. Enjoy.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcut: Cheesy Chicken Fritters.
This recipe for Cheesy Chicken Fritters is from Natasha's Kitchen.
Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki Sauce

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Creamy Mediterranean sauce with a base of Greek yogurt. Sounds absolutely wonderful. You will want to use this on everything!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 1 cups

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup cucumber, seeded, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, or lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Mix everything together in a bowl and serve immediately or cover and chill for up to 4 hours.
  • What to use Tzatziki Sauce on? Dipping sauce for Meats, Whitefish, Burgers, Sandwiches, Pitas and Wraps, Baked Potatoes, Salad Dressing, Vegetable Dip, Dipping Pita Bread, Dip for Chips, Add to Mashed Potatoes. Feel free to add something to the list.
French Fried Onions

French Fried Onions

Adapted from an internet recipe.
A great alternative to the store bought onions. These are more flavorful and free of preservatives. These are common as topping on casseroles. I made these, as written, on 16 Aug 2022 for a Classic Green Bean Casserole, and the results were excellent!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Condiment
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups, about

Ingredients
  

  • 3 medium onions
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • salt, to taste
  • cooking oil, for frying

Instructions
 

  • Slice onions and separate into rings. Soak them in the milk for 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Heat about ½ inch of oil in a large skillet to 180° C (350° F).
  • While the oil is heating, Drain the onion rings and add to a mixing bowl. Sprinkle with the flour and toss to coat.
  • When the oil is hot, carefully add all the onions to the skillet, flip and stir as needed to ensure they brown evenly.
  • When the onions are browned to your liking, place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Salt to taste. Store in an airtight container, use in recipes calling for French Fried Onions.

Notes

Used in Recipe Listed on this Site:
Croutons for Soups & Salads

Croutons for Soups & Salads

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Toasted bread cubes are perfect additions to soups and salads, make your own to save some money. You can use any bread you like.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Condiment
Servings 3 cups

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams bread, (½ lb)
  • ¼ cup olive oil or butter, see Step 1
  • salt, as desired
  • 1 teaspoon herbs, of your choice, oregano, basil, etc

Instructions
 

  • If the intention of the croutons is for soup, go with melted butter, for salads, go with the olive oil. You can also use a 50/50 mix of butter and olive oil whisked together.
  • Preheat your oven to 190° C (375° F). Using a knife, cube the bread, crust on or off is up to you.
  • Drizzle a little of your olive oil or butter onto your baking sheet. Add your bread, bunching it close together in a single layer. Drizzle remaining olive oil or butter on top, add a heavy pinch of salt and herbs or your choice if using, and toss lightly to coat. Spread the croutons out so that they are no longer touching.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 5 minutes. Remove the tray, carefully toss and stir croutons. Bake another 5 minutes and check for doneness. Depending on the size of the bread and how browned you want them, they may need another 5 minutes or so.
  • When the croutons are done to your liking, remove them from the oven and cool on the pan. If not using right away, store croutons for a few days in an airtight container.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
Cowboy Butter

Cowboy Butter

Sounds really good. Serve with grilled meats like steak and chicken for dipping.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter, melted, (2 sticks)
  • juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely minced
  • 1 small shallot, minced
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, combine butter, lemon juice, garlic, shallot, mustard, horseradish, cayenne, and paprika. Whisk to combine.
  • Stir in parsley, chives, thyme and season with salt and pepper.

Notes

Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.