Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheddar Soup

This broccoli cheddar soup is easy to make in the slow cooker and tastes great. It's great for a cozy meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb broccoli florets
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions:

Broccoli, carrots, onion, garlic, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper should all be put in a slow cooker

Put the lid on and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, until the vegetables are soft

Blend the soup until it's smooth with an immersion blender

You could also add the soup to a blender in batches, blend it until it's smooth, and then put it back in the slow cooker

Add water and cornstarch to a small bowl

Stir until the mixture is smooth

Add to the soup

Heavy cream and grated cheddar cheese should be added to the slow cooker

Stir the soup until the cheese melts and it becomes creamy

Put the lid on top and cook on low for another 15 to 30 minutes, until the soup is hot all the way through and has thickened a bit

Serve hot, and if you want, top with more grated cheddar cheese

Bean & Bacon Soup

This slow cooker bean and bacon soup recipe is super hearty and flavorful! Perfect for a cozy meal on a chilly day.

Ingredients:

• 6 slices bacon, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 pound dried navy beans, rinsed and sorted
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp

Remove and drain on paper towels

In the same skillet, saut onion and garlic until softened

Transfer bacon, onion, and garlic to a slow cooker

Add chicken broth, water, beans, carrots, celery, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper

Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until beans are tender

Before serving, discard bay leaf and stir in fresh parsley

Adjust seasoning if necessary

Serve hot and enjoy!

Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs

Tender short ribs of beef braised in stout beer and aromatic vegetables. Cooked slowly in a crockpot until done. This hearty dish tastes great and is great for a cozy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 4 beef short ribs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 bottle 12 oz stout beer
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions:

Add salt and pepper to the short ribs

In a pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat

For about three to four minutes on each side, sear the short ribs on all sides until they are browned

Put the short ribs in a slow cooker

Put the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in the same pan

About 5 minutes of cooking will soften the food

Add the beer and beef broth, making sure to scrape the bottom of the pan to get rid of any browned bits

Add the bay leaves, thyme, and tomato paste and mix them in

Add the mix to the slow cooker with the short ribs

Turn the heat down to low, cover, and cook for 8 hours, or until the meat is soft and falls off the bone

Take the short ribs out of the slow cooker when they are done cooking and let them rest for a few minutes

Remove any extra fat from the cooking liquid's surface

Pour the cooking liquid over the short ribs when you serve them