These recipes help keep the kitchen cooler

Pat Koch

By: Pat Koch | SCNow
Published: June 13, 2008

Recently I was asked for some crock-pot recipes. Because it helps to keep your kitchen cooler during the summer, it is handy to use all year long. It is such a good feeling to walk in the door after a hard day’s work and be greeted by the aroma of dinner cooking away in the crock-pot.

Spicy-Sweet Ribs and Beans

2 (16-oz.) cans pinto beans, drained
4 lbs. country-style pork ribs, trimmed of excess fat
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (10.5-oz.) jar red jalapeno jelly
1 (18-oz.) bottle hickory-flavored barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon green hot sauce

Place beans in a 5-quart slow cooker; set aside. Cut ribs apart; sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Place ribs on a broiler pan. Broil 5 1/2 inches from heat 18 to 20 minutes or until browned, turning once. Add ribs to slow cooker, and sprinkle with onion.

Combine jelly, barbecue sauce and hot sauce in a saucepan; cook over low heat until jelly melts. Pour over ribs and stir gently. Cover and cook at HIGH 5 to 6 hours or at LOW 9 to 10 hours. Remove ribs. Drain bean mixture, reserving sauce. Skim fat from sauce. Arrange ribs over bean mixture; serve with sauce.

Note: If you are not big into spicy you could cut down or leave out the jalapeno jelly and green hot sauce. Serves 8; Source: Southern Living 2002 Annual Recipes.

Easy Burritos

1 large onion, sliced into rings
1 (3 to 4-lb.) sirloin beef roast
1/2 cup water
2 envelopes taco seasoning mix, divided
16 (6-inch) flour tortillas
Toppings: diced tomatoes, diced onions, sliced peppers, sour cream, black beans, black olives, slices of avocado, shredded lettuce, etc.
4 cups (16 oz.) shredded cheese
Taco sauce or salsa

Place onion in a 5-quart slow cooker; add roast and 1/2 cup water. Sprinkle 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix over top of roast. Cover and cook on HIGH 5 hours. Remove roast and shred with 2 forks; return to slow cooker and stir in remaining pkg. of taco seasoning mix. Cover and cook on HIGH 30 more minutes or until boiling.

Heat tortillas according to pkg. directions. Using a slotted spoon, spoon beef mixture evenly down center of each tortilla; top with desired toppings, cheese and sauce. Fold up to eat.

Serves 8 to 10; Source: Southern Living 2004 Annual Recipes.