The Most Under-Rated Summer Time Cooking Time Saver

brown snail crawling on red chili

During the long summer days, it’s such a shame not to be out of the house as much as possible! Even reading a good book can be more fun in a park or somewhere out in nature. When I get home I’m usually hot and tired. The last thing I want to do is cook a meal. Recently I have re-discovered that my slow cooker is my most under-rated summer time cooking time saver.

little boy playing with plastic shovel in backyard summer time
Photo by Allan Mas on Pexels.com

Low prep, BIg on Flavor

I have always considered food that comes out of the slow cooker to be more plain. Kinda soupy, watery, more of a cold weather vibe. Not a summer vibe. But, I was gifted a slow cooker cookbook put out by food love where every recipe that I have tried has been a winner so far. It’s called Slow Cooker 100 Tried and True Recipes.

But of course, like any good home cook, who never really has all the ingredients on hand, I improvise here and there. However, even with the small amount of ingredients, these meals have not disappointed. My toddler absolutely loves them as well.

Here is a recipe that is so simple, delicious and one that you’ll probably not ever get a chance to try unless you make it yourself. If you love exotic flavors, you’re in for a real treat!

Thai Beef Curry Recipe

In a crockpot, place

  1. 1/3 cup Thai red curry paste
  2. 3/4 cup coconut milk
  3. 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  4. 1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
  5. 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter ….stir these ingredients together then add in…
  6. 2 pounds chuck steak cut into 1-inch dice
  7. 2 potatoes, diced
  8. 1/4 cup beef stock or water …cover and cook on high 4 hours or low 8 hours…
  9. fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons to garnish – this adds a more summer vibe to your meal
  10. steamed rice, to serve

The curry paste and fish sauce may be a little more expensive, but the fish sauce is key for the lovely flavor. I think it’s worth the investment and good to have on hand to try out other recipes.

Tips

The recipe serves four. I also made it in a 4 quart slow cooker. The instructions say for a thicker sauce you can set the lid slightly ajar and cook an additional hour. But I found that I didn’t need to do that.

This meal cooked on high for 4 hours, while we went for an outing and through nap time. There’s seriously nothing like a home cooked meal that’s like eating at restaurant, made with minimal effort!

Here is another simple recipe you can try if you forgot to start dinner in your slow cooker, but need something done in minutes after a long day!

I’d love to know, what are some flavorful recipes that you’ve made in your slow cooker? Please leave a comment!