I don’t know about you, but between the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding the time and energy to prepare a homemade meal can often feel impossible. Over the years, I juggled raising three boys, taking college classes for bachelors and masters, working in my chosen career, and managing our family business. Now, even in retirement, there never seems to be enough time to make a home-cooked meal. It seems more of a chore, and something I do not have the energy for.
But…what if we told you there was a way to have a delicious, home-cooked dinner with minimal effort? Enter the crock pot AND our Finch + Finnel starters: the ultimate kitchen hero for busy days. I know, I know…there are so many recipes out there and the prep work alone is such a chore. Well I am here to give you two entree recipes that need little prep work and are sooooo easy to use.
With the “Set It & Forget It” approach, you can throw together a few ingredients, set the temperature and timer, and let your crock pot do all the hard work while you go about your day. Whether you’re feeding a family or just looking for a comforting meal after a hectic day, these quick and easy crock pot entrees are the answer.
Recipe #1: Effortless Apple Bourbon Pulled BBQ Pork. (Yields 3-4 servings)
Ingredients:
- olive oil or butter
- 3 lb. pork shoulder
- Salt & Pepper (seasonings to taste)
- 1 white onion
- 1 jar F+F Effortless Apple Bourbon Pulled Pork Starter
Directions:
- season and brown all sides of pork shoulder in olive oil
- place into crock pot
- roughly chop onions into quarters or eighths and add on top of pork
- pour ½ jar of jar F+F Effortless Apple Bourbon Pulled Pork Starter
- cover and cook at 250 degrees in crock pot for 5-6 hours or until pork reaches 195 degrees
- Let cool and shred
Can’t get much easier than this. Have buns on hand to serve as a classic pulled pork sandwich. Serve with premade coleslaw, pickles, and chips. Great for tacos, burritos, or layered over nachos. All you need is tortilla shells, shredded lettuce and cheese, salsa and diced tomatoes from a jar or can. Can also serve over rice, on a salad, or on a frozen pizza. Very versatile.
Recipe #2: Everyday Holiday Ham
Ingredients:
- 1 jar F+F Sugar + Spice Ham Glaze
- 1 8-10lb spiral ham
Directions:
- place entire 8-10lb ham into crock pot
- pour entire jar F+F Sugar + Spice Ham Glaze over top
- cook at 325 degrees for 30 minutes
- Serve warm
This recipe is not only super easy, it is so tasty too. If your crock pot has a timer, set it to come on approximately 30-45 minutes before meal time. Since ham is already cooked, you only need to heat until warm all the way through to get flavors to enhance ham.
Great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Serve as sandwiches, with eggs, roasted vegetables, croissants, or biscuits. And, in my opinion, on top of pizza with pineapple. Yum!!!
In a world where time is often our most precious resource, the crock pot is truly a game-changer for busy individuals. With minimal prep work and maximum flavor, these “Set It & Forget It” meals allow you to enjoy a delicious, home-cooked dinner without the stress of spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re whipping up the Effortless Apple Bourbon Pulled BBQ Pork or Everyday Holiday Ham, the crock pot is your best friend when you need convenience and comfort.
So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, just “Set It & Forget It” and come home to a satisfying meal that’ll make you feel like a culinary pro—without the effort.
