Basic Crock Pot Veggies

on October 4, 2012
in All Posts

…..Suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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I’ve really gotten back into the Crock Pot.  My go-to recipe is definitely this basic Veggie Mix.  I make a big batch, and we eat off it for, well, every meal.

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Basic Crock Pot Veggies (Two Ways)

Ingredients (for many, many servings): 

  • 6 – 8 small to medium potatoes (I like Yukon Gold)
  • 1 Vidalia onion
  • 1/2 bag of baby carrots
  • Either 1 cup vegetable broth (for plainer veggies) or 1/2 bottle balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing (for more flavorful)

Directions:

  • Cut potatoes into 2-inch cubes and slice onion.
  • Place potatoes on bottom of Crock Pot and top with carrots and onions.
  • Pour broth or balsamic on top.
  • Cover and cook for 6 hours on high.
  • Enjoy!

I made the plainer version yesterday and dressed it up with ketchup this morning – kind of like hash browns.  A perfect combo with my toast and eggs.

Oh, it was fun to share my Day in the Life with you all!  I think it would be fun to do every year and see how much things change.

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Want to know something awesome?  Today, the Husband got up with Henry at 6 AM, so I slept in until 8 and then rolled around bed BY MYSELF until 9.  That is the making of an OUTSTANDING morning for this momma.  Wahoo.

{ 61 comments }

 

  • Tracie October 4, 2012, 9:58 am

    GO CANES! I’m heading to Chicago this weekend for the game. Did I mention Go Canes!!

    • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 9:58 am

      go canes!

  • Vikki October 4, 2012, 10:05 am

    I love my crockpot. It is the best way to make vegetable soup. I cheat and use a frozen veggie mix from publix. (2 bags of the soup mix or one bag of the soup mix and one bag of the gumbo.) Couple of cans of diced tomatoes. A can of black beans drained. I then supplement with whatever fresh veggies I have on hand. Add a couple of cans of water, some garlic, some hot sauce, some crushed red pepper, maybe some mustard, vinegar, or worcestershire sauce. 4 hours later, i have soup.

    • Ali October 4, 2012, 12:44 pm

      I totally forget about frozen veggies but I need to get back into them since the price of produces will be going up for the winter very soon! This sounds like a great thing to whip up in the morning and have after a busy day at work!

  • CJ @ Fill the Well October 4, 2012, 10:30 am

    You’ve encouraged me to get out my crockpot again. I haven’t used the crockpot since I became a vegetarian ~5 years ago. I’ve always associated it with meat dishes since that was all I used it for. But new possibilities abound here! Would love to hear of any more vegetarian go-tos for the crockpot.

  • Amy Q October 4, 2012, 10:35 am

    I HONESTLY think Henry is starting to look like you in EVERY picture!

  • Army Amy* October 4, 2012, 10:39 am

    I never used my crock pot much since it seemed unnecessary for vegetarian recipes. Nowadays though, there are do many creative things you can do with one. I have big plans to dig mine out and go to town.*

  • Nicole October 4, 2012, 10:43 am

    LOVE the idea of using balsamic vin for the veggies to up their flavor, that sounds pretty delicious! And Henry looks like such a big boy sitting up in that little chair- I can’t wait til my babe has a stable neck haha 😀 oh the joys ahead…

  • Shephalli October 4, 2012, 10:51 am

    Love your blog! I am going to be a first time parent in November and I love how honest and matter of fact your blog is. I don’t know how to say this but I thought the Bumbo was recalled a few weeks ago. (I remember it since i wanted one but had to take it off my registry). Here is the link http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/15/bumbo-baby-seats-recall-_n_1778152.html

    • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 11:05 am

      It was… personally, I think the recall is ridiculous. The Bumpo does not need a safety strap on it. I think 9 million have had been sold and nine children have suffered head injuries as the result of falling out of their Bumpos… that were put on tabletops! Nine out of nine million… pretty good safety record especially when parents aren’t stupid and don’t put their kids on the table. I think the recall is a perfect example of overparenting. Not everything needs a freaking safety strap! One of my favorite things about the Bumpo is there is no strap!

      Just my opinion 🙂

      Thanks for reading and CONGRATS on your baby!

      • Claire October 4, 2012, 11:16 am

        50 of the injuries that were reported were from Bumbos being used on the floor, including two skull fractures and one concussion: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12047.html

        • Claire October 4, 2012, 11:25 am

          And to correct your other numbers: 3.85 million Bumbo seats have been sold and there have been a total of 91 reported falls/injuries from either an elevated surface or the floor. My daughter, at 5 months, almost flipped herself out of the Bumbo (while it was on the ground, while I was sitting right next to her and watching her) by arching her back. Luckily I was sitting literally right next to her and was able to grab her – if I had been a few more feet away, she would have landed on the floor (and probably wouldn’t have been gravely injured, but still!).
          I would go ahead and get the strap put on if I were you.

          • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 11:31 am

            Scary that that happened to your girl! Eck. But – how would the strap really prevent the Bumbo from tipping over? If the baby can rock themselves out, wouldn’t the entire seat tip, just with the baby attached?

          • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 11:38 am

            BUT – this still goes back to my original point… If the Bumbo results in 91 reported injuries, that’s a safety score of 99.9977%. I mean… isn’t that pretty damn good?

          • Claire October 4, 2012, 2:10 pm

            I think if she had been strapped down she wouldn’t have been able to plank so quickly with such force (that’s what threw her out of the seat). And although yes the risks are small, I’d rather use baby products that have resulted in 0 skull fractures! The cost/benefit analysis for me, at least, isn’t worth it. I’m all for free range kids, but why introduce unnecessary risk? Especially for a product, that to be honest, is useful for about a month, tops.

        • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 11:27 am

          my numbers were way off – i was just pulling them from memory (sorry, v. bad idea, i was multitasking!). anyway, here is the post that sums up how i feel about it: http://www.freerangekids.com/when-is-a-bumbo-seat-safe-enough/

          • Tracy October 4, 2012, 12:24 pm

            Um…91 reported injuries? No thanks. Not worth it.

      • Shephalli October 4, 2012, 12:28 pm

        Thanks! I thought of the same thing! All my friends have used one and I might have to buy one on the DL 🙂

      • Jazz October 4, 2012, 3:25 pm

        I’m with you on this one caitlin – They need to recall table tops from the amount of times kids whack their heads on them running by.. stuff happens. I’m hoping to get a bumbo for cheap from some freaked out parent…

        • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 3:30 pm

          Recall laps!!!

  • Annette@FitnessPerks October 4, 2012, 10:54 am

    I LOVE crockpot veggies-great idea to stick in some balsamic. That’d be good!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats October 4, 2012, 10:55 am

    Awww Henry looks so cute sitting up in that chair!!! And I really need to use my crockpot more often, I don’t think I realize it’s potential!

  • Sam @ Better With Sprinkles October 4, 2012, 10:55 am

    Desperately hoping I get a crockpot for my birthday or Christmas! I definitely miss having one.

  • Lisa Fine October 4, 2012, 11:16 am

    Great idea! You keep showing this mix, and it’s so easy. (Just wish I had a slow cooker.) May just have to make batches of this kind of thing more often in the oven, especially now that it’s getting a lot colder here in Vermont.

    And Henry just keeps getting cuter and cuter!

  • Nicole October 4, 2012, 11:20 am

    I just want to tell you how freaking adorable Henry is. I love his expressions!

  • Jen October 4, 2012, 11:20 am

    I’m in love with the crock pot lately – I’ve been making red coconut curry dishes and perfecting them each time. Last night it was a veggie extravaganza in there!

    Yum!

  • Erin October 4, 2012, 11:28 am

    Do you ever use anything else for the crockpot veggies?? I found I’m not a huge fan of Veggie Broth (smells too sweet to me) and LOVE the balsamic idea but do you have anything else up your sleeve? 🙂 Btw, I completely agree – Henry is absolutely adorable in his little chair. You’re a very lucky momma. xo!

    • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 11:33 am

      try italian dressing!!

    • Hope October 4, 2012, 2:37 pm

      Throw some rosemary and garlic in there! Or really any herbs and spices that you like. I think it would be hard to mess up.

    • Nina October 4, 2012, 4:18 pm

      Please use some fresh herbs!

  • Janelle October 4, 2012, 11:51 am

    Oh, I love the crockpot veggie idea. Those are ingredients I almost always have on hand!

  • Lexie October 4, 2012, 11:53 am

    Oh my gosh! That boy is getting to be SO darn cute! Ah!

  • Sarah @ Yogi in Action October 4, 2012, 12:09 pm

    That sounds delicious! I must try this!!

  • Lauren @ The Homeostatic Mindset October 4, 2012, 12:12 pm

    WOW!!!! AWESOME morning!!!! Kristien= Super Dad 🙂

  • Natalie @ Free Range Human October 4, 2012, 12:15 pm

    What a great morning! Glad you enjoyed!

  • emme October 4, 2012, 12:31 pm

    I have nothing of value to add but in your last post and in this one, HENRY IS SO EXPRESSIVE AND ADORABLE. seriously, so, so cute!

  • Sarah Anne October 4, 2012, 1:16 pm

    I’ve never gotten a crockpot, because I just kind of assumed most recipes were mainly for breaking down meats over a long time. I never really want veggies (other than potatoes/carrots/onions – stew veggies) to be cooked so long. Do you use it for much else being vegetarian? Cooking beans/lentils I hear it’s great for!

    Side note? I had to show my husband the photos of Henry from the last post. Oh my word, he’s got some of the best facial expressions ever and you’ve captured them so perfectly! We have no kids, and all these babies out there in the HLBlogosphere are KILLING ME and making me squeal. Henry is a favourite here. Thanks for sharing so much with us!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 4, 2012, 1:23 pm

    I rarely use my crock pot but I need to start. Never thought to do veggies in there!

  • amy October 4, 2012, 2:22 pm

    Do you ever mix the broth and the balsamic? or just stick with one or the other?

  • Janel October 4, 2012, 2:55 pm

    Hi Caitlin! I’m really in no position to be telling parents what to do or not to do since I’m not a parent, but I like you too much to not bring this to your attention! A physical therapist friend had posted this article that I thought was really interesting, given all the fun baby seats/toys that are out there, that may not actually be great for babies’ pelvis/joints/etc: http://www.family-wellness.com/tag/bumbo-seat/

    • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 2:57 pm

      Yeah but they look soooo cute in them 🙂 hehe I think it’s a matter of not leaving your kid in the seat for hours a day!

      • Claire October 4, 2012, 3:31 pm

        Here’s another good reason why you don’t want to over-use baby containment devices, it’s bad not only physically but psychologically: http://blogs.babycenter.com/mom_stories/are-kids-today-getting-enough-physical-contact/
        The single most important thing you can do for an infant’s development is to hold them, not move them from device to device (I’m not saying that you in particular do this, but the universal “you”).

        • Caitlin October 4, 2012, 3:44 pm

          Yay! An excuse to hug baby.

      • Robyn October 4, 2012, 4:44 pm

        I learn so much from your posts and the comments, Caitlin! I have to give a plug to the Bumbo seat as well. We have one of the Prince Lionheart bebePods that was handed down from a friend who has two boys and also worked for Child Development here. She said to start using it once my guy had good head control, which he does. I trusted she knew what she was talking about and her two guys are fine examples! I agree, none of these seats or bits and bobs you put your child on are meant for leaving a child for hours. Even leaving a child on a blanket on a floor for hours is a bad idea. Unfortunately at this stage in the game we are our children’s best “toys” which often means we don’t have time in the day to do things like vacuum. Oh well!!!

  • Kelly October 4, 2012, 4:46 pm

    Thanks for posting this! I have veggies in the crock right now!! I added sweet potatoes and cauliflower to the mix. Love the prep ahead idea!! Thanks – and H is so damn cute I can’t stand it~!

  • Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut October 4, 2012, 5:01 pm

    Love your simple crock pot veggies! I need to bust mine out…it’s definitely slow-cooker time of year. Glad you got a little extra sleep and lounge time this am!

  • Catherine October 4, 2012, 5:27 pm

    I don’t think there is a single baby product out there that doesn’t have some sort of criticism. Pacifiers, front carriers, bassinets, Pack ‘n’ Plays, high chairs, Bumbos, bumpers, etc. etc. etc. It’s exhausting to keep track of it all. Someone recently told me that video monitors are invasive and will harm baby’s psychological development. She’s not quite 4-months-old… I don’t think she notices that she’s being watched. Baby gear is like beer… use responsibly and in moderation, and baby will be just fine!

    I feel inspired to break out the crock pot.

  • Shelly October 4, 2012, 5:27 pm

    You should try roasting that mix too! Just chop it up, drizzle with olive oil (and added flavors like balsamic, honey, or herbs if you wanna be fancy) and roast at 400 for 30-45 minutes. It’s even quicker and you get some yummy caramelization going on. You can also toss in some garlic with the skin still on and just squeeze it out before you eat it.

  • Emilie @ Hungry Delights October 4, 2012, 5:43 pm

    That looks really easy and yummy. Plus I can think of so many alternative veggies and flavours to change it up!
    xo Emilie @ Hungry Delights

  • luv what you do October 4, 2012, 9:52 pm

    oh my goodness!
    He looks so grown up in his bumbo! I love crockpot veggies…this looks like a very versatile recipe!

  • TiffanyS October 5, 2012, 9:25 am

    Do you think you could sub chopped sweet potatoes in the mix or would they get too mushy? I’m doing the Whole life Challenge with my box, and no regular potatoes currently. But, I bet my kids would love your version (especially with a side of ranch!!!).

    • Caitlin October 5, 2012, 10:23 am

      definitely!

  • allpointswhole October 7, 2012, 8:13 am

    I’m
    making this today! added some purple beans and maybe some sweet peppers…haven’t decided yet

  • Becky October 10, 2012, 10:46 am

    Hi, I love cooking in a slow cooker but I’m confused by this recipe. A half bottle of vinegar seems like a lot for some vegetables. What kind of size are you thinking of?

    • Caitlin October 10, 2012, 10:50 am

      Salad dressing bal vin bottle
      Not plain vin!

      • Becky October 12, 2012, 7:53 am

        Haha that makes a lot more sense now. Thanks! Will try it out.

      • Ashlie October 17, 2012, 4:26 pm

        Oh – I am so glad someone asked this…unfortunately for me it was too late. I used straight balsamic vinegar and they were inedible…couldn’t figure out what i had done wrong or how you could have done anything similar and had them turn out well! Balsamic vinegar is not = to balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing!

        • Caitlin October 17, 2012, 5:04 pm

          Correcting RIGHT NOW. So SO sorry!!!

          • Ashlie October 17, 2012, 7:05 pm

            No worries – I am just glad I checked back and saw this comment. I am known to mess recipes up so I was sure I had just botched it horribly! Love your blog!

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