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Slow Cooker Mango Margarita Oatmeal – It’s 5pm Somewhere, Right?

March 14, 2011 · by · 3 Comments



Ok, before you get the wrong idea there is no tequila in this oatmeal. Even on my worst days I would not bring in alcoholic oatmeal to work. But it is Monday and the first work day after daylight savings time is always a little tough for me. So I thought I’d start my day with a ‘special drink’ oatmeal

In the evening when I get home I must have a ‘special drink’. I define a special drink as one I haven’t been drinking all day. (Who says I’m not a simple gal?) It doesn’t need to be alcoholic and even an orange sparkling water in a wine glass will do. I love margaritas of all kinds but a mango margarita is one of my favorites. So, this was a prefect choice for a day that I really wanted to stay at home. It is Spring after all!

This oatmeal gets its Triple Sec taste from orange extract, the bite of lime from the lime zest, and the mango came from the freezer section at Trader Joe’s in a packet as purée. If you don’t have orange extract you could substitute the nondairy milk with 1 cup water and 1 cup orange juice. Do not use OJ with the milk or it will be curdled and very unpleasant to wake up to.

I use organic extracts that usually don’t have alcohol, make sure you’re at least using natural extracts or you won’t be happy with the tastes.

Slow Cooker Slow Cooker Mango Margarita Oatmeal

2 to 3 servings

**This recipe uses a smaller slow cooker that’s 1 1/2 to 2 quarts

  • 1/2 cup steel-cut oats
  • 2 cups Unsweetened  So Delicious Coconut Milk
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1/2 cup mango purée (1 small packet of Trader Joe’s frozen contained this amount)
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons sweetener
    (I used agave)
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon lime zest (to taste)

The night before: Spray your crock with some oil to help with clean up later. Add everything except for the agave and lime zest. Cook on low over night (7 to 9 hours).

In the morning: Stir your oatmeal well. It may seem watery at the top but if stirred it should become a more uniform consistency.  Stir in sweetener and lime zest.

**(See Page Link on Menu Bar to get to Slow Cooker Oatmeal FAQS)

Filed Under: Breakfast, Cooking Time 8 hours, crockpot, Gluten-free, Love Your Oatmeal Celebration, Overnight (8+ hours), Slow cooker, Soy-free, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Meatless Tortilla Soup

January 22, 2010 · by · 11 Comments

I love tortilla soup and it’s hard to find a good vegetarian version when you’re out. So this is just another excuse to stay in and save some more money. Serve it with a salad topped with black beans, green chilies, and salsa to make a complete meal.

Slow Cooker Meatless Tortilla Soup (*gluten-free)

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 – 8  hours

  • 1 Tb olive oil
  • 1 medium onions, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 28 oz. organic tomatoes (diced, crushed, or whole)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1 Tb cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 avocado, chopped
  • 1/4 cup tequila

The night before: Chop onions and mince the garlic. How easy is that for prep work? Optional: Saute in olive oil then store in fridge until tomorrow.

In the morning: Add everything but the avocado and tequila. Cook on low for 6 – 8 hours. About a half hour or so before serving, stir in lime juice, tequila, and adjust . Puree with an immersion blender.

Chop avocado and toss with extra lime juice and a little chili powder.

Serve topped with fresh cilantro, avocado, and strips of *baked tortilla strips or *crushed chips.

* Make sure to get gluten-free tortillas or chips if you have a gluten allergy!

Filed Under: Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Citrus Black Bean Soup

January 16, 2010 · by · Leave a Comment

This soup is a great start to a dinner party. I don’t know about you, but before slow cooking I used to spend too much time in the kitchen at my parties. Using my slow cookers means I can hang out with my friends more. Now I even have enough slow cookers to make all the dishes for a dinner party!

Keep an eye out at thrift stores and yard sales to collect a few of your own. I got a Crockpot trio for my birthday this year and it’s awesome. If you live in a small apartment though,  you might want to skip it. It’s pretty huge and a pain to store.

Slow Cooker Citrus Black Bean Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 8  hours

  • 1 lb dried black beans
  • 1-15 oz canned fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tb. Jerk Seasoning
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder
  • 1 Tb. Liquid Smoke
  • 1 tsp garlic Tabasco (garlic Tabasco is less hot than regular)
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 orange, juiced
  • 1 Tb fresh cilantro, chopped

The night before: Put the dried beans in the slow cooker and add water until it’s about 3 or 4 inches above the beans. Cook on high overnight.

In the morning:  Turn the slow cooker to low. If the beans are too watery remove some of the liquid. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for about 8 hours. Taste before serving and adjust spices as needed. Puree or not depending on your preference.

Top with more fresh cilantro and a tsp. of salsa.

Filed Under: Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,