A Slow-Cooker Dish A Day: December 2014

Sometimes it's okay to take things slow. This year, let your slow-cooker do the work with 365 days of foolproof recipes.

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Company Pot Roast with Creamy Mushroom Grits

Photo: Greg Dupree; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Bacon, garlic, and red wine imbue humble chuck roast with robust character and rich beef-bourguignon flavor as the meat transforms in the slow cooker. Serve sliced or in chunks over Creamy Mushroom Grits.

Company Pot Roast with Creamy Mushroom Grits Recipe

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Hearty Oats and Grains

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Cindy Barr

When you have a house full of holiday guests who'd enjoy a wholesome, hearty breakfast at their own pace, the slow cooker can come to your rescue. Get it going first thing, and let folks serve themselves when they're ready to eat.

Hearty Oats and Grains Recipe

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Butternut Squash-Parsnip Soup

Oxmoor House

This soup is simple, savory and extremely soothing on a cold winter night. To serve twelve to sixteen, make two batches of soup instead of doubling the recipe.

Butternut Squash-Parsnip Soup Recipe

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Caramel Pear and Cranberry Pudding Cake

Photo: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Make this cake when you don't have oven space but want something special after dinner. If you like, serve it with vanilla ice cream instead of crème fraîche, or substitute other favorite fruit for the pears and cranberries.

Caramel Pear and Cranberry Pudding Cake Recipe

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Lamb Tagine

Oxmoor House

The intriguing combination of lamb, saffron, sweet spices, and dried plums makes this slow-cooker meal suitable for supper club and easy entertaining.

Lamb Tagine Recipe

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Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili

Oxmoor House

This vegetarian soup has a mild chile flavor. If you want more heat, increase the amount of chili powder and don't seed the jalapeños.

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili Recipe

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Caramel Apple Cider

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

This cider is perfect for a party because it can be cooked and served out of the same dish--your trusty slow cooker!

Caramel Apple Cider Recipe

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Cheesecake in the slow cooker? You betcha! Don't miss out on this decadent chocolate and peanut butter creation.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cheesecake Recipe

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Veal Paprikash

Oxmoor House

Topped with fresh chives and parsley, this flavorful Hungarian dish will delight your taste buds. Serve over egg noodles to help soak up the sauce.

Veal Paprikash Recipe

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Ginger-Lemon Hot Toddies

Oxmoor House

Ginger infuses this lemony hot toddy with spiciness--the perfect antidote to chilly winter weather.

Ginger-Lemon Hot Toddies Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Recipe: Smoky Pea Soup

Photo: Susie Cushner

Thick as fog yet pure as rain, this soup deserves an accompaniment of homemade corn bread or biscuits.

Slow-Cooker Recipe: Smoky Pea Soup Recipe

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Pork with Apricots, Dried Plums, and Sauerkraut

Oxmoor House

Sauerkraut balances the sweetness of the apricot preserves and orange juice. Slow cooking tenderizes the pork and dried fruit.

Pork with Apricots, Dried Plums, and Sauerkraut Recipe

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Chunky Applesauce

Oxmoor House

We left the skins on the McIntosh apples to provide texture and color to this favorite fruit dish.

Chunky Applesauce Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Oxmoor House

Thanks to your slow cooker, a memorable meal doesn't require hours in the kitchen on your part--just the slow cooker's.

Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff Recipe

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Asian Pot Roast

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps

For Asian Pot Roast, we simmer ginger and garlic in a slow cooker for a delicious twist on a traditional cold-weather pot roast.

Asian Pot Roast Recipe

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Roasted Garlic-White Bean Dip

Oxmoor House

This white bean dip gets its flavor from a combination of roasted garlic, rosemary, and kalamata olives and its smooth texture from ricotta cheese. If time allows, pick up a baguette and make your own crostini at home, or just serve with crackers.

Roasted Garlic-White Bean Dip Recipe

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Praline Apple Crisp

Photo: Gooseberry Patch

This slow-cooker apple crisp will fill your home with a wonderful aroma and fill your belly with sweet happiness.

Praline Apple Crisp Recipe

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Honey Mustard-Glazed Ham

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

A holiday favorite just got easier--and frees up valuable oven space--thanks to your slow cooker. With minimum ingredients and delicous flavor, this slow-cooker ham won't disappoint.

Honey Mustard-Glazed Ham Recipe

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Spaghetti Casserole

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

All your favorite ingredients are featured in this easy slow-cooker version of Spaghetti Casserole.

Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

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Mulled Pomegranate and Red Wine Punch

Photo: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

If you're throwing a big holiday party and your stove is full, use a slow cooker to simmer up this tangy mulled wine. Set up the slow-cooker in the kitchen or on a dining table, and let guests serve themselves.

Mulled Pomegranate and Red Wine Punch Recipe

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Tarragon Lamb Shanks with Cannellini Beans

Oxmoor House

Drench tender lamb shanks in perfectly seasoned veggies and savory cannellini beans. You'll be surprised at the remarkable taste!

Tarragon Lamb Shanks with Cannellini Beans Recipe

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Spicy Chicken Stew

Salsa and chili powder add spice to this chicken stew, but probably not too much for timid tasters or kids. If you want to kick up the heat, use a hot salsa and a dash of hot sauce or ground red pepper.

Spicy Chicken Stew Recipe

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Triple Chocolate-Nut Clusters

Oxmoor House

Candy making has never been so easy! The slow cooker is the perfect tool to keep this candy mixture warm while you're spooning it out. Plus, the nut clusters make a sweet holiday gift.

Triple Chocolate-Nut Clusters Recipe

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Red-Currant-Pomegranate Glazed Ham

Photo: Kate Sears

This holiday-ready ham calls for just five ingredients (ham included!) to create a mouthwatering, flavorful main dish. As a bonus, this ham cooks in a slow-cooker, freeing up your oven for savory side dishes and dessert.

Red-Currant-Pomegranate Glazed Ham Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Turkey & Dressing

Oxmoor House

Slow cook your way to Christmas dinner with this savory turkey and dressing. Simmering for 5 hours in butter, onion, celery, and cranberries, this dish is a flavorful and tender treat for your tastebuds.

Slow-Cooker Turkey & Dressing Recipe

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Pumpkin Pie Pudding

Photo: Gooseberry Patch

Here's a new twist on an old favorite. Serve Pumpkin Pie Pudding straight out of the slow cooker for a warm and festive fall treat.

Pumpkin Pie Pudding Recipe

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Wine-Braised Oxtails

Photo: Hector Sanchez

For slow-cooked comfort, feast on Wine-Braised Oxtails. It's the perfect dish on a cold winter day.

Wine-Braised Oxtails Recipe

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Gingerbread Cocoa

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Apple pie spice and ground ginger liven up the holiday flavor in Gingerbread Cocoa.

Gingerbread Cocoa Recipe

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Plum Pork Tenderloin

Oxmoor House

Serve with jasmine rice to help soak up some of the sauce. Snow peas make a great side dish for rounding out your meal.

Plum Pork Tenderloin Recipe

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Holiday Gingerbread Pudding

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Dazzle your guests with fragrant Holiday Gingerbread Pudding that's prepared entirely in your slow cooker.

Holiday Gingerbread Pudding Recipe

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Hoppin' John

Oxmoor House

Hoppin' John is said to bring good luck all year when eaten on New Year's Day. Make the tradition easier with this slow-cooker recipe.

Hoppin' John Recipe

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A Slow-Cooker Dish A Day: December

1 of 32

Company Pot Roast with Creamy Mushroom Grits

2 of 32

Hearty Oats and Grains

3 of 32

Butternut Squash-Parsnip Soup

4 of 32

Caramel Pear and Cranberry Pudding Cake

5 of 32

Lamb Tagine

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Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili

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Caramel Apple Cider

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cheesecake

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Veal Paprikash

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Ginger-Lemon Hot Toddies

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Slow-Cooker Recipe: Smoky Pea Soup

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Pork with Apricots, Dried Plums, and Sauerkraut

13 of 32

Chunky Applesauce

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Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

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Asian Pot Roast

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Roasted Garlic-White Bean Dip

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Praline Apple Crisp

18 of 32

Honey Mustard-Glazed Ham

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Spaghetti Casserole

20 of 32

Mulled Pomegranate and Red Wine Punch

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Tarragon Lamb Shanks with Cannellini Beans

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Spicy Chicken Stew

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Triple Chocolate-Nut Clusters

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Red-Currant-Pomegranate Glazed Ham

25 of 32

Slow-Cooker Turkey & Dressing

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Pumpkin Pie Pudding

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Wine-Braised Oxtails

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Gingerbread Cocoa

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Plum Pork Tenderloin

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Holiday Gingerbread Pudding

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Hoppin' John

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