Community Corner

4 Recipe Ideas for a Fall Crock Pot Party

Fall is the perfect time for a great crock pot meal, so why not enjoy it with friends?

Written by Julia Halewicz

Just because a chill has crept into the air doesn't mean you need to hide under a blanket and binge on TV. Instead, make the cold weather an excuse for a party, and fill your home with the warmth of guests and old-fashioned comfort foods.

Think potluck—minus the memories of a mishmash of dishes served from tins—and serve hearty soups, stews and desserts from no-fuss crock pots.

The best part of a cold-weather crock pot party? You can plan as much or as little as you want. Send an informal invitation when the mood (or temperature) strikes, and assign different dishes to your neighbors so there's no overlap. 

Here are some great recipe ideas for a multi-course crock pot party: 

Zesty Black Bean Soup: Drizzle olive oil on bottom of the crock pot and add 2 cans of drained and rinsed black beans. Next, toss in a handful of fresh chopped cilantro, chopped green bell pepper, chopped red bell pepper, and 2 medium diced red onions. Add 8 cloves of minced garlic, 2 1/2 tablespoons of dried oregano, and 2 tablespoons ground cumin. Then, add about 1 1/2 cups of beef broth. Cook on low for about 8 hours in crock pot. Serve with sour cream and diced tomatoes on the side.

Tip: Crock pots work best when 2/3 to 3/4 full.

Potato and Root Vegetables: Drizzle olive oil on the bottom of crock pot and add one small clove of minced garlic. Fill crock pot with peeled potatoes cut into 2-inch pieces, chopped carrots, halved brussels sprouts, and large cubes of yellow squash. Toss in a couple whole bay leaves. Add small chunks of ham (optional),  and a couple of cups of vegetable broth, depending on the size of your crock pot. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Tip: You may also use frozen vegetables for this dish; just add less liquid to the crock pot.

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Barbecue Pork: Place a boneless pork loin, cut into cubes, into the crockpot. Chop an onion and add barbecue sauce to taste. Add cola—enough to nearly cover the ingredients—and cook on low until pork reaches between 145 and 160 degrees, depending on your preference, usually 6 to 8 hours.

Tip: Click here to learn the safe internal temperatures for cooked food.

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Crock Pot Cake: Coat crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Make your favorite cake recipe, then pour batter into crock pot and cook on low for about 2 hours. Cake is ready when it pulls away from the sides and there are no wet spots on top.

Tip: No peeking! If you open the lid of your crock pot, add 20 minutes to the cook time.

Extras: Have bread, crackers, cornbread and drinks on hand to round out the meal.

This article is part of Mix It Up, an editorial series created in collaboration with AOL's Kitchen Daily and Huffington Post. It is dedicated to making the lives of mothers easier through articles, videos and slideshows focused on simple and creative solutions to everyday challenges. From healthy recipes to exciting ideas for a more balanced lifestyle, this section aims to become a resource for moms everywhere. 


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