The slow cooker is a favorite kitchen tool for getting dinner on the table, but the comfort-food dishes it helps to prepare can make for some heavy eating.
Now, Better Homes and Gardens is out with a new cookbook of more than 150 calorie-smart recipes for the slow cooker.
Better Homes and Gardens Skinny Slow Cooker ($19.99, softcover, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) shows how to lighten up those slow cooker favorites, like this recipe for Sassy Pork Chops that has just 215 calories per serving.
Sassy Pork Chops
2 medium red, green and/or yellow sweet peppers, cut into strips
1 cup thinly sliced celery
½ cup chopped onion
8 pork loin chops, with bone, cut ¾-inch thick
½ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ cup chicken broth
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon chopped chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce
½ teaspoon dried oregano
In a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker, layer sweet peppers, celery and onion.
Season chops with garlic salt and black pepper. In a very large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook chops, half at a time, until brown on both sides. Add chops to cooker.
In a small bowl combine broth, orange juice, chipotle peppers, and oregano. Pour over the chops in cooker.
Cover and cook on low 6 to 7 hours, or on high 3 to 3 ½ hours.
Using a slotted spoon, transfer chops and vegetables to a serving platter, discarding cooking liquid.
Makes 8 servings.
Food on 03/19/2014