Italian Meatball Stew

It was minus 20C last night. Yikes! That calls for some good ole comfort food. About once a week I try to make something in the crockpot so dinner is ready and there is only one dish to clean up afterwards. I got this recipe from a family member who said it came out in a recipe book when crockpots first came out. Imagine, it would be the same as the big fuss going on right now over the InstaPots. This is like beef stew but instead it uses giant meatballs. Good and hearty and no pre-cooking.

Crockpot Italian Meatball Stew
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
1/2 tsp garlic salt
Combine meatball ingredients and form into 2 inch balls
2 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1inch slices

Arrange carrots in bottom of crockpot.
Arrange meatballs over carrots.

1 6oz can tomato paste
1 cup water
1 cup beef bouillon/broth
1/2 tsp oregano
Combine these ingredients and pour over meatballs.
Orginal recipe says cook on low 4-6 hours but I would go with 6. Those are BIG meatballs.
Before serving - Turn to high and add 1 or so cups of Italian vegetables. I just used frozen mixed vegetables. Cook a further 15-20 minutes.

If you are worried about fat. Cook up the day before and refrigerate, then you can skim off any fat. Or use extra lean ground beef. Also can be made gluten free, if you leave out the bread crumbs or substitute another binder. Also you can add a few more vegetables if desired.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs

Who doesn't love a meal in the crock pot? When you come home, the meal is already decided and you just have to come up with a couple of sides. I recently tried this version which starts with the meat being browned in the oven first and after. I usually par-boil my ribs but I really liked how this version turned out. Meat doesn't make the best photo but you get the idea.

Slow Cooker Barbeque Ribs
4 pounds pork back ribs
salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder (about 1/2 tsp of each)

Sauce:
2 cups of your favourite bbq sauce
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
4 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tsp Worchestershire sauce
2 tsp dried oregano
dash hot sauce (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place ribs in shallow baking dish and season. Bake for 15 min, turn over and bake for 15 min more. In a medium bowl, combine the sauce ingredients.
Place sectioned ribs in a slow cooker, pour sauce on top and cook for 6 to 8 hours on low.
If you want to carmelize your bbq sauce, put them back in the oven for 15 minutes at 400F.