Budget Cooking - Crock Pot

Using your crock pot can be a very budget friendly cooking method.  I try to make at least 1 meal/wk using my crock pot - for ease and frugality.  The average slow cooker only costs .2 cents per hour to run.  Even if you leave it on for 8 hrs it only costs .16 cents to use!!!  This is significantly CHEAPER than oven and stove cooking.  The link below contains a chart that explains the costs associated with different cooking appliances.
http://www.greensahm.com/how-to-use-less-energy-while-cooking/

***Top 3 Reasons to Cook with a Crock Pot:***

Reason #1 - Uses less energy
As stated above, using a crock pot consumes considerably LESS energy than traditional stove and oven cooking methods.  If you used a crock pot for 1 meal/wk for 8 hrs each meal - you would spend less than $1 a month!  If you spent only 1 hr cooking the same meal in an electric oven each wk instead, you spend about DOUBLE the cost in electricity! 

Reason #2 - Cheap Cuts of Meat
Crock pot cooking allows you to buy tougher cuts of meat that tend to be inexpensive.  I usually buy these types of meats when they are on sale or "quick sale".  You can also add inexpensive fresh vegetables, canned tomatoes, or cooking soups for additional great flavor.  Crock pot cooking is also SO diverse!  You can change almost any traditional recipe into a crock pot version.  You can also cook anything from deserts to soups to hearty meat dishes in this magical appliance.

Reason #3 - Time is $$$
Crock pot cooking allows you to cook unattended.  You can turn it on before work and "POOF"- dinner is done when you get home.  You can run your errands, pick up the kids and put in a load of laundry all while "cooking" dinner!  Easy cooking and easy clean up!  Use crock pot liners that run less than $2 for 3 at Walmart and Target to make clean up even easier!

***The Chica's Favorite Crock Pot Recipes***

*  Italian Beef - This is my FAVORITE CP recipe!  SOOO delicious!  Any inexpensive beef roast will do.  I usually just add the pepperoncinis.  I serve on toasted bollio bread with melted provolone cheese.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/italian-beef-in-a-bucket/detail.aspx

*  Pulled Pork - I typically use a pork butt or shoulder roast and Kraft Honey Hickory BBQ sauce.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bbq-pork-for-sandwiches/detail.aspx

*  Egg Noodle Lasagna - Not bad for crock pot lasagna
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/egg-noodle-lasagna/detail.aspx

*  Lemon Garlic Chicken - Replace the bouillon for 1 can chicken broth, I add a lot of lemon juice and lemon pepper...Use the broth to top on mashed potatoes!
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-lemon-garlic-chicken-ii/detail.aspx

*  Beer Beef Tacos - I substitute the wine for Mexican beer. 
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/shredded-beef-for-tacos/detail.aspx

*  BBQ Pork Ribs - I only add Kraft Honey Hickory BBQ sauce.  Skip the water too.  Broil or grill after done in the CP for a better texture.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/grannylins-barbeque-ribs-made-easy/detail.aspx