Did you know that a tomato is actually a fruit? Generally, they are now considered to be a vegetable. Tomatoes are a staple in households and in thousands of recipes. This superfood is an excellent source of lycopene, an antioxidant known for its many health benefits which include reduced risk of cancer and heart disease. It is also packed with vitamin C and K, folate, potassium and many other essential nutrients. If you are a fan of its sour and somewhat sweet flavor, here are some tomato-based crock pot recipes to try:
Slow Cooked Beefy Tomato Stew
What you need:
- 1 kilogram beef chuck, fat trimmed then sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 3 carrots, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 3 stalks celery, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cups cooked brown rice
- 3 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 6 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat then cook carrots, celery and onion for 8 to 10 minutes or until softened. Transfer vegetables to a crock pot then add beef, garlic, brown rice, tomatoes and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to mix ingredients well. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours. Transfer to serving bowls, drizzle with yogurt then garnish with parsley before serving.
Tomato and Spinach Crock Pot Chicken
What you need:
- 1 kilogram boneless and skinless chicken breasts
- 1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- 3 1/2 cups diced tomatoes with liquid
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Season chicken with salt and pepper then place at the bottom of a crock pot. Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and Italian seasoning to the pot. Stir until ingredients are well-combined. Cover and cook for 4 to 5 hours on low, adding the spinach half an hour before the dish is cooked. Serve warm.
The Best Crock Pot Tomato Soup
What you need:
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 7 cups diced tomatoes
- 2 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
In a slow cooker, mix together onion, bay leaf, tomatoes, vegetable stock, carrots, milk, butter, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours on low. When ready, puree mixture in a blender until smooth. Serve immediately.
If you love tomatoes then these tomato-based crock pot recipes are for you!