Slow cookers are the best in the winter months for creating a hot meal with little effort. In February, low-fat dairy is a Foods of the Month. Using low-fat dairy, like skim milk and low-fat cheeses, in a slow cooker is a great way to create filling and nutritious meals. Simply pick up ingredients from the store, put them in the slow cooker, and wait a few hours for your meal to be ready. Here are some of our favorite recipes for the slow cooker, all of which include low-fat dairy.
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip – Combine 1 cup low-fat mozzarella cheese with 1 package low-fat cream cheese, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1 clove of garlic (minced), 1 15 oz. can artichokes (drained and chopped), 1 bag fresh spinach leaves, and salt and pepper, to taste. Cook on high for 2 hours. Serve with veggies and whole grain pita chips.
Creamy Mexican Chicken – Place 2 chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add 1 15 oz. can of black beans (drained), 1 7 oz. can green chiles, 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes, 1 15 oz. can of corn (drained), and 1 package of taco seasoning. Cook on high for 6 hours, until chicken is cooked. Use a fork to remove chicken and shred. Place chicken back in the slow cooker, add 1 package low-fat cream cheese and cook on high for 30 minutes. Serve with whole grain tortillas.
Tortellini Soup – Combine 1 package of low-fat cream cheese, 1 bag fresh spinach, 2 15 oz. can Italian diced tomatoes, and 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours, adding 1 package of whole wheat tortellini (fresh, from the dairy section of the supermarket) during the last hour.
