Stews and Soup One Pot Cooking

• Stews and soups are traditional one pot recipes. Starting with a heated pot and a touch of oil, seasonings are added, then meat put into the pot and cooked until browned on all sides. Beef, chicken and pork are great for working into one pot meals, since they brown well, add wonderful flavor and their texture works well when simmered. After browning is done, additional ingredients can be added, starting with items that take the longest to cook such as onions or mushrooms. Brown these items and add in some more seasoning or broth. Bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes, then add potatoes, rice, barley or other ingredient as desired. Cook the new addition in the broth until done. Add in any additional ingredients, and cook. Thicken as desired with either a flour and water mixture or cornstarch and water.
  
  

Bean Recipes for One Pot Cooking

• Bean recipes are timeless traditions in one pot meals. Dried beans can be cooked until soft and additional ingredients added, or canned and pre-cooked beans can be used, making the cooking time much less. As with any one pot meal, items can be cooked one at a time and then removed to make room for cooking the next item, if necessary but this is usually not needed. For beans of any kind, start them according to package directions if cooking from dried beans and allow them to simmer until tender before adding other bulk ingredients. Once they are cooked, add other flavors and simmer. Bacon pieces, ham, chicken or pork are great additions to bean dishes as are onions. Add some southwest flavor by adding Mexican seasonings, onions, hot chili peppers or green chilies and tomatoes. Mix in some tomato sauce or salsa for additional color. Pour in some rice and enough liquid to cook it in, reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is tender.
  
  

One Pot Casseroles

• Cooking casseroles in a pot is a little different than cooking other one-pot meals. Casseroles require baking or cooking on low heat and require care so that the bottom doesn't burn. There is no stirring of casseroles once they start cooking. A great way to make casseroles is to layer solid items in a baking dish, then fill in around it with beaten eggs or sauces. A breakfast casserole could include slices of ham, onion, peppers and cheese layered into the pan, then add eggs that have been beaten with a little milk until the bulk ingredients are covered. Bake at 350ºF until eggs are cooked. Casseroles can also be cooked on the stove-top and include dishes made with cornbread. As an idea, brown seasoned boneless chicken in a heavy skillet, add onions and spices to taste. Cook for 15 minutes. Mix together the ingredients for a cornbread and pour into the skillet, over the chicken mix. Cover and let simmer on very low until the cornbread is done. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top and cover again, until cheese has melted.