Authors: Slow Cookin’ Companion, 2012
Nicole:
Owner, Dance studio
Married, Kristopher; Children: Gage (6), Grace (3)
Jenna:
Stay at home mom
Married, Stanton; Children: Spencer (3), Stella, (1)
GUESTS
Tailgating with the Crockin' Girls
By
The 700 Club
CBN.com
–SPENDING TIME WHERE IT’S MOST IMPORTANT
Slow cooking is a great way to prepare food during the holidays. There is minimal prep and clean-up. “I don’t want to have family and friends over and then end up spending all my time in the kitchen,” says Nicole. Jenna’s favorite time to prepare crock pot meals is fall and winter.
“Everything is warm and delicious. It’s definitely comforting,” says Jenna. During the busiest season all year, the Crockin’ Girls encourage everyone to use their crock pots in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. “There are parties to attend, presents to buy and wrap and no one really has time to make a nutritious meal for their family,” says Nicole. All 165 recipes are family-friendly, were individually tested and come from their kitchens. Some were contributed by family members as well as members from the Facebook Crockin’ Community.
During football season, Jenna and Nicole have great ideas to satisfy even the heartiest appetites. They will show us how to make the following: Sweet & Sour Meatballs (page 46), Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies (page 51), Cheesy Spinach Artichoke Dip (page 48), BBQ Chicken Sliders (page 55), Championship Bean Dip (page 59), Buffalo Chicken Dip (page 71).
For the Christmas taping, the Crockin’ Girls will share some personal holiday recipes: Apple Cranberry Cider, Soda Ham, Mama’s Dressing, Simply Sweet Potatoes, Squash Casserole, Apple Dumplings, Peanut Clusters (page 338).
GOING VIRAL
Nicole grew up in a small town in Texas with Stanton. They went to church together and later Stanton met then married Jenna in 2006. The two girls became fast friends. They got pregnant together and their 3 year olds were even born on the same day! Jenna had always used a slow cooker. Nicole owned a dance studio and Jenna watched her son, Gage & Gracie. When Jenna got pregnant the second time, she found that she was tired and would barely feel like getting dinner on the table. “Then I started using a crock pot on a weekly basis,” says Jenna. She posted her recipes on Facebook every Monday. Last August, Nicole suggested that they start a Crockin’ Girls Facebook page and post the recipes to help thirty of their stay at home friends. “We thought our friends would cook the same recipes; we wanted to help get dinner on the table so everyone could spend quality time with their families,” says Nicole. Within 2 weeks, the girls had over 500,000 “likes.” (Today they have over 560,000 “likes.”)
The Crockin’ Girls believe their success is based on one thing. “It’s the simplicity of it all,” says Jenna. “Everybody’s lives are busy.” The girls say that when you are able to put something good on the table for your family, it’s like an extra pat on the back. “So many moms have a sense of guilt,” says Jenna. “Due to their not being able to do the laundry or make a bagged lunch for their kids.” By using a crock pot, you can throw in the ingredients before heading out the door. “Every recipe in our book is healthier than a fast food meal,” says Nicole.
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