As the leaves are developing beautiful golden and red hues and the temperatures are falling, it is the perfect time to snuggle up by the fire with a warm, delicious meal prepared in a slow cooker.

Using a crock pot to make scrumptious, seasonal meals such as chili or chowder will deliver a slow-cooked flavor without the commitment of standing next to a stove all day!

While crock pots are an easy tool for anyone to use, they are especially good for inexperienced cooks because all they have to do is put in the ingredients and set it to the appropriate temperature.

Crock pot recipes are a convenient choice for preparing mouth-watering recipes to warm you from within such as potato soup, beef and noodles, brisket, roast pork, and turkey breast with wild rice.

Slow cookers can also be used to prepare inviting recipes that take advantage of the fruits and vegetables coming into season like vanilla-poached pears, warm apple cobbler, applesauce, acorn squash soup and cornbread. Use a crock pot to prepare a recipe such as green bean casserole or stuffing when the oven is crowded.

Let a slow cooker do the work while you enjoy your favorite fall and winter activities like selecting the perfect pumpkin at a pumpkin patch, sampling fresh cider at a mill, having a snowball fight with the kids, or decorating your Christmas tree.