Electric roaster ovens are certainly convenient for roasting your Thanksgiving turkey.  Not only do they cook quickly, and retain moisture, but they also free up space in your oven for whipping all your other Thanksgiving recipes.

But, did you know you can use electric roasters for more than just your Thanksgiving bird?  Roasting ovens can actually double as a large slow cooker when you’re cooking for a crowd, or as a big soup pot for making chili or chowder. Some electric roaster ovens come with a divided insert that will allow you to warm and serve 3 separate dishes buffet style.

The Nesco roaster oven above has an 18 quart capacity, which is enough room to cook a 22 pound Thanksgiving turkey.  It has a nonstick finish, and heating elements in the sides of the roaster, for even cooking.  I found the Nesco roaster at More Kitchen Appliances for $89.99.

Some of my favorite Fall recipes are crock pot recipes. It’s just so convenient to toss in all your ingredients in the morning, and then come home to a warm meal in the afternoon. Here’s an especially easy recipe for chicken cacciatore that you can serve over any pasta.

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (6oz) cans tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 1 1/2 lbs. boneless chicken breast (legs and thighs are fine too)
• 8 oz mushrooms
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 c. dry white wine, optional
• 1/4 c. water

Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place chicken on the onion. Mix together tomato paste, mushrooms, salt, pepper, garlic, Italian seasoning, wine and water in a bowl. Pour mixture over chicken and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serves 4.

This recipe contains tomato paste, which is an excellent source of lycopene, a cancer-fighting antioxidant.  Here’s more about the benefits of lycopene.