We like recipes from Cooking Light's Slow Cooker book. here are some online resources:

http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/techniques/slow-cooker-classics-00400000001101/

I just made beans (broth, buillon cube, black beans, sausage) in the crock pot and steamed rice in a rice cooker. I was home yesterday so I cooked them for 6 hours and then sauted onion, green pepper, and garlic to finish off the flavor. But, I have made it where I had the onion & green pepper in from the beginning or without them at all.

Hmmm. I use my crockpot only during the week and at least twice a week. It does take me several times to perfect a recipe. We love beef and chicken stew, and I have adapted a number of recipes (I like 365 slow cooker and Cooks Illustrated) like tamale pie, Mexican chicken, butter chicken, broccoli beef. I use frozen, pre-chopped vegetables and thaw the meat in the morning. I add the spices when I get home. I get lots of compliments and my family has favorites, so I disagree about things tasting bad or steamed - I never use canned soups either.