Your Favourite, Foolproof Slow Cooker Recipies

[Theonlyoneiknow]

We got a slow cooker for Christmas [slow] and I would love to hear your favourite foolproof slow cooker recipies! I am looking for ones I can prepare the night before for the next days dinner. I have two DC aged 18mo and 4yrs.

Thanks in advance
TOOIK

[greeneyes1978]

I do a steak and ale casserole. Fry stewing steak and onions in flour. Add carrots and other veg if you want. Transfer to slow cooker and add stock. Add red lentils. Add ale if you want to. The meat goes very tender which is great for little ones.

Serve with mash and green beans.

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Sounds yummy thanks greeneyes, would you have rough quantities?

[greeneyes1978]

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/13349/beef-and-stout-stew-with-carrots

This may be the one I used but substituting ale for Guinness. It is really nice.

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Thank you

[solitudehappiness]

I slow joints of meat overnight. If you like garlic, pierce meat and put garlic into the joint. Run all purpose seasoning into it and cook on low overnight. You'll wake up to a wonderful aroma and perfectly cooked meat that falls off the bone. Yummy.
Also great for cooking soups.

[steppemum]

I am watching with interest as I have a slow cooker which was given to me and I don't use.

But I am always baffled by the recipes given, solitude, do you add liquid? oil? put it in dry? I need all the details

(useless emoticon needed)

[solitudehappiness]

Oops, sorry forgot to mention about oil, water etc.

No need for any oil or water. I was a bit dubious first time, but it's fine, really.

Also, can cook porridge overnight. And rice pudding is an absolute dream, so lovely and creamy umm

[Iatemyskinnyperson]

Ham is great in slow cooker. I wrap tightly in foil and put in dry. Also the tougher beef joints (housekeepers, rounds etc)

Best for my lifestyle (SAHM) is any 1 pot meal like curries, bolognaise, casseroles etc...I cook at lunchtime or so, stick in slow cooker and ignore! I can do school pickups, homework etc, and dinner is ready when we want to eat it. I am not able to stand over stuff once the kids are home...before I used slow cooker I was for ever boiling things dry etc. no more!

Basic rule for saucy dishes like bolognaise is to use less liquid. They will not reduce/evaporate the way they do on hob. Also, remember liquids that come out of veggies will not evaporate.

Also, think outside the box... Stick your spuds in there if you are using leftovers and only need spuds! I often make a foil parcel with veggies spices and a knob of butter, find it really convenient.

[Theonlyoneiknow]

It all sounds a bit alien to me, I am really clueless!

Are there any good slow cooker recipe books worth getting?

[DramaAlpaca]

I just bought myself a slow cooker today in Tesco. It was very cheap but has good MN reviews so I thought it was worth a try. It comes with basic instructions but no recipes so I haven't a clue how to use it. I've just ordered these two books from Amazon:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0572026366/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1405367822/ref=pe_385721_37986871_TE_item?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Also reading this thread for inspiration!

[Mrswellyboot]

Soup is great.
Goulash . Just stewing beef, passatta, garlic, paprika.
Roast a chicken or beef joint in it. I just put an inch of water at the bottom.

[Mum2Fergus]

My favourite/easiest is a whole chicken, breast side down, nothing else...7-8hrs in slow. Never had such tasty meat...use the liquid at end for gravy...yumyumyum!

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Ok will try something first on a weekend to make sure i dont cock it up! :-)

[Piscivorus]

Brown chicken thighs and chopped onions, put in slow cooker with a small bag of frozen veg (original recipe had peas, corn and diced carrots), add 1/2 cup chicken stock and cook for ages. Just before serving stir in a couple of spoons of crème fraiche or cream.

You can serve this as a chowder with crusty bread or with rice

[Weelady77]

Mrs wellyboot is that all you put in for the goulash??

[Mrswellyboot]

I tend to bung lots of stuff in but here is a link to one

www.tv3.ie/ireland_am_article.php?locID=1.65.74.158&article=118416

[deemented]

I have four slowcookers. I'm about to get my fifth

If you're on FB, you NEED to join Slow Cooked Wonders FB group - there are thousands of recipes on there.

My own favorites are Donner Kebab Fakeaway, Epic Pork, Sausage and bean casserole, Jaffa sponge pudding, crème brulee and good old rice pud!

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Off to look for,the F.B group!