Electric slow cooker recipe inspiration!

[Eachpeachpearplum1985]

Hi! I've got a clingy 7 month old DS and find it really difficult to prepare meals with him around. My DP doesn't get home from work until 6:45 so I wait for him to get home and cook then. This means we often don't have dinner until late and won't be practical as DS gets older (I would like to eat dinner with him!).

My mum bought me an electric slow cooker last year but I've only used it about 3 times and each time made a stew with lamb and veg. I can see how this method of cooking could be practical but I'm lacking inspiration! My DP is a fussy bugger and doesn't like beef or any type of mince.

I've heard you can do things like roasts but I'm not sure how?! I turn to you mumsnetters for interesting and delicious ideas!

[sashh]

Roasts are easy - just stick the joint or chicken in the slow cooker, put on high and leave, you do not need to add anything. I use a steamer for the veg.

For stews some people prep the veg and meat and freeze it in bags - so you defrost overnight and cook during the day.

The easiest way may be that when your dh gets home you cook a meal and prep for the sc meal the following day, so just chop extra veg.

Depending on the temp in the kitchen you can prep and put everything except liquid in the SC, in the morning boil a kettle and add some boiling water in to the sc.

Steamed puds, both sweet and savory are good.

Also chicken pieces with veg 1 can condensed mushroom soup and a carton of creme fresh is good - I would serve it with rice.

Pork hocks - stick them in the SC with 50/50 mix of cider and boiled water.

You can also do baked potatoes in the sc.

Pot roast is easy - stick a joint of whatever (I would use brisket but not for you if dh doesn't like it) put it in the middle and absolutely pack the space around with potatoes and root veg. Crumble in a stock cube and some boiling water and leave.

[Eachpeachpearplum1985]

Thanks! Do you not need liquid in with the roast joint? I thought it all needed to have liquid?

[sashh]

No liquid in the roast - trust me, you will be scared the first time but it will be fine. Meat juices come out and depending on the meat quite a lot come out.