Slow cooker novice

[JeannieAlogy]

Someone has gifted me a slow cooker and I literally have no idea how to use it. The instruction booklet is just about how to look after it.

It's got a metal 'outer' and then a ceramic dish which fits in that. Do I just put whatever I'm cooking into the dish (after I've washed it)? Can't find anything obvious to confirm this!

Yes put the dish into the outer bit, chuck in whatever you are cooking with appropriate amount of liquid pop on the lid switch on and forget it for several hours.

There are loads of recipes on here for slow cookers. Just use the advanced search and you'll find them.

Just remember, you don't need a ton of liquid, as there's no evaporation.

It is literally like putting your oven on at 110 degrees for a few hours. It's not that different. You're just cooking for longer at a lower temp. Particularly good for stews, soups etc. Does less well with creamy dishes or carbs. Do those on the hob.

Yep as others have said, just chuck everything in the ceramic pot and leave it for a few hours. I usually leave it preheating whilst I chop veg and stuff, cook for 4 hours on high or 6-8 hours if on low. If I'm cooking meat I usually brown it in a pan first. Curries, soups, stews, tagines, bolognase, ribs, lamb shanks and pulled pork are all brilliant in the slow cooker.

Put stuff in, turn it on. Generally do t add liquid, and you need more seasoning, but season at the end of cooking.

I've got foam pulled pork curry in mine at the moment. Smells amazing.

Many thanks - I just didn't want to break it! The booklet with it literally just tells me how to turn it on and how to clean it. Nothing at all about how to actually use it.
Aiming to make a veggie stew which I hope will be done in 4 hours.

Off to chop my parsnips now.

Enjoy!

Goan not foam - no one needs foam curry!!