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AIBU?

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Original poster

Best gadget for cooking dinner so its prepared in advance and ready when you want it.

45 replies

ferriswheel · 15/05/2018 22:47

My slow cooker is no good because it generally takes 6 hours to cook a meal.

Does anyone have a gadget where they can prepare the food the night before. Chuck it in that morning for the meal to be ready to serve at a specified time later on?

OP posts:
Aprilmightbemynewname · 15/05/2018 22:49

My dh!Grin

MyDcAreMarvel · 15/05/2018 22:50

Slow cooker with a timer.

MissusGeneHunt · 15/05/2018 22:51

I'm confused... You want a gadget that cooks your meal throughout the day for supper but a slow cooker is no good? I use mine for exactly that... Confused

Does your oven have a clock system which turns it on and off at programmed times?

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 15/05/2018 22:52

@Aprilmightbemynewname you beat me to it!!!

Set it on timer for the night before.

Allow it to simmer away as it considers the request.

Gently remind it in the morning that it promised to make dinner.

Leave a post-it note on the fridge to remind it before it leaves for work.

If it doesnt work, take it back and replace with a new one.

Original poster
ferriswheel · 15/05/2018 22:57

I threw my h out. Other than that it would have been a good plan.

So, Saturday I intend to leave the house about 9am. Probably home about 5.

Im a single parent with 3 children aged 5 and under.

Ideally the gadget would have the meal ready so all id have to do is plate it and let it cool for the wee ones.

My slow cooker wont do that.

So, an instant pot. Could i put all the ingredients for a risotto in the pot, set it on a timer and it would be ready for HOURS later?

OP posts:
Blondie1984 · 15/05/2018 23:02

You could get one of these....

www.tefal.co.uk/cook4me

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 15/05/2018 23:02

I cant imagine that a risotto would work. Those little gits need stirring.

Can you put on a stew or a casserole the night before and then quickly reheat? or a cottage pie that can be microwaved when you come in?

Original poster
ferriswheel · 15/05/2018 23:07

Yeah. I guess. I want to be Supermum and have all those delucious smells in the house as we arrive home. Ill check out the link above. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
ferriswheel · 15/05/2018 23:09

That Tefal cook4me thing looks amazing. Perfect! Thanks. Anyone any other suggestions?

OP posts:
Original poster
ferriswheel · 15/05/2018 23:13

Wow. That Tedal thing really does look amazing. You could prep and freeze all the raw ingredients. Have the ingredients out defrosting then chuck it in when you wanted to cook it.

There just cant be anything more efficient than that. Is there?

OP posts:
Enko · 15/05/2018 23:25

Ideally the gadget would have the meal ready so all id have to do is plate it and let it cool for the wee ones.

My slow cooker wont do that.

Why wont your slowcooker do that? Mine does and its not even a special one.. is it more you dont like the meals you get from the slowcooker?

Spag bol is amazing in slowcooker.. boil pasta and dinner is done..

SD1978 · 15/05/2018 23:27

I don’t understand why a slow cooker won’t? They usually cook food over 6-8 hours with no involvement from you? Otherwise buy a thermomix- everyone seems to rave about them, if you have a spare couple of grand

Original poster
ferriswheel · 15/05/2018 23:29

Definitely dont have 2 spare grand.

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 15/05/2018 23:31

Get a timer plug to add to your slow cooker then it can turn on at 11am and be ready for 5pm

FusionChefGeoff · 15/05/2018 23:32

Defender 24 Hour Segment Timer Switch - Standard Size https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CP44AU4/ref=cmswwrcppapiii_j.1-AbFNKWB12

WalkingOnAFlashlightBeam · 15/05/2018 23:33

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil You cracked me up 😂

tabulahrasa · 15/05/2018 23:34

“Ideally the gadget would have the meal ready so all id have to do is plate it and let it cool for the wee ones.

My slow cooker wont do that.”

Eh? That’s exactly what slow cookers do

Wolfiefan · 15/05/2018 23:35

Don't use a timer on a slow cooker. Food sits at room temperature for too long and then heats up too slowly.
Better to put hot food in a slow cooker and have a keep warm function at the end of cooking.
And never slow cook from frozen.

SandAndSea · 15/05/2018 23:35

Could you make up soups / sauces in advance and freeze them? If you get them out in the morning, they defrost through the day and reheat quickly when you get in.

SandAndSea · 15/05/2018 23:40

As an aside, I've just been throwing my breakfasts together:

Frozen raspberries
Blueberries
Seeds
Porridge oats
Milk (I use soya/almond/coconut)
Honey to taste

All into a jar in the fridge, ready for the morning. It's delicious and so easy!

Original poster
ferriswheel · 16/05/2018 03:59

Sand

That sounds delicious

OP posts:
steff13 · 16/05/2018 04:02

Instantpot. It didn't cook all day, but you can have a meal done really quickly when you get home.

Puffycat · 16/05/2018 04:10

You have depressed me beyond all reason

Puffycat · 16/05/2018 04:12

Mayonnaise is the sauce of all evil..........that’s official....

TossDaily · 16/05/2018 05:26

Instant Pot will cook while you're out and then keep it warm for ten hours.

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