Have decided to embrace Autumn and purchase a slow cooker, now tell me your favourite recipes

[Katyathegringa]

I know there are loads of sites out there on the internet but I would appreciate some recommendations on the best slow cooker recipes/tips.

Buggery - forgot to get the mince out of the freezer last night!

We love lamb curry cooked in slow cooker, lamb shank, onions mushrooms, 2 tins chopped toms, pataks madras paste and cook all day, the meat falls off the bone.. yum

Hmmmmm, this all looks very interesting. I want one now! Can anybody tell me, do you get any steam at all with a slow cooker? Our kitchen is really poorly ventilated, and I am put off stews etc because it causes masses of condensation. I'm assuming this would be much reduced with a slow cooker?

I don't get much steam as the lid is on all the time, the only thing is that because the steam can't condense it sometimes makes the soups/stews a bit watery, but thats where cornflour becomes your friend!

I made a bloody lovely soup last weekend in mine.

8 large carrots
3 large leeks
1 large onion
Handful of red lentils
1/2 tsp of ground cumin
1/2 tsb ground coriander
1/4 tsp chilli powder
Salt & pepper to taste
1 veg stock cube in enough water to cover the veg

Left it on low overnight, blended it all together to a smooth soup, and scoffed a big bowl full (froze the rest, I managed to get 6 big servings out of it) with some crusty bread - absolutely gorgeous! Has a little kick to it that is perfect for warmin your cockles on a miserable day

I am loving all these recipes - my slow cooker is coming out again now it's autumn!

She I'm going to try your soup tonight!

Questions about coolong whole chickens:

Do you put veg and a bit of stock under the chicken?

Do you take the skin off or leave it on?

How long do you leave it in on low?

Ohh chicken in a slow cooker is lovely. I don't put anything in with it, just season the skin and pop it in on high for an hour and then turn it down to low and leave it for 6-7 hours. When it comes to taking it out, the juices from it come to almost halfway up the side of the chicken so it doesn't really need anything else in with it.

I just make three little balls with tin foil, put them in the bottom of the SC, and rest the chicken on it. Season with salt, pepper and a bit of thyme and put it on high for an hour, then turn to low for another 6-7 hours.

The meat literally just falls off the bone.

There's a lovely chicken/tomato/rice recipe in my book I think I might try though I think I'll try Dee's pork chop recipe tomorrow

I second what Dee said about cornflour too, it really is your friend! Just make sure you ignore what the packet says & put it in about 30-60 minutes before the end of cooking

I've read the whole thread now and am convinced! Just need to choose which one...

Thanks She and Dee - I'm going to try it on the weekend!

I'm trying out your Curry Pork today Dee just bunged it all in - looks good! Have asked DH to pick up a fresh loaf on his way home to go with it, nom, nom, nom!

How was it, Norma? Hope you enjoyed.

I'm doing the meatballs tomorrow, and maybe a banana pudding too.

It was really, really nice. DH scoffed the lot, DD wasn't as keen but still ate it & DS tucked it too (he's usually a bit hit & miss at meal times so was great to see him wolf it down). My 14yo sister told me the mash was nice I really enjoyed it though, the meat just fell off the bone it was gorgeous will definately make again Plus I loved the fact that there was literally no prep needed - my kind of dish that

It would help, wouldn't it, if i actually turned the slowcooker on....

I had my first slow cooker disaster today :( I put a nice hearty veg & barley soup complete with home made stock in yesterday evening ready to take it out before bed and portion/freeze. I forgot all about it, and came down this morning to a dish of what looked like porridge and carrots that was so sweet because of the overcooked leeks [boak]

I had a SC disaster here too.

I did meatballs - and they were awful! I browned them off first, but they just fell apart completely when you bit into them and there was no chew in them - definately a miss this time!

Oh Dee that's a shame, they held fine when I made them, didn't fall apart at all :( Did you use fresh breadcrumbs?

I did indeed - manshape made them earlier - and i added a dash of italian spices.

On the plus side, the sauce and the spaghetti were lovely!

I wonder if being extra lean mince had anything to do with it? Maybe it binds better? Shame that they didn't hold for you :(

deemented, just wanted to say thanks - your recommended the 6.5l cooker to me on another thread a while ago. I got it yesterday and I'm eagerly reading the recipe ideas here. :)

I've got a really scrummy chicken & bacon recipe cooking in mine today & OMG it smells mouthwatering!!

Did sweet & sour pork chops yesterday & it was yum!

I did a chicken casserole yesterday, with chicken thighs, and the meat just fell off the bone, delicious.

Has anyone cooked lamb shoulder? its just so much cheaper, I thought it had to be worth a try.

I haven't personanly Bump but my friend did & she said was beautiful!

I'm a slow cooker convert. Should have bought one years ago. Best part is sitting on my backside or even lying down at 5pm, not having to worry about getting tea ready because I did that this morning.