Any good slow cooker recipes for cheap meals which don't need browning?

[MrsKoala]

i don't see the point of slow cooker recipes which require browning - i'd rather use a le crueset casserole dish in that case as i don't want to make more washing up for myself. But all the recipes i see have quite a lot of faff beforehand/preparation. What i need are recipes where you can bung it all in and leave it to get on with it. Do all meat recipes require browning?

[ananikifo]

I don't add any liquid to the turkey drumstick.

[ZooTimeIsSheAndYouTime]

I think sausages need browning. And annoyingly I think onions do too because I think it makes them sweeter and seems to change them for the better.

[trinitybleu]

I don't even brown sausages! Am always seeking a "No Browning SC Recipe Book"

With the turkey drumstick recipe, do you add any stock??

[TerraNotSoFirma]

I use frozen veg, but reduce the amount of water you would normally add.
Agree about sausages being browned, They get chucked on the George foreman grill for 2 mins to avoid the boiled penis look.

[SoupDragon]

I don't soften onions either.

[lazy]

[SoupDragon]

Only sausages need browned to stop them looking like penises.

This. I don't brown anything else.

[goodtimesinbontemps]

Yes you can, I often add in handfuls of frozen green beans for example and they cook beautifully.

[MrsKoala]

I'm going to sound really lazy now, but can you put frozen veg in the sc? I'm thinking of bulk chopping and freezing onions/carrots etc and want to be able to just shove a handful of things in from the freezer then let it get on with it. I can cook properly really, honest!

[iklboo]

Leftover chicken, a 'sheet' of dried noodles, small tin of sweetcorn, a few chopped spring onions, chicken stock & a pinch of chilli flakes - makes a lovely chicken noodle soup.

[NeveroddoreveN]

A really popular and simple slow cooker recipe I do is great for cheaper cuts of lamb and leaving for as long as possible; 4-7 hours gives really tender melt in the mouth meat. Get your lamb and bung it in the cooker (don't even bother cutting up as will fall apart later), Use a very very generous amount of tom purée (at least half a tube),a tin or two of tomatoes depending on how much meat (again doesn't really matter if chopped as will all dissolve) and maybe half a can or so of water (I use tomato can to rinse before recycling) if you need to cover the bottom of the pot. About and hour before serving add as much garlic as you can bear (I use puréed and love it really strong so add it later but you can do it at the start if no time and it will be a mellower flavour). That is it! Serve with loads of cheese, a bit of salt and spaghetti or whichever carb you see fit. Really simple and will keep well in the freezer for emergencies too

[ananikifo]

I don't soften onions for the slow cooker.

[Suttonmum1]

I have a book called Convenience foods for the slow cooker by Carolyn Humphries (£6.47 on Amazon) in which all of the recipes need no pre cooking. Even ones that use frozen ingredients.
Haven't used it for a while but the Chinese Chicken curry we particularly liked.

[SoonToBeSix]

Just don't brown even if the recipe tells you to it is totally unnecessary.

[ananikifo]

MrsKoala: if you have fb there should be a search field or magnifying glass. Type in the name of the group you want (or just "slow cooker") and choose from the list that comes up. Choose a group from the list. The group page should have somewhere really obvious to click to join the group.

Worley I'm so glad it worked for you!

[Bubbles1066]

Veggie recipes with tinned beans/lentils need no preparation at all. You can frying the onions/veg for 2 mins before adding if you want to but if you use fresh you don't have to. Put any drained tinned pulse, a tin of tomatoes, half an onion, a tablespoon of tomato purée, whatever veg you fancy and half a pint of veggie stock with some mixed herbs in and cook on high for 3 hours. Really easy and yummy.

[derektheladyhamster]

searing slow cooker I think this is on my xmas list, my old slow cooker is on it's last legs!

[MuffCakes]

I have only just found out you can do jacket potatoes in the s/c. OMG I am doing this this week, some recipes say put it in foil and some say just to oil them.

Oh imagine walking in and having a hot jacket potato already cooked.

[didireallysaythat]

Google lasagne in a slow cooker. Ok maybe not authentic but no browning. If you have a jar of white sauce (ala aldi) it's the work of minutes.

[worley]

ananikifo dinner was delicious tonight with the turkey drumstick.. Both DS ate the lot and there is just enough left for me to take to work for lunch tomorrow. Dinner cost less
Than £3 today!!
And have saved the juices for stock to freeze (as I added to much liquid obv so at least it will carry though it's flavours for the next time I make this.)

[MrsKoala]

i was just looking at this one at john lewis . i have some vouchers to use up so may invest.

[WillieWaggledagger]

i have the morphy richards sear and stew. it's a bit more expensive than others (about £30) but worth it for the non-stick dish that can go on the hob and then directly into the slow cooker. it's very easy to clean, and if you end up with too much liquid you can just put it back on the hob and reduce

[MrsKoala]

oh Willie, that's a good idea. I didn't know they existed. I'll have a look for one :)

Ananikifo - i don't really 'get' facebook. I just get really confused whenever i try to use it. I know i sound about a hundred, but i have no idea how i would join a facebook group

[WillieWaggledagger]

I only brown things because I have a sc where you can put the internal dish directly on the hob and then transfer it straight into the slow cooker. This means no extra washing up and no lost flavour

[ananikifo]

The fb groups introduced me to turkey drumsticks. It's great because it's so cheap but turkey tastes like a treat to us. I hope everyone enjoys it.