6.5 Litre Crock-Pot gift - what do I do with it?!

[dappledawn]

I mentioned to DH that I'd like a slow-cooker one day ...so he got me one for Christmas (very kind...) - a Crock-Pot 6.5 L one. BUT it's absolutely enormous. Much larger than I'd envisaged. We're only 3 in the family, so I expect the only way I'll be able to use it is (occasionally) to cook a vast quantity in bulk, and then freeze loads.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how best to use such a vast kitchen item? (Don't want to seem ungrateful!) Thanks...

mmm... stock from a large turkey carcass? It does seem quite big!

We have a 6.5 SC, and there is only 2 of us

I find it handy to make 2 - day meals from it, like chilli, and if some left over, have it for lunch too

Great for putting whole chickens in ..... mmmmmm

I think my slow cooker is 6l. It is big but good for big batches of soup for lunch, freezing half for later if it's too much.

You don't need to fill it. I often only have it maybe 1/3 full and it's fine for stews, curries, chilli etc.

Search MN for ham in coke and try that too. Mmm....

We make massive batches of bolognese, chilli, casserole. .. then eat it 2 nights and freeze the rest in 2 person portions in freezer bags. For example, last night we had enchiladas, tonight nachos and there are 2 bags of chilli in the freezer. The new years diet is off to a cracking start

Thanks all! Actually I have just been brave and bunged in a whole chicken - it's been going for an hour now! So we'll see how this first attempt turns out. (I got fed up of just looking at it taking up all that space in the kitchen, so it has now spurred me on to do a major kitchen de-clutter, too....!) I can see that it would be good for a whole large roast item, now, so perhaps it's not so daunting after all. Glad it doesn't have to be filled to the brim every single time - that certainly makes it more flexible. Very grateful for everyone's comments and ideas; please do keep them coming if you have any more SC inspirations to share!

Ooh, anyone got any recipes? Everything I try to make in mine comes out really bland and watery.

Stick a chicken in it, or a leg of lamb.

I have a big 'un too.. only 3 of us. No need to fill it, it still does the same job. I often overcook and freeze meals but as a side note it is very useful indeed for keeping cooked food warm, wrapped in foil, when you are cooking a large amount or for a lot of people and need the oven space!