Please give me your slow cooker recipes

[Gerty1002]

I have a 7mo DS and am going back to work in a couple of weeks . In a bid to get more organised I've finally taken the plunge and reserved a slow cooker to pick up today.

I have never encountered such a device and would love some tips on what to cook and how! Baby friendly ones are particularly welcome. Think I'll start with a simple bolognaise tonight but hope to get a little more adventurous.

TIA

Hi Gerty

I love my SC's so much I have... um.. five

I do everything in them - from basic soups and stews, to curries, whole joints of meat to cakes and puddings and everything in between.

Are you on FB at all? If you are, then have a look at a group called Slow Cooked Wonders - there's hundreds of recipes and tips. Here's a link

www.facebook.com/groups/slowcookedwonders/

Favorites in this house are Epic Pork, Fakeaway and self saucing butterscotch pudding.

You can do CAKES?! Oh that's very exciting. Thanks for the link, I'll certainly check it out .

Oh yes! I'm planning a coconut and lime one for the weekend! I've also had success with scones, brownies and cookies too :)

Oh my, I better clear some bench space, I dont think it's going to spend much time in the cupboard!! What about bread? Too ambitious?

Yes, you absolutely can do bread in the SC! I've never done it, but a lot of people on the group have, with lots of success.

Honestly, a SC will revolutionise the way you cook. I have four young children and those hours between after school and sitting down to eat were always really stressy - now I just either quickly make something to go with what we're having or simply dish up - it's so much easier.

Just to let you know - we've got a whole load of great slow cooker recipes here in our Food section. And if anyone here has some more recipes to add, that'd be great.

You can't go wrong with a Beef Bourguignon - everyone does it a little differently and you need to be willing to give some wine up for food though!

Thanks, Catherine, some great ones there to start with.

Hmm, the instruction manual says all food must be covered with liquid, have I bought the wrong kind or can this safely be ignored for the likes of bread baking?

I've got a whole load of slow cooker recipes (or recipes that could be adapted to a SC) on a Pinterest board- if you're interested then pm me and I can send you my details.

I agree re the Facebook group- some brilliant recipes on there (but like any Facebook group also a few egos and grammar that makes my inner pedant scream).

I didn't know about the MN SC recipes so I'll have a look there.

I mostly do curries, chilli, roast chicken, Spanish chicken and chorizo stew, veg sauces for pasta and have done steamed puddings and a self-saucing chocolate orange cake.

Epic pork

It's amazing. I also do gammon in apple juice or coke for weekend sandwiches and for chicken and ham pie.

You can ignore user manual safely.

What egos have you found on there Earslaps? I've always found most folk on there ok, though I would agree about the SPAG.

Most people are lovely but (like on here), some threads really kick off! Jar sauces vs make your own can be lively, as can expensive Crock Pot vs cheap Cookworks .

It really is excellent for ideas and recipes. I've done apple cinnamon swirls after reading about them on the group and they were lovely, so was honey sesame chicken.

Plus, if you post about which sc you have, other people will be able to tell you if they have successfully cooked without liquid.

I have a roast chicken in mine tonight.

Yeah, the Jars V make your own can be fun - and the recent 'Oh you aren't approving my posts quickly enough' was fun too..

Epic pork really does look epic. I think I'll have to try that this weekend!

You won't be disappointed! It's lovely. For a change sometimes instead of the bbq sauce I just use gravy and serve with stuffing in floury bread rolls. Yum.

Today in mine I have lasagne

Does the cheese go crispy in the slow cooker? Debated with DP over this re his fav meal, pork chops and cider - it's ruined if it doesnt have crispy cheese!

I'm attempting butternut squash risotto in mine as soon as I put the little man down for his nap.

Lamb curry. Shove in diced lamb (500g), large chopped onion, 2x red pepper chopped, sliced red chilli (more if you like hot), 1\2 jar Pataks curry paste, tin of coconut milk. Cook for 6-8 hours on med\low. Absolutely heavenly.
I also have one of those plug timer things so I can set it to cook for when I get home from work as I'm often out for 11-12 hours.

Also agree re the slow cooker Facebook group.
Excellent recipes,on there. I am trying all kinds of meals out.

I think I might know who,you are Deemented :), glad you liked the coconut and lime cake!

That lamb curry sounds great ranch girl.

Yes I've joined the Facebook group, it's great. Have only used slow cooker a couple of times so far but I'm back to work after maternity today :( so will be using it a lot more as DS, DP and I will often be eating at three separate times!

take one packet of chopped chicken breast, a tin or condensed mushroom soup and a tub of creme fresh.

Stick in the slow cooker, mix a bit. Add some slices of fresh mushrooms if you want to con anyone it is completely home made.