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I'm about to have a slow cooker disaster.... Please help!

6 replies

PeachesMcLean · 12/11/2006 12:31

Help! I've just borrowed a slow cooker since it's the season for hearty casseroles. However, I've made the mistake of giving it its first outing on the day we're expecting the in-laws for supper (and the MIL is never very complimentary about my cooking at the best of times). I've got a dreadful feeling it's going to be a tasteless, watery mush! I'd be really grateful if someone with better cooking skills than me could suggest something I can do at the last minute (or last half hour) to try and rescue it. Anything I can chuck in there to sort the flavour out?
Basically, what I've done is: brown some lamb (shoulder) and added flour and half a pint of red wine (rather nice red wine too, shame if the end result is a disaster!) Garlic, leek, shallots and aubergine, with a lamb stock cube and a bit of water, just enough so that it was covered (or maybe too much....). Couple of bay leaves too. Planned serving it with mash, some rather cute baby carrots, and something green.
I've been very good and not lifted the lid (having read that tip previously on MN) but really wondering what to do if it just turns out a bit flavourless (which is what normally happens with my improvised casseroles). I promise to follow a recipe next time, but any tips this afternoon would be very much appreciated !!!!
Thanks in advance!

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FireFaerie · 12/11/2006 12:34

sounds lush! dont dispair just yet, it sounds like it will be lovely!

Carmenere · 12/11/2006 12:35

Leave it and stop worrying about it. If half an hour before you are due to eat, it is weak and flavourless(which it won't be) put the whole lot into a large pot, add a pinch of sugar, a drop of balsamic vinegar and a teaspoon of mustard and then boil it to reduce the sauce before serving.

PeachesMcLean · 12/11/2006 14:33

Thanks for the votes of confidence. Have just come back into the house and there's no lovely aroma around the place though. DS actually said "poooo, what's that?" Charmer.
However, if all does go pear shaped, I'll be trying out the sugar / balsamic / mustard combination. Not something I'd have thought of, so thanks for that.

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PeachesMcLean · 12/11/2006 16:18

Well, I've just taken a quick peak under the lid. Looks a bit anaemic, (nothing gravy browning won't sort out), tastes ok (amazingly only really needs salt and pepper but I'll still try the balsamic because that sounds good).
One problem - GOD IT'S GREASY!!!
Cos I used lamb shoulder rather than leg? I thought the point of a slow cooker was to use the cheaper cuts....
Anyway. How do I solve that whilst it's still cooking (ie, I can't let it stand then spoon off the layer of fat).
ETA of MIL - 1 hour.

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Carmenere · 12/11/2006 16:27

Take a piece of white sliced bread and run it along the top of the casserole and this will soak up a lot of the fat.

PeachesMcLean · 13/11/2006 18:52

The casserole was delicious. I did need to do all the amendments suggested, but it was gorgeous. Plates all cleared and only a small portion for the freezer!
Top tips Carmenere. Thank you.

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