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Original poster

Ok, convince me to buy a slow cooker.......

50 replies

warmsummersday · 14/01/2008 17:34

Hi. I don't get back from the school runs until 4.15pm everyday and am thinking about getting a slow cooker. What kind of things can you cook in there? Which is a good one to get? Thanks

OP posts:
ComeOVeneer · 14/01/2008 21:39

Thanks scooter I use mine alot, aslo to make soups but for some reason never thought to make stock, will try it next weekend after sunday's roast chicken, thanks.

cat64 · 14/01/2008 22:13

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MrsCellophane · 14/01/2008 22:17

Lamb shoulder is absolutely GORGEOUS done in it.

Furball · 15/01/2008 05:58

Nappyzone - you could just put the mince and ragu in - OR how about mince, tin of tomatos, tomato puree, onion, garlic, mushrooms and anything else you might like. result = 1 really tasty spag bol all of your own fair hands!

ChasingSquirrels · 15/01/2008 10:03

I really didn't think the whole chicken thing would work, and was very skepitical about the lack of liquid - but it was lovely, and we are all still ok today.
Meat was really tender, only real difference to an oven roasted chicked was that the skin wasn't crispy - but we don't eat the skin anyway.
I am going to be doing it every week now!

CountessDracula · 15/01/2008 10:04

Get a pressure cooker

I love mine I can make amazing soups and stews in 10 mins

3missys · 15/01/2008 10:23

Oh and lamb shanks are devine - just throw a couple in and some lamb stock! The meat just falls off the bone.

Cappuccino · 15/01/2008 10:26

CoV we make stock overnight, when dh has stripped the roast we just chuck the carcass and an onion and a carrot in the slow cooker, turn it on low, and go to bed

then in the morning I just drain teh stock off and freeze it

ComeOVeneer · 15/01/2008 11:40

Cap, I assume you add some water too?

Nappyzone · 15/01/2008 12:12

lol making things from scratch - hmmm i am so lazy but sooo of to tesco to get one!

Original poster
warmsummersday · 15/01/2008 12:50

Hi. Well I got one today, im so excited. Im going to make a sausage casserole in a min for tonight, will that be enough time to cook it? Can I add potatoes in it so I don't have to bother with mash?

OP posts:
Scootergrrrl · 15/01/2008 13:03

Put it on high if it's for tonight's tea and don't keep peeking! Potatoes will be fine in there.

3missys · 15/01/2008 13:15

Goodluck with your first slow cooker meal! you will never look back now! As a general rule of thumb if I put the slowcooker on say 9-10am for a 5:30 dinner it will be on low. Medium if put on about midday and high about 1-2pm but may vary depending what you are cooking.

ja9 · 15/01/2008 13:19

interesting thread....

i would like to be convinced by it, but can't get past the thought that it would result in death by casserole...

TsarChasm · 15/01/2008 17:12

Those of you cooking lamd shoulder and shanks. Do you need to brown the meat first? Does the shioulder need any liquid in with it. Thanks!

I haven't done lamb in mine yet (or a big whole joint of anything) but keep meaning to. Don't want to make an expensive mistake.

Flibbertyjibbet · 15/01/2008 17:18

No I just chuck it in with onions and carrots, no water, leave for min 7 hours. The juices make all the liquid you need. No need to brown it at all, who wants to be browning meat at the crack of dawn before going to work? Not meeeeee!

DrNortherner · 15/01/2008 17:23

I have mentioned to dh we should get one. He is a chef and is absolutley aghast at the thought of raw meat being chucked in and slowley cooked for 8-10 hours.

He says it's lethal not to bring food up to a high temp and cook consistantly.

Tell me how to convince him please!

AnAngelWithin · 15/01/2008 17:26

i would love one of these but i am soooooooooo scared i'm gonna burn the house down while i am out!!!

Flibbertyjibbet · 15/01/2008 20:03

Dr Northerner, you get one with an 'auto' button which does high for a while then low until you come and turn it off.
Our butcher says the ONLY way to cook lamb is in a slow cooker. We just had braising steak bunged in at 8am with carrot and onion, by the time its been in there for hours and hours its all really scorching hot and cooked so that it just falls apart on your fork, yum. Once its got up to that high temp the auto turns it down to 'low' and it is indeed cooked consistEntly (ahem) for the rest of the time.
I have found though that if you put water in, if the water is not boiling when you add it, then the temperature never gets high enough so thats why I don't put water in.

ChasingSquirrels · 15/01/2008 20:26

it DOES get to a high temperature though - the food is boiling, and has been like that for hours if you leave it on all day.
DO NOT keep taking the lid off to peek though as the heat escapes.

3missys · 16/01/2008 12:59

Tsar I just add some lamb stock and don't brown it but you can if you prefer.

ptangyangkipperbang · 16/01/2008 13:10

Has anyone used quorn in a slow cooker? Either the mince or chunks? I always have to work really hard to get it to taste of anything. Would cooking it slowly help?

Twiggypiggy · 16/01/2008 18:46

Just to say I did my first meal in our new slow cooker today - morrocan lamb. Was delicious.

TsarChasm · 17/01/2008 10:00
Original poster
warmsummersday · 17/01/2008 20:16

I have some lamb escolopes in the freezer, can anyone give me a nice dish for all the family please?

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