Slow Cooker is on for the first time, am feeling very virtuous

[Pinkjenny]

Using my new slow cooker for the first time, threw together a chicken cacciatore (sp) this morning.

What's the bet I'll get home and it'll be raw, or the house'll be on fire or something?

Nah! You'll be welcomed home by a tantalising mouthwatering aroma and a wonderful healthy meal. Well done you! I adore my slow cooker, tis a truly brilliant invention.

And good luck with future culinary delights too

Thanks Pesto, I have a lot of MN recipes to try! I've been meaning to get a slow cooker for years.

Fingers crossed for me!!! Or it'll be the chippy for us!

oohh sounds yummy! good for you for being so organised!! recipe please

So what is all this slowcooker business? Can someone give me the low down - I may be tempted

I got it off here! I'll try and find it now. I have to say though, will be preparing the night before in future. It wasn't a particularly serene experience with a 13mo hanging off my leg.

thread

thank you

I use mine mainly for things like casseroles, chicken chasseur, beuf bourgignon type things. You brown off the meat first (I coat mine in seasoned flour) then bung in the chopped vegetables (again, I tend to to flash-fry these first to get 'em warm) and lastly you put in your stock. Then lid on and don't take it off until you are ready to eat. The thing is the cooker will cook all day and you are not tied to a time to eat. Unlike things like roasts which you have to be fairly rigid with timings. I find it's the best thing to have when we go out for the day, as you're not tied to a 'coming-home' time and you know you'll have a really hearty meal just waiting for you.

You can then also accessorize your meal by cooking jacket potatoes or rice separately if you're not desperate to eat straightaway. Most slow-cookers come with a leaflet of recipes and give you an idea of the cooking times to allow.

Thanks pinkjenny. Didn't realise you didn't have to brown meat first - I might well be sold!

Pesto, this is one of the things I am worried about, I didn't brown the chicken first, there seemed to be some debate on here about whether it was necessary.

Oh Lord, I'm going to get home to a feast of raw chicken, aren't I?

i LOVEEEEEEEEE my slowcooker only problem is that as a SAHM I want to eat whatever is cooking from about 11am because I can smell it alll day

I don't think it will matter that much that you didn't brown it. I think it is a good idea because it sort of seals it and in my leaflet, the extra flour helps the sauce with thickening. But, as the cooking time is so long, your chicken will definitely be thoroughly cooked at the end of the day, so don't panic!

Meant, 'in my guidance leaflet it says'

I often put raw meat in to cook and never had a problem yet

my granny always said that browning the meat shrinks it and in the war they were told not to do it and so she never started. her steak pie was a wonder to behold...

Thanks ladies, I'll let you know what its like!

I have done joints of beef in mine. I have sealed though in the pan first which also gives it colour.

I then put just an inch of water in the bottom of the slow cooker which makes lovely gravy when you take the meat out.

Yes, brisket is lovely done in a slow cooker... and a whole chicken rubbed in spices is also very nice - doesn't need the water, either, all the juices run out to make a lovely gravy.

re. coming home to a lovely smell - I made a lamb ragout today and also baked a loaf of pumpkin seed bread on the bread machine timer - when I got home I couldn't think why the house smelled like a branch of Subway (only nicer!)

and the result was...........?