slow cooker

[rascalboys]

So, I have just found a slow cooker, brand new in box I have had for 10 years

What do I do with it? recipe ideas please!!

I do chilli, bolognaise, chicken in sauces sausage casserole....the world is your oyster!!!

so I know this sounds thick, but do I just chuck everything in and leave it? how do I know how long for?

Most casserole /stew receipes work
Do a google search I came up with loads

my personal favorite is peppered pork pot

cut up pork into small pieces and place in bottom of pot. Add onion garlic and sweet peppers and some fresh rosemary (or dried mixed herbs) and 1-2 tins of chopped tomatoes so all meat and veg is covered.
Put on in morning ready in about 5-6 hours.
I serve with mash.

also if you have any sauce left over you can puree it and make into a tomatoe soup the next day so makes it go a bit further.

i got a slow cooker last xmas and never used it for same reasons so thanks. will def try peppered pork pot sounds delish!

Yeah i ususally just chuck it all in on medium for 6 - 8 hours, or less time if you brown the meat first. Just have a play and you will get more confident that what i did.

i bought a book for a £5 from the works to get me started but the local library also had some books on it suprisingly. I have found it an absolute godsend. Dineer is readyfor the kids when they want it and it stays warm for hubby when he gets in. Much nicer than heat ups in microwave.

Yeah i agree, had mine for xmas last year and have used it loads this year. Always interested to hear new recipie ideas for it though? Would def reccommend one?

loads here (scroll down abit)

Thats excellent thanks, will keep me busy for a while!!! Have you ever done a roasted joint in the slow cooker?

I've done lamb shanks and a beef brisket joint. Both were soooo tender they fell apart on serving, delicious.

So you don't have to brown the meat first?

I am tempted to get one, (some good offers on Amazon at the mo) but I thought that you might as well use the oven by the time you've browned the meat and prepped the veg.

Will it go the same way as the juicer, George Foreman grill, sandwich toaster, steamer - there's not much room left in that cupboard?

And then I really, really want a coffee machine (again, bargain on Amazon) too.

I would love a coffee machine, what sort have you seen on Amazon?

this one

Its very nice, and 15 bar (which I think is the minimum pressure you want). and I really, really want it!!!

That looks fab, its really nice, perhaps Santa will bring it for you if you ask nicely!!!

Glad I saw this thread as also been thinking about getting a slow cooker. With the colder weather lately, have been craving more comfort, stodgey food ie casseroles and stews.

So same question as ohforfoxsake - are they worth getting or will it just end up in the cupboard once the novelty has worn off?!

If worth it....what functions should I look out for as there are cheap ones and quite expensive ones? Can I get away with a cheapish one ie around 20/30 quid?

My one was 25 quid from argos (they don't sell that particular one anymore, (crockpot)) and fine for us as a family of 3. I use it at least every week for stew, curry, lamb shanks and even a rice pudding once. I love it, it did get to the point where dh said, can we have something other than slow cooker stuff

I don't brown meat - just chuck it in with whatever chopped veg we are having with it, easy peasy and the pot bit goes in the dishwasher, whats not to love

ok so you chuck everything in, veg, meat, cover it with water??

Mine has high and low and auto settings, how do I know which setting and how long to leave it?

don't cover it with water as it doesn't evaporate so you could end up with soup!

I put in about 1/2 pint(use boiling water , otherwise takes hours just to simmer), til I just can see it touching the bottom or half way up the veg and a quarter of a stock cube to give extra flavour to the gravy.

Put on high to start then turn down after a few hours. if a stew i add dumplings about 40 mins from the end and stir in some cornflour mixed in warm water and gravy browning to thicken and colour.

scrummy, yummy