clever mummy who use slow cookers - what can I do with?

[surprisenumber3]

OK, had slow cooker 10 years, am finally going to use it

I have some turkey breasts, carrots, onions, veg stock, dumplings, potatoes (although I think I'll do the potatoes separately as 4 of us and not a huge slow cooker!).

Do I just shove it all in? How much water/stock?

DC's will be eating about 5.30, me and DH about 7.30, can I leave ours in for the extra couple of hours? What time should I put it on?

Is this a cheaper way of cooker than say putting it in the oven for 2 hours?

Sorry about all the questions but thanks in advance for any help!

Yes it is cheaper. I think it's supposed to use about as much energy as a light bulb although that seems unlikely given how hot ours seems to get at times.

Right.

Providing the turkey breast isn't frozen you can put it in without cooking first. Ditto the veg. Add enough water (or chicken stock) to more or less cover the food. Make sure the stock is hot or it will take a long time to get to temp. Once it really bubbling round the edges turn it to low/medium.

No problem with keeping it longer for you and DH.

Not sure about dumplings. I would guess about an hour before eating? Never cooked them in a slow cooker.

No, the meat isn't frozen.

So, I just chop it all up, make the stock up and pour in hot, to cover the food (just getting this in my own head here!).

What time do I need to put it on? About now?

About now would be good. Is it several big bits of breast? In which case it doesn't need to be chopped up, can be put in whole if you prefer. Obviously if it is smaller bits, it needs less cooking time.

BTW it is a good idea to thicken the stock later with some cornflour or plain flour otherwise it can be a bit thin. But that's a personal preference.

I've only had mine a short time so no expert yet, but if Tuesday night's dinner is anything to go by I'm getting the hang of it!

My first casserole was a bit watery and bland because, as I'm used to cooking in le creuset in a fan-forced oven,so things reduce quickly, I put too much liquid in the slow cooker. Then I did a chili con carne with only the tomatoes for liquid and it was good. Tues did a lamb casserole with wine and tomatoes and it was sublime. DH got home nearly 3 hours after I fed dcs and it was still delicious, just a bit thicker.

With lamb and beef you are best advised to fry the meat and onion off a bit first, but think you shouldn't do so with turkey as doesn't need it. (Maybe do onion though). Bung everything else in and little bit of wine or stock, but less than you'd use in oven.

Hope that is not too rambling and is some help!

I'm not sure what your cooker is like, but I find that I only need to put a very small amount of water (about 1/3 of a cup?)as the meat and veg release their own juices. You can always add more later if it looks a bit dry but thats unlikely.

So, make a very concentrated stock.

brilliant - I will go and give it go

Prob be back on asking more advice as the day goes on and it's too thick/too thin etc!

Will let you know how it goes and thanks for all the help.

Sorry, meant about 2/3 of a cup

thank you - it is all on! Hope this is the start of a new love

Good luck

I did a fantastic casserole in mine yesterday with chicken, carrots, onions, ginger, lemon, honey, cumin and cinnamon.

Once you get the hang of how much water to use and how to thicken it if necessary (use a bit of flour mixed up well with a bit of the stock from the casserole and then mix it back into the casserole) you'll never look back

Thanks Tyme, it is certainly smelling very nice!

Tyme, that sounds lovely. I haven't really used my slow cooker much so am a bit inexperienced. Can you give me any idea of the quantities you use, and how much liquid to add?

Thanks!

Heres how I did it but feel free to adapt if you don't get time to brown stuff etc. I'm sure you can chuck it all in too.

Fry 1 onion in some oil. Add about 1.5 inch length of grated ginger. Put in slow cooker.
Coat chicken pieces in a heaped tblsp of flour and brown in the same oil. Put in slow cooker.
Pour about 1/2 cup of water into the pan and de-glaze it. Pour that water into the slow cooker.
Now add to the slow cooker;
carrots cut into strips
1 heaped tsp cumin
1 heaped tsp coriander powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 lemon cut into 2 wedges
1 generous tblsp honey
salt

You might have to thicken it at the end depending on the chicken pieces you use.

Rice pudding
(sorry I never measure so am guessing quantities)
pudding rice 1/2 a small bag
2 cups of sugar
sultanas 1 cup
nutmeg -1 teasp.
2 pints of milk
a big spoonful of butter
an egg

put everything in the slow cooker, stir well and set on low

Thanks Tyme - I'll let you know how I get on!

Fabby FABBY thread, I have in front of me a brand new slow cooker still in its box. Was wondering what to put in it, so I thank you for starting this thread

Can we keep this thread going forever please?!

I have made lentil soup, veggie chilli and rice pudding in mine so far.

I am very interested in recipes that just tell you to bung it all in and cook it, rather than frying things etc first.

is cheapwer than using the oven, and I find I can get 2 meals for the family out of mine, so one eaten that night and one in the freezer. chilli is fab, as is any sort of beef or lamb stew, just don't add too much liquid.

Is so satisfying to come home to a freshly cooked meal that is ready when you want it after a busy day at work.

Somebody told me that it uses as much energy as a lightbulb, so I think it must be very cheap to use.

I got a slow cooker a little while ago, and I'm still experimenting. Lamb shanks are brill, and are defo bung it all in and cook it - I did some yesterday just with some thyme, garlic, black pepper and half a bottle of white wine and they were fab - used the juices half and half with water to make cous cous and it was a great dinner. I've also made game casserole, whole beef brisket, beef stew, chicken casserole, etc. I've got a recipe I'm going to try for slow cooked steak and kidney for a pie or pudding as well. Will watch this thread for other ideas.

Can everyone put their actual recipes on this thread please. I'd love to do chilli but wouldn't know where to start. Only got my cooker last week so need ideas!

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