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Original poster

Right....got the slow cooker....chucked some stuff in.......

26 replies

blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 10:35

Never had one before, got a chicken casserole recipe off i think it was uktv food website... Thrown it all in, is that it then???? I was expecting a nice recipe book in the box, but there wasn't one!!!!
Anyone in love with their slow cooker???
You see, my theory is, i can now clean my disgusting cooker cos i won't need to be using it every night!!

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 09/03/2009 10:39

Well, you do have to switch it on too but yes, that's about it really. Bung it in, switch it on and leave it.

SoupDragon · 09/03/2009 10:40

I've still not cleaned my oven mind you...

Original poster
blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 10:41

.........Ah!!! You may jest at me.....but i almost forgot that bit lol!!! Also had a little argument with myself about whether to put it on low or high....... Can't smell anything yet.....
You got one then soupdragon??

OP posts:
lilolilmanchester · 09/03/2009 10:41

I'm surprised there wasn't a recipe book with it - perhaps see if there is a cust service email address on the manufacturer's website?
There are LOADS of slow-cooker threads on here with recipe suggestions. Did you at least get an operating manual - ie so you have an idea how long to cook things for?

lilolilmanchester · 09/03/2009 10:42

oh, and you need to put things in hot, not from cold

mothersmilk · 09/03/2009 10:43

dh bought me a huge one and i used to love it but i have to say iv gone back to my le crusset caserole pot now in a really low oven it just seems to taste nicer iv no idea why
with both i just chuck it all in and leave it never followed a recipe as such just lots of veg meat of your choice and seasoning
on the plus side you can just leave it on and go out of the house obviously you cant do this with the oven
have fun

SoupDragon · 09/03/2009 10:45

I think youput it on high to heat up and then turn it down to low. I often forget to turn it down and I also put stuff in cold and I've not killed anyone yet.

Original poster
blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 10:46

I got a little manual about the cooker but it just explains to clean it before use that sort of thing, nothing about cooking times etc., What did i expect, it was a cheapie from Tesco, £13. I will have a look at the threads, i looked at one that took me to martin lewis website, is that the one? I put hot stock in it cos thats what the recipe i found said, so thats good, not much liquid though, is that right?
Will have to prise the oven pride off the windowsil now and give the oven a clean....

OP posts:
Original poster
blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 10:47

Oh gawd....i put it on low....shall i put it on high or leave it now? I will probably forget to turn it down, like soupdragon..

OP posts:
lilolilmanchester · 09/03/2009 10:50

mine only has one heat setting. A friend had one with different heat settings and the heat just varied the amount of time you cooked it for (rather than starting off on one then moving to another). Worth starting another thread asking if anyone has same model perhaps, so you can learn from their mistakes experience?

mehdismummy · 09/03/2009 10:52

i love my slow cooker!!!!

Original poster
blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 10:59

mehdismummy.......why??? Spill the beans lol! How can i learn to love mine lol!

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mehdismummy · 09/03/2009 11:06

because its easy!! you can chuck a cheap piece of meat on at eight am and its tender by five, you can just put everything in morning and forget about it!! yes i heart my slow cooker!!!

Original poster
blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 11:08

Turned it up cos i want to get some cooking smells!!! I am liking the idea of the 'warm' button!!!! I can just leave dinner and go!!

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Original poster
blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 11:25

Ok, embarassing question, i don't know much about meat cos i am a veggie, all the rest of the family eat meat though so i have no problem cooking it. But....what is a cheap piece of meat?? I am used to buying chicken/breasts/stewing steak the usual stuff but would love to try other cheaper cuts.

OP posts:
mehdismummy · 09/03/2009 11:28

i got a lovely lamb shoulder for £4.29 in asda!! and a beef brisket for £4.50!!! i also use braising steak which is abiut two quid!!!!

mehdismummy · 09/03/2009 11:29

there are some great reciepes online for the slow cooker1!!!

mehdismummy · 09/03/2009 11:30

and 2 lamb shanks for £4.50!!!!!!!!
i do love a bargain!!!

Original poster
blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 12:18

Brilliant! Thanks Just what i need, will start trying out the cheaper cuts.

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aubergenie · 09/03/2009 18:57

I made Thenewme's chiken korma in mine the other day and it was lovely.

aubergenie · 09/03/2009 19:02

chicken, even.

Original poster
blossomsmine · 09/03/2009 22:11

Sounds good aubergenie

Well, our chicken casserole seemed to go down well tonight!! Just need to do more before i put it away in the cupboard and forget to use it again!!

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jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 10/03/2009 11:31

My lot aren't keen on casseroles, tonight we're having bbq ribs. It's soooo difficult putting the ribs in the crockpot and then tipping the bbq sauce over them

I've recently upgraded to a crockpot (it's bigger than my old slow cooker as well) so I can brown the meat in it first saving space in the d/w.

Original poster
blossomsmine · 10/03/2009 15:41

That sounds good jelly, do you just leave it on all day then? Do you use loads of sauce with that???

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jellyshoeswithdiamonds · 11/03/2009 09:00

I started it on high for about an hour then down to low for the rest of the day. The only thing, I'd forgot that this new crockpot cooks faster and hotter than my old s/c so the sauce was more like a juice. The ribs did come out really tender with the meat falling off the bones.

Have you tried doing a goulash? During cold weather it's fab.