Any failsafe slow cooker recipes?

[cheekychopsmum]

Just bought a slow cooker and have no idea what to cook!

I usually do lots of cooking in my le creuset pot and am now wondering why I bothered buying a slow cooker, when I enjoy using hte pot I have already. Is there something I can do with the slow cooker that I couldn't do before?

I'm just not sure I can be bothered to brown meat and fry things up before I set off for work, or is it possible to just stick everything in the pot and turn it on? If so, some recipes please?

Also do I need to put anything at the bottom of the pot? A friend mentioned her husband puts a saucer at the bottom to stop things sticking.

thanks

My best recipie I made up myself - Chicken Pesto.

Put some chopped onions, chicken thighs and other veg as required into the cooker. Top up with chicken stock mixed with a half jar of pesto.

Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4 hours.

Fab!

No need to brown etc!

I do a nice recipe with chicken thighs, a jar of tomato sauce (pasta type stuff), onions/peppers/mushrooms/carrots (whatever!) and a handful of pitted olives. Don't brown or pre-cook anything, just throw it all in and then I take the skin off the chicken before I serve it - it just peels off.

I've never had anything stick - no saucer or anything. Just make sure you stir it all round so the bottom's wet IYSWIM!

Thank you!

I've just had another thought. The sc is huge (6.5lt) and there's only the 3 of us (well 2.5 - ds is only 2). Does that mean a couple of chicken thighs won't even cover the bottom. Does that mean I'm always going to have to cook in bulk? Or does it not matter if the sc is mostly empty?

Browning stuff is supposed to improve the appearance. But everything ends up covered in sauce or gravy anyway so I never bother.

My favourite two recipes are sweet potato chilli, and a really easy risotto made with normal long grain rice. I had never had risotto when I first tried this and it's really nice. Will post either or both recipes if interested

cheeky

there've been a couple of other threads on slow cooker recipes in the last few days where i've posted several. you can also search in the recipe section for them. slow cookers are fab

Some ideas HERE

Bertie, I'm intrigued by the risotto - how can you time it properly so that the rice absorbs the liquid perfectly? I'm imagining it ending up soupy (as liquid doesn't evaporate) or undercooked rice.

Spill! (please )

Yes please Bertie!

I'd like the risotto recipe too please!

Me too please for the risotto recipe!

I'd love the sweet potato chilli recipe please. It sounds great

Cheeky, I seem to remember my book says it's better if you at least half fill it. I have an enourmous one too! I always cook in bulk though, then you can either freeze or have it 2 days in a row.

Bertie - would love the chilli recipe if it's veggie please.

Here's my slow cooker veg chilli recipe if I may be so bold

onion
courgette
peppers
mushrooms
tomatoes
1 carton passata
1/4 tsp chilli flakes (DD eats this too - it makes it just warm)
tin kidney beans
tin pinto beans
large tin sweetcorn

Stir it all together and it was on low for about 6 hours. I prefer to do it on high for about 4 as it keeps it's colour better but tastes the same.

(I've just pasted this from where I sent it to someone - I vary the veg according to what's in the fridge!)

Just stick a whole uncooked chicken in there, perhaps on a bed of veg (to stop it sticking to bottom- I don't bother and have never had any probs!) and put lid on then leave for 5-8 hours. No browning or pre-cooking required.
Result is one very tenderly cooked chicken which falls off the bone, best not taken to the table to be carved. Drain out the juice and allow to separate for gravy.
No need to put any liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker. The skin goes slightly crispy, and is nice if you cover it with balsamic glaze before cooking.

Sainsbury's do some lovely mulled cider spices

Those with the larger slow cookers, can you tell me which ones they are please and would you recommend the one you have?

Scodgie - whole chicken with no liquid?! Really? I might give it a try!

My huge slow cooker is an Anthony Worral Thompson one.

Just trying it for the first time today - have some chicken thighs in and thrown in some spices an onion and sliced lemon. Smells good, we'll have to see how it tastes.....

Bumping for BertieBotts' risotto/chilli!

I tend to just start off curries or casseroles and then lon them in, but I will read this thread with interest

do you take the skin off the chicken though? because isnt it all uncrispy and rubbery? btw

I think you can just bung the chicken in a hot oven for 20 minutes or so if you want crispy skin (which I absolutely do!), though I too have yet to try a whole chicken.

I'm doing a sort of Irish stew in ours, the neck of lamb I thought I had turned out to be pork shoulder so it is actually a pork stew thing. Have just bunged everything in, except pearl barley which I did cook a little first.