Slow cooker question

[chopstheduck]

Argos have a cheap 6.5L slow cooker on offer atm, and I'm tempted. I usually do stews, etc. on the hob. The main reason I fancied one was for slow cooking joints of meat and whole chicken. So I would like to know if a slow cooker has to have a lot of liquid added to recipes. Could I cook meat simply marinated in olive oil and spices or would it dry out too much?

Cheers lizzie. That' s what I told him!

I' m looking at http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B0010YPB2M/ref=cm_cr_pr_link_next_4?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0 &pageNumber=4 this one

Veery tempted!

We' re only 3 people but 3.5l should allow for at least an extra portion to freeze, eh? Rachel Allan one looks bit much. And amazon' s price is better than ASDA!

I have a large chicken in mine right now.

Only prob is I have abs no idea how long to cook it for. The instructions weren't really very helpful.

Basically they said increase the usual cooking time for 4x for on low, or 2x for on high.

I've had this chicken in there since 1, and it is starting to smell delicious, but I'm not sure if it will be done for dinner or not!

I really like the meatball idea too, but don't they fall apart?

thats what lots of people like about slow cookers - you shove it in and then go out and when you come back dinners cooked all by itself. if your house burns down please don't blaim me - but i've had one for about 23 years and its never caused me the slightest concern. its suppossed to be like having a lightbulb going. i've never seen anything saying you can't leave it on whilst out

OK seeing that nobody responded to my question veggies don't do slow cookers then?

Sorry, upafrozenhill! There are veggie slow cooker books out there, but I have no idea if they're much cop as I try to focus all my energies on meat

I have done soup in the slow cooker overnight for taking to work.

1 bag of soup veg
1 handful of lentils
stock to cover.
s&p

put on at bedtime, ready for putting in a flask in the morning. Ta-daa!

Thankslowlevel I may get one.

Oops...I have ordered a slow cooker. NO delayed gratification here.

Will be back to ask for recipe advice.

How was the chicken chops? Was it whole or jointed?

Like the soup idea!

Well it went in whole and almost came out jointed

It was heavenly, really was falling off the bone and got lots of nice spiced sauce in the bottom to pour over it too. Def recommend slow cooking.

I now have a cheap cut of pork in there jsut rubbed it in olive oil and sage and threw in some chopped apples and onions. Hoping it will be good for sarnies.

Chops, what was your recipe? It sounds great!

Just looking at the size question - we have a 6.5l one and it is enormous - does 2 mwals for the 4 of us with space to spare. I reckon it would do enough for 8 - 10 adults. So the 3.5l one would easily feel 5 adults, I reckon.

Morrocan spiced chicken -
4tsp cumin
2tsp coriander
1 tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp cinamon
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cracked pepper
4 tbsp olive oil

all mixed up, and rubbed all over the chicken. I cut slits in the legs and breast to get it right inside the chicken. We serve it with spiced yoghurt and couscous and the kids love it too.

spiced yoghurt -
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chilli powder
2cm grated gnger
2 cloves grated garlic
good handful of coriander, and of parsley, finely chopped
All mixed into about 600ml yoghurt

OOh, sounds yummy, thanks!

Can' t wait for my slow cooker to arrive!! Should we start a recipe thread I wonder...Will defo mark this page