Antony Worrall Thompson joining us to answer your questions on slow cooking - Tuesday 18th January between 1 - 2 pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Antony Worrall Thompson is our guest next Tuesday lunchtime when he's going to be answering questions on how to get the most out of your slow cooker as well as giving us tips on how to prepare some delicious one-pot dishes either in a slow cooker or a casserole - just the thing for these cold wintry nights.

He will also be preparing one of the recipes from his new book Slow Cooking which we will film and show in Mumsnet Recipes. The webchat will run between 1 and 2pm so put the date in your diary and if you can't join us next Tuesday but have a question you'd like to put to Antony, post it to this thread.

[bitzermaloney]

If you only had 5 minutes to put something in the slow cooker before rushing out, what would you put in to ensure a tasty meal ready for your return? (No browning meat etc.)

[bluebump]

No new question but just joining the ones above asking for some veggie/vegan ideas, I've not bought a slow cooker yet as I always saw them as more of a way to cook meat so I'm looking for inspiration really!

[dawntigga]

Man I love my slow cooker! And AWT ain't bad either!

Lovely AWT, do you look at some tv chefs and think, just cook the bloody chicken? It doesn't need to be fannied about with every single time you cook!

I LOVE your beef book btw and use loads of recipes from that in my slow cooker with v cheap cuts of beef. I'm lucky that I still have access to a good, real, can do it for himself butcher!

BitTiredAndEmotionalAboutTVChefsAndWishesAWTWasOnMoreOftenTiggaxx

[dietcokes]

Hi just a quick post as I dart out the door. Do you have any meals that really are all in one and can last 10hrs in slow cooker with minimal intervention at the end.

I don't want to be preparing things when I get home.
Thanks

[utterlyslutterly]

Me again. I have one of those slow cookers that requires you to heat everything up in a pan before putting it in the slow cooker - which puts me off using it. Is there really a need to do this? Can I not leave the food in for an extra hour or so instead? There is only a high an low set on it.

Thanks X

[JoyceBarnaby]

Hi Anthony,

How important do you think it is to brown meat before you put it in the slow cooker? Do you think it affects taste as well as appearance with all dishes?

Thanks! x

[littlebellsmum]

Another request for veggie recipes please - quorn chilli, bolognaise and soups are great in the slow cooker but what else can we do?
Thank you

[LargeLatte]

Some of the mumsnet receipes sound yummy but don't require lots of liquid. All the books I have say I need to be putting in loads of liquid - like a pint, but that can make dinner look like the same old slop every night.

My slow cooker is a life saver as I need to dish dinner up for kids at 4pm, then for us at about 8pm but I fear if I serve one more stew my son will leave home.

Is it really OK to use a slow cooker without liquid?

[dietcokes]

Also if time can you recommend what you would look for when purchasing a slow cooker as it is a question that is asked alot on MN.

[molemesseskilledIpom]

Just a quick question.

I love Byriani but it takes ages to make on the stove. Can this be made in the slow cooker so I can just leave it to work it's magic?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Sorry I won't be able to be here for the chat - I have a hospital appointment right in the middle.

I look forward to answers to these questions, especially the ones asking for good vegetarian recipes.

[HonestyBox]

Can you recommend a good method/recipe for a slow cooked chicken tagine including preserved lemons and green olives? My chicken never comes out as tender as it is at the Moroccan restaurant, should I be using chicken on the bone?

[AddictedtoCrunchies]

DawnTigga - I've missed you.

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

Test

[TheSleepFairy]

Hello AWT Can you suggest some tasty puddings for the children that I can do in my s/c please.

[Jules2011]

Hello - I have an AGA which I am alowly getting used to and cooked lovely Lamb Shanks in it the other day with Rosemary and Shallots it was really tasty but it needed some sauce - how can I use the juices to make a sauce or do you suggest something else. Thank you.

[Cappster]

Hello AWT, I'd like to know where a good resource is for recipes for slow cookers. Last time I bought a magazine which offered a 'slow cooker special' feature it was the old staples - soup, spag bol, etc.

And online, there are lots of recipes from US sites which all involve condensed soup

I seriously do not have room for any more actual books. If I buy any more I will have to take the sink out.

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted to be joining you 'on location' in Justine's kitchen where Antony is going to answer your questions and then preparing the 'Pot Roast Chicken' which we'll film and show on the site (we're arguing over who's going to be having it for tea ). Everyone who joins in the webchat will be entered into a prize draw and five lucky winners will each receive a signed copy of Antony's book Slow Cooking. Welcome to Mumsnet, Antony...

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

Hello, I'm here, ready for you all, questions don't have to be about cooking, I'm brave! Looking forward to my first visit to Mumsnet.

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@Cappster

Hello AWT, I'd like to know where a good resource is for recipes for slow cookers. Last time I bought a magazine which offered a 'slow cooker special' feature it was the old staples - soup, spag bol, etc.

And online, there are lots of recipes from US sites which all involve condensed soup

I seriously do not have room for any more actual books. If I buy any more I will have to take the sink out.

Well, my book has just been published by Mitchell Beazley, and as a chef I always try to create more exciting recipes than your ordinary recipes. There's also slow cooking recipes for hob and oven. You'll still find one or two basics, but I try and be a bit more imaginative. For instance, on This Morning I did Keralan lamb shank curry. There's also North African curry with spiced fruits and nuts. But there are lots of vegetarian recipes and quite a few fish ones as well.

[Blackduck]

Is it me,or do tomatoes smell weird when cooked in a slow cooker? I am put off by the 'smell' -- though usually tastes okay - any ideas?

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@NumptyMum

Can you do whole chicken in a slow cooker? I do lots of casserole-type recipes that I love and which are great for the kids, but sometimes it's nice to cook plain meat to then use in a variety of things (and make stock from the leftovers/bones). I'd really like to be able to cook moist chicken rather than the dried out roast from my fan oven. My mum in the past made the most amazing chicken in her pressure-cooker; is it possible in a slow cooker?

The recipe I am doing today at Justine's house (see video later) you can cook a whole chicken, best thing is to get a 4 litre slow cooker to make sure that it will fit. The best thing about slow cooking is you can use the left over liquid for stock. A pressure cooker is the opposite but you can achieve similar results with practice.

[Scootergrrrl]

Hi - do you really have to precook food before it goes into the slow cooker? It kind of takes away from the convenience of it all.

Hope they're being gentle with you in Justine's kitchen!

[Guacamole]

Hello AWT, I don't have a slow cooker, I would like to buy one, but I need convincing that I will actually use it! I can see how they're brilliant in the winter for stews and what not, but what could you possibly cook in one in the summer? Thank you! Guacamole

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@Lulumaam

Hi Anthony..

I've recently seen a recipe for slow cooker porridge.. any other breakfast ideas , I love the idea of staggering downstairs bleary eyed and only having to lift the lid on the slow cooker and ta daaaaaaa, a hot cooked brekky !

also, any ideas for breast of lamb in the slow cooker.. it's such a great cheap cut, but so hard to do much with succesfully, i've found... so any ideas would be great

thank you very much

There's a recipe for kedgeree in my book. Porridge would be tricky because the ideal time would be 3 hours which isn't great if you're sleeping! You can add lots of different things though, which is what's great about porridge. For the weekend breakfast, I like a Vegetable and red pepper gratin. There's also a spiced rice in the book, which would be great with a poached egg on top!
Jam's also excellent in the slow cooker.