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.

[craftynclothy]

I love using my slow cooker but only ever seem to use mince or beef in it. I've tried using chicken but it always seems to go dry. The only success I've had using chicken in it is to sit the chicken breasts on top of everything. Is there any other way to stop it going dry?

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@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?

How new is the slow cooker?! There's always a weird smell from new equipment. Not normally a problem, but what are you cooking?

[CMOTdibbler]

Are any of the recipes in your book gluten free or easily adaptable ?

[no1chick]

which is best pressure or slow cooker!!!?

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@NatalieCallaghan

Odd question. I am on a plan which doesn't allow me to mix root veg with my chicken, so I was wondering whether I could put a whole chicken into the slow cooker WITHOUT liquid? I assume it would still come out as tender and juicy?

No, you have to use liquid with a slow cooker or the chicken will dry out, it doesn't need to be a lot. Your question about root vegetables is a tricky one, as they are the basis of most slow cooker recipes, but if you get a good stock and add green veg at the end you can achieve the results you are looking for.

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@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.

It depends which oven you're using, but your slow oven on the Aga will act like a slow cooker, so any slow cooking recipes will suit. If you're cooking lamb shank, I would always suggest a liquidy stew base, because you'll be cooking the shank long and slow and you want it to keep moist.

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@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

Thank you for the compliments! You're right, of course, so many chefs on telly think they have to entertain rather than teach. I try and do a bit of both, but a chicken is a chick, it needs cooking!

Keep supporting your local butcher, they're vital and they need all the help they can get!

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@chimchar

hello mr awt!

any tips on adapting cooking times so that i can do "normal" recipes in my slowcooker?

also, any favorite child friendly slowcooker dishes please?

thank you!

Most normal Recipes will work in a slow cooker on a braise or slow cook basis, the trick is you only need half the liquid of a normal recipe. The recipe that I am cooking today (Pot-roast chicken)is very child friendly. (video will be up in the next few days)

[mangoandlime]

Hello AWT

I have your slow cooker, it's ace.

What's you favourite soup recipe for the slow cooker?

Mango

[Blackduck]

Oh, do I get a second question? Usually curries - it is fairly new so maybe that is it. Would like to know the answer to the precooking question too!

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@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.)

Chicken! Anything with chicken, really, it doesn't need browning. Browning will add to the flavour though. Throw in a few root vegetable, roughly diced and some good stock, maybe a splash of wine, and let it all come together.
Remember, in a slow cooker, root vegetables often take longer than the meat to cook, so place them around the perimeter of the slow cooker.

[solo]

Phew! just made it! Hello AWT
Has my Headfairy had her question answered yet?

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@mummyplonk

Are there any Fish/Seafood stews that are safe to cook slowly, we love fish but I don't want to poison anyone?

In my new book Slow Cooking there are several fish recipes, Spanish fish stew and Fish in saffron are great. On page 108 you will find The not-so-classic fish pie. If the fish is fresh, you won't poison anyone.

[NessaRose]

I had a disaster the first (and only time) I used my slow cooker, I tried to do a pork belly and apple casserole, the apple went all mushy and the pork was not cooked through. (I followed the cooking guidelines that said to cook for 8 hours on high.) What did I do wrong?

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@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.

I would always buy the largest possible, with an oval base, rather than round, since oval suits poultry and legs of lamb etc. Also, get a glass lid so you can see what's going on without breaking the seal. You can also buy a slow cooker with lots of settings - not just low and high. you might want a 'medium', 'keep warm' or even 'brown'. Unless you cook for few people, i would always recommend the largest one.

[no1chick]

which meat is easier to slow cook?

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@Carrotsandcelery

We are looking for a reliable vegetarian slow cooker recipe - nothing too bizarre but something really tasty. Any ideas?

This is to everyone else who's asked about vegetarian recipes. In the book, we've got a chickpea and vegetable curry, onions stuffed with tomatoes, garlic and mozzarella or Italian leek stew. Keep watching the thread and we'll upload a recipe or two.

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@lagrandissima

I'd like advice on what to do with whole joints of meat. I'm nervous about cooking pork particularly in the slow cooker, as I can't believe the 'high' setting is high enough to cook the meat thoroughly. How do you do it? Ideally I'd like the meat to fall apart in threads, yummy.

The great thing about slow cookers is that meat, cooked well, will be very tender. Any joint of meat will be suitable but ideally use the cheaper cuts. Don't worry about cooking pork for long enough, it is ok to be cooked long and slow according to my recipes.

[CuppaTeaJanice]

You asked for non-foody questions...

You are a patron of the pro-smoking lobby group Forest (according to Wikipedia).

If it weren't now illegal, would you prefer your restaurants to allow customers to smoke at the table? And do you not find the smells/tastes of a smoky atmosphere conflicts with the delicious and often delicate flavours that you are presumably trying to create in your dishes (or maybe you think it enhances it)?

Not anti-smoking, by the way, just interested in your opinions on experiencing smoke and food together. Seems a bit like listening to an i-pod at a concert in terms of conflicting sensations!

[aristocat]

hi AWT

just wanted to say that you were fantastic when you did I'm a Celebrity Get me out of here!

do you have a yummy cake recipe for the slow cooker?

[Calypso]

Hi Antony, Why is slow cooking healthier than normal cooking? Doesn't all the goodness go out of the vegetables and into the stock?

[feetheart]

I make rice pudding and steamed puddings in my slow cooker. Any other nice pudding recipes please?

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@headfairy

Hello Antony,

Can you tell me how I can avoid stews and casseroles done in the slow cooker all ending up as a homogenous mush? They all seem to taste the same and all vegetables lose any kind of bite. Is there a way of introducing some texture without losing the convenience of just being able to chuck it all in and leave it?

TIA x

Here I would suggest you're either buying meat that's pre-cut in small pieces, or you've got too much liquid. Try cutting the chunks of veg and meat into slightly larger chunks. On a low setting it's almost impossible to overcook the food. Normally I would place the meat in the centre of the cooker and the veg on the outside. Always remember if you're using green veg they should go in at the end on a high setting, root vegetables on a low setting.

[AntonyWorrallThompson]

@HattiFattner

how to cook beef in a slow cooker? No matter how long I cook it, its never as good as cooking it in the oven.

Oh and how to thicken sauces in a slow cooker?

Using beef in a slow cooker will always be a different flavour from that high caramelised oven taste. A good piece of beef will take the best part of 8-10 hours. Thickening sauces is a good question, most chefs would advise a reducing method, turn cooker up to a high setting and reduce slowly, falling that cornflour!

[Guacamole]

aristo can you make cake in a slow cooker, never? I don't believe it! Really?