Got a slower cooker - where to start?

[spandangley]

We got a slow cooker a couple of weeks ago, and as yet have not used it because we just dont know where to start!

We've got a couple of recipe books, but wondered if anyone had any tried and tested and simple things we could do to kick us off?

TIA

[littlepinkpiglet]

I am using mine today. Got some pork and put it in with one thinly sliced onion, a tbsp of ground cumin, the juice of three limes and a small glug of chicken stock. Cook for about 6 hrs on low and then use two forks to shred it. It's gorgeous in burritos and tacos. :thumb:

[Jamtart]

my mum does gorgeous lamb shanks in hers, very simple... lamb shanks in gravy with mint sauce added. Love them!

I have done stews in mine but thats as far as I have got so far!

[spandangley]

Whats the rules when bunging your own stuff in? Do you have to make sure everything is covered in a liquid?

[SaintSarah]

I am very slack, I literally just chuck everything in - put the lid on and walk away!! I dont ensure its all covered with water/stock!

I have found joints of meat to be lovely and tender when cooked in there, also lamb shanks/stews/chilli etc

[Spuggy]

Tonight I made pork steaks with onion and garlic with red wine and ham stock, thickened up with cornflour.

[LME]

I only had a slow coooker and a microwave for several weeks and you can do loads in them:
- Roast - literally bung a chicken in there (without water) and leave for 8ish hours. You don't get a crispy skin but the meat just drops off the bones. You can do it with any meat we did some gammon in ours the other day.
- Stews of various types, I liked a fish one I have a recipe for
- Chilli, Bolognese, Meatballs etc
- Goulash, Stroganoff
- Soups

I even had a recipe for Lasagne in the slow cooker, but it wasn't quite as good as it sounded.

You are meant to be able to do baked potatoes in them, but I'm yet to try it.

Most dishes seem to end up with too much liquid in them for my liking so I used a lot of cornflour, purees, gravy powder, potatoes etc to try and thicken it up. Many recipes I discovered suggested reducing the sauce down on the hob once the meal was nearly ready - no use if you don't have a hob though.

Oh and although many recipes also suggest browning the meat/frying the onions first I don't bother doing that either.

[myzzterri]

DH says "turn it on" (yes he thinks he's funny:rolleyes: don't worry - we can all go & troll his website!! - oh he's gone all serious now & says "I won't accept it":lol: :teehee: )

anyhoo - casseroles are good in them, shredded pork but yesterday I just bunged some cheap stewing lamb (chops, not cubes) with some stock & it was absolutely delish......

LME - knew about the chicken but didn't know about the baked taters - am thinking I may have to try chicken with jacket potato for Sunday dinner now......:scratchchin: :scratchchin:

[myzzterri]

now I've not actually looked at this thread, but I have a feeling there should be some ideas on there

http://flyladyforum.blogtalkradio.com/index.php?showtopic=124&hl=slowcooker+crockpot

[Jelly]

I am using mine today. Got some pork and put it in with one thinly sliced onion, a tbsp of ground cumin, the juice of three limes and a small glug of chicken stock. Cook for about 6 hrs on low and then use two forks to shred it. It's gorgeous in burritos and tacos. :thumb:

I found another recipe for pulled pork on a 'frugal cooking' website. Will try and find it tomorrow as it's gorgeous.

[spandangley]

I am using mine today. Got some pork and put it in with one thinly sliced onion, a tbsp of ground cumin, the juice of three limes and a small glug of chicken stock. Cook for about 6 hrs on low and then use two forks to shred it. It's gorgeous in burritos and tacos. :thumb: This sounds GORGE! Which pork do you use?

Jamtart, making the shanks this week :thumb:

Thanks for the other hints girlies, going to start using it this week :fingerscrossed:

[spandangley]

Just found a recipe I didnt want to lose so adding it here:

CrockPot Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe (http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-brown-sugar-chicken-recipe.html)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GxgLNKoVUA4/SKNeOyUVnaI/AAAAAAAABns/13t78c1nTmo/s320/IMG_5302.JPG (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GxgLNKoVUA4/SKNeOyUVnaI/AAAAAAAABns/13t78c1nTmo/s1600-h/IMG_5302.JPG)

Day 231.

It should be noted that this chicken has been named "Candy Chicken" in our house. I don't think my kids have ever eaten so much chicken in their lives. If you are bored with dried out, boring chicken, you must try this.

You simply must.

Go.

Now.

Go to the store and buy the ingredients.

go.

The Ingredients.
courtesy of Confessions of a Wacky SAHM (http://www.freewebs.com/awackysahm/recipeblog.htm?blogentryid=2962170)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GxgLNKoVUA4/SKNaH_skgGI/AAAAAAAABnk/XBgw63ZS6uU/s320/IMG_5243.JPG (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GxgLNKoVUA4/SKNaH_skgGI/AAAAAAAABnk/XBgw63ZS6uU/s1600-h/IMG_5243.JPG)
--12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or 6 boneless, skinless breast halves
--1 cup brown sugar (it's okay. you can brush your teeth after.)
--1/4 cup lemon-lime soda (stay with me...)
--2/3 cup vinegar (I used white wine, but think regular white would be fine)
--3 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
--2 T soy sauce (La Choy and Tamari wheat free are GF)
--1 tsp ground black pepper

The Directions.

Use a 5-6 quart crockpot for this recipe.

Plop the chicken into your crockpot. Cover with the brown sugar, pepper, chopped garlic, and soy sauce. Add the vinegar, and pour in the soda. It will bubble!

Cover and cook on low for 6-9 hours, or on high for 4-5. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and has reached desired consistency. The longer you cook it, the more tender it will be.

Serve over a bowl of white rice with a ladle full of the broth.

The Verdict.

Seriously. Go to the store. This is what's for dinner.

[spandangley]

Also wanted to share this link: http://www.bhg.com/bhg/files/marketing/slowcooker/suppers.html?psrc=bhgnavslow

[DillyDally]

I have this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Food-Slo-cooker-Annette-Yates/dp/057202536X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1219581659&sr=1-1 which is handy for ideas.

I do a beef in red wine recipe from it - but it is really easy so here it is:-


225g streaky bacon, rinded and chopped
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 kg cubed stewing steak (seriously, buy the cheaper cuts, as they are cooked so slowly it will still be delicious)
2 tbsp plain flour
300 ml red wine
2 bay leaves
12 little small onions (or I just chop up a whole, large onion)
salt and pepper

Pre-heat the slow cooker on high.

Put all the ingredients in, sprinkle the plain flour on top and stir it, cook on low for 7 to 10 hours.

Remember to take the bay leaves out before serving.

NB this recipe actually says to brown all the ingredients first, but I never have (far too much of a faff!), and it is still lovely. As you can see, it only has 300 ml of liquid in it.

Other things to remember are to cut veg up small as otherwise it won't cook properly, and don't keep lifting the lid to have a look!!!

[purpleviolet]

I tried the WW Beef Slow Cooker stew, the recipe is on the WW Recipes thread in diets and it was soooo good, so I really recommend that one, plus it's great for diets as it's WW. :thumb:

I've tried some other great ones, but I'll have to look for the recipes. Also, spaghetti bol sauce is great in the slow cooker and bbq ribs (the meat falls right off the bone!)

[manclass]

i have just bought the rosemary conley slow cooker as it was half price in tesco so am watching this thread with interest - main reason for buying is that is is bigger than my casserole dish so will make it easier for me to cook and then eat half freeze half plus can make healthier dishes

[myzzterri]

Just found a recipe I didnt want to lose so adding it here:

CrockPot Brown Sugar Chicken Recipe (http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/08/crockpot-brown-sugar-chicken-recipe.html)

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GxgLNKoVUA4/SKNeOyUVnaI/AAAAAAAABns/13t78c1nTmo/s320/IMG_5302.JPG (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_GxgLNKoVUA4/SKNeOyUVnaI/AAAAAAAABns/13t78c1nTmo/s1600-h/IMG_5302.JPG)

Day 231.

It should be noted that this chicken has been named "Candy Chicken" in our house. I don't think my kids have ever eaten so much chicken in their lives. If you are bored with dried out, boring chicken, you must try this.

You simply must.

Go.

Now.

Go to the store and buy the ingredients.

go.

The Ingredients.
courtesy of Confessions of a Wacky SAHM (http://www.freewebs.com/awackysahm/recipeblog.htm?blogentryid=2962170)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GxgLNKoVUA4/SKNaH_skgGI/AAAAAAAABnk/XBgw63ZS6uU/s320/IMG_5243.JPG (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_GxgLNKoVUA4/SKNaH_skgGI/AAAAAAAABnk/XBgw63ZS6uU/s1600-h/IMG_5243.JPG)
--12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or 6 boneless, skinless breast halves
--1 cup brown sugar (it's okay. you can brush your teeth after.)
--1/4 cup lemon-lime soda (stay with me...)
--2/3 cup vinegar (I used white wine, but think regular white would be fine)
--3 cloves smashed and chopped garlic
--2 T soy sauce (La Choy and Tamari wheat free are GF)
--1 tsp ground black pepper

The Directions.

Use a 5-6 quart crockpot for this recipe.

Plop the chicken into your crockpot. Cover with the brown sugar, pepper, chopped garlic, and soy sauce. Add the vinegar, and pour in the soda. It will bubble!

Cover and cook on low for 6-9 hours, or on high for 4-5. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and has reached desired consistency. The longer you cook it, the more tender it will be.

Serve over a bowl of white rice with a ladle full of the broth.

The Verdict.

Seriously. Go to the store. This is what's for dinner.

is this from "a year in crockpotting?"