Got a slower cooker - where to start?

**spandangley** · 19-08-2008, 04:01pm

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** · 19-08-2008, 04:05pm

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.

**Jamtart** · 19-08-2008, 04:14pm

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** · 19-08-2008, 04:16pm

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

**SaintSarah** · 19-08-2008, 04:28pm

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** · 19-08-2008, 10:18pm

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

**LME** · 19-08-2008, 10:44pm

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** · 19-08-2008, 10:58pm

DH says "turn it on" (yes he thinks he's funny

don't worry - we can all go & troll his website!! - oh he's gone all serious now & says "I won't accept it"

)

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......

**myzzterri** · 19-08-2008, 11:02pm

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

http://flyladyforum.blogtalkradio.co...ooker+crockpot

**Jelly** · 19-08-2008, 11:06pm

Originally Posted by 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.

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