DS Forums

 
 

Your favourite slow cooker meals/recipes!


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 01-10-2009, 18:20
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619

Hello!

I bought myself a slow cooker today, I have wanted one for ages and the one I got was a bargin. I am so excited about using it , my hubby works long days, so I know I can chuck the stuff in at lunch and know it will be done for when he comes in and I won't have to bother about doing cooking, maybe just something for the side!

Anyway, I have only thought of chilli and spag bol to do in it so I am hoping you can share yours with me and hopefully we will end up with some fantastic ideas!!

Also, what is your opinion with meat, to brown or not to brown??

Thanks in advance!
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 01-10-2009, 18:44
Dazzaschofield
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1,008
There's tonnes you can do and there always amazing.

I like to heat the crock pot up on the stove first, then throw a load of veg in (onions, carrots, celery,garlic) the put in a whole chicken and cover with some chicken stock and salt/pepper, once its boiling put it in the slow cooker and leave for hours, you'll get the most succulent juicy meat youve ever tasted.

Same can be done with lamb shoulder, just use red wine with the stock and then add some full spriggs of rosemary, the lamb will just fall off the bone.

Other ideas are currys, stews ect as long as the food is wet or saucy it can be done in the slow cooker.

You have picked the perfect time to get one though coming up to winter, you'll find nothing better then returning home when its a freezing day and its still frosty outside and just walking straigt into a kitchen filled with the aroma of lamb stew, all you need to do is throw some dumplins in, wait 10 mins and voila you have yourself a very cosy autumn night infont of the TV.

Id always seal lamb or beef before putting it in the slow cooker as that way you will retain all the lovley juices!!
Dazzaschofield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2009, 18:50
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
Ooo, they sound wonderful!

My instuction says that there will be lots of liquid left, is this the same with chillies etc? Straining my chilly sounds weird!

I am very much looking forward to the yummy wafts that will hopefully happen! Roll on tomorrow! My eldest is at nursery so will have a play in the morning and switch it on just before I go out!

e2a, I bought a pork shoulder today, will this be ok in there too and what should I cook with?
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2009, 18:57
Dazzaschofield
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 1,008
The pork shoulder would be fine as long as there isnt any fat on it, if there is then remove the fat and roast it as crackling, then do the pork in the slow cooker.

Chilli's/spag bol are a bit difficult as you need to cook them properly first so the best best is to cook them the night before and leave them in the fridge, in the morning heat them in the microwave or quickly in the pan and then transfere them to the slow cooker to keep heated throughout the day. you will find that there will be a little layer of water sitting on the top as the evaporation will sit there but after a quick stir everything will be fine, no straining needed lol
Dazzaschofield is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2009, 19:02
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
Phew!! was quite worried I'd be serving up chilli soup!!

I like that rice can be cooked in them if chucked in about 45mins from the end!

Might have ago with the pork. With the chicken, you say you put some chicken stock on it, do you cover it or just a pint or so??

Sorry for all the Q's!!
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2009, 19:32
GaseousClay
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Worcester
Posts: 4,185
My favourite has got to be the easiest. Take one 2lb Gammon joint place in slow cooker set to high come back 5 hrs later take out of slow cooker.... and the remaining liquid makes great stock.
GaseousClay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2009, 19:39
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
My favourite has got to be the easiest. Take one 2lb Gammon joint place in slow cooker set to high come back 5 hrs later take out of slow cooker.... and the remaining liquid makes great stock.
Ooo nice, normally gammon isn't one I like because I haven't had them done too great. How much liquid do you start with?
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2009, 19:43
GaseousClay
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Worcester
Posts: 4,185
Ooo nice, normally gammon isn't one I like because I haven't had them done too great. How much liquid do you start with?
None, just place the joint in on it's own.
GaseousClay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-10-2009, 23:41
Twee
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 237
Throw in one inch chunks of onion, carrot, swede and potato.

Half pint of beef stock, 2tbsp tomato ketchup, 1tbsp Worcestershire Sauce, 1tsp Thyme.

Place on top browned brisket of beef.
Twee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2009, 08:23
I love Ellie
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,743
Onion, carrot, chorizo, herbs, a can of tomatoes, a can of cannellini beans, a glass of red wine, chopped peppers, anything left over in the fridge really.
I love Ellie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2009, 14:42
The Deebster
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 667
deleted double post
The Deebster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2009, 14:44
The Deebster
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 667
Stewing steak with button mushrooms, sliced onions and enough onion gravy to cover the meat.

Or sausage casserole with a tin of chopped tomatoes, butter beans and herbs.

I do try to add less liquid when I use the slow cooker as it doesn't evaporate so you need to bear this in mind.

I might have to get my slow cooker out this weekend - this is making me hungry
The Deebster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2009, 15:02
indianwells
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,236
There's tonnes you can do and there always amazing.

I like to heat the crock pot up on the stove first, then throw a load of veg in (onions, carrots, celery,garlic) the put in a whole chicken and cover with some chicken stock and salt/pepper, once its boiling put it in the slow cooker and leave for hours, you'll get the most succulent juicy meat youve ever tasted.

Same can be done with lamb shoulder, just use red wine with the stock and then add some full spriggs of rosemary, the lamb will just fall off the bone.

Other ideas are currys, stews ect as long as the food is wet or saucy it can be done in the slow cooker.

You have picked the perfect time to get one though coming up to winter, you'll find nothing better then returning home when its a freezing day and its still frosty outside and just walking straigt into a kitchen filled with the aroma of lamb stew, all you need to do is throw some dumplins in, wait 10 mins and voila you have yourself a very cosy autumn night infont of the TV.

Id always seal lamb or beef before putting it in the slow cooker as that way you will retain all the lovley juices!!
I always brown the meat, not because it seals in the juices (because it doesn't) but it does give good flavour.
indianwells is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-10-2009, 15:04
Sir Jeremy III
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Summer Bay, Australia
Posts: 5,581
I always brown the meat, not because it seals in the juices (because it doesn't) but it does give good flavour.
If you cover the meat in flour before browning, it seals it better.
Sir Jeremy III is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-10-2009, 13:45
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
All your suggestions and tips are fantastic!! Please feel free to keep them coming!

mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2009, 11:56
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
Going to do spag bol mix today, brown 1lb of mince in pan first with 1 onion but have a second chopped up to chuck straight into slow cooker with a clove of garlic, a tin of chopped toms, drained, some tomato puree chopped pepper, dried mixed herbs will add one oxo cube made up and a slosh of worcester sauce.

Will cook for 7 hours on, low. Does this sound ok?? Also, do you think I should add some cornflour or plain flour near the end to thicken it up incase it's a bit liquidy? Thanks
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2009, 12:05
LQS
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4,280
Going to try the gammon... sounds yummy.
LQS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2009, 12:25
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
Going to try the gammon... sounds yummy.
Let us know how it turns out!!

I decided instead of just using a pound of the mince, I would use the whole 1kg
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2009, 13:25
Orangemaid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Sat at computer with heatin on
Posts: 45,573
I love a chilli cooked in the slow cooker..

I just bung everthing in and give it a stir and leave all over night to cook..

It smells nice when i get up for work..

I just cook the rice fresh when im ready..
Orangemaid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2009, 14:21
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
I love a chilli cooked in the slow cooker..

I just bung everthing in and give it a stir and leave all over night to cook..

It smells nice when i get up for work..

I just cook the rice fresh when im ready..
That is next weekends challenge I think. Do you brown the mince before hand?
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2009, 14:24
Orangemaid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Sat at computer with heatin on
Posts: 45,573
That is next weekends challenge I think. Do you brown the mince before hand?
no..I chop it up first in a bowl, then just bung in the slowcooker, with everything else..Believe me it cooks the mince nice and soft..
Orangemaid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2009, 14:27
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
no..I chop it up first in a bowl, then just bung in the slowcooker, with everything else..Believe me it cooks the mince nice and soft..
Coolio, I assume you're still alive so if your low on time and cooking for 6+ hours it's not a problem if you don't brown.
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-10-2009, 22:26
Orangemaid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Sat at computer with heatin on
Posts: 45,573
Ive just put slow cooker on now, for me dinner tomorrow,,I doing spag bol, so i cooking the mince and the jar of spag bol sauce, and just cook the spaghetti fresh , when im ready..Im up at 5.40, so it be done..
Orangemaid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2009, 08:09
mummypigget
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: piggetville
Posts: 4,619
Ive just put slow cooker on now, for me dinner tomorrow,,I doing spag bol, so i cooking the mince and the jar of spag bol sauce, and just cook the spaghetti fresh , when im ready..Im up at 5.40, so it be done..
Bet the house smelt lovely when you got up!!

I did a spag bol on Sunday in the slow cooker and it was very good, so rich. I am going to use it again probably tomorrow as hubby is on a late and won't get in until 10pm.
mummypigget is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2009, 17:13
Realale
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 5,741
My favourite has got to be the easiest. Take one 2lb Gammon joint place in slow cooker set to high come back 5 hrs later take out of slow cooker.... and the remaining liquid makes great stock.
Tried this yesterday, one word - fantastic!
Realale is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
 
Reply




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 17:57.