slow cooker

[mumsie_wumsie]

Well, I have bought myself a slow cooker, because I thought it would be a good thing to have.Trouble is, I haven't a clue how to use it. Do you just put all ingredients for a stew/casserole in together and turn on and hope for the best. And how much liquid do I put in. Shouldn't have bought it should I ?????

[brenda]

Once you get the hang of it you will always use it.

To come to a meal ready to eat in wintertime especially is just brilliant.Honestly.

[burbie]

anything you can put in a pan and boil
anything you can put in a casserole dish, or slow cook in the oven
can be cooked in a slow cooker.
vegatables take longer to cook than meat, so if you use veg and potatoes,
boll them for a few minutes first, and then add them to the slow cooker.
use enough water to just cover, dont use to much.
I often use packet casserole mixes, or homepride jars for flavour
dont add too much extra liquid.
if it is too watery, thicken it with gravy granuals
add any meat. put it on high for an hour, then turn down to low.
you can double up on quantity, and freeze half for another meal
you can leave it all day, you can go out to work or shopping, and its ready to serve when you are home.
Ive been using one for years. i cook more than i need, and freeze the rest.
im all for an easy life and its the best thing ive ever bought

[mumsie_wumsie]

Well you all make it sound easy enough. I just hate using anything new that I'm not sure about. But I will give it a go and let you all know whether it was a success OR NOT...My friend bought one as well, and she hasn't used hers either, so I will pass all tips on to her.

[sara3]

there's an M&S slow cooker recipe book for £3.50.

[mickrog]

http://slowcookerrecipes.org.uk/

[4getmenot]

colmans sausage casserole packet mix. Stick sausages in, chopped up mushrooms and carrots. Turn on low for 8 hrs. Turn up to high for last half.

[Ann]

My friend absolutely loves her and I bought her a cheapish recipe book from Amazon, although they do them in any book shop or garden centre. She says there are so many recipes they do with it ......... my problem would be storing it.

[starone]

Yes, as mick has posted you don't have to buy a cookery book all you have to do is google slow cooker recipes and you will have hundreds at your fingertips.

[woozer]

Starbuck one got there before me - there are loads of recipes on t'internet. Or use ones you have always used but you will probably need to cut back a bit on the liquid as it doesnt evaporate off as much as it would in the oven. Also brilliant for making home made stock - save up chicken carcasses (or whatever)in the freezer then put 4 or so in the cooker add herbs etc and boil away for the day - I dont like the smell so usually stick it outside in a covered area and run the cable through the window ! The lovely gloopy stock makes most soups and rice dishes so much nicer. Enjoy !

[boxtops]

If I put my stockpot outside the window, someone would make off with it!

[woozer]

Sorry to hear that boxtops - mine goes in the back garden and so it is relatively safe but I think the neighbours wonder what on earth I am up to sometimes

[Im a BusyBee]

I am on my 5th slow cooker -think i wear them out! I ALWAYS use it to cook ALL my meat in. No pre cooking and very rarely use a recipe i just look in fridge and cupboard and chuck in whatever i can find or whatever i fancy. I work and use mine probably on average 5 days a week. No more roast joints or whole chickens in the oven they all go in slow cooker. I think that is the one thing i could not live without in my kitchen. As mine is usually in use with meat in i do not cook deserts in itbut my mum cooks a syrup sponge pudding in hers that is always 'ordered' by family members when going to hers for dinner.

[mumsie_wumsie]

Well!! I have just been looking back over my previous posts and came across this one. So this is really just an update....Slow cooker is in a kitchen cupboard, and has never been used :-( Complete waste of money (for me anyway), fortunately it wasn't too expensive, but still a waste. Oh well, live and learn..