Slow Cooker

[kayakamina]

I have been given a slow cooker and I've purchased a lot of vegetables and some cubed stewing steak.

As a useless male I am unsure whether I am supposed to brown the meat first before placing in the cooker , and also how much liquid , if any, do I put in?

[mazie]

Always brown the meat first K. I would say just enough stock to cover the veg and meat. I dont have a slow cooker,if I did that's what I would go. Good luck and let us know how it turns out x

[mazie]

K this site looks interesting. It should give you some menu ideas as well

http://slowcookerrecipes.org.uk/

[kayakamina]

Thanks mazie for the advice & the link.

Regards K

[4getmenot]

I never brown the meat first still turns out ok.

[Kim A]

You don't need to always brown the meat, but you do get better colour, flavour and appearance if you do. As to the liquid, remember that there's very little evaporation in a slow cooker, so you don't need to add very much liquid at all. I've cooked things without any - ham hock surrounded just by onion and celery and herbs worked a treat.

[Quizmonster]

K, I certainly wouldn't put in enough liquid to cover the meat and veg as suggested above. Oil the slow cooker and lob in the chunkily sliced vegetables whilst the meat is browning on the normal cooker, then drain and add the meat. Pour over no more than half a pint of stock and turn to 'slow' for about 4 hours...or longer if desired. About 20 mins before eating, I always mix 3 tbsps of flour with some tomato puree and a dash of red wine and stir that in to thicken the sauce, turning the heat to high. Wonderful! Enjoy!

[pastafreak]

I used the 'recommended' amount of liquid when I first got mine.....and like others-ended up with way too much. Less is definitely more in this case. I will often put it on the night before....the meat is like butter.

[Kim A]

Hell, yes! Shin, oxtail, skirt, onglet, hocks, hand and spring and blade, scraggy old lamb, all those Granny cuts that no-one wants and that the butcher always sells off cheap. Delicious!

[wendilla]

My dinner tonight done in slow cooker is mince ,onion, tin of beans,tin of tomatoes jar of bolognese.small amout of diced mixed veg. Will boil pasta shells separate amd mix through. I do lots in mine can't beat them for joints of beef or lamb.

[kayakamina]

Hi QM1
Thanks for the tips. I see you are a knowledgeable cook as well as a wordsmith.

I like the idea of adding the wine, and I don't think even I can mess up if the process is as easy as everyone says!
I'm looking forward to experimenting tomorrow and then boasting to my friends.

Cheers
K