Menopause Matters Forum

General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: ellie on January 30, 2014, 10:59:30 AM

Title: Slow Cookers
Post by: ellie on January 30, 2014, 10:59:30 AM
Does anyone use a slow cooker? I don't want to buy something that will be stuck at the back of the cupboard.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Dancinggirl on January 30, 2014, 11:07:00 AM
Absolutely love my slow cooker.  My sister got me onto using slow cookers as they are soooo easy and use less electricity.  I tend to just use for casseroles - cooking slowly tenderises the meat nicely. You just pop things in and leave. You can then get on with the day knowing the meal is virtually done and you don't have to set to preparing a supper when your tired and hungry.  Look online for recipes and tips.  DG x
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Joyce on January 30, 2014, 11:43:31 AM
I have one, but don't use it much. Must say food tasted fantastic though. I bought a recipe book, but struggled as many had dairy in them which I can't take. Must look online and dig out the slow cooker again. Never been brave enough to put it in on, go away for the day and come back to a cooked meal as many folk I know do.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: CLKD on January 30, 2014, 12:21:43 PM
Yep.  Useful for when we have days away from the house and know we are returning late and tired.. Food prepared the afternoon before and put on to simmer gently until required
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Greyhoundgal on January 30, 2014, 01:09:08 PM
Yep, I have one and I love it.  Use it a lot at this time of year and there is nothing nicer than coming in after a long day at work to the smell of your dinner gently bubbling away :)
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Limpy on January 30, 2014, 02:05:34 PM
I have one and it's brilliant.
Once things are prepared in the morning that's it, no more messing around, all done.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Jellyb on January 30, 2014, 03:41:42 PM
Yes, we have one and use it all the time at this time of year.  You can casserole pretty much about anything.  I throw in meat, random veg and, as long as you have some liquid (stock) in there it will taste fine.
The best thing is coming back into the house and the lovely smell hits you.
My husband does a mean spag bol in ours as well.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: mamakaren on January 30, 2014, 04:27:51 PM
Love mine! Couldn't live without it!  :D
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: littleminnie on January 30, 2014, 05:10:42 PM
Love ours too. Gammon cooked in cheap coke tastes wonderful.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: ellie on January 30, 2014, 05:30:34 PM
Thank you everyone, will be buying one tomorrow.......
Recipes please anyone..........
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Joyce on January 30, 2014, 06:23:38 PM
Anyone know good recipe book for slow cookers?  :)
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Rowan on January 30, 2014, 06:46:04 PM
I have slow cooker recipes book I got on amazon.

Love mine  too.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Joyce on January 30, 2014, 06:51:34 PM
I looked on there, but so many. Just dug out one I have, but it's based very much on American ingredients.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: littleminnie on January 30, 2014, 07:30:16 PM
Don't need recipe books these days. Just google and store the recipes electronically.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: honeybun on January 30, 2014, 08:14:22 PM
If you are doing a casserole do you have to brown the meat before hand or just chuck it all in.
I have often considered one but the thought of browning every thing before put me off.


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: littleminnie on January 30, 2014, 08:18:09 PM
I only brown the meat if it's beef. Pork and chicken is fine just thrown in.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: honeybun on January 30, 2014, 08:23:02 PM
That sounds more like the ticket. Quite fancy one.

What kind of stuff do you ladies do. Inspiration please.


Honeyb
x
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: ariadne on January 30, 2014, 09:21:22 PM
My slow cooker is quite large when I only need to cook for two of us. Thats why I dont use it often. Is it Ok to stand a smaller dish inside the big one?

Ariadne xx



Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Limpy on January 31, 2014, 01:27:42 PM
That sounds more like the ticket. Quite fancy one.

What kind of stuff do you ladies do. Inspiration please.


Honeyb
x

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,11133.msg301349.html#msg301349

Will this one do? Ok, there is browning but that  doesn't take long, and then that's it, everything done, no more messing. around,

Also, I just used to put chicken thighs straight in with a tin of "cook in" sauce, didn't even heat the sauce.
After it was in all day it was nice and tender and bubbling away.  This was so so easy.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Meggie on January 31, 2014, 03:07:47 PM
I have a large oval slow cooker which I bought years ago from Aldi or Lidl - it was about £27.  We love roast lamb but don't like messing up the oven so I buy frozen leg of lamb when on offer, thaw out overnight and put the whole leg in the slow cooker on 'high' for the whole day.  There's no need to put any fluid with it just a large chopped onion.  The meat just falls off the bone - delicious.  Tuck slices of garlic under the skin too.

Enjoy a new way of cooking.

Meggie
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Rowan on January 31, 2014, 03:13:13 PM
Spread redcurrant jelly over it and it will be even better ( that's if you like that sort of thing) I have done it with lamb chops.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Meggie on February 02, 2014, 07:58:02 PM
OOoohhh Silverlady - I'll try the next leg of lamb with redcurrant jelly - sounds delicious

Megie
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Joyce on February 02, 2014, 08:03:31 PM
I made a meat & veg stew in mine tonight. Hubby said it didn't do it for him, not enough of a kick. Eh? It's a stew not a curry!  ???
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Katejo on February 02, 2014, 09:35:25 PM
I bought one years ago when I was a student and need a cheap way of cooking. It was useful but after a while all the dishes tasted much the same. It sat in my cupboard for a very long time until I gave it away on Freecycle about 18 months ago.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: ariadne on February 02, 2014, 10:11:28 PM
I tried mine again today with a beef casserole. Tasted very bland until I added more salt, pepper then paprika and chilli! I think that's why I stopped using it - everything was a bit school-dinner....ish.

It was lovely to be able to forget about it all day though :)


Ariadne
xx
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Dancinggirl on February 02, 2014, 10:23:28 PM
It's not the slow cooker that makes things bland, it's the recipe.  I find Beef casserole needs all kinds of things - you can use  marmite or worchester sauce, tomatoes and tomato puree and, of course, paprika or chillies.
Meggie, love the idea of the lamb joint cooked slowly - I will try that one.
DG x
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Rowan on February 03, 2014, 12:27:39 PM
Making Beef Stroganoff in slow cooker today for tomorrows meal.
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: littleminnie on February 03, 2014, 01:39:44 PM
So would cook it today, let it go cold, put it in the fridge and microwave it tomorrow SL?
Title: Re: Slow Cookers
Post by: Rowan on February 03, 2014, 02:11:02 PM
Yes, or sometimes I cook it on auto over night.

Cassoulet for weekend cooked with black treacle, whole grain mustard and Haricot beans, recipes from my slow cooker book.