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Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446022 by Goofy girl
Sep 30, 2009 9:13am
Thread (disabled) Board
LOL! I have 2 jumbo 6qt, and 1 crock pot & 1 slow cooker. Iffen you wanna to get technical, I also have 2 roasters! I sometimes have 1 for meat, 1 for veggies & 1 for dessert. Happy B who's very hungry now!
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446021 by Goofy girl
Sep 30, 2009 9:15am
Thread (disabled) Board
My sister in law used to leave go to work then on lunch come check hers and then go back to work

I worry myself sometimes with the foolish thoughts that go through my head....I have a very dumb confession.....I even considered sitting a crock pot out by the pool so it could sit on concrete all day and not be plugged into my house. But then, the neighborhood dogs may attack my poor little pot.

thanks for all the info to everybody on the crock pots/slow cookers. I'm still trying to talk myself into using one.
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446006 by the Dawg Pound
Sep 30, 2009 9:51am
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my family has been cooking things in crock pots since I was about 6 or 7. I am 44. that is nearly 40 years of cooking, sometimes with the pot "attended", sometimes "unattended". doesn't really matter much. the number one rule of crockpotting is do not lift the lid. this lets all the heat out, and messes up the timing of the meal. We own five crocks of varying sizes. In all the time we have been using crocks, we have only had to replace one...and that was because we dropped it and broke the ceramic part. that was a good thing, though...it was a very old one that you couldn't lift the crock out of the pot. I was rather glad to see it break, because I hated washing it. I like the newer ones much better, they're easier to wash. we have never had a countertop get too hot to touch, much less approach a fire-causing temperature. the bottom of the metal pot does get too hot to touch. I've even used them on wood counter tops without a problem. jump in and try some of this yummy stuff...you'll be glad you did!

romana
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446112 by Romana
Sep 30, 2009 9:59am
Thread (disabled) Board
I heartily agree with Romana's post. If you are feeling uncertain, try it a few times while you are going to be home. That way you can see exactly what heats and how much. But, again, DON"T LIFT THE LID (I just get really close to sniff:))

Off to try the chocolate cake recipe....
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446006 by the Dawg Pound
Sep 30, 2009 12:12pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Many of the recipes are for 8 hours. Because I am at work 9 hours (8:00-5:00) and have a 1/2 hour commute, I am gone from my house 7:30-5:30.

My solution? A timer switch!

I set the crock pot up, plug it into the timer switch and tell it to turn on 9:30 and switch off at 5:30. Then it's ready for me and not cooking too many hours.

They always warn you not to put raw chicken in the crock pot without turning it on almost immediately. No problem. I can throw it in the crockpot at 7:30, put it on the timer switch to shut off at 4:30. It's still warm when I get home.

KuKu
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446154 by KuKu
Sep 30, 2009 1:45pm
Thread (disabled) Board
some crocks are programmable, to cook for 8 hours and then switch themselves to "warm" until you get home.

romana
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446006 by the Dawg Pound
Sep 30, 2009 2:42pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I have two monstrous cats that get into EVERYTHING and have even knocked the slow cooker off the counter while I was out in order to get what was inside of it, so now I cook the night before. Most recipes will cook in 4 hours on high, so you can dump the ingredients in around 5 or 6 pm and pull them out before bed, put them in tupperware or covered dishes and there is tomorrow nights dinner. I often freeze 1/2 as there are only two people in my house.

Also, if you are ok in the mornings, you can put the ingredients in just before bed and cook on low if the recipes allows for about 8 hours of cookng and take it out in the morning and transfer to the fridge. Then you just reheat before dinner. I love cooking this way and with my cat's its the only safe way for me to cook in the crockpot. Recently they even dragged the lid of the crock pot out of the sink because it still smelled of chicken and knocked it on the floor breaking it. Sadly I cannot find a replacement lid for my Say and Go pot, so I may have to buy a whole new one. GRrrrrrrr
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #445590 by kinggirls
Sep 30, 2009 3:30pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I just borrowed a cookbook last night which looks quite good and is part of a series: NOT your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook by Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann. Sharkgirl, they also did a slow cooker recipes for two (if your freezer is getting full), as well as for entertaining and the newest, just last month, Family Favorites. All kinds of foods, including international dishes. On Amazon, you can check out the index of recipes to get an idea. They also have good information about slow cookers in the beginning, with conversion times for traditional recipes as well.

Meanwhile, here is a tried-and-true delicious recipe that I've been wanting to make. Haven't had a slow cooker for almost 2 years, but after reading all these recipes, had to buy a new one today! LOL Enjoy... Tamsyn

Smoky Pork Tinga Tacos with Avocado and Fresh Cheese
(Tacos de Tinga Poblana con Aguacate y Queso Fresco)

4 medium ( 1 lb total) red-skinned boiling or Yukon Gold potatoes,
cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1 inch pieces
One 28-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes in juice
3-4 canned chipotle chiles en adobo, seeded and sliced 1/4” thick *
1 tablespoon chipotle canning sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon oregano, preferably Mexican
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped or crushed
1 medium white onion, sliced 1/4 “ thick
Salt

For serving:
24 warm corn tortillas, store-bought (see reheating instructions below)
1 cup crumbled Mexican queso fresco or other fresh cheese, (feta or goat cheese)
2 large avocados, pitted, flesh scooped out and cut into 1/2 pieces

*If you don't find these canned items in the Mexican section, look in the section with the Goya products. Of course, if you live near a Mexican grocery, then no problem!

Spread the potatoes over the bottom of a slow-cooker and top with the pork. In a large bowl, mix the undrained tomatoes with the chiles, sauces, herbs, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Pour the mixture evenly over the meat and potatoes. Cover and slow-cook on high for 6 hours (the dish can hold on the slow-cooker’s keep warm function for 4 more hours or so).
When you are ready to eat, uncover the pork tinga and spoon off the fat that has accumulated on top, then stir. If there is a lot of liquid, tip it off and boil it rapidly until reduced and syrupy, then stir it back into the meat mixture. Taste and season with additional salt if you think the tinga needs it. Serve with the warm tortillas, crumbled fresh cheese and avocados for making soft tacos.

Reheating corn tortillas
With a microwave oven: Dribble 3 tablespoons water over a clean kitchen towel, then wrap your cold tortillas in it. Slide the package into a microwaveable plastic bag and fold the top over -- don’t seal it. Microwave at 50% power for 4 minutes to create a steamy environment around the tortillas. Let stand for 2-3 minutes before serving.

From Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless c. 2005
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446178 by Romana
Sep 30, 2009 4:24pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Oh yeah, those are nice models.

When I bought mine, I was on my own, alone, for the first time in 16 years. I found a basic 3 quart one for $14 (yeah, Fred Meyer). It was just my price range. I wasn't sure how often I would use it -- and I need to use it more often, that's for sure!

KuKu
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #445590 by kinggirls
Sep 30, 2009 5:19pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Thank you everyone for the recipes! I have a "programmable" one that will automatically go to warm when it is done cooking which is a lifesaver. With all these yummy recipes to try I might actually look like a cook!
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446105 by the Dawg Pound
Sep 30, 2009 5:41pm
Thread (disabled) Board
If your worried about leaving it unattended, try it on a weekend when you are home a few times to get used to it. Then maybe you will feel more apt to leave it on a weekday. It really is a go to kitchen appliance when the days get chilly. I Love when I can dump ingredients in it in the AM and come home to Chili in the PM! Yum!!!! They are also great for Potlucks and such.

Can't wait to try a dessert in the thing. =) I may have to get a second one. YEA!

~Aurora
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446154 by KuKu
Sep 30, 2009 6:41pm
Thread (disabled) Board
They always warn you not to put raw chicken in the crock pot without turning it on almost immediately. No problem. I can throw it in the crockpot at 7:30, put it on the timer switch to shut off at 4:30. It's still warm when I get home

Or just don't cook chicken. :)

Shiloh

*who is sick of chicken*
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446299 by shiloh
Sep 30, 2009 7:24pm
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*who is sick of chicken*

I was REALLY sick of chicken last February. When I came home from a stay in the hospital, the generous women of my church brought meals for me for two weeks. It was great, except they all brought chicken... chicken and noodles or chicken and rice. I didn't complain, because I didn't have to cook, but you can imagine how glad I was when the very last cook brought some kind of Korean dish WITHOUT CHICKEN.
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446006 by the Dawg Pound
Sep 30, 2009 9:11pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Maybe this will help put your fear into perspective. When you leave the house, do you turn off the refrigerator, furnace, water heater, or central air conditioning, which all draw more power than a slow cooker (or, even more frightening, have a gas flame)? Think, also, about all the places vampire electricity is flowing . . . low amounts running through the TV so it turns on faster and power needed to run clocks and timers on your dvd/video players, stereo equipment, microwave, answering machine, etc. One bit of dust in the wrong place and POW . . . a fire can start there as well.

Yes, there is always the risk of a fire from something . . . My friend lost her entire condo when a plugged in hair dryer in the "off" position shorted out. [OK, I'll admit it. I never leave a hair dryer plugged in when I am finished with it. Ever! I'm glad a slow cooker did not start my friend's fire. I wouldn't ever get a hot meal!] But, when you put a slow cooker up against some of these other big appliances that are running when you are not there . . . it is small potatoes. (Which also make a tasty meal!)

-U.L. (who used to give fire safety and prevention workshops)
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446338 by Urban Letterboxer
Sep 30, 2009 9:40pm
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-U.L. (who used to give fire safety and prevention workshops)

ok, am I the only person who thinks it's funny that someone named "UL" gave lectures on electrical safety? or am I giving away my age when I recall that every "good" electrical appliance was certified by underwriter's laboratories, and had a sticker or tag on it that said, "UL"?

romana
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446352 by Romana
Oct 1, 2009 3:46am
Thread (disabled) Board
ok, am I the only person who thinks it's funny that someone named "UL" gave lectures on electrical safety?

Nope, you're not the only one. I thought the same thing.

FG
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446385 by J Walkers
Oct 1, 2009 4:42am
Thread (disabled) Board
ok, am I the only person who thinks it's funny that someone named "UL" gave lectures on electrical safety?
Nope, you're not the only one. I thought the same thing.

Me too!! In fact, i looked back to see if that was really the intials of the poster!!! LOL
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446006 by the Dawg Pound
Oct 1, 2009 5:23am
Thread (disabled) Board
Dawn,
I use my crockpot several times each week. In fact, I have a whole family of them. The big Oval one, a regular sized oval one... and two small ones for dips and sauces.
I have been a crockpot cook for years and have never had any issues where one overheated or caused a fire hazard.
I did try a new recipe a while back.... where I felt I had to stay home.... because the recipe called for NO WATER.
ROTISERIE CHICKEN IN THE CROCK POT:
Roll up aluminum foil into several loose balls
place on bottom of crock pot.
set whole chicken on top of aluminum foil balls
season to your taste ( I used creole seasonings for frying a turkey)
cook on high for 6 hours.

This is YUMMY. someone commented that they wrap foil around potatoes and put the chicken on top... that way it cooks the chicken AND you have baked potatoes too.
I worried about not having any water in there.... so I made it one day when we planned to stay home, but it worked fine and was very good.
Yesterday I did the same thing, but I laid NY STRIP STEAKS on the aluminum foil balls and cooked them for 4 hours while I was at work. I put them on at lunch and they were done when I got home.
I love my crock pots !!
Dina B.
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446104 by Happy B
Oct 1, 2009 5:53am
Thread (disabled) Board
LOL! I have 2 jumbo 6qt, and 1 crock pot & 1 slow cooker. Iffen you wanna to get technical, I also have 2 roasters!

Do you ever use your oven?? :~)

Birdwoman/WP
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446299 by shiloh
Oct 1, 2009 9:54am
Thread (disabled) Board
Ha!

KuKu
who has some great chicken recipes, like encrusted in cheese or setzuan . . .
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #445615 by Hufflepuff Lost
Oct 1, 2009 10:31am
Thread (disabled) Board
1 can condensed mushroom soup (do not add water)
1 can cola
1 beef roast

i'm making this right now. Can i add other vegetables to the crock pot with the meat? i'm throwing in potatoes, onion, carrots, turnips, rutabagas. So i'm thinking put the meat on the bottom and the vegetables on top?

FYI. The salmon in the crockpot was great!

deniserows
inside her crockpot
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446352 by Romana
Oct 1, 2009 10:56am
Thread (disabled) Board
You are merely a child as I am Romona..because I recall that seal as well!!
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446513 by deniserows
Oct 1, 2009 12:57pm
Thread (disabled) Board
i've never had turnips and rutabagas with roast. i love rutabagas, so i bet they'd be good!!! I'll have to try it.
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446567 by the Dawg Pound
Oct 1, 2009 1:24pm
Thread (disabled) Board
There's nothing better than coming home after an hour commute on a cold night, walking in the door and smelling dinner is all ready!

I have two Sandra Lee Slow Cooker cookbooks. One of my favorite recipes is "Moroccan Chicken with Couscous".
The couscous is cooked on the stove (in about 5 minutes) with the delicious broth made by the chicken, veggies and spices.

I've left my crockpot on unattended for 10+ hours.
The trickiest thing for me is making sure the food doesn't turn to mush.
Crockpots are also very handy for parties. I cook and serve sweet and sour meatballs appetizers right in the cooker.

-Scotlandbound
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446417 by Waltzing Pigs
Oct 1, 2009 2:36pm
Thread (disabled) Board
What is this O V E N you speak of ???

GG
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446038 by terrio
Oct 1, 2009 2:48pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I need to leave for work NOW and I have nothing thawed to put in the pot.

I always put frozen meat or chicken in the crock. My cookbook says it slows the cooking down of the chicken so its tender but not overcooked.
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446610 by Goofy girl
Oct 1, 2009 4:06pm
Thread (disabled) Board
What is this O V E N you speak of ???

it's the large box underneath the bruners on the stove that you use for making shrinky dinks and drying out strawberry leather and soaked logbooks. caution: do not put lock and locks in there while you are drying the logbooks...the smell of melting plastic has been found to be toxic to pregnant women, small children, and animals.

romana
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446649 by Romana
Oct 1, 2009 5:05pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Yes I have used it for Shrinky Dinks!!!
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446616 by Crazyolis
Oct 2, 2009 7:12am
Thread (disabled) Board
I must have some old books...I thought you were NOT supposed to use frozen meat in them? Terrio
Re: Slow cooker recipes
Board: Food For Thought
Reply to: #446817 by terrio
Oct 2, 2009 9:19am
Thread (disabled) Board
I've had no problems cooking frozen meat.
Just give it enough time and liquid to cook thoroughly.